Imperial Earth

He felt a little embarrassed, as perhaps he was intended to do.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was incredibly busy. The Centennial celebrations, you know.”

As he stared into the screen, the remembered features slowly emerged from the stranger looking back at him. The impact of the years was not as great as he had supposed; much of the unfamiliarity was purely artificial. She had changed the color of her hair so that it was no longer black, but brown, shot with flecks of gold. The oval of the

face was the same, the ivory skin still flawless. When he forgot that imagge in the bubble stereo, he could see that she was still Calindy -more mature, and even more desirable.

He could also see that she was sitting in a crowded office, with shadowy figures coming and going all around her, and occasionally handing her sheafs of documents. Somehow, he had never imagined Calindy as a busy executive, but he was quite sure that if she had set her heart on the role, she would be a great success. It was obvious, however, that this was no time for tender endearments. The best that he could hope for was to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.

He had come all the way from Saturn; it should not be difficult to span the extra distance between Washington and New York. But, it seemed, there were problems. He even got the impression that there was some hesitation, even reluctance, on Calindy’s part. She consulted a very complicated diary, threw several dates at him, and appeared slightly relieved when Duncan found that they clashed with his own appointments.

He was becoming quite disheartened when she suddenly exclaimed: “Wait a minute-are you free next Thursday-and Friday?”

“I think so-yes, I could manage.” It was almost a week ahead; he would have to be patient. But two days-that sounded promising.

“Wonderful.” A slow, mischievous smile spread over her face, and for a moment the old Calindy looked back at him.

“And it’s perfect-so very appropriate. I couldn’t have arranged it better if I’d tried.”

“Arranged what?” asked Duncan.

“Contact the van Hyatts at this number-they’re just outside Washington-and do exactly what they tell you. Say that Enigma’s asked them to bring you along as my personal guest. They’re nice people and you’ll like them. Now

I really must break off-see you next week.” She paused for a moment, then said carefully: “I’d better warn you that I’ll be so busy we won’t have much time, even then. But I promise you -you’ll really enjoy the experience.”

Duncan looked at her doubtfully. Notwithstanding that assurance, he felt disappointed; he also hated to be involved in something over which he had no control. Makenzies organized other people-for their own good, of course, even if the victim did not always agree. This reversal of standard procedure made him uncomfortable.

“I’ll come,” he said, taking the plunge. “But at least tell me what this is all about.”

Calindy gave that stubborn little moue which he remembered so well.

“No,” she replied firmly. “I’d be violating the motto of my own organization, and even the executive vice7 president can’t do that.”

“What organization?”

“Really?” she said, with a smile of pure delight. “I thought Enigma was rather well known, but this makes it even better. Anyone on Earth will tell you our slogan…” She broke off for a second to collect some documents from another harried assistant.

“Goodbye, Duncan-I have to rush. See you soon.”

“Your slogan!” he almost yelled at her.

She blew him a dainty kiss.

“Ask the van Hyatts. Lots of love.”

The screen was blank.

Duncan did not immediately contact the van Hyatts; he waited for a few minutes, until he had emotionally decompressed, then called his host and general adviser.

“George,” he said, “have you heard of Enigma Associates?”

“Yes, of course. What about them?”

“Do you know their slogan?”

“We astonish.” dgEh?99

Washington repeated the phrase, slowly and caro fully

“Well, I’m astonished. What does it mean?”

“You might say they’re very sophisticated entertainers or impresarios, working on a highly individual basis. You go to them when you’re

bored, and want novelty. They analyze your psych profile, run it through their computer banks, and come up with a program to fit the time and money you’re prepared to invest. They may arrange for you to live at the North Pole, or take up a new profession, or have an exotic love affair, or write a play, or learn three-dimensional chess…. And they rely a great deal on the element of surprise-you never know what they’ve planned for you until you’re already involved….”

“Suppose you don’t like their program, and want to pull out?”

“Apparently, that very seldom happens. They know their job-and, moreover, you don’t get your money back. But how did you hear about them? I hope you aren’t bored!”

Duncan laughed.

“I haven’t had time for that luxury. But I’ve just contacted an old friend who’s apparently vice-president of the organization, and she’s invited me to join a group for a couple of days. Would you advise it?”