Prelude to Foundation Chapter 14 Billibotton

DAHL- Oddly eno(prenominal)gh, the best- chi set upen aspect of this sector is Billibotton, a semi-legendary place almost which innumer sufficient tales nonplus gr avouch up. In fact, a whole branch of literature bulge correctly exists in which heroes and adventurers (and victims) mustiness assume the dangers of passing through Billibotton. So stylized h grey in these stories be rise in that the unmatchable well- populaten and, presumably, au whencetic tale involving such a passage, that of Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili, has mystify to search fantastic simply by associationEncyclopedia Galactica66.When Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili were al matchless, Dors dealed thoughtfully, ar you sincerely planning to see this develop adult female?Im thought rough it, Dors.Youre an odd mavin, Hari. You face to go steadily from bad to worse. You went Upperside, which seemed h invent upless enough, for a rational conclude when you were in Streeling. Then, in Mycogen, you broke into the Elders aerie, a oft more good task, for a much more foolish character. And now in Dahl, you neediness to go to this place, which that young man seems to think is unbiased suicide, for any(prenominal)(prenominal)thing alto originateher nonsensical.Im comic ab bring out this reference to b every-and must whap if at that places anything to it.Dors verbalize, Its a legend and non counterbalance an vexing wiz. It is routine. The names differ from planet to planet, further the constrain is the same. thither is al paths the tale of an creational creation and a g adept metre(a)en age. on that consign is a farsighteding for a supposedly simple and taintless past that is almost universal among the muckle of a complex and culpable society. In wiz way or a nonher, this is conse tightenive of each(prenominal) societies, since deuceone imagines his or her deliver society to be too complex and vicious, however simple it may be. Mark that d induce for y our psychohistory. plainly the same, verbalise Seldon, I capture to consider the possibility that one world did once exist. Aurora earthly concern the name doesnt matter. In fact-He pa rehearsed and finally Dors utter, Well?Seldon shook his headland. Do you remember the clear-on-thigh story you told me in Mycogen? It was estimable after I got the discussion from Raindrop Forty-Three Well, it popped into my head one evening recently when we were babble out to the Tisalvers. I give tongue to roundthing that reminded me, for an instant-Reminded you of what?I dont remember. It came into my head and went out again, alone somehow every condemnation I think of the single-world nonion, it seems to me I engender the tips of my fingers on something and thusly(prenominal) lose it.Dors exploreed at Seldon in surprise. I dont see what it could be. The good deal-on-thigh story has goose egg to do with demesne or Aurora.I survive, tho this thing that h overs provided past the edge of my mind seems to be connected with this single world anyway and I adjudge the tippytoeling that I must suffer out more about it at any cost. That and robots.Robots too? I thought the Elders aerie put an end to that.Not at all. Ive been idea about them. He stargond at Dors with a troubled look on his face for a long mo workforcet, so key out, moreover Im non sure as shooting. sure as shooting about what, Hari?But Seldon merely shook his head and express nought more.Dors frowned, then said, Hari, let me identify you one thing. In sober history-and, gestate me, I ac adopt laidledge what Im talking about there is no acknowledg ment of one world of origin. Its a popular belief, I admit. I dont conceive just among the unsophisticated fol minorers of folklore, a equivalent the Mycogenians and the Dahlite heatsinkers, nonwithstanding there ar biologists who insist that there must reserve been one world of origin for reasons that argon well outside my are a of expertise and there are the more mystical historians who tend to speculate about it. And among the leisure-class in describeectuals, I assure such speculations are becoming fashionable. S coin bank, scholarly history knows nothing about it.Seldon said, All the more reason, perhaps, to go beyond scholarly history. All I motivation is a device that allow for simplify psychohistory for me and I dont sustenance what the device is, whether it is a mathematical trick or a historic trick or something totally imaginary. If the young man weve just talked to had had a little more formal training, Id bring forth set him on the problem. His thinking is marked by considerable ingenuity and originality-Dors said, And youre very passing to punt him, then?Absolutely. Just as soon as Im in a position to.But ought you to devise promises youre not sure youll be able to keep?I compulsion to keep it. If youre that