"If you can demonstrate that you can do it better than anyone else, you will be given an exclusive right to control both its construction and distribution."
"Does that apply to every function of your society?" he asked.
"This world belongs to those who can prove their strength," I answered.
"That's a bit different than on Earth," he said. "We have always held that competition makes for the best results."
I had become quite interested in the discussion, and found myself giving a rather lengthy explanation of that part of our society's functioning. "Competition is very real here, even though it is less tangible than yours. The fact that a producer of a product or service may be displaced by anyone demonstrating a better or more efficient product or method, acts as a spur to best efforts. The price is set by the state, with the prices of competing bidders in mind. Under our system time and energy is not wasted making inferior goods, or those already in adequate supply. The purchasers, also, are never exposed to an inferior article."
I was becoming quite drowsy by this time and left after I'd answered a few more of his questions. I felt affection toward the Earthling. He was direct and honest. Beneath his placid manner he had a pride as fierce as any Zade. Tomorrow would be the crucial day for him.
Late the next afternoon I bought a packet of food and brought it to the outworlder's room. "Did you have trouble with a Zade named Ctvar?" I asked him, immediately on entering.
"Yes, I did," he answered. "Why?"
"His clansmen have been pouring into the city all day. I just learned that they are looking for you."