knife is for the gathering of fruit. It is not a more efficient fang.”
“Do you believe these things?” asked Brenner.
“It seems I must,” said Rodriguez.
“I am not at ease with the Pons,” said Brenner.
“You could not ask for a more harmless form of life,” said Rodriguez.
“I am not sure what it is,” said Brenner. “Something about them seems familiar. It is almost as if I knew them, as if I had been here before.”
“But you have not been,” said Rodriguez.
“No,” said Brenner.
“Presumably what you sense are affinities,” said Rodriguez. “They exist amongst many species, of diverse sorts. Such affinities make comparative studies possible, and occasionally illuminating. Indeed, it is precisely because of such hypothetical affinities that we have come to Abydos. Naturally they might be occasionally sensed, particularly by a sensitive individual, as a bit eerie, or familiar. Indeed, is it not hoped that the Pons will constitute a lens of sorts, with which to look back, into the past of our own species?”
“We have been sent here, and informed of as much, in so many words,” said Brenner, recalling the directress, “to confirm current political theories.”
“And it appears we will do so, honestly,” said Rodriguez. “It does not even seem that we must keep two sets of notebooks, one to be reviewed by the directress and her superiors, in which the data is faked for publication, the other in which the truth is concealed, for those trusted to understand it.”
“I am afraid here,” said Brenner.
“Do not fear the Pons,” said Rodriguez. “They are simple, they are stupid. They do not even have names.”
“There is much here that I do not understand,” said Brenner.
“There is much here which I do not understand either,” said Rodriguez.
“Where are the children?” asked Brenner. “Where are the other totems, the other clans?”
“I do not know,” said Rodriguez.
“How can these things live in the forests?” asked Brenner. “How is it that they can survive here?”
“The totem protects them,” said Rodriguez.
“Of course,” said Brenner.
The git was looking up at Brenner, with its small, round, shiny eyes.
“Perhaps the forests are not as dangerous as is alleged,” said Brenner.
“Perhaps,” said Rodriguez.
“I think the keeper wishes to feed the git,” said Brenner, looking to one side. The keeper of the git, in his smocklike robe, was now waiting, a few yards to the right. Under the scrutiny of Brenner and Rodriguez he turned about.
“He is a polite fellow,” said Rodriguez.
The Pons would seldom meet one’s eyes directly.
In many cultures direct eye contact is regarded as a sign of openness, of honesty. In many others, of course, it is regarded as impolite, or obtrusive, and may even be interpreted as a sign of hostility.
Brenner and Rodriguez then withdrew from the small, open-sided, roofed structure, returning to their hut.
It was near noon.
Chapter 18
“Let us review,” said Rodriguez, looking up from the pages of a large, black notebook.
“I have a headache,” said Brenner.
“It is the bemat brew you were given last night,” said Rodriguez. This was a fermented beverage derived from the bemat grain, which was the common staple, fried, baked, or boiled, of the Pon diet.
“I do not feel well,” said Brenner.
“It was not a strong brew,” said Rodriguez.
“You have no ill effects?”
“No,” said Rodriguez.
“I did not sleep well,” said Brenner.
“I slept splendidly,” said Rodriguez.
“I had an odd dream,” said Brenner.
“What was it?” asked Rodriguez.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Brenner.
“One of those dreams?” asked Rodriguez.
“Perhaps,” said Brenner, angrily.
“Was she pretty?” asked Rodriguez.
“It was not what you think,” said Brenner.
“You do not find the Pon females of interest?” said Rodriguez.
“Certainly not!” said Brenner, angrily.
“Good,” said Rodriguez.
“They are like monkeys,” said Brenner, angrily.
“Members of our species, sufficiently frustrated, have made do with worse,” said Rodriguez. “I remember once, when I was a lad, on Abdera.”
“I do not care to hear it,” said Brenner.
“Stay away from the Pon females,” said Rodriguez.
“You need not fear,” said Brenner.
“You are a young man,” said Rodriguez. “I should have realized how difficult this would be for you.”
“I am all right,” said Brenner, angrily.
“We should have brought a contract slut from Company Station along for you,” said Rodriguez.
Brenner thought immediately of the brunette.
He would not have minded having her along, totally at his mercy, in the forests.
“But I thought it would be too much extra bother,” said Rodriguez. “It is not as though they are slaves, who are no trouble, who are instantly obedient, who are desperate to please, knowing that the integrity of their pretty little hides, and, indeed, their very lives, depends on the perfection of their service.”
“Slaves?”