stiff about unrealizable promises, consider that Hummin told Sunmaster Fo urteen that Id make exercising of psychohistory to rent the Mycogenians their world spur. Theres just about zero chance of that. Even if I belong out psychohistory, who knows if it jakes be implementd for so narrow and specialized a purpose? Theres a real case of promising what one cant de cogniser.But Dors said with some heat, Chetter Hummin was accentuateing to save our lives, to keep us out of the hands of Demerzel and the Emperor. Dont for fit that. And I think he really would like to patron the Mycogenians.And I really would like to help Yugo Amaryl and I am distant more likely to be able to help him than I am the Mycogenians, so if you justify the irregular, please dont criticize the first. Whats more, Dors-and his eyeball flashed angrily-I really would like to find bugger off Rittah and Im prepared to go alone.Never snapped Dors. If you go, I go.67.Mistress Tisalver re sullen with her daughter in tow an hour after Amaryl had leftover wing on this way to his shi ft. She said nothing at all to any Seldon or Dors, just now gave a curt nod of her head when they greeted her and gazed astutely about the room as though to verify that the heatsinker had left no trace. She then sniffed the air sharply and looked at Seldon accusingly in the lead marching music through the common room into the family bedroom.Tisalver himself arrived home later and when Seldon and Dors came to the dinner table, Tisalver took reinforcement of the fact that his wife was let off ordering some last-minute dilate in connection with the dinner to say in a low joint, Has that somebody been here?And gone, said Seldon solemnly. Your wife was out at the time.Tisalver nodded and said, ordain you control to do this again?I dont think so, said Seldon.Good.dinner party passed broadly in silence, but afterward, when the daughter had gone to her room for the dubious pleasures of estimator practice, Seldon leaned binding and said, Tell me about Billibotton.Tisalver look ed astonished and his mouth go without any sound issuing.Casilia, however, was less easily rendered speechless. She said, Is that where your new friend lives? Are you going to return the visit?So farthermost, said Seldon quietly, I have just asked about Billibotton.Casilia said sharply, It is a slum. The dregs live there. No one goes there, except the filth that make their homes there.I understand a dumb order Rittah lives there.I neer comprehend of her, said Casilia, her mouth cloture with a snap. It was quite clear that she had no intention of knowing anyone by name who lived in Billibotton.Tisalver, casting an uneasy look at his wife, said, Ive heard of her. Shes a crazy old woman who is supposed to tell fortunes.And does she live in Billibotton?I dont know, Master Seldon. Ive never seen her. Shes mentioned sometimes in the intelligence service holocasts when she makes her predictions.Do they come true?Tisalver snorted. Do predictions ever come true? Hers dont even make se nse.Does she ever talk about Earth?I dont know. I wouldnt be surprised.The mention of Earth doesnt puzzle you. Do you know about Earth?Now Tisalver looked surprised. Certainly, Master Seldon. Its the world all plenty came from supposedly.Supposedly? Dont you mean it?Me? Im educated. But many ignorant people believe it.Are there book-films about Earth?Childrens stories sometimes mention Earth. I remember, when I was a young boy, my favorite story began, Once, long ago, on Earth, when Earth was the barely planet- Remember, Casilia? You liked it too.Casilia shrugged, un resulting to bend as to that degree.Id like to see it sometime, said Seldon, but I mean real book-films uh learned ones or films or printouts.I never heard of any, but the library-Ill submit that.-Are there any taboos about speaking of Earth?What are taboos?I mean, is it a strong custom that people mustnt talk of Earth or that outsiders mustnt ask about it?Tisalver looked so honestly astonished that there seemed no point in waiting for an answer.Dors put in, Is there some rein in about outsiders not going to Billibotton?Now Tisalver turned earnest. No rule, but its not a good idea for anyone to go there. I wouldnt.Dors said, wherefore not?Its dangerous. Violent allone is armed.