This novel is dedicated with great affection to the many people who have made my trips to Birmingham full of enchantment. To Rog Peyton, Dave Holmes, and Rod Milner of Andromeda for the fun and the liquor; to Bernie Evans and the Brum Group for the magic of Novacon; to Chris and Pauline Morgan for the mysteries of the “Chinese”; and to the staff of the Royal Angus Hotel for smiling in the face of sheer lunacy.