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202262-Trullion.txt region. Listen to this." He read from a paper. "Wings:
Tyran Lucho, Lightning Latken. Strikes:
Yalden Wirp, Gold Ring Gonniksen. Rovers: Nilo Basgard, Wild Man Wilmer Guff.
Guards: Splasher
Maveldip, Bughead Holub, Carbo Gilweg, Holebert Hanigatz." Lord Gensifer put
down the paper and peered triumphantly at Glinnes. "What do you think of that
team?"
"I've been away too long," said Glumes. "I only know about half the names.
I've played with
Gonniksen and Carbo, Gilweg, and against Guff and maybe one or two others.
They were good ten years ago and they're probably better now. Are all these
men on your team?" "Well not officially.
My strategy is this. I'll talk to each man in turn. I'll show him the team and
ask how he'd like to be a part of it. How can I lose? Everyone wants to earn
some big booty for a change. No one is going to turn me down. As a matter of
fact, I've already made contact with two or three of the fellows and they've
all shown great interest." "Where would I fit in? And what about the nine
thousand ozols?"
Lord Gensifer said cautiously, "As to your first question, you must remember
that I haven't seen you play recently. For all I know, you've gone slow and
spur . . . Where are you going?" "Thank you for the rum punch," said Glumes.
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"Just a minute. No need to get temperamental. After all, I
spoke only the plain truth. I haven't seen you for ten years. Still, if you
played with the sector champions, no doubt you're in good shape. What is your
position?" "Anything but sheirl. With the
93rd I played strike and rover."
Lord Gensifer poured Glinnes more punch. "No doubt something can be arranged.
But you must understand my position. I'm going after the best. If you're the
best you'll play for the Gorgons.
If you're not well, we'll need substitutes. That's sheer common sense-nothing
to get excited about." "Well then, what about the nine thousand ozols?" Lord
Gensifer sipped his punch. "I
should think that if all goes well, and if you are playing for the club, you
should take nine thousand ozols in booty in a very short time." "In other
words-you won't advance me the money?"
Lord Gensifer held up his hands. "Do you imagine that ozols grow on trees? I
need money as badly as anyone. In fact-well, I won't go into details." "If
you're all that short of money, how can you finance a treasure-box?" Lord
Gensifier airily flicked his fingers. "No difficulty there.
Whatever funds are jointly available we'll use-your three thousand ozols as
well. It's all for the common cause. "Glinnes could hardly believe his ears.
"My three thousand ozols? You want me to advance the fund? While you take an
owner's share of booty?"
Lord Gensifer, smiling, leaned back in his chair. "Why not? Each contributes
his best and his most, and each of us profits. That's the only way to operate.
There's no reason to be scandalized." Glinnes replaced his goblet on the
tray. "It's just not done. The players contribute their skills, the club funds
the treasure-box. I wouldn't give you an ozol; I'd organize my own team
first."
"Just a moment. Perhaps we can work out a procedure that will please us all.
Frankly, I'm short of cash. You need twelve thousand ozols within the year;
your three thousand is worthless without the other nine." "Not exactly
worthless. It represents ten years' service in the Whelm." Lord
Gensifer waved aside the remark. "Suppose that you advance three thousand
ozols to the fund. The first three thousand ozols we earn will go to you;
you'll have your money back, and then- "The other players wouldn't allow such
an arrangement." Lord Gensifer pulled at his lower lip. "Well, the money
could come from the club's share of the booty-in other words, out of my
personal purse."
"Suppose there isn't any purse; suppose we lose my three thousand ozols? Then
what? Nothing!"
"We don't plan to lose! Think positive, Glinnes!" "I'm thinking positively
about my money." Lord
Gensifer heaved a deep sigh. "As I say, my own financial status is at the
moment up in the air ...
Suppose that we make this arrangement. You advance three thousand ozols to the
club treasury. We will at first try for five-thou-sand-ozol teams, which we
should handily demolish, and build up the treasury to ten thousand ozols. We
then schedule ten-thousand-ozol teams. At this point booty will be distributed
and you will be repaid from the club's share-the work of a game or two.
Thenceforth I will lend you half the club's share until you have your nine
thousand ozols, which you can thereupon repay from your ordinary share."
Glinnes tried to calculate in his head. "I
don't understand any of this. You've left me far behind."
"It's simple. If we win five ten-thousand ozol games, you, have your money."
"If we win. If we lose, I have nothing. Not even the three thousand that I
have now." Lord Gensifer flourished his list of names. "This team won't lose
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games, I assure you of that!" "You don't have that team! You
file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E...ck%20Vance%20-%20Alastor%202262
-Trullion.txt (24 of 82) [12/29/2004 12:50:34 AM]
file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/Jack%20Vance%20-%20Alastor%
202262-Trullion.txt don't have a fund. You don't even have a sheirl." "No
lack of applicants there, my boy. Not for the Flehar-ish Gorgons! I've already
talked to a dozen beautiful creatures." "All certified, no doubt." "Well
certify them, never fear! But what a ridiculous business! A naked virgin looks
like any other naked girl. Who's to know the difference?" "The team.
Irrational, I agree, but hussade is an irrational game."
"I'll drink to that," declared Lord Gensifer rather boisterously. "Who cares a [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]