then, with quavering finger, I pointed out the address of the second name.
"Retired and living in Happy Hectares, a retirement home for actors. Sounds
very nice."
"But do you see where Happy Hectares is?"
"Of course. Here on Elysium. And why not? This is a pleasure planet serving
a number of star systems. Shall I call Rent-a-Rover and get us some
transportation?"
"By all means. I look forward intently to meeting the Great Grissini. While
you do that I'll get a printout of his career highlights."
Some hours later we rolled through the entrance of Happy Hectares, under a
curling archway that had HOME OF THE STARS spelled out in twinkling
lightbulbs. We passed resplendent gardens with elderly types strolling the
paths, or sitting in shaded pergolas. Robot gardeners worked away in the
flower beds; butlerbots circulated with trays of tea and little sandwiches
and cakes. And some with chilled glasses. Angelina saw the direction of my
gaze and shook her head.
"Too early for you to get tucked into the sauce, Jim. First we find your
magician."
The elegantly gowned and carefully coiffed lady at the front desk was
kindness itself.
"The Great Grissini, of course. Let me find out where he is right now." She
punched the keys; and I tried to remember where I had seen her before.
Angelina was far quicker off the mark then I was.
"Why you must be Hedy Lastarr. I so enjoyed seeing you in Planet of
Passion."
"How nice of you to remember," Hedy cooed, patting the curls of her
stylishly gray hair. "Not many people remember the old threedees these
days."
"They are missing a lot. Far better than the current rubbish."
"I could not agree more. Ahh, here we are. The Great Grissini is in the west
garden just follow the attendant. And don't forget our tax-free status."
She pointed delicately at a collection box on the desk before her that was
labeled with HELPING THE NEEDY IS A REAL GOOD DEEDY in ornate curled
lettering. I stuffed credits through the slot in the top until she beamed
with pleasure. We followed the blue-painted robot out into the gardens.
"He is the one you seek," the robot said, pointing to a man under an
