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The atmosphere on the planet surface was that of a steam bath. Inside the building, though, the air was dry. We were ushered into a large hall, a dance hall perhaps, or a dining room where a table had been set up with a thousand kinds of fruit and snacks on it, and three glasses per setting. Odessa was given the honor to sit at the head of the table, opposite to the tallest of the 'O' people. The rest of the hall was filled with cameras, lights, cables, and microphones. Evidently we were seen by billions of people via planet-wide television!
The roses were given a prominent place on the table, which was quickly rearranged to make room for them. They also received the appropriate attention from the television cameras. It suddenly occurred to me that Olaf had once brought the same kind of roses to the ship, saying that they had come from planet 'O'. This meant that the people were familiar with these flowers, which provided a common ground to build on.
"One thing has puzzled me about your society," Olaf started the conversation, looking at one of the 'O' people beside him. "How were you able to prevent your society from folding into itself. Often societies decay from a certain level, into a primitive culture which rarely supports more than 10% of the original population. But instead of decaying, you have blossomed to a very great prosperity. Can you share with us your secret?"
None of their faces moved. Nor did they answer. The 'eternity' lasted for at least eight seconds. Then there was a universal smile and a puzzled look as the translation came back from our ship. They looked at each other. One of the people shrugged his shoulders. There was a discussion among them. The man at the head of the table answered, while the others nodded in agreement.
Now, once again, eight seconds went by before the synthesized voice of our translation system came through the intercom.
"We don't know what to tell you. We had no idea we succeeded were others have failed. Thank you for telling us."
Olaf smiled and waved his hand. I wondered if he knew that this gesture would likely be seen by several billions of the planet's inhabitants and would be imitated from this day forward.
The headman of their delegation, sitting across from Odessa first repeated the gesture.
"You are welcome to research our history and our way of living," he said to Olaf, then smiled and added. "We would appreciate to know what you find out."
I judged the meeting a great success. The meeting was most remarkable for the mutual respect it had generated in so short a time. A banquet was served in due course, viewed by billions no doubt. We were assured that the food was totally free of any toxic substances or microorganisms that could possibly be harmful to the most sensitive organic creature.
"It's baby food," Heisenberg joked in what he understood of the 'O' language, which brought a jolly laughter to this festive atmosphere.
"A very good analogy," the headman approved.
It was some kind of roasted ham, garnished with sweet marinated fruits instead of vegetables.
Of course, since the place was also a seaside resort, we were invited to enjoy the pleasures of the sea. Bathing suits, suntan lotion, none were needed there. Outside the 'dressing rooms,' which were only for undressing, was a steam bath in which enormous breakers of hot briny soup were crushing down unto a beach of fine sand. Fighting your way through the waves intermixed with sand, was like being inside a pressure washer. Thank God we wore no bathing suites. They would have been filled with sand in no time. It required a certain skill just to remain standing. The fun part apparently was in the body surfing. Those who were skillful enough could achieve several hundred yards. Olaf of course, as a joke, went three hundred yards further without ever touching the water. He was instantly declared, 'Beach Hero, Deluxe,' and honored with a kiss from a fat lady who later embraced him after their pictures were taken. It was all in good fun.
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