 Why does the fact that Finogenov had a wooden desk sent up to space a point of contention for Winship?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] General Finogenov notified Major Winship that the underground blast was scheduled for the following morning. Major Winship, after receiving the message, discussed precautions with the three other Americans. Next morning, before the sunlight exploded, the four of them donned their space suits and went and sat outside the dome, waiting. Black pools of shadows lay in harsh contrast, their edges drawn with geometric precision. Major Winship attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with Base Gagarin. "Is Pinov," came the reply. "Help?" " Nyet ," said Major Winship, exhausting his Russian. "Count down. When—boom?" "Is Pinov," came the reply. "Boom!" said Pinov happily. "When?" "Boom—boom!" said Pinov. Major Winship cut out the circuit. "They've got Pinov on emergency watch this morning," he explained to the other Americans. "He's done it deliberately," said Capt. Wilkins, the eldest of the four Americans. One by one they clicked on their cooling systems. Ultimately, Lt. Chandler said, "This is a little ridiculous. "Ah, it's all Russian. In the airless void of the moon, the blast itself would be silent. A moth's wing of dust would, perhaps, rise and settle beyond the horizon: no more. Major Winship shifted restlessly. "Let's all go in," said the fourth American, Capt. Lawler. "I'll try again," Major Winship said and switched to the emergency channel. "Base Gagarin? Base Gagarin?" "Is Pinov. "Pinov's still there," Major Winship said. "I'll see them all in hell, first," Major Winship said.
 To him, it's a frivolous display of power and nothing more, especially when materials like aluminum are available.
 He wished he had the same luxury. The Americans have much less room to work with.  He's frustrated with the current situation and is finding himself envious of all the things they don't have.  It's too much of an effort to do something like that, making it a waste of time and resources.  To him, it's a frivolous display of power and nothing more, especially when materials like aluminum are available.