Soup Night on Union Station by E. M. Foner

Author:E. M. Foner [Foner, E. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Foner Books
Published: 2019-06-29T22:00:00+00:00

Twelve

“Name?” Marilla asked Samuel, her finger poised above her tab.

“Come on, you can fill that in without asking,” the EarthCent ambassador’s son replied.

“I did the programming for the rental form myself and I wanted to show you how it works,” the Horten girl said.

“Sorry, I guess I’m kind of nervous. Samuel McAllister.”

“I can assure you that all of our rental craft are in top-notch condition.”

“It’s not that. I’ve never taken Vivian anywhere before.”

“I see. Purpose of your trip?”

“Vacation.”

“And where will you be going?”

“Corner Station.”

Marilla stopped typing and looked up from the tab. “Really?”

“I’ve always wanted to see it,” Samuel mumbled, realizing just how lame his explanation sounded.

“Are you going on some kind of secret diplomatic mission?”

“Is that really on the form?”

“I just thought I’d ask since you said you’re taking Vivian. I’d think that could be awkward with you working for the Vergallians and her working for the Drazens. Ah,” Marilla said, “that’s why you’re nervous.”

“Here she comes, don’t mention anything to her.”

“Hi, Marilla,” Vivian greeted the Horten girl, with whom she had become much more friendly since getting engaged. “Did you pick out a nice ship for us? Sorry in advance if I get sick.”

“Dorothy stopped by earlier and left this for you,” Marilla said, presenting Vivian with a piece of wax paper that had two peel-off patches stuck to it. “She said to start with an eighth and never to go above half in eight hours. It’s the Farling cure for Zero-G sickness in Humans, but it has some side effects.”

“Thanks. Do you have any scissors?”

Marilla pulled open the sole drawer in the rental kiosk and handed Vivian the scissors. “Don’t forget to bring them back.”

“I was going to cut it up now.”

“And have all of those tiny scraps to keep track of? It’s better to just cut a bit off if you need it.”

“So, are we all set?” Samuel asked.

“I need your programmable cred.”

“I thought you’d give us a bill when we got back.”

“Funny, I never heard that one before,” Marilla said, drumming her fingers on the Stryx mini-register.

“I have my programmable cred from the Vergallian embassy, but I don’t want to use that, since it’s a vacation and everything,” Samuel concluded awkwardly. “Let me find Dad and borrow his.”

“You can pay me back later,” Vivian said, handing her programmable cred over to Marilla.

“Are you sure you want to use this one?” the Horten girl asked after inserting it in the register. “It comes up with a Drazen menu.”

“Oops, I gave you my expense account cred.”

The girls swapped coins and Marilla inserted Vivian’s personal programmable cred in the register. “So, the basic rental is seventy-nine creds a day. How long will you be gone?”

“Just overnight,” Samuel said.

“You realize that if you don’t return the ship within twenty-four hours I’ll have to charge you for two days,” Marilla told them.

“We’ll be back. Is there anything else?”

“All rentals come with basic insurance in the daily fee, but we offer a Thark umbrella policy for just ten creds a day.”

“No thank you.

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