Algis Budrys [Budrys - DUE PROCESS

DUE PROCESS

Algis Budrys

Illustrated by Bernklau

Frank Hertzog of International Tours, Incorporated, scratched himself behind one disproportionately large ear and lifted one shaggy eyebrow. He sat turned sideways to his desk, with his feet up on an extended drawer. His visitor sat stiffly in a chair placed at the opposite corner of the desk, so that Hertzogs glance shot diagonally toward his visitor and, at his, convenience, over the visitors shoulder at the ocean horizon far away and far below.

Hertzog nibbled jerkily at his upper lip. Now, let me just get this clear in my own mind, he said to the prim little man in the other chair. You want cash in advance?

No later than July 14th midnight, the prim man affirmed. Its very important that the money should have reached our office in Basle by that time. The little man sat with his thighs and knees pressed together, his back upright and his arms at his sides, with his hands clasped in his lap. He wore a black suit and a white shirt with a black string tie. He had a pale, boney face, and gray-black hair which had been clipped close at the sides and brushed flat on the top of his head with a white part straight down the middle. Motionless beads of perspiration covered his forehead.

And as soon as the money is in your office, youll have our order loaded on the first tube train out.

That is correct, the prim little man said. He was a liquor salesman. I must remind you that today is July 1st.

Well, now, Frank Hertzog complained, that seems like an awfully funny way to do business, all of a sudden. Weve been good customers of yours for years. No ITI cruise ship serves anything but your brands.

Naturally, the little salesman said. Our brands are the best in the world.

Sos ITIs credit rating. I dont understand this, Mr. Keller, I really dont. The accounts been settled every month. It almost sounds as if you dont want our business. There are other wholesalers in this world, you know.

Mr. Keller gestured nervously. Please, Mr. Hertzog. None of our competitors are organized to give you service equal to ours.

Up to now they havent been, you mean. But youre forcing me to wonder whether a little less service and a great deal more courtesy wouldnt be worth it.

Mr. Hertzog, I The little salesman suddenly leaned forward urgently. It may cost me my job to speak frankly to you, Mr. Hertzog. You understand.

Hertzog leaned back and looked narrowly at Keller. Im not sure I do, Mr. Keller. You and my company have been dealing with each other for some time. In cases where a salesman has been handling the same account for years, it becomes a moot point whether he represents his employer or his account. A tacit arrangement of mutual advantage between salesman and account gradually evolves into being. This is a fact as old as salesmanship. Im a little bit surprised at your reluctance to comply with business ethics, Mr. Keller. I really am. I wish you would say whatever is on your mind. I cant say I care for your implication that anything you tell me in confidence might pass beyond this room.

Kellers pale lips trembled at their corners. Mr. Hertzog, you put me in a difficult position. Youre clearly in the right, and yet

If Im in the right, Mr. Keller, then lets have it. Whats going on?

The little man sighed. Very well, Mr. Hertzog. His voice fell, and he leaned forward to compensate for it, his eyes unconsciously darting about the room before he went on. You know theres been a change in the top management of my company? What has occurred is that the new directors are much more favorably inclined toward Capetown than toward Atlantis.

Thats ridiculous! Hertzog snapped. Atlantis is the logical port facility for Europe. Its true that transshipping goods into the tube train terminal here and running them through the tunnel under the Bay of Biscay and the contaminated coastline does add an expense. But shipping overland across Africa from Capetown is even more costly.

Keller spread his hand placatingly. Please, Mr. Hertzog. You know this, and I know this. In time, even my directors will know this. But at the moment they have been beguiled by this new notion of zeppelin freighters. They have been shown plans for lighter-than-air craft with cargo capacities comparable to those of a steamship, and they have attended test flight demonstrations. They are impressed by the majesty of these huge constructionsyou understand, Mr. Hertzog, they are like children. They will grow up, but meanwhile Keller shook his head.

Let them try zeppelin lighterage from Capetown to Europe across the African interior. One or two line squalls will grow em up fast. Insurance rates are a great urge toward maturity, Hertzog growled.

Exactly. Exactly, Keller agreed. But in the meantime they are convinced that Capetown will become the great cosmopolitan center of the Eastern Hemisphere, and that Atlantis will wither, out here on the ocean with nothing to sustain it. So they have instituted strict new policies. Please, Mr. Hertzogone or two demonstrations of prompt, ready cash payment on your part, and they will think again. I realize it is an imposition on your self-esteem, but a truly great man can afford to be above such things. His voice became a conspiratorial whisper. After all, Mr. Hertzog, once the Capetown bubble has burst, youll be in a position to demand unheard-of discounts

Yes, Hertzog said. Yes, I see. He stood up and strolled aimlessly about the office, his hands clasped behind his back. He stared out through the window without focusing his eyes, and wrinkled his nose, eventually coming to a halt beside the settee where Keller had left his brief case. All right, Mr. Keller, Ill have a bonded messenger at your Basle office by July 14th midnight, he said. He fumbled with the handle of Kellers brief case, swinging his hand absently backward and forward. Keller took it from him with a touch of asperity.

Thank you very much, Mr. Hertzog. I was sure you would understand the situation.

Yes, Hertzog said vaguely. Yes, he repeated, watching the salesman leave.

Hertzog pressed Hoke Bannisters call stud on his desk, then walked back to the glass wall of his office and looked out The stacked tiers of Atlantis rose up out of the ocean all around him, the water swelling around the massive concrete pilings on which they rested. It was a stormy day. The water was green and white under a gray sky, and rain swept in an exhilarating sheet across the invisible glass. Inside a two-mile perimeter, the water was calm. At the perimeter, where sonic turbulence broke up the wave action, leaping towers of foam clashed together and surrounded Atlantis in a rampart of froth. Frank Hertzog was smiling fondly through the glass when Hoke Bannister let himself in.

Yeah? he said, rummaging through the liquor cabinet. He was an ugly, wide man who had recently acquired the habit of five-dollar Havana cigars. His mouth was broad enough so that he could keep one between his teeth at nearly all times and still talk and drink.

What would you do for thirty thousand dollars, Hoke? Hertzog asked him, returning to his desk.

Thirty thousand dollars? You mean, what kind of rules would I break? Few. Thirty thousand dollars keep a man comfortable all his life, if he plays it careful, but no kicks, you know? You dont take chances with that little bit of capital.

What would you do for the standard salesmans commission on a thirty-thousand-dollar order?

You mean Keller? Bannister finished putting his drink together and closed up the cabinet. I was right, sending him up here, yeah?

Yeah, Hertzog said, looking down at the buttons on his desk. Yeah.