Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick Read Online Free PDF Page A

speculation, now. Even while he was trying to make up his mind the curtain had fallen. He looked ruefully out the window at the afternoon sky. Below, the earth was moist and alive. Spring, spring two years later. And what did he have to show for the two years?
    “Have I been paid?” he asked. He slipped his wallet out and glanced into it. “Apparently not.”
    “No. You'll be paid at the Office. Kelly will pay you.”
    “The whole works at once?”
    “Fifty thousand credits.”
    Jennings smiled. He felt a little better, now that the sum had been spoken aloud. Maybe it wasn't so bad, after all. Almost like being paid to sleep. But he was two years older; he had just that much less to live. It was like selling part of himself, part of his life. And life was worth plenty, these days. He shrugged. Anyhow, it was in the past.
    “We're almost there,” the older man said. The robot pilot dropped the cruiser down, sinking toward the ground. The edge of New York City became visible below them. “Well, Jennings, I may never see you again.” He held out his hand. “It's been a pleasure working with you. We did work together, you know. Side by side. You're one of the best mechanics I've ever seen. We were right in hiring you, even at that salary. You paid us back many times—although you don't realize it.”
    “I'm glad you got your money's worth.”
    “You sound angry.”
    “No. I'm just trying to get used to the idea of being two years older.”
    Rethrick laughed. “You're still a very young man. And you'll feel better when she gives you your pay.”
    They stepped out onto the tiny rooftop field of the New York office building. Rethrick led him over to an elevator. As the doors slid shut Jennings got a mental shock. This was the last thing he remembered, this elevator. After that he had blacked out.
    “Kelly will be glad to see you,” Rethrick said, as they came out into a lighted hall. “She asks about you, once in a while.”
    “Why?”
    “She says you're good-looking.” Rethrick pushed a code key against a door. The door responded, swinging wide. They entered the luxurious office of Rethrick Construction. Behind a long mahogany desk a young woman was sitting, studying a report.
    “Kelly,” Rethrick said, “look whose time finally expired.”
    The girl looked up, smiling.“Hello, Mr. Jennings. How does it feel to be back in the world?”
    “Fine.” Jennings walked over to her.“Rethrick says you're the paymaster.”
    Rethrick clapped Jennings on the back.“So long, my friend. I'll go back to the plant. If you ever need a lot of money in a hurry come around and we'll work out another contract with you.”
    Jennings nodded. As Rethrick went back out he sat down beside the desk, crossing his legs. Kelly slid a drawer open, moving her chair back. “All right. Your time is up, so Rethrick Construction is ready to pay. Do you have your copy of the contract?”
    Jennings took an envelope from his pocket and tossed it on the desk. “There it is.”
    Kelly removed a small cloth sack and some sheets of handwritten paper from the desk drawer. For a time she read over the sheets, her small face intent.
    “What is it?”
    “I think you're going to be surprised.” Kelly handed him his contract back. “Read that over again.”
    “Why?” Jennings unfastened the envelope.
    “There's an alternate clause. ‘If the party of the second part so desires, at any time during his time of contract to the aforesaid Rethrick Construction Company—'”
    “‘If he so desires, instead of the monetary sum specified, he may choose instead, according to his own wish, articles or products which, in his own opinion, are of sufficient value to stand in lieu of the sum—'”
    Jennings snatched up the cloth sack, pulling it open. He poured the contents into his palm. Kelly watched.
    “Where's Rethrick?” Jennings stood up. “If he has an idea that this—”
    “Rethrick has nothing to do with it. It was your own request. Here,