Bert Alshuler said abruptly, “What’s in it for me if I… temporarily… accept this, uh, project?”

The professor nodded and flicked on a desk screen. He looked into it and made a rueful moue. “You are not in a very good bargaining position, I fear. Currently, your sole source of finances is your Guaranteed Annual Income. Of course, as a veteran, all your school expenses are paid.”

Bert Alshuler held his peace.

The other said, “Your GAI will be doubled during the period you work with us. If you finish the whole project, that is, if you remain with us for as long as we wish, you will be awarded an additional five thousand pseudo-dollars.” He twisted his mouth in amusement. “Which will undoubtedly be meaningless to you.”

Alshuler scowled. “Why? Five thousand is no small sum to a student, and that’s all I am now.”

“Because, Mr. Alshuler, if the project is a success, by that time you will be wealthy beyond your dreams of avarice.”

Chapter Two

Bert Alshuler looked at him sarcastically. “I have some pretty avaricious dreams,” he said. “Why will I be wealthy? Frankly, I’ve always been a little on the lazy side. I rather doubt that I’ve got the push to make myself very rich in the world as it is today.”

“I can’t tell you at this stage of the game,” the professor said.

The other grunted and thought about it He said finally, “How many other students are there in this deal?”

Katz hesitated before saying, “One other in the whole university. We would have liked to have more controls but the nature of the experiment is such that the fewer we have connected with it, the better.”

“Why does it have to be kept secret?”

“I can’t tell you at this stage,” the professor said again. “However, if you do decide to cooperate, then you must pledge not to discuss it with anyone whomsoever that is not connected with the project.”