"So that's what the board is for... sort of. But it's also my way out of here. Out of my future. Maybe." Cris seemed awkward now, almost shy. "I'm good at this, Farr. I'm one of the best in my age group; I've won a lot of the events I've been eligible for up to now. And in a couple of months I qualify for the big one. The Games. I'll be up against the best, my first chance..."

"The Games?"

"The biggest. If you do well there, become a star of the Games, then Parz just opens her legs for you." Cris laughed coarsely at that, and Farr grinned uncertainly. "I mean it," Cris said. "Parties at the Palace. Fame." He shrugged. "Of course it doesn't last forever. But if you're good enough you never lose it, the aura. Believe me... Will you still be around, for the Games?"

"I don't know. Adda..."

"Your friend in the Hospital. Yeah." Cris's mood seemed to swing to embarrassment again. "Look, I'm sorry for going on about Surfing. I know you're in a difficult situation."

Farr smiled, hoping to put this complex boy at his ease. "I enjoy hearing you talk."

Cris studied Farr speculatively. "Listen, have you ever tried Surfing? No, of course you haven't. Would you like to? We could meet some people I know..."

"I don't know if I'd be able to."

"It looks simple," Cris said. "It is simple in concept, but difficult to do well. You have to keep your balance, keep the board pressed between you and the Magfield, keep pushing down against the flux lines to build up your speed." He closed his eyes briefly and rocked in the Air.

"I don't know," Farr said again.

Cris eyed him. "You should be strong enough. And, coming from the upflux, your sense of balance and direction should be well developed. But maybe you're right. You're barrel-chested, and your legs are a little short. Even so it mightn't be impossible for you to stay aboard for a few seconds..."

Farr found himself bridling at this cool assessment. He folded his arms. "Let's do it," he said. "Where?"

Cris grinned. "Come on. I'll show you."

—

Ito took Dura to the Museum.

This was situated in the University area of the City — far Upside, as Dura was learning to call it; in fact, not very far below the Palace itself. The University was a series of large chambers interconnected by richly paneled corridors. Ito explained that they weren't allowed to disturb the academic calm of the chambers themselves, but she was able to point out libraries, seminar areas filled with groups of earnest young people, arrays of small cells within which the scholars worked alone, poring over their incomprehensible studies.