Details matter. It would be easy to mis-remember the Hotel Universe as offering compatible and comfortable accommodation to any intelligent being whereas they confine themselves to oxygen-breathers. They might require notice and make extra charges for any unusual requirements. Twice, the cost of meeting the guarantee has cost more than the million Commonwealth credits that cover the guarantee. Human tourists like staying there because it makes them feel cosmopolitan.
When Chee Lan, running along a corridor, knocks over the Ambassador of the Epopoian Empire, we are reminded of the diverse intelligent species accommodated on the Moon in Anderson's "Horse Trader," which is also about interstellar commerce.
I am signing off for over a week.
2 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I hope you and Mrs. Shackley have a good time in Salou, Spain!
And I remember how, when the Ambassador "cawed" a protest at being so rudely knocked over, Chee Lan flung back an insult so vulgar that his Excellency laid stunned on the floor for a full minute! (Smiles wryly)
This is the only time in the entire Technic series that we see any mention of the "Epopoian Empire" and its presumably bird like residents. Presumably this race had achieved interstellar travel if there was an Eopopoian ambassador to the Solar Commonwealth. More mysteries and questions!
Sean
Thank you, Sean.
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