-I mean, Dahl is an armed place anyway, but in Billibotton they use the weapons. Stay in this neighborhood. Its safe.So far, said Casilia darkly. It would be bust if we left altogether. Heatsinkers go anywhere these days. And there was another lowering look in Seldons direction.Seldon said, What do you mean that Dahl is an armed place? There are strong Imperial regulations against weapons.I know that, said Tisalver, and there are no stun guns here or percussives or mental Probes or anything like that. But there are knives. He looked embarrassed.Dors said, Do you exculpate a poke, Tisalver?Me? He looked genuinely horrified. I am a man of peace and this is a safe neighborhood.We have a gibe of them in the house, said Casilia, sniffing again. Were not that certain this is a safe neighborhood.Does everyone carry knives? asked Dors.Almost everyone, Mistress Venabili, said Tisalver. Its customary. But that doesnt mean everyone uses them.But they use them in Billibotton, I suppose, said Dors.Sometimes. When theyre excited, they have fights.And the regimen permits it? The Imperial government, I mean?Sometimes they try to clean Billibotton up, but knives are too easy to hide and the custom is too strong. Besides, its almost always Dahlites that get killed and I dont think the Imperial government gets too upset over that.What if its an outsider who gets killed?If its reported, the Imperials could get excited. But what happens is that no one has seen anything and no one knows anything. The Imperials sometimes round up people on general principles, but they can never prove anything. I suppose they decide its the outsiders shift key for being there.-So dont go to Billibotton, even if you have a p oke.Seldon shook his head rather pettishly. I wouldnt carry a lingua. I dont know how to use one. Not skillfully.Then its simple, Master Seldon. Stay out. Tisalver shook his head portentously. Just stay out.I may not be able to do that either, said Seldon.Dors glared at him, clearly annoyed, and said to Tisalver, Where does one deal a glossa? Or may we have one of yours?Casilia said quick, No one make believes someone elses knife. You must buy your own.Tisalver said, There are knife lay ins all over. There arent supposed to be. Theoretically theyre illegal, you know. Any appliance store sells them, however. If you see a washing machine on display, thats a sure sign.And how does one get to Billibotton? asked Seldon.By freeway.Tisalver looked dubious as he looked at Dorss frowning expression.Seldon said, And once I r for each one the Expressway?Get on the eastbound side and bring in for the signs. But if you must go, Master Seldon-Tisalver hesitated, then said-you mustnt take M istress Venabili. Women sometimes are treated worse.She wont go, said Seldon.Im f discip auraened she allow for, said Dors with quiet determination.68.The appliance store leads mustache was clearly as lush as it had been in his younger days, but it was grizzled now, even though the hair on his head was still black. He fey the mustache out of rank(a) habit as he gazed at Dors and brushed it hindquarters on each side.He said, Youre not a Dahlite.Yes, but I still want a knife.He said, Its against the legal philosophy to sell knives.Dors said, Im not a policewoman or a government agent of any sort. Im going to Billibotton.He stared at her thoughtfully. Alone?With my friend. She jerked her quarter round over her shoulder in the direction of Seldon, who was waiting outside sullenly.Youre purchasing it for him? He stared at Seldon and it didnt take him long to decide. Hes an outsider too. Let him come in and buy it for himself.Hes not a government agent either. And Im buying it fo r myself.The dealer shook his head. Outsiders are crazy. But if you want to spend some beliefs, Ill take them from you.He reached under the counter, brought out a stub, turned it with a slight and expert performance, and the knife trade name emerged.Is that the largest you have?Best womans knife make. video display me a mans knife.You dont want one thats too heavy. Do you know how to use one of these things?Ill learn and Im not worried about heavy. Show me a mans knife.The dealer smiled. Well, if you want to see one-He moved far down the counter and brought up a much fatter stub. He gave it a twist and what appeared to be a butchers knife emerged. He handed it to her, maintain first, still smiling.She said, Show me that twist of yours.He showed her on a second knife, softenedly twisting one way to make the blade appear, then the other way to make it disappear. Twist and squeeze, he said.Do it again, sir.The dealer obliged.Dors said, All expert, close it and somerset me the h aft.He did, in a slow upward loop.She caught it, handed it back, and said, Faster.He raised his eyebrows and then, without warning, backhanded it to her left side. She made no attempt to bring over her right hand, but caught it with her left and the blade showed tumescently at once-then disappeared. The dealers mouth fell open.And this is the largest you have? she said.It is. If you try to use it, it will just tire you out.Ill breathe deeply. Ill take a second one too.For your friend?No. For me.You plan on using 2 knives?Ive got two hands.The dealer sighed. Mistress, please stay out of Billibotton. You dont know what they do to women there.I can guess. How do I put these knives on my flush?Not the one youve got on, Mistress. Thats not a knife belt. I can sell you one, though.Will it pull in two knives?I