"I don't know," he said angrily. "But I've heard the argument before.
It's been used down through the ages by apologists for the privileged
classes. Pity the poor rich man. While the happy slaves are sitting
down on the levee, strumming their banjos, the poor plantation owner
is up in his mansion drowning his sorrows in mint juleps."
She had an edge of anger, too. "All right," she snapped. "But I'll
tell you this, Joe Mauser. The world is out of gear, but the answer
isn't for individuals to better their material lot by jumping their
caste statuses."
The waiter brought their wine, and, both angry, both held their peace
until he had served it and left.
"What _is_ the answer?" he said, mock in his voice. "It's easy enough
for you, on top, to tell me, below, that the answer isn't in making my
way to your level."
She was interrupted in her hot reply by a rolling of the orchestra's
drums and the voice of a domineering M.C. who managed effectively to
drown all vocal opposition at the tables.
* * * * *
Grinning inanely, holding onto his portable, wireless mike, he babbled
along about the wonderful people present tonight and the good time
being had by all. The Exclusive Room being founded on pure snobbery,
he made great todo about the celebrities present. This politician,
that actress, this currently popular songstress, that baron of
industry.
Joe and Nadine ignored most of his chatter, still glaring at each
other, until he came to....
"And those among us who are fracas buffs, and who isn't a fracas buff
these days, given the merest drop of red blood? Fracas buffs will be
thrilled to know that they are spending the evening in the company of
the intrepid Major Joseph Mauser...."
Behind him, the orchestra broke into the quick strains of "The Girl I
Left Behind Me."
"... Whose most recent act of sheer military genius and derringdo
combined resulted in his all but single-handed winning of the fracas
between Continental Hovercraft and Vacuum Tube Transport, and thus
inflicting defeat upon none other than Marshal Stonewall Cogswell for
the first time in more than a decade."
The M.C. babbled on, now about another present celebrity, a retired
pugilist, once a champion.
Nadine looked into his face. "I think I understand now. You mentioned
that in any society the ... how did you put it? ... the strong,
intelligent, aggressive, cunning or ruthless could work their way to
the top. You've tried strength, intelligence, and aggressiveness,
haven't you, Joe? They didn't work. At least, not fast enough. So now
you're giving cunning a try. Will ruthlessness be next, Joe Mauser?"
He was saved an answer.
A hulking body in evening wear stood next to their table, swaying. Joe
looked up into a face glazed by either trank or alcohol. He didn't
know the other man and for a moment failed to realize the other's
purpose. The man was mumbling something that didn't come through.