My first sensation was the sound of hushed conversations. Then I noticed an acrid smell that reminded me of an infirmary. I tried to open my eyes, but couldn't.

I felt a hand squeeze my forearm. "Hey, you dope, you're going to be alright."

I tried to speak, but my throat burned and I could only raise a horse whisper. "I thought I was dead."

"You were, bud. They dragged you into the bazaar's shrine and slit your throat."

The sound of Jeff's voice made me feel better.

"Even with the best somatic surgery, that's pretty damn hard to fix."

"How...?"

"As soon as I turned into the crowd, I punched a panic button on my com. I'm sure glad I took that as an option. Admin security hovered and homed in on me in while I was standing there as they cut your throat."

My whisper was even weaker. "Thanks. I owe you."

"You just sleep and rest. You'll be fine in a few days."

"Jeff..."

"Uh-huh?" I could tell from the sound he was sipping a drink.

"Am I blind?"

"No, just banged up real bad. Sleep now."

I relaxed and I did.

Linguists and sociologists don't need many tools, so my packing was light. Although I had been on Ymilas a little over two years, most of my colleagues and associates had been dry academics, so there were few people I would really miss. Jeff came in and out a number of times during that last day. He brought lunch from the commissary to save me time and looked browbeaten as we ate together.

I cleared my throat--it didn't hurt any more--and said as sincerely as I could, "don't beat yourself up. I know you feel bad because it was your idea to go to the bazaar."

"Yes, and I rushed you that morning. Maybe one reason why you weren't thinking was because you were tired."

"No, the reason I screwed up was because I had a brain crash when I saw the silver dollar. If I had taken two seconds to think, this all wouldn't have happened."

Jeff stirred his noodles.

"Besides, if you hadn't been thinking, I would have laid in that shrine of commerce while my life drained across the floor," I added.

"Well, to put the best spin on a bad deal, the security timing was perfect. The Ymilan bazaar guild leader had already turned away when they grabbed you. As far as they're concerned, you're dead."

"I haven't even looked out the window in two weeks."

"Do you know your next posting?"

"Adrienne's planet."

"Are there 'genies there?"

"I actually have no idea. I'm grateful they're reposting me. I pretty much expected to be shipped out after this little fiasco, and I'm asking no questions."

Jeff nodded.

"You know, one of the reasons we got to know each other was because we were thrown together as roommates. Given that, I think we got along fine," he said. "I'm going to miss you."

"Shared adversity forms bonds between people," I said. "It happens in wars, too."

"It was a rather 'bazaar' little war, wasn't it then?"

"On that note, I desert you, and this planet."

I picked up my case. Jeff put me in a crushing hug and then let go.

"You know, I knew somehow I was going to get my rib cage cracked before this was all over."

"The wormhole's always open, don't forget to shoot me a mail sometimes."

I gave him a thumbs up as I stepped into the accelerator.

There was no one in the waiting room of the space elevator when I arrived. I took a moment to look out the window at the cable vibrating as the unseen control mechanism underground controlled the tension.

I heard a ripping sound and knew the shuttle car was re-entering the atmosphere. I stuck my hands in my lower pockets and leaned back as I looked up. My right hand came up with the silver dollar.

I stared at the old man on the obverse. "Well, to put this little token to good use, I think I'll carry you around as a reminder," I thought. "Whatever the deal on Adrienne's planet, I will have to remember to be more culturally sensitive. Right, old boy?"

I gave the dollar a neat snap as the shuttle came into view.

"Ting!"