Episode 27: Howard Temple-Tracy
He left them and entered the building.
An elevator�he still wasn't used to their speed in this era�whooshed him to the penthouse duplex occupied by Citizen Howard Temple-Tracy.
There were two persons in the reception room but they left on Joe's arrival, without bothering to look at him more than glancingly.
He spotted the screen immediately and went over and stood before it.
The screen lit and revealed a heavy-set, dour of countenance man seated at a desk. He looked into Joe Prantera's face, scowled and said something.
Joe said, "Joseph Salviati-Prantera to interview Citizen Howard Temple-Tracy."
The other's shaggy eyebrows rose. "Indeed," he said. "In Amer-English?"
Joe nodded.
"Enter," the other said.
A door had slid open on the other side of the room. Joe walked through it and into what was obviously an office. Citizen Temple-Tracy sat at a desk. There was only one other chair in the room. Joe Prantera ignored it and remained standing.
Citizen Temple-Tracy said, "What can I do for you?"
Joe looked at him for a long, long moment. Then he reached down to his belt and brought forth the .45 automatic. He moistened his lips.
Joe said softly, "You know what this here is?"
Temple-Tracy stared at the weapon. "It's a handgun, circa, I would say, about 1925 Old Calendar. What in the world are you doing with it?"
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