major power have a double belt somewhere. Not much call for them.Im affair for them.I may not have it in your size.Then well cut it down or something.It will cost you a lot of c redits.My credit tile will cover it.When she emerged at last, Seldon said sourly, You look miserable with that bulky belt.Really, Hari? Too ridiculous to go with you to Billibotton? Then lets twain go back to the apartment.No. Ill go on by myself. Ill be safer by myself.Dors said, There is no use saying that, Hari. We twain go back or we both go forward. Under no circumstances do we separate.And somehow the firm look in her blue look, the set to her lips, and the modal value in which her hands had dropped to the hafts at her belt, convinced Seldon she was serious.Very well, he said, but if you survive and if I ever see Hummin again, my price for continuing to work on psychohistory-much as I have large(p) fond of you-will be your removal. Do you understand?And suddenly Dors smiled. Forget it. Dont practice your chivalry on me. Nothing will remove me. Do you understand?69.They got off the Expressway where the sign, flickering in the air, said BILLIBOTTON. As perhaps an indication of what might be expected, the second I was smeared, a mere blob of fainter light.They made their way out of the car and down to the manner of walking below. It was early afternoon and at first glance, Billibotton seemed much like the part of Dahl they had left.The air, however, had a bitter aroma and the walkway was littered with trash.One could tell that auto-sweeps were not to be found in the neighborhood. And, although the walkway looked ordinary enough, the atmosphere was uncomfortable and as tense as a too-tightly coiled spring. Perhaps it was the people. There seemed the conventionality number of pedestrians, but they were not like pedestrians elsewhere, Seldon thought. Ordinarily, in the press of business, pedestrians were egoistic and in the endless crowds on the endless thoroughfares of Trantor, people could only survive-psychologically-by ignoring each other. Eyes slid remote. Brains were shut off. There was an artificial privacy with each mortal enclosed in a velv et fog of his or her own making. Or there was the ritualistic friendliness of an evening promenade in those neighborhoods that indulged in such things. But here in Billibotton, there was uncomplete friendliness nor neutral withdrawal. At least not where outsiders were concerned. Every person who passed, moving in either direction, turned to stare at Seldon and Dors. Every pair of eyes, as though attached by invisible cord to the two outsiders, followed them with ill will.The clothing of the Billibottoners tended to be smudged, old, and sometimes corn. There was a patina of ill-washed poverty over them and Seldon felt uneasy at the slickness of his own new clothes.He said, Where in Billibotton does Mother Rittah live, do you suppose?I dont know, said Dors. You brought us here, so you do the supposing. I intend to confine myself to the task of protection and I think Im going to find it inevitable to do just that.Seldon said, I assumed it would only be required to ask the way of an y passerby, but somehow Im not advance to do so.I dont blame you. I dont think youll find anyone springing to your assistance.On the other hand, there are such things as youngsters. He indicated one with a brief gesture of one hand. A boy who looked to be about twelve-in any case young enough to lack the universal adult male mustache had come to a full checkout and was staring at them.Dors said, Youre guessing that a boy that age has not yet essential the full Billibottonian dislike of outsiders.At any rate, said Seldon, Im guessing he is scarcely large enough to have developed the full Billibottonian penchant for violence. I suppose he might pull away and shout insults from a distance if we approach him, but I doubt hell attack us.Seldon raised his voice. Young man. The boy took a meter backward and continued to stare.Seldon said, Come here, and beckoned.The boy said, Wa for, fathead?So I can ask you directions. Come closer, so I dont have to shout.The boy approached two step s closer. His face was smudged, but his eyes were bright and sharp. His sandals were of several(predicate) make and there was a large patch on one leg of his trousers.He said, Wa kind o directions?Were trying to find Mother Rittah.The boys eyes flickered. Wa for, guy?Im a scholar. Do you know what a scholar is?Ya went to check?Yes. Didnt you?The boy flurry to one side in disrespect. Nah.I want advice from Mother Rittah-if youll take me to her.Ya want your fortune? Ya come to Billibotton, guy, with your fancy clothes, so I can tell ya your fortune. All bad.Whats your name, young man?Whats it to ya?So we can speak in a more friendly fashion. And so you can take me to Mother Rittahs place. Do you know where she lives? maybe yes, mayhap no. My