The Lives and Loves of Lazarus Long Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I was born Woodrow Wilson Smith in the year 1912 Gregorian. My family lived at the time in one of the cities of Missouri. If you can recall which city that was please enter it into the computer now.

Answer: Kansas City

I was the sixth child born to Maureen and Brian Smith. I spent much of my time trying to get into trouble and was largely raised by my grandfather, Dr. Ira Johnson. Many of the anecdotes and "wise sayings" that I tend to live by came directly from Grandpa Johnson.
~~From: "Time Enough For Love" and "To Sail Beyond The Sunset"

2. I remember the time that I took off from the planet Blessed and found myself with two unexpected passengers. Their names were Joe and Estrellita. They were supposedly twin brother and sister but somehow unrelated. Can you recall how they came to be passengers in my ship?

Answer: They were slaves that I purchased

I purchased them out of anger when I saw the scars on Llita from the chastity belt that their owner had put on her. After tricking him into putting on the belt himself and changing the lock on him, I took them in my ship to the planet Valhalla where they opened a restaraunt and did very well for themselves; never forgetting what I, or Captain Aaron Sheffield as I was going by then, had done for them. If you're ever on Valhalla be sure to stop by Maison Long, but find the coffee shop in back called Estelle's Kitchen and you may still find Llita greeting the customers and Joe in back ready to make you an order of steak and eggs. ~~From: "Time Enough For Love"

3. Way back in the year 2113, the Howard Families were discovered for what we were, namely long-lifers. In the ensuing riots that occurred we were forced to steal a "Generation" ship in order to escape into space. Hopefully we would find a new planet to colonize. On this trip, one ephemeral, or short-lifer, came along with us. I don't remember his name but I recall that he held a political position of some importance at the time.

Answer: Slayton Ford

At the time of the Families' escape Slayton Ford was the Federation Administrator. Having helped us plan and execute our daring escape in the Generation Ship "New Frontiers" he was voted out of office and joined us in our exile. He experienced something horrifying while attending a ritual on the planet of the Jockaira which nearly drove him insane. After a period of cryogenic sleep he awoke cured of his psychosis but with no recollection of the experience at all.
~~From: "Methuselah's Children"

4. One of my very first "loves" was a stuffed animal I had when I was a young child. It's been so long ago that I can barely remember what it was. Perhaps Justin Foote, the Families Archivist, has some record of it. If you recall, then please enter that information into the computer now.

Answer: Elephant

During my trip back in time to visit my family in Kansas City I accompanied my Grandfather back to his old house where I came across the toy hiding behind mother's chair. I recalled that leaving toys lying around the parlor was expressely forbidden and was momentarily annoyed that such a treasure should be given to such a brat. Then I recalled who the "brat" was.
~~From: "Time Enough for Love"

5. I have known my share of self-aware computers in my lifetime. One of my fondest memories is of Minerva, who decided to become flesh-and-blood after helping me with some of my memoirs. Before she crossed over though, she duplicated her memories into a computer installed in my ship, which was also a self-aware computer. This computer eventually became the operations manager for all of Tellus Tertius. The little imp nagged me constantly so I shouldn't have any problems recalling her name. Perhaps my subconscious has repressed the memory of her. Do you recall who I'm referring to?

Answer: Pallas Athene

Minerva was the self-aware computer that ran the planet Secundus, appearing in "Time Enough for Love" and "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls".

6. I have lived so long and had so many names it's almost impossible to remember them all. I know one of these names isn't one of mine, I just can't remember which one. Please let Minerva know which one so the records stay accurate.

Answer: Richard Baslim

Of course! Richard Baslim was a Colonel in the Terran Hegemony's X-Corps who was working undercover to help rid the galaxy of the slave trade. I used the name Aaron Sheffield while I was a pilot, most notably while transporting Joe and Estrellita to Landfall. I used the name Theodore Bronson while visiting my family in the past. And "Happy" Daze was the name I used while managing a bordello on Mars in the early 21st century.

