Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny

his hand.
    "My name's Tanner, sir. I'm honored to make your acquaintance. This is my friend Greg. I'm happy to see Salt Lake again. It looks better each time I come this way."
    "Hello, Greg… Oh, you've been this way before?"
    "A considerable number of times. It's one of the reasons they passed over a lot of the other volunteers for this job and selected me. I did quite a bit of driving, before I retired, that is."
    "Really?"
    "Yes. I have a small ranch now and only a few servants, and I spend most of my time listening to classical music and reading philosophy. Sometimes I write poetry. When I heard about this thing, though, I knew that I owed it to humanity and to the nation of California to volunteer. After all, they've been pretty good to me. So that's how I find myself visiting your town once more."
    "I admire your spirit, Mr. Tanner…What led you to volunteer, Greg?"
    "I, well, volunteered because… I'm a driver. I run the mail to Albuquerque. I've got a lot of experience."
    "I see. Well, both of you are to be commended. If all goes as we expect it to, will you be coming back this way again?"
    "I plan to, sir," said Tanner.
    "Very good. I'd be happy to receive you anytime you're in town. Perhaps we can have dinner, and I can bear a full report of the trip."
    "Our pleasure, sir. If you're ever out L.A. way, I trust you'll drop in and spend some time at the rancho?"
    "Delighted."
    Tanner smiled and flicked an ash on the floor. "I'm a bit concerned as to our route after we leave here," he said.
    "U.S. Forty is good for a distance, how far, though, nobody can tell you. There's been no reason for our drivers to push in that direction."
    "I understand. Well, that's something. I was planning on trying Forty, and this confirms it. Thank you."
    "Glad to be of help. Have you eaten yet?"
    "A fellow who works here went out to get us something. He should be back soon. We have to hurry, you know."
    "Yes, that's true. Well, if there's anything you need, let me know."
    "Thank you."
    He shook their hands again.
    "As I said, good luck. A lot of folks will be hoping and praying for you here."
    "That is appreciated, Mr. President."
    "I'll be seeing you."
    "Good morning."
    "Good-bye."
    He turned then and left, Monk following him out. Tanner began to laugh.
    "Why'd you hand him that line of shit, Hell?"
    "Because I knew he'd believe it."
    "Why?"
    "He wants everything to be nice. So I told him nice things, and he believed them. Why not? Dumb bastard actually believed somebody'd volunteer for this!"
    "Some guys did, Hell."
    "Then why didn't they let them drive?"
    "They weren't good enough."
    "That's probably why they volunteered. Now they can brag about it. See how he sucked up to me after I talked about humanity? I hate guys like that. They're all phonies."
    "At least he went away with a good impression."
    Tanner laughed again.
    Then the door opened and Monk came in, followed by Red, who carried a large brown bag.
    "I got your breakfasts here," he said, and to Monk, "Here's the change."
    As they opened the bag, "I'll go help on the car while you're eating," Monk said, pocketing the change. "By the way, there's a guy named Blinky outside who says he knows you, Hell."
    "Never heard of him."
    "Okay, I'll send him away."
    The door closed softly behind him, and they ate.
    After a time the door inched slowly open and a tall, gaunt man with thick glasses and a lantern jaw and a mop of snowy hair looked in and then entered.
    "Hi, Hell," he said.
    "What do you want?"
    "What've you got?"
    "Nothing for you. Go away.."
    "Is that any way to talk to the guy who made you you! fortune?"
    "What fortune?"
    "I heard the President talking about the place you've got out there on the coast. Very cool. You made most of your money dealing with me, you know."
    "Get lost."
    "What have you got with you this time?"
    "Stuff for Boston."
    "A guy like you wouldn't make the trip unless there was a profit in it. What else have you got?"
    "If you're not out of here by the