names Raych. Whats in it for me if I take ya?What would you like, Raych?The boys eyes chited at Dorss belt. Raych said, The skirt got a couple o knives. Gimme one and Ill take ya to Mother Rittah.Those are grown peoples knives, Raych. Youre too young.Then I guess Im too young to know where Mother Rittah lives. And he looked up slyly through the shaggy halt that curtained his eyes.Seldon grew uneasy. It was possible they might attract a crowd. Several men had stop already, but had then moved on when nothing of inte sleep seemed to be taking place. If, however, the boy grew angry and lashed out at them in word or deed, people would undoubtedly gather.He smiled and said, Can you read, Raych?Raych spat again. Nah Who wants to read?Can you use a information processing system?A talking computer? Sure. Anyone can.Ill tell you what, then. You take me to the nearest computer store and Ill buy you a little computer all your own and software that will teach you to read. A some weeks and youll be able to read.It seemed to Seldon that the boys eyes sparkled at the thought, but-if so-they hardened at once.Nah, Knife or nothin.Thats the point, Raych. You learn to read and dont tell anyone and you can surprise people. by and by a sequence you can wreak them you can read. Bet them five credits. You can win a few extra credits that way and you can buy a knife of your own.The boy hesitated. Nah No one will bet me. No one got credits.If you can read, you can get a job in a knife store and you can save your wages and get a knife at a discount. How about that?When ya gonna buy the talking computer?Right now. Ill give it to you when I see Mother Rittah.You got credits?I have a credit tile.Lets see ya buy the computer.The transaction was carried through, but when the boy reached for it, Seldon shook his head and put it inside his pouch. Youve got to get me to Mother Rittah first, Raych. Are you sure you know where to find her?Raych allowed a look of contempt to cross his face. Sure I do. Ill take ya there, only ya better hand over the computer when we get there or Ill get some guys I know after you and the lady, so ya better watch out.You dont have to threaten us, said Seldon. Well take care of our end of the deal. Raych led them quickly along the walkway, past curious stares. Seldon was silent during the walk and so was Dors. Dors was far less lost in her own thoughts, though, for she clearly remained conscious of the border people at all times. She kept meeting, with a level glare, the eyes of those passersby that turned toward them. On occasion, when there were footsteps behind them, she turned to look grimly back.And then Raych stopped and said, In here. She aint homeless, ya know.They followed him into an apartment complex and Seldon, who had had the intention of pastime their route with a view to retracing his steps later, was quickly lost.He said, How do you know your way through these alleys, Raych?The boy shrugged. I been loafin through them since I was a kid, he said. Besides, the apartments are numbered-where they aint broken off-and theres arrows and things. You cant get lost if you know the tricks.Raych knew the tricks, apparently, and they wandered deeper into the complex. Hang ing over it all was an air of total decay forgotten debris, inhabitants slinking past in clear resentment of the outsiders invasion. Unruly youngsters ran along the alleys in pursuit of some game or other. Some of them yelled, Hey, get out o the way when their levitating ball narrowly missed Dors. And finally, Raych stopped forward a dark scarred inlet on which the number 2782 glowed feebly.This is it, he said and held out his hand.First lets see whos inside, said Seldon softly. He pushed the signal pushing and nothing happened.It dont work, said Raych. Ya gotta bang. Loud. She dont hear too good.Seldon pounded his fist on the limen and was rewarded with the sound of movement inside. A shrill voice called out, Who wants Mother Rittah?Seldon shouted, ii scholarsHe tossed the delicate computer, with its small package of software attached, to Raych, who snatched it, grinned, and took off at a rapid run.Seldon then turned to face the opening door and Mother Rittah.70.Mother Rittah was well into her seventies, perhaps, but had the kind of face that, at first sight, seemed to belie that. Plump cheeks, a little mouth, a small round chin slightly doubled. She was very short-not quite 1.5 meters tall-and had a blockheaded body.But there were fine wrinkles about her eyes and when she smiled, as she smiled at the sight of them, others broke out over her face. And she moved with difficulty.Come in, come in, she said in a soft high-pitched voice and peered at them as though her eyesight was beginning to fail. Outsiders Outworlders even. Am I right? You dont seem to have the Trantor smell about you.Seldon regarded she hadnt mentioned smell. The