"Have you enjoyed your stay, boys?" he asked.
"It was swell," Cal said, "but you've got things all...."
"I was wondering when you planned on leaving for the capitol. Don't misunderstand me. We'd like you to stay as long as you want to, but...."
"For God's sake," Cal snapped, "will you please listen to me?"
Mayor Panley was visibly shaken. "Why, of course, Captain Galus. Of course. Why, certainly."
He lapsed into silence.
"I'm not Bobby Galus," Cal said. "And this isn't Gary Dale."
The mayor nodded his head. "You're ... not ... Galus and Dale," he said slowly.
"That's right," Cal said. "We didn't go to Earth. We came from there. This is the first time we've ever been on Mars. Do you understand? We're Earthmen."
"Earthmen?" The mayor considered this for a second and then burst out laughing. "Why, that's preposterous. Absolutely preposterous!" His laugh rose in volume to a bellow. "Oh, you're joking. I should have known. You're only joking."