The Starcomber by Alfred Bester

have to make in a lifetime?”
    â€œFive million two hundred and seventy-one thousand and nine. Give or take a thousand. God damn.”
    â€œAnd which one is this for me?”
    â€œAh? Vérité sans peur. The two million six hundred and thirty-five thousand five hundred and fourth . . . off hand.”
    â€œBut it’s the big one.”
    â€œThey are all big.” Mr. Aquila stepped to the door, placed his hand on the buttons of a rather complicated switch and cocked an eye at Halsyon.
    â€œVoila tout,” he said. “It rests with you.”
    â€œI’ll take it the hard way,” Halsyon decided.
    There was a silver chime from the switch, a fizzing aura, a soundless explosion, and Jeffrey Halsyon was ready for his 2,635,505th decision.