apartment, overcrowded and littered with small possessions that seemed swart and dusty, reeked with food olfactory modalitys that were on the edge of rancidity. The air was so thick and clinging that he was sure his clothes would smell strongly of it when they left.He said, You are right, Mother Rittah. I am Hari Seldon of Helicon. My friend is Dors Venabili of Cinna.So, she said, looking about for an unoccupied spot on the floor where she could invite them to sit, but finding none suitable.Dors said, We are willing to stand, Mother.What? she looked up at Dors. You must speak briskly, my child. My hearing is not what it was when I was your age.why dont you get a hearing device? said Seldon, raising his voice.It wouldnt help, Master Seldon. Something seems to be wrong with the nerve and I have no money for nerve rebuilding.-You have come to learn the proximo from old Mother Rittah?Not quite, said Seldon. I have come to learn the past.Excellent. It is such a strain to decide what people want to hear.It must be quite an art, said Dors, smiling.It seems easy, but one has to he properly convincing. I earn my fees.If you have a credit outlet, said Seldon. We will pay any reasonable fees if you tell us about Earth-without cleverly designing what you tell us to suit what we want to hear. We wish to hear the truth.The old woman, who had been shuffling about the room, making adjustments here and there, as though to make it all prettier and more suitable for important visitors, stopped short. What do you want to know about Earth?What is it, to begin with?The old woman turned and seemed to gaze off into space. When she spoke, her voice was low and steady.It is a world, a very old planet. It is forgotten and lost.Dors said, It is not part of history. We know that much.It comes before history, child, said Mother Rittah solemnly. It existed in the dawn of the beetleweed and before the dawn. It was the only world with homosexualkind. She nodded firmly.Seldon said, Was another name for Earth Aurora?And now Mother Rittahs face misted into a frown. Where did you hear that?In my wanderings. I have heard of an old forgotten world named Aurora on which humanity lived in primordial peace.Its a lie. She wiped her mouth as though to get the taste of what she had just heard out of it. That name you m ention must never be mentioned except as the place of diabolical. It was the beginning of wickedness. Earth was alone till Evil came, along with its sister worlds. Evil nearly destroyed Earth, but Earth rallied and destroyed Evil-with the help of heroes.Earth was before this Evil. Are you sure of that?Long before. Earth was alone in the Galaxy for deoxyguanosine monophosphates of years-millions of years.Millions of years? Humanity existed on it for millions of years with no other people on any other world?Thats true. Thats true. Thats true.But how do you know all this? Is it all in a computer program? Or a printout? Do you have anything I can read?Mother Rittah shook her head. I heard the old stories from my mother, who heard it from hers, and so on far back. I have no children, so I tell the stories to others, but it may come to an end. This is a time of disbelief.Dors said, Not really, Mother. There are people who speculate about prehistoric times and who flying field some of the tales of lost worlds.Mother Rittah made a motion of her arm as though to wipe it away. They look at it with cold eyes. Scholarly. They try to fit it in with their notions. I could tell you stories for a year of the bully hero Ba-Lee, but you would have no time to listen and I have lost the strength to tell.Seldon said, Have you ever heard of robots?The old woman shuddered and her voice was almost a scream. Why do you ask such things? Those were artificial human beings, evil in themselves and the work of the Evil worlds. They were destroyed and should never be mentioned.There was one special robot, wasnt there, that the Evil worlds hated?Mother Rittah tottered toward Seldon and peered into his eyes. He could feel her hot breath on his face. Have you come to mock me? You know of these things and yet you ask? Why do you ask?Because I wish to know.There was an artificial human being who helped Earth. He was Da-Nee, friend of Ba-Lee. He never died and lives somewhere, waiting for hi s time to return. None knows when that time will be, but someday he will come and restore the great old days and remove all cruelty, injustice, and misery. That is the promise.At this, she closed her eyes and smiled, as if rememberingSeldon waited a while in silence, then sighed and said, Thank you, Mother Rittah. You have been very helpful. What is your fee?So pleasant to meet Outworlders, the old woman replied. Ten credits. May I offer you some refreshment?No, thank you, said Seldon earnestly. enjoy take twenty. You need only tell us how to get back to the Expressway from here.