This is Chapter 20 of The Universal Good Deal, you may want to start at the beginning or go back to Chapter 19.

Whatever the case, there is no doubt that Ross would have caused violence if he had gotten close to the Alien. It seems, however, that Barrow had not been remiss in hiring a large security force. They seized Ross and brought him to Barrow. And so it was as an overly-powerful subordinate that Barrow greeted the Association's first secretary when the security detail delivered him to Barrow's spacious office.

'Welcome to the Association's new offices, Mr Secretary,' said Barrow.

'I've mostly tried to ignore what you do, Barrow,' said Ross. 'I've been telling myself that it was just your harmless little fantasy, like playing house or something. But I haven't been sleeping much lately, and I can't eat anything anymore.¹ Now I can see that there was a lot going on below the fucking surface.² I've been hearing things,' said Ross. 'Rumors that the Association is collaborating with these green-eyed space invaders—'

'Their eyes are white, really,' Barrow interrupted.

Ross continued, raising his voice, '—Well now, when I heard that I immediately got my ass down here to this new headquarters of yours, and as soon as I came through the door I distinctly saw one of those fucking Aliens hanging around the receptionist!'³

'I'm glad you noticed the secretaries,' said Barrow. 'We also have several hundred other new staff members. As well as this building, here, in Washington.'

'The croaker⁴ was touching her bosom!' Ross shrieked.

There is no consensus regarding the origin of the slur croaker⁵ which gained so much popularity later, as Martian civilization collapsed. While many historians have suggested that it was an an attempt by the Martians to insult the Aliens by comparing them to ugly, slimy creatures, I believe that the term was used in an idiomatic sense that implied death—croaker being one who causes others to croak, that is, to make a death-rattle, a gurgling sound in one's throat, to expire. In this sense, croaker was not a denigration, but rather an accusation. Either way, it is clear that the term was in use even by this early date.

Ross continued: 'Sometimes it takes a hell of a kick in the pants to get me going,⁶ but dammit—I've had enough. We're kicking the croakers out, and we're getting rid of all this!'

Ross ordered the Association disbanded immediately; he could see no good relationship between the Martians and the Aliens.⁷

'The Association cannot be dissolved without the approval of two-thirds of the membership. The motion to disassociate may be proposed in the newsletter. Unfortunately, the deadline for submissions to the upcoming newsletter has already passed, but you are welcome to submit your proposal for inclusion in the next issue. You may deliver it in writing at your convenience.'

'No! Stop it! I deserve to win this time!⁸ I've been on the losing end ever since you joined this goddamn Association. The whole reason I started the fucking thing in the first place was to make money. Do you know how much this stupid-ass Association has made me? It hasn't made me any. In fact, it's cost me money. And you know the only thing worse than losing money? Fucking croakers!'

'If you don't calm down, Secretary Ross, I will be forced into the disturbing position of having the security guards eject the Association's first secretary from the Association's very own building. I can only imagine how such a thing would reflect on the membership.'

'You think that I give a rat's ass about members? Fuck the members! This is my Association, Barrow. I made it, and I can destroy it.'

'The Association exists to serve the needs of its members, even seditious members. Secretary Ross, for the good of the Association, its members, and ultimately, yourself, I must insist that you leave.'

Barrow nodded, and guards seized Ross once again. Ross resisted and they were compelled to handle him quite roughly. He fractured his left hip and elbow on the concrete stairs of the Association's building when he was thrown from the doorway.