Banquets Of The Black Widowers - By Isaac Asimov Page 0,42
a man behind a massive desk, then approached me. He seemed rather indifferent, but to my relief he spoke English and quite well, too, though he had a disconcertingly British accent.
"I followed him into a rather dingy room, gray and depressing, and there the questioning began. It was the questioning that was the nightmare, though the questioner remained unfailingly, if distantly, polite. He told me his name but I don't remember it. I honestly don't. It began with a V, so I'll just call him 'Vee' if I have to.
"He said, 'You say your name is John Smith.'
"'Yes.'
"He didn't exactly smile. He said, "It is a very common name in the United States and, I understand, is frequently assumed by those who wish to avoid investigation."
"'It is frequently assumed because it is common,' I said, 'and since it is common, why shouldn't I be one of the hundreds of thousands who bear it?'
""You have identification?'
""I've been robbed. I've come in to complain - '
"Vee raised his hand and made hushing noises through his mustache. 'Your complaint has been recorded, but I have nothing to do with the people here. They merely made sure you were not wounded and then sent for me. They have not searched you or questioned you. It is not their job. Now - do you have identification?'
"Wearily, and quietly, I told him what had happened.
"'Then,' he said, 'you have nothing with which to support your statement that you are John Smith of Fairfield, Connecticut?'
"'Who else should I be?'
"'That we would like to find out. You say you were mistreated in a tavern. Its location, please.'
"'I don't know.'
"'Its name?'
"'I don't know.'
"'What were you doing there?"
"'I told you. I was merely walking through the city - '
"'Alone?'
"'Yes, alone. I told you.'
"'Your starting point?"
""My hotel.'
"'And you have identification there?"
"'Certainly. My passport is there and all my belongings.'
"'The name of the hotel?'
"I winced at that. Even to myself my answer would seem too much to accept. 'I can't recall,' I said in a low voice.
"'Its location?'
"'I don't know."
"Vee sighed. He looked at me in a nearsighted way and I thought his eyes seemed sad, but perhaps it was only myopia.
"He said, 'The basic question is: What is your name? We must have some identification or this becomes a serious matter. Let me explain your position to you, Mr. Blank. Nothing compels me to do so, but I am not in love with every aspect of my work and I shall sleep better if I make sure you understand that you are in great danger.'
"My heart began to race. I am not young. I am not a hero. I am not brave. I said, 'But why? I am a wronged person. I have been drugged and robbed. I came voluntarily to the police, sick and lost, looking for help - '
"Again, Vee held up his hand, 'Quietly! Quietly! Some speak a little English here and it is better we keep this between ourselves for now. Things may be as you have described, or they may not. You are an American national. My government has cause to fear Americans. That, at least, is our official position. We are expecting an American agent of great ability to penetrate our borders on a most dangerous mission.
"'That means that any strange American - any American encountered under suspicious circumstances - has, for a week now, been referred instantly to my department. Your circumstances were suspicious to begin with and have grown far more suspicious now that I have questioned you.'
"I stared at him in horror. 'Do you think I'm a spy? If I were, would I come to the police like this?'
"'You may not be the spy, but you may still be a spy. There are people who will think so at once. Even I view it as a possibility.'
"'But no kind of spy would come to the police - '
"'Please! It will do you good to listen. You may be a distraction. If you play chess, you will know what I mean when I say you may be a sacrifice. You are sent in to confuse and distract us, occupying our time and efforts, while the real work is done elsewhere.'
"I said, "But it hasn't worked, if that's what I'm supposed to be. You're not confused and distracted. No one could be fooled by anything as silly as this. It's not a reasonable sacrifice and so it's no sacrifice at all. It's nothing but the truth I've been telling you.'