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mind, Peter told him what had to be done and how Eric was essential to spurring the merchants to action.
    â€œBy offering to those who want them immediate gold crowns?” Eric asked, his eyes merry with appreciation of the scheme. “I must advise you that making a gold crown is not an ‘immediate’ proposition.”
    â€œThe simple fact that you are there and an expert would allow us to charge them not only for the metal necessary to make their teeth, but for the expert to do the work, and would provide another reason to barter for the goods we desperately need which they are holding back!”
    Eric was stunned by the explanation and then grinned broadly. “I like it. I like it. But as I said, it takes time to make proper crowns, and if I am to do the work, I insist on doing proper work.”
    â€œOf course, of course,” Zainal and Peter agreed.
    â€œI know there’s gold available on Botany,” Eric said, excitedly bouncing about on the chair, jotting down notes, “and platinum, too, I’ve heard.” He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically before setting down more scrawls which probably only he could read. “What I need more than anything,” he flushed and grinned sheepishly, “more than the equipment, is certain materials without which I cannot succeed. Such as an alginate to take good impressions and accessories like the carrying trays to secure the impressions. The gold caps would take time to prepare. One has to pound the gold into fold leaf. Rather fun to do, actually, and oh, well, you don’t need a blow-by-blow description of the process right now. But I remember the dental supply house I used, and quite possibly no one bothered looting such items.”
    â€œAlginate?” Dorothy asked. “Seaweed. We have seaweed in quantity.”
    â€œI’d also need a mixing gun to deliver the alginate where I need it.” Eric flapped his hands. “And a whole lot of stuff if I’m to do this properly.”
    â€œHow did you hear about the gold and platinum?” Zainal asked.
    â€œSame way I heard about gold crowns on Catteni teeth,” Eric said. “Hey, could we get more than one set of office equipment? And find a few more dentists while we’re about it?”
    â€œAnd we will be about it!” Zainal said. He pushed back from the table and rose purposefully, gathering up his notes and the letter from Kamiton that he seemed to be rereading. “Kamiton will never know what hit Barevi.” He grinned with total satisfaction at the prospect.
    â€œAhem, Zainal,” Eric said, raising one finger to attract the Catteni’s attention. “It would be useful if I had a trained dental assistant. Speed things up.”
    Zainal glanced at Peter. “Would you handle that detail, Peter? I’m going to draft the Catteni-speakers who are still here. We will have to go after some of the others who’ve gone to Terra. We can get what you need on that trip, too, Eric. Will you come with us?”
    â€œYes, and I think I’d better take some lessons in your language. I’ll need to be able to give simple instructions to any patients you might wish me to attend.”
    â€œLike ‘open,’ ‘spit,’ ‘close’?” Kris asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
    â€œAnd some basic instructions about what I’ll be doing. I’ll also need analgesics like Novocain and procaine—”
    â€œOh, you won’t need painkillers,” Kris said, grinning broadly. “Catteni would disregard mere pain as beneath their notice.”
    â€œNot if I have to work close to nerves. Catteni do have those, I believe.”
    â€œCheck with Leon Dane,” Kris advised.
    Eric wrote that down and then began to jot down more notes. “I’ll need so much to even get started.”
    â€œA list of your requirements is a good start.”
    â€œThere are talented scroungers