Babel-17

by Samuel R. Delany

Pale and proper men and women now, who spoke softly, who always hesitated before they let an expression fix their faces, with pale, proper, patriotic ideas: work for victory over the Invaders; Alona Star and Kip Rhyak were great in “Stellar Holliday” but Ronald Quar was the best serious actor around. They listened to Hi Lite’s music (or did they listen, wondered the General, during those slow dances where no one touched). A position in Customs was a good secure job. Working directly in Transport was probably more exciting and fun to watch in the movies; but really, such strange people— Those with more intelligence and sophistication discussed Rydra Wong’s poetry. They spoke of the Invasion often, with some hundred phrases consecrated by twenty years’ repetition on newscasts and in the papers. They referred to the embargoes seldom, and only by the one word. Take any of them, take any million. Who are they? What do they want? What would they say if given a chance to say anything?