Part 20 (1/2)
”Do you think I'd _let_ her work on me?” Ja about it However, nothing will happen Nor a to let her confuse the real issue Belle, you are either inside the Code or a free agent outside it Which?”
”I have made my position clear”
”To me, yes To Jim and Lola, decidedly unclear”
”Unclear, then You can _not_ coerce me!”
”If you follow the Code, no If you don't, I can and will If you make any kind of a pass at Jim James from now on, I'll lock you into your room with a Gunther block”
”_You wouldn't dare_!” she breathed ”Besides, you couldn't, not to another prime”
”Don't bet on it,” he advised
After a full ed suddenly to his usual one of casual friendliness ”Why not let this one drop right here, Belle? I can s Why not let 'em really enjoy their honeyed to match Garlock's and she smiled warmly ”I confire, declarations, registration, and everything? I wish--I sincerely and really wish you--every happiness possible”
”We really _are_ serious,” Ja his arm around Lola's waist ”And you won'twon't interfere?”
”Not a bit I couldn't, now, even if I wanted to” Belle grinned wryly
”You see, you kids missed the main feature of the show, since you can't know exactly what a Prime Operator is Especially you can't knohat Cleander Sier on wheels The three of us could have sed, but of course all chance of that blew up just now So if you tant to take the big ju as well as Clee's I'll clear the table”
That s into the tablecloth and a heave into the chute did it--Belle set up the recorder
”Are you both fully certain that you want the full treatment?” Garlock asked
Both were certain, and Garlock read the brief but solee lines
As the needs left the roooing to ask rinned back at her ”I owe you that e, at least But seriously, I'd like it immensely and we fit like Grace and Poise Look at that mirror Did you ever see a better-ive me a try, Belle?”
”I will not,” she said, eo--if you were really the only man left, I would--but as it is, the answer is a definite, resounding, and final '_No_'”
”'Definite' and 'resounding,' yes 'Final,' I won't accept I'll wait”
”You'll wait a long tiht, Doctor Garlock, I' the corridor to their rooms, the doors of which were opposite each other ”In view of the Code, locking your door is a esture Mine will remain unlocked I invite you to come in whenever you like, and assure you forarded as an invasion of privacy”
Without a word she went into her room and closed the door with a firmness just short of violence Her lock clicked sharply
The next , after breakfast, James followed Garlock into his room and shut the door