Read Online The Fracas Factor by Mack Reynolds - Free Book Online

interesting.”
    “Such as what,” she said severely. “Your socioeconomic education has been sorely neglected, and we both belong to an organization dedicated to overthrowing the present politico-economic system.”
    “Such as us. When are we going to be married? I can’t wait much longer.”
    She put her fork down and looked at him compassionately. She said, her voice low, “I’m afraid it’s going to have to be put off indefinitely, darling.”
    “What!”
    “The details are beyond me. The lawyers have tried to explain, but I know nothing about law. However, if I marry, evidently there are some loopholes that would allow my brother, Balt, to take over the greater part of my holdings in Vacuum Tube Transport. You see, with the death of my father, Balt became the new Baron Haer, although he himself has little of the stock. For inheritance reasons, tax reasons, father had transferred most of his own holdings to Balt. When it seemed obvious that Continental Hovercraft would win the fracas between the two corporations, Balt secretly sold all the stock and invested it in Continental. But through your efforts, we didn’t lose. Balt, infuriated at you, sold his Continental at a great loss and reinvested in our corporation. But he doesn’t have much voting power now.”
    Joe said, “What in the hell’s all this got to do with our marriage?”
    “I tell you, Joe darling, I don’t know all of the details. But Balt is now the legal Baron of the family. If I get married, he’s in a position to take over control of the greater part of my holdings.”
    Joe Mauser was furious. “Well, let him! It’s only money. We’ve got plenty. I have a few shares of Variable and we both have our dividends as Uppers, from our Inalienable Basic Shares. We can live without your Vacuum Tube Transport holdings.”
    She looked at him sadly. “Joe, you forget. We both belong to the organization. Any revolutionary movement needs funds. I am plowing most of my dividends into its coffers.”
    “Damn it! I want you.”
    She put a hand on his arm, and for the first time since he had met her, there was a demure look on her face. She cast her eyes down to where her fingers fiddled with her fork. She said, “Joe, I am not adverse to sleeping with you.”

Chapter Six
    Joe gaped at her.
    It was not that he was an innocent. In his thirties, now, Joe had in his time bedded many a woman, most of them hot-eyed fracas-buffs anxious to put out for a man she might see the next day in action on her telly. Might even see him kill—or be killed. Frankly, he had a certain dislike of the type. But there you were. A beautiful girl offering her body, for absolutely free, and for all you knew tomorrow you might get into the dill and cop one, perhaps the final one. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. At least, it was better than buying it. There had been others, down through the years. Indeed, he had had several serious affairs and had even considered marriage. However, his ambition had driven him. He rebelled against being tied down to a Lower or Middle wife, who might be a drag on his ever attaining Upper caste. Category Military was one of the few in which bounces in caste could be comparatively quick, if you proved yourself and received promotions. It didn’t help to have a poorly-educated wife.
    She said, a trifle tartly, “Don’t you want me?”
    “Yes, of course. I’ve always wanted you. Since the first time I saw you.”
    The thing was, Joe Mauser had never really gotten over the fact that he was in love with an Upper and that she returned his affection. He still retained that built-in awe of the born aristocrat. It was as though he was a serf courting the Duke’s daughter. Did a Duchess ever eat anything as plebian as bread? Did she ever sleep on anything less than silk? Did her bowels ever move, or did she ever have to relieve her bladder? Above all, would she ever submit to sex with a lout such as himself? Joe Mauser had desired Nadine Haer