"DO YOU STILL TRUST SMITTENS?"

" I've got a negro I bought at a slave auction few days ago," Umberto said. " He's young, smart and vibrant. He might interest you."

I didn't say anything. I was quiet and numb.

Umberto noticed I'd grown silence and he looked worriedly at me. " Israel?"

I came back to earth and met his eyes sharply. " What was that?"

Umberto waved his cigar at me. " What's the matter? You went quiet on me."

I could only stare at him with googled eyes. " Did I?"

He squinted at me. " Are you okay?"

I ran my hands over my face. " I think so."

No I wasn't fine. Something just happened right now. First Umberto and I were talking, then came an explosion.

But there was no explosion now. So what happened?

I stiffened with realization.

Hold on a second. Could it be I just foreseen the future?

Umberto was talking now. " As I was saying. About that negro. I've got plans for him. He's very promising. His Homeland is rich in oil and mineral resources. I'd like to partner with Domenico to—"

I didn't wait for h