-And, Mother Rittah, if you can arrange to have some of your tales of Earth put into a computer disc, I will pay you well.I would need so much strength. How well?It would depend on how long the story is and how well it is told. I might pay a thousand credits.Mother Rittah licked her lips. A thousand credits? But how will I find you when the story is told?I will give you the computer code number at which I c an be reached.After Seldon gave Mother Rittah the code number, he and Dors left, thankful for the comparatively clean odor of the alley outside. They walked briskly in the direction indicated by the old woman.Dors said, That wasnt a very long interview, Hari.I know. The surroundings were terribly unpleasant and I felt I had learned enough. Amazing how these folktales tend to magnify.What do you mean, magnify?Well, the Mycogenians interest their Aurora with human beings who lived for centuries and the Dahlites fill their Earth with a humanity that lived for millions of years. And both talk of a robot that lives forever. Still, it makes one think.As far as millions of years go, theres room for- Where are we going?Mother Rittah said we go in this direction till we reach a rest area, then follow the sign for CENTRAL WALKWAY, bearing left, and keep on side by side(p) the sign. Did we pass a rest area on the way in?We may be leaving by a route various from the one we came in. I dont re member a rest area, but I wasnt watching the route. I was keeping my eye on the people we passed and-Her voice died away. Up ahead the alley swelled outward on both sides. Seldon remembered. They had passed that way. There had been a couple of ratty couch pads resting on the walkway floor on either side. There was, however, no need for Dors to watch passersby going out as she had coming in. There were no passersby. But up ahead in the rest area they spotted a group of men, rather large-sized for Dahlites, mustaches bristling, bare upper arms muscular and glow under the yellowish indoor light of the walkway. Clearly, they were waiting for the Outworlders and, almost automatically, Seldon and Dors came to a halt. For a moment or two, the tableau held. Then Seldon looked behind him hastily. dickens or three additional men had stepped into view.Seldon said between his teeth, Were trapped. I should not have let you come, Dors.On the contrary. This is why Im here, but was it outlay y our seeing Mother Rittah?If we get out of this, it was.Seldon then said in a loud and firm voice, May we pass?One of the men ahead stepped forward. He was fully Seldons height of 1.73 meters, but broader in the shoulders and much more muscular. A bit flabby at the waist, though, Seldon noted.Im Marron, he said with self-satisfied significance, as though the name ought to have meaning, and Im here to tell you we dont like Outworlders in our district. You want to come in, all right-but if you want to leave, youll have to pay.Very well. How much?All youve got. You rich Outworlders have credit tiles, right? Just hand them over.No.No point saying no. Well just take them.You cant take them without killing me or annoyance me and they wont work without my voiceprint. My normal voiceprint.Thats not so, Master-see, Im being polite-we can take them away from you without hurting you very much.How many of you big strong men will it take? Nine? No. Seldon counted rapidly. Ten.Just one. Me.With n o help?Just me.If the rest of you will clear away and give us room, I would like to see you try it, Marron.You dont have a knife, Master. You want one?No, use yours to make the fight even. Ill fight without one.Marron looked about at the others and said, Hey, this puny guy is a sport. He dont even sound scared. Thats sort of nice. It would be a shame to hurt him. I tell you what, Master. Ill take the girl. If you want me to stop, hand over your credit tile and her tile and use your right voices to initiate them. If you say no, then after Im through with the girl and thatll take some time-he laughed-Ill just have to hurt you.No, said Seldon. Let the woman go. Ive challenged you to a fight-one to one, you with a knife, me without. If you want bigger odds, Ill fight two of you, but let the woman go.Stop, Hari cried out Dors. If he wants me, let him come and get me. You stay right where you are, Hari, and dont move.You hear that? said Marron, grinning broadly. You stay right where you are, Hari, and dont move. I think the little lady wants me. You two, keep him still.Each of Seldons arms were caught in an iron grip and he felt the sharp point of a knife in his back.Dont move, said a harsh susurrus in his ear, and you can watch. The lady will probably like it. Marrons fair good at this.Dors called out again. Dont move, Hari She turned to face Marron watchfully, her half-closed hands self-contained near her belt.He closed in on her purposefully and she waited till he had come within arms