"Sure, plenty." And while one of the men went to the storeroom, the other asked Hanlon if he would like a cup of coffee.
"Gee, I sure would. That's another thing these folks don't have. That herb tea of theirs ... ugh!"
The first returned with a dozen candy bars that Hanlon stuffed in his pocket, and continued drinking his coffee.
"Oh, yes, better give me some Estrellan money. I've had to spend quite a bit recently. About five hundred credit's worth should be enough." They gave him that from a supply in a drawer.
"Now for the most important thing," Hanlon said. "Next trip I want you to bring me a cat—a nice black...."
"A cat?" It was a duet of surprise.
"Yeh, a nice, tame, house-broken Earth cat. All black, or maybe with a white star in its forehead. About a year old, and quite large. Be sure it has nice, sleek fur."
"Can do, all right," doubtfully, "but for John's sake, why?"
"One of the men I'm working on here loves pets and collects all the different kinds he can get. So I want to give him something he doesn't have. All the animals here are tailless, so get me one with a really nice, long, well-furred tail. A thorough-bred, not an alley-cat. I figure it will help me get in good with him."
"Right." One of them made a note. "Anything else?"