Dick, Philip K - The Minority Report and Other Stories

8/12/2019 Dick, Philip K - The Minority Report and Other Stories

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0hat3ll 0eo0ith &a4lan' Par!5

(h6 To Be A Blobel7

*otes

8$ore than an%one else in the fiel'6 $r. ic! reall% p-ts %o- insi'e people3smin's.8-Wall Street Journal

$an% tho-san's of rea'ers worl'wi'e consi'er Philip K. ic! to have been the4reatest science fiction writer onany planet. Since his -ntimel% 'eath in 9;<6 interest in

ic!3s wor! has contin-e' to mo-nt an' his rep-tation has been enhance' b% a 4rowin4 bo'% of critical attention. The Philip K. ic! Awar' is now presente' ann-all% to a'istin4-ishe' wor! of science fiction6 an' the Philip K. ic! Societ% is 'evote' to thest-'% an' prom-l4ation of his wor!s.

This collection incl-'es all of the writer3s earliest short an' me'i-m2len4th fiction=incl-'in4 several previo-sl% -np-blishe' stories> coverin4 the %ears 9?#29@#6 an'feat-rin4 s-ch fascinatin4 tales asThe Minority Report =the inspiration for StevenSpielber43s film>6Service Call, Stand By, The Days of Perky Pat, an' man% others. ere6rea'ers will fin' ic!3s initial explorations of the themes he so brilliantl% bro-4ht to lifein his later wor!.

ic! won the presti4io-s -4o Awar' for best novel of 9@ for The Man in the i!h Castle an' in the last %ear of his life6 the now2classic film Blade Runner was ma'efrom his novel Do "ndroids Drea# $lectric Sheep%

The classic stories of Philip K. ic! offer an intri4-in4 4limpse into the earl%ima4ination of one of science fiction3s most en'-rin4 an' respecte' names.

8A -sef-l ac-isition for an% serio-s S, librar% or collection.8 2 &irkus Revie's

8Awe2inspirin4.8 2The Washington Post

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Kensin4ton P-blishin4 Corp. ;?) Thir' Aven-e *ew or!6 * 9))<<

Cop%ri4ht D 9;E The +state of Philip K. ic!

Intro'-ction cop%ri4ht D 9;E Fames Tiptree6 Fr.

All ri4hts reserve'. *o part of this boo! ma% be repro'-ce' in an% form or b%

an% means witho-t the prior written consent of the p-blisher6 exceptin4 brief

-otes -se' in reviews.

The excerpt b% Philip K. ic! that appears in the be4innin4 of this vol-me is

from a collection of interviews with the a-thor con'-cte' b% Pa-l 0illiams an'

p-blishe' in(nly "pparently Real, Arbor o-se6 9;@. se' with permission.

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Printe' in the nite' States of America

Catalo4in4 'ata ma% be obtaine' from the Librar% of Con4ress.

ISB* )2;)@?2<E2#

Intro'-ction

B% Fames Tiptree6 Fr.

ow 'o %o-!now %o-3re rea'in4 Philip K.ic!5

I thin!6 first an' pervasivel%6 it was the stran4eness. Stran4e6 ic! was an' is. Ithin! it was that which !ept me combin4 the S, catalo4s for more b% him6 waitin4 foreach new boo! to come o-t. (ne hears it sai'6 8H -st 'oesn3tthink li!e other people.8Abo-t ic!6 it was tr-e. In the stories6 %o- can3t tell what3s 4oin4 to happen next.

An' %et his characters are seemin4l% 'esi4ne' to be or'inar% people 22 except forthe occasional screamin4 ps%chotic female who is one of ic!3s specialties6 an' is alwa%streate' with love. The% are or'inar% people ca-4ht -p in wil'l% biGarre sit-ations6 r-nnin4a police force with the help of the m-mblin4s of preco4nitive i'iots6 facin4 a self2replicatin4 factor% that has ta!en over the earth. In'ee'6 one of the factors in thestran4eness is the care ic! ta!es to set his characters in the worl' of realit%6 an aspectmost other writers i4nore.

In how man% other science fiction stories 'o %o- !now what the hero 'oes for alivin4 when he isn3t ca-4ht -p in the partic-lar plot5 (h6 he ma% be a member of a spacecrew6 or6 va4-el%6 a scientist. (r o-n4 0erther. In ic!6 %o- are intro'-ce' to the hero3s b-siness concerns on pa4e one. That3s not literall% tr-e of the short stories in this vol-me=I went bac! an' chec!e'>6 b-t the impression of the pervasiveness of 84r-bb%8 b-sinessconcerns is ever%where6 especiall% in the novels. The hero is in the anti-e b-siness6 sa%Jas each new marvel t-rns -p6 he r-minates as to whether it is saleable. 0hen the 'ea'tal!6 the% offer b-siness a'vice. ic! never she's his concern that we!now how hischaracters earn their brea' an' b-tter. It is a part of the pec-liar 84rittiness8 of ic!3sst%le.





Another part of the 4rittiness is the er!iness of the 'ialo4. I can never 'eci'ewhether ic!3s 'ialo4 is p-rel% -nreal6 or more real than most. is people 'o not interactas m-ch as the% 'eliver monolo4s to carr% on the plot6 or increase the rea'er3s awarenessof a sit-ation.

An' the sit-ations are p-rel% ic!. is 8plots8 are li!e nothin4 else in S,. If ic!writes a time2travel stor%6 sa%6 it will have a twist on it that ma!es it sui !eneris) -itet%picall%6 the central 4ee2whiG marvel willnot be centere'6 b-t will come at %o- obli-el%6in the co-rse6 for instance6 of a political election.

An' an% relation between ic! an' a n-ts2an'2bolts S, writer is a p-recoinci'ence. In m% more san4-ine moments6 I conce'e that he probabl% !nows whathappens when %o- pl-4 in a lamp an' t-rn it on6 b-t be%on' that there is little evi'ence ofeither technolo4% or science. is science6 s-ch as it is6 is all en4a4e' in the technolo4% ofthe so-l6 with a smatterin4 of abnormal ps%cholo4%.

So far I have perhaps emphasiGe' his o''ities at the expense of his merits. 0hat!eeps %o- rea'in4 ic!5 0ell6 for one thin46 the stran4eness6 as I sai'6 b-t within it thereis alwa%s the atmosphere of strivin!, of men 'esperatel% tr%in4 to 4et some necessar% ob'one6 or strivin4 at least to -n'erstan' what is stri!in4 at them. A lar4e percenta4e ofic!3s heroes are tort-re' menJ ic! is expert at the machiner% of 'espair.

An' another bea-t% is the 'esolations. 0hen ic! 4ives %o- a 'esolation6 sa%after the bomb6 it is a 'esolation -ni-e of its !in'. There is one s-ch in this boo!. B-tami' the 'esolation %o- often fin' another of ic!3s characteristic to-ches6 the littleani#als)

The little animals are fre-entl% m-tants6 or small robots who have ta!en on life.The% are -nexplaine'6 simpl% note' b% another character in passin4. An' what are the%'oin45 The% are strivin46 too. A freeGin4 sparrow h-4s a ra4 aro-n' itself6 a m-tant rat plans a constr-ction6 8peerin4 an' plannin4.8 This sense of the on4oin4 b-s%2ness of life6however 'oome'6 of a lan'scape in which ever% element has its own life6 istryin! to live, is t%picall% an' profo-n'l% ic!. It carries the -alit% of compassion ami' the har' e'4esan' the 4rit6 the compassion one s-spects in ic!6 b-t that never appears frontall%. It isthis -alit% of love6 alwa%s -ic!l% s-ppresse'6 that 4leams across ic!3s r-bble' plainsan' ma!es them -ni-e an' memorable.

Fames Tiptree6 Fr.

ecember6 9;@





I -se' to believe the -niverse was basicall% hostile. An' that I was misplace' in it6

I was 'ifferent from it. . . fashione' in some other -niverse an' place' here6 %o- see. Sothat it Gi44e' while I Ga44e'. An' that it ha' sin4le' me o-t onl% beca-se there wassomethin4 weir' abo-t me. I 'i'n3t reall% 4roove with the -niverse.

I ha' a lot of fears that the -niverse wo-l' 'iscover -st how 'ifferent I was fromit. $% onl% s-spicion abo-t it was that it wo-l' fin' o-t the tr-th abo-t me6 an' itsreaction wo-l' be perfectl% normal: it wo-l' 4et me. I 'i'n3t feel that it was malevolent6 -st perceptive. An' there3s nothin4 worse that a perceptive -niverse if there3s somethin4weir' abo-t %o-.

B-t this %ear I realiGe' that that3s not tr-e. That the -niverse is perceptive6 b-t it3s

frien'l%. . . I -st 'on3t feel that I3m 'ifferent from the -niverse an%more.

2 Philip K. ic! in an interview6 9E#.

=from(*+ "PP"R$*T+ R$"+

Autofac

I

Tension h-n4 over the three waitin4 men. The% smo!e'6 pace' bac! an' forth6!ic!e' aimlessl% at wee's 4rowin4 b% the si'e of the roa'. A hot noon'a% s-n 4lare''own on brown fiel's6 rows of neat plastic ho-ses6 the 'istant line of mo-ntains to thewest.

8Almost time68 +arl ,erine sai'6 !nottin4 his s!inn% han's to4ether. 8It variesaccor'in4 to the loa'6 a half secon' for ever% a''itional po-n'.8





Bitterl%6 $orrison answere'6 8o-3ve 4ot it plotte'5 o-3re as ba' as it is. Let3s preten' it -sthappens to be late.8

The thir' man sai' nothin4. (3*eill was visitin4 from another settlementJ he'i'n3t !now ,erine an' $orrison well eno-4h to ar4-e with them. Instea'6 he cro-che'

'own an' arran4e' the papers clippe' to his al-min-m chec!2boar'. In the blaGin4 s-n6(3*eill3s arms were tanne'6 f-rr%6 4listenin4 with sweat. 0ir%6 with tan4le' 4ra% hair6horn2rimme' 4lasses6 he was ol'er than the other two. e wore slac!s6 a sports shirt an'crepe2sole' shoes. Between his fin4ers6 his fo-ntain pen 4littere'6 metallic an' efficient.

80hat3re %o- writin458 ,erine 4r-mble'.

8I3m la%in4 o-t the proce'-re we3re 4oin4 to emplo%68 (3*eill sai' mil'l%. 8Betterto s%stemiGe it now6 instea' of tr%in4 at ran'om. 0e want to !now what we trie' an'what 'i'n3t wor!. (therwise we3ll 4o aro-n' in a circle. The problem we have here is oneof comm-nicationJ that3s how I see it.8

8Comm-nication68 $orrison a4ree' in his 'eep6 chest% voice. 8es6 we can3t 4etin to-ch with the 'amn thin4. It comes6 leaves off its loa' an' 4oes on 22 there3s nocontact between -s an' it.8

8It3s a machine68 ,erine sai' excite'l%. 8It3s 'ea' 22 blin' an' 'eaf.8

8B-t it3s in contact with the o-tsi'e worl'68 (3*eill pointe' o-t. 8There has to besome wa% to 4et to it. Specific semantic si4nals are meanin4f-l to itJ all we have to 'o isfin' those si4nals. &e'iscover6 act-all%. $a%be half a 'oGen o-t of a billion possibilities.8

A low r-mble interr-pte' the three men. The% 4lance' -p6 war% an' alert. Thetime ha' come.

8ere it is68 ,erine sai'. 8(!a%6 wise 4-%6 let3s see %o- ma!e one sin4le chan4e inits ro-tine.8

The tr-c! was massive6 r-mblin4 -n'er its ti4htl% pac!e' loa'. In man% wa%s6 itresemble' conventional h-man2operate' transportation vehicles6 b-t with one exception22 there was no 'river3s cabin. The horiGontal s-rface was a loa'in4 sta4e6 an' the partthat wo-l' normall% be the hea'li4hts an' ra'iator 4rill was a fibro-s spon4eli!e mass ofreceptors6 the limite' sensor% apparat-s of this mobile -tilit% extension.

Aware of the three men6 the tr-c! slowe' to a halt6 shifte' 4ears an' p-lle' on itsemer4enc% bra!e. A moment passe' as rela%s move' into actionJ then a portion of theloa'in4 s-rface tilte' an' a casca'e of heav% cartons spille' 'own onto the roa'wa%.0ith the obects fl-ttere' a 'etaile' inventor% sheet.

8o- !now what to 'o68 (3*eill sai' rapi'l%. 8-rr% -p6 before it 4ets o-t ofhere.8





+xpertl%6 4riml%6 the three men 4rabbe' -p the 'eposite' cartons an' rippe' the protective wrappers from them. (bects 4leame': a binoc-lar microscope6 a portablera'io6 heaps of plastic 'ishes6 me'ical s-pplies6 raGor bla'es6 clothin46 foo'. $ost of theshipment6 as -s-al6 was foo'. The three men s%stematicall% be4an smashin4 obects. In a

few min-tes6 there was nothin4 b-t a chaos of 'ebris littere' aro-n' them.

8That3s that68 (3*eill pante'6 steppin4 bac!. e f-mble' for his chec!2sheet.8*ow let3s see what it 'oes.8

The tr-c! ha' be4-n to move awa%J abr-ptl% it stoppe' an' bac!e' towar' them.Its receptors ha' ta!en in the fact that the three men ha' 'emolishe' the 'roppe'2off portion of the loa'. It sp-n in a 4rin'in4 half circle an' came aro-n' to face its receptor ban! in their 'irection. p went its antennaJ it ha' be4-n comm-nicatin4 with thefactor%. Instr-ctions were on the wa%.

A secon'6 i'entical loa' was tilte' an' shove' off the tr-c!.

80e faile'68 ,erine 4roane' as a '-plicate inventor% sheet fl-ttere' after the newloa'. 80e 'estro%e' all that st-ff for nothin4.8

80hat now58 $orrison as!e' (3*eill. 80hat3s the next strate4em on o-r boar'58

81ive me a han'.8 (3*eill 4rabbe' -p a carton an' l-44e' it bac! to the tr-c!.Sli'in4 the carton onto the platform6 he t-rne' for another. The other two men followe'cl-msil% after him. The% p-t the loa' bac! onto the tr-c!. As the tr-c! starte' forwar'6the last s-are box was a4ain in place.

The tr-c! hesitate'. Its receptors re4istere' the ret-rn of its loa'. ,rom within itswor!s came a low s-staine' b-GGin4.

8This ma% 'rive it craG%68 (3*eill commente'6 sweatin4. 8It went thro-4h itsoperation an' accomplishe' nothin4.8

The tr-c! ma'e a short6 abortive move towar' 4oin4 on. Then it sw-n4 p-rposef-ll% aro-n' an'6 in a bl-r of spee'6 a4ain '-mpe' the loa' onto the roa'.

81et them78 (3*eill %elle'. The three men 4rabbe' -p the cartons an' feverishl%reloa'e' them. B-t as fast as the cartons were shove' bac! on the horiGontal sta4e6 thetr-c!3s 4rapples tilte' them 'own its far2si'e ramps an' onto the roa'.

8*o -se68 $orrison sai'6 breathin4 har'. 80ater thro-4h a sieve.8

80e3re lic!e'68 ,erine 4aspe' in wretche' a4reement6 8li!e alwa%s. 0e h-manslose ever% time.8





The tr-c! re4ar'e' them calml%6 its receptors blan! an' impassive. It was 'oin4its ob. The planetwi'e networ! of a-tomatic factories was smoothl% performin4 the tas!impose' on it five %ears before6 in the earl% 'a%s of the Total 1lobal Conflict.

8There it 4oes68 $orrison observe' 'ismall%. The tr-c!3s antenna ha' come 'ownJ

it shifte' into low 4ear an' release' its par!in4 bra!e.

8(ne last tr%68 (3*eill sai'. e swept -p one off the cartons an' rippe' it open.,rom it he 'ra44e' a ten24allon mil! tan! an' -nscrewe' the li'. 8Sill% as it seems.8

8This is abs-r'68 ,erine proteste'. &el-ctantl%6 he fo-n' a c-p amon4 the littere''ebris an' 'ippe' it into the mil!. 8A !i'3s 4ame78

The tr-c! has pa-se' to observe them.

8o it68 (3*eill or'ere' sharpl%. 8+xactl% the wa% we practice' it.8

The three of them 'ran! -ic!l% from the mil! tan!6 visibl% allowin4 the mil! tospill 'own their chinsJ there ha' to be no mista!in4 what the% were 'oin4.

As planne'6 (3*eill was the first. is face twistin4 in rev-lsion6 he h-rle' the c-pawa% an' violentl% spat the mil! into the roa'.

81o'3s sa!e78 he cho!e'.

The other two 'i' the sameJ stampin4 an' lo-'l% c-rsin46 the% !ic!e' over themil! tan! an' 4lare' acc-sin4l% at the tr-c!.

8It3s no 4oo'78 $orrison roare'.

C-rio-s6 the tr-c! came slowl% bac!. +lectronic s%napses clic!e' an' whirre'6respon'in4 to the sit-ationJ its antenna shot -p li!e a fla4pole.

8I thin! this is it68 (3*eill sai'6 tremblin4. As the tr-c! watche'6 he 'ra44e' o-t asecon' mil! tan!6 -nscrewe' its li' an' taste' the contents. 8The same78 he sho-te' at thetr-c!. 8It3s -st as ba'78

,rom the tr-c! poppe' a metal c%lin'er. The c%lin'er 'roppe' at $orrison3s feetJhe -ic!l% snatche' it -p an' tore it open.

STAT+ *AT&+ (, +,+CT





The instr-ction sheets liste' rows of possible 'efects6 with neat boxes b% eachJ a p-nch2stic! was incl-'e' to in'icate the partic-lar 'eficienc% of the pro'-ct.

80hat3ll I chec!58 $orrison as!e'. 8Contaminate'5 Bacterial5 So-r5 &anci'5Incorrectl% labele'5 Bro!en5 Cr-she'5 Crac!e'5 Bent5 Soile'58

Thin!in4 rapi'l%6 (3*eill sai'6 8on3t chec! an% of them. The factor%3s-n'o-bte'l% rea'% to test an' resample. It3ll ma!e its own anal%sis an' then i4nore -s.8is face 4lowe' as frantic inspiration came. 80rite in that blan! at the bottom. It3s anopen space for f-rther 'ata.8

80rite what58

(3*eill sai'6 80rite:the product is thorou!hly pi..led)/

80hat3s that58 ,erine 'eman'e'6 baffle'.

80rite it7 It3s a semantic 4arble 22 the factor% won3t be able to -n'erstan' it.$a%be we can am the wor!s.8

0ith (3*eill3s pen6 $orrison caref-ll% wrote that the mil! was piGGle'. Sha!in4his hea'6 he reseale' the c%lin'er an' ret-rne' it to the tr-c!. The tr-c! swept -p the mil!tan!s an' slamme' its railin4 ti'il% into place. 0ith a shrie! of tires6 it h-rtle' off. ,romits slot6 a final c%lin'er bo-nce'J the tr-c! h-rrie'l% 'eparte'6 leavin4 the c%lin'er l%in4in the '-st.

(3*eill 4ot it open an' hel' -p the paper for the others to see.

A ,ACT(& &+P&+S+*TATI"+

0ILL B+ S+*T (T.

B+ P&+PA&+ T( SPPL C($PL+T+ ATA

(* P&(CT +,ICI+*C.

,or a moment6 the three men were silent. Then ,erine be4an to 4i44le. 80e 'i' it.0e contacte' it. 0e 4ot across.8

80e s-re 'i'68 (3*eill a4ree'. 8It never hear' of a pro'-ct bein4 piGGle'.8

C-t into the base of the mo-ntains la% the vast metallic c-be of the Kansas Cit%





factor%. Its s-rface was corro'e'6 pitte' with ra'iation pox6 crac!e' an' scarre' from thefive %ears of war that ha' swept over it. $ost of the factor% was b-rie' s-bs-rface6 onl%its entrance sta4es visible. The tr-c! was a spec! r-mblin4 at hi4h spee' towar' theexpanse of blac! metal. Presentl% an openin4 forme' in the -niform s-rfaceJ the tr-c! pl-n4e' into it an' 'isappeare' insi'e. The entrance snappe' sh-t.

8*ow the bi4 ob remains68 (3*eill sai'. 8*ow we have to pers-a'e it to close'own operations 22 to sh-t itself off.8

II

F-'ith (3*eill serve' hot blac! coffee to the people sittin4 aro-n' the livin4 room.

er h-sban' tal!e' while the others listene'. (3*eill was as close to bein4 an a-thorit%on the a-tofac s%stem as co-l' still be fo-n'.

In his own area6 the Chica4o re4ion6 he ha' shorte' o-t the protective fence of thelocal factor% lon4 eno-4h to 4et awa% with 'ata tapes store' in its posterior brain. Thefactor%6 of co-rse6 ha' imme'iatel% reconstr-cte' a better t%pe offence. B-t he ha' shownthat the factories were not infallible.

8The Instit-te of Applie' C%bernetics68 (3*eill explaine'6 8ha' complete controlover the networ!. Blame the war. Blame the bi4 noise alon4 the lines of comm-nicationthat wipe' o-t the !nowle'4e we nee'. In an% case6 the Instit-te faile' to transmit itsinformation to -s6 so we can3t transmit o-r information to the factories 22 the news that thewar is over an' we3re rea'% to res-me control of in'-strial operations.8

8An' meanwhile68 $orrison a''e' so-rl%6 8the 'amn networ! expan's an'cons-mes more of o-r nat-ral reso-rces all the time.8

8I 4et the feelin468 F-'ith sai'6 8that if I stampe' har' eno-4h6 I3' fall ri4ht 'owninto a factor% t-nnel. The% m-st have mines ever%where b% now.8

8Isn3t there some limitin4 in-nction58 ,erine as!e' nervo-sl%. 80ere the% set -pto expan' in'efinitel%58

8+ach factor% is limite' to its own operational area68 (3*eill sai'6 8b-t thenetwor! itself is -nbo-n'e'. It can 4o on scoopin4 -p o-r reso-rces forever. The Instit-te'eci'e' it 4ets top priorit%J we mere people come secon'.8

80ill there beanythin! left for -s58 $orrison wante' to !now.

8*ot -nless we can stop the networ!3s operations. It3s alrea'% -se' -p half a 'oGen





basic minerals. Its search teams are o-t all the time6 from ever% factor%6 loo!in4ever%where for some last scrap to 'ra4 home.8

80hat wo-l' happen if t-nnels from two factories crosse' each other58

(3*eill shr-44e'. 8*ormall%6 that won3t happen. +ach factor% has its own specialsection of o-r planet6 its own private c-t of the pie for its excl-sive -se.8

8B-t itcould happen.8

80ell6 the%3re raw material2tropicJ as lon4 as there3s an%thin4 left6 the%3ll h-nt it'own.8 (3*eill pon'ere' the i'ea with 4rowin4 interest. 8It3s somethin4 to consi'er. Is-ppose as thin4s 4et scarcer 228

e stoppe' tal!in4. A fi4-re ha' come into the roomJ it stoo' silentl% b% the 'oor6s-rve%in4 them all.

In the '-ll sha'ows6 the fi4-re loo!e' almost h-man. ,or a brief moment6 (3*eilltho-4ht it was a settlement latecomer. Then6 as it move' forwar'6 he realiGe' that it wasonl% -asi2h-man: a f-nctional -pri4ht bipe' chassis6 with 'ata2receptors mo-nte' at thetop6 effectors an' proprioceptors mo-nte' in a 'ownwar' worm that en'e' in floor24rippers. Its resemblance to a h-man bein4 was testimon% to nat-re3s efficienc%J nosentimental imitation was inten'e'.

The factor% representative ha' arrive'.

It be4an witho-t preamble. 8This is a 'ata2collectin4 machine capable ofcomm-nicatin4 on an oral basis. It contains both broa'castin4 an' receivin4 apparat-san' can inte4rate facts relevant to its line of in-ir%.8

The voice was pleasant6 confi'ent. (bvio-sl% it was a tape6 recor'e' b% someInstit-te technician before the war. Comin4 from the -asi2h-man shape6 it so-n'e'4rotes-eJ (3*eill co-l' vivi'l% ima4ine the 'ea' %o-n4 man whose cheerf-l voice nowiss-e' from the mechanical mo-th of this -pri4ht constr-ction of steel an' wirin4.

8(ne wor' of ca-tion68 the pleasant voice contin-e'. 8It is fr-itless to consi'erthis receptor h-man an' to en4a4e it in 'isc-ssions for which it is not e-ippe'. Altho-4h p-rposef-l6 it is not capable of concept-al tho-4htJ it can onl% reassemble materialalrea'% available to it.8

The optimistic voice clic!e' o-t an' a secon' voice came on. It resemble' thefirst6 b-t now there were no intonations or personal mannerisms. The machine was-tiliGin4 the 'ea' man3s phonetic speech2pattern for its own comm-nication.

8Anal%sis of the reecte' pro'-ct68 it state'6 8shows no forei4n elements ornoticeable 'eterioration. The pro'-ct meets the contin-al testin42stan'ar's emplo%e'





thro-4ho-t the networ!. &eection is therefore on a basis o-tsi'e the test areaJ stan'ar'snot available to the networ! are bein4 emplo%e'.8

8That3s ri4ht68 (3*eill a4ree'. 0ei4hin4 his wor's with care6 he contin-e'6 80efo-n' the mil! s-bstan'ar'. 0e want nothin4 to 'o with it. 0e insist on more caref-l

o-tp-t.8

The machine respon'e' presentl%. 8The semantic content of the term 3piGGle'3 is-nfamiliar to the networ!. It 'oes not exist in the tape' vocab-lar%. Can %o- present afact-al anal%sis of the mil! in terms of specific elements present or absent58

8*o68 (3*eill sai' waril%J the 4ame he was pla%in4 was intricate an' 'an4ero-s. 83,iGGle'3 is an overall term. It can3t be re'-ce' to chemical constit-ents.8

80hat 'oes 3piGGle'3 si4nif%58 the machine as!e'. 8Can %o- 'efine it in terms ofalternate semantic s%mbols58

(3*eill hesitate'. The representative ha' to be steere' from its special in-ir% tomore 4eneral re4ions6 to the -ltimate problem of closin4 'own the networ!. If he co-l' pr% it open at an% point6 4et the theoretical 'isc-ssion starte'. . .

8 3PiGGle'63 8 he state'6 8means the con'ition of a pro'-ct that is man-fact-re'when no nee' exists. It in'icates the reection of obects on the 4ro-n's that the% are nolon4er wante'.8

The representative sai'6 8*etwor! anal%sis shows a nee' of hi4h24ra'e paste-riGe' mil!2s-bstit-te in this area. There is no alternate so-rceJ the networ! controlsall the s%nthetic mammar%2t%pe e-ipment in existence.8 It a''e'6 8(ri4inal tape'instr-ctions 'escribe mil! as an essential to h-man 'iet.8

(3*eill was bein4 o-twitte'J the machine was ret-rnin4 the 'isc-ssion to thespecific. 80e3ve 'eci'e'68 he sai' 'esperatel%6 8that we 'on3t'ant an% more mil!. 0e3' prefer to 4o witho-t it6 at least -ntil we can locate cows.8

8That is contrar% to the networ! tapes68 the representative obecte'. 8There are nocows. All mil! is pro'-ce' s%ntheticall%.8

8Then we3ll pro'-ce it s%ntheticall% o-rselves68 $orrison bro!e in impatientl%.80h% can3t we ta!e over the machines5 $% 1o'6 we3re not chil'ren7 0e can r-n o-r ownlives78

The factor% representative move' towar' the 'oor. 8ntil s-ch time as %o-rcomm-nit% fin's other so-rces of mil! s-ppl%6 the networ! will contin-e to s-ppl% %o-.Anal%tical an' eval-atin4 apparat-s will remain in this area6 con'-ctin4 the c-stomar%ran'om samplin4.8





,erine sho-te' f-tilel%6 8ow can we fin' other so-rces5 o- have the wholeset-p7 o-3re r-nnin4 the whole show78 ,ollowin4 after it6 he bellowe'6 8o- sa% we3renot rea'% to r-n thin4s 22 %o- claim we3re not capable. ow 'o %o- !now5 o- 'on3t 4ive-s a chance7 0e3ll never have a chance78

(3*eill was petrifie'. The machine was leavin4J its one2trac! min' ha'completel% tri-mphe'.

8Loo!68 he sai' hoarsel%6 bloc!in4 its wa%. 80e want %o- to sh-t 'own6-n'erstan'. 0e want to ta!e over %o-r e-ipment an' r-n it o-rselves. The war3s overwith. amn it6 %o-3re not nee'e' an%more78

The factor% representative pa-se' briefl% at the 'oor. 8The inoperative c%cle68 itsai'6 8is not 4eare' to be4in -ntil networ! pro'-ction merel% '-plicates o-tsi'e pro'-ction. There is at this time6 accor'in4 to o-r contin-al samplin46 no o-tsi'e pro'-ction. Therefore networ! pro'-ction contin-es.8 0itho-t warnin46 $orrison sw-n4

the steel pipe in his han'. It slashe' a4ainst the machine3s sho-l'er an' b-rst thro-4h theelaborate networ! of sensor% apparat-s that ma'e -p its chest. The tan! of receptorsshattere'J bits of 4lass6 wirin4 an' min-te parts showere' ever%where.

8It3s a para'ox78 $orrison %elle'. 8A wor' 4ame 22 a semantic 4ame the%3re p-llin4 on -s. The C%berneticists have it ri44e'.8 e raise' the pipe an' a4ain bro-4ht it'own sava4el% on the -nprotestin4 machine. 8The%3ve 4ot -s hamstr-n4. 0e3recompletel% helpless.8

The room was in -proar. 8It3s the onl% wa%68 ,erine 4aspe' as he p-she' past(3*eill. 80e3ll have to 'estro% them 22 it3s the networ! or -s.8 1rabbin4 'own a lamp6 heh-rle' it in the 8face8 of the factor% representative. The lamp an' the intricate s-rface of plastic b-rstJ ,erine wa'e' in6 4ropin4 blin'l% for the machine. *ow all the people in theroom were closin4 f-rio-sl% aro-n' the -pri4ht c%lin'er6 their impotent resentment boilin4 over. The machine san! 'own an' 'isappeare' as the% 'ra44e' it to the floor.

Tremblin46 (3*eill t-rne' awa%. is wife ca-4ht hol' of his arm an' le' him tothe si'e of the room.

8The i'iots68 he sai' 'eecte'l%. 8The% can3t 'estro% itJ the%3ll onl% teach it to b-il' more 'efenses. The%3re ma!in4 the whole problem worse.8

Into the livin4 room rolle' a networ! repair team. +xpertl%6 the mechanical -nits'etache' themselves from the half2trac! mother2b-4 an' sc-rrie' towar' the mo-n' ofstr-44lin4 h-mans. The% sli' between people an' rapi'l% b-rrowe'. A moment later6 theinert carcass of the factor% representative was 'ra44e' into the hopper of the mother2b-4.Parts were collecte'6 torn remnants 4athere' -p an' carrie' off. The plastic str-t an' 4earwas locate'. Then the -nits restatione' themselves on the b-4 an' the team 'eparte'.

Thro-4h the open 'oor came a secon' factor% representative6 an exact '-plicate





of the first. An' o-tsi'e in the hall stoo' two more -pri4ht machines. The settlement ha' been combe' at ran'om b% a corps of representatives. Li!e a hor'e of ants6 the mobile'ata2collectin4 machines ha' filtere' thro-4h the town -ntil6 b% chance6 one of them ha'come across (3*eill.

8estr-ction of networ! mobile 'ata24atherin4 e-ipment is 'etrimental to besth-man interests68 the factor% representative informe' the roomf-l of people. 8&awmaterial inta!e is at a 'an4ero-sl% low ebbJ what basic materials still exist sho-l' be-tiliGe' in the man-fact-re of cons-mer commo'ities.8

(3*eill an' the machine stoo' facin4 each other.

8(h58 (3*eill sai' softl%. 8That3s interestin4. I won'er what %o-3re lowest on 22an' what %o-3' reall% be willin4 to fi4ht for.8

elicopter rotors whine' tinnil% above (3*eill3s hea'J he i4nore' them an' peere'thro-4h the cabin win'ow at the 4ro-n' not far below.

Sla4 an' r-ins stretche' ever%where. 0ee's po!e' their wa% -p6 sic!l% stal!samon4 which insects sc-ttle'. ere an' there6 rat colonies were visible: matte' hovelsconstr-cte' of bone an' r-bble. &a'iation ha' m-tate' the rats6 alon4 with most insectsan' animals. A little farther6 (3*eill i'entifie' a s-a'ron of bir's p-rs-in4 a 4ro-n's-irrel. The s-irrel 'ive' into a caref-ll% prepare' crac! in the s-rface of sla4 an' the bir's t-rne'6 thwarte'.

8o- thin! we3ll ever have it reb-ilt58 $orrison as!e'. 8It ma!es me sic! to loo!at it.8

8In time68 (3*eill answere'. 8Ass-min46 of co-rse6 that we 4et in'-strial control bac!. An' ass-min4 that an%thin4 remains to wor! with. At best6 it3ll be slow. 0e3ll haveto inch o-t from the settlements.8

To the ri4ht was a h-man colon%6 tattere' scarecrows6 4a-nt an' emaciate'6 livin4amon4 the r-ins of what ha' once been a town. A few acres of barren soil ha' beencleare'J 'roopin4 ve4etables wilte' in the s-n6 chic!ens wan'ere' listlessl% here an'there6 an' a fl%2bothere' horse la% pantin4 in the sha'e of a cr-'e she'.

8&-ins2s-atters68 (3*eill sai' 4loomil%. 8Too far from the networ! 22 not tan4entto an% of the factories.8

8It3s their own fa-lt68 $orrison tol' him an4ril%. 8The% co-l' come into one of thesettlements.8

8That was their town. The%3re tr%in4 to 'o what'e 0re tr%in4 to 'o 22 b-il' -p





thin4s a4ain on their own. B-t the%3re startin4 now6 witho-t tools or machines6 with their bare han's6 nailin4 to4ether bits of r-bble. An' it won3t wor!. 0e nee' machines. 0ecan3t repair r-insJ we3ve 4ot to start in'-strial pro'-ction.8

Ahea' la% a series of bro!en hills6 chippe' remains that ha' once been a ri'4e.

Be%on' stretche' o-t the titanic -4l% sore of an 2bomb crater6 half fille' with sta4nantwater an' slime6 a 'isease2ri''en inlan' sea.

An' be%on' that 22 a 4litter of b-s% motion.

8There68 (3*eill sai' tensel%. e lowere' the helicopter rapi'l%. 8Can %o- tellwhich factor% the%3re from58

8The% all loo! ali!e to me68 $orrison m-ttere'6 leanin4 over to see. 80e3ll haveto wait an' follow them bac!6 when the% 4et a loa'.8

8If the%4et a loa'68 (3*eill correcte'.

The a-tofac explorin4 crew i4nore' the helicopter b-GGin4 overhea' an'concentrate' on its ob. Ahea' of the main tr-c! sc-ttle' two tractorsJ the% ma'e theirwa% -p mo-n's of r-bble6 probes b-r4eonin4 li!e -ills6 shot 'own the far slope an''isappeare' into a blan!et of ash that la% sprea' over the sla4. The two sco-ts b-rrowe'-ntil onl% their antennas were visible. The% b-rst -p to the s-rface an' sc-ttle' on6 theirtrea's whirrin4 an' clan!in4.

80hat are the% after58 $orrison as!e'.

81o' !nows.8 (3*eill leafe' intentl% thro-4h the papers on his clipboar'. 80e3llhave to anal%Ge all o-r bac!2or'er slips.8

Below them6 the a-tofac explorin4 crew 'isappeare' behin'. The helicopter passe' over a 'eserte' stretch of san' an' sla4 on which nothin4 move'. A 4rove ofscr-b2br-sh appeare' an' then6 far to the ri4ht6 a series of tin% movin4 'ots.

A procession of a-tomatic ore carts was racin4 over the blea! sla46 a strin4 ofrapi'l% movin4 metal tr-c!s that followe' one another nose to tail. (3*eill t-rne' thehelicopter towar' them an' a few min-tes later it hovere' above the mine itself.

$asses of s-at minin4 e-ipment ha' ma'e their wa% to the operations. Shaftsha' been s-n!J empt% carts waite' in patient rows. A stea'% stream of loa'e' carts h-rle'towar' the horiGon6 'ribblin4 ore after them. Activit% an' the noise of machines h-n4over the area6 an abr-pt center of in'-str% in the blea! wastes of sla4.

8ere comes that explorin4 crew68 $orrison observe'6 peerin4 bac! the wa% the%ha' come. 8o- thin! ma%be the%3ll tan4le58 e 4rinne'. 8*o6 I 4-ess it3s too m-ch tohope for.8





8It is this time68 (3*eill answere'. 8The%3re loo!in4 for 'ifferent s-bstances6 probabl%. An' the%3re normall% con'itione' to i4nore each other.8

The first of the explorin4 b-4s reache' the line of ore carts. It veere' sli4htl% an'

contin-e' its searchJ the carts travele' in their inexorable line as if nothin4 ha' happene'.

isappointe'6 $orrison t-rne' awa% from the win'ow an' swore. 8*o -se. It3sli!e each 'oesn3t exist for the other.8

1ra'-all% the explorin4 crew move' awa% from the line of carts6 past the minin4operations an' over a ri'4e be%on'. There was no special h-rr%J the% 'eparte' witho-thavin4 reacte' to the ore24atherin4 s%n'rome.

8$a%be the%3re from the same factor%68 $orrison sai' hopef-ll%.

(3*eill pointe' to the antennas visible on the maor minin4 e-ipment. 8Theirvanes are t-rne' at a 'ifferent vector6 so these represent two factories. It3s 4oin4 to behar'J we3ll have to 4et it exactl% ri4ht or there won3t be an% reaction.8 e clic!e' on thera'io an' 4ot hol' of the monitor at the settlement. 8An% res-lts on the consoli'ate' bac!2or'er sheets58

The operator p-t him thro-4h to the settlement 4overnin4 offices.

8The%3re startin4 to come in68 ,erine tol' him. 8As soon as we 4et s-fficientsamplin4s6 we3ll tr% to 'etermine which raw materials which factories lac!. It3s 4oin4 to be ris!%6 tr%in4 to extrapolate from complex pro'-cts. There ma% be a n-mber of basicelements common to the vario-s s-blets.8

80hat happens when we3ve i'entifie' the missin4 element58 $orrison as!e'(3*eill. 80hat happens when we3ve 4ot two tan4ent factories short on the samematerial58

8Then68 (3*eill sai' 4riml%6 8we start collectin4 the material o-rselves 22 even ifwe have to melt 'own ever% obect in the settlements.8

III

In the moth2ri''en 'ar!ness of ni4ht6 a 'im win' stirre'6 chill an' faint. ense-n'erbr-sh rattle' metallicall%. ere an' there a noct-rnal ro'ent prowle'6 its sensesh%per2alert6 peerin46 plannin46 see!in4 foo'.





The area was wil'. *o h-man settlements existe' for milesJ the entire re4ion ha' been seare' flat6 ca-teriGe' b% repeate' 2bomb blasts. Somewhere in the m-r!%'ar!ness6 a sl-44ish tric!le of water ma'e its wa% amon4a-tofac sla4 an' wee's6'rippin4 thic!l% into what ha' once been an elaborate lab%rinth of sewer mains. The pipes la% crac!e' an' bro!en6 -ttin4 -p into the ni4ht 'ar!ness6 over4rown with creepin4

ve4etation. The win' raise' clo-'s of blac! ash that swirle' an' 'ance' amon4 thewee's. (nce an enormo-s m-tant wren stirre' sleepil%6 p-lle' its cr-'e protective ni4htcoat of ra4s aro-n' it an' 'oGe' off.

,or a time6 there was no movement. A strea! of stars showe' in the s!% overhea'64lowin4 star!l%6 remotel%. +arl ,erine shivere'6 peere' -p an' h-''le' closer to the p-lsin4 heat2element place' on the 4ro-n' between the three men.

80ell58 $orrison challen4e'6 teeth chatterin4.

(3*eill 'i'n3t answer. e finishe' his ci4arette6 cr-she' it a4ainst a mo-n' of

'eca%in4 sla4 an'6 4ettin4 o-t his li4hter6 lit another. The mass of t-n4sten 22 the bait 22la% a h-n're' %ar's 'irectl% ahea' of them.

-rin4 the last few 'a%s6 both the etroit an' Pittsb-r4h factories ha' r-n short oft-n4sten. An' in at least one sector6 their apparat-s overlappe'. This sl-44ish heaprepresente' precision c-ttin4 tools6 parts rippe' from electrical switches6 hi4h2-alit%s-r4ical e-ipment6 sections of permanent ma4nets6 meas-rin4 'evices 22 t-n4sten fromever% possible so-rce6 4athere' feverishl% from all the settlements.

ar! mist la% sprea' over the t-n4sten mo-n'. (ccasionall%6 a ni4ht mothfl-ttere' 'own6 attracte' b% the 4low of reflecte' starli4ht. The moth h-n4 momentaril%6 beat its elon4ate' win4s f-tilel% a4ainst the interwoven tan4le of metal an' then 'rifte'off6 into the sha'ows of the thic!2pac!e' vines that rose -p from the st-mps of sewer pipes.

8*ot a ver% 'amn prett% spot68 ,erine sai' wr%l%.

8on3t !i' %o-rself68 (3*eill retorte'. 8This is the prettiest spot on +arth. This isthe spot that mar!s the 4rave of the a-tofac networ!. People are 4oin4 to come aro-n'here loo!in4 for it some'a%. There3s 4oin4 to be a pla-e here a mile hi4h.8

8o-3re tr%in4 to !eep %o-r morale -p68 $orrison snorte'. 8o- 'on3t believethe%3re 4oin4 to sla-4hter themselves over a heap of s-r4ical tools an' li4ht2b-lbfilaments. The%3ve probabl% 4ot a machine 'own in the bottom level that s-c!s t-n4steno-t of roc!.8

8$a%be68 (3*eill sai'6 slappin4 at a mos-ito. The insect 'o'4e' cannil% an'then b-GGe' over to anno% ,erine. ,erine sw-n4 vicio-sl% at it an' s-atte' s-llenl%'own a4ainst the 'amp ve4etation.





An' there was what the% ha' come to see.

(3*eill realiGe' with a start that he ha' been loo!in4 at it for several min-teswitho-t reco4niGin4 it. The search2b-4 la% absol-tel% still. It reste' at the crest of a smallrise of sla46 its anterior en' sli4htl% raise'6 receptors f-ll% exten'e'. It mi4ht have been

an aban'one' h-l!J there was no activit% of an% !in'6 no si4n of life or conscio-sness.The search2b-4 fitte' perfectl% into the waste'6 fire2'renche' lan'scape. A va4-e t-b ofmetal sheets an' 4ears an' flat trea's6 it reste' an' waite'. An' watche'.

It was examinin4 the heap of t-n4sten. The bait ha' 'rawn its first bite.

8,ish68 ,erine sai' thic!l%. 8The line move'. I thin! the sin!er 'roppe'.8

80hat the hell are %o- m-mblin4 abo-t58 $orrison 4r-nte'. An' then he6 too6saw the search2b-4. 8Fes-s68 he whispere'. e half rose to his feet6 massive bo'% arche'forwar'. 80ell6 there3sone of them. *ow all we nee' is a -nit from the other factor%.

0hich 'o %o- s-ppose it is58

(3*eill locate' the comm-nication vane an' trace' its an4le. 8Pittsb-r4h6 so pra%for etroit. . . pra% li!e ma'.8

Satisfie'6 the search2b-4 'etache' itself an' rolle' forwar'. Ca-tio-sl%approachin4 the mo-n'6 it be4an a series of intricate mane-vers6 rollin4 first one wa% an'then another. The three watchin4 men were m%stifie' 22 -ntil the% 4limpse' the first probin4 stal!s of other search2b-4s.

8Comm-nication68 (3*eill sai' softl%. 8Li!e bees.8

*ow five Pittsb-r4h search2b-4s were approachin4 the mo-n' of t-n4sten pro'-cts. &eceptors wavin4 excite'l%6 the% increase' their pace6 sc-rr%in4 in a s-''en b-rst of 'iscover% -p the si'e of the mo-n' to the top. A b-4 b-rrowe' an' rapi'l%'isappeare'J The whole mo-n' sh-''ere'J the b-4 was 'own insi'e6 explorin4 the extentof the fin'.

Ten min-tes later6 the first Pittsb-r4h ore carts appeare' an' be4an in'-strio-sl%h-rr%in4 off with their ha-l.

8amn it78 (3*eill sai'6 a4oniGe'. 8The%3ll have it all before etroit shows -p.8

8Can3t we 'o an%thin4 to slow them 'own58 ,erine 'eman'e' helplessl%. Leapin4to his feet6 he 4rabbe' -p a roc! an' heave' it at the nearest cart. The roc! bo-nce' offan' the cart contin-e' its wor!6 -npert-rbe'.

(3*eill 4ot to his feet an' prowle' aro-n'6 bo'% ri4i' with impotent f-r%. 0herewere the%5 The a-tofacs were e-al in all respects an' the spot was the exact same linear'istance from each center. Theoreticall%6 the parties sho-l' have arrive' sim-ltaneo-sl%.





et there was no si4n of etroit 22 an' the final pieces of t-n4sten were bein4 loa'e' before his e%es.

B-t then somethin4 strea!e' past him.

e 'i'n3t reco4niGe it6 for the obect move' too -ic!l%. It shot li!e a b-lletamon4 the tan4le' vines6 race' -p the si'e of the hill2crest6 poise' for an instant to aimitself an' h-rtle' 'own the far si'e. It smashe' 'irectl% into the lea' cart. Proectile an'victim shattere' in an abr-pt b-rst of so-n'.

$orrison leape' -p. 80hat the hell58

8That3s it78 ,erine screame'6 'ancin4 aro-n' an' wavin4 his s!inn% arms. 8It3setroit78

A secon' etroit search2b-4 appeare'6 hesitate' as it too! in the sit-ation6 an'

then fl-n4 itself f-rio-sl% at the retreatin4 Pittsb-r4h carts. ,ra4ments of t-n4stenscattere' ever%where 22 parts6 wirin46 bro!en plates6 4ears an' sprin4s an' bolts of thetwo anta4onists flew in all 'irections. The remainin4 carts wheele' screechin4l%J one ofthem '-mpe' its loa' an' rattle' off at top spee'. A secon' followe'6 still wei4he' 'ownwith t-n4sten. A etroit search2b-4 ca-4ht -p with it6 sp-n 'irectl% in its path an' neatl%overt-rne' it. B-4 an' cart rolle' 'own a shallow trench6 into a sta4nant pool of water.rippin4 an' 4listenin46 the two of them str-44le'6 half s-bmer4e'.

80ell68 (3*eill sai' -nstea'il%6 8we 'i' it. 0e can start bac! home.8 is le4s feltwea!. 80here3s o-r vehicle58

As he 4-nne' the tr-c! motor6 somethin4 flashe' a lon4 wa% off6 somethin4 lar4ean' metallic6 movin4 over the 'ea' sla4 an' ash. It was a 'ense clot of carts6 a soli'expanse of heav%2'-t% ore carriers racin4 to the scene. 0hich factor% were the% from5

It 'i'n3t matter6 for o-t of the thic! tan4le of blac! 'rippin4 vines6 a web ofco-nter2extensions was creepin4 to meet them. Both factories were assemblin4 theirmobile -nits. ,rom all 'irections6 b-4s slithere' an' crept6 closin4 in aro-n' theremainin4 heap of t-n4sten. *either factor% was 4oin4 to let nee'e' raw material 4etawa%J neither was 4oin4 to 4ive -p its fin'. Blin'l%6 mechanicall%6 in the 4rip ofinflexible 'irectives6 the two opponents labore' to assemble s-perior forces.

8Come on68 $orrison sai' -r4entl%. 8Let3s 4et o-t of here. All hell is b-rstin4loose.8

(3*eill hastil% t-rne' the tr-c! in the 'irection of the settlement. The% be4anr-mblin4 thro-4h the 'ar!ness on their wa% bac!. +ver% now an' then6 a metallic shapeshot b% them6 4oin4 in the opposite 'irection.

8i' %o- see the loa' in that last cart58 ,erine as!e'6 worrie'. 8It wasn3t empt%.8





*either were the carts that followe' it6 a whole procession of b-l4in4 s-ppl%carriers 'irecte' b% an elaborate hi4h2level s-rve%in4 -nit.

81-ns68 $orrison sai'6 e%es wi'e with apprehension. 8The%3re ta!in4 in weapons.

B-t who3s 4oin4 to -se them58

8The% are68 (3*eill answere'. e in'icate' a movement to their ri4ht. 8Loo! overthere. This is somethin4 we ha'n3t expecte'.8

The% were seein4 the first factor% representative move into action.

As the tr-c! p-lle' into the Kansas Cit% settlement6 F-'ith h-rrie' breathlessl%towar' them. ,l-tterin4 in her han' was a strip of metal2foil paper.

80hat is it58 (3*eill 'eman'e'6 4rabbin4 it from her.

8F-st come.8 is wife str-44le' to catch her breath. 8A mobile car race' -p6'roppe' it off an' left. Bi4 excitement. 1oll%6 the factor%3s a blaGe of li4hts. o- can seeit for miles.8

(3*eill scanne' the paper. It was a factor% certification for the last 4ro-p ofsettlement2place' or'ers6 a total tab-lation of re-este' an' factor%2anal%Ge' nee's.Stampe' across the list in heav% blac! t%pe were six forebo'in4 wor's:

ALL SIP$+*TS SSP+*+ *TIL ,&T+& *(TIC+

Lettin4 o-t his breath harshl%6 (3*eill han'e' the paper over to ,erine. 8*o morecons-mer 4oo's68 he sai' ironicall%6 a nervo-s 4rin twitchin4 across his face. 8Thenetwor!3s 4oin4 on a wartime footin4.8

8Then we 'i' it58 $orrison as!e' haltin4l%.

8That3s ri4ht68 (3*eill sai'. *ow that the conflict ha' been spar!e'6 he felt a4rowin46 fri4i' terror. 8Pittsb-r4h an' etroit are in it to the finish. It3s too late for -s tochan4e o-r min's6 now 22 the%3re linin4 -p allies.8





I"

Cool mornin4 s-nli4ht la% across the r-ine' plain of blac! metallic ash. The ashsmol'ere' a '-ll6 -nhealth% re'J it was still warm.

