Nirvana had once been the main pleasure city of Wildoatia while Venusport had been its administrative center. Since the latter had been taken over by United Stars, Nirvana had also become the Big Shot capital. But it still retained its synthetic medieval grandeur. On a mountain top which pierced the planet's lower cloud layers, it rose, tier on tier of marble castles, twisting streets and crenelated walls, until it disappeared in the distance, like a dream of old Spain.
They were welcomed like heroes into Valhalla when they reached the frowning wall, with its moat and torchlit portcullis. Trumpets sang from a dozen towers; the drawbridge came down with a roar. Out marched a guard of honor in shining armor, preceded by a bevy of houris in diaphanous robes, or better. The latter strewed orchids along the pathway before throwing themselves into the arms of the newcomers. There were even handsome youths to greet the women in the party.
"Poppycock right out of the telies," whispered Sadie. "But it wows 'em every time. It got me too, the first time I came.... Thought I was entering heaven."
A dark-eyed beauty in cellophane danced up and presented them with goblets of traskette. Sadie pretended to drain hers, but slopped most of the heady stuff on the cobblestones. Frank followed her example; the other arrivals, their misgivings forgotten, drank the liquor to the lees.
After another flourish of trumpets, a jolly fat man, dressed like the king of Mardi Gras, hurried across the drawbridge, arms outstretched. "Welcome to Wildoatia," he boomed. "Who are the leaders of your party? I have a special welcome for them."
The cowboy opened his mouth but closed it when Frank kicked his shins. There was a long silence.
"Splendid! Splendid," bellowed the fat man at last. "You have no leaders. That's as it should be in Wildoatia, where every man is a king and every woman a queen." As houris threw garlands around the necks of the newcomers he continued: "Tonight Nirvana is yours. You are honored guests of the city. Not one penny can you spend. Come, follow me to the City Hall. We must check your passports. A mere formality, of course."
"Of course!" sneered Sadie in a whisper.