Forward the Foundation - Isaac Asimov [23]
"And what do you think about it?"
"I'm not surprised. Are you? The rest of Trantor treats Dahl like dirt. Why shouldn't they go for Joranum's views?"
"Do you go for them also?"
"Well-" Raych twisted his face thoughtfully. "I got to admit some things he says appeal to me. He says he wants equality for all people. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing at all-if he means it. If he's sincere. If he isn't just using it as a ploy to get votes."
"True enough, Dad, but most Dahlites probably figure: What's there to lose? We don't have equality now, though the laws say we do."
"It's a hard thing to legislate."
"That's not something to cool you off when you're sweating to death."
Seldon was thinking rapidly. He had been thinking since he had come across this item. He said, "Raych, you haven't been in Dahl since your mother and I took you out of the sector, have you?"
"Sure I was, when I went with you to Dahl five years ago on your visit there."
"Yes yes"-Seldon waved a hand in dismissal-"but that doesn't count. We stayed at an intersector hotel, which was not Dahlite in the least, and, as I recall, Dors never once let you out on the streets alone. After all, you were only fifteen. How would you like to visit Dahl now, alone, in charge of yourself-now that you're fully twenty?"
Raych chuckled. "Mom would never allow that."
"I don't say that I enjoy the prospect of facing her with it, but I don't intend to ask her permission. The question is: Would you be willing to do this for me?"
"Out of curiosity? Sure. I'd like to see what's happened to the old place."
"Can you spare the time from your studies?"
"Sure. I'll never miss a week or so. Besides, you can tape the lectures and I'll catch up when I get back. I can get permission. After all, my old man's on the faculty-unless you've been fired, Dad."
"Not yet. But I'm not thinking of this as a fun vacation."
"I'd be surprised if you did. I don't think you know what a fun vacation is, Dad. I'm surprised you know the phrase."
"Don't be impertinent. When you go there, I want you to meet with Laskin Joranum."
Raych looked startled. "How do I do that? I don't know where he's gonna be."
"He's going to be in Dahl. He's been asked to speak to the Dahl Sector Council with its new Joranumite members. We'll find out the exact day and you can go a few days earlier."
"And how do I get to see him, Dad? I don't figure he keeps open house."
"I don't, either, but I'll leave that up to you. You would have known how to do it when you were twelve. I hope your keen edge hasn't blunted too badly in the intervening years."
Raych smiled. "I hope not. But suppose I do see him. What then?"
"Well, find out what you can. What's he's really planning. What he's really thinking."
"Do you really think he's gonna tell me?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he does. You have the trick of inspiring confidence, you miserable youngster. Let's talk about it."
And so they did. Several times.
Seldon's thoughts were painful. He was not sure where all this was leading to, but he dared not consult Yugo Amaryl or Demerzel or (most of all) Dors. They might stop him. They might prove to him that his idea was a poor one and he didn't want that proof. What he planned seemed the only gateway to salvation and he didn't want it blocked.
But did the gateway exist at all? Raych was the only one, it seemed to Seldon, who could possibly manage to worm himself into Joranum's confidence, but was Raych the proper tool for the purpose? He was a Dahlite and sympathetic to Joranum. How far could Seldon trust him?
Horrible? Raych was his son-and Seldon had never had occasion to mistrust Raych before.
13
If Seldon doubted the efficacy of his notion, if he feared that it might explode matters prematurely or move them desperately in the wrong direction, if he was filled with an agonizing doubt as to whether Raych could be entirely trusted to fulfill his part suitably, he nevertheless had no doubt-no doubt whatever-as to what Dors's reaction would be when presented with the fait accompli.
And he was not disappointed-if that was