80atch %o-r step68 (3*eill ca-tione'. 1rabbin4 hol' of his wife3s arm6 he le' herfrom the r-st%6 sa44in4 tr-c!6 -p onto the top of a pile of strewn concrete bloc!s6 thescattere' remains of a pillbox installation. +arl ,erine followe'6 ma!in4 his wa%caref-ll%6 hesitantl%.

Behin' them6 the 'ilapi'ate' settlement la% sprea' o-t6 a 'isor'erl% chec!erboar'of ho-ses6 b-il'in4s an' streets. Since the a-tofac networ! ha' close' 'own its s-ppl%an' maintenance6 the h-man settlements ha' fallen into semibarbarism. The commo'itiesthat remaine' were bro!en an' onl% partl% -sable. It ha' been over a %ear since the lastmobile factor% tr-c! ha' appeare'6 loa'e' with foo'6 tools6 clothin4 an' repair parts.

,rom the flat expanse of 'ar! concrete an' metal at the foot of the mo-ntains6 nothin4ha' emer4e' in their 'irection.

Their wish ha' been 4rante' 22 the% were c-t off6 'etache' from the networ!.

(n their own.

Aro-n' the settlement 4rew ra44e' fiel's of wheat an' tattere' stal!s of s-n2 ba!e' ve4etables. Cr-'e han'ma'e tools ha' been 'istrib-te'6 primitive artifactshammere' o-t with 4reat labor b% the vario-s settlements. The settlements were lin!e'onl% b% horse'rawn carts an' b% the slow st-tter of the tele4raph !e%.

The% ha' mana4e' to !eep their or4aniGation6 tho-4h. 1oo's an' services wereexchan4e' on a slow6 stea'% basis. Basic commo'ities were pro'-ce' an' 'istrib-te'.The clothin4 that (3*eill an' his wife an' +arl ,erine wore was coarse an' -nbleache'6 b-t st-r'%. An' the% ha' mana4e' to convert a few of the tr-c!s from 4asoline to woo'.

8ere we are68 (3*eill sai'. 80e can see from here.8

8Is it worth it58 F-'ith as!e'6 exha-ste'. Ben'in4 'own6 she pl-c!e' aimlessl% ather shoe6 tr%in4 to 'i4 a pebble from the soft hi'e sole. 8It3s a lon4 wa% to come6 to seesomethin4 we3ve seen ever% 'a% for thirteen months.8

8Tr-e68 (3*eill a'mitte'6 his han' briefl% restin4 on his wife3s limp sho-l'er. 8B-tthis ma% be the last. An' that3s what we want to see.8

In the 4ra% s!% above them6 a swift circlin4 'ot of opa-e blac! move'. i4h6remote6 the 'ot sp-n an' 'arte'6 followin4 an intricate an' war% co-rse. 1ra'-all%6 its4%rations move' it towar' the mo-ntains an' the blea! expanse of bomb2r-bble'str-ct-re s-n! in their base.





8San ,rancisco68 (3*eill explaine'. 8(ne of those lon42ran4e haw! proectiles6 allthe wa% from the 0est Coast.8

8An' %o- thin! it3s the last58 ,erine as!e'.

8It3s the onl% one we3ve seen this month.8 (3*eill seate' himself an' be4ansprin!lin4 'rie' bits of tobacco into a trench of brown paper. 8An' we -se' to seeh-n're's.8

8$a%be the% have somethin4 better68 F-'ith s-44este'. She fo-n' a smooth roc!an' tire'l% seate' herself. 8Co-l' it be58

er h-sban' smile' ironicall%. 8*o. The% 'on3t have an%thin4 better.8

The three of them were tensel% silent. Above them6 the circlin4 'ot of blac! 'rew

closer. There was no si4n of activit% from the flat s-rface of metal an' concreteJ theKansas Cit% factor% remaine' inert6 totall% -nresponsive. A few billows of warm ash'rifte' across it an' one en' was partl% s-bmer4e' in r-bble. The factor% ha' ta!enn-mero-s 'irect hits. Across the plain6 the f-rrows of its s-bs-rface t-nnels la% expose'6clo44e' with 'ebris an' the 'ar!6 water2see!in4 ten'rils of to-4h vines.

8Those 'amn vines68 ,erine 4r-mble'6 pic!in4 at an ol' sore on his -nshavenchin. 8The%3re ta!in4 over the worl'.8

ere an' there aro-n' the factor%6 the 'emolishe' r-in of a mobile extensionr-ste' in the mornin4 'ew. Carts6 tr-c!s6 search2b-4s6 factor% representatives6 weaponscarriers6 4-ns6 s-ppl% trains6 s-bs-rface proectiles6 in'iscriminate parts of machiner%mixe' an' f-se' to4ether in shapeless piles. Some ha' been 'estro%e' ret-rnin4 to thefactor%J others ha' been contacte' as the% emer4e'6 f-ll% loa'e'6 heav% with e-ipment.The factor% itself 22 what remaine' of it 22 seeme' to have settle' more 'eepl% into theearth. Its -pper s-rface was barel% visible6 almost lost in 'riftin4 ash.

In fo-r 'a%s6 there ha' been no !nown activit%6 no visible movement of an% sort.

8It3s 'ea'68 ,erine sai'. 8o- can see it3s 'ea'.8

(3*eill 'i'n3t answer. S-attin4 'own6 he ma'e himself comfortable an' prepare'to wait. In his own min'6 he was s-re that some fra4ment of a-tomation remaine' in theero'e' factor%. Time wo-l' tell. e examine' his wrist2watchJ it was ei4ht thirt%. In theol' 'a%s6 the factor% wo-l' be startin4 its 'ail% ro-tine. Processions of tr-c!s an' varie'mobile -nits wo-l' be comin4 to the s-rface6 loa'e' with s-pplies6 to be4in theirexpe'itions to the h-man settlement.

(ff to the ri4ht6 somethin4 stirre'. e -ic!l% t-rne' his attention to it.





A sin4le battere' ore24atherin4 cart was creepin4 cl-msil% towar' the factor%.(ne last 'ama4e' mobile -nit tr%in4 to complete its tas!. The cart was virt-all% empt%J afew mea4er scraps of metal la% strewn in its hol'. A scaven4er. . . the metal was sectionsrippe' from 'estro%e' e-ipment enco-ntere' on the wa%. ,eebl%6 li!e a blin' metallicinsect6 the cart approache' the factor%. Its pro4ress was incre'ibl% er!%. +ver% now an'

then6 it halte'6 b-c!e' an' -ivere'6 an' wan'ere' aimlessl% off the path.

8Control is ba'68 F-'ith sai'6 with a to-ch of horror in her voice. 8The factor%3shavin4 tro-ble 4-i'in4 it bac!.8

es6 he ha' seen that. Aro-n' *ew or!6 the factor% ha' lost its hi4h2fre-enc%transmitter completel%. Its mobile -nits ha' flo-n'ere' in craG% 4%rations6 racin4 inran'om circles6 crashin4 a4ainst roc!s an' trees6 sli'in4 into 4-llies6 overt-rnin46 finall%-nwin'in4 an' becomin4 rel-ctantl% inanimate.

The ore cart reache' the e'4e of the r-ine' plain an' halte' briefl%. Above it6 the

'ot of blac! still circle' the s!%. ,or a time6 the cart remaine' froGen.

8The factor%3s tr%in4 to 'eci'e68 ,erine sai'. 8It nee's the material6 b-t it3s afrai'of that haw! -p there.8

The factor% 'ebate' an' nothin4 stirre'. Then the ore cart a4ain res-me' its-nstea'% crawl. It left the tan4le of vines an' starte' o-t across the blaste' open plain.Painf-ll%6 with infinite ca-tion6 it hea'e' towar' the slab of 'ar! concrete an' metal atthe base of the mo-ntains.

The haw! stoppe' circlin4.

81et 'own78 (3*eill sai' sharpl%. 8The%3ve 4ot those ri44e' with the new bombs.8

is wife an' Perine cro-che' 'own besi'e him an' the three of them peere'waril% at the plain an' the metal insect crawlin4 laborio-sl% across it. In the s!%6 thehaw! swept in a strai4ht line -ntil it h-n4 'irectl% over the cart. Then6 witho-t a so-n' orwarnin46 it came 'own in a strai4ht 'ive. an's to her face6 F-'ith shrie!e'6 8I can3twatch7 It3s awf-l7 Li!e wil' animals78

8It3s not after the cart68 (3*eill 4rate'.

As the airborne proectile 'roppe'6 the cart p-t on a b-rst of 'esperate spee'. Itrace' noisil% towar' the factor%6 clan!in4 an' rattlin46 tr%in4 in a last f-tile attempt toreach safel%. ,or4ettin4 the menace above6 the franticall% ea4er factor% opene' -p an'4-i'e' its mobile -nit 'irectl% insi'e. An' the haw! ha' what it wante'.

Before the barrier co-l' close6 the haw! swoope' 'own in a lon4 4li'e parallelwith the 4ro-n'. As the cart 'isappeare' into the 'epths of the factor%6 the haw! shot afterit6 a swift shimmer of metal that h-rtle' past the clan!in4 cart. S-''enl% aware6 the





factor% snappe' the barrier sh-t. 1rotes-el%6 the cart str-44le'J it was ca-4ht fast in thehalf2close' entrance.

B-t whether it free' itself 'i'n3t matter. There was a '-ll r-mblin4 stir. The4ro-n' move'6 billowe'6 then settle' bac!. A 'eep shoc! wave passe' beneath the three

watchin4 h-man bein4s. ,rom the factor% rose a sin4le col-mn of blac! smo!e. Thes-rface of concrete split li!e a 'rie' po'J it shrivele' an' bro!e6 an' 'ribble' shattere' bits of itself in a shower of r-in. The smo!e h-n4 for a while6 'riftin4 aimlessl% awa%with the mornin4 win'.

The factor% was a f-se'6 4-tte' wrec!. It ha' been penetrate' an' 'estro%e'.

(3*eill 4ot stiffl% to his feet. 8That3s all. All over with. 0e3ve 4ot what we set o-tafter 22 we3ve 'estro%e' the a-tofac networ!.8 e 4lance' at Perine. 8(r was that what wewere after58

The% loo!e' towar' the settlement that la% behin' them. Little remaine' of theor'erl% rows of ho-ses an' streets of the previo-s %ears. 0itho-t the networ!6 thesettlement ha' rapi'l% 'eca%e'. The ori4inal prospero-s neatness ha' 'issipate'J thesettlement was shabb%6 ill2!ept.

8(f co-rse68 Perine sai' haltin4l%. 8(nce we 4et into the factories an' start settin4-p o-r own assembl% lines. . .8

8Is there an%thin4 left58 F-'ith in-ire'.

8There m-st be somethin4 left. $% 1o'6 there were levels 4oin4 'own miles78

8Some of those bombs the% 'evelope' towar' the en' were awf-ll% bi468 F-'ith pointe' o-t. 8Better than an%thin4 we ha' in o-r war.8

8&emember that camp we saw5 The r-ins2s-atters58

8I wasn3t alon468 Perine sai'.

8The% were li!e wil' animals. +atin4 roots an' larvae. Sharpenin4 roc!s6 tannin4hi'es. Sava4er%6 bestialit%.8

8B-t that3s what people li!e that want68 Perine answere' 'efensivel%

8o the%5 o we want this58 (3*eill in'icate' the stra44lin4 settlement. 8Is thiswhat we set o-t loo!in4 for6 that 'a% we collecte' the t-n4sten5 (r that 'a% we tol' thefactor% tr-c! its mil! was 228 e co-l'n3t remember the wor'.

8PiGGle'68 F-'ith s-pplie'.





8Come on68 (3*eill sai'. 8Let3s 4et starte'. Let3s see what3s left of that factor% 22left for -s.8

The% approache' the r-ine' factor% late in the afternoon. ,o-r tr-c!s r-mble'sha!il% -p to the rim of the 4-tte' pit an' halte'6 motors steamin46 tailpipes 'rippin4.0ar% an' alert6 wor!men scramble' 'own an' steppe' 4in4erl% across the hot ash.

8$a%be it3s too soon68 one of them obecte'.

(3*eill ha' no intention of waitin4. 8Come on68 he or'ere'. 1rabbin4 -p aflashli4ht6 he steppe' 'own into the crater.

The sheltere' h-ll of the Kansas Cit% factor% la% 'irectl% ahea'. In its 4-tte'mo-th6 the ore cart still h-n4 ca-4ht6 b-t it was no lon4er str-44lin4. Be%on' the cart was

an omino-s pool of 4loom. (3*eill flashe' his li4ht thro-4h the entranceJ the tan4le'6 a44e' remains of -pri4ht s-pports were visible.

80e want to 4et 'own 'eep68 he sai' to $orrison6 who prowle' ca-tio-sl% besi'ehim. 8If there3s an%thin4 left6 it3s at the bottom.8

$orrison 4r-nte'. 8Those borin4 moles from Atlanta 4ot most of the 'eep la%ers.8

8ntil the others 4ot their mines s-n!.8 (3*eill steppe' caref-ll% thro-4h thesa44in4 entrance6 climbe' a heap of 'ebris that ha' been tosse' a4ainst the slit frominsi'e6 an' fo-n' himself within the factor% 22 an expanse of conf-se' wrec!a4e6 witho-t pattern or meanin4.

8+ntrop%68 $orrison breathe'6 oppresse'. 8The thin4 it alwa%s hate'. The thin4 itwas b-ilt to fi4ht. &an'om particles ever%where. *o p-rpose to it.8

8own -n'erneath68 (3*eill sai' st-bbornl%6 8we ma% fin' some seale' enclaves.I !now the% 4ot so the% were 'ivi'in4 -p into a-tonomo-s sections6 tr%in4 to preserverepair -nits intact6 to re2form the composite factor%.8

8The moles 4ot most of them6 too68 $orrison observe'6 b-t he l-mbere' after(3*eill.

Behin' them6 the wor!men came slowl%. A section of wrec!a4e shifte' omino-sl%an' a shower of hot fra4ments casca'e' 'own.

8o- men 4et bac! to the tr-c!s68 (3*eill sai'. 8*o sense en'an4erin4 an% moreof -s than we have to. If $orrison an' I 'on3t come bac!6 for4et -s 22 'on3t ris! sen'in4 aresc-e part%.8 As the% left6 he pointe' o-t to $orrison a 'escen'in4 ramp still partiall%intact. 8Let3s 4et below.8





Silentl%6 the two men passe' one 'ea' level after another. +n'less miles of 'ar!r-in stretche' o-t6 witho-t so-n' or activit%. The va4-e shapes of 'ar!ene' machiner%6-nmovin4 belts an' conve%er e-ipment were partiall% visible6 an' the partiall%complete' h-s!s of war proectiles6 bent an' twiste' b% the final blast.

80e can salva4e some of that68 (3*eill sai'6 b-t he 'i'n3t act-all% believe it. Themachiner% was f-se'6 shapeless. +ver%thin4 in the factor% ha' r-n to4ether6 molten sla4witho-t form or -se. 8(nce we 4et it to the s-rface ...8

80e can3t68 $orrison contra'icte' bitterl%. 80e 'on3t have hoists or winches.8 e!ic!e' at a heap of charre' s-pplies that ha' stoppe' alon4 its bro!en belt an' spille'halfwa% across the ramp.

8It seeme' li!e a 4oo' i'ea at the time68 (3*eill sai' as the two of them contin-e' past vacant levels of machines. 8B-t now that I loo! bac!6 I3m not so s-re.8

The% ha' penetrate' a lon4 wa% into the factor%. The final level lap sprea' o-tahea' of them. (3*eill flashe' the li4ht here an' there6 tr%in4 to locate -n'estro%e'sections6 portions of the assembl% process still intact.

It was $orrison who felt it first. e s-''enl% 'roppe' to his han's an' !neesJheav% bo'% presse' a4ainst the floor6 he la% listenin46 face har'6 e%es wi'e. 8,or 1o'3ssa!e 228

80hat is it58 (3*eill crie'. Then he6 too6 felt it. Beneath them6 a faint6 insistentvibration h-mme' thro-4h the floor6 a stea'% h-m of activit%. The% ha' been wron4J thehaw! ha' not been totall% s-ccessf-l. Below6 in a 'eeper level6 the factor% was still alive.Close'6 limite' operations still went on.

8(n its own68 (3*eill m-ttere'6 searchin4 for an extension of the 'escent lift.8A-tonomo-s activit%6 set to contin-e after the rest is 4one. ow 'o we 4et 'own58

The 'escent lift was bro!en off6 seale' b% a thic! section of metal. The still2livin4la%er beneath their feet was completel% c-t offJ there was no entrance.

&acin4 bac! the wa% the% ha' come6 (3*eill reache' the s-rface an' haile' thefirst tr-c!. 80here the hell3s the torch5 1ive it here78

The precio-s blowtorch was passe' to him an' he h-rrie' bac!6 p-ffin46 into the'epths of the r-ine' factor% where $orrison waite'. To4ether6 the two of them be4anfranticall% c-ttin4 thro-4h the warpe' metal floorin46 b-rnin4 apart the seale' la%ers of protective mesh.

8It3s comin468 $orrison 4aspe'6 s-intin4 in the 4lare of the torch. The plate fellwith a clan46 'isappearin4 into the level below. A blaGe of white li4ht b-rst -p aro-n'





them an' the two men leape' bac!.

In the seale' chamber6 f-rio-s activit% boome' an' echoe'6 a stea'% process ofmovin4 belts6 whirrin4 machine2tools6 fast2movin4 mechanical s-pervisors. At one en'6 astea'% flow of raw materials entere' the lineJ at the far en'6 the final pro'-ct was

whippe' off6 inspecte' an' cramme' into a conve%er t-be.

All this was visible for a split secon'J then the intr-sion was 'iscovere'. &obotrela%s came into pla%. The blaGe of li4hts flic!ere' an' 'imme'. The assembl% line froGeto a halt6 stoppe' in its f-rio-s activit%.

The machines clic!e' off an' became silent.

At one en'6 a mobile -nit 'etache' itself an' spe' -p the wall towar' the hole(3*eill an' $orrison ha' c-t. It slamme' an emer4enc% seal in place an' expertl%wel'e' it ti4ht. The scene below was 4one. A moment later the floor shivere' as activit%

res-me'.

$orrison6 white2face' an' sha!in46 t-rne' to (3*eill. 80hat are the% 'oin450hat are the% ma!in458

8*ot weapons68 (3*eill sai'.

8That st-ff is bein4 sent -p8 22 $orrison 4est-re' conv-lsivel% 22 8to the s-rface.8

Sha!il%6 (3*eill climbe' to his feet. 8Can we locate the spot58

8I 22 thin! so.8

80e better.8 (3*eill swept -p the flashli4ht an' starte' towar' the ascent ramp.80e3re 4oin4 to have to see what those pellets are that the%3re shootin4 -p.8

The exit valve of the conve%or t-be was conceale' in a tan4le of vines an' r-ins a-arter of a mile be%on' the factor%. In a slot of roc! at the base of the mo-ntains thevalve po!e' -p li!e a noGGle. ,rom ten %ar's awa%6 it was invisibleJ the two men werealmost on top of it before the% notice' it.

+ver% few moments6 a pellet b-rst from the valve an' shot -p into the s!%. ThenoGGle revolve' an' altere' its an4le of 'eflectionJ each pellet was la-nche' in a sli4htl%varie' traector%.

8ow far are the% 4oin458 $orrison won'ere'.

8Probabl% varies. It3s 'istrib-tin4 them at ran'om.8 (3*eill a'vance' ca-tio-sl%6





b-t the mechanism too! no note of him. Plastere' a4ainst the towerin4 wall of roc! was acr-mple' pelletJ b% acci'ent6 the noGGle ha' release' it 'irectl% at the mo-ntainsi'e.(3*eill climbe' -p6 4ot it an' -mpe' 'own.

The pellet was a smashe' container of machiner%6 tin% metallic elements too

min-te to be anal%Ge' witho-t a microscope.

8*ot a weapon68 (3*eill sai'.

The c%lin'er ha' split. At first he co-l'n3t tell if it ha' been the impact or'eliberate internal mechanisms at wor!. ,rom the rent6 an ooGe of metal bits was sli'in4.S-attin4 'own6 (3*eill examine' them.

The bits were in motion. $icroscopic machiner%6 smaller than ants6 smaller than pins6 wor!in4 ener4eticall%6 p-rposef-ll% 22 constr-ctin4 somethin4 that loo!e' li!e a tin%rectan4le of steel.

8The%3re b-il'in468 (3*eill sai'6 awe'. e 4ot -p an' prowle' on. (ff to the si'e6at the far e'4e of the 4-ll%6 he came across a 'owne' pellet far a'vance' on itsconstr-ction. Apparentl% it ha' been release' some time a4o.

This one ha' ma'e 4reat eno-4h pro4ress to be i'entifie'. $in-te as it was6 thestr-ct-re was familiar. The machiner% was b-il'in4 a miniat-re replica of the 'emolishe'factor%.

80ell68 (3*eill sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8we3re bac! where we starte' from. ,or better orworse . .. I 'on3t !now.8

8I 4-ess the% m-st be all over +arth b% now68 $orrison sai'6 8lan'in4 ever%wherean' 4oin4 to wor!.8

A tho-4ht str-c! (3*eill. 8$a%be some of them are 4eare' to escape velocit%.That wo-l' be neat 22 a-tofac networ!s thro-4ho-t the whole -niverse.8 Behin'him6 the noGGle contin-e' to sp-rt o-t its torrent of metal see's.

Service Call





It wo-l' be wiseto explain what Co-rtlan' was 'oin4 -st before the 'oorbellran4.

In his swan! apartment on Leavenworth Street where &-ssian ill 'rops to the

flat expanse of *orth Beach an' finall% to the San ,rancisco Ba% itself6 avi' Co-rtlan'sat h-nche' over a series of ro-tine reports6 a wee!3s file of technical 'ata 'ealin4 withthe res-lts of the $o-nt iablo tests. As research 'irector for Pesco Paints6 Co-rtlan'was concernin4 himself with the comparative '-rabilit% of vario-s s-rfaces man-fact-re' b% his compan%. Treate' shin4les ha' ba!e' an' sweate' in the California heat for fiveh-n're' an' sixt%2fo-r 'a%s. It was now time to see which pore2filler withstoo'oxi'ation6 an' to a'-st pro'-ction sche'-les accor'in4l%.

Involve' with his intricate anal%tical 'ata6 Co-rtlan' at first faile' to hear the bell.In the corner of the livin4 room his hi4h2fi'elit% Bo4en amplifier6 t-rntable6 an' spea!erwere pla%in4 a Sch-mann s%mphon%. is wife6 ,a%6 was 'oin4 the 'inner 'ishes in the

!itchen. The two chil'ren6 Bobb% an' &alf6 were alrea'% in their b-n! be's6 asleep.&eachin4 for his pipe6 Co-rtlan' leane' bac! from the 'es! a moment6 ran a heav% han'thro-4h his thinnin4 4ra% hair . . . an' hear' the bell.

8amn68 he sai'. "a4-el%6 he won'ere' how man% times the 'em-re chimes ha'so-n'e'J he ha' a 'im s-bliminal memor% of repeate' attempts to attract his attention.Before his tire' e%es the mass of report sheets wavere' an' rece'e'. 0ho the hell was it5is watch rea' onl% nine2thirt%J he co-l'n3t reall% complain6 %et.

80ant me to 4et it58 ,a% calle' bri4htl% from the !itchen.

8I3ll 4et it.8 0earil%6 Co-rtlan' 4ot to his feet6 st-ffe' his feet into his shoes6 an' plo''e' across the room6 past the co-ch6 floor lamp6 ma4aGine rac!6 the phono4raph6 the boo!case6 to the 'oor. e was a heav%2set mi''le2a4e' technolo4ist6 an' he 'i'n3t li!e people interr-ptin4 his wor!.

In the halls stoo' an -nfamiliar visitor. 81oo' evenin46 sir68 the visitor sai'6intentl% examinin4 a clipboar'J 8I3m sorr% to bother %o-.8

Co-rtlan' 4lare' so-rl% at the %o-n4 man. A salesman6 probabl%. Thin6 blon'2haire'6 in a white shirt6 bow tie6 sin4le2breaste' bl-e s-it6 the %o-n4 man stoo' 4rippin4his clipboar' in one han' an' a b-l4in4 blac! s-itcase with the other. is bon% feat-reswere set in an expression of serio-s concentration. There was an air of st-'io-s conf-sionabo-t himJ brow wrin!le'6 lips ti4ht to4ether6 the m-scles of his chee!s be4an to twitchinto overt worr%. 1lancin4 -p he as!e'6 8Is this 9;#@ Leavenworth5 Apartment A58

8That3s ri4ht68 Co-rtlan' sai'6 with the infinite patience '-e a '-mb animal.

The ta-t frown on the %o-n4 man3s face relaxe' a trifle. 8es6 sir68 he sai'6 in his-r4ent tenor. Peerin4 past Co-rtlan' into the apartment6 he sai'6 8I3m sorr% to bother %o-





in the evenin4 when %o-3re wor!in46 b-t as %o- probabl% !now we3ve been prett% f-ll -pthe last co-ple of 'a%s. That3s wh% we co-l'n3t answer %o-r call sooner.8

8$% call58 Co-rtlan' echoe'. n'er his -nb-ttone' collar6 he was be4innin4 to4low a '-ll re'. n'o-bte'l% somethin4 ,a% ha' 4ot him mixe' -p inJ somethin4 she

tho-4ht he sho-l' loo! into6 somethin4 vital to 4racio-s livin4. 80hat the hell are %o-tal!in4 abo-t58 he 'eman'e'. 8Come to the point.8

The %o-n4 man fl-she'6 swallowe' noisil%6 trie' to 4rin6 an' then h-rrie' onh-s!il%6 8Sir6 I3m the repairman %o- as!e' forJ I3m here to fix %o-r swibble.8

The facetio-s retort that came to Co-rtlan'3s min' was one that later on he wishe'he ha' -se'. 8$a%be68 he wishe' he ha' sai'6 8I 'on3t want m% swibble fixe'. $a%be Ili!e m% swibble the wa% it is.8 B-t he 'i'n3t sa% that. Instea'6 he blin!e'6 p-lle' the 'oorin sli4htl%6 an' sai'6 8$%'hat1/

8es6 sir68 the %o-n4 man persiste'. 8The recor' of %o-r swibble installation cameto -s as a matter of co-rse. s-all% we ma!e an a-tomatic a'-stment in-ir%6 b-t %o-rcall prece'e' that 22 so I3m here with complete service e-ipment. *ow6 as to the nat-reof %o-r partic-lar complaint. . .8 ,-rio-sl%6 the %o-n4 man pawe' thro-4h the sheaf of papers on his clipboar'. 80ell6 there3s no point in loo!in4 for thatJ %o- can tell me orall%.As %o- probabl% !now6 sir6 we3re not officiall% a part of the ven'in4 corporation. . . wehave what is calle' aninsurance-type covera4e that comes into existence a-tomaticall%6when %o-r p-rchase is ma'e. (f co-rse6 %o- can cancel the arran4ement with -s.8 ,eebl%6he trie' a o!e. 8I have hear' there3re a co-ple of competitors in the service b-siness.8

Stern moralit% replace' h-mor. P-llin4 his lan! bo'% -pri4ht6 he finishe'6 8B-t letme sa% that we3ve been in the swibble repair b-siness ever since ol' &.F. 0ri4htintro'-ce' the first A2'riven experimental mo'el.8

,or a time6 Co-rtlan' sai' nothin4. Phantasma4oria swirle' thro-4h his min':ran'om -asi2technolo4ical tho-4hts6 reflex eval-ations an' notations of no importance.So swibbles bro!e ri4ht 'own6 'i' the%5 Bi42time b-siness operations . . . sen' o-t arepairman as soon as the 'eal is close'. $onopol% tactics . . . s-eeGe o-t the competition before the% have a chance. Kic!bac! to the parent compan%6 probabl%. Interwoven boo!s.

B-t none of his tho-4hts 4ot 'own to the basic iss-e. 0ith a violent effort heforce' his attention bac! onto the earnest %o-n4 man who waite' nervo-sl% in the hallwith his blac! service !it an' clipboar'. 8*o68 Co-rtlan' sai' emphaticall%6 8no6 %o-3ve4ot the wron4 a''ress.8

8es6 sir58 the %o-n4 man -avere' politel%6 a wave of stric!en 'isma% crossin4his feat-res. 8The wron4 a''ress5 1oo' Lor'6 has 'ispatch 4ot another ro-te fo-le' -pwith that new2fan4le' 228

8Better loo! at %o-r paper a4ain68 Co-rtlan' sai'6 4riml% p-llin4 the 'oor towar'





him. 80hatever the hell a swibble is6 I haven3t 4ot oneJ an' I 'i'n3t call %o-.8

As he sh-t the 'oor6 he perceive' the final horror on the %o-n4 man3s face6 hisst-pefie' paral%sis. Then the bri4htl% painte' woo' s-rface c-t off the si4ht6 an'Co-rtlan' t-rne' wearil% bac! to his 'es!.

A swibble. 0hat the hell was a swibble5 Seatin4 himself moo'il%6 he trie' to ta!e-p where he ha' left off. . . b-t the 'irection of his tho-4hts ha' been totall% shattere'.

There was no s-ch thin4 as a swibble. An' he was on the in6 in'-striall% spea!in4.e rea'2)S) *e's, theWall Street Journal) If there was a swibble he wo-l' have hear'abo-t it 22 -nless a swibble was some pip2s-ea! 4a'4et for the home. $a%be that was it.

8Listen68 he %elle' at his wife as ,a% appeare' momentaril% at the !itchen 'oor6'ishcloth an' bl-e2willow plate in her han's. 80hat is this b-siness5 o- !now an%thin4abo-t swibbles58

,a% shoo! her hea'. 8It3s nothin4 of mine.8

8o- 'i'n3t or'er a chrome2an'2plastic a.c.2'.c. swibble from $ac%3s58

8Certainl% not.8

$a%be it was somethin4 for the !i's. $a%be it was the latest 4rammar2schoolcraGe6 the contemporar% bolo or flip car's or !noc!2!noc!2who3s2there5 B-t nine2%ear2ol' !i's 'i'n3t b-% thin4s that nee'e' a service man carr%in4 a massive blac! tool !it 22not on fift% cents a wee! allowance.

C-riosit% overcame aversion. e ha' to !now6 -st for the recor'6 what a swibblewas. Sprin4in4 to his feet6 Co-rtlan' h-rrie' to the hall 'oor an' %an!e' it open.

The hall was empt%6 of co-rse. The %o-n4 man ha' wan'ere' off. There was afaint smell of men3s colo4ne an' nervo-s perspiration6 nothin4 more.

*othin4 more6 except a wa''e'2-p fra4ment of paper that ha' come -nclippe'from the man3s boar'. Co-rtlan' bent 'own an' retrieve' it from the carpet. It was acarbon cop% of a ro-te2instr-ction6 4ivin4 co'e2i'entification6 the name of the servicecompan%6 the a''ress of the caller.

9;#@ Leavenworth Street S.,. v2call rec3' +' ,-ller :<) P.$. ?2<;. Swibble)s9? ='el-xe>. S-44est chec! lateral fee'bac! ne-ral replacement ban!. AAw2@.





The n-mbers6 the information6 meant nothin4 to Co-rtlan'. e close' the 'ooran' slowl% ret-rne' to his 'es!. Smoothin4 o-t the cr-mple' sheet of paper6 he rerea' the'-ll wor's a4ain6 tr%in4 to s-eeGe some meanin4 from them. The printe' letterhea' was:

+L+CT&(*IC S+&"IC+ I*ST&I+S

#?? $ont4omer% Street6 San ,rancisco 9#. &i;2##?@n

+st. 9@

That was it. The mea4er printe' statement: +stablishe' in 9@. an's tremblin46Co-rtlan' reache' mechanicall% for his pipe. Certainl%6 it explaine' wh% he ha' never

hear' of swibbles. It explaine' wh% he 'i'n3t own one. . . an' wh%6 no matter how man%'oors in the apartment b-il'in4 he !noc!e' on6 the %o-n4 repairman wo-l'n3t fin'an%bo'% who 'i'.

Swibbles ha'n3t been invente' %et.

After an interval of har'6 f-rio-s tho-4ht Co-rtlan' pic!e' -p the phone an''iale' the home n-mber of his s-bor'inate at the Pesco labs.

8I 'on3t care68 he sai' caref-ll%6 8what %o-3re 'oin4 this evenin4. I3m 4oin4 to 4ive%o- a list of instr-ctions an' I want them carrie' o-t ri4ht awa%.8

At the other en' of the line Fac! -rle% co-l' be hear' p-llin4 himself an4ril%to4ether. 8Toni4ht5 Listen6 ave6 the compan% isn3t m% mother 22 I have some life of m%own. If I3m s-ppose' to come r-nnin4 'own 228

8This has nothin4 to 'o with Pesco. I want a tape recor'er an' a movie camerawith infrare' lens. I want %o- to ro-n' -p a le4al steno4rapher. I want one of thecompan% electricians 22 %o- pic! him o-t6 b-t 4et the best. An' I want An'erson from theen4ineerin4 room. If %o- can3t 4et him6 4et an% of o-r 'esi4ners. An' I want somebo'%off the assembl% lineJ 4et me some ol' mechanic who !nows his st-ff. 0ho reall% !nowsmachines.8

o-btf-ll%6 -rle% sai'6 80ell6 %o-3re the bossJ at least6 %o-3re boss of research.B-t I thin! this will have to be cleare' with the compan%. 0o-l' %o- min' if I went over%o-r hea' an' 4ot an o!a% from Pesbro!e58

81o ahea'.8 Co-rtlan' ma'e a -ic! 'ecision. 8Better %et6 I3ll call him m%selfJhe3ll probabl% have to !now what3s 4oin4 on.8





80hatis 4oin4 on58 -rle% 'eman'e' c-rio-sl%. 8I never hear' %o- so-n' thiswa% before . . . has somebo'% bro-4ht o-t a self2spra%in4 paint58

Co-rtlan' h-n4 -p the phone6 waite' o-t a tort-ro-s interval6 an' then 'iale' hiss-perior6 the owner of Pesco Paint.

8o- have a min-te58 he as!e' ti4htl%6 when Pesbro!e3s wife ha' ro-se' thewhite2haire' ol' man from his after2'inner nap an' 4ot him to the phone. 8I3m mixe' -pin somethin4 bi4J I want to tal! to %o- abo-t it.8

8as it 4ot to 'o with paint58 Pesbro!e m-ttere'6 half h-moro-sl%6 half serio-sl%.8If not 228

Co-rtlan' interr-pte' him. Spea!in4 slowl%6 he 4ave a f-ll acco-nt of his contactwith the swibble repairman.

0hen Co-rtlan' ha' finishe'6 his emplo%er was silent. 80ell68 Pesbro!e sai'finall%6 8I 4-ess I co-l' 4o thro-4h some !in' of ro-tine. B-t %o-3ve 4ot me intereste'.All ri4ht6 I3ll b-% it. B-t68 he a''e' -ietl%6 8if this is an elaborate time2waster6 I3m 4oin4to bill %o- for the -se of the men an' e-ipment.8

8B% time2waster6 %o- mean if nothin4 profitable comes o-t of this58

8*o68 Pesbro!e sai'. 8I mean6 if %o-kno' it3s a fa!eJ if %o-3re conscio-sl% 4oin4alon4 with a 4a4. I3ve 4ot a mi4raine hea'ache an' I3m not 4oin4 alon4 with a 4a4. If%o-3re serio-s6 if %o- reall% thin! this mi4ht be somethin46 I3ll p-t the expenses on thecompan% boo!s.8

8I3m serio-s68 Co-rtlan' sai'. 8o- an' I are both too 'amn ol' to pla% 4ames.8

80ell68 Pesbro!e reflecte'6 8the ol'er %o- 4et6 the more %o-3re apt to 4o off the'eep en'J an' this so-n's prett% 'eep.8 e co-l' be hear' ma!in4 -p his min'. 8I3lltelephone -rle% an' 4ive him the o!a%. o- can have whatever %o- want. . . I s-ppose%o-3re 4oin4 to tr% to pin this repairman 'own an' fin' o-t what he reall% is.8

8That3s what I want to 'o.8

8S-ppose he3s on the level. . . what then58

80ell68 Co-rtlan' sai' ca-tio-sl%6 8then I want to fin' o-t what a swibble is. As astarter. $a%be after that 228

8o- thin! he3ll be bac!58

8e mi4ht be. e won3t fin' the ri4ht a''ressJ I !now that. *obo'% inthis nei4hborhoo' calle' for a swibble repairman.8





80hat 'o %o- care what a swibble is5 0h% 'on3t %o- fin' o-t how he 4ot from his perio' bac! here58

8I thin! he !nows what a swibble is 22 an' I 'on3t thin! he !nows how he 4ot here.

e 'oesn3t even !now he3s here.8

Pesbro!e a4ree'. 8That3s reasonable. If I come over6 will %o- let me in5 I3' sort ofeno% watchin4.8

8S-re68 Co-rtlan' sai'6 perspirin46 his e%e on the close' 'oor to the hall.

8B-t %o-3ll have to watch from the other room. I 'on3t want an%thin4 to fo-l this-p . . . we ma% never have another chance li!e this.8

1r-mpil%6 the -r%2ri44e' compan% team file' into the apartment an' stoo'waitin4 for Co-rtlan' to instr-ct. Fac! -rle%6 in aloha sports shirt6 slac!s6 an' crepe2sole' shoes6 clo''e' resentf-ll% over to Co-rtlan' an' wave' his ci4ar in his face. 8erewe areJ I 'on3t !now what %o- tol' Pesbro!e6 b-t %o- certainl% p-lle' him alon4.81lancin4 aro-n' the apartment6 he as!e'6 8Can I ass-me we3re 4oin4 to 4et the pitchnow5 There3s not m-ch these people can 'o -nless the% -n'erstan' what the%3re after.8

In the be'room 'oorwa% stoo' Co-rtlan'3s two sons6 e%es half2sh-t with sleep.,a% nervo-sl% swept them -p an' her'e' them bac! into the be'room. Aro-n' the livin4room the vario-s men an' women too! -p -ncertain positions6 their faces re4isterin4o-tra4e6 -neas% c-riosit%6 an' bore' in'ifference. An'erson6 the 'esi4nin4 en4ineer6 acte'aloof an' blase. $acowell6 the stoop2sho-l'ere'6 pot2bellie' lathe operator6 4lare' with proletarian resentment at the expensive f-rnishin4s of the apartment6 an' then san! intoembarrasse' apath% as he perceive' his own wor! boots an' 4rease2sat-rate' pants. Therecor'in4 specialist was trailin4 wire from his microphones to the tape recor'er set -p inthe !itchen. A slim %o-n4 woman6 the le4al steno4rapher6 was tr%in4 to ma!e herselfcomfortable in a chair in the corner. (n the co-ch6 Par!inson6 the plant emer4enc%electrician6 was 4lancin4 i'l% thro-4h a cop% of 3ortune)

80here3s the camera e-ipment58 Co-rtlan' 'eman'e'.

8Comin468 -rle% answere'. 8Are %o- tr%in4 to catch somebo'% tr%in4 o-t theol' Spanish Treas-re b-nco58

8I wo-l'n3t nee' an en4ineer an' an electrician for that68 Co-rtlan' sai' 'r%l%.Tensel%6 he pace' aro-n' the livin4 room. 8Probabl% he won3t even show -pJ he3s probabl% bac! in his own time6 b% now6 or wan'erin4 aro-n' 1o' !nows where.8

80ho58 -rle% sho-te'6 p-ffin4 4ra% ci4ar smo!e in 4rowin4 a4itation. 80hat3s





4oin4 on58

8A man !noc!e' on m% 'oor68 Co-rtlan' tol' him briefl%. 8e tal!e' abo-t somemachiner%6 e-ipment I never hear' of. Somethin4 calle' a swibble.8

Aro-n' the room blan! loo!s passe' bac! an' forth.

8Let3s 4-ess what a swibble is68 Co-rtlan' contin-e' 4riml%. 8An'erson6 %o- start.0hat wo-l' a swibble be58

An'erson 4rinne'. 8A fish hoo! that chases 'own fish.8

Par!inson vol-nteere' a 4-ess. 8An +n4lish car with onl% one wheel.8

1r-'4in4l%6 -rle% came next. 8Somethin4 '-mb. A machine for ho-se2brea!in4 pets.8

8A new plastic bra68 the le4al steno4rapher s-44este'.

8I 'on3t !now68 $acowell m-ttere' resentf-ll%. 8I never hear' of an%thin4 li!ethat.8

8All ri4ht68 Co-rtlan' a4ree'6 a4ain examinin4 his watch. e was 4ettin4 close toh%steriaJ an ho-r ha' passe' an' there was no si4n of the repairman. 80e 'on3t !nowJ wecan3t even 4-ess. B-t some'a%6 nine %ears from now6 a man name' 0ri4ht is 4oin4 toinvent a swibble6 an' it3s 4oin4 to become bi4 b-siness. People are 4oin4 to ma!e themJ people are 4oin4 to b-% them an' pa% for themJ repairmen are 4oin4 to come aro-n' an'service them.8

The 'oor opene' an' Pesbro!e entere' the apartment6 overcoat over his arm6cr-she' Stetson hat clampe' over his hea'. 8as he showe' -p a4ain58 is ancient6 alerte%es 'arte' aro-n' the room. 8o- people loo! rea'% to 4o.8

8*o si4n of him68 Co-rtlan' sai' 'rearil%. 8amn it 22 I sent him offJ I 'i'n3t 4raspit -ntil he was 4one.8 e showe' Pesbro!e the cr-mple' carbon.

8I see68 Pesbro!e sai'6 han'in4 it bac!. 8An' if he comes bac! %o-3re 4oin4 totape what he sa%s6 an' photo4raph ever%thin4 he has in the wa% of e-ipment.8 ein'icate' An'erson an' $acowell. 80hat abo-t the rest of them5 0hat3s the nee' ofthem58

8I want people here who can as! the ri4ht -estions68 Co-rtlan' explaine'. 80ewon3t 4et answers an% other wa%. The man6 if he shows -p at all6 will sta% onl% a finitetime. -rin4 that time6 we3ve 4ot to fin' o-t 22 28 e bro!e off as his wife came -p besi'ehim. 80hat is it58





8The bo%s want to watch68 ,a% explaine'. 8Can the%5 The% promise the% won3tma!e an% noise.8 She a''e' wistf-ll%6 8I3' sort of li!e to watch6 too.8

80atch6 then68 Co-rtlan' answere' 4loomil%. 8$a%be there won3t be an%thin4 tosee.8

0hile ,a% serve' coffee aro-n'6 Co-rtlan' went on with his explanation. 8,irst ofall6 we want to fin' o-t if this man is on the level. (-r first -estions will be aime' attrippin4 him -pJ I want these specialists to 4o to wor! on him. If he3s a fa!e6 the%3ll probabl% fin' it o-t.8

8An' if he isn3t58 An'erson as!e'6 an intereste' expression on his face. 8If heisn3t6 %o-3re sa%in4. . .8

8If he isn3t6 then he3s from the next 'eca'e6 an' I want him p-mpe' for all he3sworth. B-t 228 Co-rtlan' pa-se'. 8I 'o-bt if we3ll 4et m-ch theor%. I ha' the impression

that he3s a lon4 wa% 'own on the totem pole. The best we probabl% can 'o is 4et a r-n2'own on his specific wor!. ,rom that6 we ma% have to assemble o-r pict-re6 ma!e o-rown extrapolations.8

8o- thin! he can tell -s what he 'oes for a livin468 Pesbro!e sai' cannil%6 8b-tthat3s abo-t it.8

80e3ll be l-c!% if he shows -p at all68 Co-rtlan' sai'. e settle' 'own on theco-ch an' be4an metho'icall% !noc!in4 his pipe a4ainst the ashtra%. 8All we can 'o iswait. +ach of %o- thin! over what %o-3re 4oin4 to as!. Tr% to fi4-re o-t the -estions %o-want answere' b% a man from the f-t-re who 'oesn3t !now he3s from the f-t-re6 who3str%in4 to repair e-ipment that 'oesn3t %et exist.8

8I3m scare'68 the le4al steno4rapher sai'6 white2face' an' wi'e2e%e'6 her coffeec-p tremblin4.

8I3m abo-t fe' -p68 -rle% m-ttere'6 e%es fixe' s-llenl% on the floor. 8This is all alot of hot air.8

It was -st abo-t that time that the swibble repairman came a4ain6 an' once moretimi'l% !noc!e' on the hall 'oor.

The %o-n4 repairman was fl-stere'. An' he was 4ettin4 pert-rbe'. 8I3m sorr%6 sir68he be4an witho-t preamble. 8I can see %o- have compan%6 b-t I3ve rechec!e' m% ro-teinstr-ctions an' this isa4solutely the ri4ht a''ress.8 e a''e' plaintivel%6 8I trie' someother apartmentsJ nobo'% !new what I was tal!in4 abo-t.8

8Come in68 Co-rtlan' mana4e'. e steppe' asi'e6 4ot himself between theswibble repairman an' the 'oor6 an' -shere' him into the livin4 room.





8Is this the person58 Pesbro!e r-mble' 'o-btf-ll%6 his 4ra% e%es narrowin4.

Co-rtlan' i4nore' him. 8Sit 'own68 he or'ere' the swibble repairman. (-t of thecorner of his e%e he co-l' see An'erson an' -rle% an' $acowell movin4 in closel%JPar!inson threw 'own his 3ortune an' 4ot -ic!l% to his feet. In the !itchen6 the so-n' of

tape r-nnin4 thro-4h the recor'in4 hea' was a-'ible . . . the room ha' be4-n movin4 intoactivit%.

8I co-l' come some other time68 the repairman sai' apprehensivel%6 e%ein4 theclosin4 circle of people. 8I 'on3t want to bother %o-6 sir6 when %o- have 4-ests.8

Perche' 4riml% on the arm of the co-ch6 Co-rtlan' sai'6 8This is as 4oo' a time asan%. In fact6 this is the best time.8 A wil' floo' of relief spille' over him: now the% ha' achance. 8I 'on3t !now what 4ot into me68 he went on rapi'l%. 8I was conf-se'. (f co-rse Ihave a swibbleJ it3s set -p in the 'inin4 room.8

The repairman3s face twitche' with a spasm of la-4hter. 8(h6 reall%68 he cho!e'.8In the 'inin4 room5 That3s abo-t the f-nniest o!e I3ve hear' in wee!s.8

Co-rtlan' 4lance' at Pesbro!e. 0hat the hell was so f-nn% abo-t that5 Then hisflesh be4an to crawlJ col' sweat bro!e o-t on his forehea' an' the palms of his han's.0hat the hell was a swibble5 $a%be the% ha' better fin' o-t ri4ht awa% 22 or not at all.$a%be the% were 4ettin4 into somethin4 'eeper than the% !new. $a%be 22 an' he 'i'n3tli!e the tho-4ht 22 the% were better off where the% were.

8I was conf-se'68 he sai'6 8b% %o-r nomenclat-re. I 'on3t thin! of it as a swibble.8Ca-tio-sl%6 he finishe'6 8I !now that3s the pop-lar ar4on6 b-t with that m-ch mone%involve'6 I li!e to thin! of it b% its le4itimate title.8

The swibble repairman loo!e' completel% conf-se'J Co-rtlan' realiGe' that heha' ma'e another mista!eJ apparentl% s'i44le was its correct name.

Pesbro!e spo!e -p. 8ow lon4 have %o- been repairin4 swibbles6 $r. . . .8 ewaite'6 b-t there was no response from the thin6 blan! face. 80hat3s %o-r name6 %o-n4man58 he 'eman'e'.

8$%'hat%/ The swibble repairman p-lle' er!il% awa%. 8I 'on3t -n'erstan' %o-6sir.8

1oo' Lor'6 Co-rtlan' tho-4ht. It was 4oin4 to be a lot har'er than he ha' realiGe'22 than an% of them ha' realiGe'.

An4ril%6 Pesbro!e sai'6 8o- m-st have a name. +ver%bo'% has a name.8

The %o-n4 repairman 4-lpe' an' stare' 'own re'2face' at the carpet. 8I3m stillonl% in service 4ro-p fo-r6 sir. So I 'on3t have a name %et.8





8Let it 4o68 Co-rtlan' sai'. 0hat !in' of a societ% 4ave o-t names as a stat-s privile4e5 8I want to ma!e s-re %o-3re a competent repairman68 he explaine'. 8ow lon4have %o- been repairin4 swibbles58

8,or six %ears an' three months68 the repairman asserte'. Pri'e too! the place ofembarrassment. 8In -nior hi4h school I showe' a strai4ht2A recor' in swibble2maintenance aptit-'e.8 is mea4er chest swelle'. 8I3m a born swibble2man68

8,ine68 Co-rtlan' a4ree' -neasil%J he co-l'n3t believe the in'-str% was that bi4.The% 4ave tests in -nior hi4h school5 0as swibble maintenance consi'ere' a basictalent6 li!e s%mbol manip-lation an' man-al 'exterit%5 a' swibble wor! become asf-n'amental as m-sical talent6 or as the abilit% to conceive spatial relationships5

80ell68 the repairman sai' bris!l%6 4atherin4 -p his b-l4in4 tool !it6 8I3m all rea'%to 4et starte'. I have to be bac! at the shop before lon4. . . I3ve 4ot a lot of other calls.8

Bl-ntl%6 Pesbro!e steppe' -p s-arel% in front of the thin %o-n4 man. 80hat is aswibble58 he 'eman'e'. 8I3m tire' of this 'amn foolin4 aro-n'. o- sa% %o- wor! onthese thin4s 22'hat are they% That3s a simple eno-4h -estionJ the% m-st be somethin4.8

80h%68 the %o-n4 man sai' hesitantl%6 8I mean6 that3s har' to sa%. S-ppose 22 well6s-ppose %o- as! me what a cat or a 'o4 is. ow can I answer that53

80e3re 4ettin4 nowhere68 An'erson spo!e -p. 8The swibble is man-fact-re'6 isn3tit5 o- m-st have schematics6 thenJ han' them over.8

The %o-n4 repairman 4rippe' his tool !it 'efensivel%. 80hat in the worl' is thematter6 sir5 If this is %o-r i'ea of a o!e 22 8 e t-rne' bac! to Co-rtlan'. 8I3' li!e to startwor!J I reall% 'on3t have m-ch time.8

Stan'in4 in the corner6 han's shove' 'eep in his poc!ets6 $acowell sai' slowl%68I3ve been thin!in4 abo-t 4ettin4 a swibble. The miss-s thin!s we o-4ht to have one.8

8(h6 certainl%68 the repairman a4ree'. Color risin4 in his chee!s6 he r-she' on68I3m s-rprise' %o- 'on3t have a swibble alrea'%J in fact6 I can3t ima4ine what3s wron4with %o- people. o-3re all actin4 22 o''l%. 0here6 if I ma% as!6 'o %o- come from5 0h%are %o- so 22 well6 so -ninforme'58

8These people68 Co-rtlan' explaine'6 8come from a part of the co-ntr% wherethere aren3t an% swibbles.8

Instantl%6 the repairman3s face har'ene' with s-spicion. 8(h58 he sai' sharpl%.8Interestin4. 0hat part of the co-ntr% is that58

A4ain6 Co-rtlan' ha' sai' the wron4 thin4J he !new that. 0hile he flo-n'ere' for





a response6 $acowell cleare' his throat an' inexorabl% went on. 8An%how68 hesai'6 8we3ve been meanin4 to 4et one. o- have an% fol'ers with %o-5 Pict-res of'ifferent mo'els58

The repairman respon'e'. 8I3m afrai' not6 sir. B-t if %o-3ll 4ive me %o-r a''ress

I3ll have the sales 'epartment sen' %o- information. An' if %o- want6 a -alifie'representative can call on %o- at %o-r convenience an' 'escribe the a'vanta4es ofownin4 a swibble.8

8The first swibble was 'evelope' in 9@58 -rle% as!e'.

