Tea Tray in the Sky

By EVELYN E. SMITH
Illustrated by ASHMAN
Visiting a society is tougher than being born into it. A 40 credit tour is no substitute!
The picture changed on the illuminated panel that filled the forward end of the shelf on which Michael lay. A haggard blonde woman sprawled apathetically in a chair.
Rundown, nervous, hypertensive? inquired a mellifluous voice. In need of mental therapy? Buy Grugis juice; it's not expensive. And they swear by it on Meropé.
A disembodied pair of hands administered a spoonful of Grugis juice to the woman, whereupon her hair turned bright yellow, makeup bloomed on her face, her clothes grew briefer, and she burst into a fast Callistan clog.
I see from your hair that you have been a member of one of the Brotherhoods, the passenger lying next to Michael on the shelf remarked inquisitively. He was a middle-aged man, his dust-brown hair thinning on top, his small blue eyes glittering preternaturally from the lenses fitted over his eyeballs.
Michael rubbed his fingers ruefully over the blond stubble on his scalp and wished he had waited until his tonsure were fully grown before he had ventured out into the world. But he had been so impatient to leave the Lodge, so impatient to exchange the flowing robes of the Brotherhood for the close-fitting breeches and tunic of the outer world that had seemed so glamorous and now proved so itchy.
Yes, he replied courteously, for he knew the first rule of universal behavior, I have been a Brother.
Now why would a good-looking young fellow like you want to join a Brotherhood? his shelf companion wanted to know. Trouble over a female?
Michael shook his head, smiling. No, I have been a member of the Angeleno Brotherhood since I was an infant. My father brought me when he entered.
The other man clucked sympathetically. No doubt he was grieved over the death of your mother.