Forward the Foundation - Isaac Asimov [18]
"Surely there are some people who are naturally bald."
"Never as completely depilated as Mycogenians force themselves to be. On the Outer Worlds, it wouldn't matter much. But Mycogen is a distant whisper to the Outer Worlds. The Mycogenians keep themselves so much to themselves that it is a rare one, indeed, who has ever left Trantor. Here on Trantor, though, it's different. People might be bald, but they usually have a fringe of hair that advertises them as nonMycogenian-or they grow facial hair. Those very few who are completely hairless-usually a pathological condition-are out of luck. I imagine they have to go around with a doctor's certificate to prove they are not Mycogenians."
Dors, frowning slightly, said, "Does this help us any?"
"I'm not sure."
"Couldn't you let it be known that he is a Mycegonian?"
"I'm not sure that could be done easily. He must have covered his tracks well and even if it could be done-"
"Yes?"
Seldon shrugged. "I don't want to invite an appeal to bigotry. The social situation on Trantor is bad enough without running the risk of loosing passions that neither I nor anyone else could then control. If I do have to resort to the matter of Mycogen, it will only be as a last resort."
"Then you want minimalism, too."
"Of course."
"Then what will you do?"
"I made an appointment with Demerzel. He may know what to do."
Dors looked at him sharply. "Hari, are you falling into the trap of expecting Demerzel to solve every problem for you?"
"No, but perhaps he'll solve this one."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then I'll have to think of something else, won't I?"
"Like what?"
A look of pain crossed Seldon's face. "Dors, I don't know. Don't expect me to solve every problem, either."
11
Eto Demerzel was not frequently seen, except by the Emperor Cleon. It was his policy to remain in the background for a variety of reasons, one of which was that his appearance changed so little with time.
Hari Seldon had not seen him over a period of some years and had not spoken to him truly in private since the days of his early time on Trantor.
In light of Seldon's recent unsettling meeting with Laskin Joranum, both Seldon and Demerzel felt it would be best not to advertise their relationship. A visit by Hari Seldon to the First Minister's office at the Imperial Palace would not go unnoticed, and so for reasons of security they had decided to meet in a small yet luxuriously appointed suite at the Dome's Edge Hotel, just outside the Palace grounds.
Seeing Demerzel now brought back the old days achingly. The mere fact that Demerzel still looked exactly as he always had made the ache sharper. His face still had its strong regular features. He was still tall and sturdy-looking, with the same dark hair with the hint of blond. He was not handsome, but was gravely distinguished. He looked like someone's ideal picture of what an Imperial First Minister ought to look like, not at all like any such official in history before his time ever had. It was his appearance, Seldon thought, that gave him half his power over the Emperor, and therefore over the Imperial Court, and therefore over the Empire.
Demerzel advanced toward him, a gentle smile curving his lips without altering in any way the gravity of his countenance.
"Hart," he said. "It is pleasant to see you. I was half-afraid you would change your mind and cancel."
"I was more than half-afraid you would, First Minister."
"Eto-if you fear using my real name."
"I couldn't.