Braling Two gestured irritably.
«And when you come back from having a good time, back in the box I go.»
Braling said, «They didn't tell me at the marionette shop that I'd get a difficult specimen.»
«There's a lot they don't know about us,» said Braling Two. «We're pretty new. And we're sensitive. I hate the idea of you going off and laughing and lying in the sun in Rio while we're stuck here in the cold.»
«But I've wanted that trip all my life,» said Braling quietly.
He squinted his eyes and could see the sea and the mountains and the yellow sand. The sound of the waves was good his inward mind. The sun was fine on his bared shoulders. The wine was most excellent. «I'll never get to go to Rio,» the other man. «Have you thought of that?»
«No, I ―»
«And another thing. Your wife.»
«What about her?» asked Braling, beginning to edge toward the door.
«I've grown quite fond of her.»
«I'm glad you're enjoying your employment.» Braling liked his lips nervously.
«I'm afraid you don't understand. I think — I'm in love with her.»
Braling took another step and froze. «You're in what?»
«And I've been thinking,» said Braling Two, «how nice it in Rio and how I'll never get there, and I've thought out your wife and — I think we could be very happy.»
«Th―that's nice.» Braling strolled as casually as he could the cellar door. «You won't mind waiting a moment, will u? I have to make a phone call.»
«To whom?» Braling Two frowned.
«No one important.»
«To Marionettes, Incorporated? To tell them to come get me?»
«No, no — nothing like that!» He tried to rush out the door.
A metal-firm grip seized his wrists. «Don't run!»
«Take your hands off!»
«No.»
«Did my wife put you up to this?»
«No.»
«Did she guess? Did she talk to you? Does she know? Is it?» He screamed. A hand clapped over his mouth. «You'll never know, will you?» Braling Two smiled delicately. «You'll never know.»
Braling struggled. «She must have guessed; she must affected you!»
Braling Two said, «I'm going to put you in the box, lock and lose the key. Then I'll buy another Rio ticket for your wife.»
«Now, now, wait a minute. Hold on. Don't be rash. Let's talk this over!»
«Goodbye, Braling.»
Ten minutes later Mrs. Braling awoke. She put her hand to her cheek. Someone had just kissed it. She shivered and looked up. «Why — you haven't done that in years,» she murmured.
«We'll see what we can do about that,» someone said.