Vocation

Illustrated by Williams
Gerd Lel Rayne stood in the arched doorway of the living room of his home and smiled at the Terran. Andrew Tremaine smiled up at his host with an almost microscopic feeling of annoyance. The Terran was a large man, well proportioned, but the other was somewhat larger and somewhat in better proportion. The annoyance was the usual jealousy of the better man.
Tremaine knew that Gerd was a better man, and he stifled his feeling of annoyance because hating Gerd was unjust. Besides, Tremaine wanted a favor and one does not irritate a favor-giver.
Gerd Lel Rayne was of a breed that could know when a man disliked him no matter how well it was concealed. Therefore—
Andrew smiled. You've been well?
Positively dripping with good health, boomed Gerd in a resonant voice. And yourself?
Fair to middling.
Good. I'm glad to hear it. Will you have refreshment?
A cigarette, perhaps.
Gerd opened an ornate box on the table and offered Andrew a cigarette. Andrew puffed it into illumination and exhaled a cloud of smoke. Busy? he asked.
Yes, drawled Gerd. I'm always busy, more or less. But being busy or un-busy is my own desire. Being without something to do would drive me crazy, I'm sure. Gerd laughed at the thought. At the present time I'm busy seeing you. Is this a business visit or a personal visit?
Partly pleasure, partly business. There's something been bothering me for some time.