DOCTOR PINTER
IN
THE MYTHOLOGY ISLES

It had been clear to him from the outset that he was in the presence of a superior type of human being. And from her glances, from her lingering looks, from the secret understanding buried within their remarks to one another - from her readiness to spend the rest of the evening with him even though they had never met before - from the unspoken communication which undoubtedly was a direct contact of souls, he was certain that she felt the same about him.

They rose and walked together to the lakeside, two people enthralled to be near one another. It was late when at last she announced that she had to depart. They turned to regard one another in farewell. Then it was as if something moved them. They stepped closer. Their arms went around one another. She was nearly a head taller than him, and she bent, with a graciousness which was quite ravishing, as their lips met in a kiss of blissful union. How exquisite to feel that angelic body pressing warmly against his! Gasping, he drew apart from her. Their arms dropped to clasp hands tenderly. "Where shall I meet you tomorrow?" he beseeched. Her answer was soft, and thoughtful, given after a suggestive pause.

"Midday will find me in Ulysses Esplanade."

Then she was walking away from him, her ample rump swinging rhythmically. Doctor Pinter watched until she had faded from sight. Even then it was an effort to stir himself. The strains of Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy wailed across the lake water as he set off in a daze, strolling through the cool of the night to his hotel. Back in his room he inspected his countenance in the wall mirror. He was, of course, about twice Felicity's age, and had not considered himself attractive to women. And what of his recently reiterated aversion to the female psyche? The answer to that was stunningly straightforward. Felicity did not share the general deficiencies of her sex. She was that rarest of beings: a woman with depth of mind.

She, too, must have been frustrated by the lack of a suitable soul-mate. Like him, she had doubtless preserved a life-long celibacy. With her natural dignity, her gentle gravity, it was inconceivable that she would have defiled herself with anyone not her psychological equal.

Studying his features, Doctor Pinter found himself congratulating her. She had seen at a glance that he too was a superior individual, who could make her complete. How else to explain the immediacy of their coming together, the instantaneity of their mutual recognition? It was as if they had secretly know one another all their lives, and had only been waiting for the moment when they would meet.

Now the fateful transformation had taken place. Theirs was to be a love story of legendary proportions, deserving to be described in some great work of literature!

Doctor Pinter slept but little that night. The enchanting face of Felicity haunted his thoughts, filling his mind with a febrile energy of anticipation. He rose early in the morning and ate a large breakfast, determined to fortify himself for the crucial day which lay ahead. At ten hours local time he visited the Office of Administration and collected the box of ore samples which was the reason for his stopover, depositing it at his hotel. He could have taken the hydrofoil to the planet's single spaceport there and then - but such a course had become unthinkable. The power of love demanded that he extend his stay. When he did eventually leave, he would likely be taking Felicity with him.

Ulysses Esplanade was not far from the hotel. It fronted a bracing stretch of shoreline, beyond which the sea shimmered and swirled within the protection of the lagoon.

Nervousness attacked Pinter as midday approached. He bought a little spray of local flowers, white with coral-red hearts, to present to Felicity. He combed his breeze-tossed hair, then waited in a seaward corner of the plaza, close by an elegant restaurant. There, he thought, it would be pleasant for them to have lunch together.

His wait was not to be a short one. Nearly an hour passed, and he grew fretful. Then at last he spotted her, entering the esplanade from the landward side.

She wore a gown quite similar to the one she had worn the previous evening, but yellow in colour, accentuating the golden glow of her skin. Doctor Pinter's heart accelerated. He started forward. Then his step faltered as he saw that she was not alone. A man walked by her side. He was about her height, and the conversation between them was animated. He was sleek and handsome, expensively dressed, suave and confident. Pinter became painfully aware of how nondescript he must seem in comparison. But he bravely put aside all negative thoughts and pressed forward, smiling in welcome.

"Felicity!"

Bewilderingly, he failed at first to catch her attention. She noticed him only as she and her companion were turning into the entrance of the restaurant. Then she stopped and gazed mildly at him as he offered the spray of flowers.

"For you," he said shyly.

"Why, it is Doctor Pinter!"

With her left hand she accepted the spray. Then she leaned forward and pinched his cheek between her thumb and forefinger.

"You dear, sweet little man!"

At once she was gone, linking arms with her escort and disappearing with him into the coolness of the restaurant. Within, seen by Doctor Pinter through the darkened glass panel of the door, were serene men and women dining in pairs, courteous waiters serving sumptuous food, all amid superb examples of the decorative arts. And outside was Pinter, without his flowers, and without Felicity. He stood blinking, and was only roused by hearing his name spoken in a low voice behind him.

"Doctor Pinter, may I have a word with you?"