"Flight" (pp. 27-46) Summary

Two large toughs harass Seldon about his clothing and speech and demand he leave Trantor immediately. As the park empties, Hummin intervenes and the "lackeys" attack, only to be swiftly and painfully subdued. Hummin and Seldon complement one another before blending into the crowd just ahead of the police, who, Hummin explains, work for whoever targeted the thugs on him, based on his Heliconian clothes and perhaps a holograph. Hummin guides Seldon away from his hotel room to a small apartment complex, where he declares that Demerzel must believe Seldon is holding out for a higher price. Hummin orders Seldon to stay put while he buys him a change of clothing. The thugs' assignment is to get Seldon off Trantor before he can consider his situation and remain in the safest place in the galaxy: the planet...