More was at stake than the wasting of Joey's talents on a bad hat like
Shanig. There was the inevitable blowup that must come later. When
Shanig found out what being too long under a smiley's influence could
do to a homo with his financial responsibilities, there would be the
devil to pay for fair.
"I don't want trouble," I said, trying to be diplomatic. "But I can't
sell Joey to you. If you'd let me explain--"
"You have a commitment against your prospect ship, I believe," Shanig
cut in. "An obligation commonly referred to as a grubstake lien, is it
not?"
"With Martian Bankings," I admitted. "It's a couple of weeks overdue
at the moment but Martian is a friendly outfit. They'll wait for their
credits until I sell the smiley."