Van Rijn:
"'Simmons, a bowl of Brazils!'"
-Poul Anderson, "Margin of Profit" IN Anderson, Un-Man and other novellas (New York, 1962), pp. 103-129 AT 112.
A spear carrier or, more accurately, a Brazils carrier.
"Reminded, he told the butler, 'Simmons, you gluefoot, a bowl of mixed-up nuts, chop-chop, only you don't chop them, understand?'"
-"Margin of Profit," p. 149.
Well, in the revised text, Simmons does not get any more air-space although van Rijn's speech to him does. Am I the first reader to give any thought to Simmons? This passage highlights the total stratification of society. While van Rijn and his guests work hard to address the Borthudian menace, Simmons' work is simply to butle to them. He need neither understand nor even hear their discussion but must ensure that:
"...drinks, snacks and smokes catered for the individuals present..." (p. 148)
- are on the table.
Two parallel streams of work, life and consciousness.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I remember that part of "Margin of Profit," albeit it was not the butler who caught my attention. Rather, it was this: "Firmage and Mjambo stared. They had known Centaurians are apt to be single-minded--but this much? Van Rijn simply cracked a Brazil nut between his teeth, awing everybody present except for Gornas-Kiew,..." Apparently Brazil nuts are VERY hard to crack, and thus risky to one's teeth.
Ad astra! Sean
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