"That's easy. The ostensible sponsor will be a dummy organization called—um—the Consumers Fact Finding Board. Nobody but me needs to know who signs the checks."
"How long will this campaign continue?"
"I figure it'll take about six months to sell the public this particular bill of goods. Once we get business revived, the best thing is never to mention the words Matter Repositor again, not even to deny its existence. The ultimate goal is to make people forget they ever heard of such a gadget. The more convincing I make it, the quicker I'll work myself out of a job."
"I should think you'd make it last as long as possible; that's why I asked you for a time-limit. Do you want to work yourself out of a job?"
"You bet I do! Then I can start selling a bigger item, launch a longer-term promotion, one that will last till Earth gets civilized, till I don't have anything more to sell. From what you say, that will take a lot longer than I'll live."
"It may be none of my business, but what is this big item you propose to sell next?" the Ambassador asked, curiously.
"Earth," Jerry said.
The Ambassador looked confused. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Didn't you just get through telling me, in effect, that any of your people who came to Earth could have all the money they wanted to spend? Well, I'm going to run advertising copy on the Federated Planets, and get them to come here and spend it."
"But I also told you that advertising is unknown on the Federated Planets!" the Ambassador protested.