Interzone Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine #223 by TTA Press Authors Read Free Book Online Page B

preserve PG came from. The reason why they weren't able to talk to each other was that I taught Kong American Sign Language, because he came from the Central Park Zoo. PG I taught British Sign Language, because he came from Nairobi. It allowed signers from both countries to talk to PG and Kong through the bars, and it was very popular. But of course, they couldn't talk to each other. It would have been like a Frenchman meeting a German."
    "British Sign Language and American Sign Language are..."
    "Different languages, yes."
    De Santana's jaw dropped. “How can they be? They're just,” his face split in a foolish smile, “ sign language. What would the point be in making two different languages?"
    "Ask the people who invented French and German. I have to say, I would be able to understand far better where your lab assistant's suspicions came from if I could talk to her directly."
    Alencar spoke with glacial lack of emotion. “We would also like to talk to her directly. Evidently, like many other disillusioned souls in this country, she has lost confidence in officialdom. She does not appreciate that the Commission exists to help her, to help everybody. We will find her. But I doubt this will be possible in the time remaining to your experimental schedule."
    "We have buyers from three major Milan fashion houses coming to view 2307's skin this afternoon,” said De Santana nervously. “Initial conversations have been very encouraging."
    "You are asking me to get a creature that doesn't know human speech to communicate with me in a fraction of the time it would take a human being to do the same,” said Mullen. “I'm sorry, it cannot be done."
    "You must appreciate,” said Alencar, “pressure is imposed on us by the public nature of this situation."
    "Then it's all the more important that this be done right! You need a proper longitudinal study!"
    "The longer the study,” said Alencar, “the more the general public will have to debate what its findings will be, and the less saleable whatever product can be made of this creature becomes. No-one wants to wear an intelligent coat, not even an unintelligent fashion victim. The Commission feels it will be best to deliver a quick decision."
    "The Commission is not going to get one. Not from me."
    "You've been paid in advance,” said Alencar. “You also signed a contract. The contract continues for another two weeks. You will be breaking it if you leave, and breaking the law if you break the contract. It will then be my civic duty to inform my superiors that I have placed you under house arrest pending trial. While you are under arrest, of course, I will be duty bound to recoup public expenses by putting you to productive work.” She looked pointedly at the monitor.
    "How long might I be under arrest for?” said Mullen.
    "Our legal system is clogged with criminals awaiting trial for rain forest destruction. It could take weeks."
    Mullen nodded. “That would be terrible."
    * * * *
    Leonor, it seemed, was also the chambermaid. Mullen suspected the facility had not had the budget to hire more than one person. Outside the wire, outside the ring of troops, the country was starving. Pre-dustbowl tins of Fray Bentos ham were going for a billion reais. Since the emergency measures, staff in government offices had to be paid in government food stamps, more precious than gold, in addition to their worthless paper salaries. Food voucher trucks were hijacked more frequently than bullion wagons in Rio nowadays. Every government employee bled scarce food and cash resources from Commission coffers; over thirty such employees were standing outside the wire right now, holding back the crowd. No wonder Alencar wanted a speedy resolution to the situation.
    She could hear the sound of the crowd even in here, in her room. Leonor, folding towels on the rail, noticed her concern.
    "Half of the people outside are not political,” she said. “They just know there are living things in here they