8That3s ri4ht.8 The repairman3s s-spicions ha' momentaril% l-lle'. 8An' -st intime6 too. Let me sa% this 22 if 0ri4ht ha'n3t 4ot his first mo'el 4oin46 there wo-l'n3t bean% h-man bein4s left alive. o- people here who 'on3t own swibbles 22 %o- ma% not!now it 22 an' %o- certainl% act as if %o- 'i'n3t !now it 22 b-t %o-3re alive ri4ht now beca-se of ol' &.F. 0ri4ht. It3s swibbles that !eep the worl' 4oin4.8

(penin4 his blac! case6 the repairman bris!l% bro-4ht o-t a complicate'apparat-s of t-bes an' wirin4. e fille' a 'r-m with clear fl-i'6 seale' it6 trie' the pl-n4er6 an' strai4htene' -p. 8I3ll start o-t with a shot of 'x 22 that -s-all% p-ts them bac!into operation.8

80hat is 'x58 An'erson as!e' -ic!l%.

S-rprise' at the -estion6 the repairman answere'6 8It3s a hi4h2protein foo'concentrate. 0e3ve fo-n' that ninet% per cent of o-r earl% service calls are the res-lt ofimproper 'iet. People -st 'on3t !now how to care for their new swibble.8

8$% 1o'68 An'erson sai' feebl%. 8It3s alive.8

Co-rtlan'3s min' too! a nose 'ive. e ha' been wron4J it wasn3t precisel% arepairman who ha' stoo' 4atherin4 his e-ipment to4ether. The man ha' come to fix theswibble6 all ri4ht6 b-t his capacit% was sli4htl% 'ifferent than Co-rtlan' ha' s-ppose'. ewasn3t a repairmanJ he was a veterinarian.

La%in4 o-t instr-ments an' meters6 the %o-n4 man explaine': 8The new swibblesare a lot more complex than the earl% mo'elsJ I nee' all this before I can even 4et starte'.B-t blame the 0ar.8

8The 0ar58 ,a% Co-rtlan' echoe' apprehensivel%.

8*ot the earl% war. The bi4 one6 in 3E?. That little war in 3@9 wasn3t reall% m-ch.o- !now6 I s-ppose6 that 0ri4ht was ori4inall% an Arm% en4ineer6 statione' over in 22well6 I 4-ess it was calle' +-rope. I believe the i'ea came to him beca-se of all thoseref-4ees po-rin4 across the bor'er. es6 I3m s-re that3s how it was. -rin4 that little war6 bac! in 3@96 the% came across b% the millions. An' the% went the other wa%6 too. $%





4oo'ness6 people were shiftin4 bac! an' forth between the two camps 22 it wasrevoltin4.8

8I3m not clear on m% histor%68 Co-rtlan' sai' thic!l%. 8I never pai' m-ch attentionin school. . . the 3@9 war6 that was between &-ssia an' America58

8(h68 the repairman sai'6 8it was between ever%bo'%. &-ssia hea'e' the +asternsi'e6 of co-rse. An' America the 0est. B-t ever%bo'% was in it. That was the little war6tho-4hJ that 'i'n3t co-nt.8

8Little58 ,a% 'eman'e'6 horrifie'.

80ell68 the repairman a'mitte'6 8I s-ppose it loo!e' li!e a lot at the time. B-t Imean6 there were b-il'in4s still stan'in46 afterwar'. An' it onl% laste' a few months.8

80ho 22 won58 An'erson croa!e'.

The repairman tittere'. 80on5 0hat an o'' -estion. 0ell6 there were more people left in the +astern bloc6 if that3s what %o- mean. An%how6 the importance of the3@9 war 22 an' I3m sure %o-r histor% teachers ma'e that clear 22 was that swibblesappeare'. &.F. 0ri4ht 4ot his i'ea from the camp2chan4ers that appeare' in that war. So b% 3E?6 when thereal war came alon46 we ha' plent% of swibbles.8 Tho-4htf-ll%6 hea''e'6 8In fact6 I3' sa% the real war was a war over swibbles. I mean6 it was the last war. Itwas the war between the people who wante' swibbles an' those who 'i'n3t.8Complacentl%6 he finishe'6 8*ee'less to sa%6'e won.8

After a time Co-rtlan' mana4e' to as!6 80hat happene' to the others5 Those who22 'i'n3t want swibbles.8

80h%68 the repairman sai' 4entl%6 8the swibbles 4ot them.8

Sha!il%6 Co-rtlan' starte' his pipe 4oin4. 8I 'i'n3t !now abo-t that.8

80hat 'o %o- mean58 Pesbro!e 'eman'e' hoarsel%. 8ow 'i' the% 4et them50hat 'i' the% 'o58

Astonishe'6 the repairman shoo! his hea'. 8I 'i'n3t !now there was s-chi4norance in la% circles.8 The position of p-n'it obvio-sl% please' himJ stic!in4 o-t his bon% chest6 he procee'e' to lect-re the circle of intent faces on the f-n'amentals ofhistor%. 80ri4ht3s first A2'riven swibble was cr-'e6 of co-rse. B-t it serve' its p-rpose.(ri4inall%6 it was able to 'ifferentiate the camp2shifters into two 4ro-ps: those who ha'reall% seen the li4ht6 an' those who were insincere. Those who were 4oin4 to shift bac!. . . who weren3t reall% lo%al. The a-thorities wante' to !now which of the shiftersha' reall% come over to the 0est an' which were spies an' secret a4ents. That was theori4inal swibble f-nction. B-t that was nothin4 compare' to now.8





8*o68 Co-rtlan' a4ree'6 paral%Ge'. 8*othin4 at all.8

8*ow68 the repairman sai' slee!l%6 8we 'on3t 'eal with s-ch cr-'ities. It3s abs-r'to wait -ntil an in'ivi'-al has accepte' a contrar% i'eolo4%6 an' then hope he3ll shiftawa% from it. In a wa%6 it3s ironic6 isn3t it5 After the 3@9 war there was reall% onl% one

contrar% i'eolo4%: those who oppose' the swibbles.8

e la-4he' happil%. 8So the swibbles 'ifferentiate' those who 'i'n3t want to be'ifferentiate' b% swibbles. $%6 that was -ite a war. Beca-se that wasn3t a mess% war6with a lot of bombs an' ellie' 4asoline. That was a scientific war 22 none of that ran'om p-lveriGin4. That was -st swibbles 4oin4 'own into cellars an' r-ins an' hi'in4 placesan' 'i44in4 o-t those Contrapersons one b% one. ntil we ha' all of them. So now68 hefinishe'6 4atherin4 -p his e-ipment6 8we 'on3t have to worr% abo-t wars or an%thin4 ofthat sort. There won3t be an% more conflicts6 beca-se we 'on3t have an% contrar%i'eolo4ies. As 0ri4ht showe'6 it 'oesn3t reall% matter what i'eolo4% we haveJ it isn3timportant whether it3s Comm-nism or ,ree +nterprise or Socialism or ,ascism or

Slaver%. 0hat3s important is that ever% one of -s a4rees completel%J that we3re allabsol-tel% lo%al. An' as lon4 as we have o-r swibbles 228 e win!e' !nowin4l% atCo-rtlan'. 80ell6 as a new swibble owner6 %o-3ve fo-n' o-t the a'vanta4es. o- !nowthe sense of sec-rit% an' satisfaction in bein4certain that %o-r i'eolo4% is exactl%con4r-ent with that of ever%bo'% else in the worl'. That there3s no possibilit%6 no chancewhatsoever that %o-3ll 4o astra% 22 an' that some passin4 swibble will fee' on %o-.8

It was $acowell who mana4e' to p-ll himself to4ether first. 8eah68 he sai'ironicall%. 8It certainl% so-n's li!e what the miss-s an' I want.8

8(h6 %o- o-4ht to have a swibble of %o-r own68 the repairman -r4e'. 8Consi'er 22if %o- have %o-r own swibble6 it3ll a'-st %o- a-tomaticall%. It3ll !eep %o- on the ri4httrac! witho-t strain or f-ss. o-3ll alwa%s !now %o-3re not 4oin4 wron4 22 remember theswibble slo4an: 0h% behalf lo%al5 0ith %o-r own swibble6 %o-r o-tloo! will becorrecte' b% painless 'e4rees . . . b-t if %o- wait6 if %o- -sthope %o-3re on the ri4ht trac!6wh%6 one of these 'a%s %o- ma% wal! into a frien'3s livin4 room an' his swibble ma% -stsimpl% crac! %o- open an' 'rin! %o- 'own. (f co-rse68 he reflecte'6 8a passin4 swibblema% still 4et %o- in time to strai4hten %o- o-t. B-t -s-all% it3s too late. s-all% 228 esmile'. 8s-all% people 4o be%on' re'emption6 once the% 4et starte'.8

8An' %o-r ob68 Pesbro!e m-ttere'6 8is to !eep the swibbles wor!in458

8The% 'o 4et o-t of a'-stment6 left to themselves.8

8Isn3t it a !in' of para'ox58 Pesbro!e p-rs-e'. 8The swibbles !eep -s ina'-stment6 an' we !eep them in a'-stment. . . it3s a close' circle.8

The repairman was intri4-e'. 8es6 that3s an interestin4 wa% of p-ttin4 it. B-t wem-st !eep control over the swibbles6 of co-rse. So the% 'on3t 'ie.8 e shivere'. 8(rworse.8





8ie58 -rle% sai'6 still not -n'erstan'in4. 8B-t if the%3re b-ilt 228 0rin!lin4 his brows he sai'6 8+ither the%3re machines or the%3re alive. 0hich is it58

Patientl%6 the repairman explaine' elementar% ph%sics. 8Swibble2c-lt-re is an

or4anic phenot%pe evolve' in a protein me'i-m -n'er controlle' con'itions. The'irectin4 ne-rolo4ical tiss-e that forms the basis of the swibble is alive6 certainl%6 in thesense that it 4rows6 thin!s6 fee's6 excretes waste. es6 it3s 'efinitel% alive. B-t theswibble6 as a f-nctionin4 whole6 is a man-fact-re' item. The or4anic tiss-e is inserte' inthe master tan! an' then seale'. I certainl% 'on3t repair that5 I 4ive it n-triments to restorea proper balance of 'iet6 an' I tr% to 'eal with parasitic or4anisms that fin' their wa% intoit. I tr% to !eep it a'-ste' an' health%. The balance of the or4anism6 is6 of co-rse6 totall%mechanical.8

8The swibble has 'irect access to h-man min's58 An'erson as!e'6 fascinate'.

8*at-rall%. It3s an artificiall% evolve' telepathic metaGoan. An' with it6 0ri4htsolve' the basic problem of mo'ern times: the existence of 'iverse6 warrin4 i'eolo4icalfactions6 the presence of 'islo%alt% an' 'issent. In the wor's of 1eneral Steiner3s famo-saphorism: 0ar is an extension of the 'isa4reement from the votin4 booth to the battlefiel'. An' the preamble of the 0orl' Service Charter: war6 if it is to be eliminate'6m-st be eliminate' from the min's of men6 for it is in the min's of men that 'isa4reement be4ins. p -ntil 9@6 we ha' no wa% to 4et into the min's of men. p -ntil 9@6 the problem was -nsolvable.8

8Than! 1o'68 ,a% sai' clearl%.

The repairman faile' to hear herJ he was carrie' awa% b% his own enth-siasm.8B% means of the swibble6 we3ve mana4e' to transform the basic sociolo4ical problem oflo%alt% into a ro-tine technical matter: to the mere matter of maintenance an' repair. (-ronl% concern is !eep the swibbles f-nctionin4 correctl%J the rest is -p to them.8

8In other wor's68 Co-rtlan' sai' faintl%6 8%o- repairmen are the onl% controllin4infl-ence over the swibbles. o- represent the total h-man a4enc% stan'in4 above thesemachines.8

The repairman reflecte'. 8I s-ppose so68 he a'mitte' mo'estl%. 8es6 that3scorrect.8

8+xcept for %o-6 the% prett% 'amn well mana4e the h-man race.8

The bon% chest swelle' with complacent6 confi'ent pri'e. 8I s-ppose %o- co-l'sa% that.8

8Loo!68 Co-rtlan' sai' thic!l%. e 4rabbe' hol' of the man3s arm. 8ow the hellcan %o- be s-re5 Are %o- reall% in control58 A craG% hope was risin4 -p insi'e him: as





lon4 as men ha' power over the swibbles there was a chance to roll thin4s bac!. Theswibbles co-l' be 'isassemble'6 ta!en apart piece b% piece. As lon4 as swibbles ha' tos-bmit to h-man servicin4 it wasn3t -ite hopeless.

80hat6 sir58 the repairman in-ire'. 8(f co-rse we3re in control. on3t %o-

worr%.8 ,irml%6 he 'isen4a4e' Co-rtlan'3s fin4ers. 8*ow6 where is %o-r swibble58 e4lance' aro-n' the room. 8I3ll have to h-rr%J there isn3t m-ch time left.8

8I haven3t 4ot a swibble68 Co-rtlan' sai'.

,or a moment it 'i'n3t re4ister. Then a stran4e6 intricate expression crosse' therepairman3s face. 8*o swibble5 B-t %o- tol' me 228

8Somethin4 went wron468 Co-rtlan' sai' hoarsel%. 8There aren3t an% swibbles. It3stoo earl% 22 the% haven3t been invente'. n'erstan'5 o- came too soon78

The %o-n4 man3s e%es poppe'. Cl-tchin4 his e-ipment6 he st-mble' bac! twosteps6 blin!e'6 opene' his mo-th an' trie' to spea!. 8Too 22 soon58 The comprehensionarrive'. S-''enl% he loo!e' ol'er6 m-ch ol'er. 8I won'ere'. All the -n'ama4e' b-il'in4s. . . the archaic f-rnishin4s. The transmission machiner% m-st have misphase'78&a4e flashe' over him. 8That instantaneo-s service 22 I !new 'ispatch sho-l' have st-c!to the ol' mechanical s%stem. I tol' them to ma!e better tests. Lor'6 there3s 4oin4 to behell to pa%J if we ever 4et this mix2-p strai4htene' o-t I3ll be s-rprise'.8

Ben'in4 'own f-rio-sl%6 he hastil% 'roppe' his e-ipment bac! in the case. In asin4le motion he slamme' an' loc!e' it6 strai4htene' -p6 bowe' briefl% at Co-rtlan'.

81oo' evenin468 he sai' fri4i'l%. An' vanishe'.

The circle of watchers ha' nothin4 to watch. The swibble repairman ha' 4one bac! to where he came from.

After a time Pesbro!e t-rne' an' si4nale' to the man in the !itchen. 8$i4ht aswell sh-t off the tape recor'er68 he m-ttere' blea!l%. 8There3s nothin4 more to recor'.8

81oo' Lor'68 -rle% sai'6 sha!en. 8A worl' r-n b% machines.8

,a% shivere'. 8I co-l'n3t believe that little fellow ha' so m-ch powerJ I tho-4ht hewas -st a minor official.8

8e3s completel% in char4e68 Co-rtlan' sai' harshl%.

There was silence.





(ne of the two chil'ren %awne' sleepil%. ,a% t-rne' abr-ptl% to them an' her'e'them efficientl% into the be'room. 8Time for %o- two to be in be'68 she comman'e'6 withfalse 4aiet%.

Protestin4 s-llenl%6 the two bo%s 'isappeare'6 an' the 'oor close'. 1ra'-all%6 the

livin4 room bro!e into motion. The tape2recor'er man be4an rewin'in4 his reel. Thele4al steno4rapher sha!il% collecte' her notes an' p-t awa% her pencils. -rle% lit -p aci4ar an' stoo' p-ffin4 moo'il%6 his face 'ar! an' somber.

8I s-ppose68 Co-rtlan' sai' finall%6 8that we3ve all accepte' itJ we ass-me it3s nota fa!e.8

80ell68 Pesbro!e pointe' o-t6 8he vanishe'. That o-4ht to be proof eno-4h. An'all the -n! he too! o-t of his !it 228

8It3s onl% nine %ears68 Par!inson6 the electrician6 sai' tho-4htf-ll%. 80ri4ht m-st

be alive alrea'%. Let3s loo! him -p an' stic! a shiv into him.8

8Arm% en4ineer68 $acowell a4ree'. 8&.F. 0ri4ht. It o-4ht to be possible tolocate him. $a%be we can !eep it from happenin4.8

8ow lon4 wo-l' %o- 4-ess people li!e him can !eep the swibbles -n'ercontrol58 An'erson as!e'.

Co-rtlan' shr-44e' wearil%. 8*o tellin4. $a%be %ears . . . ma%be a cent-r%. B-tsooner or later somethin43s 4oin4 to come -p6 somethin4 the% 'i'n3t expect. An' then it3ll be pre'ator% machiner% pre%in4 on all of -s.8

,a% sh-''ere' violentl%. 8It so-n's awf-lJ I3m certainl% 4la' it won3t be for awhile.8

8o- an' the repairman68 Co-rtlan' sai' bitterl%. 8As lon4 as it 'oesn3t affect %o-228

,a%3s overwro-4ht nerves flare' -p. 80e3ll 'isc-ss it later on.8 She smile' er!il%at Pesbro!e. 8$ore coffee5 I3ll p-t some on.8 T-rnin4 on her heel6 she r-she' from thelivin4 room into the !itchen.

0hile she was fillin4 the Silex with water6 the 'oorbell -ietl% ran4.

The roomf-l of people froGe. The% loo!e' at each other6 m-te an' horrifie'.

8e3s bac!68 -rle% sai' thic!l%.

8$a%be it3s not him68 An'erson s-44este' wea!l%. 8$a%be it3s the camera people6finall%.8





B-t none of them move' towar' the 'oor. After a time the bell ran4 a4ain6 lon4er6an' more insistentl%.

80e have to answer it68 Pesbro!e sai' woo'enl%.

8*ot me68 the le4al steno4rapher -avere'.

8This isn3t m% apartment68 $acowell pointe' o-t.

Co-rtlan' move' ri4i'l% towar' the 'oor. +ven before he too! hol' of the !nobhe !new what it was. ispatch6 -sin4 its new2fan4le' instantaneo-s transmission.Somethin4 to 4et wor! crews an' repairmen 'irectl% to their stations. So control of theswibbles wo-l' be absol-te an' perfectJ so nothin4 wo-l' 4o wron4.

B-t somethin4 ha' 4one wron4. The control ha' fo-le' itself -p. It was wor!in4

-psi'e 'own6 completel% bac!war'. Self2'efeatin46 f-tile: it was too perfect. 1rippin4 the!nob6 he tore the 'oor open.

Stan'in4 in the hall were fo-r men. The% wore plain 4ra% -niforms an' caps. Thefirst of them whippe' off his cap6 4lance' at a written sheet of paper6 an' then no''e' politel% at Co-rtlan'.

8+venin46 sir68 he sai' cheerf-ll%. e was a h-s!% man6 wi'e2sho-l'ere'6 with ashoc! of thic! brown hair han4in4 over his sweat2shin% forehea'. 80e 22 -h 22 4ot a littlelost6 I 4-ess. Too! a while to 4et here.8

Peerin4 into the apartment6 he hitche' -p his heav% leather belt6 st-ffe' his ro-tesheet into his poc!et6 an' r-bbe' his lar4e6 competent han's to4ether.

8It3s 'ownstairs in the tr-n!68 he anno-nce'6 a''ressin4 Co-rtlan' an' the wholelivin4 room of people. 8Tell me where %o- want it6 an' we3ll brin4 it ri4ht -p. 0e sho-l'have a 4oo'2siGe' space 22 that si'e over there b% the win'ow sho-l' 'o.8 T-rnin4 awa%6he an' his crew move' ener4eticall% towar' the service elevator. 8These late2mo'elswibbles ta!e -p a lot of room.8

Captive Market





Sat-r'a% mornin46 abo-t eleven o3cloc!6 $rs. +'na Berthelson was rea'% to ma!eher little trip. Altho-4h it was a wee!l% affair6 cons-min4 fo-r ho-rs of her val-able b-siness time6 she ma'e the profitable trip alone6 preservin4 for herself the inte4rit% of

her fin'.

Beca-se that was what it was. A fin'6 a stro!e of incre'ible l-c!. There wasnothin4 else li!e it6 an' she ha' been in b-siness fift%2three %ears. $ore6 if the %ears inher father3s store were co-nte' 22 b-t the% 'i'n3t reall% co-nt. That ha' been for theexperience =her father ma'e that clear>J no pa% was involve'. B-t it 4ave her the-n'erstan'in4 of b-siness6 the feel of operatin4 a small co-ntr% store6 '-stin4 pencils an'-nwrappin4 fl%paper an' servin4 -p 'rie' beans an' chasin4 the cat o-t of the crac!er barrel where he li!e' to sleep.

*ow the store was ol'6 an' so was she. The bi46 heav%set6 blac! browe' man who

was her father ha' 'ie' lon4 a4oJ her own chil'ren an' 4ran'chil'ren ha' been spawne'6ha' crept o-t over the worl'6 were ever%where. (ne b% one the% ha' appeare'6 live' in0aln-t Cree!6 sweate' thro-4h the 'r%6 s-n2ba!e' s-mmers6 an' then 4one on6 leavin4one b% one as the% ha' come. She an' the store sa44e' an' settle' a little more each %ear6 became a little more frail an' stern an' 4rim. A little more themselves.

That mornin4 ver% earl% Fac!ie sai': 81ran'maw6 where are %o- 4oin458Altho-4h he !new6 of co-rse6 where she was 4oin4. She was 4oin4 o-t in her tr-c! as shealwa%s 'i'J this was the Sat-r'a% trip. B-t he li!e' to as!J he was please' b% the stabilit%of the answer. e li!e' havin4 it alwa%s the same.

To another -estion there was another -nvar%in4 answer6 b-t this one 'i'n3t pleasehim so m-ch. It came in answer to the -estion.8Can I come alon458

The answer to that was alwa%s no.

+'na Berthelson laborio-sl% carrie' pac!a4es an' boxes from the bac! of thestore to the r-st%6 -pri4ht pic!-p tr-c!. -st la% over the tr-c!J its re'2metal si'es were bent an' corro'e'. The motor was alrea'% onJ it was wheeGin4 an' heatin4 -p in themi''a% s-n. A few 'rab chic!ens pec!e' in the '-st aro-n' its wheels. n'er the porchof the store a pl-mp white sha44% sheep s-atte'6 its face vapi'6 in'olent6 in'ifferentl%watchin4 the activit% of the 'a%. Cars an' tr-c!s rolle' alon4 $o-nt iablo Bo-levar'.Alon4 Lafa%ette Aven-e a few shoppers strolle'6 farmers an' their wives6 pett% b-sinessmen6 farmhan's6 some cit% women in their 4a-'% slac!s an' print shirts6 san'als6 ban'annas. In the front of the store the ra'io tinnil% pla%e' pop-lar son4s.

8I as!e' %o- a -estion68 Fac!ie sai' ri4hteo-sl%. 8I as!e' %o- where %o-3re4oin4.8

$rs. Berthelson bent stiffl% over to lift the last armloa' of boxes. $ost of the





loa'in4 ha' been 'one the ni4ht before b% Arnie the Swe'e6 the h-l!in46 white2haire'hire' man who 'i' the heav% wor! aro-n' the store. 80hat58 she m-rm-re' va4-el%6 her4ra%6 wrin!le' face twistin4 with concentration. 8o- !now perfectl% well where I3m4oin4. 8

Fac!ie traile' plaintivel% after her6 as she reentere' the store to loo! for her or'er boo!. 8Can I come5 Please6 can I come alon45 o- never let me come 22%o- never letan%bo'% come. 8

8(f co-rse not68 $rs. Berthelson sai' sharpl%. 8It3s nobo'%3s b-siness. 8

8B-t I want to come alon468 Fac!ie explaine'.

Sl%l%6 the little ol' woman t-rne' her 4ra% hea' an' peere' bac! at him6 a worn6colorless bir' ta!in4 in a worl' perfectl% -n'erstoo'. 8So 'oes ever%bo'% else.8 Thin lipstwitchin4 in a secret smile6 $rs. Berthelson sai' softl%: 8B-t nobo'% can.8

Fac!ie 'i'n3t li!e the so-n' of that. S-llenl%6 he retire' to a comer6 han's st-c!'eep in the poc!ets of his eans6 not ta!in4 part in somethin4 that was 'enie' him6 notapprovin4 of somethin4 in which he co-l' not share. $rs. Berthelson i4nore' him. She p-lle' her fra%e' bl-e sweater aro-n' her thin sho-l'ers6 locate' her s-n4lasses6 p-lle'the screen 'oor sh-t after her6 an' stro'e bris!l% to the tr-c!.

1ettin4 the tr-c! into 4ear was an intricate process. ,or a time she sat t-44in4crossl% at the shift6 p-mpin4 the cl-tch -p an' 'own6 waitin4 impatientl% for the teeth tofall into place. At last6 screechin4 an' chatterin46 the 4ears meshe'J the tr-c! leape' alittle6 an' $rs. Berthelson 4-nne' the motor an' release' the han' bra!e.

As the tr-c! roare' er!il% 'own the 'rivewa%6 Fac!ie 'etache' himself from thesha'e b% the ho-se an' followe' alon4 after it. is mother was nowhere in si4ht. (nl%the 'oGin4 sheep an' the two scratchin4 chic!ens were visible. +ven Arnie the Swe'ewas 4one6 probabl% 4ettin4 a col' Co!e. *ow was a fine time. *ow was the best time heha' ever ha'. An' it was 4oin4 to be sooner or later an%how6 beca-se he was 'etermine'to come alon4.

1rabbin4 hol' of the tailboar' of the tr-c!6 Fac!ie hoiste' himself -p an' lan'e'face'own on the ti4htl% pac!e' heaps of pac!a4es an' boxes. n'er him the tr-c! bo-nce' an' b-mpe'. Fac!ie h-n4 on for 'ear lifeJ cl-tchin4 at the boxes he p-lle' hisle4s -n'er him6 cro-che' 'own6 an' 'esperatel% so-4ht to !eep from bein4 fl-n4 off.1ra'-all%6 the tr-c! ri4hte' itself6 an' the tor-e 'iminishe'. e breathe' a si4h of reliefan' settle' 4ratef-ll% 'own.

e was on his wa%. e was alon46 finall%. Accompan%in4 $rs. Berthelson on hersecret wee!l% trip6 her stran4e covert enterprise from which 22 he ha' hear' 22 she ma'e afab-lo-s profit. A trip which nobo'% -n'erstoo'6 an' which he !new6 in the 'eep recessesof his chil'3s min'6 was somethin4 awesome an' won'erf-l6 somethin4 that wo-l' be





well worth the tro-ble.

e ha' hope' ferventl% that she wo-l'n3t stop to chec! her loa' alon4 the wa%.

0ith infinite care6 Tellman prepare' himself a c-p of 8coffee8. ,irst6 he carrie' atin c-p of roaste' 4rain over to the 4asoline 'r-m the colon% -se' as a mixin4 bowl.-mpin4 it in6 he h-rrie' to a'' a han'f-l of chicor% an' a few fra4ments of 'rie' bran.irt2staine' han's tremblin46 he mana4e' to 4et a fire starte' amon4 the ashes an' coals-n'er the pitte' metal 4rate. e set a pan of tepi' water on the flames an' searche' for aspoon.

80hat are %o- -p to58 his wife 'eman'e' from behin' him.

8h68 Tellman m-ttere'. *ervo-sl%6 he e'4e' between 1la'%s an' the meal. 8F-st

foolin4 aro-n'.8 In spite of himself6 his voice too! on a na44in4 whine. 8I have a ri4ht tofix m%self somethin46 'on3t I5 As m-ch ri4ht as an%bo'% else.8

8o- o-4ht to be over helpin4.8

8I was. I wrenche' somethin4 in m% bac!.8 The wir%6 mi''le2a4e' man '-c!e'-neasil% awa% from his wifeJ t-44in4 at the remains of his soile' white shirt6 he retreate'towar' the 'oor of the shac!. 8amn it6 a person has to rest6 sometimes.8

8&est when we 4et there.8 1la'%s wearil% br-she' bac! her thic!6 'ar!2blon'ehair. 8S-ppose ever%bo'% was li!e %o-.8

Tellman fl-she' resentf-ll%. 80ho plotte' o-r traector%5 0ho3s 'one all thenavi4ation wor!58

A faint ironic smile to-che' his wife3s chappe' lips. 80e3ll see how %o-r chartswor! o-t68 she sai'. 8Then we3ll tal! abo-t it.8

+nra4e'6 Tellman pl-n4e' o-t of the shac!6 into the blin'in4 late afternoons-nli4ht.

e hate' the s-n6 the sterile white 4lare that be4an at five in the mornin4 an'laste' -ntil nine in the evenin4. The Bi4 Blast ha' siGGle' the water vapor from the airJthe s-n beat 'own pitilessl%6 sparin4 nobo'%. B-t there were few left to care.

To his ri4ht was the cl-ster of shac!s that ma'e -p the camp. An eclecticho'4epo'4e of boar's6 sheets of tin6 wire an' tar paper6 -pri4ht concrete bloc!s6 an%thin4an' ever%thin4 'ra44e' from the San ,rancisco r-ins6 fort% miles west. Cloth blan!etsflappe' 'ismall% in 'oorwa%s6 protection a4ainst the vast hosts of insects that sweptacross the campsite from time to time. Bir's6 the nat-ral enem% of insects6 were 4one.





Tellman ha'n3t seen a bir' in two %ears 22 an' he 'i'n3t expect to see one a4ain. Be%on'the camp be4an the eternal 'ea' blac! ash6 the charre' face of the worl'6 witho-tfeat-res6 witho-t life.

The camp ha' been set -p in a nat-ral hollow. (ne si'e was sheltere' b% the

t-mble' r-ins of what ha' once been a minor mo-ntain ran4e. The conc-ssion of the blast ha' b-rst the towerin4 cliffsJ roc! ha' casca'e' into the valle% for 'a%s. After San,rancisco ha' been fire' o-t of existence6 s-rvivors ha' crept into the heaps of bo-l'ers6loo!in4 for a place to hi'e from the s-n. That was the har'est part: the -nshiel'e' s-n. *ot the insects6 not the ra'ioactive clo-'s of ash6 not the flashin4 white f-r% of the blasts6 b-t the s-n. $ore people ha' 'ie' of thirst an' 'eh%'ration an' blin' insanit% than fromtoxic poisons.

,rom his breast poc!et6 Tellman 4ot a precio-s pac!a4e of ci4arettes. Sha!il%6 helit -p. is thin6 clawli!e han's were tremblin46 partl% from fati4-e6 partl% from ra4e an'tension. ow he hate' the camp. e loathe' ever%bo'% in it6 his wife incl-'e'. 0ere the%

worth savin45 e 'o-bte' it. $ost of them were barbarians6 alrea'%J what 'i' it matter ifthe% 4ot the ship off or not5 e was sweatin4 awa% his min' an' life6 tr%in4 to save them.The hell with them.

B-t then6 his own safet% was involve' with theirs.

e stal!e' stiff2le44e' over to where Barnes an' $asterson stoo' tal!in4. 8ow3sit comin458 he 'eman'e' 4r-ffl%.

8,ine68 Barnes answere'. 8It won3t he lon46 now.8

8(ne more loa'68 $asterson sai'. is heav% feat-res twitche' -neasil%. 8I hopenothin4 4ets fo-le' -p. She o-4ht to be here an% min-te. 8

Tellman loathe' the sweat%6 animal2li!e scent that rolle' from $asterson3s beef% bo'%. Their sit-ation wasn3t an exc-se to creep aro-n' filth% as a pi4 . . . on "en-s6 thin4swo-l' be 'ifferent. $asterson was -sef-l6 nowJ he was an experience' mechanic6inval-able in servicin4 the t-rbine an' ets of the ship. B-t when the ship ha' lan'e' an' been pilla4e' . . .

Satisfie'6 Tellman broo'e' over the reestablishment of the ri4htf-l or'er. Thehierarch% ha' collapse' in the r-ins of the cities6 b-t it wo-l' be bac! stron4 as ever. Ta!e,lanner%6 for example. ,lanner% was nothin4 b-t a fo-l2mo-the'6 shant%2Irishsteve'ore . . . b-t he was in char4e of loa'in4 the ship6 the 4reatest ob at the moment.,lanner% was top 'o46 for the time bein4 . . . b-t that wo-l' chan4e.

It ha' to chan4e. Console'6 Tellman strolle' awa% from Barnes an' $asterson6over to the ship itself.

The ship was h-4e. Across its m-GGle the stencile' i'entification still remaine'6





not %et totall% obliterate' b% 'riftin4 ash an' the searin4 heat of the s-n.

.S. A&$ (&*A*C+

S+&I+S A2 =B>

(ri4inall%6 it ha' been a hi4h2velocit% 8massive retaliation8 weapon6 loa'e' withan 2warhea'6 rea'% to carr% in'iscriminate 'eath to the enem%. The proectile ha' never been la-nche'. Soviet toxic cr%stals ha' blown -ietl% into the win'ows an' 'oors of thelocal comman' barrac!s. 0hen la-nchin4 'a% arrive'6 there was no crew to sen' it off.B-t it 'i'n3t matter 22 there was no enem%6 either. The roc!et ha' stoo' on its b-ttoc!s formonths . . . it was still there when the first ref-4ees stra44le' into the shelter of the

'emolishe' mo-ntains.

8*ice6 isn3t it58 Patricia Shelb% sai'. She 4lance' -p from her wor! an' smile' blearil% at Tellman. er small6 prett% face was strea!e' with fati4-e an' e%estrain. 8Sortof li!e the tr%lon at the *ew or! 0orl'3s ,air.8

8$% 1o'68 Tellman sai'6 8%o- remember that58

8I was onl% ei4ht68 Patricia answere'. In the sha'ow of the ship she was caref-ll%chec!in4 the a-tomatic rela%s that wo-l' maintain the air6 temperat-re6 an' h-mi'it% ofthe ship. 8B-t I3ll never for4et it. $a%be I was a preco4 22 when I saw it stic!in4 -p I!new some'a% it wo-l' mean a lot to ever%bo'%. 8

8A lot to the twent% of -s68 Tellman correcte'. S-''enl% he offere' her theremains of his ci4arette. 8ere 22 %o- loo! li!e %o- co-l' -se it.8

8Than!s.8 Patricia contin-e' with her wor!6 the ci4arette between her lips. 8I3malmost 'one 22 Bo%6 some of these rela%s are tin%. F-st thin!.8 She hel' -p a microscopicwafer of transparent plastic. 80hile we3re all o-t col'6 this ma!es the 'ifference betweenlife an' 'eath.8 A stran4e6 awe' loo! crept into her 'ar!2bl-e e%es. 8To the h-man race.8

Tellman 4-ffawe'. 8o- an' ,lanner%. e3s alwa%s spo-tin4 i'ealistic twa''le.8

Professor Fohn Crowle%6 once hea' of the histor% 'epartment at Stanfor'6 now thenominal lea'er of the colon%6 sat with ,lanner% an' Fean obbs6 examinin4 thes-pp-ratin4 arm of a ten2%ear2ol' bo%. 8&a'iation68 Crowle% was sa%in4 emphaticall%.8The overall level is risin4 'ail%. It3s settlin4 ash that 'oes it. If we 'on3t 4et o-t soon6we3re 'one.8

8It3s not ra'iation68 ,lanner% correcte' in his -ltimatel% certain voice. 8It3s toxic





cr%stalline poisonin4J that st-ff3s !nee2'eep -p in the hills. e3s been pla%in4 aro-n' -pthere.8

8Is that so58 Fean obbs 'eman'e'. The bo% no''e' his hea' not 'arin4 to loo!at her. 8o-3re ri4ht68 she sai' to ,lanner%.

8P-t some salve on it68 ,lanner% sai'. 8An' hope he3ll live. (-tsi'e ofs-lfathiaGole there3s not m-ch we have.8 e 4lance' at his watch6 s-''enl% tense. 8nlessshe brin4s the penicillin6 to'a%.8

8If she 'oesn3t brin4 it to'a%68 Crowle% sai'6 8she3ll never brin4 it. This is the lastloa'J as soon as it3s store'6 we3re ta!in4 off.8

&-bbin4 his han's6 ,lanner% s-''enl% bellowe': 8Then 4et o-t the mone%78

Crowle% 4rinne'. 8&i4ht.8 e f-mble' in one of the steel stora4e loc!ers an'

%an!e' o-t a han'f-l of paper bills. ol'in4 a sheaf of bills -p to Tellman he fanne'them o-t invitin4l%. 8Ta!e %o-r pic!. Ta!e them all.8

*ervo-sl%6 Tellman sai'6 8Be caref-l with that. She3s probabl% raise' the price onever%thin46 a4ain.8

80e3ve 4ot plent%.8 ,lanner% too! some an' st-ffe' it into a partl% fille' loa' bein4 wheele' b%6 on its wa% to the ship. 8There3s mone% blowin4 all over the worl'6alon4 with the ash an' particles of bone. (n "en-s we won3t nee' it 22 she mi4ht as wellhave it all.8

(n "en-s6 Tellman tho-4ht6 sava4el%6 thin4s wo-l' revert to their le4itimate or'er22 with ,lanner% 'i44in4 sewers where he belon4e'. 80hat3s she brin4in4 mostl%58 heas!e' Crowle% an' Fean obbs6 i4norin4 ,lanner%. 80hat3s the last loa' ma'e -p of58

8Comic boo!s68 ,lanner% sai' 'reamil%6 wipin4 perspiration from his bal'in4forehea'J he was a lean6 tall6 'ar!2haire' %o-n4 man. 8An' harmonicas.8

Crowle% win!e' at him. 8!e pic!s6 so we can lie in o-r hammoc!s all 'a%6str-mmin4 3Someone3s in the Kitchen with inah.3 8

8An' swiGGle stic!s68 ,lanner% remin'e' him. 8In or'er that we ma% all the more properl% flatten the b-bbles of o-r vinta4e 3; champa4ne.8

Tellman boile'. 8o- 'e4enerate78

Crowle% an' ,lanner% roare' with la-4hter6 an' Tellman stal!e' off6 smol'erin4-n'er this new h-miliation. 0hat !in' of morons an' l-natics were the%5 Fo!in4 at atime li!e this . . . e peere' miserabl%6 almost acc-sin4l%6 at the ship. 0as this the !in' ofworl' the% were 4oin4 to fo-n'5





In the pitiless white2hot s-n6 the h-4e ship shimmere' an' 4lowe'. A vast -pri4htt-be of allo% an' protective fiber mesh risin4 -p above the t-mble of wretche' shac!s.(ne more loa'6 an' the% were off. (ne more tr-c!f-l of s-pplies from their onl% so-rce6the mea4er tric!le of -ncontaminate' 4oo's that meant the 'ifference between life an'

'eath.

Pra%in4 that nothin4 wo-l' 4o wron46 Tellman t-rne' to await the arrival of $rs.+'na Berthelson an' her battere' re' pic!-p tr-c!. Their fra4ile -mbilical cor'6connectin4 them with the op-lent6 -n'ama4e' past.

(n both si'es of the roa' la% 4roves of l-sh apricot trees. Bees an' flies b-GGe'sleepil% amon4 the rottin4 fr-it scattere' over the soilJ ever% now an' then a roa'si'estan' appeare'6 operate' b% somnamb-listic chil'ren. In 'rivewa%s stoo' par!e' B-ic!s

an' (l'smobiles. &-ral 'o4s wan'ere' here an' there. At one intersection stoo' a swan!tavern6 its neon si4n blin!in4 on an' off6 4hostl% pale in the mi'mornin4 s-n.

$rs. +'na Berthelson 4lare' hostilel% at the tavern6 an' at the cars par!e' aro-n'it. Cit% people were movin4 o-t into the valle%6 c-ttin4 'own the ol' oa! trees6 theancient fr-it orchar's6 settin4 -p s-b-rban homes6 stoppin4 in the mi''le of the 'a% for awhis!e% so-r an' then 'rivin4 cheerf-ll% on. rivin4 at sevent%2five miles an ho-r intheir swept2bac! Chr%slers. A col-mn of cars that ha' pile' -p behin' her tr-c! s-''enl% b-rst forth an' sw-n4 past her. She let them 4o6 ston%2face'6 in'ifferent. Serve' themri4ht for bein4 in s-ch a h-rr%. If she alwa%s h-rrie' li!e that6 she wo-l' never have ha'time to pa% attention to that o'' abilit% she ha' fo-n' in her introspective6 lonel% 'rivesJnever have 'iscovere' that she co-l' loo! 8ahea'68 never have 'iscovere' that hole in thewarp of time which enable' her to tra'e so easil% at her own exorbitant prices. Let themh-rr% if the% wante'. The heav% loa' in the bac! of the tr-c! o44e' rh%thmicall%. Themotor wheeGe'. A4ainst the bac! win'ow a half2'ea' fl% b-GGe'.

Fac!ie la% stretche' o-t amon4 the cartons an' boxes6 eno%in4 the ri'e6 4aGin4complacentl% at the apricot trees an' cars. A4ainst the hot s!% the pea! of $o-nt iablorose6 bl-e an' white6 an expanse of col' roc!. Trails of mist cl-n4 to the pea!J $o-ntiablo went a lon4 wa% -p. e ma'e a face at a 'o4 stan'in4 in'olentl% at the si'e of theroa'6 waitin4 to cross. e wave' 4ail% at a Pacific Telephone Co. repairman6 strin4in4wire from a h-4e reel.

Abr-ptl% the tr-c! t-rne' off the state hi4hwa% an' onto a blac! s-rface' si'eroa'. *ow there were fewer cars. The tr-c! be4an to climb . . . the rich orchar's fell behin' an' 4ave wa% to flat brown fiel's. A 'ilapi'ate' farmho-se la% to the ri4htJ hewatche' it with interest6 won'erin4 how ol' it was. 0hen it was o-t of si4ht6 no otherman2ma'e str-ct-res followe'. The fiel's became -n!empt. Bro!en6 sa44in4 fences werevisible occasionall%. Tom si4ns6 no lon4er le4ible. The tr-c! was approachin4 the base of$o-nt iablo . . . almost nobo'% came this wa%.





I'l%6 the bo% won'ere' wh% $rs. Berthelson3s little trip too! her in this 'irection. *obo'% live' hereJ s-''enl% there were no fiel's6 onl% scr-b 4rass an' b-shes6 wil'co-ntr%si'e6 the t-mble' slope of the mo-ntain. A rabbit hoppe' s!illf-ll% across the half2'eca%e' roa'. &ollin4 hills6 a broa' expanse of trees an' strewn bo-l'ers . . . there was

nothin4 here b-t a state fire tower6 an' ma%be a watershe'. An' an aban'one' picnicarea6 once maintaine' b% the state6 now for4otten.

An e'4e of fear to-che' the bo%. *o c-stomers live' o-t this wa% . . . he ha' been positive the battere' re' pic!-p tr-c! wo-l' hea' 'irectl% into town6 ta!e him an' theloa' to San ,rancisco or (a!lan' or Ber!ele%6 a cit% where he co-l' 4et o-t an' r-naro-n'6 see interestin4 si4hts. There was nothin4 here6 onl% aban'one' emptiness6 silentan' forebo'in4. In the sha'ow of the mo-ntain6 the air was chill. e shivere'. All at oncehe wishe' he ha'n3t come.

$rs. Berthelson slowe' the tr-c! an' shifte' noisil% into low. 0ith a roar an' an

explosive belch of exha-st 4ases6 the tr-c! crept -p a steep ascent6 amon4 a44e' bo-l'ers6 omino-s an' sharp. Somewhere far off a bir' crie' shrill%J Fac!ie listene' to itsthin so-n's echoin4 'ismall% awa% an' won'ere' how he co-l' attract his 4ran'mother3sattention. It wo-l' be nice to be in front6 in the cabin. It wo-l' be nice 22

An' then he notice' it. At first he 'i'n3t believe it . . . b-t he ha' to believe it.

n'er him6 the tr-c! was be4innin4 to fa'e awa%.

It fa'e' slowl%6 almost imperceptibl%. immer an' 'immer the tr-c! 4rewJ itsr-st% re' si'es became 4ra%6 then colorless. The blac! roa' was visible -n'erneath. Inwil' panic6 the bo% cl-tche' at the piles of boxes. is han's passe' thro-4h themJ he wasri'in4 precario-sl% on an -neven sea of 'im shapes6 amon4 almost invisible phantoms.

e l-rche' an' sli' 'own. *ow 22 hi'eo-sl% 22 he was s-spen'e' momentaril%halfwa% thro-4h the tr-c!6 -st above the tail pipe. 1ropin4 'esperatel%6 he str-44le' tocatch hol' of the boxes 'irectl% above him. 8elp78 he sho-te'. is voice echoe' aro-n'himJ it was the onl% so-n' . . . the roar of the tr-c! was fa'in4. ,or a moment he cl-tche'at the retreatin4 shape of the tr-c!J then6 4entl%6 4ra'-all%6 the last ima4e of the tr-c!fa'e'6 an' with a sic!enin4 cr-nch6 the bo% 'roppe' to the roa'.

The impact sent him rollin4 into the 'r% wee's be%on' the 'raina4e 'itch.St-nne'6 'aGe' with 'isbelief an' pain6 he la% 4aspin46 tr%in4 feebl% to p-ll himself -p.There was onl% silenceJ the tr-c!6 $rs. Berthelson6 ha' vanishe'. e was totall% alone.e close' his e%es an' la% bac!6 st-pefie' with fri4ht.

Sometime later6 probabl% not m-ch later6 he was aro-se' b% the s-eal of bra!es.A 'irt%6 oran4e state maintenance tr-c! ha' l-rche' to a stopJ two men in !ha!i wor!clothes were climbin4 'own an' h-rr%in4 over.





80hat3s the matter58 one %elle' at him. The% 4rabbe' him -p6 faces serio-s an'alarme'. 80hat are %o- 'oin4 here58

8,ell68 he m-ttere'. 8(ff the tr-c!.8

30hat tr-c!58 the% 'eman'e'. 8ow58

e co-l'n3t tell them. All he !new was that $rs. Berthelson ha' 4one. e ha'n3tma'e it6 after all. (nce a4ain6 she was ma!in4 her trip alone. e wo-l' never !nowwhere she wentJ he wo-l' never fin' o-t who her c-stomers were.

1rippin4 the steerin4 wheel of the tr-c!6 $rs. Berthelson was conscio-s that thetransition ha' ta!en place. "a4-el%6 she was aware that the rollin4 brown fiel's6 roc!s an'4reen scr-b b-shes ha' fa'e' o-t. The first time she ha' 4one 8ahea'8 she ha' fo-n' the

ol' tr-c! flo-n'erin4 in a sea of blac! ash. She ha' been so excite' b% her 'iscover% that'a% that she ha' ne4lecte' to 8scan8 con'itions on the other si'e of the hole. She ha'!nown there were c-stomers . . . an' 'ashe' hea'lon4 thro-4h the warp to 4et there first.She smile' complacentl% . . . she nee'n3t have h-rrie'6 there was no competition here. Infact6 the c-stomers were so ea4er to 'eal with her6 the% ha' 'one virt-all% ever%thin4 intheir power to ma!e thin4s easier for her.

The men ha' b-ilt a cr-'e strip of roa' o-t into the ash6 a sort of woo'en platformonto which the tr-c! now rolle'. She ha' learne' the exact moment to 84o ahea'8J it wasthe instant that the tr-c! passe' the 'raina4e c-lvert a -arter mile insi'e the state par!.ere6 8ahea'68 the c-lvert also existe' . . . b-t there was little left of it6 onl% a va4-e -mble of shattere' stone. An' the roa' was -tterl% b-rie'. n'er the wheels of the tr-c!the ro-4h boar's th-mpe' an' ban4e'. It wo-l' be ba' if she ha' a flat tire . . . b-t someof them co-l' fix it. The% were alwa%s wor!in4J one little a''itional tas! wo-l'n3t ma!em-ch 'ifference. She co-l' see them6 nowJ the% stoo' at the en' of the woo'en platform6waitin4 impatientl% for her. Be%on' them was their -mble of cr-'e6 smell% shac!s6 an' be%on' that6 their ship.

A lot she care' abo-t their ship. She !new what it was: stolen arm% propert%.Settin4 her bon% han' ri4i'l% aro-n' the 4earshift !nob6 she threw the tr-c! into ne-tralan' coaste' to a stop. As the men approache'6 she be4an p-llin4 on the han' bra!e.

8Afternoon68 Professor Crowle% m-ttere'6 his e%es sharp an' !een as he peere'ea4erl% into the bac! of the tr-c!.

$rs. Berthelson 4r-nte' a noncommittal answer. She 'i'n3t li!e an% of them . . .'irt% men6 smellin4 of sweat an' fear6 their bo'ies an' clothes strea!e' with 4rime6 an'the ancient coatin4 of 'esperation that never seeme' to leave them. Li!e awe'6 pitif-lchil'ren the% cl-stere' aro-n' the tr-c!6 po!in4 hopef-ll% at the pac!a4es6 alrea'% be4innin4 to pl-c! them o-t onto the blac! 4ro-n'.





