Confidence Game

By JIM HARMON
Illustrated by EPSTEIN
I admit it: I didn't know if I was coming or going—but I know that if I stuck to the old man, I was a comer ... even if he was a goner!
Doc had this solemn human by the throat when I caught up with him.
Tonight, Doc was saying in his old voice that was as crackled and important as parchment, tonight Man will reach the Moon. The golden Moon and the silver ship, symbols of greed. Tonight is the night when this is to happen.
Sure, the man agreed severely, prying a little worriedly at Doc's arthritic fingers that were clamped on his collar. No argument. Sure, up we go. But leave me go or, so help me, I'll fetch you one in the teeth!
I came alongside and carefully started to lever the old man loose, one finger at a time. It had to be done this way. I had learned that during all these weeks and months. His hands looked old and crippled, but I felt they were the strongest in the world. If a half dozen winos in Seattle hadn't helped me get them loose, Doc and I would have been wanted for the murder of a North American Mountie.
It was easier this night and that made me afraid. Doc's thin frame, layered with lumpy fat, was beginning to muscle-dance against my side. One of his times was coming on him. Then at last he was free of the greasy collar of the human.
I hope you'll forgive him, sir, I said, not meeting the man's eyes. He's my father and very old, as you can see. I laughed inside at the absurd, easy lie. Old events seem recent to him.
The human nodded, Adam's apple jerking in the angry neon twilight. 'Memory Jump,' you mean. All my great-grandfathers have it. But Great-great-grandmother Lupos, funny thing, is like a schoolgirl. Sharp, you know. I.... Say, the poor old guy looks sick. Want any help?
I told the human no, thanks, and walked Doc toward the flophouse three doors down. I hoped we would make it. I didn't know what would happen if we didn't. Doc was liable to say something that might nova Sol, for all I knew.