"Welcome," the shouts rang out. "Welcome."
"Welcome!"
"English!" The word escaped Dave's lips in a sudden hiss. "For God's sake, Cal, they're speaking English."
"Something's wrong," Cal said tightly. "This isn't Mars. We've made a mistake, Dave."
The fat man was closer now, still grinning, his stomach protruding, a gold watch hanging across his vest beneath his jacket. He wore a white carnation in his buttonhole. A homburg, black, was perched solidly atop his head.
"They're human," Dave whispered.
The fat man stopped before them, raised his hands. The music ceased as abruptly as it had begun. He stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Welcome home," he said.
Welcome home! The words seared across Cal's mind with sudden understanding.
"There's some mistake ..." he started.