Santiago: A Myth of the Far Future Read Online Free PDF

their genitalia, thus exposed, seemed close to human. There was a
supple, alien grace to them, which Cain found fascinating and mildly repugnant.
Neither of them seemed to notice him at all.
    “You’re staring, Mr. Cain,” said
the man in the tub.
    “I’m sorry,” said Cain. “I had
heard about the fali , but I hadn’t seen them
before.”
    “Nice, useful pets,” said the man,
reaching up and giving a friendly pat to a bare fali buttock. “About as bright as a potted plant, but very pleasant in their way.” He took a puff of his cigar. “I understand that you
wish to see me.”
    “If you’re Stern.”
    “Jonathan Jeremy Jacobar Stern, at
your service,” he said. “Is this going to take long?”
    “I hope not.”
    “What a shame,” he said with mock
regret. “If it was, I’d invite you to join me. There is absolutely nothing like
sitting in warm water to relax a man and help him shed the cares of the day.
I’ll be with you in just a moment.” He turned to one of the fali and extended his arm. “Give me a boost up, my
pretty.”
    She reached down, grabbed his
hand, and pulled him to his feet, while her companion walked to a closet and
returned shortly with a robe.
    “Thank you,” he said, slipping the
robe on. “Now I want both of you to stand over there and not bother us for a
while.” He pointed to a spot near the farthest wall, and both fali immediately walked over to it and stood motionless.
    “They seem very obedient,”
remarked Cain as Stern led him to a grouping of chairs and couches.
    “Obedient and docile,” agreed
Stern, sprawling on a couch and staring at them with unconcealed desire.
    “That oil on their skins—is it
normal?”
    “Why should you suppose that it
isn’t?”
    Cain shrugged. “It just seems
rather unusual.”
    “It is,” replied Stern, smiling at
the fali . “It smells like the finest perfume.” He
turned to Cain. “Go over and experience it for yourself.”
    “I’ll take your word for it.”
    “As you wish,” said Stern with a
shrug. “It feels exquisite, as well—soft and
sensual. Actually, I’m convinced that it’s a secondary sexual characteristic.
It doesn’t do much for Men, of course,” he added with marked insincerity, “but
I imagine it drives their boyfriends right out of their minds. Seductive odor,
sensual feel.” He stared admiringly at them again. “It makes them look like a
pair of alien mermaids emerging from the water.” Suddenly he tore his gaze away
from them and turned back to Cain. “So Geronimo Gentry sent you here?”
    “Yes.”
    “I thought he’d be dead by now.”
    “Not quite,” said Cain, finally
taking a seat.
    “How is he getting along?”
    “He’s got a bar and whorehouse out
on Keepsake,” replied Cain. “I guess he’s doing all right. Talks too much,
though.”
    “He always did.” Stern paused.
“Why did he send you here?”
    “He told me that you might have
some information I need.”
    “Very likely I do. I know an
inordinate number of things. Did he also tell you that I’m not a charitable
institution?”
    “If he hadn’t, I would have
figured it out after seeing some of your trinkets,” said Cain, nodding toward a
number of alien artifacts that were prominently displayed.
    “I’m a collector,” said Stern with
a broad smile.
    “So I gathered.”
    “You haven’t yet told me what
business you’re in, Mr. Cain.”
    “I’m a collector, too,” replied
Cain.
    “Really?” said Stern, suddenly
more interested. “And what is it that you collect?”
    “People.”
    “There’s a good market for them,”
said Stern. “But unlike my collection, they don’t
increase in value.”
    “There’s one who does.”
    “So you want to know about
Santiago.” It was not a question.
    Cain nodded. “That’s what I’m here
for. You’re the only person who’s seen him.”
    Stern laughed in amusement. “His
organization spans the entire galaxy. Don’t you think any of them ever see