Some Asides

We have established that the character of Nicholas van Rijn is presented consistently throughout his sub-series of Poul Anderson's Technic History. Van Rijn's company, SSL, would be good to work for. You would find your own competence level, either rising with increasing responsibility or remaining a routineer. Van Rijn would stand by you if necessary. He negotiates with the union instead of busting it. When ships are being shanghaied, he tells his fellow merchants:

 

"'The Brotherhood will accept no more. Confidential amongst the we of us, I would not either.'"

-Poul Anderson, "Margin of Profit" IN Anderson, The Van Rijn Method (Riverdale, NY, 2009), pp. 135-173 AT p. 152. 

 

 Some employees are offered interesting jobs on the side with generous bonuses. Those imprisoned:

 

"'For thirty days on britches of the peace charges...'"

-Satan's World, VIII, p. 411

 

- are so saddened by this that van Rijn's heart is touched enough to console them accordingly.

 

(On the subject of that local jail, does the sf con fill all the elephant-size units because of large numbers or because of large fans?)