I tried to take another puff, to return to Uru, but Jones took away the
holder.
"I am sorry," he said, "but only so much time is permitted for your
visits--unless you decide to join us permanently."
This was new. I hadn't even considered the possibility. I suppose
I'd been thinking of these _uru_ smokes as nothing more than pipe
dreams--exciting and logical, even consecutive, but still only figments
of the poppy ember.
But apparently _uru_ was merely the key that opened the door to the
real world for which it was named, a finite and beautiful planet
spinning in a vastly distant galaxy at the other side of the spacial
barrier. A world that Earthmen would never reach in this lifetime
without the invitation and assistance of a native of that world who
had developed mental powers beyond our comprehension.
And Jones, not only a native but apparently a noble of Uru, was
extending that invitation to me.
Me, a dope addict, temporarily between kicks. Me, a dreg of humanity.
Why?
Jones was following my thoughts, I knew, but he only smiled and
said I would have to leave. He would call me again. In the meantime
I must consider his invitation. He had not made it frivolously,
but had weighed all factors. If I accepted, it would have to be
unquestioningly, trusting him as my brother.
And it would be permanent. Once I chose Uru, there would be no
returning to Earth.
"Until we meet again," he said.