_This may prove to you that
Television can change your
life more than you think!_
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, October 1957.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The world newspapers had heralded the event for months. "The First
Personal Visit from Outer Space" was the most important headline of the
decade. Now there were perhaps sixty thousand people crowding behind
ropes and guards at the Earth Interspace Airport, waiting patiently for
Mr. Kramvit of Planet Six.
Fourth Vice President Vincent J. Carrowick had been selected to be Mr.
Kramvit's guide for the length of his visit. He was waiting now, with
Secretary Gordon, in the airport's executive office.
Carrowick spoke first, "Well, this is it. I've spoken to Kramvit
at least eight times on the Vidcope phone, but I'm as nervous as a
contestant right now."
Gordon eyed the screen which was noting the ship's approach. "I don't
see why you should be. You know what he's like basically. Their bodies
and physical capabilities are the same as ours, and most of the people
of Six speak English almost as well as we do, by now."
He looked at Carrowick, "Are their Vidcopes going to stay on Kramvit
during his entire visit?"
Carrowick spoke slowly, "Yes. At least they're going to try; on all six
of the Planets. Kramvit's going to carry a pin microphone on his person
all the time. So they should see and hear us no matter where we are."
"How long do you intend to be out of the country with him?" asked
Gordon.
"Well, most of his time will be spent here, visiting all fifty-three
states. We'll take one cruise to pay token visits to the heads of all
countries first, then back here until he goes home. Hey! He's landing,
let's go!"
... After over an hour of welcoming speeches, photographs and newspaper
reporters, Marryl Kramvit was alone in the executive office with Vice
President Carrowick and Secretary Gordon.
"If we didn't know you were from Six, we would certainly take you for
an Earthman," Carrowick was saying, "Why, your clothes, your coloring,
everything about you is just the same!"
Kramvit smiled and said, "Well, thank you. Physically, of course, we
are the same. The clothes--well, ours are quite a bit different, as
you know. I had these made by a superb tailor who copied them from our
Vidcope screens.
"Many of our females," Kramvit continued, "have already started to wear
some of your ladies' styles, and quite becoming they are."
Carrowick put on his cloak, and said, "Well, let's be on our way.
You're to meet our President for lunch, and then we start our tour, if
that's all right with you."
"Why, of course, that's why I'm here, and I'm anxious to see your
world. Particularly America."
* * * * *
The trip around the world had gone as smoothly as could be expected.
Were it not for the multitudes that gathered at each airport in order
to catch a glimpse of Kramvit, it would have been just perfect.
Kramvit, however, was as cordial to the throngs as he was to the heads
of their respective countries. He was a fine good will ambassador. A
little flicker of disappointment was usually evident when the people
saw for themselves that this man from another world looked and acted
just as they did.
All in all, Carrowick was quite pleased, and he and Kramvit were now
in the Vincent and Marryl stage, except in public.
"Well, you've been in most of the countries of the Earth," said
Carrowick, as they relaxed in the private plane, "and visited forty of
our States of America. What do you think, Marryl?"
"I'm pleased, of course," answered Kramvit. "You're aware, I'm sure,
Vincent, that Six and the other five planets of the Orb are a bit
farther advanced than Earth. But, I don't think it will be very long
before you're up to us.
"I've been able to understand almost everything I've seen," he
continued, "and I've made notes of what I couldn't understand; _one
thing_, Vincent, you haven't explained to me at all."
"What's that?"
"Well, so far as I can see, there are only two economic classes here
on Earth. I've seen what appear to me to be only very wealthy people
and very, very poor people. I've also noticed," here Kramvit smiled,
"that you have sort of avoided these poor people, and what I assume to
be their dwellings. I've seen glimpses of the squalor and terribly poor
sections in each of your states so far."
Carrowick seemed a bit shocked, but Kramvit continued. "Also, you have
addressed almost all of the working people with whom we've been in
contact as Poor Mr. Jones and Poor Miss Smith, and so on. While those
of the wealthy class, you simply addressed as Mr. or Mrs. Why?"
Carrowick _was_ shocked. "Didn't you know? No, I see you really
didn't. I'm terribly sorry, Marryl, we here on Earth take it so much
for granted, and I assumed it was the same all over the Orb."
"No, I don't know what you mean," said Kramvit, "on Six and the others,
we have our quota of poor people. We also have a middle class, (in
which I think I would belong) and some very wealthy people. But the
definite dividing line here, I don't understand.
"I know some of your ancient history, but I've noticed complete
integration wherever I've been. I've seen absolutely no discrimination
as far as color, faith or religion is concerned. I saw no caste system
at all, even in India, and inter-marriage, it seems, has become
completely acceptable."
"That is so," interrupted Carrowick. "We've had no such prejudice at
all as long as I've been alive. It has avoided a lot of trouble. Nobody
has been able to think up a reason for a war, since."
"Then why," asked Kramvit, "have I seen these Poors, as you call them,
sitting only in the rear of busses? Why have I not seen one of these
unfortunate looking people in any of the restaurants in which we've
eaten, or for that matter, in most any public place?"
"The reason for them not being in any of the restaurants is simple.
They can't afford the prices. Haven't you noticed all the Vidcope, or
V.C. centers here?"
"Yes, I have."
"You've seen some of the V.C. shows, haven't you?"
"I didn't pay much attention to them," answered Kramvit. "I'm not much
for V.C. Incidentally, we call it T.V., for television, at home. Many
of our people have become quite addicted to it in the last few years. I
can take it or leave it alone. Usually the latter, I'm afraid."