"There are other applicants for this post," Alexander said.

"Then get one of them. I wouldn't be interested."

"A spaceman's ticket is a good thing to have," Alexander said
idly. "It's a useful ace in the hole. Besides, you have had three
other job offers - all of which are good even though they don't
pay fifteen Ems a year."

Kennon did a quick double take. Alexander's investigative staff
was better than good. It was uncanny.

"But seriously, Dr. Kennon, I am pleased that you do not like
that contract. Frankly, I wouldn't consider employing you if you
did."

"Sir?"

"That contract is a screen. It weeds out the careless, the fools,
and the unfit in one operation. A man who would sign a thing like
that has no place in my organization." Alexander chuckled at
Kennon's blank expression. "I see you have had no experience with
screening contracts."

"I haven't," Kennon admitted. "On Beta the tests are formal. The
Medico-Psych Division supervises them."

"Different worlds, different methods," Alexander observed. "But
they're all directed toward the same goal. Here we aren't so