The White Plague [Volume: 7(1988), pp. 431-504]

THE WHITE PLAGUE 479
GALEN
You mean, knowing the right people? That sort of thing? It must take an
awful lot of time.
BARON
It takes a lifetime.
GALEN
Then how I could manage to... (Dips a piece of cotton wool in alcohol.)
Wait, I've got an idea, Baron! Why don't you take charge of it for me!
BARON
You mean, organize an advertising campaign for universal peace?
GALEN
That's right. (Rubs the cotton wool over the BARON's lower arm.) You've
got the connections. And in exchange, I'd... well, I'd cure you.
BARON
I'm sorry, Galen, but I don't think I could do such a thing.
GALEN
No? (Throws away the cotton wool.) Strange, but you are, in your way,
an extremely honest man.
BARON
Perhaps. And you are, in your way, an extremely naive man. You think
you can force the world to accept peace-all by yourself.
GALEN
No, Baron. Not by myself. I've got a powerful ally.
BARON
I know. The white plague. You're right, Galen. I'm frightened. Lord knows,
I'm frightened! But if fear were enough to determine men's actions, there
would be no war. And war there ever has been and ever shall be.
GALEN (picking up the syringe)
Then what is the best way to influence people?
BARON
The best way I know is money. I've used it all my life and I've rarely known
it to fail. Anyway, money... is all I can offer you. Just now you called
me an honest man 'in my way.' Well, this is an honest offer 'in its way.'
Twenty... no, thirty million for a single life.
GALEN
Tell me, if I were to ask you to... (Fills the syringe with the formula)...