Waldo by Robert A. Heinlein

Author:Robert A. Heinlein [Heinlein, Robert A.]
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction, General, Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Criticism, Fiction Companions, Novels; other prose & writers
ISBN: 9780450397301
Publisher: New English Library Ltd
Published: 1986-11-30T19:30:00+00:00

Waldo tried again through his own agents, received the same answer.

The situation was, to him, almost intolerable; it had been years since

he had encountered a man whom he could not buy, bully, nor - in

extremity - persuade. Buying had failed; he had realized instinctively

that Schneider would be unlikely to be motivated by greed. And how

can one bully, or wheedle, a man who cannot be seen to be talked with?

It was a dead end - no way out. Forget it.

Except, of course, for a means best classed as a Fate-Worse-Than-Death.

No. No, not that. Don't think about it. Better to drop the whole matter,

admit that it had him licked, and tell Gleason so. It had been seventeen

years since he had been at Earth surface; nothing could induce him to

subject his body to the intolerable demands of that terrible field. Nothing!

It might even kill him. He might choke to death, suffocate. No.

He sailed gracefully across his shop, an overpadded Cupid. Give up this

freedom, even for a time, for that tortuous bondage? Ridiculous! It was

not worth it.

Better to ask an acrophobe to climb Half Dome, or demand that a

claustrophobe interview a man in the world's deepest mine.

'Uncle Gus?'

'Oh, hello. Waldo. Glad you called.'

'Would it be safe for me to come down to Earth?'

'Eh? How's that? Speak up, man. I didn't understand you.'

'I said would it hurt me to make a trip down to Earth.'

'This hookup,' said Grimes, 'is terrible. It sounded just like you were

saying you wanted to come down to Earth.'

'That's what I did say.'

'What's the matter, Waldo? Do you feel all right?'

'I feel fine, but I have to see a man at Earth surface. There isn't any

other way for me to talk to him, and I've got to talk to him. Would the

trip do me any harm?'

'Ought not to, if you're careful. After all, you were born there. Be careful

of yourself, though. You've laid a lot of fat around your heart.'

'Oh dear. Do you think it's dangerous?'

'No. You're sound enough.. Just don't overstrain yourself. And be careful

to keep your temper.'

'I will. I most certainly will. Uncle Gus?'

'Yes?'

'Will you come along with me and help me see it through?'

'Oh, I don't think that's necessary.'

'Please, Uncle Gus. I don't trust anybody else.'

'Time you grew up, Waldo. However, I will, this once.'

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