Imperial Earth

“It’s very awkward and confusing, but it was even worse a couple of centuries ago; then there were twenty-four zones, one for every hour of the day! The development of global telecommunications made that situation impossible-not that it’s very satisfactory even now. There’s talk of going over to a single World Time-probably Absolute Ephemeris Time-and igignoring the day-night cycle, just as we do. But the arguments on both sides are nicely balanced, and no one expects a decision in a hurry. After all, it took several hundred years to get the World Calendar adopted, and that was because the Martian and Lunar administrations simply wouldn’t put up with

Earth’s ridiculous months any longer…. “Where was I? Oh, the morning’s business. By noon, I usually feel that I need a break, and I spend half an hour in the swimming pool. At first I did this merely to get away from gravity, but now I enjoy it for its own sake.

I’ve even learned to swim, and feel quite confident in the water. When I get home, IT be a regular visitor to the Oasis pool.

“After that, I go for a quick walk in the hotel grounds. There are more flowers and trees here than I ever imagined, all beautifully kept. It reminds me a little of George’s farm, though on a smaller scale.

But Earth is a dangerous place, and there are things I’d not been warned about. Who would have guessed that there were plants with thorns on them-sharp enough to draw blood? I’m going to make very sure they never take me to any really wild places on this complicated old planet.

“And even here in Washington, not everything is under control. Yesterday, just as I was going for a walk, it started to rain. Rain! In no time, the streets were wet and glistening; they looked so slippery I should have been afraid to walk on them, but from my window I could see people moving about as if nothing had happened. Some of them weren’t even wearing protective clothing…. “After watching for a while, I went down to the lobby and stood under the portico. I had to fight off the bellboys-they tried to get me a car, and couldn’t believe I merely wanted to watch the falling water from a safe place. Eventually I managed to make myself believe that it wasn’t liquid ammonia, and stepped outside for a few seconds, all in the cause of science. Needless to say, I got wet very quickly, and I can’t say I really enjoyed it.

“Around thirteen hundred I go to lunch, usually with someone who wants to talk business or politics, or both. There are some wonderful restaurants here, and the great problem is not to eat too much. I’ve put on a couple of kilos since I arrived…. One of the favorite dining places-I’ve been there several times-is called the Sans Souci, which means “without a care” in Greek or Latin, I’m not sure which. Apparently President Washington himself used to eat there, though I find that hard to believe. One would have thought they’d have had photographs to prove it-stupid!-I keep forgetting “I met my first congressmen in the Sans Souci

Representative Matsukawa of Hawaii, Senator Gro meyko of Alaska. It was a purely social get-together; we had no business to discuss. But they were interested in Titan because they both felt that it had some points in common with their states, now temporarily back in the Union. They’re quite right-Engineer Warren Mackenzie made the same point,

aboard Sirius. To the people who explored the Pacific in canoes, the ocean must have seemed about as large as the Solar System. And the development of Alaska, in. its time, must have been as tough a job as getting a foothold on Titan.

“After lunch I do a little sightseeing, then get back to the hotel and carry on with the day’s business, until dinnertime. By then, I’m too exhausted to think of anything but bed; the very latest I’ve been awake is twenty-one thirty. It’s going to be quite embarrassing if I don’t adapt soon to the local life style. Already I’ve had to turn down several party invitations because I couldn’t afford to miss the sleep. That sort of thing isn’t easy to explain, and I hope I’ve not offended any of the hostesses this city’s famous for.

I “I have accepted one late engagement, because George stressed its importance. This is to speakin person, not holovision-to a group called the

Daughters of the Revolutions. They’re mostly elderly ladies (“Queen dragons-but dears when you get to know them,” George said) and they’re all over the place this Centennial year. Originally they were only concerned with the American Revolution, but later, they became less exclusive. I’m told I’ll meet direct descendants of Lenin and Mao and Balunga. What a pity

Washington never had any children.

I wonder why.

“Because I’ve given priority to my official mission -I’m still working on that damn speech-I’ve had almost no time for personal or family business.