Bump-Arch had to complete his experiment or spend five more years as anapprentice Scientist—and if successful, his feat would provide plentyof
BUSINESS for the LAWYERS
By Ralph Robin
Illustration by Sam Kweskin
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Other Worlds March
1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Bump-Arch had to complete his experiment or spend five more years as anapprentice Scientist—and if successful, his feat would provide plentyof
"Time," said the Grandmaster of the Guild.
It was the formal word, and the scientists were silent; exceptProudwalk, a biologist, who laughed at something whispered in her earby a physicist named Snubnose, her brother.
"Time," the Grandmaster repeated, and in a moment even Proudwalk wasquiet, and Snubnose folded his arms.
"I do not need to tell you that today is the Day of the Candidate,"said the Grandmaster, supporting himself with an air of great age onhis ceremonial staff of polished copper.
"But he will tell us—in many words," Snubnose whispered now. "Nextwinter solstice I am going to propose we double the offering."
Proudwalk sniggered.
It was the practice in the Guild of Scientists that a grandmaster, onceelected, served for life or until he voluntarily retired. Every yearthe body formally offered its grandmaster a lump sum to retire. Popularincumbents were offered one tilsin, an obsolete unit worth less thanthe smallest real coin. Others were sometimes offered large amounts.
This system did not encourage elderly grandmasters to be laconic.
Unnecessarily consulting his notes, the Grandmaster declaimed, "Onthis Day of the Candidate, the 155th day of the year 1712, DynasticReckoning Corrected—"
Snubnose muttered, "Anybody else would say DRC."
Proudwalk patted his lips. "Hush," she said.
"—we are initiating the consideration of the candidature of Bump-archapprentice physicist in the service of Crookback, a master physicistbeloved and esteemed by us all. The candidature of Bump-arch willbe governed by the Principles, by the Laws of the Guild, and byAcknowledged Custom. The procedure—"
While the Grandmaster talked, Snubnose pondered the familiarprocedure—and some implications the venerable bore didn't concernhimself with.
To become a journeyman scientist, an apprentice had to do two things.He had to complete his term of service. And he had to perform on a Dayof the Candidate a successful demonstration in his own branch of thescientific art.
The demonstration always took place on the Field of Proof before thewhole body. It could be either an original experiment or a "restoredexperiment"—one reconstructed from fragments of ancient texts.Standards were low and almost anything was accepted, so long as thecandidate accomplished what he said he would. If a conceited or, asoccasionally happened, a gifted young man attempted a very complicateddemonstration, and it didn't come off—well, it was just too bad.
The unfortunate candidate could either serve another five years ofapprenticeship and try again, or give up all connection with the Guild.If he left the Guild of Scientists, he couldn't be admitted in anyother Guild.
Which was no laughing matter.
Only journeymen and masters and kingsmen—in the general sense, bothmen and women—had full rights of citizens, including the right tomarry by Public Law. Others might get married by Private Law, but that