8ere now68 she sai' sharpl%. 8o- leave those alone.8

Their han's 'arte' bac! as if seare'. $rs. Berthelson sternl% climbe' from thetr-c!6 4rabbe' -p her inventor% sheet an' plo''e' -p to Crowle%.

8o- -st wait68 she tol' him. 8Those have to be chec!e' off.8

e no''e'6 4lance' at $asterson6 lic!e' his 'r% lips6 an' waite'. The% all waite'.It ha' alwa%s been that wa%J the% !new6 an' she !new6 that there was no other wa% the%co-l' 4et their s-pplies. An' if the% 'i'n3t 4et their s-pplies6 their foo' an' me'icine an'clothin4 an' instr-ments an' tools an' raw materials6 the% wo-l'n3t be able to leave intheir ship.

In this worl'6 in the 8ahea'68 s-ch thin4s 'i'n3t exist. At least6 not so an%bo'%co-l' -se them. A c-rsor% 4lance ha' tol' her thatJ she co-l' see the r-in with her own

e%es. The% ha'n3t ta!en ver% 4oo' care of their worl'. The% ha' waste' it all6 t-rne' itinto blac! ash an' r-in. 0ell6 it was their b-siness6 not hers.

She ha' never been m-ch intereste' in the relationship between their worl' an'hers. She was content to !now that both existe'6 an' that she co-l' 4o from one to theother an' bac!. An' she was the onl% one who !new how. Several times6 people from thisworl'6 members of this 4ro-p6 ha' trie' to 4o 8bac! there8 with her. It ha' alwa%s faile'.As she ma'e the transition6 the% were left behin'. It was her power6 her fac-lt%. *ot ashare' fac-lt% 22 she was 4la' of that. An' for a person in b-siness6 -ite a val-ablefac-lt%.

8All ri4ht68 she sai' crispl%. Stan'in4 where she co-l' !eep her e%e on them6 she be4an chec!in4 off each box as it was carrie' from the tr-c!. er ro-tine was exact an'certainJ it was part of her life. As lon4 as she co-l' remember she ha' transacte' b-sinessin a 'istinct wa%. er father ha' ta-4ht her how to live in a b-siness worl'J she ha'learne' his stem principles an' r-les. She was followin4 them now.

,lanner% an' Patricia Shelb% stoo' to4ether at one si'eJ ,lanner% hel' the mone%6 pa%ment for the 'eliver%. 80ell68 he sai'6 -n'er his breath6 8now we can tell her to 4oleap in the river.8

8Are %o- s-re58 Pat as!e' nervo-sl%.

8The last loa'3s here.8 ,lanner% 4rinne' star!l% an' ran a tremblin4 han' thro-4hhis thinnin4 blac! hair. 8*ow we can 4et rollin4. 0ith this st-ff6 the ship3s cramme' tothe 4ills. 0e ma% even have to sit 'own an' eat some of that now.8 e in'icate' a b-l4in4 pasteboar' carton of 4roceries. 8Bacon6 e44s6 mil!6 real coffee. $a%be we won3tshove it in 'eep2freeGe. $a%be we o-4ht to have a last2meal2before2the2fli4ht or4%.8

0istf-ll%6 Pat sai'6 8It wo-l' be nice. It3s been a lon4 time since we3ve ha' foo'





li!e that.8

$asterson stro'e over. 8Let3s !ill her an' boil her in a bi4 !ettle. S!inn% ol' witch22 she mi4ht ma!e 4oo' so-p.8

8In the oven68 ,lanner% correcte'. 8Some 4in4erbrea'6 to ta!e alon4 with -s.8

8I wish %o- wo-l'n3t tal! li!e that68 Pat sai' apprehensivel%. 8She3s so 22 well6ma%be she is a witch. I mean6 ma%be that3s what witches were . . . ol' women withstran4e talents. Li!e her 22 bein4 able to pass thro-4h time.8

8amn l-c!% for -s68 $asterson sai' briefl%.

8B-t she 'oesn3t -n'erstan' it. oes she5 oes she !now what she3s 'oin45 Thatshe co-l' save -s all this b% sharin4 her abilit%. oes she !now what3s happene' to o-rworl'58

,lanner% consi'ere'. 8Probabl% she 'oesn3t !now 22 or care. A min' li!e hers6 b-siness an' profit24ettin4 exorbitant rates from -s6 sellin4 this st-ff to -s at an incre'ible premi-m. An' the o!e is that mone%3s worth nothin4 to -s. If she co-l' see6 she3' !nowthat. It3s -st paper6 in this worl'. B-t she3s ca-4ht in a narrow little ro-tine. B-siness6 profit.8 e shoo! his hea'. 8A min' li!e that6 a warpe'6 miserable flea2siGe' min' . . .an' she has that -ni-e talent.8

8B-t she can see68 Pat persiste'. 8She can see the ash6 the r-in. ow can she not!now58

,lanner% shr-44e'. 8She probabl% 'oesn3t connect it with her own life. After all6she3ll be 'ea' in a co-ple of %ears . . . she won3t see the war in her real time. She3ll onl%see it this wa%6 as a re4ion into which she can travel. A sort of travelo4-e of stran4e lan's.She can enter an' leave 22 b-t we3re st-c!. It m-st 4ive %o- a 'amn fine sense of sec-rit%to be able to wal! o-t of one worl' into another. 1o'6 what I3' 4ive to be able to 4o bac!with her.8

8It3s been trie'68 $asterson pointe' o-t. 8That liGar'hea' Tellman trie' it. An' hecame wal!in4 bac!6 covere' with ash. e sai' the tr-c! fa'e' o-t.8

8(f co- rse it 'i'68 ,lanner% sai' mil'l%. 8She 'rove it bac! to 0aln-tCree!. Bac! to 9@?. 8

The -nloa'in4 ha' been complete'. The members of the colon% were toilin4 -pthe slope6 l-44in4 the cartons to the chec! area beneath the ship. $rs. Berthelson stro'eover to ,lanner%6 accompanie' b% Professor Crowle%.

8ere3s the inventor%68 she sai' bris!l%. 8A few items co-l'n3t be fo-n'. o-!now6 I 'on3t stoc! all that in m% store. I have to sen' o-t for most of it.8





80e !now68 ,lanner% sai'6 col'l% am-se'. It wo-l' be interestin4 to see a co-ntr%store that stoc!e' binoc-lar microscopes6 t-rret lathes6 froGen pac!s of antibiotics6 hi4h2fre-enc% ra'io transmitters6 a'vance' textboo!s in all fiel's.

8So that3s wh% I have to char4e %o- a little 'earer68 the ol' woman contin-e'6 theinflexible ro-tine of s-eeGe. 8(n items I brin4 in 228 She examine' her inventor%6 thenret-rne' the ten2pa4e t%pewritten list that Crowle% ha' 4iven her on the previo-s visit.8Some of these weren3t available. I mar!e' them bac! or'er. That b-nch of metals fromthose laboratories bac! +ast 22 the% sai' ma%be later.8 A c-nnin4 loo! sli' over theancient 4ra% e%es. 8An' the%3ll be ver% expensive.8

8It 'oesn3t matter68 ,lanner% sai'6 han'in4 her the mone%. 8o- can cancel all the bac! or'ers.8

At first her face showe' nothin4. (nl% a va4-e inabilit% to -n'erstan'.

8*o more shipments68 Crowle% explaine'. A certain tension fa'e' from themJ forthe first time6 the% weren3t afrai' of her. The ol' relationship ha' en'e'. The% weren3t'epen'ent on the r-st% re' tr-c!. The% ha' their shipmentJ the% were rea'% to leave.

80e3re ta!in4 off68 ,lanner% sai'6 4rinnin4 star!l%. 80e3re f-ll -p. 8

Comprehension came. 8B-t I place' or'ers for those thin4s.8 er voice was thin6 blea!. 0itho-t emotion6 8The%3ll be shippe' to me. I3ll have to pa% for them.8

80ell68 ,lanner% sai' softl%6 8isn3t that too 'amn ba'.8

Crowle% shot him a warnin4 4lance. 8Sorr%68 he sai' to the ol' woman. 80e can3tstic! aro-n' 22 this place is 4ettin4 hot. 0e3ve 4ot to ta!e off.8

(n the withere' face6 'isma% t-rne' to 4rowin4 wrath. 8o- or'ere' those thin4s7o- have to ta!e them78 er shrill voice rose to a screech of f-r%. 80hat am I s-ppose'to 'o with them58

As ,lanner% frame' his bitter answer6 Pat Shelb% intervene'. 8$rs. Berthelson68she sai' -ietl%6 8%o-3ve 'one a lot for -s6 even if %o- wo-l'n3t help -s thro-4h the holein %o-r time. An' we3re ver% 4ratef-l. If it wasn3t for %o-6 we co-l'n3t have 4ot to4ethereno-4h s-pplies. B-t we reall% have to 4o.8 She reache' o-t her han' to to-ch the frailsho-l'er6 b-t the ol' woman er!e' f-rio-sl% awa%. 8I mean68 Pat finishe' aw!war'l%68we can3t sta% an% lon4er6 whether we want to or not. o %o- see all that blac! ash5 It3sra'ioactive6 an' more of it sifts 'own all the time. The toxic level is risin4 22 if we sta%an% lon4er it3ll start 'estro%in4 -s.8

$rs. +'na Berthelson stoo' cl-tchin4 her inventor% list. There was an expressionon her face that none of the 4ro-p ha' ever seen before. The violent spasm of wrath ha'





vanishe'J now a col'6 chill 4laGe la% over the a4e' feat-res. er e%es were li!e 4ra%roc!s6 -tterl% witho-t feelin4.

,lanner% wasn3t impresse'. 8ere3s %o-r loot68 he sai'6 thr-stin4 o-t the han'f-lof bills. 80hat the hell.8 e t-rne' to Crowle%. 8Let3s toss in the rest. Let3s st-ff it 'own

her 4o''amn throat.8

8Sh-t -p68 Crowle% snappe'.

,lanner% san! resentf-ll% bac!. 80ho are %o- tal!in4 to58

8+no-4h3s eno-4h.8 Crowle%6 worrie' an' tense6 trie' to spea! to the ol' woman.8$% 1o'6 %o- can3t expect -s to sta% aro-n' here forever6 can %o-58

There was no response. Abr-ptl%6 the ol' woman t-rne' an' stro'e silentl% bac!to her tr-c!.

$asterson an' Crowle% loo!e' -neasil% at each other. 8She s-re is ma'68$asterson sai' apprehensivel%.

Tellman h-rrie' -p6 4lance' at the ol' woman 4ettin4 into her tr-c!6 an' then bent'own to root aro-n' in one of the cartons of 4roceries. Chil'ish 4ree' fl-she' across histhin face. 8Loo!68 he 4aspe'. 8Coffee 22 fifteen po-n's of it. Can we open some5 Can we4et one tin open6 to celebrate58

8S-re68 Crowle% sai' tonelessl%6 his e%es on the tr-c!. 0ith a m-ffle' roar6 thetr-c! t-rne' in a wi'e arc an' r-mble' off 'own the cr-'e platform6 towar' the ash. Itrolle' off into the ash6 slithere' for a short 'istance6 an' then fa'e' o-t. (nl% the blea!6s-n2swept plain of 'ar!ness remaine'.

8Coffee78 Tellman sho-te' 4leef-ll%. e tosse' the bri4ht metal can hi4h in the airan' cl-msil% ca-4ht it a4ain. 8A celebration7 (-r last ni4ht 22 last meal on +arth78

It was tr-e.

As the re' pic!-p tr-c! o44e' metallicall% alon4 the roa'6 $rs Berthelsonscanne' 8ahea'8 an' saw that the men were tellin4 the tr-th. er thin lips writhe'J in hermo-th an aci' taste of bile rose. She ha' ta!en it for 4rante' that the% wo-l' contin-e to b-% 22 there was no competition6 no other so-rce of s-ppl%. B-t the% were leavin4. An'when the% left6 there wo-l' be no more mar!et.

She wo-l' never fin' a mar!et that satisfactor%. It was a perfect mar!etJ the 4ro-pwas a perfect c-stomer. In the loc!e' box at the bac! of the store6 hi''en 'own -n'er thereserve sac!s of 4rain6 was almost two h-n're' an' fift% tho-san' 'ollars. A fort-ne6





ta!en in over the months6 receive' from the imprisone' colon% as it toile' to constr-ct itsship.

An' she ha' ma'e it possible. She was responsible for lettin4 them 4et awa% afterall. Beca-se of her shortsi4hte'ness6 the% were able to escape. She ha'n3t -se' her hea'.

As she 'rove bac! to town she me'itate' calml%6 rationall%. It was totall% beca-seof her: she was the onl% one who ha' possesse' the power to brin4 them their s-pplies.0itho-t her6 the% were helpless.

opef-ll%6 she cast abo-t6 loo!in4 this wa% an' that6 peerin4 with her 'eep innersense6 into the vario-s 8ahea's.8 There was more than one6 of co-rse. The 8ahea's8 la%li!e a pattern of s-ares6 an intricate web of worl's into which she co-l' step6 if shecare'. B-t all were empt% of what she wante'.

All showe' blea! plains of blac! ash6 'evoi' of h-man habitation. 0hat she

wante' was lac!in4: the% were each witho-t c-stomers.

The patterns of 8ahea's8 was complex. Se-ences were connecte' li!e bea's on astrin4J there were chains of 8ahea's8 which forme' interwoven lin!s. (ne step le' to thenext . . . b-t not to alternate chains.

Caref-ll%6 with 4reat precision6 she be4an the ob of searchin4 thro-4h each of thechains. There were man% of them . . . a virt-al infinit% of possible 8ahea's.8 An' it washer power to selectJ she ha' steppe' into that one6 the partic-lar chain in which theh-''le' colon% ha' labore' to constr-ct its ship. She ha'6 b% enterin4 it6 ma'e itmanifest. ,roGen it into realit%. re'4e' it -p from amon4 the man%6 from amon4 them-ltit-'e of possibilities.

*ow she nee'e' to 're'4e another. That partic-lar 8ahea'8 ha' proven-nsatisfactor%. The mar!et ha' petere' o-t.

The tr-c! was enterin4 the pleasant town of 0aln-t Cree!6 passin4 bri4ht storesan' ho-ses an' s-permar!ets6 before she locate' it. There were so man%6 an' her min'was ol' . . . b-t now she ha' pic!e' it o-t. An' as soon as she fo-n' it6 she !new it wasthe one. er innate b-siness instinct certifie' itJ the partic-lar 8ahea'8 clic!e'.

(f the possibilities6 this one was -ni-e. The ship was well2b-ilt6 an' thoro-4hl%teste'. In 8ahea'8 after 8ahea'8 the ship rose6 hesitate' as a-tomatic machiner% loc!e'6an' then b-rst from the ac!et of atmosphere6 towar' the mornin4 star. In a few 8ahea's68the waste' se-ences of fail-re6 the ship explo'e' into white2hot fra4ments. Those6 shei4nore'J she saw no a'vanta4e in that.

In a few 8ahea's8 the ship faile' to ta!e off at all. The t-rbines lashe'J exha-st po-re' o-t . . . an' the ship remaine' as it was. B-t then the men scampere' o-t6 an' be4an 4oin4 over the t-rbines6 searchin4 for the fa-lt% parts. So nothin4 was 4aine'. In





later se4ments alon4 the chain6 in s-bse-ent lin!s6 the 'ama4e was repaire'6 an' theta!eoff was satisfactoril% complete'.

B-t one chain was correct. +ach element6 each lin!6 'evelope' perfectl%. The press-re loc!s close'6 an' the ship was seale'. The t-rbines fire'6 an' the ship6 with a

sh-''er6 rose from the plain of blac! ash. Three miles -p6 the rear ets tore loose. Theship flo-n'ere'6 'roppe' in a screamin4 'ive6 an' pl-n4e' bac! towar' the +arth.+mer4enc% lan'in4 ets6 'esi4ne' for "en-s6 were franticall% thrown on. The ship slowe'6hovere' for an a4oniGin4 instant6 an' then crashe' into the heap of r-bble that ha' been$o-nt iablo. There the remains of the ship la%6 twiste' metal sheets6 smo!in4 in the'ismal silence.

,rom the ship the men emer4e'6 sha!en an' m-te6 to inspect the 'ama4e. To be4in the miserable6 f-tile tas! all over a4ain. Collectin4 s-pplies6 patchin4 the roc!et-p . . . The ol' woman smile' to herself.

That was what she wante'. That wo-l' 'o perfectl%. An' all she ha' to 'o 22 s-cha little thin4 22 was select that se-ence when she ma'e her next trip. 0hen she too! herlittle b-siness trip6 the followin4 Sat-r'a%.

Crowle% la% half b-rie' in the blac! ash6 pawin4 feebl% at a 'eep 4ash in hischee!. A bro!en tooth throbbe'. A thic! ooGe of bloo' 'rippe' into his mo-th6 the hotsalt% taste of his own bo'% fl-i's lea!in4 helplessl% o-t. e trie' to move his le46 b-tthere was no sensation. Bro!en. is min' was too 'aGe'6 too bewil'ere' with 'espair6 tocomprehen'.

Somewhere in the half2'ar!ness6 ,lanner% stirre'. A woman 4roane'J scattere'amon4 the roc!s an' b-c!le' sections of the ship la% the in-re' an' '%in4. An -pri4htshape rose6 st-mble'6 an' pitche' over. An artificial li4ht flic!ere'. It was Tellman6ma!in4 his wa% cl-msil% over the tattere' remains of their worl'. e 4ape' foolishl% atCrowle%J his 4lasses h-n4 from one ear an' part of his lower aw was missin4. Abr-ptl%he collapse' face2forwar' into a smo!in4 mo-n' of s-pplies. is s!inn% bo'% twitche'aimlessl%.

Crowle% mana4e' to p-ll himself to his !nees. $asterson was ben'in4 over him6sa%in4 somethin4 a4ain an' a4ain.

8I3m all ri4ht68 Crowle% raspe'.

80e3re 'own. 0rec!e'.8

8I !now.8

(n $asterson3s shattere' face 4littere' the first stirrin4s of h%steria. 8o %o-





thin!228

8*o6 Crowle% m-ttere'. 8It isn3t possible.8

$asterson be4an to 4i44le. Tears strea!e' the 4rime of his chee!sJ 'rops of thic!

moist-re 'rippe' 'own his nec! into his charre' collar. 8She 'i' it. She fixe' -s. Shewants -s to sta% here.8

8*o68 Crowle% repeate'. e sh-t o-t the tho-4ht. It co-l'n3t be. It -st co-l'n3t680e3ll 4et awa%68 he sai'. 80e3ll assemble the remains 22 start over.8

8She3ll be bac!68 $asterson -avere'. 8She !nows we3ll be here waitin4 for her.C-stomers78

8*o68 Crowle% sai'. e 'i'n3t believe itJ he ma'e himself not believe it. 80e3ll 4etawa%. 0e3ve !ot to 4et awa%78

The $ol' of anc%

LeonSiplin4 4roane' an' p-she' awa% his wor! papers. In an or4aniGation oftho-san's he was the onl% emplo%ee not p-ttin4 o-t. Probabl% he was the onl% %ance2man on Callisto not 'oin4 his ob. ,ear6 an' the -ic! pl-c!in4s of 'esperation6 ma'ehim reach -p an' wave on the a-'io circ-it to Babson6 the over2all office controller.

8Sa%68 Siplin4 sai' hoarsel%6 8I thin! I3m st-c!6 Bab. ow abo-t r-nnin4 the4estalt thro-4h6 -p to m% spot5 $a%be I can pic! -p the rh%thm. . .8 e 4rinne' wea!l%.8The h-m of other creative min's.8

After a spec-lative moment6 Babson reache' for the imp-lse s%napsis6 hismassive face -ns%mpathetic. 8o- hol'in4 -p pro4ress6 Sip5 This has to be inte4rate'with the 'ail% b% six toni4ht. The sche'-le calls for the wor!s to be on the vi'lines '-rin4the 'inner2ho-r stretch.8

The vis-al si'e of the 4estalt ha' alrea'% be4-n to form on the wall screenJSiplin4 t-rne' his attention to it6 4ratef-l of a chance to escape Babson3s col' 4lare.

The screen showe' a 2 of anc%6 the -s-al three -arter view6 from the waist-p. Fohn +'war' anc% in his fa'e' wor!shirt6 sleeves rolle' -p6 arms brown an' f-rr%. A





mi''le2a4e' man in his late fifties6 his face s-nb-rne'6 nec! sli4htl% re'6 a 4oo'2nat-re'smile on his face6 s-intin4 beca-se he was loo!in4 into the s-n. Behin' anc% was a stillof his %ar'6 his 4ara4e6 his flower 4ar'en6 lawn6 the bac! of his neat little white plasticho-se. anc% 4rinne' at Siplin4: a nei4hbor pa-sin4 in the mi''le of a s-mmer 'a%6 perspirin4 from the heat an' the exertion of mowin4 his lawn6 abo-t to la-nch into a few

harmless remar!s abo-t the weather6 the state of the planet6 the con'ition of thenei4hborhoo'.

8Sa%68 anc% sai'6 in the a-'io phones proppe' -p on Siplin43s 'es!. is voicewas low6 personal. 8The 'arn'est thin4 happene' to m% 4ran'son &alf6 the other mornin4.o- !now how &alf isJ he3s alwa%s 4ettin4 to school half an ho-r earl%. . . sa%s he li!es to be in his seat before an%bo'% else.8

8That ea4er2beaver68 Foe Pines6 at the next 'es!6 cat2calle'.

,rom the screen6 anc%3s voice rolle' on6 confi'ent6 amiable6 -n'ist-rbe'. 80ell6

&alf saw this s-irrelJ it was -st sittin4 there on the si'ewal!. e stoppe' for a min-tean' watche'.8 The loo! on anc%3s face was so real that Siplin4 almost believe' him. eco-l'6 almost6 see the s-irrel an' the tow2hea'e' %o-n4est 4ran'son of the anc%famil%6 the familiar chil' of the familiar son of the planet3s most familiar 22 an' belove' 22 person.

8This s-irrel68 anc% explaine'6 in his home% wa%6 8was collectin4 n-ts. An' b%4oll%6 this was -st the other 'a%6 onl% the mi''le of F-ne. An' here was this little s-irrel228 with his han's he in'icate' the siGe6 8collectin4 these n-ts an' carr%in4 them off forwinter.8

An' then6 the am-se'6 anec'ote2loo! on anc%3s face fa'e'. A serio-s6 tho-4htf-lloo! replace' it: the meanin4f-l2loo!. is bl-e e%es 'ar!ene' =4oo' color wor!>. is aw became more s-are6 more imposin4 =4oo' '-mm%2switch b% the an'roi' crew>. anc%seeme' ol'er6 more solemn an' mat-re6 more impressive. Behin' him6 the 4ar'en2sceneha' been er!e' an' a sli4htl% 'ifferent bac!'rop filtere' inJ anc% now stoo' firml% plante' in a cosmic lan'scape6 amon4 mo-ntains an' win's an' h-4e ol' forests.

8I 4ot to thin!in468 anc% sai'6 an' his voice was 'eeper6 slower. 8There was thatlittle s-irrel. ow 'i' he !now winter was comin45 There he was6 wor!in4 awa%64ettin4 prepare' for it.8 anc%3s voice rose. 8Preparin4 for a winter he3' never seen.8

Siplin4 stiffene' an' prepare'hi#self5 it was comin4. At his 'es!6 Foe Pines4rinne' an' %elle': 81et set78

8That s-irrel68 anc% sai' solemnl%6 8ha' faith. *o6 he never saw an% si4n ofwinter. B-t he !new winter was comin4.8 The firm aw move'J one han' came slowl%-p . . .

An' then the ima4e stoppe'. It froGe6 immobile6 silent. *o wor's came from itJ





abr-ptl% the sermon en'e'6 in the mi''le of a para4raph.

8That3s it68 Babson sai' bris!l%6 filterin4 the anc% o-t. 8elp %o- an%58

Siplin4 pawe' er!il% at his wor! papers. 8*o68 he a'mitte'6 8act-all% it 'oesn3t.

B-t 22 I3ll 4et it wor!e' o-t.8

8I hope so.8 Babson3s face 'ar!ene' omino-sl% an' his small mean e%es seeme'to 4row smaller. 80hat3s the matter with %o-5 ome problems58

8I3ll be o!a%68 Siplin4 m-ttere'6 sweatin4. 8Than!s.8

(n the screen a faint impression of anc% remaine'6 still poise' at thewor'co#in!) The rest of the 4estalt was in Siplin43s hea': the contin-in4 slice of wor'san' 4est-res ha'n3t been wor!e' o-t an' fe' to the composite.

Siplin43s contrib-tion was missin46 so the entire 4estalt was stoppe' col' in itstrac!s.

8Sa%68 Foe Pines sai' -neasil%6 8I3ll be 4la' to ta!e over6 to'a%. C-t %o-r 'es! o-tof the circ-it an' I3ll c-t m%self in.8

8Than!s68 Siplin4 m-ttere'6 8b-t I3m the onl% one who can 4et this 'amn part. It3sthe central 4em.8

8o- o-4ht to ta!e a rest. o-3ve been wor!in4 too har'.8

8es68 Siplin4 a4ree'6 on the ver4e of h%steria. 8I3m a little -n'er the weather.8

That was obvio-s: ever%bo'% in the office co-l' see that. B-t onl% Siplin4 !newwh%. An' he was fi4htin4 with all his stren4th to !eep from screamin4 o-t the reason atthe top of his l-n4s.

Basic anal%sis of the political milie- at Callisto was lai' o-t b% *iplan comp-tin4apparat-s at 0ashin4ton6 .C.J b-t the final eval-ations were 'one b% h-man technicians.The 0ashin4ton comp-ters co-l' ascertain that the Callisto political str-ct-re wasmovin4 towar' a totalitarian ma!e2-p6 b-t the% co-l'n3t sa% what that in'icate'. -man bein4s were re-ire' to class the 'rift as mali4n.

8It isn3t possible68 Taverner proteste'. 8There3s constant in'-strial traffic in an'o-t of CallistoJ except for the 1an%me'e s%n'icate the%3ve 4ot o-t2planet commerce bottle' -p. 0e3' !now as soon as an%thin4 phon% 4ot starte'.8

8ow wo-l' we !now58 Police irector Kellman in-ire'.





Taverner in'icate' the 'ata2sheets6 4raphs an' charts of fi4-res an' percenta4esthat covere' the walls of the *iplan Police offices. 8It wo-l' show -p in h-n're's ofwa%s. Terrorist rai's6 political prisons6 extermination camps. 0e3' hear abo-t politicalrecantin46 treason6 'islo%alt% . . . all the basic props of a 'ictatorship.8

8on3t conf-se a totalitarian societ% with a 'ictatorship68 Kellman sai' 'r%l%. 8Atotalitarian state reaches into ever% sphere of its citiGens3 lives6 forms their opinions onever% s-bect. The 4overnment can be a 'ictatorship6 or aparliament6 or an electe' presi'ent6 or a co-ncil of priests. That 'oesn3t matter.8

8All ri4ht68 Taverner sai'6 mollifie'. 8I3ll 4o. I3ll ta!e a team there an' see whatthe%3re 'oin4.8

8Can %o- ma!e %o-rselves loo! li!e Callistotes58

80hat are the% li!e58

8I3m not s-re68 Kellman a'mitte' tho-4htf-ll%6 with a 4lance at the elaborate wallcharts. 8B-t whatever it is6 the%3re all be4innin4 to t-rn o-t ali!e.8

Amon4 its passen4ers the interplan commercial liner that settle' 'own at Callistocarrie' Peter Taverner6 his wife6 an' their two chil'ren. 0ith a 4rimace of concern6Taverner ma'e o-t the shapes of local officials waitin4 at the exit hatch. The passen4erswere 4oin4 to be caref-ll% screene'J as the ramp 'escen'e'6 the clot of officials move'forwar'.

Taverner 4ot to his feet an' collecte' his famil%. 8I4nore them68 he tol' &-th.8(-r papers will 4et -s b%.8

+xpertl% prepare' 'oc-ments i'entifie' him as a spec-lator in nonferric metals6loo!in4 for a wholesale o-tlet to han'le his obbin4. Callisto was a clearin42point for lan'an' mineral operationsJ a constant floo' of wealth2h-n4r% entreprene-rs streame' bac!an' forth6 cartin4 raw materials from the -n'er'evelope' moons6 ha-lin4 minin4e-ipment from the inner planets.

Ca-tio-sl%6 Taverner arran4e' his topcoat over his arm. A heav%set man6 in hismi''le thirties6 he co-l' have passe' for a s-ccessf-l b-siness operator. is 'o-ble2 breaste' b-siness s-it was expensive6 b-t conservative. is bi4 shoes were bri4htl%shine'. All thin4s consi'ere'6 he3' probabl% 4et b%. As he an' his famil% move' towar'the exit ramp6 the% presente' a perfect an' exact imitation of the o-t2planet b-siness2class.

8State %o-r b-siness68 a 4reen2-niforme' official 'eman'e'6 pencil poise'. I





tabs were bein4 chec!e'6 photo4raphe'6 recor'e'. Brain pattern comparisons were bein4ma'e: the -s-al ro-tine.

8*onferric enterprises68 Taverner be4an6 b-t a secon' official c-t him abr-ptl%off.

8o-3re the thir' cop this mornin4. 0hat3s bitin4 %o- people on Terra58 Theofficial e%e' Taverner intentl%. 80e3re 4ettin4 more cops than ministers.8

Tr%in4 to maintain his poise6 Taverner answere' evenl%: 8I3m here to ta!e a rest.Ac-te alcoholism 22 nothin4 official.8

8That3s what %o-r cohorts sai'.8 The official 4rinne' h-moro-sl%. 80ell6 what3sone more Terran cop58 e sli' the loc!bars asi'e an' wave' Taverner an' his famil%thro-4h. 80elcome to Callisto. ave f-n 22 eno% %o-rselves. ,astest24rowin4 moon inthe s%stem.8

8Practicall% a planet68 Taverner commente' ironicall%.

8An% 'a% now.8 The official examine' some reports. 8Accor'in4 to o-r frien's in%o-r little or4aniGation6 %o-3ve been pastin4 -p wall 4raphs an' charts abo-t -s. Are wethat important58

8Aca'emic interest68 Taverner sai'J if three spots ha' been ma'e6 then the wholeteam ha' been nette'. The local a-thorities were obvio-sl% prime' to 'etect infiltration . .. the realiGation chille' him.

B-t the% were lettin4 him thro-4h. 0ere the%that confi'ent5

Thin4s 'i'n3t loo! 4oo'. Peerin4 aro-n' for a cab6 he 4riml% prepare' to-n'erta!e the b-siness of inte4ratin4 the scattere' team members into a f-nctionin4whole.

That evenin46 at theStay-+it bar on the main street of the commercial 'istrict oftown6 Taverner met with his two team members. -nche' over their whis!e% so-rs6 the%compare' notes.

8I3ve been here almost twelve ho-rs68 +c!m-n' state'6 4aGin4 impassivel% at therows of bottles in the 4loom% 'epths of the bar. Ci4ar smo!e hovere' in the airJ thea-tomatic m-sic box in the corner ban4e' awa% metallicall%. 8I3ve been wal!in4 aro-n'town6 loo!in4 at thin4s6 ma!in4 observations.8

8$e68 orser sai'6 8I3ve been at the tape2librar%. 1ettin4 official m%th6 comparin4it to Callistote realit%. An' tal!in4 to the scholars 22 e'-cate' people han4in4 aro-n' the





scannin4 rooms.8

Taverner sippe' his 'rin!. 8An%thin4 of interest58

8o- !now the primitive r-le2of2th-mb test68 +c!m-n' sai' wr%l%. 8I loafe'

aro-n' on a sl-m street corner -ntil I 4ot in a conversation with some people waitin4 fora b-s. I starte' !noc!in4 the a-thorities: complainin4 abo-t the b-s service6 the sewa4e'isposal6 taxes6 ever%thin4. The% chime' ri4ht in. eartil%. *o hesitation. An' no fear.8

8The le4al 4overnment68 orser commente'6 8is set -p in the -s-al archaicfashion. Two2part% s%stem6 one a little more conservative than the other 22 nof-n'amental 'ifference of co-rse. B-t both elect can'i'ates at open primaries6 ballotscirc-late' to all re4istere' voters.8 A spasm of am-sement to-che' him. 8This is a mo'el'emocrac%. I rea' the text boo!s. *othin4 b-t i'ealistic slo4ans: free'om of speech6assembl%6 reli4ion 22 the wor!s. Same ol' 4rammar school st-ff.8

The three of them were temporaril% silent.

8There are ails68 Taverner sai' slowl%. 8+ver% societ% has law violations.8

8I visite' one68 +c!m-n' sai'6 belchin4. 8Pett% thieves6 m-r'erers6 claim2 -mpers6 stron42arm hoo's 22 the -s-al.8

8*o political prisoners58

8*o.8 +c!m-n' raise' his voice. 80e mi4ht as well 'isc-ss this at the top of o-rl-n4s. *obo'% cares 22 the a-thorities 'on3t care.8

8Probabl% after we3re 4one the%3ll clap a few tho-san' people into prison68 orserm-rm-re' tho-4htf-ll%.

8$% 1o'68 +c!m-n' retorte'6 8people can leave Callisto an% time the% want. If%o-3re operatin4 a police state %o- have to !eep %o-r bor'ers sh-t. An' these bor'ers arewi'e open. People po-r in an' o-t.8

8$a%be it3s a chemical in the 'rin!in4 water68 orser s-44este'.

8ow the hell can the% have a totalitarian societ% witho-t terrorism58 +c!m-n''eman'e' rhetoricall%. 8I3ll swear to it 22 there are no tho-4ht2control cops here. There isabsol-tel% no fear.8

8Somehow6 press-re is bein4 exerte'68 Taverner persiste'.

8*ot b% cops68 orser sai' emphaticall%. 8*ot b% force an' br-talit%. *ot b%ille4al arrest an' imprisonment an' force' labor.8





8If this were a police state68 +c!m-n' sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8there3' be some !in' ofresistance movement. Some sort of 3s-bversive3 4ro-p tr%in4 to overthrow the a-thorities.B-t in this societ% %o-3re free to complainJ %o- can b-% time on the T" an' ra'iostations6 %o- can b-% space in the newspapers 22 an%thin4 %o- want.8 e shr-44e'. 8Sohow can there be a clan'estine resistance movement5 It3s sill%.8

8*evertheless68 Taverner sai'6 8these people are livin4 in a one2part% societ% witha part% line6 with an official i'eolo4%. The% show the effects of a caref-ll% controlle'totalitarian state. The%3re 4-inea pi4s 22 whether the% realiGe it or not.8

80o-l'n3t the% realiGe it58

Baffle'6 Taverner shoo! his hea'. 8I wo-l' have tho-4ht so. There m-st be somemechanism we 'on3t -n'erstan'.8

8It3s all open. 0e can loo! ever%thin4 over.8

80e m-st be loo!in4 for the wron4 thin4.8 I'l%6 Taverner 4aGe' at the televisionscreen above the bar. The n-'e 4irlie son42an'2'ance ro-tine ha' en'e'J now the feat-resof a man fa'e' into view. A 4enial6 ro-n'2face' man in his fifties6 with 4-ileless bl-ee%es6 an almost chil'ish twitch to his lips6 a frin4e of brown hair pla%in4 aro-n' hissli4htl% prominent ears.

8,rien's68 the T" ima4e r-mble'6 8it3s 4oo' to be with %o- a4ain6 toni4ht. Itho-4ht I mi4ht have a little chat with %o-.8

8A commercial68 orser sai'6 si4nallin4 the barten'in4 machine for another 'rin!.

80ho is that58 Taverner as!e' c-rio-sl%.

8That !in'l%2loo!in4 4eeGer58 +c!m-n' examine' his notes. 8A sort of pop-larcommentator. *ame of anc%.8

8Is he part of the 4overnment58

8*ot that I !now of. A !in' of home2sp-n philosopher. I pic!e' -p a bio4raph% ofhim on a ma4aGine stan'.8 +c!m-n' passe' the 4ail%2colore' pamphlet to his boss.8Totall% or'inar% man6 as far as I can see. se' to be a sol'ierJ in the $ars2F-piter 0arhe 'istin4-ishe' himself 22 battlefiel' commission. &ose to the ran! of maor.8 eshr-44e' in'ifferentl%. 8A sort of tal!in4 almanac. Pith% sa%in4s on ever% topic. 0ise ol'saws: how to c-re a chest col'. 0hat the tro-ble is bac! on Terra.8

Taverner examine' the boo!let. 8es6 I saw his pict-re aro-n'.8

8"er% pop-lar fi4-re. Love' b% the masses. $an of the people 22 spea!s for them.0hen I was b-%in4 ci4arettes I notice' he en'orses one partic-lar bran'. "er% pop-lar





bran'6 nowJ -st abo-t 'riven the others off the mar!et. Same with beer. The Scotch inthis 4lass is probabl% the bran' anc% en'orses. The same with tennis balls. (nl% he'oesn3t pla% tennis 22 he pla%s cro-et. All the time6 ever% wee!en'.8 Acceptin4 his fresh'rin! +c!m-n' finishe'6 8So now ever%bo'% pla%s cro-et.8

8ow can cro-et be a planet2wi'e sport58 Taverner 'eman'e'.

8This isn3t a planet68 orser p-t in. 8It3s a pips-ea! moon.8

8*ot accor'in4 to anc%68 +c!m-n' sai'. 80e3re s-ppose' to thin! of Callisto asa planet.8

8ow58 Taverner as!e'.

8Spirit-all%6 it3s a planet. anc% li!es people to ta!e a spirit-al view of matters.e3s stron4 on 1o' an' honest% in 4overnment an' bein4 har'wor!in4 an' clean2c-t.

0arme'2over tr-isms.8

The expression on Taverner3s face har'ene'. 8Interestin468 he m-rm-re'. 8I3llhave to 'rop b% an' meet him.8

80h%5 e3s the '-llest6 most me'iocre man %o- co-l' 'ream -p.8

8$a%be68 Taverner answere'6 8that3s wh% I3m intereste'.8

Babson6 h-4e an' menacin46 met Taverner at the entrance of the anc% B-il'in4.8(f co-rse %o- can meet $r. anc%. B-t he3s a b-s% man 22 it3ll ta!e a while to s-eeGe inan appointment. +ver%bo'% wants to meet $r. anc%.8

Taverner was -nimpresse'. 8ow lon4 'o I have to wait58

As the% crosse' the main lobb% to the elevators6 Babson ma'e a comp-tation.8(h6 sa% fo-r months.8

8,o-r #onths%/

8Fohn anc% is -st abo-t the most pop-lar man alive.8

8Aro-n' here6 ma%be68 Taverner commente' an4ril%6 as the% entere' the pac!e'elevator. 8I never hear' of him before. If he3s 4ot so m-ch on the ball6 wh% isn3t he pipe'all aro-n' *iplan58

8Act-all%68 Babson a'mitte'6 in a hoarse6 confi'ential whisper6 8I can3t ima4inewhat people see in anc%. As far as I3m concerne' he3s -st a bi4 ba4 of win'. B-t people





aro-n' here eno% him. After all6 Callisto is 22 provincial. anc% appeals to a certain t%peof r-ral min' 22 to people who li!e their worl' simple. I3m afrai' Terra wo-l' be toosophisticate' for anc%.8

8ave %o- trie'58

8*ot %et68 Babson sai'. &eflectivel%6 he a''e': 8$a%be later.8

0hile Taverner was pon'erin4 the meanin4 of the bi4 man3s wor's6 the elevatorcease' climbin4. The two of them steppe' off into a l-x-rio-s6 carpete' hall6 ill-minate' b% recesse' li4hts. Babson p-she' open a 'oor6 an' the% entere' a lar4e6 active office.

Insi'e6 a screenin4 of a recent anc% 4estalt was in pro4ress. A 4ro-p of %ance2men watche' it silentl%6 faces alert an' critical. The 4estalt showe' anc% sittin4 at hisol'2fashione' oa! 'es!6 in his st-'%. It was obvio-s that he ha' been wor!in4 on some philosophical tho-4hts: sprea' o-t over the 'es! were boo!s an' papers. (n anc%3s face

was a tho-4htf-l expressionJ he sat with his han' a4ainst his forehea'6 feat-res screwe'-p into a solemn st-'% of concentration.

8This is for next S-n'a% mornin468 Babson explaine'.

anc%3s lips move'6 an' he spo!e. 8,rien's68 he be4an6 in his 'eep6 personal6frien'l%6 man2to2man voice6 8I3ve been sittin4 here at m% 'es! 22 well6 abo-t the wa%%o-3re sittin4 aro-n' %o-r livin4 rooms.8 A switch in camera wor! occ-rre'J it showe'the open 'oor of anc%3s st-'%. In the livin4 room was the familiar fi4-re of anc%3ssweet2face' mi''le2a4e' home% wifeJ she was sittin4 on the comfortable sofa6 priml%sewin4. (n the floor their 4ran'son &alf pla%e' the familiar 4ame of ac!s. The famil%'o4 snooGe' in the corner.

(ne of the watchin4 %ance2men ma'e a note on his pa'. Taverner 4lance' at himc-rio-sl%6 baffle'.

8(f co-rse6 I was in there with them68 anc% contin-e'6 smilin4 briefl%. 8I wasrea'in4 the f-nnies to &alf. e was sittin4 on m% !nee.8 The bac!4ro-n' fa'e'6 an' amomentar% phantom scene of anc% sittin4 with his 4ran'son on his !nee floate' into bein4. Then the 'es! an' the boo!2line' st-'% ret-rne'. 8I3m mi4ht% 4ratef-l for m%famil%68 anc% reveale'. 8In these times of stress6 it3s m% famil% that I t-rn to6 as m% pillar of stren4th.8 Another notation was ma'e b% a watchin4 %ance2man.

8Sittin4 here6 in m% st-'%6 this won'erf-l S-n'a% mornin468 anc% r-mble' on6 8IrealiGe how l-c!% we are to be alive6 an' to have this lovel% planet6 an' the fine cities an'ho-ses6 all the thin4s 1o' has 4iven -s to eno%. B-t we3ve 4ot to be caref-l. 0e3ve 4ot toma!e s-re we 'on3t lose these thin4s.8

A chan4e ha' come over anc%. It seeme' to Taverner that the ima4e was s-btl%alterin4. It wasn3t the same manJ the 4oo' h-mor was 4one. This was an ol'er man6 an'





lar4er. A firm2e%e' father6 spea!in4 to his chil'ren.

8$% frien's68 anc% intone'6 8there are forces that co-l' wea!en this planet.+ver%thin4 we3ve b-ilt -p for o-r love' ones6 for o-r chil'ren6could 4e taken a'ay fro#

us overni!ht) 0e m-st learn to be vi4ilant. 0e m-st protect o-r liberties6 o-r possessions6

o-r wa% of life. If we become 'ivi'e'6 an' fall to bic!erin4 amon4 each other6 we will beeas% pre% for o-r enemies. 0e m-st wor! to4ether6 m% frien's.

8That3s what I3ve been thin!in4 abo-t this S-n'a% mornin4.Cooperation)Tea#'ork) 0e3ve 4ot to be sec-re6 an' to be sec-re6 we m-st be one -nite' people. That3sthe !e%6 m% frien's6 the !e% to a more ab-n'ant life.8 Pointin4 o-t the win'ow at thelawn an' 4ar'en6 anc% sai': 8o- !now6 I was . . .8

The voice traile' off. The ima4e froGe. ,-ll room li4hts came on6 an' thewatchin4 %ance2men move' into m-tterin4 activit%.

8,ine68 one of them sai'. 8So far6 at least. B-t where3s the rest58

8Siplin46 a4ain68 another answere'. 8is slice still hasn3t come thro-4h. 0hat3swron4 with that 4-%58

Scowlin46 Babson 'etache' himself. 8Par'on me68 he sai' to Taverner.

8I3ll have to exc-se m%self2technical matters. o-3re free to loo! aro-n'6 if %o-care to. elp %o-rself to an% of the literat-re 22 an%thin4 %o- want.8

8Than!s68 Taverner sai' -ncertainl%. e was conf-se'J ever%thin4 see#ed harmless6 even trivial. B-t somethin4 basic was wron4.

S-spicio-sl%6 he be4an to prowl.

It was obvio-s that Fohn anc% ha' pontificate' on ever% !nown s-bect. A anc%opinion on ever% conceivable topic was available. . . mo'ern art6 or 4arlic in coo!in46 orthe -se of intoxicatin4 bevera4es6 or eatin4 meat6 or socialism6 or war6 or e'-cation6 oropen2front 'resses on women6 or hi4h taxes6 or atheism6 or 'ivorce6 or patriotism 22 ever%sha'e an' n-ance of opinion possible.

0as there an% s-bect that anc%hadn0t expresse' himself on5

Taverner examine' the vol-mino-s tapes that line' the walls of the offices.anc%3s -tterances ha' r-n into billions of tape feet. . . co-l' one man have an opinion onever%thin4 in the -niverse5

Choosin4 a tape at ran'om6 he fo-n' himself bein4 a''resse' on the topic of table





manners.

8o- !now68 the miniat-re anc% be4an6 his voice tinn% in Taverner3s ears6 8at'inner the other ni4ht I happene' to notice how m% 4ran'son &alf was c-ttin4 his stea!.8anc% 4rinne' at the viewer6 as an ima4e of the six2%ear2ol' bo% sawin4 4riml% awa%

floate' briefl% into si4ht. 80ell6 I 4ot to thin!in46 there was &alf wor!in4 awa% at thatstea!6 not havin4 an% l-c! with it. An' it seeme' to me 228

Taverner snappe' the tape off an' ret-rne' it to the slot. anc% ha' 'efiniteopinions on ever%thin4. . . or 'ere the% so 'efinite5

A stran4e s-spicion was 4rowin4 in him. (n some topics6 %es. (n minor iss-es6anc% ha' exact r-les6 specific maxims 'rawn from man!in'3s rich storeho-se offol!lore. B-t maor philosophical an' political iss-es were somethin4 else a4ain.

1ettin4 o-t one of the man% tapes liste' -n'er 0ar6 Taverner ran it thro-4h at

ran'om.

8. . . I3m a4ainst war68 anc% prono-nce' an4ril%. 8An' I o-4ht to !nowJ I3ve 'onem% share of fi4htin4.8

There followe' a monta4e of battle scenes: the F-piter2$ars 0ar in which anc%ha' 'istin4-ishe' himself b% his braver%6 his concern for his comra'es6 his hatre' of theenem%6 his variet% of proper emotions.

8B-t68 anc% contin-e' sta-nchl%6 8I feel a planet m-st be stron4. 0e m-st nots-rren'er o-rselves mee!l% . . . wea!ness invites attac! an' fosters a44ression. B% bein4wea! we promote war. 0e m-st 4ir' o-rselves an' protect those we love. 0ith all m%heart an' so-l I3m a4ainst -seless warsJ b-t I sa% a4ain6 as I3ve sai' man% times before6 aman m-st come forwar' an' fi4hta 6ust war. e m-st not shrin! from his responsibilit%.0ar is a terrible thin4. B-t sometimes we m-st. . .8

As he restore' the tape6 Taverner won'ere' -st what the hell anc%had sai'.0hat were his views on war5 The% too! -p a h-n're' separate reels of tapeJ anc% wasalwa%s rea'% to hol' forth on s-ch vital an' 4ran'iose s-bects as 0ar6 the Planet6 1o'6Taxation. B-t 'i' he say an%thin45

A col' chill crawle' -p Taverner3s spine. (n specific 22 an' trivial 22 items therewere absol-te opinions: 'o4s are better than cats6 4rapefr-it is too so-r witho-t a 'ash ofs-4ar6 it3s 4oo' to 4et -p earl% in the mornin46 too m-ch 'rin!in4 is ba'. B-t on bi4 topics. . . an empt% vac--m6 fille' with the vacant roll of hi4h2so-n'in4 phrases. A p-blic thata4ree' with anc% on war an' taxes an' 1o' an' planet a4ree' with absol-tel% nothin4.An' with ever%thin4.

(n topics of importance6 the% ha' no opinion at all. The% onl%thou!ht the% ha' anopinion.





&api'l%6 Taverner scanne' tapes on vario-s maor s-bects. It was the same all'own the line. 0ith one sentence anc% 4aveJ with the next he too! awa%. The total effectwas a neat cancellation6 a s!illf-l ne4ation. B-t the viewer was left with the ill-sion ofhavin4 cons-me' a rich an' varie' intellect-al feast. It was amaGin4. An' it was

professional: the en's were tie' -p too slic!l% to be mere acci'ent.

*obo'% was as harmless an' vapi' as Fohn +'war' anc%. e was -st too 'amn4oo' to be tr-e.

Sweatin46 Taverner left the main reference room an' po!e' his wa% towar' therear offices6 where b-s% %ance2men wor!e' awa% at their 'es!s an' assembl% tables.Activit% whirre' on all si'es. The expression on the faces aro-n' him was beni4n6harmless6 almost bore'. The same frien'l%6 trivial expression that anc% himself'ispla%e'.

armless 22 an' in its harmlessness6 'iabolical. An' there wasn3t a 'amn thin4 heco-l' 'o. If people li!e' to listen to Fohn +'war' anc%6 if the% wante' to mo'elthemselves after him 22 what co-l' the *iplan Police 'o abo-t it5

0hat crime was bein4 committe'5

*o won'er Babson 'i'n3t care if the police prowle' aro-n'. *o won'er thea-thorities ha' freel% a'mitte' them. There weren3t an% political ails of labor 4an4s orconcentration camps . . . there 'i'n3t have to be.

Tort-re chambers an' extermination camps were nee'e' onl% when pers-asionfaile'. An' pers-asion was wor!in4 perfectl%. A police state6 r-le b% terror6 came abo-twhen the totalitarian apparat-s be4an to brea! 'own. The earlier totalitarian societies ha' been incompleteJ the a-thorities ha'n3t reall% 4otten into ever% sphere of life. B-ttechni-es of comm-nication ha' improve'.

The first reall% s-ccessf-l totalitarian state was bein4 realiGe' before his e%es:harmless an' trivial6 it emer4e'. An' the last sta4e 22 ni4htmarish6 b-t perfectl% lo4ical 22was when all the newborn bo%s were happil% an' vol-ntaril% name' Fohn +'war'.

