"Tough," I said. "Call your insurance company. Remember-you started it."
"I did indeed, and am well satisfied by the outcome. I have heard from many
sources that you were the best man-and best lady of course-in your chosen
profession. I found that hard to believe. But now I do. Most impressive. So
impressive that I am prepared to offer you a little assignment."
"I am not for hire. Who are you?"
"Oh, I think you are. Imperetrix Von Kaiser-Czarski. You may call me
Chaise."
"Good-by, Chaise," I sneered, taking Angelina's hand and turning away.
"One million credits a day. Plus expenses."
"Two million," I said, turning back, all sneering spent.
"Done. We will both sign this." A gold-embellished contract on finest vellum
unrolled from his walking stick and he passed it over to me. Angelina leaned
over my shoulder and we read it together.
"Any problems?" Chaise asked.
"None," I answered. "We undertake to undertake an assignment at the agreed
fee, payment to be deposited daily to my account. Fine. But what is it that
you want us to do?"
Chaise sighed and touched his stick again. It opened up into a
comfortable-looking folding seat and he settled into it.
"To begin with, you must realize my position, understand exactly who I am.
You have never heard of me because I prefer it that way. If only to avoid
the people with their hands out, eagerly seeking some of my money. I am, to
put it simply, the richest man in the galaxy." He smiled slightly as he
spoke. Undoubtedly thinking of all the money he had.
"I am probably the oldest man as well. The last time I worked out the
figures, I think it was forty thousand years, give or take a millennium or
two. As I am sure you realize, one's memory begins to glitch a bit as the
centuries roll by. I was a scientist, rather I think that I was a scientist.
Or perhaps I hired a scientist. In any case I developed the first longevity
drug. That much I am sure of. Which I, of course, kept to myself. And have
been improving it ever since. How old do you think I look?"
He raised his chin and turned his head. No wattles there. No wrinkles about
his eyes, no touch of gray to his temple.
"Forty, I would say," Angelina said.
