sad, almond-shaped eyes and yellow-tinted skin
indicated that there was a good deal of Asiatic in the mixed blood
that flowed through his veins.

"I'm sorry, truly sorry," Michael Thompson said sympathetically,
placing a friendly arm across the narrow shoulders of the successful
candidate. They were alone in the living room of the hotel suite in
New Geneva, which they had shared for the campaign. "The people chose
well. After the wonderful job you did in organizing the colonization
of Io and Europa, you were the logical man. And then you do have the
fantastic Responsibility Quotient of 9.6 out of 10. Anyway," he added
with a weary shrug, "don't feel too bad--it looks as though I'll be
First Vice-President."

A brief ghost of a smile crossed George Wong's face. "We who are about
to die salute you," he said, lifting his glass in a bitter toast to
the blank video screen.

Thompson, the man who was to be First Vice-President, silently joined
him.

"At least," Wong sighed, putting his empty glass down on the video, "I
don't have a family. Look at poor Kau. At Miccio. With wives and
children, how they must have suffered when they learned they had been
drafted by the conventions.... Well, I guess there's nothing else to
do but to go to bed and wait until they come for me in the morning.
Good night, Michael."

"Good night, George," Michael Thompson said. He turned toward his own
room. "I _am_ sorry," he said again.

* * * * *

Wong had already eaten breakfast and was dressed in an inconspicuous
tweed suit for the inauguration when the chimes sounded, telling him
that they were at the door. Slowly, he walked to the door and opened
it.

"Good morning, Mr. President," the man outside said cheerily, flashing
his famous grin. George Wong immediately recognized Al Grimm, the man
who had been personal secretary to sixty-three Presidents. He was one
of the vast army of civil servants who kept the wheels of government
turning smoothly until Presidents were able to make the decisions
that would create policy.

"Good morning, Al," George Wong said. "I am afraid I'll have to place
myself completely in your hands for these first few days. Do we go to
the Executive Mansion for the inauguration now?"

"Yes, sir. Then, after your inauguration, to the office. Messages of
condolence have been pouring in all night, but I don't think you want
to bother with them. However, I am afraid we will have to br