Satan's World, XX.
(Satan's World was published after the van Rijn collection, Trader To The Stars, and the Falkayn collection, The Trouble Twisters, so it made sense for Gollancz to advertise it as "A new science fiction novel featuring Nicholas van Rijn and David Falkayn.")
Van Rijn puts on an appropriate act when he is in front of an audience or is doing business but, when he is alone, is it still an act or is he just letting off steam? Although his single spaceship has rendezvoused with the Shenn fleet, he must wait 47 hours and 29 minutes before they communicate.
During that time, van Rijn:
groans
curses
whines
stamps up and down
eats six full meals a day
cheats at solitaire
overloads air purifiers with smoke
overloads trash disposal with bottles
is not even soothed by Mozart
exhausts even Adzel's tolerance
yells when there is eventual contact
wants to be rewarded for his Griselda-like patience
However, having bad-mouthed Thea Beldaniel, he treats her with "...avuncular courtliness..." (p. 540) as soon as she appears on screen to speak for the Shenna. His foul mood is instantly switched off.
Adzel finds much better uses for his time. Obviously, he meditates but otherwise he locks himself away from van Rijn "...with food and good books..." (ibid.)
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Even this summary of how Old Nick behaves was funny enough to make me laugh! I think Poul Anderson was, firstly, indulging in some comedy at van Rijn's expense. Secondly, I can see some men showing strain and stress in times of tension. And not behaving with the sternly Stoic self-control of a Marcus Aurelius.*
Ad astra! Sean
*Old Nick was a well read man, so I would not be surprised if he had read the Emperor's MEDITATIONS.
van Rijn has a spectacular degree of self-command -- including the ability to turn it off when he wants to... and then instantly back on again. He's beyond the need to -display- it, to himself or others.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
That does make sense, what you said about van Rijn.
Ad astra! Sean
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