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I suppose you could say that none of it would have happened if Hazel had
not tried to manipulate me (and had, and did, and would) ... but a wife's unique
right, fixed by tradition, to manipulate her own husband runs unbroken and
invariant at least back to Eve and the Apple. I will not criticize a sacred
tradition.
Hazel did not give up her intention; she just changed her tactics. She
decided to take me to Time Headquarters and let the high brass and the technical
experts there answer my questions. "Darling man," she said to me, "you know that
I want to rescue Adam Selene, and so does Mannie, my papa. But his reasons and
mine are sentimental, not good enough to ask you to risk your life."
"Oh, say not so, mistress mine! For you I'll swim the Hellespont. On a calm
day, that is, with an escort boat at my heels. And a three-dee contract.
Commercial rights. Residuals."
"Be serious, dear. I had not planned to try to persuade you through
explaining the greater purpose, the effect on the multiverse ... as I don't
fully understand it myself. I don't have the math and I am not a Companion of
the Circle-the Circle of Ouroboros that rules on all cosmic changes.
"But Lazarus bungled things by trying to hustle you. So I feel that you are
entitled to know exactly why this rescue is necessary and why you are being
asked to take part in it. We'll go to Headquarters and let them try to convince
you; I wash my hands of that part of the job
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