0h% not5 The% alrea'% live'6 acte'6 an' tho-4ht li!e Fohn +'war'. An' there was$rs. $ar4aret +llen anc%6 for the women. She ha' her f-ll ran4e of opinions6 tooJ sheha' her !itchen6 her taste in clothes6 her little recipes an' a'vice6 for all the women toimitate.

There were even anc% chil'ren for the %o-th of the planet to imitate. Thea-thorities ha'n3t overloo!e' an%thin4.

Babson strolle' over6 a 4enial expression on his face. 8ow3s it 4oin46 officer58 hech-c!le' wetl%6 p-ttin4 his han' on Taverner3s sho-l'er.





8,ine68 Taverner mana4e' to answerJ he eva'e' the han'.

8o- li!e o-r little establishment58 There was 4en-ine pri'e in Babson3s thic!voice. 80e 'o a 4oo' ob. An artistic ob 22 we have real stan'ar's of excellence.8

Sha!in4 with helpless an4er6 Taverner pl-n4e' o-t of the office an' into the hall.The elevator too! too lon4J f-rio-sl%6 he t-rne' towar' the stairs. e ha' to 4et o-t of theanc% B-il'in4J he ha' to 4et awa%.

,rom the sha'ows of the hall a man appeare'6 face pale an' ta-t. 80ait. Can I tal!to %o-58

Taverner p-she' past him. 80hat 'o %o- want58

8o-3re from the Terran *iplan Police5 I 228 The man3s A'am3s apple bobbe'. 8I

wor! here. $% name3s Siplin46 Leon Siplin4. I have to 'o somethin4 22 I can3t stan' itan%more.8

8*othin4 can be 'one68 Taverner tol' him. 8If the% want to be li!e anc% 228

8B-t there isn3t an% anc%68 Siplin4 bro!e in6 his thin face twitchin4spasmo'icall%. 80e ma'e him -p . . . we invente' him.8

Taverner halte'. 8o-'hat%/

8I3ve 'eci'e'.8 "oice -averin4 excite'l%6 Siplin4 r-she' on: 8I3m 4oin4 to 'osomethin4 22 an' I !now exactl% what.8 Catchin4 hol' of Taverner3s sleeve he 4rate':8o-3ve 4ot to help me. I can stop all this6 b-t I can3t 'o it alone.8

In Leon Siplin43s attractive6 well2f-rnishe' livin4 room6 the two of them sat'rin!in4 coffee an' watchin4 their chil'ren scramble aro-n' on the floor6 pla%in4 4ames.Siplin43s wife an' &-th Taverner were in the !itchen6 'r%in4 the 'ishes.

8anc% is a s%nthesis68 Siplin4 explaine'. 8A sort of composite person. *o s-chin'ivi'-al act-all% exists. 0e 'rew on basic protot%pes from sociolo4ical recor'sJ we base' the 4estalt on vario-s t%pical persons. So it3s tr-e to life. B-t we strippe' off whatwe 'i'n3t want6 an' intensifie' what we 'i' want.8

Broo'in4l%6 he a''e': 8There co-l' be a anc%. There are a lot of anc%2li!e people. In fact6 that3s the problem.8

8o- 'eliberatel% set o-t with the i'ea of remol'in4 people alon4 anc%3s line58Taverner in-ire'.





8I can3t precisel% sa% what the i'ea is6 at top level. I was an a' writer for amo-thwash compan%. The Callisto a-thorities hire' me an' o-tline' what the% wante'me to 'o. I3ve ha' to 4-ess as to the p-rpose of the proect.8

8B% a-thorities6 %o- mean the 4overnin4 co-ncil58

Siplin4 la-4he' sharpl%. 8I mean the tra'in4 s%n'icates that own this moon: loc!6stoc!6 an' barrel. B-t we3re not s-ppose' to call it a moon. It3s a planet.8 is lips twitche' bitterl%. 8Apparentl%6 the a-thorities have a bi4 pro4ram b-ilt -p. It involves absorbin4their tra'e rivals on 1an%me'e 22 when that3s 'one6 the%3ll have the o-t2planets sewe' -pti4ht.8

8The% can3t 4et at 1an%me'e witho-t open war68 Taverner proteste'. 8The$e'ean companies have their own pop-lation behin' them.8 An' then it 'awne'. 8I see68he sai' softl%. 8The%3' act-all% start a war. It wo-l' be worth a war6 to them.8

8o-3re 'amn ri4ht it wo-l'. An' to start a war6 the% have to 4et the p-blic line'-p. Act-all%6 the people here have nothin4 to 4ain. A war wo-l' wipe o-t all the smalloperators 22 it wo-l' concentrate power in fewer han's 22 an' the%3re few eno-4h alrea'%.To 4et the ei4ht% million people here behin' the war6 the% nee' an in'ifferent6 sheep2li!e p-blic. "nd they0re !ettin! that) 0hen this anc% campai4n is finishe'6 the people here onCallisto will accept an%thin4. anc% 'oes all their thin!in4 for them. e tells them how towear their hair. 0hat 4ames to pla%. e tells the o!es the men repeat in their bac! rooms.is wife whips -p the meal the% all have for 'inner. All over this little worl' 22 millionsof '-plicates of anc%3s 'a%. 0hatever he 'oes6 whatever he believes. 0e3ve beencon'itionin4 the p-blic for eleven strai4ht %ears. The important thin4 is the -nvar%in4monoton% of it. A whole 4eneration is 4rowin4 -p loo!in4 to anc% for an answer toever%thin4.8

8It3s a bi4 b-siness6 then68 Taverner observe'. 8This proect of creatin4 an'maintainin4 anc%.8

8Tho-san's of people are involve' in -st writin4 the material. o- onl% saw thefirst sta4e 22 an' it 4oes into ever% cit%. Tapes6 films6 boo!s6 ma4aGines6 posters6 pamphlets6 'ramatic vis-al an' a-'io shows6 plants in the newspapers6 so-n' tr-c!s6 !i's3comic strips6 wor'2of2mo-th report6 elaborate a's . . . the wor!s. A stea'% stream ofanc%.8 Pic!in4 -p a ma4aGine from the coffee table he in'icate' the lea' article. 8 3owis Fohn anc%3s eart53 &aises the -estion of what wo-l' we 'o witho-t anc%5 *extwee!6 an article on anc%3s stomach.8 Aci'l%6 Siplin4 finishe': 80e !now a millionapproaches. 0e t-rn it o-t of ever% pore. 0e3re calle' %ance2menJ it3s a new art2form.8

8ow 'o %o- 22 the corps6 feel abo-t anc%58

8e3s a bi4 sac! of hot air.8





8*one of %o- is convince'58

8+ven Babson has to la-4h. An' Babson is at the topJ after him come the bo%swho si4n the chec!s. 1o'6 if we ever starte' believin4 in anc% . . . if we 4ot starte'thin!in4 that trash#eant somethin4 228 An expression of ac-te a4on% settle' over

Siplin43s face. 8That3s it. That3s wh% I can3t stan' it.8

80h%58 Taverner as!e'6 'eepl% c-rio-s. is throat2mi!e was ta!in4 it all in6rela%in4 it bac! to the home office at 0ashin4ton. 8I3m intereste' in fin'in4 o-t wh% %o- bro!e awa%.8

Siplin4 bent 'own an' calle' his son. 8$i!e6 stop pla%in4 an' come on overhere.8 To Taverner he explaine': 8$i!e3s nine %ears ol'. anc%3s been aro-n' as lon4 ashe3s been alive.8

$i!e came '-ll% over. 8es6 sir58

80hat !in' of mar!s 'o %o- 4et in school58 his father as!e'.

The bo%3s chest st-c! o-t pro-'l%J he was a clear2e%e' little miniat-re of LeonSiplin4. 8All A3s an' B3s.8

8e3s a smart !i'68 Siplin4 sai' to Taverner. 81oo' in arithmetic6 4eo4raph%6histor%6 all that st-ff.8 T-rnin4 to the bo% he sai': 8I3m 4oin4 to as! %o- some -estionsJ Iwant this 4entleman to hear %o-r answers. (!a%58

8es6 sir68 the bo% sai' obe'ientl%.

is thin face 4rim6 Siplin4 sai' to his son: 8I want to !now what %o- thin! abo-twar. o-3ve been tol' abo-t war in schoolJ %o- !now abo-t all the famo-s wars in histor%.&i4ht58

8es6 sir. 0e learne' abo-t the American &evol-tion6 an' the ,irst 1lobal 0ar6an' then the Secon' 1lobal 0ar6 an' then the ,irst %'ro4en 0ar6 an' the 0ar betweenthe colonists on $ars an' F-piter.8

8To the schools68 Siplin4 explaine' ti4htl% to Taverner6 8we 'istrib-te anc%material 22 e'-cational s-bsi'ies in pac!et form. anc% ta!es chil'ren thro-4h histor%6explains the meanin4 of it all. anc% explains nat-ral science. anc% explains 4oo' post-re an' astronom% an' ever% other thin4 in the -niverse. B-t I never tho-4ht m% ownson . . .8 is voice traile' off -nhappil%6 then pic!e' -p life. 8So %o- !now all abo-t war.(!a%6 what 'o %o- thin! of war58

Promptl%6 the bo% answere': 80ar is ba'. 0ar is the most terrible thin4 there is. Italmost 'estro%e' man!in'.8





+%in4 his son intentl%6 Siplin4 'eman'e': 8i' an%bo'% tell %o- to sa% that58

The bo% faltere' -ncertainl%. 8*o6 sir.8

8o- reall% believe those thin4s58

8es6 sir. It3s tr-e6 isn3t it5 Isn3t war ba'58

Siplin4 no''e'. 80ar is ba'. B-t whata4out 6ust wars58

0itho-t hesitation the bo% answere': 80e have to fi4ht -st wars6 of co-rse.8

80h%58

80ell6 we have to protect o-r wa% of life.8

80h%58

A4ain6 there was no hesitation in the bo%3s ree'% answer. 80e can3t let them wal!over -s6 sir. That wo-l' enco-ra4e a44ressive war. 0e can3t permit a worl' of br-te power. 0e have to have a worl' of 228 e searche' for the exact wor'. 8A worl'of la')/

0earil%6 half to himself6 Siplin4 commente': 8I wrote those meanin4less6contra'ictor% wor's m%self6 ei4ht %ears a4o.8 P-llin4 himself to4ether with a violenteffort he as!e': 8So war is ba'. B-t we have to fi4ht -st wars. 0ell6 ma%be this planet, Callisto6 will 4et into a war with . . . let3s pic! 1an%me'e6 at ran'om.8 e was -nable to!eep the harsh iron% from his voice. 8F-st at ran'om. *ow6 we3re at war with 1an%me'e.Is it a 6ust war5 (r onl% a war58

This time6 there was no answer. The bo%3s smooth face was screwe' -p in a bewil'ere'6 str-44lin4 frown.

8*o answer58 Siplin4 in-ire' icil%.

80h%6 -h68 the bo% faltere'. 8I mean. . .8 e 4lance' -p hopef-ll%. 80hen thetime comes won3t somebo'% sa%58

8S-re68 Siplin4 cho!e'. 8Somebo'% will sa%. $a%be even $r. anc%.8

&elief floo'e' the bo%3s face. 8es6 sir. $r. anc% will sa%.8 e retreate' bac!towar' the other chil'ren. 8Can I 4o now58

As the bo% scampere' bac! to his 4ame6 Siplin4 t-rne' miserabl% to Taverner.8o- !now what 4ame the%3re pla%in45 It3s calle' ippo2oppo. 1-ess whose 4ran'son -st loves it. 1-ess who invente' the 4ame.8





There was silence.

80hat 'o %o- s-44est58 Taverner as!e'. 8o- sai' %o- tho-4ht somethin4 co-l' be 'one.8

A col' expression appeare' on Siplin43s face6 a flash of 'eepl%2felt c-nnin4. 8I!now the proect. . . I !now how it can be prie' apart. B-t somebo'% has to stan' with a4-n at the hea' of the a-thorities. In nine %ears I3ve come to see the essential !e% to theanc% character . . . the !e% to the new t%pe of person we3re 4rowin46 here. It3s simple. It3sthe element that ma!es that person malleable eno-4h to be le' aro-n'.8

8I3ll bite68 Taverner sai' patientl%6 hopin4 the line to 0ashin4ton was 4oo' an'clear.

8All anc%3s beliefs are insipi'. The !e% isthinness) +ver% part of his i'eolo4% is'il-te': nothin4 excessive. 0e3ve come as close as possible tono beliefs . . . %o-3ve

notice' that. 0herever possible we3ve cancelle' attit-'es o-t6 left the person apolitical.0itho-t a viewpoint.8

8S-re68 Taverner a4ree'. 8B-t with the ill-sion of a viewpoint.8

8All aspects of personalit% have to be controlle'J we want the total person. So aspecific attit-'e has to exist for each concrete -estion. In ever% respect6 o-r r-leis:ancy 4elieves the least trou4leso#e possi4ility) The most shallow. The simple6effortless view6 the view that fails to 4o 'eep eno-4h to stir an% real tho-4ht.8

Taverner 4ot the 'rift. 81oo' soli' l-llin4 views.8 +xcite'l% he h-rrie' on6 8B-t ifan extreme ori4inal view 4ot in6 one that too! real effort to wor! o-t6 somethin4 that washar' to live . . .8

8anc% pla%s cro-et. So ever%bo'% fools aro-n' with a mallet.8 Siplin43s e%es4leame'. 8B-t s-ppose anc% ha' a preference for 22 Krie4spiel.8

8,or what58

8Chess pla%e' on two boar's. +ach pla%er has his own boar'6 with a complete setof men. e never sees the other boar'. A mo'erator sees bothJ he tells each pla%er whenhe3s ta!en a piece6 or lost a piece6 or move' into an occ-pie' s-are6 or ma'e animpossible move6 or chec!e'6 or is in chec! himself.8

8I see68 Taverner sai' -ic!l%. 8+ach pla%er tries to infer his opponent3s locationon the boar'. e pla%s blin'. Lor'6 it wo-l' ta!e ever% mental fac-lt% possible.8

8The Pr-ssians ta-4ht their officers militar% strate4% that wa%. It3s more than a4ame: it3s a cosmic wrestlin4 match. 0hat if anc% sat 'own in the evenin4 with his wifean' 4ran'son6 an' pla%e' a nice livel% six2ho-r 4ame of Krie4spiel5 S-ppose his favorite





boo!s 22 instea' of bein4 western 4-n2totin4 anachronisms 22 were 1ree! tra4e'%5S-ppose his favorite piece of m-sic was Bach0s "rt of the 3u!ue, not My (ld &entucky

o#e%/

8I3m be4innin4 to 4et the pict-re68 Taverner sai'6 as calml% as possible. 8I thin!

we can help.8

Babson s-ea!e' once. 8B-t this is 22 ille4al78

8Absol-tel%68 Taverner ac!nowle'4e'. 8That3s wh% we3re here.8 e wave' thes-a' of *iplan secret2servicemen into the offices of the anc% B-il'in46 i4norin4 thest-nne' wor!ers sittin4 bolt2-pri4ht at their 'es!s. Into his throat2mi!e he sai'6 8ow3s itcomin4 with the bi42shots58

8$e'i-m68 Kellman3s faint voice came6 stren4thene' b% the rela% s%stem betweenCallisto an' +arth. 8Some slippe' o-t of bo-n's to their vario-s hol'in4s6 of co-rse. B-tthe maorit% never tho-4ht we3' ta!en action.8

8o- can3t78 Babson bleate'6 his 4reat face han4in4 'own in wattles of white'o-4h. 80hat have we 'one5 0hat law 228

8I thin!68 Taverner interr-pte'6 8we can 4et %o- on p-rel% commercial 4ro-n'salone. o-3ve -se' the name anc% to en'orse vario-s man-fact-re' pro'-cts. There3s nos-ch person. That3s a violation of stat-tes 4overnin4 ethical presentation of a'vertisin4.8

Babson3s mo-th close' with a snap6 then sli' feebl% open. 8*o 22 s-ch 22 person5B-t ever%bo'% !nows Fohn anc%. 0h%6 he3s 228 Stammerin46 4est-rin46 he finishe'68e3s ever%where.8

S-''enl% a wretche' little pistol appeare' in his p-lp% han'J he was wavin4 itwil'l% as orser steppe' -p an' -ietl% !noc!e' it s!i''in4 across the floor. Babsoncollapse' into f-mblin4 h%sterics.

is4-ste'6 orser clampe' han'4rapples aro-n' him. 8Act li!e a man68 heor'ere'. B-t there was no responseJ Babson was too far 4one to hear him.

Satisfie'6 Taverner pl-n4e' off6 past the !not of st-nne' officials an' wor!ers6into the inner offices of the proect. *o''in4 c-rtl%6 Taverner ma'e his wa% -p to the 'es!where Leon Siplin4 sat s-rro-n'e' b% his wor!.

The first of the altere' 4estalts was alrea'% flic!erin4 thro-4h the scanner.To4ether6 the two men stoo' watchin4 it.

80ell58 Taverner sai'6 when it was 'one. 8o-3re the -'4e.8





8I believe it3ll 'o68 Siplin4 answere' nervo-sl%. 8I hope we 'on3t stir -p too m-ch .. . it3s ta!en eleven %ears to b-il' it -pJ we want to tear it 'own b% 'e4rees.8

8(nce the first crac! is ma'e6 it sho-l' start swa%in4.8 Taverner move' towar'

the 'oor. 80ill %o- be all ri4ht on %o-r own58

Siplin4 4lance' at +c!m-n' who lo-n4e' at the en' of the office6 e%es fixe' onthe -neasil% wor!in4 %ance2men. 8I s-ppose so. 0here are %o- 4oin458

8I want to watch this as it3s release'. I want to be aro-n' when the p-blic 4ets itsfirst loo! at it.8 At the 'oor6 Taverner lin4ere'. 8It3s 4oin4 to be a bi4 ob for %o-6 p-ttin4o-t the 4estalt on %o-r own. o- ma% not 4et m-ch help6 for a while.8

Siplin4 in'icate' his co2wor!ersJ the% were alrea'% be4innin4 to pic! -p theirtempo where the% ha' left off. 8The%3ll sta% on the ob68 he 'isa4ree'. 8As lon4 as the%

4et f-ll salaries.8

Taverner wal!e' tho-4htf-ll% across the hall to the elevator. A moment later hewas on his wa% 'ownstairs.

At a nearb% street corner6 a 4ro-p of people ha' collecte' aro-n' a p-blic vi'2screen. Anticipatin4 the late2afternoon T" cast of Fohn +'war' anc%.

The 4estalt be4an in the re4-lar wa%. There was no 'o-bt abo-t it: when Siplin4wante' to6 he co-l' p-t to4ether a 4oo' slice. An' in this case he ha' 'one practicall% thewhole pie.

In rolle'2-p shirt sleeves an' 'irt2staine' tro-sers6 anc% cro-che' in his 4ar'en6a trowel in one han'6 straw hat p-lle' 'own over his e%es6 4rinnin4 into the warm 4lareof the s-n. It was so real that Taverner co-l' har'l% believe no s-ch person existe'. B-the ha' watche' Siplin43s s-b2crews laborio-sl% an' expertl% constr-ctin4 the thin4 fromthe 4ro-n' -p.

8Afternoon68 anc% r-mble' 4eniall%. e wipe' perspiration from his steamin46flori' face an' 4ot stiffl% to his feet. 8$an68 he a'mitte'6 8it3s a hot 'a%.8 e in'icate' aflat of primroses. 8I was settin4 them o-t. -ite a ob.8

So far so 4oo'. The crow' watche' impassivel%6 ta!in4 their i'eolo4icalno-rishment witho-t partic-lar resistance. All over the moon6 in ever% ho-se6schoolroom6office6 on each street corner6 the same 4estalt was showin4. An' it wo-l' be shown a4ain.

8es68 anc% repeate'6 8it3s reall% hot. Too hot for those primroses 22 the% li!esha'e.8 A fast pan2-p showe' he ha' caref-ll% plante' his primroses in the sha'ows at the base of his 4ara4e. 8(n the other han'68 anc% contin-e'6 in his smooth6 4oo'2nat-re'6over2the2bac!2fence conversational voice6 8m% 'ahlias nee' lots of s-n.8





The camera leape' to show the 'ahlias bloomin4 franticall% in the blaGin4s-nli4ht.

Throwin4 himself 'own in a stripe' lawnchair6 anc% remove' his straw hat an'

wipe' his brow with a poc!et han'!erchief. 8So68 he contin-e' 4eniall%6 8if an%bo'%as!e' me which is better6 sha'e or s-n6 I3' have to repl% it 'epen's on whether %o-3re a primrose or a 'ahlia.8 e 4rinne' his famo-s 4-ileless bo%ish 4rin into the cameras. 8I4-ess I m-st be a primrose 22 I3ve ha' all the s-n I can stan' for to'a%.8

The a-'ience was ta!in4 it in witho-t complaint. An ina-spicio-s be4innin46 b-tit was 4oin4 to have lon42term conse-ences. An' anc% was startin4 to 'evelop themri4ht now.

is 4enial 4rin fa'e'. That familiar loo!6 that awaite' serio-s frown showin4 that'eep tho-4hts were comin46 fa'e' into place. anc% was 4oin4 to hol' forth: wis'om was

on the wa%. B-t it was nothin4 ever -ttere' b% him before.

8o- !now68 anc% sai' slowl%6 serio-sl%6 8that ma!es a person 'o somethin!in4.8 A-tomaticall%6 he reache' for his 4lass of 4in an' tonic 22 a 4lass which -p-ntil now wo-l' have containe' beer. An' the ma4aGine besi'e it wasn3t Do! Stories

Monthly5 it wasThe Journal of Psycholo!ical Revie') The alteration of peripheral propswo-l' sin! in s-bliminall%J ri4ht now6 all conscio-s attention was rivete' on anc%3swor's.

8It occ-rs to me68 anc% orate'6 as if the wis'om were fresh an' bran'2new6arrivin4 -st now6 8that some people mi4ht maintain that6 sa%6 s-nli4ht is !ood an' sha'eis4ad) B-t that3s 'own2ri4ht sill%. S-nli4ht is 4oo' for roses an' 'ahlias6 b-t it wo-l' 'arnwell finish off m% f-chsias.8 The camera showe' his -bi-ito-s priGe f-chsias.

8$a%be %o- !now people li!e that. The% -st 'on3t -n'erstan' that 228 An' as washis c-stom6 anc% 'rew on fol!lore to ma!e his point. 8That one man3s meat68 he state' profo-n'l%6 8is another man3s poison. Li!e for instance6 for brea!fast I li!e a co-ple ofe44s 'one s-nn%2si'e -p6 ma%be a few stewe' pr-nes6 an' a piece of toast. B-t $ar4aret6she prefers a bowl of cereal. An' &alf6 he won3t ta!e either. e li!es flapac!s. An' thefellow 'own the street6 the one with the bi4 front lawn6 he li!es a !i'ne% pie an' a bottleof sto-t.8

Taverner wince'. 0ell6 the% wo-l' have to feel their wa% alon4. B-t still thea-'ience stoo' absorbin4 it6 wor' after wor'. The first feeble stirrin4s of a ra'ical i'ea:that each person ha' a 'ifferent set of val-es6 a -ni-e st%le of life. That each personmi4ht believe6 eno%6 an' approve of 'ifferent thin4s.

It wo-l' ta!e time6 as Siplin4 sai'. The massive librar% of tapes wo-l' have to bereplace'J in-nctions b-ilt -p in each area wo-l' have to be bro!en 'own. A new t%pe ofthin!in4 was bein4 intro'-ce'6 startin4 with a trite observation abo-t primroses. 0hen a





nine2%ear2ol'2bo% wante' to fin' o-t if a war was -st or -n-st6 he wo-l' have to in-ireinto his own min'. There wo-l' be no rea'% answer from anc%J a 4estalt was alrea'% bein4 prepare' on that6 showin4 that ever% war ha' been calle' -st b% some6 -n-st b%others.

There was one 4estalt Taverner wishe' he co-l' see. B-t it wo-l'n3t be aro-n' fora lon4 timeJ it wo-l' have to wait. anc% was 4oin4 to chan4e his taste in art6 slowl% b-tstea'il%. (ne of these 'a%s6 the p-blic wo-l' learn that anc% no lon4er eno%e' pastoralcalen'ar scenes.

That now he preferre' the art of that fifteenth cent-r% -tch master of macabrean' 'iabolical horror6 ieron%m-s Bosch.

The Minority Report

I

Thefirst tho-4ht An'erton ha' when he saw the %o-n4 man was: 70# !ettin! 4ald)

Bald and fat and old) B-t he 'i'n3t sa% it alo-'. Instea'6 he p-she' bac! his chair6 4ot tohis feet6 an' came resol-tel% aro-n' the si'e of his 'es!6 his ri4ht han' ri4i'l% exten'e'.Smilin4 with force' amiabilit%6 he shoo! han's with the %o-n4 man.

80itwer58 he as!e'6 mana4in4 to ma!e this -er% so-n' 4racio-s. 8That3s ri4ht68the %o-n4 man sai'. 8B-t the name3s +' to %o-6 of co-rse. That is6 if %o- share m% 'isli!efor nee'less formalit%.8 The loo! on his blon'6 overl%2confi'ent face showe' that heconsi'ere' the matter settle'. It wo-l' be +' an' Fohn: +ver%thin4 wo-l' be a4reeabl%cooperative ri4ht from the start.

8i' %o- have m-ch tro-ble fin'in4 the b-il'in458 An'erton as!e' 4-ar'e'l%6i4norin4 the too2frien'l% overt-re.8ood 8od, he had to hold on to so#ethin!) ,earto-che' him an' he be4an to sweat. 0itwer was movin4 aro-n' the office as if he alrea'%owne' it 22 as if he were meas-rin4 it for siGe. Co-l'n3t he wait a co-ple of 'a%s 22 a'ecent interval5





8*o tro-ble68 0itwer answere' blithel%6 his han's in his poc!ets. +a4erl%6 heexamine' the vol-mino-s files that line' the wall. 8I3m not comin4 into %o-r a4enc% blin'6 %o- -n'erstan'. I have -ite a few i'eas of m% own abo-t the wa% Precrime isr-n.8

Sha!il%6 An'erton lit his pipe. 8ow is it r-n5 I sho-l' li!e to !now.8 8*ot ba'l%680itwer sai'. 8In fact6 -ite well.8

An'erton re4ar'e' him stea'il%. 8Is that %o-r private opinion5 (r is it -st cant58

0itwer met his 4aGe 4-ilelessl%. 8Private an' p-blic. The Senate3s please' with%o-r wor!. In fact6 the%3re enth-siastic.8 e a''e'6 8As enth-siastic as ver% ol' men can be.8

An'erton wince'6 b-t o-twar'l% he remaine' impassive. It cost him an effort6tho-4h. e won'ere' what 0itwer really tho-4ht. 0hat was act-all% 4oin4 on in that

closecroppe' s!-ll5 The %o-n4 man3s e%es were bl-e6 bri4ht 22 an' 'ist-rbin4l% clever.0itwer was nobo'%3s fool. An' obvio-sl% he ha' a 4reat 'eal of ambition.

8As I -n'erstan' it68 An'erton sai' ca-tio-sl%6 8%o-3re 4oin4 to be m% assistant-ntil I retire.8

8That3s m% -n'erstan'in46 too68 the other replie'6 witho-t an instant3s hesitation.

80hich ma% be this %ear6 or next %ear 22 or ten %ears from now.8 The pipe inAn'erton3s han' tremble'. 8I3m -n'er no comp-lsion to retire. I fo-n'e' Precrime an' Ican sta% on here as lon4 as I want. It3s p-rel%#y 'ecision.8

0itwer no''e'6 his expression still 4-ileless. 8(f co-rse.8

0ith an effort6 An'erton coole' 'own a trifle. 8I merel% wante' to 4et thin4sstrai4ht.8

8,rom the start68 0itwer a4ree'. 8o-3re the boss. 0hat %o- sa% 4oes.8 0ithever% evi'ence of sincerit%6 he as!e': 80o-l' %o- care to show me the or4aniGation5 I3'li!e to familiariGe m%self with the 4eneral ro-tine as soon as possible.8

As the% wal!e' alon4 the b-s%6 %ellow2lit tiers of offices6 An'erton sai': 8o-3reac-ainte' with the theor% of precrime6 of co-rse. I pres-me we can ta!e that for4rante'.8

8I have the information p-blicl% available68 0itwer replie'. 80ith the ai' of %o-r preco4 m-tants6 %o-3ve bol'l% an' s-ccessf-ll% abolishe' the post2crime p-nitive s%stemof ails an' fines. As we all realiGe6 p-nishment was never m-ch of a 'eterrent6 an' co-l'scarcel% have affor'e' comfort to a victim alrea'% 'ea'.8





The% ha' come to the 'escent lift. As it carrie' them swiftl% 'ownwar'6 An'ertonsai': 8o-3ve probabl% 4raspe' the basic le4alistic 'rawbac! to precrime metho'olo4%.0e3re ta!in4 in in'ivi'-als who have bro!en no law.8

8B-t the% s-rel% will68 0itwer affirme' with conviction.

8appil% the%don0t -- beca-se we 4et them first6 before the% can commit an act ofviolence. So the commission of the crime itself is absol-te metaph%sics. 0e claim the%3rec-lpable. The%6 on the other han'6 eternall% claim the%3re innocent. An'6 in a sense6the%are innocent.8

The lift let them o-t6 an' the% a4ain pace' 'own a %ellow corri'or. 8In o-r societ%we have no maor crimes68 An'erton went on6 8b-t we 'o have a 'etention camp f-ll ofwo-l'2be criminals.8

oors opene' an' close'6 an' the% were in the anal%tical win4. Ahea' of them

rose impressive ban!s of e-ipment 22 the 'ata2receptors6 an' the comp-tin4 mechanismsthat st-'ie' an' restr-ct-re' the incomin4 material. An' be%on' the machiner% sat thethree preco4s6 almost lost to view in the maGe of wirin4.

8There the% are68 An'erton sai' 'r%l%. 80hat 'o %o- thin! of them58 In the4loom% half2'ar!ness the three i'iots sat babblin4. +ver% incoherent -tterance6 ever%ran'om s%llable6 was anal%Ge'6 compare'6 reassemble' in the form of vis-al s%mbols6transcribe' on conventional p-nchcar's6 an' eecte' into vario-s co'e' slots. All 'a%lon4 the i'iots babble'6 imprisone' in their special hi4h2bac!e' chairs6 hel' in one ri4i' position b% metal ban's6 an' b-n'les of wirin46 clamps. Their ph%sical nee's were ta!encare of a-tomaticall%. The% ha' no spirit-al nee's. "e4etable2li!e6 the% m-ttere' an''oGe' an' existe'. Their min's were '-ll6 conf-se'6 lost in sha'ows.

B-t not the sha'ows of to'a%. The three 4ibberin46 f-mblin4 creat-res6 with theirenlar4e' hea's an' waste' bo'ies6 were contemplatin4 the f-t-re. The anal%ticalmachiner% was recor'in4 prophecies6 an' as the three preco4 i'iots tal!e'6 the machiner%caref-ll% listene'.

,or the first time 0itwer3s face lost its breeG% confi'ence. A sic!6 'isma%e'expression crept into his e%es6 a mixt-re of shame an' moral shoc!. 8It3s not 22 pleasant68he m-rm-re'. 8I 'i'n3t realiGe the% were so 22 8 e 4rope' in his min' for the ri4ht wor'64estic-latin4. 8So 22 'eforme'.8

8eforme' an' retar'e'68 An'erton instantl% a4ree'. 8+speciall% the 4irl6 there.onna is fort%2five %ears ol'. B-t she loo!s abo-t ten. The talent absorbs ever%thin4J theesp2lobe shrivels the balance of the frontal area. B-t what 'o we care5 0e 4et their prophecies. The% pass on what we nee'. The% 'on3t -n'erstan' an% of it6 b-t'e 'o.8

S-b'-e'6 0itwer crosse' the room to the machiner%. ,rom a slot he collecte' astac! of car's. 8Are these names that have come -p58 he as!e'.





8(bvio-sl%.8 ,rownin46 An'erton too! the stac! from him. 8I haven3t ha' achance to examine them68 he explaine'6 impatientl% concealin4 his anno%ance.

,ascinate'6 0itwer watche' the machiner% pop a fresh car' into the now empt%

slot. It was followe' b% a secon' 22 an' a thir'. ,rom the whirrin4 'is!s came one car'after another. 8The preco4s m-st see -ite far into the f-t-re68 0itwer exclaime'.

8The% see a -ite limite' span68 An'erton informe' him. 8(ne wee! or two ahea'at the ver% most. $-ch of their 'ata is worthless to -s 22 simpl% not relevant to o-r line.0e pass it on to the appropriate a4encies. An' the% in t-rn tra'e 'ata with -s. +ver%important b-rea- has its cellar of treas-re'#onkeys)/

8$on!e%s58 0itwer stare' at him -neasil%. 8(h6 %es6 I -n'erstan'. See no evil6spea! no evil6 et cetera. "er% am-sin4.8

8"er%apt)/ A-tomaticall%6 An'erton collecte' the fresh car's which ha' beent-rne' -p b% the spinnin4 machiner%. 8Some of these names will be totall% 'iscar'e'.An' most of the remain'er recor' pett% crimes: thefts6 income tax evasion6 assa-lt6extortion. As I3m s-re %o- !now6 Precrime has c-t 'own felonies b% ninet%2nine an''ecimal point ei4ht percent. 0e sel'om 4et act-al m-r'er or treason. After all6 the c-lprit!nows we3ll confine him in the 'etention camp a wee! before he 4ets a chance to committhe crime.8

80hen was the last time an act-al m-r'er was committe'58 0itwer as!e'.

8,ive %ears a4o68 An'erton sai'6 pri'e in his voice.

8ow 'i' it happen58

8The criminal escape' o-r teams. 0e ha' his name 22 in fact6 we ha' all the'etails of the crime6 incl-'in4 the victim3s name. 0e !new the exact moment6 the locationof the planne' act of violence. B-t in spite of -s he was able to carr% it o-t.8 An'ertonshr-44e'. 8After all6 we can3t 4et all of them.8 e riffle' the car's. 8B-t we 'o 4et most.8

8(ne m-r'er in five %ears.8 0itwer3s confi'ence was ret-rnin4. 8-ite animpressive recor'. . . somethin4 to be pro-' of.8

-ietl% An'erton sai': 8Ia# pro-'. Thirt% %ears a4o I wor!e' o-t the theor% 22 bac! in the 'a%s when the self2see!ers were thin!in4 in terms of -ic! rai's on the stoc!mar!et. I saw somethin4 le4itimate ahea' 22 somethin4 of tremen'o-s social val-e.8

e tosse' the pac!et of car's to 0all% Pa4e6 his s-bor'inate in char4e of themon!e% bloc!. 8See which ones we want68 he tol' him. 8se %o-r own -'4ment.8

As Pa4e 'isappeare' with the car's6 0itwer sai' tho-4htf-ll%: 8It3s a bi4





responsibilit%.8

8es6 it is68 a4ree' An'erton. 8If we let one criminal escape 22 as we 'i' five %earsa4o 22 we3ve 4ot a h-man life on o-r conscience. 0e3re solel% responsible. If we slip -p6somebo'% 'ies.8 Bitterl%6 he er!e' three new car's from the slot. 8It3s a p-blic tr-st.8

8Are %o- ever tempte' to 22 8 0itwer hesitate'. 8I mean6 some of the men %o- pic! -p m-st offer %o- plent%.8

8It wo-l'n3t 'o an% 4oo'. A '-plicate file of car's pops o-t at Arm% 1. It3schec! an' balance. The% can !eep their e%e on -s as contin-o-sl% as the% wish.8An'erton 4lance' briefl% at the top car'. 8So even if we wante' to accept a 22 8

e bro!e off6 his lips ti4htenin4.

80hat3s the matter58 0itwer as!e' c-rio-sl%.

Caref-ll%6 An'erton fol'e' -p the top car' an' p-t it awa% in his poc!et.8*othin468 he m-ttere'. 8*othin4 at all.8

The harshness in his voice bro-4ht a fl-sh to 0itwer3s face. 8o- reall% 'on3t li!eme68 he observe'.

8Tr-e68 An'erton a'mitte'. 8I 'on3t. B-t 22 8

e co-l'n3t believe he 'isli!e' the %o-n4 man that m-ch. It 'i'n3t seem possible:it'asn0t possible. Somethin4 was wron4. aGe'6 he trie' to stea'% his t-mblin4 min'.

(n the car' was his name. Line one 22 an alrea'% acc-se' f-t-re m-r'erer7Accor'in4 to the co'e' p-nches6 Precrime Commissioner Fohn A. An'erton was 4oin4 to!ill a man 22 an' within the next wee!.

0ith absol-te6 overwhelmin4 conviction6 he 'i'n3t believe it.

II

In the o-ter office6 tal!in4 to Pa4e6 stoo' An'erton3s slim an' attractive %o-n4wife6 Lisa. She was en4a4e' in a sharp6 animate' 'isc-ssion of polic%6 an' barel% 4lance'-p as 0itwer an' her h-sban' entere'.





8ello6 'arlin468 An'erton sai'.

0itwer remaine' silent. B-t his pale e%es flic!ere' sli4htl% as the% reste' on the brown2haire' woman in her trim police -niform. Lisa was now an exec-tive official ofPrecrime b-t once6 0itwer !new6 she ha' been An'erton3s secretar%.

*oticin4 the interest on 0itwer3s face An'erton pa-se' an' reflecte'. To plant thecar' in the machines wo-l' re-ire an accomplice on the insi'e 22 someone who wasclosel% connecte' with Precrime an' ha' access to the anal%tical e-ipment. Lisa was animprobable element. B-t the possibilit% 'i' exist.

(f co-rse6 the conspirac% co-l' be lar4e2scale an' elaborate6 involvin4 far morethan a 8ri44e'8 car' inserte' somewhere alon4 the line. The ori4inal 'ata itself mi4hthave been tampere' with. Act-all%6 there was no tellin4 how far bac! the alteration went.A col' fear to-che' him as he be4an to see the possibilities. is ori4inal imp-lse 22 to tearopen the machines an' remove all the 'ata 22 was -selessl% primitive. Probabl% the tapes

a4ree' with the car': e wo-l' onl% incriminate himself f-rther.

e ha' approximatel% twent%2fo-r ho-rs. Then6 the Arm% people wo-l' chec!over their car's an' 'iscover the 'iscrepanc%. The% wo-l' fin' in their files a '-plicate ofthe car' he ha' appropriate'. e ha' onl% one of two copies6 which meant that the fol'e'car' in his poc!et mi4ht -st as well be l%in4 on Pa4e3s 'es! in plain view of ever%one.

,rom o-tsi'e the b-il'in4 came the 'rone of police cars startin4 o-t on theirro-tine ro-n'2-ps. ow man% ho-rs wo-l' elapse before one of them p-lle' -p in frontof his ho-se5

80hat3s the matter6 'arlin458 Lisa as!e' him -neasil%. 8o- loo! as if %o-3ve -stseen a 4host. Are %o- all ri4ht58

8I3m fine68 he ass-re' her.

Lisa s-''enl% seeme' to become aware of +' 0itwer3s a'mirin4 scr-tin%. 8Is this4entleman %o-r new co2wor!er6 'arlin458 she as!e'.

0aril%6 An'erton intro'-ce' his new associate. Lisa smile' in frien'l% 4reetin4.i' a covert awareness pass between them5 e co-l'n3t tell. 1o'6 he was be4innin4 tos-spect ever%bo'% 22 not onl% his wife an' 0itwer6 b-t a 'oGen members of his staff.

8Are %o- from *ew or!58 Lisa as!e'.

8*o68 0itwer replie'. 8I3ve live' most of m% life in Chica4o. I3m sta%in4 at a hotel22 one of the bi4 'owntown hotels. 0ait 22 I have the name written on a car' somewhere.8

0hile he self2conscio-sl% searche' his poc!ets6 Lisa s-44este': 8Perhaps %o-3'li!e to have 'inner with -s. 0e3ll be wor!in4 in close cooperation6 an' I reall% thin! we





o-4ht to 4et better ac-ainte'.8

Startle'6 An'erton bac!e' off. 0hat were the chances of his wife3s frien'liness bein4 beni4n6 acci'ental5 0itwer wo-l' be present the balance of the evenin46 an' wo-l'now have an exc-se to trail alon4 to An'erton3s private resi'ence. Profo-n'l% 'ist-rbe'6

he t-rne' imp-lsivel%6 an' move' towar' the 'oor.

80here are %o- 4oin458 Lisa as!e'6 astonishe'.

8Bac! to the mon!e% bloc!68 he tol' her. 8I want to chec! over some rather p-GGlin4 'ata tapes before the Arm% sees them.8 e was o-t in the corri'or before sheco-l' thin! of a pla-sible reason for 'etainin4 him.

&api'l%6 he ma'e his wa% to the ramp at its far en'. e was stri'in4 'own theo-tsi'e stairs towar' the p-blic si'ewal!6 when Lisa appeare' breathlessl% behin' him.

80hat on earth has come over %o-58 Catchin4 hol' of his arm6 she move' -ic!l%in front of him. 8Ikne' %o- were leavin468 she exclaime'6 bloc!in4 his wa%. 80hat3swron4 with %o-5 +ver%bo'% thin!s %o-3re 22 8 She chec!e' herself. 8I mean6 %o-3re actin4so erraticall%.8

People s-r4e' b% them 22 the -s-al afternoon crow'. I4norin4 them6 An'erton prie' his wife3s fin4ers from his arm. 8I3m 4ettin4 o-t68 he tol' her. 80hile there3s stilltime.8

8B-t 22 wh%58

8I3m bein4 frame' 22 'eliberatel% an' malicio-sl%. This creat-re is o-t to 4et m% ob. The Senate is 4ettin4 at methrou!h him.8

Lisa 4aGe' -p at him6 bewil'ere'. 8B-t he seems li!e s-ch a nice %o-n4 man.8

8*ice as a water moccasin.8

Lisa3s 'isma% t-rne' to 'isbelief. 8I 'on3t believe it. arlin46 all this strain %o-3ve been -n'er 22 8 Smilin4 -ncertainl%6 she faltere': 8It3s not reall% cre'ible that +' 0itweris tr%in4 to frame %o-. ow co-l' he6 even if he wante' to5 S-rel% +' wo-l'n3t 22 8

8+'58

8That3s his name6 isn3t it58

er brown e%es flashe' in startle'6 wil'l% incre'-lo-s protest. 81oo' heavens6%o-3re s-spicio-s of ever%bo'%. o- act-all% believe I3m mixe' -p with it in some wa%6'on3t %o-58





e consi'ere'. 8I3m not s-re.8

She 'rew closer to him6 her e%es acc-sin4. 8That3s not tr-e. o- reall% believe it.$a%be %o-ou!ht to 4o awa% for a few wee!s. o- 'esperatel% nee' a rest. All thistension an' tra-ma6 a %o-n4er man comin4 in. o-3re actin4 paranoiac. Can3t %o- see

that5 People plottin4 a4ainst %o-. Tell me6 'o %o- have an% act-al proof58

An'erton remove' his wallet an' too! o-t the fol'e' car'. 8+xamine thiscaref-ll%68 he sai'6 han'in4 it to her.

The color 'raine' o-t of her face6 an' she 4ave a little harsh6 'r% 4asp.

8The set2-p is fairl% obvio-s68 An'erton tol' her6 as levell% as he co-l'. 8This will4ive 0itwer a le4al pretext to remove me ri4ht now. e won3t have to wait -ntil I resi4n.81riml%6 he a''e': 8The% !now I3m 4oo' for a few %ears %et.8

8B-t28

8It will en' the chec! an' balance s%stem. Precrime will no lon4er be anin'epen'ent a4enc%. The Senate will control the police6 an' after that 22 8 is lipsti4htene'. 8The%3ll absorb the Arm% too. 0ell6 it3s o-twar'l% lo4ical eno-4h.(f course Ifeel hostilit% an' resentment towar' 0itwer 22of course I have a motive.

8*obo'% li!es to be replace' b% a %o-n4er man6 an' fin' himself t-rne' o-t to past-re. It3s all reall% -ite pla-sible 22 except that I haven3t the remotest intention of!illin4 0itwer. B-t I can3t prove that. So what can I 'o58

$-tel%6 her face ver% white6 Lisa shoo! her hea'. 8I 22 I 'on3t !now. arlin46 ifonl% 228

8&i4ht now68 An'erton sai' abr-ptl%6 8I3m 4oin4 home to pac! m% thin4s. That3sabo-t as far ahea' as I can plan.8

8o-3re reall% 4oin4 to 22 to tr% to hi'e o-t58

8I am. As far as the Centa-rian2colon% planets6 if necessar%. It3s been 'ones-ccessf-ll% before6 an' I have a twent%2fo-r2ho-r start.8 e t-rne' resol-tel%. 81o bac!insi'e. There3s no point in %o-r comin4 with me.8

8i' %o- ima4ine I wo-l'58 Lisa as!e' h-s!il%.

Startle'6 An'erton stare' at her. 80o-l'n3t %o-58 Then with amaGement6 hem-rm-re': 8*o6 I can see %o- 'on3t believe me. o- still thin! I3m ima4inin4 all this.8 e abbe' sava4el% at the car'. 8+ven with that evi'ence %o- still aren3t convince'.8

8*o68 Lisa a4ree' -ic!l%6 8I3m not. o- 'i'n3t loo! at it closel% eno-4h6 'arlin4.





+' 0itwer3s name isn3t on it.8

Incre'-lo-s6 An'erton too! the car' from her.

8*obo'% sa%s %o-3re 4oin4 to !ill +' 0itwer68 Lisa contin-e' rapi'l%6 in a thin6

brittle voice. 8The car'#ust be 4en-ine6 -n'erstan'5 An' it has nothin4 to 'o with +'.e3s not plottin4 a4ainst %o- an' neither is an%bo'% else.8

Too conf-se' to repl%6 An'erton stoo' st-'%in4 the car'. She was ri4ht. +'0itwer was not liste' as his victim. (n line five6 the machine ha' neatl% stampe' anothername.

L+(P(L KAPLA*

*-mbl%6 he poc!ete' the car'. e ha' never hear' of the man in his life.

III

The ho-se was cool an' 'eserte'6 an' almost imme'iatel% An'erton be4anma!in4 preparations for his o-rne%. 0hile he pac!e'6 frantic tho-4hts passe' thro-4h hismin'.

Possibl% he was wron4 abo-t 0itwer 22 b-t how co-l' he be s-re5 In an% event6the conspirac% a4ainst him was far more complex than he ha' realiGe'. 0itwer6 in theover2all pict-re6 mi4ht be merel% an insi4nificant p-ppet animate' b% someone else 22 b%some 'istant6 in'istinct fi4-re onl% va4-el% visible in the bac!4ro-n'.

It ha' been a mista!e to show the car' to Lisa. n'o-bte'l%6 she wo-l' 'escribe itin 'etail to 0itwer. e3' never 4et off +arth6 never have an opport-nit% to fin' o-t whatlife on a frontier planet mi4ht be li!e.

0hile he was th-s preocc-pie'6 a boar' crea!e' behin' him. e t-rne' from the be'6 cl-tchin4 a weather2staine' winter sports ac!et6 to face the m-GGle of a 4ra%2bl-e A2 pistol.

8It 'i'n3t ta!e %o- lon468 he sai'6 starin4 with bitterness at the ti4ht2lippe'6heav%set man in a brown overcoat who stoo' hol'in4 the 4-n in his 4love' han'. 8i'n3tshe even hesitate58

The intr-'er3s face re4istere' no response. 8I 'on3t !now what %o-3re tal!in4





abo-t68 he sai'. 8Come alon4 with me.8

Startle'6 An'erton lai' 'own the sports ac!et. 8o-3re not from m% a4enc%5o-3re not a police officer58

Protestin4 an' astonishe'6 he was h-stle' o-tsi'e the ho-se to a waitin4limo-sine. Instantl% three heavil% arme' men close' in behin' him. The 'oor slamme'an' the car shot off 'own the hi4hwa%6 awa% from the cit%. Impassive an' remote6 thefaces aro-n' him o44e' with the motion of the spee'in4 vehicle as open fiel's6 'ar! an'somber6 swept past.

An'erton was till tr%in4 f-tilel% to 4rasp the implications of what ha' happene'6when the car came to a r-tte' si'e roa'6 t-rne' off6 an' 'escen'e' into a 4loom% s-b2s-rface 4ara4e. Someone sho-te' an or'er. The heav% metal loc! 4rate' sh-t an'overhea' li4hts blin!e' on. The 'river t-rne' off the car motor.

8o-3ll have reason to re4ret this68 An'erton warne' hoarsel%6 as the% 'ra44e'him from the car. 8o %o- realiGe who I am58

80e realiGe68 the man in the brown overcoat sai'.

At 4-n2point6 An'erton was marche' -pstairs6 from the clamm% silence of the4ara4e into a 'eep2carpete' hallwa%. e was6 apparentl%6 in a l-x-rio-s private resi'ence6set o-t in the war2'evo-re' r-ral area. At the far en' of the hallwa% he co-l' ma!e o-t aroom 22 a boo!2line' st-'% simpl% b-t tastef-ll% f-rnishe'. In a circle of lampli4ht6 hisface partl% in sha'ows6 a man he ha' never met sat waitin4 for him.

As An'erton approache'6 the man nervo-sl% slippe' a pair of rimless 4lasses in place6 snappe' the case sh-t6 an' moistene' his 'r% lips. e was el'erl%6 perhaps sevent%or ol'er6 an' -n'er his arm was a slim silver cane. is bo'% was thin6 wir%6 his attit-'ec-rio-sl% ri4i'. 0hat little hair he ha' was '-st% brown 22 a caref-ll%2smoothe' sheen ofne-tral color above his pale6 bon% s!-ll. (nl% his e%es seeme' reall% alert.

8Is this An'erton58 he in-ire' -er-lo-sl%6 t-rnin4 to the man in the brownovercoat. 80here 'i' %o- pic! him -p58

8At his home68 the other replie'. 8e was pac!in4 22 as we expecte'.8

The man at the 'es! shivere' visibl%. 8Pac!in4.8 e too! off his 4lasses an' er!il% ret-rne' them to their case. 8Loo! here68 he sai' bl-ntl% to An'erton6 8what3s thematter with %o-5 Are %o- hopelessl% insane5 ow co-l' %o- !ill a man %o-3ve nevermet58

The ol' man6 An'erton s-''enl% realiGe'6 was Leopol' Kaplan.

