"I called State to verify the appointment. You realize that it can have only one outcome for me."
Channing shrugged. "I can't help that. Look, I have nothing against you. You can still get off Earth if you want to."
"What would happen to your plan then?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't know. I still think it looks good."
"Thanks for offering me my life, anyway. I'm not going anywhere, though."
"Suit yourself."
"You are."
"How's that, again?"
For answer, the copy shouted, "Hey, George!"
Three big men lumbered into the room, each one large enough to give a Centaurian marsupial a good tumble. Four-foot tall George followed them. George was from Deneb, complete with spacesuit.