 Why did Retief want to talk to the drunk?
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. Retief backed into the opening to a narrow crossway and offered further verbal familiarities to the drunken local, who followed, furious. Retief backed, rounded a corner into a narrow alley-like passage, deserted, silent ... except for the following Groacian. Retief stepped around him, seized his collar and yanked. Two Groaci wearing heavy eye-shields and elaborate crest ornaments indicative of rank rose as Retief entered the room. "I wash my hands—" "Just keep that recorder going," Retief snapped.
 He wanted to know what happened nine years ago.
 He wanted someone to talk to on this foreign planet.  He wanted to know why the drunk was mad at him.  He wanted to know what happened nine years ago.  He didn't like how the drunk had treated him.