8,irst6 I3ll as! %o- a -estion68 An'erton co-ntere' rapi'l%. 8o %o- realiGe what





%o-3ve 'one5 I3m Commissioner of Police. I can have %o- sent -p for twent% %ears.8

e was 4oin4 to sa% more6 b-t a s-''en won'er c-t him short.

/o' did you find out%/ he 'eman'e'. Invol-ntaril%6 his han' went to his poc!et6

where the fol'e' car' was hi''en. 8It won3t be for another 22 8

8I wasn3t notifie' thro-4h %o-r a4enc%68 Kaplan bro!e in6 with an4r% impatience.8The fact that %o-3ve never hear' of me 'oesn3t s-rprise me too m-ch. Leopol' Kaplan61eneral of the Arm% of the ,e'erate' 0estbloc Alliance.8 Be4r-'4in4l%6 he a''e'.8&etire'6 since the en' of the An4lo2Chinese 0ar6 an' the abolishment of A,0A.8

It ma'e sense. An'erton ha' s-specte' that the Arm% processe' its '-plicate car'simme'iatel%6 for its own protection. &elaxin4 somewhat6 he 'eman'e': 80ell5 o-3ve4ot me here. 0hat next58

8+vi'entl%68 Kaplan sai'6 8I3m not 4oin4 to have %o- 'estro%e'6 or it wo-l' haveshown -p on one of those miserable little car's. I3m c-rio-s abo-t %o-. It seeme'incre'ible to me that a man of %o-r stat-re co-l' contemplate the col'2bloo'e' m-r'er ofa total stran4er. There m-st be somethin4 more here. ,ran!l%6 I3m p-GGle'. If itrepresente' some !in' of Police strate4%28 e shr-44e' his thin sho-l'ers. 8S-rel% %o-wo-l'n3t have permitte' the '-plicate car' to reach -s.8

8nless68 one of his men s-44este'6 8it3s a 'eliberate plant.8

Kaplan raise' his bri4ht6 bir'2li!e e%es an' scr-tiniGe' An'erton. 80hat 'o %o-have to sa%58

8That3s exactl% what it is68 An'erton sai'6 -ic! to see the a'vanta4e of statin4fran!l% what he believe' to be the simple tr-th. 8The pre'iction on the car' was'eliberatel% fabricate' b% a cli-e insi'e the police a4enc%. The car' is prepare' an' I3mnette'. I3m relieve' of m% a-thorit% a-tomaticall%. $% assistant steps in an' claims he prevente' the m-r'er in the -s-al efficient Precrime manner. *ee'less to sa%6 there is nom-r'er or intent to m-r'er.8

8I a4ree with %o- that there will be no m-r'er68 Kaplan affirme' 4riml%. 8o-3ll be in police c-sto'%. I inten' to ma!e certain of that.8

orrifie'6 An'erton proteste': 8o-3re ta!in4 me bac! there5 If I3m in c-sto'% I3llnever be able to prove 22 8

8I 'on3t care what %o- prove or 'on3t prove68 Kaplan interr-pte'. 8All I3mintereste' in is havin4 %o- o-t of the wa%.8 ,ri4i'l%6 he a''e': 8,or m% own protection.8

8e was 4ettin4 rea'% to leave68 one of the men asserte'.





8That3s ri4ht68 An'erton sai'6 sweatin4. 8As soon as the% 4et hol' of me I3ll beconfine' in the 'etention camp. 0itwer will ta!e over 22 loc!6 stoc! an' barrel.8 is face'ar!ene'. 8An' m% wife. The%3re actin4 in concert6 apparentl%.8

,or a moment Kaplan seeme' to waver. 8It3s possible68 he conce'e'6 re4ar'in4

An'erton stea'il%. Then he shoo! his hea'. 8I can3t ta!e the chance. If this is a framea4ainst %o-6 I3m sorr%. B-t it3s simpl% not m% affair.8 e smile' sli4htl%. 8owever6 I wish%o- l-c!.8 To the men he sai': 8Ta!e him to the police b-il'in4 an' t-rn him over to thehi4hest a-thorit%.8 e mentione' the name of the actin4 commissioner6 an' waite' forAn'erton3s reaction.

80itwer78 An'erton echoe'6 incre'-lo-s.

Still smilin4 sli4htl%6 Kaplan t-rne' an' clic!e' on the console ra'io in the st-'%.80itwer has alrea'% ass-me' a-thorit%. (bvio-sl%6 he3s 4oin4 to create -ite an affair o-tof this.8

There was a brief static h-m6 an' then6 abr-ptl%6 the ra'io blare' o-t into the room22 a nois% professional voice6 rea'in4 a prepare' anno-ncement.

8... all citiGens are warne' not to shelter or in an% fashion ai' or assist this'an4ero-s mar4inal in'ivi'-al. The extraor'inar% circ-mstance of an escape' criminal atlibert% an' in a position to commit an act of violence is -ni-e in mo'ern times. AllcitiGens are hereb% notifie' that le4al stat-tes still in force implicate an% an' all personsfailin4 to cooperate f-ll% with the police in their tas! of apprehen'in4 Fohn AllisonAn'erton. To repeat: The Precrime A4enc% of the ,e'eral 0estbloc 1overnment is in the process of locatin4 an' ne-traliGin4 its former Commissioner6 Fohn Allison An'erton6who6 thro-4h the metho'olo4% of the precrime2s%stem6 is hereb% 'eclare' a potentialm-r'erer an' as s-ch forfeits his ri4hts to free'om an' all its privile4es.8

8It 'i'n3t ta!e him lon468 An'erton m-ttere'6 appalle'. Kaplan snappe' off thera'io an' the voice vanishe'.

8Lisa m-st have 4one 'irectl% to him68 An'erton spec-late' bitterl%.

80h% sho-l' he wait58 Kaplan as!e'. 8o- ma'e %o-r intentions clear.8

e no''e' to his men. 8Ta!e him bac! to town. I feel -neas% havin4 him so close.In that respect I conc-r with Commissioner 0itwer. I want him ne-traliGe' as soon as possible.8

IV





Col'6 li4ht rain beat a4ainst the pavement6 as the car move' thro-4h the 'ar!streets of *ew or! Cit% towar' the police b-il'in4.

8o- can see his point68 one of the men sai' to An'erton. 8If %o- were in his place%o-3' act -st as 'ecisivel%.8

S-llen an' resentf-l6 An'erton stare' strai4ht ahea'.

8An%how68 the man went on6 8%o-3re -st one of man%. Tho-san's of people have4one to that 'etention camp. o- won3t be lonel%. As a matter of fact6 %o- ma% not wantto leave.8

elplessl%6 An'erton watche' pe'estrians h-rr%in4 alon4 the rain2swept

si'ewal!s. e felt no stron4 emotion. e was aware onl% of an overpowerin4 fati4-e.-ll%6 he chec!e' off the street n-mbers: the% were 4ettin4 near the police station.

8This 0itwer seems to !now how to ta!e a'vanta4e of an opport-nit%68 one of themen observe' conversationall%. 8i' %o- ever meet him58

8Briefl%68 An'erton answere'.

8e wante' %o-r ob 22 so he frame' %o-. Are %o- s-re of that58

An'erton 4rimace'. 8oes it matter58

8I was -st c-rio-s.8 The man e%e' him lan4-i'l%. 8So %o-3re the ex2Commissioner of Police. People in the camp will be 4la' to see %o- comin4. The%3llremember %o-.8

8*o 'o-bt68 An'erton a4ree'.

80itwer s-re 'i'n3t waste an% time. Kaplan3s l-c!% 22 with an official li!e that inchar4e.8 The man loo!e' at An'erton almost plea'in4l%. 8o-3re reall% convince' it3s a plot6 eh58

8(f co-rse.8

8o- wo-l'n3t harm a hair of Kaplan3s hea'5 ,or the first time in histor%6Precrime 4oes wron45 An innocent man is frame' b% one of those car's. $a%be there3ve been other innocent people 22 ri4ht58

8It3s -ite possible68 An'erton a'mitte' listlessl%.





8$a%be the whole s%stem can brea! 'own. S-re6 %o-3re not 4oin4 to commit am-r'er 2an' ma%be none of them were. Is that wh% %o- tol' Kaplan %o- wante' to !eep%o-rself o-tsi'e5 0ere %o- hopin4 to prove the s%stem wron45 I3ve 4ot an open min'6 if%o- want to tal! abo-t it.8

Another man leane' over6 an' as!e'6 8F-st between the two of -s6 is there reall%an%thin4 to this plot st-ff5 Are %o- reall% bein4 frame'58

An'erton si4he'. At that point he wasn3t certain6 himself. Perhaps he was trappe'in a close'6 meanin4less time2circle with no motive an' no be4innin4. In fact6 he wasalmost rea'% to conce'e that he was the victim of a wear%6 ne-rotic fantas%6 spawne' b%4rowin4 insec-rit%. 0itho-t a fi4ht6 he was willin4 to 4ive himself -p. A vast wei4ht ofexha-stion la% -pon him. e was str-44lin4 a4ainst the impossible 22 an' all the car'swere stac!e' a4ainst him.

The sharp s-eal of tires ro-se' him. ,ranticall%6 the 'river str-44le' to control

the car6 t-44in4 at the wheel an' slammin4 on the bra!es6 as a massive brea' tr-c!loome' -p from the fo4 an' ran 'irectl% across the lane ahea'. a' he 4-nne' the motorinstea' he mi4ht have save' himself. B-t too late he realiGe' his error. The car s!i''e'6l-rche'6 hesitate' for a brief instant6 an' then smashe' hea' on into the brea' tr-c!.

n'er An'erton the seat lifte' -p an' fl-n4 him face2forwar' a4ainst the 'oor.Pain6 s-''en6 intolerable6 seeme' to b-rst in his brain as he la% 4aspin4 an' tr%in4 feebl%to p-ll himself to his !nees. Somewhere the crac!le of fire echoe' 'ismall%6 a patch ofhissin4 brilliance win!in4 in the swirls of mist ma!in4 their wa% into the twiste' h-l! ofthe car.

an's from o-tsi'e the car reache' for him. Slowl% he became aware that he was bein4 'ra44e' thro-4h the rent that ha' been the 'oor. A heav% seat c-shion was shove' br-s-el% asi'e6 an' all at once he fo-n' himself on his feet6 leanin4 heavil% a4ainst a'ar! shape an' bein4 4-i'e' into the sha'ows of an alle% a short 'istance from the car. Inthe 'istance6 police sirens waile'.

8o-3ll live68 a voice 4rate' in his ear6 low an' -r4ent. It was a voice he ha' neverhear' before6 as -nfamiliar an' harsh as the rain beatin4 into his face. 8Can %o- hearwhat I3m sa%in458

8es68 An'erton ac!nowle'4e'. e pl-c!e' aimlessl% at the rippe' sleeve of hisshirt. A c-t on his chee! was be4innin4 to throb. Conf-se'6 he trie' to orient himself.8o-3re not 22 8

8Stop tal!in4 an' listen.8 The man was heav%set6 almost fat. *ow his bi4 han'shel' An'erton proppe' a4ainst the wet bric! wall of the b-il'in46 o-t of the rain an' theflic!erin4 li4ht of the b-rnin4 car. 80e ha' to 'o it that wa%68 he sai'. 8It was the onl%alternative. 0e 'i'n3t have m-ch time. 0e tho-4ht Kaplan wo-l' !eep %o- at his placelon4er.8 80ho are %o-58 An'erton mana4e'.





The moist6 rain2strea!e' face twiste' into a h-morless 4rin. 8$% name3s ,lemin4.o-3ll see me a4ain. 0e have abo-t five secon's before the police 4et here. Then we3re bac! where we starte'.8 A flat pac!et was st-ffe' into An'erton3s han's. 8That3s eno-4hloot to !eep %o- 4oin4. An' there3s a f-ll set of i'entification in there. 0e3ll contact %o-

from time to time.8 is 4rin increase' an' became a nervo-s ch-c!le. 8ntil %o-3ve prove' %o-r point.8

An'erton blin!e'. 8It is a frame-p6 then58

8(f co-rse.8 Sharpl%6 the man swore. 8o- mean the% 4ot %o- to believe it6 too58

8I tho-4ht 22 8 An'erton ha' tro-ble tal!in4J one of his front teeth seeme' to beloose. 8ostilit% towar' 0itwer . . . replace'6 m% wife an' a %o-n4er man6 nat-ralresentment. ...8

8on3t !i' %o-rself68 the other sai'. 8o- !now better than that. This whole b-siness was wor!e' o-t caref-ll%. The% ha' ever% phase of it -n'er control. The car'was set to pop the 'a% 0itwer appeare'. The%3ve alrea'% 4ot the first part wrappe' -p.0itwer is Commissioner6 an' %o-3re a h-nte' criminal.8

80ho3s behin' it58

8o-r wife.8

An'erton3s hea' sp-n. 8o-3re positive58

The man la-4he'. 8o- bet %o-r life.8 e 4lance' -ic!l% aro-n'. 8ere comethe police. Ta!e off 'own this alle%. 1rab a b-s6 4et %o-rself into the sl-m section6 rent aroom an' b-% a stac! of ma4aGines to !eep %o- b-s%. 1et other clothes 22 o-3re smarteno-4h to ta!e care of %o-rself. on3t tr% to leave +arth. The%3ve 4ot all the inters%stemtransports screene'. If %o- can !eep low for the next seven 'a%s6 %o-3re ma'e.8

80ho are %o-58 An'erton 'eman'e'.

,lemin4 let 4o of him. Ca-tio-sl%6 he move' to the entrance of the alle% an' peere' o-t. The first police car ha' come to rest on the 'amp pavementJ its motorspinnin4 tinnil%6 it crept s-spicio-sl% towar' the smo-l'erin4 r-in that ha' been Kaplan3scar. Insi'e the wrec! the s-a' of men were stirrin4 feebl%6 be4innin4 to creep painf-ll%thro-4h the tan4le of steel an' plastic o-t into the col' rain.

8Consi'er -s a protective societ%68 ,lemin4 sai' softl%6 his pl-mp6 expressionlessface shinin4 with moist-re. 8A sort of police force that watches the police. To see68 hea''e'6 8that ever%thin4 sta%s on an even !eel.8

is thic! han' shot o-t. St-mblin46 An'erton was !noc!e' awa% from him6 half2





fallin4 into the sha'ows an' 'amp 'ebris that littere' the alle%.

81et 4oin468 ,lemin4 tol' him sharpl%. 8An' 'on3t 'iscar' that pac!et.8 AsAn'erton felt his wa% hesitantl% towar' the far exit of the alle%6 the man3s last wor's'rifte' to him. 8St-'% it caref-ll% an' %o- ma% still s-rvive.8

V

The i'entification car's 'escribe' him as +rnest Temple6 an -nemplo%e'electrician6 'rawin4 a wee!l% s-bsistence from the State of *ew or!6 with a wife an'

fo-r chil'ren in B-ffalo an' less than a h-n're' 'ollars in assets. A sweat2staine' 4reencar' 4ave him permission to travel an' to maintain no fixe' a''ress. A man loo!in4 forwor! nee'e' to travel. e mi4ht have to 4o a lon4 wa%.

As he ro'e across town in the almost empt% b-s6 An'erton st-'ie' the 'escriptionof +rnest Temple. (bvio-sl%6 the car's ha' been ma'e o-t with him in min'6 for all themeas-rements fitte'. After a time he won'ere' abo-t the fin4erprints an' the brain2wave pattern. The% co-l'n3t possibl% stan' comparison. The walletf-l of car's wo-l' 4et him past onl% the most c-rsor% examinations.

B-t it was somethin4. An' with the I car's came ten tho-san' 'ollars in bills.e poc!ete' the mone% an' car's6 then t-rne' to the neatl%2t%pe' messa4e in which the%ha' been enclose'.

At first he co-l' ma!e no sense of it. ,or a lon4 time he st-'ie' it6 perplexe'.

The e9istence of a #a6ority lo!ically i#plies a correspondin! #inority)

The b-s ha' entere' the vast sl-m re4ion6 the t-mble' miles of cheap hotels an' bro!en2'own tenements that ha' spr-n4 -p after the mass 'estr-ction of the war. Itslowe' to a stop6 an' An'erton 4ot to his feet. A few passen4ers i'l% observe' his c-tchee! an' 'ama4e' clothin4. I4norin4 them6 he steppe' 'own onto the rain2swept c-rb.

Be%on' collectin4 the mone% '-e him6 the hotel cler! was not intereste'.An'erton climbe' the stairs to the secon' floor an' entere' the narrow6 m-st%2smellin4room that now belon4e' to him. 1ratef-ll%6 he loc!e' the 'oor an' p-lle' 'own thewin'ow sha'es. The room was small b-t clean. Be'6 'resser6 scenic calen'ar6 chair6 lamp6a ra'io with a slot for the insertion of -arters.

e 'roppe' a -arter into it an' threw himself heavil% 'own on the be'. All main





stations carrie' the police b-lletin. It was novel6 excitin46 somethin4 -n!nown to the present 4eneration. An escape' criminal7 The p-blic was avi'l% intereste'.

8... this man has -se' the a'vanta4e of his hi4h position to carr% o-t an initialescape68 the anno-ncer was sa%in46 with professional in'i4nation. 8Beca-se of his hi4h

office he ha' access to the previewe' 'ata an' the tr-st place' in him permitte' him toeva'e the normal process of 'etection an' re2location. -rin4 the perio' of his ten-re heexercise' his a-thorit% to sen' co-ntless potentiall% 4-ilt% in'ivi'-als to their properconfinement6 th-s sparin4 the lives of innocent victims. This man6 Fohn Allison An'erton6was instr-mental in the ori4inal creation of the Precrime s%stem6 the proph%lactic pre2'etection of criminals thro-4h the in4enio-s -se of m-tant preco4s6 capable of previewin4 f-t-re events an' transferrin4 orall% that 'ata to anal%tical machiner%. Thesethree preco4s6 in their vital f-nction....8

The voice fa'e' o-t as he left the room an' entere' the tin% bathroom. There6 hestrippe' off his coat6 an' shirt6 an' ran hot water in the wash bowl. e be4an bathin4 the

c-t on his chee!. At the 'r-4store on the corner he ha' bo-4ht io'ine an' Ban'2ai's6 araGor6 comb6 toothbr-sh6 an' other small thin4s he wo-l' nee'. The next mornin4 heinten'e' to fin' a secon'2han' clothin4 store an' b-% more s-itable clothin4. After all6 hewas now an -nemplo%e' electrician6 not an acci'ent2'ama4e' Commissioner of Police.

In the other room the ra'io blare' on. (nl% s-bconscio-sl% aware of it6 he stoo'in front of the crac!e' mirror6 examinin4 a bro!en tooth.

8... the s%stem of three preco4s fin's its 4enesis in the comp-ters of the mi''le'eca'es of this cent-r%. ow are the res-lts of an electronic comp-ter chec!e'5 B%fee'in4 the 'ata to a secon' comp-ter of i'entical 'esi4n. B-t two comp-ters are nots-fficient. If each comp-ter arrive' at a 'ifferent answer it is impossible to tella priori which is correct. The sol-tion6 base' on a caref-l st-'% of statistical metho'6 is to -tiliGea thir' comp-ter to chec! the res-lts of the first two. In this manner6 a so2calle' maorit%report is obtaine'. It can be ass-me' with fair probabilit% that the a4reement of two o-tof three comp-ters in'icates which of the alternative res-lts is acc-rate. It wo-l' not beli!el% that two comp-ters wo-l' arrive at i'enticall% incorrect sol-tions 22 8

An'erton 'roppe' the towel he was cl-tchin4 an' race' into the other room.Tremblin46 he bent to catch the blarin4 wor's of the ra'io.

8... -nanimit% of all three preco4s is a hope'2for b-t sel'om2achieve' phenomenon6 actin42Commissioner 0itwer explains. It is m-ch more common to obtaina collaborative maorit% report of two preco4s6 pl-s a minorit% report of some sli4htvariation6 -s-all% with reference to time an' place6 from the thir' m-tant. This isexplaine' b% the theor% of #ultiple-futures) If onl% one time2path existe'6 preco4nitiveinformation wo-l' be of no importance6 since no possibilit% wo-l' exist6 in possessin4this information6 of alterin4 the f-t-re. In the Precrime A4enc%3s wor! we m-st first of allass-me 22 8





,ranticall%6 An'erton pace' aro-n' the tin% room. $aorit% report 22 onl% two ofthe preco4s ha' conc-rre' on the material -n'erl%in4 the car'. That was the meanin4 ofthe messa4e enclose' with the pac!et. The report of the thir' preco46 the minorit% report6was somehow of importance.

0h%5

is watch tol' him that it was after mi'ni4ht. Pa4e wo-l' be off '-t%. ewo-l'n3t be bac! in the mon!e% bloc! -ntil the next afternoon. It was a slim chance6 b-tworth ta!in4. $a%be Pa4e wo-l' cover for him6 an' ma%be not. e wo-l' have to ris! it.

e ha' to see the minorit% report.

VI

Between noon an' one o3cloc! the r-bbish2littere' streets swarme' with people.e chose that time6 the b-siest part of the 'a%6 to ma!e his call. Selectin4 a phonebooth ina patron2teemin4 s-per 'r-4store6 he 'iale' the familiar police n-mber an' stoo' hol'in4the col' receiver to his ear. eliberatel%6 he ha' selecte' the a-'6 not the vi' line: in spiteof his secon'2han' clothin4 an' see'%6 -nshaven appearance6 he mi4ht be reco4niGe'.

The receptionist was new to him. Ca-tio-sl%6 he 4ave Pa4e3s extension. If 0itwerwere removin4 the re4-lar staff an' p-ttin4 in his satellites6 he mi4ht fin' himself tal!in4to a total stran4er.

8ello68 Pa4e3s 4r-ff voice came.

&elieve'6 An'erton 4lance' aro-n'. *obo'% was pa%in4 an% attention to him. Theshoppers wan'ere' amon4 the merchan'ise6 4oin4 abo-t their 'ail% ro-tines. 8Can %o-tal!58 he as!e'. 8(r are %o- tie' -p58

There was a moment of silence. e co-l' pict-re Pa4e3s mil' face torn with-ncertaint% as he wil'l% trie' to 'eci'e what to 'o. At last came haltin4 wor's. 80h% 22are %o- callin4 here58

I4norin4 the -estion6 An'erton sai'6 8I 'i'n3t reco4niGe the receptionist. *ew personnel58

8Bran'2new68 Pa4e a4ree'6 in a thin6 stran4le' voice. 8Bi4 t-rnovers6 these 'a%s.8





8So I hear.8 Tensel%6 An'erton as!e'6 8ow3s %o-r ob5 Still safe58

80ait a min-te.8 The receiver was p-t 'own an' the m-ffle' so-n' of steps camein An'erton3s ear. It was followe' b% the -ic! slam of a 'oor bein4 hastil% sh-t. Pa4eret-rne'. 80e can tal! better now68 he sai' hoarsel%.

8ow m-ch better58

8*ot a 4reat 'eal. 0here are %o-58

8Strollin4 thro-4h Central Par!68 An'erton sai'. 8+no%in4 the s-nli4ht.8 ,or allhe !new6 Pa4e ha' 4one to ma!e s-re the line2tap was in place. &i4ht now6 an airborne police team was probabl% on its wa%. B-t he ha' to ta!e the chance. 8I3m in a new fiel'68he sai' c-rtl%. 8I3m an electrician these 'a%s.8

8(h58 Pa4e sai'6 baffle'.

8I tho-4ht ma%be %o- ha' some wor! for me. If it can be arran4e'6 I3' li!e to 'rop b% an' examine %o-r basic comp-tin4 e-ipment. +speciall% the 'ata an' anal%tical ban!s in the mon!e% bloc!.8

After a pa-se6 Pa4e sai': 8It 22 mi4ht be arran4e'. If it3s reall% important.8

8It is68 An'erton ass-re' him. 80hen wo-l' be best for %o-58

80ell68 Pa4e sai'6 str-44lin4. 8I3m havin4 a repair team come in to loo! at theintercom e-ipment. The actin42Commissioner wants it improve'6 so he can operate-ic!er. o- mi4ht trail alon4.8

8I3ll 'o that. Abo-t when58

8Sa% fo-r o3cloc!. +ntrance B6 level @. I3ll meet %o-.8

8,ine68 An'erton a4ree'6 alrea'% startin4 to han4 -p. 8I hope %o-3re still in char4e6when I 4et there.8

e h-n4 -p an' rapi'l% left the booth. A moment later he was p-shin4 thro-4h the'ense pac! of people cramme' into the nearb% cafeteria. *obo'% wo-l' locate him there.

e ha' three an' a half ho-rs to wait. An' it was 4oin4 to seem a lot lon4er. It prove' to be the lon4est wait of his life before he finall% met Pa4e as arran4e'.

The first thin4 Pa4e sai' was: 8o-3re o-t of %o-r min'. 0h% in hell 'i' %o- come bac!58

8I3m not bac! for lon4.8 Ta-tl%6 An'erton prowle' aro-n' the mon!e% bloc!6





s%stematicall% loc!in4 one 'oor after another. 8on3t let an%bo'% in. I can3t ta!e chances.8

8o- sho-l' have -it when %o- were ahea'.8 In an a4on% of apprehension6 Pa4efollowe' after him. 80itwer is ma!in4 ha%6 han' over fist. e3s 4ot the whole co-ntr%screamin4 for %o-r bloo'.8

I4norin4 him6 An'erton snappe' open the main control ban! of the anal%ticalmachiner%. 80hich of the three mon!e%s 4ave the minorit% report58

8on3t -estion me 22 I3m 4ettin4 o-t.8 (n his wa% to the 'oor Pa4e halte' briefl%6 pointe' to the mi''le fi4-re6 an' then 'isappeare'. The 'oor close'J An'erton was alone.

The mi''le one. e !new that one well. The 'warfe'6 h-nche'2over fi4-re ha'sat b-rie' in its wirin4 an' rela%s for fifteen %ears. As An'erton approache'6 it 'i'n3t loo!-p. 0ith e%es 4laGe' an' blan!6 it contemplate' a worl' that 'i' not %et exist6 blin' to the ph%sical realit% that la% aro-n' it.

8Ferr%8 was twent%2fo-r %ears ol'. (ri4inall%6 he ha' been classifie' as a h%'rocephalici'iot b-t when he reache' the a4e of six the ps%ch testers ha' i'entifie' the preco4 talent6 b-rie' -n'er the la%ers of tiss-e corrosion. Place' in a 4overnment2operate' trainin4school6 the latent talent ha' been c-ltivate'. B% the time he was nine the talent ha'a'vance' to a -sef-l sta4e. 8Ferr%68 however6 remaine' in the aimless chaos of i'ioc%J the b-r4eonin4 fac-lt% ha' absorbe' the totalit% of his personalit%.

S-attin4 'own6 An'erton be4an 'isassemblin4 the protective shiel's that4-ar'e' the tape2reels store' in the anal%tical machiner%. sin4 schematics6 he trace' thelea's bac! from the final sta4es of the inte4rate' comp-ters6 to the point where 8Ferr%3s8in'ivi'-al e-ipment branche' off. 0ithin min-tes he was sha!il% liftin4 o-t two half2ho-r tapes: recent reecte' 'ata not f-se' with maorit% reports. Cons-ltin4 the co'echart6 he selecte' the section of tape which referre' to his partic-lar car'.

A tape scanner was mo-nte' nearb%. ol'in4 his breath6 he inserte' the tape6activate' the transport6 an' listene'. It too! onl% a secon'. ,rom the first statement of thereport it was clear what ha' happene'. e ha' what he wante'J he co-l' stop loo!in4.

8Ferr%3s8 vision was misphase'. Beca-se of the erratic nat-re of preco42nition6 hewas examinin4 a time2area sli4htl% 'ifferent from that of his companions. ,or him6 thereport that An'erton wo-l' commit a m-r'er was an event to be inte4rate' alon4 withever%thin4 else. That assertion 22 an' An'erton3s reaction 22 was one more piece of 'at-m.

(bvio-sl%6 8Ferr%3s8 report s-perse'e' the maorit% report. avin4 been informe'that he wo-l' commit a m-r'er6 An'erton wo-l' chan4e his min' an' not 'o so. The preview of the m-r'er ha' cancelle' o-t the m-r'erJ proph%laxis ha' occ-rre' simpl% inhis bein4 informe'. Alrea'%6 a new time2path ha' been create'. B-t 8Ferr%8 was o-tvote'.

Tremblin46 An'erton rewo-n' the tape an' clic!e' on the recor'in4 hea'. At hi4h





spee' he ma'e a cop% of the report6 restore' the ori4inal6 an' remove' the '-plicate fromthe transport. ere was the proof that the car' was invali':o4solete) All he ha' to 'o wasshow it to 0itwer....

is own st-pi'it% amaGe' him. n'o-bte'l%6 0itwer ha' seen the reportJ an' in

spite of it6 ha' ass-me' the ob of Commissioner6 ha' !ept the police teams o-t. 0itwer'i'n3t inten' to bac! 'ownJ he wasn3t concerne' with An'erton3s innocence.

0hat6 then6 co-l' he 'o5 0ho else wo-l' be intereste'5

8o- 'amn fool78 a voice behin' him 4rate'6 wil' with anxiet%.

-ic!l%6 he t-rne'. is wife stoo' at one of the 'oors6 in her police -niform6 here%es frantic with 'isma%. 8on3t worr%68 he tol' her briefl%6 'ispla%in4 the reel of tape.8I3m leavin4.8

er face 'istorte'6 Lisa r-she' franticall% -p to him. 8Pa4e sai' %o- were here6 b-t I co-l'n3t believe it. e sho-l'n3t have let %o- in. e -st 'oesn3t -n'erstan' what %o-are.8

80hat am I58 An'erton in-ire' ca-sticall%. 8Before %o- answer6 ma%be %o- better listen to this tape.8

8I 'on3t want to listen to it7 I -st want %o- to 4et o-t of here7 +' 0itwer !nowssomebo'%3s 'own here. Pa4e is tr%in4 to !eep him occ-pie'6 b-t 22 8 She bro!e off6 herhea' t-rne' stiffl% to one si'e. 8e3s here now7 e3s 4oin4 to force his wa% in.8

8aven3t %o- 4ot an% infl-ence5 Be 4racio-s an' charmin4. e3ll probabl% for4etabo-t me.8

Lisa loo!e' at him in bitter reproach. 8There3s a ship par!e' on the roof. If %o-want to 4et awa%....8 er voice cho!e' an' for an instant she was silent. Then she sai'68I3ll be ta!in4 off in a min-te or so. If %o- want to come 22 8

8I3ll come68 An'erton sai'. e ha' no other choice. e ha' sec-re' his tape6 his proof6 b-t he ha'n3t wor!e' o-t an% metho' of leavin4. 1la'l%6 he h-rrie' after the slimfi4-re of his wife as she stro'e from the bloc!6 thro-4h a si'e 'oor an' 'own a s-ppl%corri'or6 her heels clic!in4 lo-'l% in the 'eserte' 4loom.

8It3s a 4oo' fast ship68 she tol' him over her sho-l'er. 8It3s emer4enc%2f-ele' 22rea'% to 4o. I was 4oin4 to s-pervise some of the teams.8





VII

Behin' the wheel of the hi4h2velocit% police cr-iser6 An'erton o-tline' what the

minorit% report tape containe'. Lisa listene' witho-t comment6 her face pinche' an'straine'6 her han's claspe' tensel% in her lap. Below the ship6 the war2rava4e' r-ralco-ntr%si'e sprea' o-t li!e a relief map6 the vacant re4ions between cities crater2pitte'an' 'otte' with the r-ins of farms an' small in'-strial plants.

8I won'er68 she sai'6 when he ha' finishe'6 8how man% times this has happene' before.8

8A minorit% report5 A 4reat man% times.8

8I mean6 one preco4 misphase'. sin4 the report of the others as 'ata 22

s-perse'in4 them.8 er e%es 'ar! an' serio-s6 she a''e'6 8Perhaps a lot of the people inthe camps are li!e %o-.8

8*o68 An'erton insiste'. B-t he was be4innin4 to feel -neas% abo-t it6 too. 8I wasin a position to see the car'6 to 4et a loo! at the report. That3s what 'i' it.8

8B-t28 Lisa 4est-re' si4nificantl%. 8Perhaps all of them wo-l' have reacte' thatwa%. 0e co-l' have tol' them the tr-th.8

8It wo-l' have been too 4reat a ris!68 he answere' st-bbornl%.

Lisa la-4he' sharpl%. 8&is!5 Chance5 ncertaint%5 0ith preco4s aro-n'58

An'erton concentrate' on steerin4 the fast little ship. 8This is a -ni-e case68 herepeate'. 8An' we have an imme'iate problem. 0e can tac!le the theoretical aspects lateron. I have to 4et this tape to the proper people 22 before %o-r bri4ht %o-n4 frien''emolishes it.8

8o-3re ta!in4 it to Kaplan58

8I certainl% am.8 e tappe' the reel of tape which la% on the seat between them.8e3ll be intereste'. Proof that his life isn3t in 'an4er o-4ht to be of vital concern to him.8

,rom her p-rse6 Lisa sha!il% 4ot o-t her ci4arette case. 8An' %o- thin! he3ll help%o-.8

8e ma% 22 or he ma% not. It3s a chance worth ta!in4.8

8ow 'i' %o- mana4e to 4o -n'er4ro-n' so -ic!l%58 Lisa as!e'. 8A completel%effective 'is4-ise is 'iffic-lt to obtain.8





8All it ta!es is mone%68 he answere' evasivel%.

As she smo!e'6 Lisa pon'ere'. 8Probabl% Kaplan will protect %o-68 she sai'.8e3s -ite powerf-l.8

8I tho-4ht he was onl% a retire' 4eneral.8

8Technicall% 22 that3s what he is. B-t 0itwer 4ot o-t the 'ossier on him. Kaplanhea's an -n-s-al !in' of excl-sive veterans3 or4aniGation. It3s act-all% a !in' of cl-b6with a few restricte' members. i4h officers onl% 22 an international class from both si'esof the war. ere in *ew or! the% maintain a 4reat mansion of a ho-se6 three 4loss%2 paper p-blications6 an' occasional T" covera4e that costs them a small fort-ne.8

80hat are %o- tr%in4 to sa%58

8(nl% this. o-3ve convince' me that %o-3re innocent. I mean6 it3s obvio-s that%o-'on0t commit a m-r'er. B-t %o- m-st realiGe now that the ori4inal report6 themaorit% report6'as not a fake) *obo'% falsifie' it. +' 0itwer 'i'n3t create it. There3s no plot a4ainst %o-6 an' there never was. If %o-3re 4oin4 to accept this minorit% report as4en-ine %o-3ll have to accept the maorit% one6 also.8

&el-ctantl%6 he a4ree'. 8I s-ppose so.8

8+' 0itwer68 Lisa contin-e'6 8is actin4 in complete 4oo' faith. e reall% believes%o-3re a potential criminal 22 an' wh% not5 e3s 4ot the maorit% report sittin4 on his'es!6 b-t %o- have that car' fol'e' -p in %o-r poc!et.8

8I 'estro%e' it68 An'erton sai'6 -ietl%.

Lisa leane' earnestl% towar' him. 8+' 0itwer isn3t motivate' b% an% 'esire to 4et%o-r ob68 she sai'. 8e3s motivate' b% the same 'esire that has alwa%s 'ominate' %o-.e believes in Precrime. e wants the s%stem to contin-e. I3ve tal!e' to him an' I3mconvince' he3s tellin4 the tr-th.8

An'erton as!e'6 8o %o- want me to ta!e this reel to 0itwer5 If I 'o 22 he3ll'estro% it.8

8*onsense68 Lisa retorte'. 8The ori4inals have been in his han's from the start.e co-l' have 'estro%e' them an% time he wishe'.8

8That3s tr-e.8 An'erton conce'e'. 8-ite possibl% he 'i'n3t !now.8

8(f co-rse he 'i'n3t. Loo! at it this wa%. If Kaplan 4ets hol' of that tape6 the police will be 'iscre'ite'. Can3t %o- see wh%5 It wo-l' prove that the maorit% report wasan error. +' 0itwer is absol-tel% ri4ht. o- have to be ta!en in 22 if Precrime is to





s-rvive. o-3re thin!in4 of %o-r own safet%. B-t thin!6 for a moment6 abo-t the s%stem.8Leanin4 over6 she st-bbe' o-t her ci4arette an' f-mble' in her p-rse for another. 80hichmeans more to %o- 22 %o-r own personal safet% or the existence of the s%stem58

8$% safet%68 An'erton answere'6 witho-t hesitation.

8o-3re positive58

8If the s%stem can s-rvive onl% b% imprisonin4 innocent people6 then it 'eservesto be 'estro%e'. $% personal safet% is important beca-se I3m a h-man bein4. An'f-rthermore 22 8

,rom her p-rse6 Lisa 4ot o-t an incre'ibl% tin% pistol. 8I believe68 she tol' himh-s!il%6 8that I have m% fin4er on the firin4 release. I3ve never -se' a weapon li!e this before. B-t I3m willin4 to tr%.8

After a pa-se6 An'erton as!e': 8o- want me to t-rn the ship aro-n'5 Is that it58

8es6 bac! to the police b-il'in4. I3m sorr%. If %o- co-l' p-t the 4oo' of thes%stem above %o-r own selfish 22 8

8Keep %o-r sermon68 An'erton tol' her. 8I3ll ta!e the ship bac!. B-t I3m not 4oin4to listen to %o-r 'efense of a co'e of behavior no intelli4ent man co-l' s-bscribe to.8

Lisa3s lips presse' into a thin6 bloo'less line. ol'in4 the pistol ti4htl%6 she satfacin4 him6 her e%es fixe' intentl% on him as he sw-n4 the ship in a broa' arc. A fewloose articles rattle' from the 4love compartment as the little craft t-rne' on a ra'icalslant6 one win4 risin4 maesticall% -ntil it pointe' strai4ht -p.

Both An'erton an' his wife were s-pporte' b% the constrainin4 metal arms oftheir seats. B-t not so the thir' member of the part%.

(-t of the corner of his e%e6 An'erton saw a flash of motion. A so-n' camesim-ltaneo-sl%6 the clawin4 str-44le of a lar4e man as he abr-ptl% lost his footin4 an' pl-n4e' into the reinforce' wall of the ship. 0hat followe' happene' -ic!l%. ,lemin4scramble' instantl% to his feet6 l-rchin4 an' war%6 one arm lashin4 o-t for the woman3s pistol. An'erton was too startle' to cr% o-t. Lisa t-rne'6 saw the man 22 an' screame'.,lemin4 !noc!e' the 4-n from her han'6 sen'in4 it clatterin4 to the floor.

1r-ntin46 ,lemin4 shove' her asi'e an' retrieve' the 4-n. 8Sorr%68 he 4aspe'6strai4htenin4 -p as best he co-l'. 8I tho-4ht she mi4ht tal! more. That3s wh% I waite'.8

8o- were here when 22 8 An'erton be4an 22 an' stoppe'. It was obvio-s that,lemin4 an' his men ha' !ept him -n'er s-rveillance. The existence of Lisa3s ship ha' been '-l% note' an' factore' in6 an' while Lisa ha' 'ebate' whether it wo-l' be wise tofl% him to safet%6 ,lemin4 ha' crept into the stora4e compartment of the ship.





8Perhaps68 ,lemin4 sai'6 8%o-3' better 4ive me that reel of tape.8 is moist6cl-ms% fin4ers 4rope' for it. 8o-3re ri4ht 22 0itwer wo-l' have melte' it 'own to a p-''le.8

8Kaplan6 too58 An'erton as!e' n-mbl%6 still 'aGe' b% the appearance of the man.

8Kaplan is wor!in4 'irectl% with 0itwer. That3s wh% his name showe' on linefive of the car'. 0hich one of them is the act-al boss6 we can3t tell. Possibl% neither.8,lemin4 tosse' the tin% pistol awa% an' 4ot o-t his own heav%2'-t% militar% weapon.8o- p-lle' a real fl-b in ta!in4 off with this woman. I tol' %o- she was bac! of thewhole thin4.8

8I can3t believe that68 An'erton proteste'. 8If she 22 8

8o-3ve 4ot no sense. This ship was warme' -p b% 0itwer3s or'er. The% wante'

to fl% %o- o-t of the b-il'in4 so that we co-l'n3t 4et to %o-. 0ith %o- on %o-r own6separate' from -s6 %o- 'i'n3t stan' a chance.8

A stran4e loo! passe' over Lisa3s stric!en feat-res. 8It3s not tr-e68 she whispere'.80itwer never saw this ship. I was 4oin4 to s-pervise 22 8

8o- almost 4ot awa% with it68 ,lemin4 interr-pte' inexorabl%. 80e3ll be l-c!% ifa police patrol ship isn3t han4in4 on -s. There wasn3t time to chec!.8 e s-atte' 'own ashe spo!e6 'irectl% behin' the woman3s chair. 8The first thin4 is to 4et this woman o-t ofthe wa%. 0e3ll have to 'ra4 %o- completel% o-t of this area. Pa4e tippe' off 0itwer on%o-r new 'is4-ise6 an' %o- can be s-re it has been wi'el% broa'cast.8

Still cro-chin46 ,lemin4 seiGe' hol' of Lisa. Tossin4 his heav% 4-n to An'erton6he expertl% tilte' her chin -p -ntil her temple was shove' bac! a4ainst the seat. Lisaclawe' franticall% at himJ a thin6 terrifie' wail rose in her throat. I4norin4 her6 ,lemin4close' his 4reat han's aro-n' her nec! an' be4an relentlessl% to s-eeGe.

8*o b-llet wo-n'68 he explaine'6 4aspin4. 8She3s 4oin4 to fall o-t 22 nat-ralacci'ent. It happens all the time. B-t in this case6 her nec! will be bro!en first .8

It seeme' stran4e that An'erton waite' so lon4. As it was6 ,lemin43s thic! rin4erswere cr-ell% embe''e' in the woman3s pale flesh before he lifte' the b-tt of theheav%'-t% pistol an' bro-4ht it 'own on the bac! of ,lemin43s s!-ll. The monstro-shan's relaxe'. Sta44ere'6 ,lemin43s hea' fell forwar' an' he sa44e' a4ainst the wall ofthe ship. Tr%in4 feebl% to collect himself6 he be4an 'ra44in4 his bo'% -pwar'. An'ertonhit him a4ain6 this time above the left e%e. e fell bac!6 an' la% still.

Str-44lin4 to breathe6 Lisa remaine' for a moment h-''le' over6 her bo'%swa%in4 bac! an' forth. Then6 4ra'-all%6 the color crept bac! into her face.





8Can %o- ta!e the controls58 An'erton as!e'6 sha!in4 her6 his voice -r4ent.

8es6 I thin! so.8 Almost mechanicall% she reache' for the wheel. 8I3ll be all ri4ht.on3t worr% abo-t me.8

8This pistol68 An'erton sai'6 8is Arm% or'nance iss-e. B-t it3s not from the war.It3s one of the -sef-l new ones the%3ve 'evelope'. I co-l' be a lon4 wa% off b-t there3s -st a chance 22 8

e climbe' bac! to where ,lemin4 la% sprea' o-t on the 'ec!. Tr%in4 not to to-chthe man3s hea'6 he tore open his coat an' r-mma4e' in his poc!ets. A moment later,lemin43s sweat2so''en wallet reste' in his han's.

To' ,lemin46 accor'in4 to his i'entification6 was an Arm% $aor attache' to theInternal Intelli4ence epartment of $ilitar% Information. Amon4 the vario-s papers wasa 'oc-ment si4ne' b% 1eneral Leopol' Kaplan6 statin4 that ,lemin4 was -n'er the

special protection of his own 4ro-p 22 the International "eterans3 Lea4-e.

,lemin4 an' his men were operatin4 -n'er Kaplan3s or'ers. The brea' tr-c!6 theacci'ent6 ha' been 'eliberatel% ri44e'.

It meant that Kaplan ha' 'eliberatel% !ept him o-t of police han's. The plan went bac! to the ori4inal contact in his home6 when Kaplan3s men ha' pic!e' him -p as he was pac!in4. Incre'-lo-s6 he realiGe' what ha' reall% happene'. +ven then6 the% were ma!in4s-re the% 4ot him before the police. ,rom the start6 it ha' been an elaborate strate4% toma!e certain that 0itwer wo-l' fail to arrest him.

8o- were tellin4 the tr-th68 An'erton sai' to his wife6 as he climbe' bac! in theseat. 8Can we 4et hol' of 0itwer58

$-tel%6 she no''e'. In'icatin4 the comm-nications circ-it of the 'ashboar'6 sheas!e': 80hat 22 'i' %o- fin'58

81et 0itwer for me. I want to tal! to him as soon as I can. It3s ver% -r4ent.8

Fer!il%6 she 'iale'6 4ot the close'2channel mechanical circ-it6 an' raise' policehea'-arters in *ew or!. A vis-al panorama of pett% police officials flashe' b% before atin% replica of +' 0itwer3s feat-res appeare' on the screen.

8&emember me58 An'erton as!e' him.

0itwer blanche'. 81oo' 1o'. 0hat happene'5 Lisa6 are %o- brin4in4 him in58Abr-ptl% his e%es fastene' on the 4-n in An'erton3s han's. 8Loo!68 he sai' sava4el%68'on3t 'o an%thin4 to her. 0hatever %o- ma% thin!6 she3s not responsible.8

8I3ve alrea'% fo-n' that o-t68 An'erton answere'. 8Can %o- 4et a fix on -s5 0e





ma% nee' protection 4ettin4 bac!.8

/Back1/ 0itwer 4aGe' at him -nbelievin4l%. 8o-3re comin4 in5 o-3re 4ivin4%o-rself -p58

8I am6 %es.8 Spea!in4 rapi'l%6 -r4entl%6 An'erton a''e'6 8There3s somethin4 %o-m-st 'o imme'iatel%. Close off the mon!e% bloc!. $a!e certain nobo'% 4ets it 22 Pa4e oran%one else. $specially "r#y people)/

8Kaplan68 the miniat-re ima4e sai'.

80hat abo-t him58

8e was here. e 22 he -st left.8

An'erton3s heart stoppe' beatin4. 80hat was he 'oin458

8Pic!in4 -p 'ata. Transcribin4 '-plicates of o-r preco4 reports on %o-. einsiste' he wante' them solel% for his protection.8

8Then he3s alrea'% 4ot it68 An'erton sai'. 8It3s too late.8

Alarme'6 0itwer almost sho-te': 8F-st what 'o %o- mean5 0hat3s happenin458

8I3ll tell %o-68 An'erton sai' heavil%6 8when I 4et bac! to m% office.8

VIII

0itwer met him on the roof on the police b-il'in4. As the small ship came to rest6a clo-' of escort ships 'ippe' their fins an' spe' off. An'erton imme'iatel% approache'the blon'2haire' %o-n4 man.

8o-3ve 4ot what %o- wante'68 he tol' him. 8o- can loc! me -p6 an' sen' me tothe 'etention camp. B-t that won3t be eno-4h.8

0itwer3s bl-e e%es were pale with -ncertaint%. 8I3m afrai' I 'on3t -n'erstan' 22 8

8It3s not m% fa-lt. I sho-l' never have left the police b-il'in4. 0here3s 0all%Pa4e58





80e3ve alrea'% clampe' 'own on him68 0itwer replie'. 8e won3t 4ive -s an%tro-ble.8

An'erton3s face was 4rim.

8o-3re hol'in4 him for the wron4 reason68 he sai'. 8Lettin4 me into the mon!e% bloc! was no crime. B-t passin4 information to Arm% is. o-3ve ha' an Arm% plantwor!in4 here.8 e correcte' himself6 a little lamel%6 8I mean6 I have.8

8I3ve calle' bac! the or'er on %o-. *ow the teams are loo!in4 for Kaplan.8

8An% l-c!58

8e left here in an Arm% tr-c!. 0e followe' him6 b-t the tr-c! 4ot into amilitariGe' Barrac!s. *ow the%3ve 4ot a bi4 wartime &2 tan! bloc!in4 the street. Itwo-l' be civil war to move it asi'e.8

Slowl%6 hesitantl%6 Lisa ma'e her wa% from the ship. She was still pale an' sha!enan' on her throat an -4l% br-ise was formin4.

80hat happene' to %o-58 0itwer 'eman'e'. Then he ca-4ht si4ht of ,lemin43sinert form l%in4 sprea' o-t insi'e. ,acin4 An'erton s-arel%6 he sai': 8Then %o-3vefinall% stoppe' preten'in4 this is some conspirac% of mine.8

8I have.8

8o- 'on3t thin! I3m 22 8 e ma'e a 'is4-ste' face./Plottin! to 4et %o-r ob.8

8S-re %o- are. +ver%bo'% is 4-ilt% of that sort of thin4. An' I3m plottin4 to !eepit. B-t this is somethin4 else 22 an' %o-3re not responsible.8

80h% 'o %o- assert68 0itwer in-ire'6 8that it3s too late to t-rn %o-rself in5 $%1o'6 we3ll p-t %o- in the camp. The wee! will pass an' Kaplan will still be alive.8

8e3ll be alive6 %es68 An'erton conce'e'. 8B-t he can prove he3' be -st as alive ifI were wal!in4 the streets. e has the information that proves the maorit% reportobsolete. e can brea! the Precrime s%stem.8 e finishe'6 8ea's or tails6 he wins 22 an'we lose. The Arm% 'iscre'its -sJ their strate4% pai' off.8

8B-t wh% are the% ris!in4 so m-ch5 0hat exactl% 'o the% want58

8After the An4lo2Chinese 0ar6 the Arm% lost o-t. It isn3t what it was in the 4oo'ol' A,0A 'a%s. The% ran the complete show6 both militar% an' 'omestic. An' the% 'i'their own police wor!.8

8Li!e ,lemin468 Lisa sai' faintl%.





