 Why did Harvey agree to pay the absurd price for the water that he and Joe consumed at the bar?
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Characteristically, Harvey Ellsworth tried to maintain his dignity, though his parched tongue was almost hanging out. But Joe Mallon, with no dignity to maintain, lurched across the rubbish-strewn patch of land that had been termed a spaceport. When Harvey staggered pontifically into the battered metalloy saloon—the only one on Planetoid 42—his tall, gangling partner was already stumbling out, mouthing something incoherent. Joe reeled aside, and Harvey saw what had upset his partner. In their hectic voyages from planet to planet, the pair of panacea purveyors had encountered the usual strange life-forms. Paying no attention to them, it was carrying a case of liquor in two hands, six siphons in two others, and a broom and dustpan in the remaining pair. The bartender, a big man resembling the plumpish Harvey in build, was leaning negligently on the counter, ordering this impossible being to fill the partly-emptied bottles, squeeze fruit juice and sweep the floor, all of which the native did simultaneously. Through thirst-cracked lips he rasped: "Water—quick!" The interplanetary con-men drank noisily, asked for more, until they had drunk eight glasses. Meanwhile, the bartender had taken out eight jiggers and filled them with whiskey. Harvey and Joe were breathing hard from having gulped the water so fast, but they were beginning to revive. Medical science is unanimous in proclaiming this magic medicine the sole panacea in the entire history of therapeutics." "Yeah?" said the bartender disinterestedly, polishing the chaser glasses without washing them. Our condenser broke down, and we've gone without water for five ghastly days." He came near starving and moved on to Titan. Water's five buckos a glass. Liquor's free with every chaser." "When there ain't many customers, you gotta make more on each one. It's bitter as some kinds of sin before it's purified. Waddya think—I was chargin' feller critters for water just out of devilment? "Friend," said Harvey, taking out a wallet and counting off eight five-bucko bills, "here is your money. What's fair is fair, and you have put a different complexion on what seemed at first to be an unconscionable interjection of a middleman between Nature and man's thirst." "If that's an apology, I accept it. "And chief of police, no doubt," said Harvey jocosely.
 He knew they would be able to con Johnson right back.
 The sheriff had threated them with his holstered weapon.  He knew they would be able to con Johnson right back.  They were thirsty and too delirious to argue  He didn't want to risk being arrested and trapped on Planetoid 42