 What was Retief's ultimate mistake?
THE MADMAN FROM EARTH BY KEITH LAUMER [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] I "The Consul for the Terrestrial States," Retief said, "presents his compliments, et cetera, to the Ministry of Culture of the Groacian Autonomy, and with reference to the Ministry's invitation to attend a recital of interpretive grimacing, has the honor to express regret that he will be unable—" "You can't turn this invitation down," Administrative Assistant Meuhl said flatly. I've been tied up every off-duty hour since I got here—" "You can't offend the Groaci," Miss Meuhl said sharply. "Whaffle left here three months ago," Retief said, "leaving me in charge." "Well," Miss Meuhl said, snapping off the dictyper. "I don't recall dictating any letters today, Miss Meuhl," Retief said, pulling on a light cape. "Since I'm cutting out the culture from now on," Retief said, "I won't be so busy." Retief looked thoughtfully at Miss Meuhl. "You've been here on Groac for four years, Miss Meuhl. "Mr. Retief, those are just the sort of questions we avoid with the Groaci. We try never to reopen that wound, Mr. Retief." "The importance of my task here," Retief said, enunciating the glottal dialect with difficulty. "The impossibility of access to outworlders. Outside, Retief stood for a moment looking across at the deeply carved windowless stucco facades lining the street, then started off in the direction of the Terrestrial Consulate General. An elaborate one picked out in pinkish paint seemed to indicate the Groacian equivalent of a bar. Retief went in. A Groacian bartender was dispensing clay pots of alcoholic drink from the bar-pit at the center of the room. He looked at Retief and froze in mid-motion, a metal tube poised over a waiting pot. "To enjoy a cooling drink," Retief said in Groacian, squatting down at the edge of the pit. "To not worry," Retief said, irritated. "To get the lead out," Retief said, placing a thick gold-piece in the dish provided. "I've changed my mind," Retief said to the bartender. Retief looked at the weaving alien.
 Trusting Miss Meuhl to do what he said
 Asking too many questions  Trusting Miss Meuhl to do what he said  Making the Groacians show him the ship  Breaking into the Foreign Ministry