The Blind Spot, page 188 by Austin Hall
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hite buttons ranged along the edge of the table.
"In your world," he apologised, "our clumsy service would doubtless amuse you; but it is the best we have been able to devise so far."
He pressed the button. Instantly, without the slightest sound or anything else to betray just how the thing had been accomplished, the table was covered with golden dishes, heaped with food, and two flagon-like goblets, full to the brim with a dark, greenish liquid that gave off an aroma almost exhilarating; not alcoholic, but something just above that. The Rhamda, disregarding or not noticing Watson's gasp of wonder, lifted his goblet in the manner of the host in health and welcome.
"You may drink it," he offered, "without fear. It is not liquor-- if I may use a word which I believe to be current in your world. I may add that it is one of the best things that we shall be able to offer you while you are with us."
Indeed it wasn't liquor. Watson took a sip; and he made a mental note that if all things in the Thomahlia were on a par with this, then he certainly was in a world far above his own. For the one sip was enough to send a thrill through his veins, a thrill not unlike the ecstasy of supreme music--a sparkling exuberance, leaving the mind clear and scintillating, glorified to the quick thinking of genius.
Later Watson experienced no reaction such as would have come from drinking alcohol or any other drug.
It was the strangest meal ever eaten by Watson. The food was very savoury, and perfectly cooked and served. Only one dish reminded him of meat.
"You have meats?" he asked. "This looks like flesh."
Geos shook his head. "No. Do you have flesh to eat, on the other side? We make all our food."
MAKE food. Watson thought best simply to answer the question:
"As I remember it, Rhamda Geos, we had a sort of meat called beef- -the flesh of certain animals."
The Rhamda was intensely interested. "Are they large? Some interpret the Jarados to that effect. Tell me,