I had caught his interest. I suppose he was eager to learn anything that he might use to make his way. "I've seen no signs of television," he said.
"This is one of our smaller cities," I improvised quickly. "There are only a few receiving sets here. Most of them are in the main halls of the various clans."
The explanation satisfied him. "Just what do you want to know?" he asked.
"Anything about your Earth that you think might be of interest to my listeners."
"Couldn't you get that from Srtes and his staff?"
"Their supply of information is limited. You should be able to give me much more."
He was actually eager to talk. It probably relieved his homesickness. We returned to his room, and our conversation took up most of the rest of the night. Toward morning he began questioning me.
"I've given you all the information you asked for," he said. "Now I'd like some in return. Can you suggest any way I can make a living on this world of yours?"
I thought for a moment. "You might be able to introduce some product of your civilization's technology that would be useful here. Not knowing your world, I couldn't suggest just what."
"I should be able to come up with something," he said thoughtfully. "Would I be allowed to manufacture and sell it if I did?"