There was darkness, then bright sun. They stood on a street corner, and
Summersby could read the signs as plainly as Watkins must have read them
in the focusing lens of the matter transmitter on the unknown planet.
Broadway and 42nd Street. The five of them had clicked into being on the
busiest corner of New York.
"That old crook," said Adam, gulping. "He focused us here for a gag."
"I look _awful_," gasped Mrs. Full, and Summersby, glancing at her,
agreed. Like all of them, she had lost weight; her skin showed the
effects of a week's washing without soap; and her skirt and blouse were
mussed up, to say the least. All the men needed shaves. Calvin Full,
recovering gradually from the shock of the goad, and still supported by
Villa, looked like a Bowery wino.
"Is he coming?" asked Adam, addressing Summersby. "Will Watkins be along
too?"
"I don't know," said Summersby. He stared up at as much of the sky as he
could see beyond the block-high ads. "I hope so."
"My chili stand!" shouted Villa, suddenly awakening to the fact of New
York about him. "That no-good relief man! I've got to see what he's done
to it!" Pushing Calvin to Adam, who grasped him by an arm, the Mexican
waved hurriedly. "Come and see me," he said to all of them. "I'll give
you a bowl free." He hastened away into the crowd.
"We've got to see about our clothes at the hotel," said Mrs. Full. She
sounded apologetic. "I hope we'll see you again, Adam, and Mr.
Summersby."
"I doubt it," said Summersby. He looked at Full. "Coming out of it?" he
asked.
"Thanks," said Cal, nodding. He took his wife's hand. "Gave you my
address, didn't I?"
"I have it," said Summersby.
"Well, good-bye," said Mrs. Full.
"You did a fine job up there," said Adam Pierce. "I'm proud to have
known you, ma'am."
"Thank you, Adam. Good-bye." They were gone.
"I suppose you'll be going too," said Adam, somewhat wistfully.
"I guess so. You'll go home?"
"I guess so," Adam repeated. "My folks will be sore. They'll never
believe such a story. They'll think I ran wild or something."
Summersby, still looking upward, and wondering if he could be staring
blindly at the planet which Watkins must be trying to leave even now,
put a hand on his heart. "Was he right? They did fix up everyone else."
He laughed. It was the first time he had laughed normally in seven
months. "I could get into the rangers again," he said. "Adam, I've got
to see a doctor. I've got to find out something."
"Yes, sir," said Adam unhappily. Summersby looked at him. "Really
worried about your folks?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll come home and tell them, if you like."