The Status Civilization

  Chapter Eleven

  On Omega, the law is supreme. Hidden and revealed, sacred and profane,the law governs the actions of all citizens, from the lowest of the lowto the highest of the high. Without the law, there could be noprivileges for those who made the law; therefore the law was absolutelynecessary. Without the law and its stern enforcement, Omega would be anunthinkable chaos in which a man's rights could extend only as far andas long as he personally could enforce them. This anarchy would mean theend of Omegan society; and particularly, it would mean the end of thosesenior citizens of the ruling class who had grown high in status, butwhose skill with a gun had long passed its peak.

  Therefore the law was necessary.

  But Omega was also a criminal society, composed entirely of individualswho had broken the laws of Earth. It was a society which, in the finalanalysis, stressed individual endeavor. It was a society in which thelawbreaker was king; a society in which crimes were not only condonedbut were admired and even rewarded; a society in which deviation fromthe rules was judged solely on its degree of success.

  And this resulted in the paradox of a criminal society with absolutelaws which were meant to be broken.

  The judge, still hidden behind his screen, explained all this toBarrent. Several hours had passed since the end of the Trial by Ordeal.Barrent had been taken to the infirmary, where his injuries were patchedup. They were minor, for the most part; two cracked ribs, a deep gougein his left shoulder, and various cuts and bruises.

  "Accordingly," the judge went on, "the law must simultaneously be brokenand not broken. Those who never break a law never rise in status. Theyare usually killed off in one way or another, since they lack thenecessary initiative to survive. For those who, like yourself, breaklaws, the situation is somewhat different. The law punishes them withabsolute severity--_unless they can get away with it_."

  The judge paused. In a thoughtful voice he continued, "The highest typeof man on Omega is the individual who understands the laws, appreciatestheir necessity, knows the penalties for infraction, then breaksthem--and succeeds! That, sir, is your ideal criminal and your idealOmegan. And that is what you have succeeded in doing, Will Barrent, bywinning the Trial by Ordeal."

  "Thank you, sir," Barrent said.

  "I wish you to understand," the judge continued, "that success inbreaking the law once does not imply that you will succeed a secondtime. The odds are increasingly against you each time you try--just asthe rewards are increasingly greater if you succeed. Therefore I counselyou not to act rashly upon your new acquisition of knowledge."

  "I won't, sir," Barrent said.

  "Very well. You are hereby elevated to the status of Privileged Citizen,with all the rights and obligations which that entails. You are allowedto keep your business, as before. Furthermore, you are granted a week'sfree vacation in the Lake of Clouds region; and you may go on thatvacation with any female of your choice."

  "I beg pardon?" Barrent said. "What was that last?"

  "A week's vacation," the hidden judge repeated, "with any female of yourchoice. It is a high reward, since men outnumber women on Omega by sixto one. You may pick any unmarried woman, willing or unwilling. I willgrant you three days in which to make a choice."

  "I don't need three days," Barrent said. "I want the girl who wassitting in the front row of the spectators' gallery. The girl with blackhair and green eyes. Do you know which one I mean?"

  "Yes," the judge said slowly, "I know which one you mean. Her name isMoera Ermais. I suggest that you choose someone else."

  "Is there any reason?"

  "No. But you would be much better advised if you selected someone else.My clerk will be pleased to furnish you with a list of suitable youngladies. All of them have affidavits of good performance. Several aregraduates of the Women's Institute, which, as you perhaps know, gives arigorous two-year course in the geishan arts and sciences. I canpersonally recommend your attention to--"

  "Moera is the one I want," Barrent said.

  "Young man, you err in your judgment."

  "I'll have to take that chance."

  "Very well," the judge said. "Your vacation starts at nine tomorrowmorning. I sincerely wish you good fortune."

  * * * * *

  Guards escorted Barrent from the judge's chambers, and he was taken backto his shop. His friends, who had been waiting for the deathannouncement, came to congratulate him. They were eager to hear thecomplete details of the Trial by Ordeal; but Barrent had learned nowthat secret knowledge was the road to power. He gave them only thesketchiest outline.

  There was another cause for celebration that night. Tem Rend'sapplication had finally been accepted by the Assassin's Guild. As he hadpromised, he was taking Foeren on as his assistant.

  The following morning, Barrent opened his shop and saw a vehicle infront of his door. It had been provided for his vacation by theDepartment of Justice. Sitting in the back, looking beautiful and veryannoyed, was Moera.

  She said, "Are you out of your mind, Barrent? Do you think I have timefor this sort of thing? Why did you pick me?"

  "You saved my life," Barrent said.

  "And I suppose you think that means I'm interested in you? Well, I'mnot. If you have any gratitude, you'll tell the driver that you'vechanged your mind. You can still choose another girl."

  Barrent shook his head. "You're the only girl I'm interested in."

  "Then you won't reconsider?"

  "Not a chance."

  Moera sighed and leaned back. "Are you _really_ interested in me?"

  "Much more than interested," Barrent said.

  "Well," Moera said, "if you won't change your mind, I suppose I'll justhave to put up with you." She turned away; but before she did, Barrentcaught the faintest suggestion of a smile.