The red light over the hatch glowed,
then went out. The first load of passengers had left the _Lady Venus_.
"They're pretty jumpy," Roger whispered, nodding toward the remaining
passengers.
"Yeah," answered Tom. "Say, where's Astro?"
"I don't know. Probably went to take a look at the jet boats to see if
one could be repaired so we'd have a third ferry running."
"Good idea," said Tom. "See if you can't cheer these people up, Roger.
Tell them stories or sing songs--or better yet, get them to sing. Try to
make them forget they're sitting on an atom bomb!"
"I can't forget it myself," said Roger. "How can I make them forget it?"
"Try anything. I'll go see if I can't give Astro a hand!"
Roger turned to face the assembled passengers and smiled. All around
him in the main passenger lounge, the frightened men and women sat
huddled together in small groups, staring at him, terror in their eyes.
"Ladieeees and Gentlemen," began Roger. "You are now going to be
entertained by the loudest, corniest and most miserable voice in the
universe. I'm going to _sing_!"
He waited for a laugh, but there was only a slight stir as the
passengers shifted nervously in their seats.
Shrugging his shoulders, Roger took a deep breath and began to sing. He
only knew one song and he sang it with gusto.
"From the rocket fields of the Academy
To the far-flung stars of outer space,
We're Space Cadets training to be.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167