"Margin of Profit," pp. 86-87.
Van Rijn's conference with his four guests on Kilimanjaro ends near the top of p. 86. The voyage of the Mercury begins just under half way down p. 87. Between the conference and the voyage and separated from them by double spaces between paragraphs, a conversation between between Captain Torres and van Rijn begins:
"Rafael Torres had considered himself unshockable by any mere words. He was wrong. 'Are you serious?' he gasped." (p. 86)
That is Torres' pov but, when the captain has refused:
"'...to take an untried ship into enemy sky and invite attack...'" (ibid.) -
"Van Rijn stood quiet for a while. This was something he had not quite foreseen." (ibid.)
This is van Rijn's pov. He looks out at Jakarta harbor, sees a white-sailed yacht, reflects that money is not so important while Earth is full of blossoms etc and that his memories of space are probably "...colored by nostalgia..." (p. 87) then decides to lead the expedition if Torres and two other good men will come with him.
This is a very rare insight into van Rijn's thoughts and is my last thought on the blog for tonight. Good night.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And I think no fair minded person can't help but respect Old Nick, for here we see him willing to risk his own neck!
Ad astra! Sean
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