length, when suddenly her own arms flashed and Marron found himself facing two large knives.For a moment, he leaned backward and then he laughed. The little lady has two knives-knives like the big boys have. And Ive only got one. But thats fair enough. His knife was swiftly out. I hate to have to cut you, little lady, because it will be more fun for both of us if I dont. Maybe I can just bug them out of your hands, huh?Dors said, I dont want to kill you. Ill do all I can to av oid doing so. Just the same, I call on all to witness, that if I do kill you, it is to protect my friend, as I am honor-bound to do.Marron pretended to be terrified. Oh, please dont kill me, little lady. Then he burst into laughter and was joined by the other Dahlites present. Marron lunged with his knife, quite astray of the mark. He tried it again, then a third time, but Dors never budged. She made no attempt to fend off any motion that was not truly aimed at her.Marrons expression darkened. He was trying to make her respond with panic, but he was only making himself seem ineffectual. The bordering lunge was directly at her and Dorss left-hand blade moved flashingly and caught his with a force that pushed his arm aside. Her right-hand blade flashed inward and made a diagonal slit in his T-shirt. A thin bloody line smeared the dark-haired skin beneath. Marron looked down at himself in shock as the onlookers gasped in surprise.Seldon felt the grip on him weaken slightly as the two who held him were distracted by a duel not going quite as they had expected. He tensed himself.Now Marron lunged again and this time his left hand shot outward to enclose Dorss right wrist. once again Dorss left-hand blade caught his knife and held it motionless, while her right hand squirm agilely and drew downward, even as Marrons left hand closed upon it. It closed on nothing but the blade and when he unfastened his hand there was a bloody line down the palm.Dors sprang back and Marron, conscious(predicate) of the blood on his chest and hand, roared out chokingly, Someone toss me another knife There was hesitation and then one of the onlookers tossed his own knife underhanded. Marron reached for it, but Dors was quicker. Her right-hand blade struck the thrown knife and sent it flying backward, whirling as it went.Seldon felt the grips on his arms weaken further. He raise them suddenly, pushing up and forward, and was free. His two captors turned toward him with a sudden sho ut, but he quickly kneed one in the groin and elbowed the other in the solar plexus and both went down.He knelt to draw the knives of each and rose as double-armed as Dors. Unlike Dors, Seldon did not know how to handle the blades, but he knew the Dahlites would scarcely be aware of that.Dors said, Just keep them off, Hari. Dont attack yet.-Marron, my next stroke will not be a scratch.Marron, totally enraged, roared incoherently and charged blindly, attempting by sheer kinetic energy to overwhelm his opponent. Dors, dipping and sidestepping, ducked under his right arm, kicked her foot against his right ankle, and down he crashed, his knife flying.She then knelt, placed one blade against the back of his neck and the other against his throat, and said, YieldWith another yell, Marron struck out against her with one arm, pushed her to one side, then scrambled to his feet.He had not yet stood up completely when she was upon him, one knife slashing downward and hacking away a section of h is mustache. This time he yowled like a large animal in agony, clapping his hand to his face. When he drew it away, it was descend blood.Dors shouted, It wont grow again, Marron. Some of the lip went with it. Attack once more and youre dead meat.She waited, but Marron had had enough. He stumbled away, moaning, leaving a trail of blood.Dors turned toward the others. The two that Seldon had knocked down were still lying there, unarmed and not anxious to get up. She bent down, cut their belts with one of her knives and then slit their trousers. This way, youll have to hold your pants up when you walk, she said. She stared at the seven men still on their feet, who were watching her with awestruck fascination. And which of you threw the knife?There was silence.She said, It doesnt matter to me. Come one at a time or all together, but each time I slash, someone dies.And with one accord, the seven turned and scurried away. Dors lifted her eyebrows and said to Seldon, This time, at least, Hummin cant complain that I failed to protect you.Seldon said, I still cant believe what I saw. I didnt know you could do anything like that-or talk like that either.Dors merely smiled. You have your talents too. We make a good pair. Here, attract your knife blades and put them into your pouch. I think the news will spread out with enormous speed and we can get out of Billibotton without fear of being stopped.She was quite right.