8After the war6 the 0estbloc was 'emilitariGe'. (fficers li!e Kaplan were retire'an' 'iscar'e'. *obo'% li!es that.8 An'erton 4rimace'. 8I can s%mpathiGe with him. e3snot the onl% one. B-t we co-l'n3t !eep on r-nnin4 thin4s that wa%. 0e ha' to 'ivi'e -pthe a-thorit%.8

8o- sa% Kaplan has won68 0itwer sai'. 8Isn3t there an%thin4 we can 'o58

8I3m not 4oin4 to !ill him. 0e !now it an' he !nows it. Probabl% he3ll comearo-n' an' offer -s some !in' of 'eal. 0e3ll contin-e to f-nction6 b-t the Senate willabolish o-r real p-ll. o- wo-l'n3t li!e that6 wo-l' %o-58

8I sho-l' sa% not68 0itwer answere' emphaticall%. 8(ne of these 'a%s I3m 4oin4to be r-nnin4 this a4enc%.8 e fl-she'. 8*ot imme'iatel%6 of co-rse.8

An'erton3s expression was somber. 8It3s too ba' %o- p-bliciGe' the maorit% report. If

%o- ha' !ept it -iet6 we co-l' ca-tio-sl% 'raw it bac! in. B-t ever%bo'%3s hear' abo-t it.0e can3t retract it now.8

8I 4-ess not68 0itwer a'mitte' aw!war'l%. 8$a%be I 22 'on3t have this ob 'ownas neatl% as I ima4ine'.8

8o- will6 in time. o-3ll be a 4oo' police officer. o- believe in the stat-s -o.B-t learn to ta!e it eas%.8 An'erton move' awa% from them. 8I3m 4oin4 to st-'% the 'atatapes of the maorit% report. I want to fin' o-t exactl% how I was s-ppose' to !illKaplan.8 &eflectivel%6 he finishe': 8It mi4ht 4ive me some i'eas.8

The 'ata tapes of the preco4s 8onna8 an' 8$i!e8 were separatel% store'.Choosin4 the machiner% responsible for the anal%sis of 8onna68 he opene' the protective shiel' an' lai' o-t the contents. As before6 the co'e informe' him which reelswere relevant an' in a moment he ha' the tape2transport mechanism in operation.

It was approximatel% what he ha' s-specte'. This was the material -tiliGe' b%8Ferr%8 22 the s-perse'e' time2path. In it Kaplan3s $ilitar% Intelli4ence a4ents !i'nappe'An'erton as he 'rove home from wor!. Ta!en to Kaplan3s villa6 the or4aniGation 1 ofthe International "eterans3 Lea4-e. An'erton was 4iven an -ltimat-m: vol-ntaril% 'isban'the Precrime s%stem or face open hostilities with Arm%.

In this 'iscar'e' time2path6 An'erton6 as Police Commissioner6 ha' t-rne' to theSenate for s-pport. *o s-pport was forthcomin4. To avoi' civil war6 the Senate ha'ratifie' the 'ismemberment of the police s%stem6 an' 'ecree' a ret-rn to militar% law 8tocope with the emer4enc%.8 Ta!in4 a corps of fanatic police6 An'erton ha' locate' Kaplanan' shot him6 alon4 with other officials of the "eterans3 Lea4-e. (nl% Kaplan ha' 'ie'.The others ha' been patche' -p. An' the co-p ha' been s-ccessf-l.

This was 8onna.8 e rewo-n' the tape an' t-rne' to the material previewe' b%





8$i!e.8 It wo-l' be i'enticalJ both preco4s ha' combine' to present a -nifie' pict-re.8$i!e8 be4an as 8onna8 ha' be4-n: An'erton ha' become aware of Kaplan3s plota4ainst the police. B-t somethin4 was wron4. P-GGle'6 he ran the tape bac! to the be4innin4. Incomprehensibl%6 it 'i'n3t ibe. A4ain he rela%e' the tape6 listenin4 intentl%.

The 8$i!e8 report was -ite 'ifferent from the 8onna8 report. An ho-r later6 heha' finishe' his examination6 p-t awa% the tapes6 an' left the mon!e% bloc!. As soon ashe emer4e'6 0itwer as!e'. 80hat3s the matter5 I can see somethin43s wron4.8

8*o68 An'erton answere' slowl%6 still 'eep in tho-4ht. 8*ot exactl% wron4.8 Aso-n' came to his ears. e wal!e' va4-el% over to the win'ow an'

peere' o-t.

The street was cramme' with people. $ovin4 'own the center lane was a fo-r2col-mn line of -niforme' troops. &ifles6 helmets ... marchin4 sol'iers in their 'in4%

wartime -niforms6 carr%in4 the cherishe' pennants of A,0A flappin4 in the col'afternoon win'.

8An Arm% rall%68 0itwer explaine' blea!l%. 8I was wron4. The%3re not 4oin4 toma!e a 'eal with -s. 0h% sho-l' the%5 Kaplan3s 4oin4 to ma!e it p-blic.8

An'erton felt no s-rprise. 8e3s 4oin4 to rea' the minorit% report58

8Apparentl%. The%3re 4oin4 to 'eman' the Senate 'isban' -s6 an' ta!e awa% o-ra-thorit%. The%3re 4oin4 to claim we3ve been arrestin4 innocent men 22 noct-rnal policerai's6 that sort of thin4. &-le b% terror.8

8o- s-ppose the Senate will %iel'58

0itwer hesitate'. 8I wo-l'n3t want to 4-ess.8

8I3ll 4-ess68 An'erton sai'. 8The% will. That b-siness o-t there fits with what Ilearne' 'ownstairs. 0e3ve 4ot o-rselves boxe' in an' there3s onl% one 'irection we can4o. 0hether we li!e it or not6 we3ll have to ta!e it.8 is e%es ha' a steel% 4lint.

Apprehensivel%6 0itwer as!e': 80hat is it58

8(nce I sa% it6 %o-3ll won'er wh% %o- 'i'n3t invent it. "er% obvio-sl%6 I3m 4oin4to have to f-lfill the p-bliciGe' report. I3m 4oin4 to have to !ill Kaplan. That3s the onl%wa% we can !eep them from 'iscre'itin4 -s.8

8B-t68 0itwer sai'6 astonishe'6 8the maorit% report has been s-perse'e'.8

8I can 'o it68 An'erton informe' him6 8b-t it3s 4oin4 to cost. o-3re familiar withthe stat-tes 4overnin4 first2'e4ree m-r'er58





8Life imprisonment.8

8At least. Probabl%6 %o- co-l' p-ll a few wires an' 4et it comm-te' to exile. Ico-l' be sent to one of the colon% planets6 the 4oo' ol' frontier.8

80o-l' %o- 22 prefer that58

8ell6 no68 An'erton sai' heartil%. 8B-t it wo-l' be the lesser of the two evils.An' it3s 4ot to be 'one.8

8I 'on3t see how %o- can !ill Kaplan.8

An'erton 4ot o-t the heav%2'-t% militar% weapon ,lemin4 ha' tosse' to him. 8I3ll-se this.8

8The% won3t stop %o-58

80h% sho-l' the%5 The%3ve 4ot that minorit% report that sa%s I3ve chan4e' m%min'.8

8Then the minorit% report is incorrect58

8*o68 An'erton sai'6 8it3s absol-tel% correct. B-t I3m 4oin4 to m-r'er Kaplanan%how.8

IX

e ha' never !ille' a man. e ha' never even seen a man !ille'. An' he ha' beenPolice Commissioner for thirt% %ears. ,or this 4eneration6 'eliberate m-r'er ha' 'ie' o-t.It simpl% 'i'n3t happen.

A police car carrie' him to within a bloc! of the Arm% rall%. There6 in thesha'ows of the bac! seat6 he painsta!in4l% examine' the pistol ,lemin4 ha' provi'e'him. It seeme' to be intact. Act-all%6 there was no 'o-bt of the o-tcome. e wasabsol-tel% certain of what wo-l' happen within the next half ho-r. P-ttin4 the pistol bac!to4ether6 he opene' the 'oor of the par!e' car an' steppe' waril% o-t.

*obo'% pai' the sli4htest attention to him. S-r4in4 masses of people p-she'ea4erl% forwar'6 tr%in4 to 4et within hearin4 'istance of the rall%. Arm% -niforms





pre'ominate' an' at the perimeter of the cleare' area6 a line of tan!s an' maor weaponswas 'ispla%e' 22 formi'able armament still in pro'-ction.

Arm% ha' erecte' a metal spea!er3s stan' an' ascen'in4 steps. Behin' the stan'h-n4 the vast A,0A banner6 emblem of the combine' powers that ha' fo-4ht in the war.

B% a c-rio-s corrosion of time6 the A,0A "eterans3 Lea4-e incl-'e' officers from thewartime enem%. B-t a 4eneral was a 4eneral an' fine 'istinctions ha' fa'e' over the%ears.

(cc-p%in4 the first rows of seats sat the hi4h brass of the A,0A comman'.Behin' them came -nior commissione' officers. &e4imental banners swirle' in a variet%of colors an' s%mbols. In fact6 the occasion ha' ta!en on the aspect of a festive pa4eant.(n the raise' stan' itself sat stern2face' 'i4nitaries of the "eterans3 Lea4-e6 all of themtense with expectanc%. At the extreme e'4es6 almost -nnotice'6 waite' a few police -nits6ostensibl% to !eep or'er. Act-all%6 the% were informants ma!in4 observations. If or'erwere !ept6 the Arm% wo-l' maintain it.

The late2afternoon win' carrie' the m-ffle' boomin4 of man% people pac!e'ti4htl% to4ether. As An'erton ma'e his wa% thro-4h the 'ense mob he was en4-lfe' b%the soli' presence of h-manit%. An ea4er sense of anticipation hel' ever%bo'% ri4i'. Thecrow' seeme' to sense that somethin4 spectac-lar was on the wa%. 0ith 'iffic-lt%6An'erton force' his wa% past the rows of seats an' over to the ti4ht !not of Arm%officials at the e'4e of the platform. Kaplan was amon4 them. B-t he was now 1eneralKaplan. The vest6 the 4ol' poc!et watch6 the cane6 the conservative b-siness s-it 22 allwere 4one. ,or this event6 Kaplan ha' 4ot his ol' -niform from its mothballs. Strai4htan' impressive6 he stoo' s-rro-n'e' b% what ha' been his 4eneral staff. e wore hisservice bars6 his me'als6 his boots6 his 'ecorative short2swor'6 an' his visore' cap. It wasamaGin4 how transforme' a bal' man became -n'er the star! potenc% of an officer3s pea!e' an' visore' cap.

*oticin4 An'erton6 1eneral Kaplan bro!e awa% from the 4ro-p an' stro'e to where the%o-n4er man was stan'in4. The expression on his thin6 mobile co-ntenance showe' howincre'-lo-sl% 4la' he was to see the Commissioner of Police.

8This is a s-rprise68 he informe' An'erton6 hol'in4 o-t his small 4ra%24love'han'. 8It was m% impression %o- ha' been ta!en in b% the actin4 Commissioner.8

8I3m still o-t68 An'erton answere' shortl%6 sha!in4 han's. 8After all6 0itwer hasthat same reel of tape.8 e in'icate' the pac!a4e Kaplan cl-tche' in his steel% fin4ersan' met the man3s 4aGe confi'entl%.

In spite of his nervo-sness6 1eneral Kaplan was in 4oo' h-mor. 8This is a 4reatoccasion for the Arm%68 he reveale'. 8o-3ll be 4la' to hear I3m 4oin4 to 4ive the p-blic af-ll acco-nt of the sp-rio-s char4e bro-4ht a4ainst %o-.8

8,ine68 An'erton answere' noncommittall%.





8It will be ma'e clear that %o- were -n-stl% acc-se'.8 1eneral Kaplan was tr%in4to 'iscover what An'erton !new. 8i' ,lemin4 have an opport-nit% to ac-aint %o- withthe sit-ation58

8To some 'e4ree68 An'erton replie'. 8o-3re 4oin4 to rea' onl% the minorit%report5 That3s all %o-3ve 4ot there58

8I3m 4oin4 to compare it to the maorit% report.8 1eneral Kaplan si4nalle' an ai'ean' a leather briefcase was pro'-ce'. 8+ver%thin4 is here 22 all the evi'ence we nee'68 hesai'. 8o- 'on3t min' bein4 an example6 'o %o-5 o-r case s%mboliGes the -n-st arrestsof co-ntless in'ivi'-als.8 Stiffl%6 1eneral Kaplan examine' his wristwatch. 8I m-st be4in. 0ill %o- oin me on the platform58

80h%58

Col'l%6 b-t with a !in' of represse' vehemence6 1eneral Kaplan sai': 8So the%can see the livin4 proof. o- an' I to4ether 22 the !iller an' his victim. Stan'in4 si'e b%si'e6 exposin4 the whole sinister fra-' which the police have been operatin4.8

81la'l%68 An'erton a4ree'. 80hat are we waitin4 for58

isconcerte'6 1eneral Kaplan move' towar' the platform. A4ain6 he 4lance'-neasil% at An'erton6 as if visibl% won'erin4 wh% he ha' appeare' an' what he reall%!new. is -ncertaint% 4rew as An'erton willin4l% mo-nte' the steps of the platform an'fo-n' himself a seat 'irectl% besi'e the spea!er3s po'i-m.

8o- f-ll% comprehen' what I3m 4oin4 to be sa%in458 1eneral Kaplan 'eman'e'.8The expos-re will have consi'erable reperc-ssions. It ma% ca-se the Senate toreconsi'er the basic vali'it% of the Precrime s%stem.8

8I -n'erstan'68 An'erton answere'6 arms fol'e'. 8Let3s 4o.8

A h-sh ha' 'escen'e' on the crow'. B-t there was a restless6 ea4er stirrin4 when1eneral Kaplan obtaine' the briefcase an' be4an arran4in4 his material in front of him.

8The man sittin4 at m% si'e68 he be4an6 in a clean6 clippe' voice6 8is familiar to%o- all. o- ma% be s-rprise' to see him6 for -ntil recentl% he was 'escribe' b% the policeas a 'an4ero-s !iller.8

The e%es of the crow' foc-se' on An'erton. Avi'l%6 the% peere' at the onl% potential !iller the% ha' ever been privile4e' to see at close ran4e.

80ithin the last few ho-rs6 however68 1eneral Kaplan contin-e'6 8the police or'erfor his arrest has been cancelle'J beca-se former Commissioner An'erton vol-ntaril%4ave himself -p5 *o6 that is not strictl% acc-rate. e is sittin4 here. e has not 4iven





himself -p6 b-t the police are no lon4er intereste' in him. Fohn Allison An'erton isinnocent of an% crime in the past6 present6 an' f-t-re. The alle4ations a4ainst him were patent fra-'s6 'iabolical 'istortions of a contaminate' penal s%stem base' on a false premise 22 a vast6 impersonal en4ine of 'estr-ction 4rin'in4 men an' women to their'oom.8

,ascinate'6 the crow' 4lance' from Kaplan to An'erton. +ver%one was familiarwith the basic sit-ation.

8$an% men have been seiGe' an' imprisone' -n'er the so2calle' proph%lacticPrecrime str-ct-re68 1eneral Kaplan contin-e'6 his voice 4ainin4 feelin4 an' stren4th.8Acc-se' not of crimes the% have committe'64ut of cri#es they 'ill co##it) It is asserte'that these men6 if allowe' to remain free6 will at some f-t-re time commit felonies.8

8B-t there can be no vali' !nowle'4e abo-t the f-t-re. As soon as preco42nitiveinformation is obtaine'6it cancels itself out) The assertion that this man will commit a

f-t-re crime is para'oxical. The ver% act of possessin4 this 'ata ren'ers it sp-rio-s. Inever% case6 witho-t exception6 the report of the three police preco4s has invali'ate' theirown 'ata. If no arrests ha' been ma'e6 there wo-l' still have been no crimes committe'.8

An'erton listene' i'l%6 onl% half2hearin4 the wor's. The crow'6 however6 listene'with 4reat interest. 1eneral Kaplan was now 4atherin4 -p a s-mmar% ma'e from theminorit% report. e explaine' what it was an' how it ha' come into existence.

,rom his coat poc!et6 An'erton slippe' o-t his 4-n an' hel' it in his lap. Alrea'%6Kaplan was la%in4 asi'e the minorit% report6 the preco4nitive material obtaine' from8Ferr%.8 is lean6 bon% fin4ers 4rope' for the s-mmar% of first6 8onna68 an' after that68$i!e.8

8This was the ori4inal maorit% report68 he explaine'. 8The assertion6 ma'e b% thefirst two preco4s6 that An'erton wo-l' commit a m-r'er. *ow here is the a-tomaticall%invali'ate' material. I shall rea' it to %o-.8 e whippe' o-t his rimless 4lasses6 fitte'them to his nose6 an' starte' slowl% to rea'.

A -eer expression appeare' on his face. e halte'6 stammere'6 an' abr-ptl% bro!e off. The papers fl-ttere' from his han's. Li!e a cornere' animal6 he sp-n6cro-che'6 an' 'ashe' from the spea!er3s stan'.

,or an instant his 'istorte' face flashe' past An'erton. (n his feet now6 An'ertonraise' the 4-n6 steppe' -ic!l% forwar'6 an' fire'. Tan4le' -p in the rows of feet proectin4 from the chairs that fille' the platform6 Kaplan 4ave a sin4le shrill shrie! ofa4on% an' fri4ht. Li!e a r-ine' bir'6 he t-mble'6 fl-tterin4 an' flailin46 from the platformto the 4ro-n' below. An'erton steppe' to the railin46 b-t it was alrea'% over.

Kaplan6 as the maorit% report ha' asserte'6 was 'ea'. is thin chest was asmo!in4 cavit% of 'ar!ness6 cr-mblin4 ash that bro!e loose as the bo'% la% twitchin4.





Sic!ene'6 An'erton t-rne' awa%6 an' move' -ic!l% between the risin4 fi4-res ofst-nne' Arm% officers. The 4-n6 which he still hel'6 4-arantee' that he wo-l' not beinterfere' with. e leape' from the platform an' e'4e' into the chaotic mass of people atits base. Stric!en6 horrifie'6 the% str-44le' to see what ha' happene'. The inci'ent6occ-rrin4 before their ver% e%es6 was incomprehensible. It wo-l' ta!e time for

acceptance to replace blin' terror.

At the peripher% of the crow'6 An'erton was seiGe' b% the waitin4 police. 8o-3rel-c!% to 4et o-t68 one of them whispere' to him as the car crept ca-tio-sl% ahea'.

8I 4-ess I am68 An'erton replie' remotel%. e settle' bac! an' trie' to composehimself. e was tremblin4 an' 'iGG%. Abr-ptl%6 he leane' forwar' an' was violentl% sic!.

8The poor 'evil68 one the cops m-rm-re' s%mpatheticall%.

Thro-4h the swirls of miser% an' na-sea6 An'erton was -nable to tell whether the

cop was referrin4 to Kaplan or to himself.

,o-r b-rl% policemen assiste' Lisa an' Fohn An'erton in the pac!in4 an' loa'in4of their possessions. In fift% %ears6 the ex2Commissioner of Police ha' acc-m-late' a vastcollection of material 4oo's. Somber an' pensive6 he stoo' watchin4 the procession ofcrates on their wa% to the waitin4 tr-c!s.

B% tr-c! the% wo-l' 4o 'irectl% to the fiel' 22 an' from there to Centa-r-s H b%inter2s%stem transport. A lon4 trip for an ol' man. B-t he wo-l'n3t have to ma!e it bac!.

8There 4oes the secon' from the last crate68 Lisa 'eclare'6 absorbe' an' preocc-pie' b% the tas!. In sweater an' slac!s6 she roame' thro-4h the barren rooms6chec!in4 on last2min-te 'etails. 8I s-ppose we won3t be able to -se these new atronicappliances. The%3re still -sin4 electricit% on Centten.8

8I hope %o- 'on3t care too m-ch68 An'erton sai'.

80e3ll 4et -se' to it68 Lisa replie'6 an' 4ave him a fleetin4 smile. 80on3t we58

8I hope so. o-3re positive %o-3ll have no re4rets. If I tho-4ht2 8 8*o re4rets68 Lisaass-re' him. 8*ow s-ppose %o- help me with this crate.8

As the% boar'e' the lea' tr-c!6 0itwer 'rove -p in a patrol car. e leape' o-t an'h-rrie' -p to them6 his face loo!in4 stran4el% ha44ar'. 8Before %o- ta!e off68 he sai' toAn'erton6 8%o-3ll have to 4ive me a brea!2'own on the sit-ation with the preco4s. I3m4ettin4 in-iries from the Senate. The% want to fin' o-t if the mi''le report6 theretraction6 was an error 22 or what.8 Conf-se'l%6 he finishe': 8I still can3t explain it. Theminorit% report was wron46 wasn3t it58

80hich minorit% report58 An'erton in-ire'6 am-se'.





0itwer blin!e'. 8Then thatis it. I mi4ht have !nown.8 Seate' in the cabin of thetr-c!6 An'erton 4ot o-t his pipe an' shoo! tobacco into it. 0ith Lisa3s li4hter he i4nite'the tobacco an' be4an operations. Lisa ha' 4one bac! to the ho-se6 wantin4 to be s-renothin4 vital ha' been overloo!e'.

8There were three minorit% reports68 he tol' 0itwer6 eno%in4 the %o-n4 man3sconf-sion. Some'a%6 0itwer wo-l' learn not to wa'e into sit-ations he 'i'n3t f-ll%-n'erstan'. Satisfaction was An'erton3s final emotion. (l' an' worn2o-t as he was6 heha' been the onl% one to 4rasp the real nat-re of the problem.

8The three reports were consec-tive68 he explaine'. 8The first was 3onna.3 In thattime2path6 Kaplan tol' me of the plot6 an' I promptl% m-r'ere' him. 3Ferr%63 phase'sli4htl% ahea' of 3onna63 -se' her report as 'ata. e factore' in m% !nowle'4e of thereport. In that6 the secon' time2path6 all I wante' to 'o was to !eep m% ob. It wasn3tKaplan I wante' to !ill. It was m% own position an' life I was intereste' in.8

8An' 3$i!e3 was the thir' report5 That cameafter the minorit% report58 0itwercorrecte' himself. 8I mean6 it came last58

8 3$i!e3 was the last of the three6 %es. ,ace' with the !nowle'4e of the firstreport6 I ha' 'eci'e'not to !ill Kaplan. That pro'-ce' report two. B-t face' with that report6 I chan4e' m% min' bac!. &eport two6 sit-ation two6 was the sit-ation Kaplanwante' to create. It was to the a'vanta4e of the police to recreate position one. An' b%that time I was thin!in4 of the police. I ha' fi4-re' o-t what Kaplan was 'oin4. The thir'report invali'ate' the secon' one in the same wa% the secon' one invali'ate' the first.That bro-4ht -s bac! where we starte' from.8

Lisa came over6 breathless an' 4aspin4. 8Let3s 4o 22 we3re all finishe' here.8 Lithean' a4ile6 she ascen'e' the metal r-n4s of the tr-c! an' s-eeGe' in besi'e her h-sban'an' the 'river. The latter obe'ientl% starte' -p his tr-c! an' the others followe'.

8+ach report was 'ifferent68 An'erton concl-'e'. 8+ach was -ni-e. B-t two ofthem a4ree' on one point. If left free, 7 #ould kill &aplan) That create' the ill-sion of amaorit% report. Act-all%6 that3s all it was 22 an ill-sion. 3onna3 an' 3$i!e3 previewe' thesame event 22 b-t in two totall% 'ifferent time2paths6 occ-rrin4 -n'er totall% 'ifferentsit-ations. 3onna3 an' 3Ferr%63 the so2calle' minorit% report an' half of the maorit%report6 were incorrect. (f the three6 3$i!e3 was correct 22 since no report came after his6 toinvali'ate him. That s-ms it -p.8

Anxio-sl%6 0itwer trotte' alon4 besi'e the tr-c!6 his smooth6 blon' face crease'with worr%. 80ill it happen a4ain5 Sho-l' we overha-l the set2-p58

8It can happen in onl% one circ-mstance68 An'erton sai'. 8$% case was -ni-e6since I ha' access to the 'ata. Itcould happen a4ain 22 b-t onl% to the next PoliceCommissioner. So watch %o-r step.8 Briefl%6 he 4rinne'6 'erivin4 no inconsi'erable





comfort from 0itwer3s straine' expression. Besi'e him6 Lisa3s re' lips twitche' an' herhan' reache' o-t an' close' over his. 8Better !eep %o-r e%es open68 he informe' %o-n40itwer. 8It mi4ht happen to %o- at an% time.8

Recall Mechanism

The anal%st sai': 8I3m -mphr%s6 the man %o- came to see.8 There were fear an'hostilit% on the patient3s face6 so -mphr%s sai': 8I co-l' tell a o!e abo-t anal%sts.0o-l' that ma!e %o- feel better5 (r I co-l' remin' %o- that the *ational ealth Tr-st is pa%in4 m% feeJ it3s not 4oin4 to cost %o- a cent. (r I co-l' cite the case of Ps%choanal%st6 who committe' s-ici'e last %ear beca-se of overb-r'enin4 anxiet% res-ltin4 from afra-'-lentl% fille' o-t income tax.8

1r-'4in4l%6 the patient smile'. 8I hear' abo-t that. So ps%cholo4ists are fallible.8e 4ot to his feet an' hel' o-t his han'. 8$% name is Pa-l Sharp. $% secretar% ma'e thearran4ements with %o-. I have a little problem6 nothin4 important6 b-t I3' li!e to clear it-p.8

The expression on his face showe' that it was no small problem6 an' that6 if he'i'n3t clear it -p6 it wo-l' probabl% 'estro% him.

8Come insi'e68 -mphr%s sai' 4eniall%6 openin4 the 'oor to his office6 8so we can both sit 'own.8

Sin!in4 'own in a soft eas% chair6 Sharp stretche' his le4s o-t in front of him.8*o co-ch68 he observe'.

8The co-ch vanishe' bac! aro-n' 9;)68 -mphr%s sai'. 8Post2war anal%sts feeleno-4h confi'ence to face their patients on an e-al level.8 e offere' a pac! ofci4arettes to Sharp an' then lit -p himself. 8o-r secretar% 4ave me no 'etailsJ she -stsai' %o- wante' a conference.8

Sharp sai': 8I can tal! fran!l%58

8I3m bon'e'68 -mphr%s sai'6 with pri'e. 8If an% of the material %o- tell me 4etsinto the han's of sec-rit% or4aniGations6 I forfeit approximatel% ten tho-san' 'ollars in





0estbloc silver 22 har' cash6 not paper st-ff.8

8That3s 4oo' eno-4h for me68 Sharp sai'6 an' be4an. 8I3m an economist6wor!in4for the epartment of A4ric-lt-re 22 the ivision of 0ar estr-ction Salva4e. I po!earo-n' 2bomb craters seein4 what3s worth reb-il'in4.8 e correcte' himself. 8Act-all%6

I anal%Ge reports on 2bomb craters an' ma!e recommen'ations. It was m%recommen'ation to reclaim the farm lan's aro-n' Sacramento an' the in'-strial rin4 hereat Los An4eles.8

In spite of himself6 -mphr%s was impresse'. ere was a man in the polic%2 plannin4 level of the 1overnment. It 4ave him an o'' feelin4 to realiGe that Sharp6 li!ean% other anxiet%2ri''en citiGen6 ha' come to the Ps%ch ,ront for therap%.

8$% sister2in2law 4ot a nice a'vanta4e from the Sacramento reclamation68-mphr%s commente'. 8She ha' a small waln-t orchar' -p there. The 1overnmentha-le' off the ash6 reb-ilt the ho-se an' o-tb-il'in4s6 even sta!e' her to a few 'oGen new

trees. +xcept for her le4 in-r%6 she3s as well off as before the war.8

80e3re please' with o-r Sacramento proect68 Sharp sai'. e ha' be4-n to perspireJ his smooth6 pale forehea' was strea!e'6 an' his han's6 as he hel' his ci4arette6shoo!. 8(f co-rse6 I have a personal interest in *orthern California. I was born therem%self6 -p aro-n' Petal-ma6 where the% -se' to t-rn o-t hens3 e44s b% the million . . .8is voice traile' off h-s!il%. 8-mphr%s68 he m-ttere'6 8what am I 4oin4 to 'o58

8,irst68 -mphr%s sai'6 84ive me more information.8

8I 228 Sharp 4rinne' inanel%. 8I have some !in' of hall-cination. I3ve ha' it for%ears6 b-t it3s 4ettin4 worse. I3ve trie' to sha!e it6 b-t 228 he 4est-re' 22 8it comes bac!6stron4er6 bi44er6 more often.8

Besi'e -mphr%s3 'es! the vi' an' a-' recor'ers were scannin4 covertl%. 8Tellme what the hall-cination is68 he instr-cte'. 8Then ma%be I can tell %o- wh% %o- haveit.8

e was tire'. In the privac% of his livin4 room6 he sat '-ll% examinin4 a series ofreports on carrot m-tation. A variet%6 externall% in'istin4-ishable from the norm6 wassen'in4 people in (re4on an' $ississippi to the hospital with conv-lsions6 fever an' partial blin'ness. 0h% (re4on an' $ississippi5 ere with the report were photo4raphs ofthe feral m-tationJ itdid loo! li!e an or'inar% carrot. An' with the report came anexha-stive anal%sis of the toxic a4ent an' recommen'ation for a ne-traliGin4 anti'ote.

Sharp wearil% tosse' the report asi'e an' selecte' the next in or'er.

Accor'in4 to the secon' report6 the notorio-s etroit rat ha' shown -p in St.





Lo-is an' Chica4o6 infestin4 the in'-strial an' a4ric-lt-ral settlements replacin4 the'estro%e' cities. The etroit rat 22 he ha' seen one once. That was three %ears a4oJcomin4 home one ni4ht6 he ha' -nloc!e' the 'oor an' seen6 in the 'ar!ness6 somethin4sc-ttle awa% to safet%. Armin4 himself with a hammer6 he ha' p-she' f-rnit-re aro-n'-ntil he fo-n' it. The rat6 h-4e an' 4ra%6 ha' been in the process of b-il'in4 itself a wall2

to2wall web. As it leape' -p6 he !ille' it with the hammer. A rat that sp-n webs . . .

e calle' an official exterminator an' reporte' its presence.

A Special Talents A4enc% ha' been set -p b% the 1overnment to -tiliGe parabilities of wartime m-tants evolve' from the vario-s ra'iation2sat-rate' areas. B-t6he reflecte'6 the A4enc% was e-ippe' to han'le onl% h-man m-tants an' their telepathic6 preco46 para!inetic an' relate' abilities. There sho-l' have been a Special TalentsA4enc% for ve4etables an' ro'ents6 too.

,rom behin' his chair came a stealth% so-n'. T-rnin4 -ic!l%6 Sharp fo-n'

himself facin4 a tall6 thin man wearin4 a 'rab raincoat an' smo!in4 a ci4ar.

8i' I scare %o-58 1iller as!e'6 an' snic!ere'. 8Ta!e it eas%6 Pa-l. o- loo! as if%o-3re 4oin4 to pass o-t.8

8I was wor!in468 Sharp sai' 'efensivel%6 partiall% recoverin4 his e-ilibri-m.

8So I see68 sai' 1iller.

8An' thin!in4 abo-t rats.8 Sharp p-she' his wor! to one si'e. 8ow3' %o- 4etin58

8o-r 'oor was -nloc!e'.8 1iller remove' his raincoat an' tosse' it on the co-ch.8That3s ri4ht 22 %o- !ille' a etroit. &i4ht here in this room.8 e 4aGe' aro-n' the neat6-nostentatio-s livin4 room. 8Are those thin4s fatal58

8epen's where the% 4et %o-.8 1oin4 into the !itchen6 Sharp fo-n' two beers inthe refri4erator. As he po-re'6 he sai': 8The% sho-l'n3t waste 4rain ma!in4 this st-ff. . . b-t as lon4 as the% 'o6 it3s a shame not to 'rin! it.8

1iller accepte' his beer 4ree'il%. 8$-st be nice to be a bi4 wheel an' havel-x-ries li!e this.8 is small6 'ar! e%es rove' spec-lativel% aro-n' the !itchen. 8o-rown stove6 an' %o-r own refri4erator.8 Smac!in4 his lips6 he a''e': 8An' beer. I haven3tha' a beer since last A-4-st.8

8o-3ll live68 Sharp sai'6 witho-t compassion. 8Is this a b-siness call5 If so6 4et tothe pointJ I3ve 4ot plent% of wor! to 'o.8

1iller sai': 8I -st wante' to sa% hello to a fellow Petal-man.8





0incin46 Sharp answere': 8It so-n's li!e some sort of s%nthetic f-el.8

1iller wasn3t am-se'. 8Are %o- ashame' to have come from the ver% section thatwas once 228

8I !now. The e442la%in4 capital of the -niverse. Sometimes I won'er 22 how man%chic!en feathers 'o %o- s-ppose were 'riftin4 aro-n'6 the 'a% the first 2bomb hit o-rtown58

8Billions68 1iller sai' morosel%. 8An' some of them were mine. $% chic!ens6 Imean. o-r famil% ha' a farm6 'i'n3t the%58

8*o68 Sharp sai'6 ref-sin4 to be i'entifie' with 1iller. 8$% famil% operate' a 'r-4store facin4 on i4hwa% 9)9. A bloc! from the par!6 near the sportin4 4oo's shop.8 An'6he a''e' -n'er his breath: o- can 4o to hell.Beca-se I3m not 4oin4 to chan4e m% min'.o- can camp on m% 'oorstep the rest of %o-r life an' it still won3t 'o an% 4oo'.

Petal-ma isn3t that important. An' an%how6 the chic!ens are 'ea'.

8ow3s the Sac reb-il' comin458 1iller in-ire'.

8,ine.8

8Plent% of those waln-ts a4ain58

80aln-ts comin4 o-t of people3s ears.8

8$ice 4ettin4 in the shell heaps58

8Tho-san's of them68 Sharp sippe' his beerJ it was 4oo' -alit%6 probabl% as4oo' as pre2war. e wo-l'n3t !now6 beca-se in 9@96 the %ear the war bro!e o-t6 he ha' been onl% six %ears ol'. B-t the beer taste' the wa% he remembere' the ol' 'a%s: op-lentan' carefree an' satisf%in4.

80e fi4-re68 1iller sai' hoarsel%6 an avi' 4leam in his face6 8that the Petal-ma2Sonoma area can be b-ilt -p a4ain for abo-t seven billion 0estbloc. That3s nothin4compare' to what %o-3ve been 'olin4 o-t.8

8An' the Petal-ma2Sonoma area is nothin4 compare' with the areas we3ve beenreb-il'in468 Sharp sai'. 8o- thin! we nee' e44s an' wine5 0hat we nee' is machiner%.It3s Chica4o an' Pittsb-r4h an' Los An4eles an' St. Lo-is an' 228

8o-3ve for4otten68 1iller 'rone' on6 8that %o-3re a Petal-man. o-3re t-rnin4%o-r bac! on %o-r ori4in 22 an' on %o-r '-t%.8

8-t%7 o- s-ppose the 1overnment hire' me to be a lobb%ist for one trivial farmarea58 Sharp fl-she' with o-tra4e. 8As far as I3m concerne' 228





80e3re %o-r people68 1iller sai' inflexibl%. 8An' %o-r people come first.8

0hen he ha' 4ot ri' of the man6 Sharp stoo' for a time in the ni4ht 'ar!ness64aGin4 'own the roa' after 1iller3s rece'in4 car. 0ell6 he sai' to himself6 there 4oes the

wa% of the worl' 22 me first an' to hell with ever%bo'% else.

Si4hin46 he t-rne' an' ma'e his wa% -p the path towar' the front porch of hisho-se. Li4hts 4leame' frien'lil% in the win'ow. Shiverin46 he p-t his han' o-t an'4rope' for the railin4.

An' then6 as he cl-msil% mo-nte' the stairs6 the terrible thin4 happene'.

0ith a r-sh6 the li4hts of the win'ow win!e' o-t. The porch railin4 'issolve'-n'er his fin4ers. In his ears a shrill screamin4 whine rose -p an' 'eafene' him. e wasfallin4. Str-44lin4 franticall%6 he trie' to 4et hol' of somethin46 b-t there was onl% empt%

'ar!ness aro-n' him6 no s-bstance6 no realit%6 onl% the 'epth beneath him an' the 'in ofhis own terrifie' shrie!s.

8elp78 he sho-te'6 an' the so-n' beat f-tilel% bac! at him. 8I3m fallin478

An' then6 4aspin46 he was o-tstretche' on the 'amp lawn6 cl-tchin4 han'f-ls of4rass an' 'irt. Two feet from the porch 22 he ha' misse' the first step in the 'ar!ness an'ha' slippe' an' fallen. An or'inar% event: the win'ow li4hts ha' been bloc!e' b% theconcrete railin4. The whole thin4 ha' happene' in a split secon' an' he ha' fallen onl%the len4th of his own bo'%. There was bloo' on his forehea'J he ha' c-t himself as hestr-c!.

Sill%. A chil'ish6 inf-riatin4 event.

Sha!il%6 he climbe' to his feet an' mo-nte' the steps. Insi'e the ho-se6 he stoo'leanin4 a4ainst the wall6 sh-''erin4 an' pantin4. 1ra'-all% the fear fa'e' o-t an'rationalit% ret-rne'.

0h% was he so afrai' of fallin45

Somethin4 ha' to be 'one. This was worse than ever before6 even worse than thetime he ha' st-mble' comin4 o-t of the elevator at the office 22 an' ha' instantl% beenre'-ce' to screamin4 terror in front of a lobb%f-l of people.

0hat wo-l' happen to him if hereally fell5 If6 for example6 he were to step offone of the overhea' ramps connectin4 the maor Los An4eles office b-il'in4s5 The fallwo-l' be stoppe' b% safet% screensJ no ph%sical harm was ever 'one6 tho-4h people fellall the time. B-t for him 22 the ps%cholo4ical shoc! mi4ht be fatal.Would befatalJ to hismin'6 at least.





e ma'e a mental note: no more 4oin4 o-t on the ramps. n'er no circ-mstances.e ha' been avoi'in4 them for %ears6 b-t from now on6 ramps were in the same class asair travel. Since 9;< he ha'n3t left the s-rface of the planet. An'6 in the last few %ears6 hesel'om visite' offices more than ten fli4hts -p.

B-t if he stoppe' -sin4 the ramps6 how was he 4oin4 to 4et into his own researchfiles5 The file room was accessibl% onl% b% ramp: the narrow metallic path lea'in4 -pfrom the office area.

Perspirin46 terrifie'6 he san! 'own on the co-ch an' sat h-''le' over6 won'erin4how he was 4oin4 to !eep his ob6 'o his wor!.

An' how he was 4oin4 to sta% alive.

-mphr%s waite'6 b-t his patient seeme' to have finishe'.

8oes it ma!e %o- feel an% better68 -mphr%s as!e'6 8to !now that fear of fallin4is a common phobia58

8*o68 Sharp answere'.

8I 4-ess there3s no reason wh% it sho-l'. o- sa% it3s shown -p before5 0hen wasthe first time58

80hen I was ei4ht. The war ha' been 4oin4 on two %ears. I was on the s-rface6examinin4 m% ve4etable 4ar'en.8 Sharp smile' wea!l%. 8+ven when I was a !i'6 I 4rewthin4s. The San ,rancisco networ! pic!e' -p exha-st trails of a Soviet missile an' all thewarnin4 towers went off li!e &oman can'les. I was almost on top of the shelter. I race' toit6 lifte' the li' an' starte' 'own the stairs. At the bottom were m% mother an' father.The% %elle' for me to h-rr%. I starte' to r-n 'own the stairs.8

8An' fell58 -mphr%s as!e' expectantl%.

8I 'i'n3t fallJ I s-''enl% 4ot afrai'. I co-l'n3t 4o an% fartherJ I -st stoo' there.An' the% were %ellin4 -p at me. The% wante' to 4et the bottom plate screwe' in place.An' the% co-l'n3t -ntil I was 'own.8

0ith a to-ch of aversion6 -mphr%s ac!nowle'4e': 8I remember those ol' two2sta4e shelters. I won'er how man% people 4ot sh-t between the li' an' the bottom plate.8e e%e' his patient. 8As a chil'6 ha' %o- hear' of that happenin45 People bein4 trappe'on the stairs6 not able to 4et bac! -p6 not able to 4et 'own . . .8

8I wasn3t scare' of bein4 trappe'7 I was scare' of fallin4 22 afrai' I3' pitch hea'2forwar' off the steps.8 Sharp lic!e' his 'r% lips. 80ell6 so I t-rne' aro-n' 228 is bo'%





sh-''ere'. 8I went bac! -p an' o-tsi'e.8

8-rin4 the attac!58

8The% shot 'own the missile. B-t I spent the alert ten'in4 m% ve4etables.

Afterwar'6 m% famil% beat me nearl% -nconscio-s.8

-mphr%s3 min' forme' the wor's: ori4in of 4-ilt.

8The next time68 Sharp contin-e'6 8was when I was fo-rteen. The war ha' beenover a few months. 0e starte' bac! to see what was left of o-r town. *othin4 was left6onl% a crater of ra'ioactive sla4 several h-n're' feet 'eep. 0or! teams were creepin4'own into the crater. I stoo' on the e'4e watchin4 them. The fear came.8 e p-t o-t hisci4arette an' sat waitin4 -ntil the anal%st fo-n' him another. 8I left the area after that.+ver% ni4ht I 'reame' abo-t that crater6 that bi4 'ea' mo-th. I hitche' a ri'e on amilitar% tr-c! an' ro'e to San ,rancisco.8

80hen was the next time58 as!e' -mphr%s.

Irritabl%6 Sharp sai': 8Then it happene' all the time6 ever% time I was -p hi4h6ever% time I ha' to wal! -p or 'own a fli4ht of steps 22 an% sit-ation where I was hi4han' mi4ht fall. B-t to be afrai' to wal! -p the steps of m% own ho-se 228 e bro!e offtemporaril%. 8I can3t wal! -p three steps68 he sai' wretche'l%. 8Three concrete steps.8

8An% partic-lar ba' episo'es6 o-tsi'e of those %o-3ve mentione'58

8I was in love with a prett% brown2haire' 4irl who live' on the top floor of theAtcheson Apartments. Probabl% she still lives thereJ I wo-l'n3t !now. I 4ot five or sixfloors -p an' then 22 I tol' her 4oo' ni4ht an' came bac! 'own.8 Ironicall%6 he sai': 8Shem-st have tho-4ht I was craG%.8

8(thers58 -mphr%s as!e'6 mentall% notin4 the appearance of the sex-al element.

8(ne time I co-l'n3t accept a ob beca-se it involve' travel b% air. It ha' to 'owith inspectin4 a4ric-lt-ral proects.8

-mphr%s sai': 8In the ol' 'a%s6 anal%sts loo!e' for the ori4in of a phobia. *owwe as!:'hat does it do% s-all% it 4ets the in'ivi'-al o-t of sit-ations he -nconscio-sl%'isli!es.8

A slow6 'is4-ste' fl-sh appeare' on Sharp3s face. 8Can3t %o- 'o better than that58

isconcerte'6 -mphr%s m-rm-re': 8I 'on3t sa% I a4ree with the theor% or that it3snecessaril% tr-e in %o-r case. I3ll sa% this m-ch tho-4h: it3s not fallin4 %o-3re afrai' of. It3ssomethin4 that fallin4 remin's %o- of. 0ith l-c! we o-4ht to be able to 'i4 -p the protot%pe experience 22 what the% -se' to call the ori4inal tra-matic inci'ent.8 1ettin4 to





his feet6 he be4an to 'ra4 over a stemme' tower of electronic mirrors. 8$% lamp68 heexplaine'. 8It3ll melt the barriers.8

Sharp re4ar'e' the lamp with apprehension. 8Loo!68 he m-ttere' nervo-sl%6 8I'on3t want m% min' reconstr-cte'. I ma% be a ne-rotic6 b-t I ta!e pri'e in m%

personalit%.8

8This won3t affect %o-r personalit%.8 Ben'in4 'own6 -mphr%s pl-44e' in thelamp. 8It will brin4 -p material not accessible to %o-r rational center. I3m 4oin4 to trace%o-r life 22 trac! bac! to the inci'ent at which %o- were 'one 4reat harm 22 an' fin' o-twhat %o-3rereally afrai' of.8

Blac! shapes 'rifte' aro-n' him. Sharp screame' an' str-44le' wil'l%6 tr%in4 to pr% loose the fin4ers closin4 over his arms an' le4s. Somethin4 smashe' a4ainst his face.

Co-4hin46 he sl-mpe' forwar'6 'ribblin4 bloo' an' saliva an' bits of bro!en teeth. ,oran instant6 blin'in4 li4ht flashe'J he was bein4 scr-tiniGe'.

8Is he 'ea'58 a voice 'eman'e'.

8*ot %et.8 A foot po!e' experimentall% into Sharp3s si'e. iml%6 in his half2conscio-sness6 he co-l' hear ribs crac!in4. 8Almost6 tho-4h.8

8Can %o- hear me6 Sharp58 a voice raspe'6 close to his ear.

e 'i'n3t respon'. e la% tr%in4 not to 'ie6 tr%in4 not to associate himself with thecrac!e' an' bro!en thin4 that ha' been his bo'%.

8o- probabl% ima4ine68 the voice sai'6 familiar6 intimate6 8that I3m 4oin4 to sa%%o-3ve 4ot one last chance. B-t %o- 'on3t6 Sharp. o-r chance is 4one. I3m tellin4 %o-what we3re 4oin4 to 'o with %o-.8

1aspin46 he trie' not to hear. An'6 f-tilel%6 he trie' not to feel what the% weres%stematicall% 'oin4 to him.

8All ri4ht68 the familiar voice sai' finall%6 when it ha' been 'one. 8*ow throwhim o-t.8

0hat remaine' of Pa-l Sharp was l-44e' to a circ-lar hatch. The neb-lo-s o-tlineof 'ar!ness rose -p aro-n' him an' then 22 hi'eo-sl% 22 he was pitche' into it. own hefell6 b-t this time he 'i'n3t scream.

*o ph%sical apparat-s remaine' with which to scream.





Snappin4 the lamp off6 -mphr%s bent over an' metho'icall% ro-se' the sl-mpe'fi4-re.

8Sharp78 he or'ere' lo-'l%. 80a!e -p7 Come o-t of it78

The man 4roane'6 blin!e' his e%es6 stirre'. (ver his face settle' a 4laGe of p-re6-nmiti4ate' torment.

81o'68 he whispere'6 e%es blan!6 bo'% limp with s-fferin4. 8The% 228

8o-3re bac! here68 -mphr%s sai'6 sha!en b% what ha' been 're'4e' -p.8There3s nothin4 to worr% abo-tJ %o-3re absol-tel% safe. It3s over with 22 happene' %earsa4o.8

8(ver68 Sharp m-rm-re' patheticall%.

8o-3re bac! in the present. n'erstan'58

8es68 Sharp m-ttere'. 8B-t 22 what was it5 The% p-she' me o-t 22 thro-4h an'into somethin4. An' I went on 'own.8 e tremble' violentl%. 8I fell.8

8o- fell thro-4h a hatch68 -mphr%s tol' him calml%. 8o- were beaten -p an' ba'l% in-re' 22 fatall%6 the% ass-me'. B-t %o-did s-rvive. o- are alive. o- 4ot o-t ofit.8

80h% 'i' the% 'o it58 Sharp as!e' bro!enl%. is face6 sa44in4 an' 4ra%6 twitche'with 'espair. 8elp me6 -mphr%s . . .8

8Conscio-sl%6 %o- 'on3t remember when it happene'58

8*o.8

8o %o- remember where58

8*o.8 Sharp3s face er!e' spasmo'icall%. 8The% trie' to !ill me 22 the%did !illme78 Str-44lin4 -pri4ht6 he proteste': 8*othin4 li!e that happene' to me. I3' remember ifit ha'. It3s a false memor% 22 m% min'3s been tampere' with78

8It3s been represse'68 -mphr%s sai' firml%6 8'eepl% b-rie' beca-se of the painan' shoc!. A form of amnesia 22 it3s been filterin4 in'irectl% -p in the form of %o-r phobia. B-t now that %o- recall it conscio-sl% 228

8o I have to 4o bac!58 Sharp3s voice rose h%stericall%. 8o I have to 4et -n'erthat 'amn lamp a4ain58





8It3s 4ot to come o-t on a conscio-s level68 -mphr%s tol' him6 8b-t not all atonce. o-3ve ha' %o-r limit for to'a%.8

Sa44in4 with relief6 Sharp settle' bac! in the chair. 8Than!s68 he sai' wea!l%.To-chin4 his face6 his bo'%6 he whispere': 8I3ve been carr%in4 that in m% min' all these

%ears. Corro'in46 eatin4 awa% 228

8There sho-l' be some 'imin-tion of the phobia68 the anal%st tol' him6 8as %o-4rapple with the inci'ent itself. 0e3ve ma'e pro4ressJ we now have some i'ea of the realfear. It involves bo'il% in-r% at the han's of professional criminals. +x2sol'iers in theearl% post2war %ears. . . 4an4s of ban'its6 I remember.8

A meas-re of confi'ence ret-rne' to Sharp. 8It isn3t har' to -n'erstan' a fallin4fear6 -n'er the circ-mstances. Consi'erin4 what happene' to me . . . Sha!il%6 he starte' tohis feet. An' screame' shrill%.

80hat is it58 -mphr%s 'eman'e'6 hastil% comin4 over an' 4rabbin4 hol' of hisarm. Sharp leape' violentl% awa%6 sta44ere'6 an' collapse' inertl% in the chair. 80hathappene'58

,ace wor!in46 Sharp mana4e': 8I can3t 4et -p.8

80hat58

8I can3t stan' -p.8 Implorin4l%6 he 4aGe' -p at the anal%st6 stric!en an' terrifie'.8I3m 22 afrai' I3ll fall. octor6 now I can3t even 4et to m% feet.8

,or an interval neither man spo!e. ,inall%6 his e%es on the floor6 Sharp whispere':8The reason I came to %o-6 -mphr%s6 is beca-se %o-r office is on the 4ro-n' floor.That3s a la-4h6 isn3t it5 I co-l'n3t 4o an% hi4her.8

80e3re 4oin4 to have to t-rn the lamp bac! on %o-68 -mphr%s sai'.

8I realiGe it. I3m scare'.8 1rippin4 the arms of the chair6 he contin-e': 81o ahea'.0hat else can we 'o5 I can3t leave here. -mphr%s6 this thin4 is 4oin4 to !ill me.8

8*o6 it isn3t.8 -mphr%s 4ot the lamp into position. 80e3ll 4et %o- o-t of this. Tr%to relaxJ tr% to thin! of nothin4 in partic-lar.8 Clic!in4 the mechanism on6 he sai' softl%:8This time I 'on3t want the tra-matic inci'ent itself. I want the envelope of experiencethat s-rro-n's it. I want the broa'er se4ment of which it3s a part.8

Pa-l Sharp wal!e' -ietl% thro-4h the snow. is breath6 in front of him6 billowe'o-twar' an' forme' a spar!lin4 clo-' of white. To his left la% the a44e' r-ins of whatha' been b-il'in4s. The r-ins6 covere' with snow6 seeme' almost lovel%. ,or a moment





he pa-se'6 entrance'.

