"That's a difficult question. So far as natural decay is concerned, I think I'm a hundred and fifteen. Of course, my actual life-span has been nearer three hundred and eighty-seven; but please don't credit me with being a Methuselah. I've a long way to go yet."
"Is it a fact that the round trip costs five million dollars?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that. It's a condition of the contract that passengers refrain from disclosing the price of their tickets."
"It is expensive, though?"
"Oh, naturally. But remember, the overhead is heavy. Three refueling bases on the minor planets, Borenius, Ziar and Algon, require constant maintenance, apart from the initial cost of runways. Then only five—er—patients can be housed on Rejuvenal at any given time. And one also has to consider the constant change of staff. You'd scarcely expect it to be cheap."
There was a sudden pause in the questioning. The lawyer took the opportunity to rise up out of his chair. This provoked an immediate response; all spoke at once in deafening unison. Delman held up his hand for silence, then turned and addressed the red-headed reporter on his left.
"Young man, since you were the first to begin this examination, I'll give you two questions with which to wind up for your side. Only two, mind."
The reporter thought for a moment. "Who are your fellow passengers?" he asked.
"I don't know. I thought you might be able to tell me that. And the second question?"
"Well, sir, I suppose I ought to ask whether you have any special message for the Universe."