Ma said, “Look here, Sam Heideman, how come if this planet has been discovered we hadn’t heard about it? How long has it been known, and what’s it all about?”
Sam chuckled. “A man named Wilkins discovered this planet ten years ago. Reported it to the Council, but before it got publicized Planetary Cinema got wind of it and offered the Council a whopping rental for the place on the condition that it be kept secret. As there aren’t any minerals or anything of value here and the soil ain’t worth a nickel, the Council rented it to them on those terms.”
“But why secret?”
“No visitors, no distractions, not to mention a big jump on their competitors. All the big movie companies spy on one another and swipe one another’s ideas. Here they got all the space they want and can work in peace and privacy.”
“What’ll they do about our finding the place?” I asked. Sam chuckled again. “Guess they’ll entertain you royally now that you’re here and try to persuade you to keep it under your hat. You’ll probably get a free pass for life to all Planetary Cinema theaters too.”
He went over to a cabinet and came back with a tray of bottles and glasses. Ma and Ellen declined, but Sam and I had a couple apiece and it was good stuff. Johnny and Miss Ambers were over in a corner of the tent whispering together earnestly, so we didn’t bother them, especially after I told Sam that Johnny didn’t drink.
Johnny still had hold of her hand and was gazing into her eyes like a sick pup. I noticed that Ellen moved around so she was facing the other way and didn’t have to watch. I was sorry for her, but there wasn’t anything I could do. Something like that happens if it happens. And if it hadn’t been for Ma—
But I saw that Ma was getting edgy and I said we’d better get back to the ship and get dressed up if we were due to be entertained royally. Then we could move the ship in closer. I reckoned we could spare a few days on Nothing Sirius. I left Sam in stitches by telling him how we’d named the planet after a look at the local fauna.
Then I gently pried Johnny loose from the movie star and led him outside. It wasn’t easy. There was a blank, blissful expression on his face, and he’d even forgotten to salute me when I’d spoken to him.
Hadn’t called me “sir” either. In fact, he didn’t say anything at all.