"Tell us about the places you've seen," someone called. Chip emerged from a long pull at the mug, heaving a sigh.
"Well," he said. "I tell you I been in some places...."
Music started up, rising above the clamor.
"Come, Retief," Anne-Marie said. "Dance with me."
Retief looked at her. "My thought exactly," he said.
Chip put down his mug and sighed. "Derned if I ever felt right at home so quick before," he said. "Just seems like these folks know all about me." He scratched behind his right ear. "Annie must o' called 'em up and told 'em our names an' all." He lowered his voice.
"They's some kind o' trouble in the air, though. Some o' the remarks they passed sounds like they're lookin' to have some trouble with the Sweaties. Don't seem to worry 'em none, though."
"Chip," Retief said, "how much do these people know about the Soetti?"
"Dunno," Chip said. "We useta touch down here, regler. But I always jist set in my galley and worked on ship models or somethin'. I hear the Sweaties been nosin' around here some, though."