"Don't be so damned superior," snapped Mark Kingman.
"Tell me, Markus, just why this disenchantment takes place?"
"Venus Equilateral suspended operations on Twenty December," said Kingman. "Without notice nor permission nor explanation. Since the relay-beams of Venus Equilateral have carried nothing for a period beyond that permitted for suspension of operations by the Interplanetary Communications Commission, they have seen fit to revoke your license."
"Well! And after all I've done," said Channing.
"You see—you think you can get away with anything. Doubtless this ultra-frigid condition was the cause of failure?"
"Possibly. And then again, maybe someone wanted to make ice cream."
"Don't be flippant. You'll find that these papers are final and complete. You'll not be able to talk your way out of it."
"Tell me, O Learned Legal Light, who is going to run Venus Equilateral when I am far away?"
"Some time ago Terran Electric applied for a franchise and took an option pending failure at Venus Equilateral. This failure has taken place and Terran Electric now controls—
"I gather that you've been forced to put Terran Electric up as bail for the license?"