Arnold Castle

“ If so, it had been inevitable that those who came to volunteer would, for the most part, be the misfits and the malcontents, men who hoped to escape the imagined or to find the imaginary.
The mature, the resigned, had assuredly inherited the earth. Only the young could seek the stars. ”

“ Duran told him. "But what's the solution? We can't supervise the activities of every kid in the country with an IQ above a hundred and ten. Anyway, they're too limited as it is. That, it seems to me, is part of the trouble. And we can't hold their parents accountable. Responsibility has to be an individual matter. So what's the solution?"
Governor Gorton raised a quizzical eyebrow at Fritz Ambly, who in turn merely shrugged. The senator glanced at each of them, then down at his drink. ”

“ Tomorrow," Loeffler promised. "Noon at the latest."
His heavy smile faded as the two visitors closed the door behind them. With an unthrottled groan, he lowered himself into the chair and turned his dark gaze upon the senator.
"They think they have troubles," he said.
"And you think I have," Duran returned, seating himself.
"I know you do. Unfortunately I happen to share them to some extent."
He paused to relight the stub of a cigar, then went on.
"It's a crazy world we live in, Vance. Things change. Sometimes it's hard for us adults to keep up with it. The kids seem to, though." ”

“ Duran smiled inwardly at the picture evoked by the Governor's metaphor. However, he had to admit that the press would in all probability not have learned about the rocket at all, had it been discovered prior to being launched.
"Still," he remarked, "it's odd that the papers haven't shown more of an interest in it."
"I wrote an article on the subject some time ago," Ambly told him, "but was never able to get it published. It seems that people, for the most part, are more interested in the traditional sordid-sensational type of juvenile delinquency. ”

“ That, I believe, is understood. If we must accept some of the responsibility for what he did today, then let's do so gracefully. Were you to stay home tonight, it might appear to some that you had reason to be ashamed of the business, which you don't."
"It might also look as if I were afraid that Ernest might do something similar, as if I felt I had to watch him," she said. "Oh, people can be so ridiculous! Why wasn't Millie Gorton's boy in on it?"
Duran smiled at the idea of the Governor's tubby, obtuse son involved in the construction of anything more demanding than a paper glider. ”

“ He glanced at his father tentatively for a moment, then bent his gaze to the cigarette.
"I don't have my car any more. But I guess I won't be needing it now."
There was a cautious knock on the door.
"Listen, Rog," Duran began, "I'll try to get to see you tomorrow before I leave. Remember that your mother and I are both on your side, without qualification. You've done a pretty terrible thing, of course. But I have to admit, at the same time, that I'm really rather proud of you. Does that make sense?"
"Sure," said Roger huskily, "I guess so." ”

“ She glanced up from her typewriter and gave him an equivocal smile of recognition.
"He's expecting you, Mr. Senator," she said, nodding toward the inner office. "Go right in."
Sigmund Loeffler was not alone. But the two other visitors were paled by the aura of importance which emanated from the large black-haired man behind the desk. He rose grandly at Duran's entrance, and without bothering to shake hands proceeded with introductions.
"Fritz Ambly, Senator Vance Duran. Fritz," he explained, "is chairman of the state Youth Welfare Board." ”

“ And even that is far from painless and simple to those doing the growing, nor is it always the solution."
"Yet you're convinced this—" the senator paused briefly, "phenomenon constitutes a danger to the nation?"
Ambly merely smiled. But very, very grimly.
"Well, think it over, Vance," the Governor said, getting to his feet. "Say, there are a couple of hydroponics men here somewhere who are pretty interested in meetin' you. You've heard of Van Neef Industries. He's one of 'em."
So much for the welfare of the nation, Duran thought with a taste of bitterness. Now back to politics. ”

“ The second man was, in contrast, short and homely, but not without a touch of the other's anxiety.
"Well, gentlemen, you're welcome to stay if you wish," the Attorney General told them. "I'll have to repeat all the facts to Senator Duran, of course."
"I'd better be off," Ambly said. "Perhaps I'll see you at the Governor's tonight?"
"Not me, I'm afraid," Loeffler told him. "The DA and I have a little problem to work out together. I'll call you both tomorrow about the press release."
"We can't wait too long," said Duff. "Rumors can be a lot worse than the truth. ”

“ And Melvin Skinner's place seemed like the least objectionable target. Isn't that about it?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Only we had just about finished the rocket before we started wondering about a target. That was the trouble. Once we'd built it, we had to do something with it."
"How do you think that's going to sound in court?"
"I don't know, Dad. You're the lawyer."
Duran cringed, but tried not to show it.
"Roger," he said slowly. "Flippancy is the easiest defense, and the least effective. I hope you won't feel you have to resort to it too often." ”

“ Molly would love to see you. Unfortunately I'm leaving for Washington again in the morning."
"Why doesn't Molly move to D.C. with you, Vance?" the journalist asked.
Duran hesitated. "Maybe in a year or so. After the boys are out of highschool. If I get the job again."
The smile on the younger man's face was heartening.
"Don't play coy with me, Vance. You know you've got this state sewed up." Then came the slight frown of doubt. "Just one thing, though. A lot of people are wondering why the hold up on the colony project. You're bound to get a little of the criticism. ”

“ Five of them were members of the school rocket club. Three of them had juvenile delinquency records—minor stuff, mostly, like copter stunting and public disturbance. The youngest had won a couple of science awards for demonstrations in—" he glanced significantly at the senator, "the chemistry of explosives."
Duran said nothing, but his sense of concern was growing.
"Let's see," Loeffler went on. "Two of the boys were taking vocational courses. One had his own machine shop, in fact. ”