7. Although some people believe in "Better a dead hero than a live coward" I prefer to be a live hero. But, there have been times when I've put myself in mortal danger for someone I love or a cause I believed in. One of these times was when I went to war to prove to my love (and my mother) Maureen Johnson that I was no traitor or coward. This was one of the many wars that the United States was engaged in during the time that I was there disguised as Theodore Bronson. I was a corporal in that war and durn near lost my life except for the valiant rescue operations by the Time Corp. Unfortunately, there were so many wars during that time that I can't remember exactly which one it was. Please help me refresh my fading memory.

Answer: World War I

I was promoted to the rank of sergeant but I hit an officer in order to be demoted so that I could be sent to the front lines. So, I guess, for all of my complaining about trying to stay out of trouble, it's apparent that when the chips are down I'm someone good to have at your back.
~~From: "Time Enough For Love" and "To Sail Beyond The Sunset"

8. While the Families and I were fleeing persecution in the New Frontiers I became very fond of a "young" lady named Mary Sperling. After we landed on the planet orbiting star PK3722 we met the inhabitants, which we dubbed the "Little People." Unfortunately, when we left this planet Mary was unable to continue with us. I know there was a reason I didn't like but I can't recall what it was.

Answer: She telepathically joined with the "Little People"

Mary became terrified of dying as she grew older. She saw the opportunity to become immortal by "joining" with the "Little People." She gained an immortality of sorts by sacrificing her individuality to become part of the group consciousness.
~~From: "Methuselah's Children"

9. A very good friend of mine whom I met while traveling in exile on the New Frontiers is one of the best mathematicians I've had the privilege of knowing. I can't remember his full name but we all just called him "Slipstick". Please enter his full name for the records.

Answer: Andrew Jackson Libby

Slipstick Libby designed a star drive for use in the New Frontiers and later modified it for even faster travel. He was nominated Captain of the New Frontiers, but refused because he lacked the desire to command. He died while exploring space and discovering planets with me. I put him into orbit around a planet in order to retrieve him later to fulfill my promise to bury him in his native Ozarks. He was eventually cloned into a female named Elizabeth Andrew Jackson Libby Long.
~~From: "Misfit", "Methuselah's Children", "The Number of the Beast" and "Time Enough For Love"

10. Finally, during my over-long lifetime I have had but one true love. She was an ephemeral that I met as a child on the frontier planet "New Beginnings". My love for her was so great that I decided to homestead with her instead of returning to my ship to continue on my trade routes. I also named my private space yacht after her many, many years later - the same ship which helped me to go back in time for some wonderful adventures. I hold her memory dear to me and will never forget her name, but if you have truly followed my lives and loves then this will be an easy answer for you.

Answer: Dora

I did the one thing I vowed I would never do. Marry an ephemeral. It's not fair to me or the short-lived person. I "met" Dora when I rescued her from a house fire where her parents died. After she had grown up a bit she proclaimed her love for me (then known as Bill "Woody" Smith) so we decided to set out and homestead where we could raise a family together. Shortly before her death she revealed that she had known for a while who I really was. On her deathbed she asked me to sing her "Buck's Song." It was a variation on the Pawnshop song that I frequently hummed or sang to myself.

"'There's a schoolhouse
By the pawnshop
Where Dora has her lessons.

'By the schoolhouse
There's a mule yard
Where Dora's friend Buck lives.'"

~~From: "Time Enough For Love"

Those are just two of the many verses to that song but it was a fitting eulogy for a timeless love. I hope you've enjoyed my short history of a very long life. Thanks for playing.

Source: Author derickwjazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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In accordance with my agreement with Ira Weatheral, the Chairman of the Howard Families, I am dictating some of my adventures into the computers of the Family Seat on Tellus Tertius. My memory is shot so you may have to help me. L.L.

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