Barrent couldn't think of anything to say. He smiled nervously.
"Furthermore," the man said, "there are no cheap lodgings anywhere on Earth. Why should there be? Who would stay in them?"
"Who indeed?" Barrent said. "I guess I've had a little too much to drink."
"No one drinks any more," the man said. "I don't understand. What sort of a game is this?"
"What sort of a game do you think it is?" Barrent asked, falling back on a technique which the Group had recommended.
The man stared at him, frowning. "I think I get it," he said. "You must be an Opinioner."
"Mmm," Barrent said, noncommittally.
"Sure, that's it," the man said. "You're one of those citizens goes around asking people's opinions. For surveys and that sort of thing. Right?"
"You've made a very intelligent guess," Barrent said.
"Well, I don't suppose it was too hard. Opinioners are always walking around trying to get people's attitudes on things. I would have spotted you right away if you'd been wearing Opinioners' clothing." The man started to frown again. "How come you aren't dressed like an Opinioner?"