"We only notice laws when they act against our interest," said Dimak.
"See?" said Father. "We've traded philosophies."
"Like tribesmen swapping at a potlatch," said Dimak. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have you talk with Security Chief Uphanad before dinner."
"What about?"
"The colonists aren't a problem--they have a one-way flow and they can't easily communicate planetside. But you're probably going to be recognized here. And even if you're not, it's hard to maintain a false story for long."
"Then let's not have a false story," said Peter.
"No, let's have a really good one," said Mother.
"Let's just not talk to anybody," said Father.
"Those are precisely the issues that Major Uphanad wants to discuss with you."
Once Dimak had left, they chose bunks at the back of the long room. Peter took a top bunk, of course, but while he was unloading his bags into the locker in the wall behind the bunk, Father discovered that each set of six bunks--three on each side--could be separated from the others by a privacy curtain.
"It has to be a retrofit," said Father. "I can't believe they would let the kids seal themselves off from each other."
"How soundproof is this material?" asked Mother.
Father pulled it around in a circular motion, so it irised shut with him on the other side. They heard nothing from him. Then he dilated it open.
"Well?" he asked.
"Pretty effective sound barrier," said Mother.
"You did try to talk to us, didn't you?" asked Peter.
"No, I was listening for you," said Father.
"Well we were listening for you, John Paul," said Mother.
"No, I spoke. I didn't shout, but you couldn't hear me, right?"
"Peter," said Mother, "you just got moved to the next compartment over."
"That won't work when the colonists come through."
"You can come back and sleep in Mommy's and Daddy's room when the visitors come," said Mother.
"You'll have to walk through my room in order to get to the bathroom," said Peter.
"That's right," said Father. "I know you're Hegemon and should have the best room, but then, we're not likely to walk in on you making love."
"Don't count on it," said Peter sourly.
"We'll open the door just a little and say 'knock knock' before we come through," said Mother. "It'll give you time to smuggle your best pal out of sight."
It made him faintly nauseated to be having this discussion with his parents. "You two are so cute. I'm really glad to change rooms here, believe me."
It was good to have solitude, once the door was closed, even if the price of it was moving all his stuff out of the locker he had just loaded and putting it in a locker in the next section. Now he got a lower bunk, for one thing. And for another thing, he didn't have to put up with listening to his parents try to cheer him up.
He had to have thinking time.
So of course he promptly fell asleep.