"What do you want 'em for?"
"Does it matter?"
"I'd like to know." Murphy was conscious of his camera, recording sight, sound, odor.
"I lead an army," said Ali-Tomás, "but they march without weapons. Give me weapons! I will carry the word to Hadra, to New Batavia, to Sundaman, to Boeng-Bohôt!"
"How? Why?"
"It is enough that I will it. Again, I beg of you ..." He indicated the table.
Murphy laughed. "I've got myself in a fine mess. Suppose I don't make this weapon for you?"
"You'll remain until you do, under increasingly difficult conditions."
"I'll be here a long time."
"If such is the case," said Ali-Tomás, "we must make our arrangements for your care on a long-term basis."