Robert Silverberg by To Live Again

Author:To Live Again
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-31T01:05:10+00:00

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9

Francesco Santoliquido said with obviously forced heartiness, "It's good to see you again, John. I'm always delighted when you drop in."

Roditis took the proffered hand. It was soft, warm, not precisely a flabby hand but certainly the hand of a man who welcomed all comforts. The decor of Santoliquido's office did not argue that he had spartan tastes.

"Drink?"

"Certainly, Frank."

They touched ultrasonic snouts to their arms. Santoliquido beamed. "You've kept well, John. Still a demon for exercise, are you?"

"I get only one body to inhabit," said Roditis. "I keep it with respect."

"Naturally." A wary expression crept into Santoliquido's eyes. Roditis suspected that the older man was afraid of him, and he liked that, for Santoliquido was very high in the system of the world, very high indeed. He wondered just what Elena had been saying to Santoliquido about him, and what the response had been.

Roditis said, "The statue looks as splendid as ever."

"The Kozak? Yes. Yes, a masterpiece." Santoliquido chuckled. "Don't think I've forgotten you have Anton Kozak sitting back of your eyes. Has he led you to take up sonic sculpture yet?"

"He tries," said Roditis. "But I know my limitations."

"A wise man."

"I lack the skills of Kozak. I would not defame him by plying his art. His mind cannot drive my muscles."

"Of course not," conceded Santoliquido.

"He is glad to see that piece again. He tells me it's one of his favorites. A brilliant artist, Frank. I compliment myself many times for having chosen him. You know, a man like me, a man of dollars, I didn't get much chance to learn how to appreciate beauty. Kozak has taught me. Now I know what the balance of line means; what the harmony of form is. I'm much richer."

"That's the purpose of the Scheffing process," Santoliquido said sententiously. "To enhance, to enrich. Doubtless he's greatly widened your horizons of perceptions. But tell me, John: how does Kozak find it, seeing the world through the eyes of a billionaire financier?"

"He enjoys it, I believe. He makes no complaints. His world is enriched too. He moved much too much in the company of esthetes; now he sees a different facet of existence. I'm sure that when he makes his next carnate trip he'll try to express some of that new knowledge in art, if he's lucky enough to be acquired by someone with the right skills for practicing sonic sculpture."

"That's far in the future," said Santoliquido nervously. "You look quite healthy, John, and there'll be no new carnate trips for you or your personae for a long time to come, I'm sure."

"I hope so."

"And Walsh? Old Elio? He's thriving too?"

"Oh, yes," Roditis said. "We're kindred spirits. He built a network of power-transmission stations; I've built a network of a different sort of power. He finds his present place quite rewarding. And I regard him as indispensable." Roditis smiled, and held the smile just slightly too long, intentionally. Then he said, "I'm sure you realize that I didn't ask for this appointment so I could discuss my existing personae.

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