"And the inoculation's for that?"
"Standard. Once a year. You got the inoculation yourself, no doubt, before you jumped off for the moon."
"Where does the serum or whatever you call it come from?"
Pell thought he saw Wilcox's eyes flicker. The doctor said, "It's stored at the main landings. We draw it as we need it from there."
"Have any here now?"
Wilcox's eyes did move this time. He looked at the refrigerator—but only for the veriest moment. "Don't really reckon so," he said finally. He was staring blankly at Pell again.
Pell patted his pockets, turned to Kronski and said, "You know, I think we're out of cigarettes." Before Kronski could answer he moved to the big quartz window behind Wilcox's desk. He gazed at the moonscape. "Just can't get over how big and quiet it is," he said.
Wilcox turned and gazed with him.
Kronski drew his freezer. He pointed it, squeezed, and there was a soft, momentary buzzing and a twinkling of violet sparks at the muzzle of the weapon.
Wilcox sat where he was, frozen, knowing nothing.