There was a pleasant glow to the evening light when they emerged, a faint violet touch and a pinkish edge to the simulated sunset clouds that were scudding¹ along. Dahl might have complaints of their treatment by the Imperial rulers of Trantor, but surely there was nothing wrong with the weather the computers spun² out for them.
Dors said in a low voice, "We seem to be celebrities³. No mistake about that."
Seldon brought his eyes down from the supposed sky and was immediately aware of a fair-sized crowd around the apartment house in which the Tisalvers lived. Everyone in the crowd stared at them intently. When it was clear that the two Outworlders had become aware of the attention, a low murmur⁴ ran through the crowd, which seemed to be on the point of breaking out into applause.
Dors said, "Now I can see where Mistress Tisalver would find this annoying. I should have been a little more sympathetic."
The crowd was, for the most part, poorly dressed and it was not hard to guess that many of the people were from Billibotton. On impulse, Seldon smiled and raised one hand in a mild greeting that was met with applause. One voice, lost in the safe anonymity⁵ of the crowd called out, "Can the lady show us some knife tricks?"
When Dors called back, "No, I only draw in anger," there was instant laughter. One man stepped forward. He was clearly not from Billibotton and bore no obvious mark of being a Dahlite. He had only a small mustache, for one thing, and it was brown, not black. He said, "Marlo Tanto of the Trantorian HV News. Can we have you in focus for a bit for our nightly holocast?"
"No," said Dors shortly. "No interviews."
The newsman did not budge⁶. "I understand you were in a fight with a great many men in Billibotton--and won." He smiled. "Thats news, that is."
"No," said Dors. "We met some men in Billibotton, talked to them, and then moved on. Thats all there is to it and thats all youre going to get."
"Whats your name? You dont sound like a Trantorian."

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