8Interestin468 a member of his research team observe'6 comin4 -p. 8Co-l' bean%thin4 22 absol-tel% an%thin4 22 -n'er there.8

8It3s bea-tif-l6 in a wa%68 Sharp commente'.

8See that spire58 The %o-n4 man pointe' with one heavil% 4love' fin4erJ he stillwore his lea'2shiel'e' s-it. e an' his 4ro-p ha' been po!in4 aro-n' the still2contaminate' crater. Their borin4 bars were line' -p in an or'erl% row. 8That was ach-rch68 he informe' Sharp. 8A nice one6 b% the loo!s of it. An' over there 228 hein'icate' an in'iscriminate -mble of r-in 22 8that was the main civic center.8

8The cit% wasn3t 'irectl% hit6 was it58 Sharp as!e'.

8It was brac!ete'. Come on 'own an' see what we3ve r-n into. The crater to o-r

ri4ht 22 8

8*o6 than!s68 Sharp sai'6 p-llin4 bac! with intense aversion. 8I3ll let %o- 'o thecrawlin4 aro-n'.8

The %o-thf-l expert 4lance' c-rio-sl% at Sharp6 then for4ot the matter. 8nless wer-n into somethin4 -nexpecte'6 we sho-l' be able to start reclamation within a wee!. Thefirst step6 of co-rse6 is to clear off the sla42la%er. It3s fairl% well crac!e' 22 a lot of plant4rowth has perforate' it6 an' nat-ral 'eca% has re'-ce' a 4reat 'eal of it to semi2or4anicash.8

8,ine68 Sharp sai'6 with satisfaction. 8I3ll be 4la' to see somethin4 here a4ain6after all these %ears.8

The expert as!e': 80hat was it li!e before the war5 I never saw thatJ I was bornafter the 'estr-ction be4an.8

80ell68 Sharp sai'6 s-rve%in4 the fiel's of snow6 8this was a thrivin4 a4ric-lt-ralcenter. The% 4rew 4rapefr-it here. AriGona 4rapefr-it. The &oosevelt am was alon4 thiswa%.8

8es68 the expert sai'6 no''in4. 80e locate' the remnants of it.8

8Cotton was 4rown here. So was lett-ce6 alfalfa6 4rapes6 olives6 apricots 22 thethin4 I remember most6 the time I came thro-4h Phoenix with m% famil%6 was thee-cal%pt-s trees.8

80e won3t have all that bac!68 the expert sai' re4retf-ll%. 80hat the hec! 22e-cal%pt-s5 I never hear' of that.8





8There aren3t an% left in the nite' States68 Sharp sai'. 8o-3' have to 4o toA-stralia.8

Listenin46 -mphr%s otte' 'own a notation. 8(!a%68 he sai' alo-'6 switchin4 offthe lamp. 8Come bac!6 Sharp.8

0ith a 4r-nt6 Pa-l Sharp blin!e' an' opene' his e%es. 80hat 228 Str-44lin4 -p6 he%awne'6 stretche'6 peere' blan!l% aro-n' the office. 8Somethin4 abo-t reclamation. Iwas s-pervisin4 a team of recon men. A %o-n4 !i'.8

80hen 'i' %o- reclaim Phoenix58 -mphr%s as!e'. 8That seems to be incl-'e'in the vital time2space se4ment.8

Sharp frowne'. 80e never reclaime' Phoenix. That3s still proecte'. 0e hope to

4et at it sometime in the next %ear.8

8Are %o- positive58

8*at-rall%. That3s m% ob.8

8I3m 4oin4 to have to sen' %o- bac!68 -mphr%s sai'6 alrea'% reachin4 for thelamp.

80hat happene'58

The lamp came on. 8&elax68 -mphr%s instr-cte' bris!l%6 a trifle too bris!l% for aman s-ppose' to !now exactl% what he was 'oin4. ,orcin4 himself to slow 'own6 he sai'caref-ll%: 8I want %o-r perspective to broa'en. Ta!e in an earlier inci'ent6 one prece'in4the Phoenix reclamation.8

In an inexpensive cafeteria in the b-siness 'istrict6 two men sat facin4 each otheracross a table.

8I3m sorr%68 Pa-l Sharp sai'6 with impatience. 8I3ve 4ot to 4et bac! to m% wor!.8Pic!in4 -p his c-p of ersatG coffee6 he 4-lpe' the contents 'own.

The tall6 thin man caref-ll% p-she' awa% his empt% 'ishes an'6 leanin4 bac!6 lit aci4ar.

8,or two %ears68 1iller sai' bl-ntl%6 8%o-3ve been 4ivin4 -s the r-naro-n'.,ran!l%6 I3m a little tire' of it.8





8&-naro-n'58 Sharp ha' starte' to rise. 8I 'on3t 4et %o-r 'rift.8

8o-3re 4oin4 to reclaim an a4ric-lt-ral area 22 %o-3re 4oin4 to tac!le Phoenix. So'on3t tell me %o-3re stic!in4 to in'-strial. ow lon4 'o %o- ima4ine those people are4oin4 to !eep on livin45 nless %o- reclaim their farms an' lan's 228

80hat people58

arshl%6 1iller sai': 8The people livin4 at Petal-ma. Campe' aro-n' the craters.8

0ith va4-e 'isma%6 Sharp m-rm-re': 8I 'i'n3t realiGe there was an%bo'% livin4there. I tho-4ht %o- all hea'e' for the nearest reclaime' re4ions6 San ,rancisco an'Sacramento.8

8o- never rea' the petitions we presente'68 1iller sai' softl%.

Sharp colore'. 8*o6 as a matter of fact. 0h% sho-l' I5 If there3re people campin4in the sla46 it 'oesn3t alter the basic sit-ationJ %o- sho-l' leave6 4et o-t of there. That areais thro-4h.8 e a''e': 8I 4ot o-t.8

"er% -ietl%6 1iller sai': 8o- wo-l' have st-c! aro-n' if %o-3' farme' there. If%o-r famil% ha' farme' there for over a cent-r%. It3s 'ifferent from r-nnin4 a 'r-4 store.r-4 stores are the same ever%where in the worl'.8

8So are farms.8

8*o68 1iller sai' 'ispassionatel%. 8o-r lan'6 %o-r famil%3s lan'6 has a -ni-efeelin4. 0e3ll !eep on campin4 there -ntil we3re 'ea' or -ntil %o- 'eci'e to reclaim.8$echanicall% collectin4 the chec!s6 he finishe': 8I3m sorr% for %o-6 Pa-l. o- never ha'roots li!e we have. An' I3m sorr% %o- can3t be ma'e to -n'erstan'.8 As he reache' intohis coat for his wallet6 he as!e': 80hen can %o- fl% o-t there58

8,l%78 Sharp echoe'6 sh-''erin4. 8I3m not fl%in4 an%where.8

8o-3ve 4ot to see the town a4ain. o- can3t 'eci'e witho-t havin4 seen those people6 seen how the%3re livin4.8

8*o68 Sharp sai' emphaticall%. 8I3m not fl%in4 o-t there. I can 'eci'e on the basisof reports.8

1iller consi'ere'. 8o-3ll come68 he 'eclare'.

8(ver m% 'ea' bo'%78

1iller no''e'. 8$a%be so. B-t %o-3re 4oin4 to come. o- can3t let -s 'ie witho-tloo!in4 at -s. o-3ve 4ot to have the co-ra4e to see what it is %o-3re 'oin4.8 e 4ot o-t a





poc!et calen'ar an' scratche' a mar! b% one of the 'ates. Tossin4 it across the table toSharp6 he informe' him: 80e3ll come b% %o-r office an' pic! %o- -p. 0e have the planewe flew 'own here. It3s mine. It3s a sweet ship.8

Tremblin46 Sharp examine' the calen'ar. An'6 stan'in4 over his m-mblin46

s-pine patient6 so 'i' -mphr%s.

e ha' been ri4ht. Sharp3s tra-matic inci'ent6 the represse' material6 'i'n3t lie inthe past.

Sharp was s-fferin4 from a phobia base' on an event six months in the f-t-re.

8Can %o- 4et -p58 -mphr%s in-ire'.

In the chair6 Pa-l Sharp stirre' feebl%. 8I 228 he be4an6 an' then san! into silence.

8*o more for a while68 -mphr%s tol' him reass-rin4l%. 8o-3ve ha' eno-4h. B-tI wante' to 4et %o- awa% from the tra-ma itself.8

8I feel better now.8

8Tr% to stan'.8 -mphr%s approache' an' stoo' waitin46 as the man crept-nstea'il% to his feet.

8es68 Sharp breathe'. 8It has rece'e'. 0hat was that last5 I was in a cafe orsomethin4. 0ith 1iller.8

,rom his 'es! -mphr%s 4ot a prescription pa'. 8I3m 4oin4 to write %o- o-t alittle comfort. Some ro-n' white pills to ta!e ever% fo-r ho-rs.8 e scribble' an' thenhan'e' the slip to his patient. 8So %o- will relax. It3ll ta!e awa% some of the tension.8

8Than!s68 Sharp sai'6 in a wea!6 almost ina-'ible voice. Presentl%6 he as!e': 8Alot of material came -p6 'i'n3t it58

8It certainl% 'i'68 -mphr%s a'mitte' ti4htl%.

There was nothin4 he co-l' 'o for Pa-l Sharp. The man was ver% close to 'eathnow 22 in six short months6 1iller wo-l' 4o to wor! on him. An' it was too ba'6 beca-seSharp was a nice 4-%6 a nice6 conscientio-s6 har'2wor!in4 b-rea-crat who was onl%tr%in4 to 'o his ob as he saw it.

80hat 'o %o- thin!58 Sharp as!e' patheticall%. 8Can %o- help me58

8I3ll tr%68 -mphr%s answere'6 not able to loo! 'irectl% at him. 8B-t it 4oes ver%





'eep.8

8It3s been a lon4 time 4rowin468 Sharp a'mitte' h-mbl%. Stan'in4 b% the chair6 heseeme' small an' forlornJ not an important official b-t onl% one isolate'6 -nprotecte'in'ivi'-al. 8I3' s-re appreciate %o-r help. If this phobia !eeps -p6 no tellin4 where it3ll

en'.8

-mphr%s as!e' s-''enl%6 80o-l' %o- consi'er chan4in4 %o-r min' an'4rantin4 1iller3s 'eman's58

8I can3t68 Sharp sai'. 8It3s ba' polic%. I3m oppose' to special plea'in46 an' that3swhat it is.8

8+ven if %o- come from the area5 +ven if the people are frien's an' formernei4hbors of %o-rs58

8It3s m% ob68 Sharp sai'. 8I have to 'o it witho-t re4ar' for m% feelin4s oran%bo'% else3s.8

8o-3re not a ba' fellow68 -mphr%s sai' invol-ntaril%. 8I3m sorr% 228 e bro!eoff.

8Sorr% what58 Sharp move' mechanicall% towar' the exit 'oor. 8I3ve ta!eneno-4h of %o-r time. I realiGe how b-s% %o- anal%sts are. 0hen shall I come bac!.Can Icome bac!58

8Tomorrow.8 -mphr%s 4-i'e' him o-tsi'e an' into the corri'or. 8Abo-t thissame time6 if it3s convenient.8

8Than!s a lot68 Sharp sai'6 with relief. 8I reall% appreciate it.8

As soon as he was alone in his office6 -mphr%s close' the 'oor an' stro'e bac!to his 'es!. &eachin4 'own6 he 4rabbe' the telephone an' -nstea'il% 'iale'.

81ive me somebo'% on %o-r me'ical staff68 he or'ere' c-rtl% when he ha' beenconnecte' with the Special Talents A4enc%.

8This is Kirb%68 a professional2so-n'in4 voice came presentl%. 8$e'icalresearch.8

-mphr%s briefl% i'entifie' himself. 8I have a patient here68 he sai'6 8who seemsto be a latent preco4.8

Kirb% was intereste'. 80hat area 'oes he come from58





8Petal-ma. Sonoma Co-nt%6 north of San ,rancisco Ba%. It3s east of 228

80e3re familiar with the area. A n-mber of preco4s have showe' -p there. That3s been a 4ol' mine for -s.8

8Then I was ri4ht68 -mphr%s sai'.

80hat3s the 'ate of the patient3s birth58

8e was six %ears ol' when the war be4an.8

80ell68 Kirb% sai'6 'isappointe'6 8then he 'i'n3t reall% 4et eno-4h of a 'ose. e3llnever 'evelop a f-ll preco4 talent6 s-ch as we wor! with here.8

8In other wor's6 %o- won3t help58

8Latents 22 people with a to-ch of it 22 o-tn-mber the real carriers. 0e 'on3t havetime to fool with them. o-3ll probabl% r-n into 'oGens li!e %o-r patient6 if %o- stiraro-n'. 0hen it3s imperfect6 the talent isn3t val-ableJ it3s 4oin4 to be a n-isance for theman6 probabl% nothin4 else.8

8es6 it3s a n-isance68 -mphr%s a4ree' ca-sticall%. 8The man is onl% monthsawa% from a violent 'eath. Since he was a chil'6 he3s been 4ettin4 a'vance' phobicwarnin4s. As the event 4ets closer6 the reactions intensif%.8

8e3s not conscio-s of the f-t-re material58

8It operates strictl% on a s-brational level.8

8n'er the circ-mstances68 Kirb% sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8ma%be it3s -st as well.These thin4s appear to be fixe'. If he !new abo-t it6 he still co-l'n3t chan4e it.8

r. Charles Bamber46 cons-ltin4 ps%chiatrist6 was -st leavin4 his office when henotice' a man sittin4 in the waitin4 room.

(''6 Bamber4 tho-4ht. I have no patients left for to'a%.

(penin4 the 'oor6 he steppe' into the waitin4 room. 8i' %o- wish to see me58

The man sittin4 on the chair was tall an' thin. e wore a wrin!le' tan raincoat6an'6 as Bamber4 appeare'6 he be4an tensel% st-bbin4 o-t a ci4ar.

8es68 he sai'6 4ettin4 cl-msil% to his feet.





8o %o- have an appointment58

8*o appointment.8 The man 4aGe' at him in appeal. 8I pic!e' %o- 228 e la-4he'with conf-sion. 80ell6 %o-3re on the top floor.8

8The top floor58 Bamber4 was intri4-e'. 80hat3s that 4ot to 'o with it58

8I 22 well6 oc6 I feel m-ch more comfortable when I3m -p hi4h.8

8I see68 Bamber4 sai'. A comp-lsion6 he tho-4ht to himself. ,ascinatin4. 8An'68he sai' alo-'6 8when %o-3re -p hi4h6 how 'o %o- feel5 Better58

8*ot better68 the man answere'. 8Can I come in5 o %o- have a secon' to spareme58

Bamber4 loo!e' at his watch. 8All ri4ht68 he a4ree'6 a'mittin4 the man. 8Sit'own an' tell me abo-t it.8

1ratef-ll%6 1iller seate' himself. 8It interferes with m% life68 he sai' rapi'l%6 er!il%. 8+ver% time I see a fli4ht of stairs6 I have an irresistible comp-lsion to 4o -p it.An' plane fli4ht 22 I3m alwa%s fl%in4 aro-n'. I have m% own shipJ I can3t affor' it6 b-tI3ve 4ot to have it.8

8I see68 Bamber4 sai'. 80ell68 he contin-e' 4eniall%6 8that3s not reall% so ba'.After all6 it isn3t exactl% a fatal comp-lsion.8

elplessl%6 1iller replie': 80hen I3m -p there 228 e swallowe' wretche'l%6 his'ar! e%es 4leamin4. 8octor6 when I3m -p hi4h6 in an office b-il'in46 or in m% plane 22 Ifeel another comp-lsion.8

80hat is it58

8I 228 1iller sh-''ere'. 8I have an irresistible -r4e to p-sh people.8

8To p-sh people58

8Towar' win'ows. (-t.8 1iller ma'e a 4est-re. 80hat am I 4oin4 to 'o6 oc5 I3mafrai' I3ll !ill somebo'%. There was a little shrimp of a 4-% I p-she' once 22 an' one 'a% a4irl was stan'in4 ahea' of me on an escalator 22 I shove' her. She was in-re'.8

8I see68 Bamber4 sai'6 no''in4. &epresse' hostilit%6 he tho-4ht to himself.Interwoven with sex. *ot -n-s-al.

e reache' for his lamp.





The Unreconstructed M

I

Themachine was a foot wi'e an' two feet lon4J it loo!e' li!e an oversiGe' box ofcrac!ers. Silentl%6 with 4reat ca-tion6 it climbe' the si'e of a concrete b-il'in4J it ha'

lowere' two r-bberiGe' rollers an' was now be4innin4 the first phase of its ob.

,rom its rear6 a fla!e of bl-e enamel was ex-'e'. The machine presse' the fla!efirml% a4ainst the ro-4h concrete an' then contin-e' on. Its -pwar' path carrie' it fromvertical concrete to vertical steel: it ha' reache' a win'ow. The machine pa-se' an' pro'-ce' a microscopic fra4ment of cloth fabric. The cloth6 with 4reat care6 wasembe''e' in the fittin4 of the steel win'ow frame.

In the chill 'ar!ness6 the machine was virt-all% invisible. The 4low of a 'istanttan4le of traffic briefl% to-che' it6 ill-minate' its polishe' h-ll6 an' 'eparte'. Themachine res-me' its wor!.

It proecte' a plastic pse-'opo'i-m an' incinerate' the pane of win'ow 4lass.There was no response from within the 4loom% apartment: nobo'% was home. Themachine6 now '-lle' with particles of 4lass2'-st6 crept over the steel frame an' raise' anin-isitive receptor.

0hile it receive'6 it exerte' precisel% two h-n're' po-n's press-re on the steelwin'ow frameJ the frame obe'ientl% bent. Satisfie'6 the machine 'escen'e' the insi'e ofthe wall to the mo'eratel% thic! carpet. There it be4an the secon' phase of its ob.

(ne sin4le h-man hair 22 follicle an' spec! of scalp incl-'e' 22 was 'eposite' on thehar'woo' floor b% the lamp. *ot far from the piano6 two 'rie' 4rains of tobacco wereceremonio-sl% lai' o-t. The machine waite' an interval of ten secon's an' then6 as aninternal section of ma4netic tape clic!e' into place6 it s-''enl% sai'6 84h7 amn it. . .8

C-rio-sl%6 its voice was h-s!% an' masc-line.

The machine ma'e its wa% to the closet 'oor6 which was loc!e'. Climbin4 thewoo' s-rface6 the machine reache' the loc! mechanism6 an'6 insertin4 a thin section of





itself6 caresse' the t-mblers bac!. Behin' the row of coats was a small mo-n' of batteriesan' wires: a self2powere' vi'eo recor'er. The machine 'estro%e' the reservoir of film 22which was vital 22 an' then6 as it left the closet6 expelle' a 'rop of bloo' on the a44e'tan4le that ha' been the lens2scanner. The 'rop of bloo' was even more vital.

0hile the machine was pressin4 the artificial o-tline of a heel mar! into the4reas% film that covere' the floorin4 of the closet6 a sharp so-n' came from the hallwa%.The machine cease' its wor! an' became ri4i'. A moment later a small6 mi''le2a4e' manentere' the apartment6 coat over one arm6 briefcase in the other.

81oo' 1o'68 he sai'6 stoppin4 instantl% as he saw the machine. 80hat are %o-58

The machine lifte' the noGGle of its front section an' shot an explosive pellet atthe man3s half2bal' hea'. The pellet travele' into the s!-ll an' 'etonate'. Still cl-tchin4his coat an' briefcase6 bewil'ere' expression on his face6 the man collapse' to the r-4.is 4lasses6 bro!en6 la% twiste' besi'e his ear. is bo'% stirre' a little6 twitche'6 an' then

was satisfactoril% -iet.

(nl% two steps remaine' to the ob6 now that the main part was 'one. Themachine 'eposite' a bit of b-rnt match in one of the spotless ashtra%s restin4 on themantel6 an' entere' the !itchen to search for a water 4lass. It was startin4 -p the si'e ofthe sin! when the noise of h-man voices startle' it.

8This is the apartment68 a voice sai'6 clear an' close.

81et rea'% 22 he o-4ht to still be here.8 Another voice6 a man3s voice6 li!e the first.The hall 'oor was p-she' open an' two in'ivi'-als in heav% overcoats sprinte' p-rposef-ll% into the apartment. At their approach6 the machine 'roppe' to the !itchenfloor6 the water 4lass for4otten. Somethin4 ha' 4one wron4. Its rectan4-lar o-tlineflowe' an' wavere'J p-llin4 itself into an -pri4ht pac!a4e it f-se' its shape into that of aconventional T" -nit.

It was hol'in4 that emer4enc% form when one of the men 22 tall6 re'2haire' 22 peere' briefl% into the !itchen.

8*obo'% in here68 the man 'eclare'6 an' h-rrie' on.

8The win'ow68 his companion sai'6 pantin4. Two more fi4-res entere' theapartment6 an entire crew. 8The 4lass is 4one 22 missin4. e 4ot in that wa%.8

8B-t he3s 4one.8 The re'2haire' man reappeare' at the !itchen 'oorJ he snappe'on the li4ht an' entere'6 a 4-n visible in his han'. 8Stran4e ... we 4ot here ri4ht awa%6 assoon as we pic!e' -p the rattle.8 S-spicio-sl%6 he examine' his wristwatch. 8&osenb-r43s been 'ea' onl% a few secon's . . . how co-l' he have 4ot o-t a4ain so fast58





Stan'in4 in the street entrance6 +'war' Ac!ers listene' to the voice. -rin4 thelast half ho-r the voice ha' ta!en on a carpin46 na44in4 whineJ sin!in4 almosttoina-'ibilit%6 it plo''e' alon46 mechanicall% t-rnin4 o-t its messa4e of complaint.

8o-3re tire'68 Ac!ers sai'. 81o home. Ta!e a hot bath.8

8*o68 the voice sai'6 interr-ptin4 its tira'e. The loc-s of the voice was a lar4eill-minate' blob on the 'ar! si'ewal!6 a few %ar's to Ac!er3s ri4ht. The revolvin4 neonsi4n rea':

BA*IS IT7

Thirt% times 22 he ha' co-nte' 22 within the last few min-tes the si4n ha' capt-re'a passerb% an' the man in the booth ha' be4-n his haran4-e. Be%on' the booth wereseveral theaters an' resta-rants: the booth was well2sit-ate'.

B-t it wasn3t for the crow' that the booth ha' been erecte'. It was for Ac!ers an'the offices behin' himJ the tira'e was aime' 'irectl% at the Interior epartment. Thena44in4 rac!et ha' 4one on so man% months that Ac!ers was scarcel% aware of it. &ainon the roof. Traffic noises. e %awne'6 fol'e' his arms6 an' waite'.

8Banish it68 the voice complaine' peevishl%. 8Come on6 Ac!ers. Sa% somethin4J'o somethin4.8

8I3m waitin468 Ac!ers sai' complacentl%.

A 4ro-p of mi''le2class citiGens passe' the booth an' were han'e' leaflets. ThecitiGens scattere' the leaflets after them6 an' Ac!ers la-4he'.

8on3t la-4h68 the voice m-ttere'. 8It3s not f-nn%J it costs -s mone% to printthose.8

8o-r personal mone%58 Ac!ers in-ire'.

8Partl%.8 1arth was lonel%6 toni4ht. 80hat are %o- waitin4 for5 0hat3s happene'5I saw a police team leave %o-r roof a few min-tes a4o . . . 5

80e ma% ta!e in somebo'%68 Ac!ers sai'6 8there3s been a !illin4.8





own the 'ar! si'ewal! the man stirre' in his 'rear% propa4an'a booth. 8(h58arve% 1arth3s voice came. e leane' forwar' an' the two loo!e' 'irectl% at each other:Ac!ers6 caref-ll%24roome'6 well2fe'6 wearin4 a respectable overcoat. . . 1arth6 a thinman6 m-ch %o-n4er6 with a lean6 h-n4r% face compose' mostl% of nose an' forehea'.

8So %o- see68 Ac!ers tol' him6 8we 'o nee' the s%stem. on3t be topian.8

8A man is m-r'ere'J an' %o- rectif% the moral imbalance b% !illin4 the !iller.81arth3s protestin4 voice rose in a blea! spasm. 8Banish it7 Banish the s%stem thatcon'emns men to certain extinction78

81et %o-r leaflets here68 Ac!ers paro'ie' 'r%l%. 8An' %o-r slo4ans. +ither or both. 0hat wo-l' %o- s-44est in place of the s%stem58

1arth3s voice was pro-' with conviction. 8+'-cation.8

Am-se'6 Ac!ers as!e': 8Is that all5 o- thin! that wo-l' stop anti2social activit%5Criminals -st 'on3t 22kno' better58

8An' ps%chotherap%6 of co-rse.8 is proecte' face bon% an' intense6 1arth peere' o-t of his booth li!e an aro-se' t-rtle. 8The%3re sic! . . . that3s wh% the% commitcrimes6 health% men 'on3t commit crimes. An' %o- compo-n' itJ %o- create a sic!societ% of p-nitive cr-elt%.8 e wa44le' an acc-sin4 fin4er. 8o-3re the real c-lprit6 %o-an' the whole Interior epartment. o- an' the whole Banishment S%stem.8

A4ain an' a4ain the neon si4n blin!e' BA*ISit7 $eanin46 of co-rse6 the s%stemof comp-lsor% ostracism for felons6 the machiner% that proecte' a con'emne' h-man bein4 into some ran'om bac!water re4ion of the si'ereal -niverse6 into some remote an'o-t2of2the2wa% corner where he wo-l' be of no harm.

8*o harm to -s6 an%how68 Ac!ers m-se' alo-'.

1arth spo!e the familiar ar4-ment. 8es6 b-t what abo-t the local inhabitants58

Too ba' abo-t the local inhabitants. An%how6 the banishe' victim spent his ener4%an' time tr%in4 to fin' a wa% bac! to the Sol S%stem. If he 4ot bac! before ol' a4e ca-4ht-p with him he was rea'mitte' b% societ%. -ite a challen4e . . . especiall% to somecosmopolite who ha' never set foot o-tsi'e 1reater *ew or!. There were 22 probabl% 22man% invol-ntar% expatriates c-ttin4 4rain in o'' fiel's with primitive sic!les. Theremote sections of the -niverse seeme' compose' mostl% of 'an! r-ral c-lt-res6 isolate'a4rarian enclaves t%pifie' b% small2time barterin4 of fr-it an' ve4etables an' han'ma'eartifacts.

8i' %o- !now68 Ac!ers sai'6 8that in the A4e of $onarchs6 a pic!poc!et was





-s-all% han4e'58

8Banish it68 1arth contin-e' monotono-sl%6 sin!in4 bac! into his booth. The si4nrevolve'J leaflets were passe' o-t. An' Ac!ers impatientl% watche' the late2evenin4street for si4n of the hospital tr-c!.

e !new eimie &osenb-r4. A sweeter little 4-% there never was. . . altho-4heimie ha' been mixe' -p in one of the sprawlin4 slave combines that ille4all%transporte' settlers to o-ts%stem fertile planets. Between them6 the two lar4est slavers ha'settle' virt-all% the entire Siri-s S%stem. ,o-r o-t of six emi4rants were h-stle' o-t incarriers re4istere' as 8frei4hters.8 It was har' to pict-re 4entle little eimie &osenb-r4 asa b-siness a4ent for Tirol +nterprises6 b-t there it was.

As he waite'6 Ac!ers conect-re' on eimie3s m-r'er. Probabl% one element ofthe incessant s-bterranean war 4oin4 on between Pa-l Tirol an' his maor rival6 avi'Lantano6 was a brilliant an' ener4etic newcomer . . . b-t m-r'er was an%bo'%3s 4ame. It

all 'epen'e' on how it was 'oneJ it co-l' be commercial hac! or the p-rest art.

8ere comes somethin468 1arth3s voice so-n'e'6 carrie' to his inner ear b% the'elicate o-tp-t transformers of the booth3s e-ipment. 8Loo!s li!e a freeGer.8

It wasJ the hospital tr-c! ha' arrive'. Ac!ers steppe' forwar' as the tr-c! halte'an' the bac! was let 'own.

8ow soon 'i' %o- 4et there58 he as!e' the cop who -mpe' heavil% to the pavement.

8&i4ht awa%68 the cop answere'6 8b-t no si4n of the !iller. I 'on3t thin! we3re4oin4 to 4et eimie bac! . . . the% 4ot him 'ea'2center6 ri4ht in the cerebell-m. +xpertwor!6 no amate-r st-ff.8

isappointe'6 Ac!ers clambere' into the hospital tr-c! to inspect for himself.

"er% tin% an' still6 eimie &osenb-r4 la% on his bac!6 arms at his si'es6 4aGin4si4htlessl% -p at the roof of the tr-c!. (n his face remaine' the expression of bewil'ere'won'er. Somebo'% 22 one of the cops 22 ha' place' his bent 4lasses in his clenche' han'.In fallin4 he ha' c-t his chee!. The 'estro%e' portion of his s!-ll was covere' b% a moist plastic web.

80ho3s bac! at the apartment58 Ac!ers as!e' presentl%.

8The rest of m% crew68 the cop answere'. 8An' an in'epen'ent researcher. Lero%Beam.8





8im68 Ac!ers sai'6 with aversion. 8ow is it he showe' -p58

8Ca-4ht the rattle6 too6 happene' to be passin4 with his ri4. Poor eimie ha' anawf-l bi4 booster on that rattle . . . I3m s-rprise' it wasn3t pic!e' -p here at the mainoffices.8

8The% sa% eimie ha' a hi4h anxiet% level68 Ac!ers sai'. 8B-4s all over hisapartment. o-3re startin4 to collect evi'ence58

8The teams are movin4 in68 the cop sai'. 80e sho-l' be4in 4ettin4 specificationsin half an ho-r. The !iller !noc!e' o-t the vi' b-4 set -p in the closet. B-t 228 e4rinne'. 8e c-t himself brea!in4 the circ-it. A 'rop of bloo'6 ri4ht on the wirin4J itloo!s promisin4.8

At the apartment6 Lero% Beam watche' the Interior police be4in their anal%sis.The% wor!e' smoothl% an' thoro-4hl%6 b-t Beam was 'issatisfie'.

is ori4inal impression remaine': he was s-spicio-s. *obo'% co-l' have 4ottenawa% so -ic!l%. eimie ha' 'ie'6 an' his 'eath 22 the cessation of his ne-ral pattern 22ha' tri44ere' off an a-tomatic s-aw!. A rattle 'i'n3t partic-larl% protect its owner6 b-tits existence ens-re' =or -s-all% ens-re'> 'etection of the m-r'erer. 0h% ha' it faile'eimie5

Prowlin4 moo'il%6 Lero% Beam entere' the !itchen for the secon' time. There6 onthe floor b% the sin!6 was a small portable T" -nit6 the !in' pop-lar with the sportin4 set:a 4a-'% little pac!et of plastic an' !nobs an' m-lti2tinte' lenses.

80h% this58 Beam as!e'6 as one of the cops plo''e' past him. 8This T" -nitsittin4 here on the !itchen floor. It3s o-t of place.8

The cop i4nore' him. In the livin4 room6 elaborate police 'etection e-ipmentwas scrapin4 the vario-s s-rfaces inch b% inch. In the half ho-r since eimie3s 'eath6 an-mber of specifications ha' been lo44e'. ,irst6 the 'rop of bloo' on the 'ama4e' vi'wirin4. Secon'6 a haG% heel mar! where the m-r'erer ha' steppe'. Thir'6 a bit of b-rntmatch in the ashtra%. $ore were expecte'J the anal%sis ha' onl% be4-n.

It -s-all% too! nine specifications to 'elineate the sin4le in'ivi'-al. Lero% Beam4lance' ca-tio-sl% aro-n' him. *one of the cops was watchin46 so he bent 'own an' pic!e' -p the T" -nitJ it felt or'inar%. e clic!e' theon switch an' waite'. *othin4happene'J no ima4e forme'. Stran4e.

e was hol'in4 it -psi'e 'own6 tr%in4 to see the inner chassis6 when +'war'Ac!ers from Interior entere' the apartment. -ic!l%6 Beam st-ffe' the T" -nit into the poc!et of his heav% overcoat.





80hat are %o- 'oin4 here58 Ac!ers sai'.

8See!in468 Beam answere'6 won'erin4 if Ac!ers notice' his t-bb% b-l4e. 8I3m in b-siness6 too.8

8i' %o- !now eimie58

8B% rep-tation68 Beam answere' va4-el%. 8Tie' in with Tirol3s combine6 I hearJsome sort of front man. a' an office on ,ifth Aven-e.8

8Swan! place6 li!e the rest of those ,ifth Aven-e feather merchants.8 Ac!ers wenton into the livin4 room to watch 'etectors 4ather -p evi'ence.

There was a vast nearsi4hte'ness to the we'4e 4rin'in4 pon'ero-sl% across thecarpet. It was scr-tiniGin4 at a microscopic level6 an' its fiel' was sharpl% c-rtaile'. As

fast as material was obtaine'6 it was rela%e' to the Interior offices6 to the a44re4ate file ban!s where the civil pop-lation was represente' b% a series of p-nch car's6 cross2in'exe' infinitel%.

Liftin4 the telephone6 Ac!ers calle' his wife. 8I won3t be home68 he tol' her.8B-siness.8

A la4 an' then +llen respon'e'. 8(h58 she sai' 'istantl%. 80ell6 than!s for lettin4me !now.8

(ver in the corner6 two members of the police crew were 'eli4hte'l% examinin4 anew 'iscover%6 vali' eno-4h to be a specification. 8I3ll call %o- a4ain68 he sai' h-rrie'l%to +llen6 8before I leave. 1oo'b%e.8

81oo'b%e68 +llen sai' c-rtl%6 an' mana4e' to han4 -p before he 'i'. The new'iscover% was the -n'ama4e' a-' b-46 which was mo-nte' -n'er the floor lamp. Acontin-o-s ma4netic tape 22 still in motion 22 4leame' amiabl%J the m-r'er episo'e ha' been recor'e' so-n'2wise in its entiret%.

8+ver%thin468 a cop sai' 4leef-ll% to Ac!ers. 8It was 4oin4 before eimie 4othome.8

8o- pla%e' it bac!58

8A portion. There3s a co-ple wor's spo!en b% the m-r'erer6 sho-l' be eno-4h.8

Ac!ers 4ot in to-ch with Interior. 8ave the specifications on the &osenb-r4 case been fe'6 %et58

8F-st the first68 the atten'ant answere'. 8The file 'iscriminates the -s-al massive





cate4or% 22 abo-t six billion names.8

Ten min-tes later the secon' specification was fe' to the files. Persons with t%pe( bloo'6 with siGe 99 9/< shoes6 n-mbere' sli4htl% over a billion. The thir' specification bro-4ht in the element of smo!er2nonsmo!er. That 'roppe' the n-mber to less than a

billion6 b-t not m-ch less. $ost a'-lts smo!e'.

8The a-' tape will 'rop it fast68 Lero% Beam commente'6 stan'in4 besi'e Ac!ers6his arms fol'e' to conceal his b-l4in4 coat. 8(-4ht to be able to 4et a4e6 at least.8

The a-' tape6 anal%Ge'6 4ave thirt% to fort% %ears as the conect-re' a4e. An' 22timbre anal%sis 22 a man of perhaps two h-n're' po-n's. A little later the bent steelwin'ow frame was examine'6 an' the warp note'. It ibe' with the specification of thea-' tape. There were now six specifications6 incl-'in4 that of sex =male>. The n-mber of

persons in the in24ro-p was fallin4 rapi'l%.

8It won3t be lon468 Ac!ers sai' 4eniall%. 8An' if he tac!e' one of those little b-c!ets to the b-il'in4 si'e6 we3ll have a paint scrape.8

Beam sai': 8I3m leavin4. 1oo' l-c!.8

8Stic! aro-n'.8

8Sorr%.8 Beam move' towar' the hall 'oor. 8This is %o-rs6 not mine. I3ve 4ot m%own b-siness to atten' to. . . I3m 'oin4 research for a hot2shot nonferro-s minin4concern.8

Ac!ers e%e' his coat. 8Are %o- pre4nant58

8*ot that I !now of68 Beam sai'6 colorin4. 8I3ve le' a 4oo' clean life.8Aw!war'l%6 he patte' his coat. 8o- mean this58

B% the win'ow6 one of the police 4ave a tri-mphant %ap. The two bits of pipetobacco ha' been 'iscovere': a refinement for the thir' specification. 8+xcellent68Ac!ers sai'6 t-rnin4 awa% from Beam an' momentaril% for4ettin4 him.

Beam left.

"er% shortl% he was 'rivin4 across town towar' his own labs6 the small an'in'epen'ent research o-tfit that he hea'e'6 -ns-pporte' b% a 4overnment 4rant. &estin4on the seat besi'e him was the portable T" -nitJ it was still silent.





8,irst of all68 Beam3s 4owne' technician 'eclare'6 8it has a power s-ppl%approximatel% sevent% times that of a portable T" pac!. 0e pic!e' -p the 1ammara'iation.8 e 'ispla%e' the -s-al 'etector. 8So %o-3re ri4ht6 it3s not a T" set8

1in4erl%6 Beam lifte' the small -nit from the lab bench. ,ive ho-rs ha' passe'6

an' still he !new nothin4 abo-t it. Ta!in4 firm hol' of the bac! he p-lle' with all hisstren4th. The bac! ref-se' to come off. It wasn3t st-c!: there were no seams. The bac!was not a bac!J it onl% loo!e' li!e a bac!.

8Then what is it58 he as!e'.

8Co-l' be lots of thin4s68 the technician sai' noncommittall%J he ha' been ro-se'from the privac% of his home6 an' it was now two2thirt% in the mornin4. 8Co-l' be somesort of scannin4 e-ipment. A bomb. A weapon. An% !in' of 4a'4et.8 Laborio-sl%6 Beamfelt the -nit all over6 searchin4 for a flaw in the s-rface. 8It3s -niform68 he m-rm-re'.8A sin4le s-rface.8

8o- bet. The brea!s are false 22 it3s a po-re' s-bstance. An'68 the techniciana''e'6 8it3s har'. I trie' to chip off a representative sample b-t 228 e 4est-re'. 8*ores-lts.8

81-arantee' not to shatter when 'roppe'68 Beam sai' absentl%. 8*ew extra2to-4h plastic.8 e shoo! the -nit ener4eticall%J the m-te' noise of metal parts in motionreache' his ear. 8It3s f-ll of 4-ts.8

80e3ll 4et it open68 the technician promise'6 8b-t not toni4ht.8

Beam replace' the -nit on the bench. e co-l'6 with ba' l-c!6 wor! 'a%s on thisone item 22 to 'iscover6 after all6 that it ha' nothin4 to 'o with the m-r'er of eimie&osenb-r4. (n the other han' . . .

8rill me a hole in it68 he instr-cte'. 8So we can see it.8

is technician proteste': 8I 'rille'J the 'rill bro!e. I3ve sent o-t for an improve''ensit%. This s-bstance is importe'J somebo'% hoo!e' it from a white 'warf s%stem. Itwas conceive' -n'er st-pen'o-s press-re.8

8o-3re stallin468 Beam sai'6 irritate'. 8That3s how the% tal! in the a'vertisin4me'ia.8

The technician shr-44e'. 8An%how6 it3s extra har'. A nat-rall%2evolve' element6or an artificiall%2processe' pro'-ct from somebo'%3s labs. 0ho has f-n's to 'evelop ametal li!e this58

8(ne of the bi4 slavers68 Beam sai'. 8That3s where the wealth win's -p. An' the%hop aro-n' to vario-s s%stems . . . the%3' have access to raw materials. Special ores.8





8Can3t I 4o home58 the technician as!e'. 80hat3s so important abo-t this58

8This 'evice either !ille' or helpe' !ill eimie &osenb-r4. 0e3ll sit here6 %o- an'I6 -ntil we 4et it open.8 Beam seate' himself an' be4an examinin4 the chec! sheet

showin4 which tests ha' been applie'. 8Sooner or later it3ll fl% open li!e a clam 22 if %o-can remember that far bac!.8

Behin' them6 a warnin4 bell so-n'e'.

8Somebo'% in the anteroom68 Beam sai'6 s-rprise' an' war%. 8At two2thirt%58 e4ot -p an' ma'e his wa% 'own the 'ar! hall to the front of the b-il'in4. Probabl% it wasAc!ers. is conscience stirre' 4-iltil%: somebo'% ha' lo44e' the absence of the T" -nit.

B-t it was not Ac!ers.

0aitin4 h-mbl% in the col'6 'eserte' anteroom was Pa-l TirolJ with him was anattractive %o-n4 woman -n!nown to Beam. Tirol3s wrin!le' face bro!e into smiles6 an'he exten'e' a heart% han'. 8Beam68 he sai'. The% shoo!. 8o-r front 'oor sai' %o- were'own here. Still wor!in458

1-ar'e'l%6 won'erin4 who the woman was an' what Tirol wante'6 Beam sai':8Catchin4 -p on some slipsho' errors. 0hole firm3s 4oin4 bro!e.8

Tirol la-4he' in'-l4entl%. 8Alwa%s a aper.8 is 'eep2set e%es 'arte'J Tirol was a powerf-ll%2b-ilt person6 ol'er than most6 with a somber6 intensel%2crease' face. 8averoom for a few contracts5 I tho-4ht I mi4ht slip a few obs %o-r wa%. . . if %o-3re open.8

8I3m alwa%s open68 Beam co-ntere'6 bloc!in4 Tirol3s view of the lab proper. The'oor6 an%how6 ha' sli' itself sh-t. Tirol ha' been eimie3s boss . . . he no 'o-bt feltentitle' to all extant information on the m-r'er. 0ho 'i' it5 0hen5 ow5 0h%5 B-t that'i'n3t explain wh% he washere)

8Terrible thin468 Tirol sai' cr-'el%. e ma'e no move to intro'-ce the womanJshe ha' retire' to the co-ch to li4ht a ci4arette. She was slen'er6 with maho4an%2colore'hairJ she wore a bl-e coat6 an' a !erchief tie' aro-n' her hea'.

8es68 Beam a4ree'. 8Terrible.8

8o- were there6 I -n'erstan'.8

That explaine' some of it. 80ell68 Beam conce'e'6 8I showe' -p.8

8B-t %o- 'i'n3t act-all% see it58

8*o68 Beam a'mitte'6 8nobo'% saw it. Interior is collectin4 specification material.





The% sho-l' have it 'own to one car' before mornin4.8

"isibl%6 Tirol relaxe'. 8I3m 4la' of that. I3' hate to see the vicio-s criminal escape.Banishment3s too 4oo' for him. e o-4ht to be 4asse'.8

8Barbarism68 Beam m-rm-re' 'r%l%. 8The 'a%s of the 4as chamber. $e'ieval.8

Tirol peere' past him. 8o-3re wor!in4 on 228 *ow he was overtl% be4innin4 to pr%. 8Come now6 Lero%. eimie &osenb-r4 22 1o' bless his so-l 22 was !ille' toni4ht an'toni4ht I fin' %o- b-rnin4 the mi'ni4ht oil. o- can tal! openl% with meJ %o-3ve 4otsomethin4 relevant to his 'eath6 haven3t %o-58

8That3s Ac!ers %o-3re thin!in4 of.8

Tirol ch-c!le'. 8Can I ta!e a loo!58

8*ot -ntil %o- start pa%in4 meJ I3m not on %o-r boo!s %et.8

In a straine'6 -nnat-ral voice6 Tirol bleate': 8I want it.8

P-GGle'6 Beam sai': 8o- want what58

0ith a 4rotes-e sh-''er6 Tirol bl-n'ere' forwar'6 shove' Beam asi'e6 an'4rope' for the 'oor. The 'oor flew open an' Tirol starte' noisil% 'own the 'ar! corri'or6feelin4 his wa% b% instinct towar' the research labs.

8e%78 Beam sho-te'6 o-tra4e'. e sprinte' after the ol'er man6 reache' theinner 'oor6 an' prepare' to fi4ht it o-t. e was sha!in46 partl% with amaGement6 partl%with an4er. 80hat the hell58 he 'eman'e' breathlessl%. 8o- 'on3t own me78

Behin' him the 'oor m%sterio-sl% 4ave wa%. ,oolishl%6 he sprawle' bac!war'6half2fallin4 into the lab. There6 stric!en with helpless paral%sis6 was his technician. An'6comin4 across the floor of the lab was somethin4 small an' metallic. It loo!e' li!e anoversiGe' box of crac!ers6 an' it was 4oin4 lic!et%2split towar' Tirol. The obect 22 metalan' 4leamin4 22 hoppe' -p into Tirol3s arms6 an' the ol' man t-rne' an' l-mbere' bac!-p the hall to the anteroom.

80hat was it58 the technician sai'6 comin4 to life.

I4norin4 him6 Beam h-rrie' after Tirol. 8e3s 4ot it78 he %elle' f-tilel%.

8It 228 the technician m-mble'. 8It was the T" set. An' itran)/

II





The file ban!s at Interior were in a4itate' fl-x.

The process of creatin4 a more an' more restricte' cate4or% was te'io-s6 an' ittoo! time. $ost of the Interior staff ha' 4one home to be'J it was almost three in the

mornin46 an' the corri'ors an' offices were 'eserte'. A few mechanical cleanin4 'evicescrept here an' there in the 'ar!ness. The sole so-rce of life was the st-'% chamber of thefile ban!s. +'war' Ac!ers sat patientl% waitin4 for the res-lts6 waitin4 for specificationsto come in6 an' for the file machiner% to process them.

To his ri4ht a few Interior police pla%e' a beni4n lotter% an' waite' stoicall% to besent o-t for the pic!2-p. The lines of comm-nication to eimie &osenb-r43s apartment b-GGe' ceaselessl%. own the street6 alon4 the blea! si'ewal!6 arve% 1arth was still athis propa4an'a booth6 still flashin4 his BA*ISit7 si4n an' m-tterin4 in people3s ears.There were virt-all% no passersb%6 now6 b-t 1arth went on. e was tirelessJ he never4ave -p.

8Ps%chopath68 Ac!ers sai' resentf-ll%. +ven where he sat6 six floors -p6 the tinn%6carpin4 voice reache' his mi''le ear.

8Ta!e him in68 one of the 4ame2pla%in4 cops s-44este'. The 4ame6 intricate an''evio-s6 was a version of a Centa-rian III practice. 80e can revo!e his ven'or3s license.8

Ac!ers ha'6 when there was nothin4 else to 'o6 concocte' an' refine' anin'ictment of 1arth6 a sort of la% anal%sis of the man3s mental aberrations. e eno%e' pla%in4 the ps%choanal%tic 4ameJ it 4ave him a sense of power.

1arth6 arve%

Prominent comp-lsive s%n'rome. as ass-me' role of i'eolo4ical anarchist6opposin4 le4al an' social s%stem. *o rational expression6 onl% repetition of !e% wor'san' phrases. I'ee fixe is Banish the 4anish#ent syste#) Ca-se 'ominates life. &i4i'fanatic6 probabl% of manic t%pe6 since. . .

Ac!ers let the sentence 4o6 since he 'i'n3t reall% !now what the str-ct-re of themanic t%pe was. An%how6 the anal%sis was excellent6 an' some'a% it wo-l' be restin4 inan official slot instea' of merel% 'riftin4 thro-4h his min'. An'6 when that happene'6 theanno%in4 voice wo-l' concl-'e.

8Bi4 t-rmoil68 1arth 'rone'. 8Banishment s%stem in vast -pheaval. . . crisis





moment has arrive'.8

80h% crisis58 Ac!ers as!e' alo-'.

own below on the pavement 1arth respon'e'. 8All %o-r machines are h-mmin4.1ran' excitement rei4ns. Somebo'%3s hea' will be in the bas!et before s-n2-p.8 isvoice traile' off in a wear% bl-r. 8Intri4-e an' m-r'er. Corpses . . . the police sc-rr% an' a bea-tif-l woman l-r!s.8 To his anal%sis Ac!ers a''e' an amplif%in4 cla-se.

. . .1arth3s talents are warpe' b% his comp-lsive sense of #ission) avin4 'esi4ne' anin4enio-s comm-nication 'evice he sees onl% its propa4an'a possibilit%. 0hereas 1arth3svoice2ear mechanism co-l' be p-t to wor! for All -manit%.

That please' him. Ac!ers 4ot -p an' wan'ere' over to the atten'ant operatin4 thefile. 8ow3s it comin458 he as!e'.

8ere3s the sit-ation68 the atten'ant sai'. There was a line of 4ra% st-bble smeare'over his chin6 an' he was blear%2e%e'. 80e3re 4ra'-all% parin4 it 'own.8

Ac!ers6 as he res-me' his seat6 wishe' he were bac! in the 'a%s of the almi4ht%fin4erprint. B-t a print ha'n3t shown -p in monthsJ a tho-san' techni-es existe' for print2removal an' print alteration. There was no sin4le specification capable6 in itself6 of'elineatin4 the in'ivi'-al. A composite was nee'e'6 a 4estalt of the assemble' 'ata.

9> bloo' sample =t%pe (> @696#;96@)9

<> shoe siGe =99 9/<> 96<@;6)6#9

> smo!er E96<6;@

a> smo!er =pipe> ?<6EE#6;?

#> sex =male> <@6##6)#

?> a4e =)2#) %ears> 6<<96E

@> wei4ht =<)) lbs> #;;6<)





E> fabric of clothin4 9E6#?

;> hair variet% ;@@

> ownership of -tiliGe' weapon #)

A vivi' pict-re was emer4in4 from the 'ata. Ac!ers co-l' see him clearl%. Theman was practicall% stan'in4 there6 in front of his 'es!. A fairl% %o-n4 man6 somewhatheav%6 a man who smo!e' a pipe an' wore an extremel% expensive twee' s-it. Anin'ivi'-al create' b% nine specificationsJ no tenth ha' been liste' beca-se no more 'ataof specification level ha' been fo-n'.

*ow6 accor'in4 to the report6 the apartment ha' been thoro-4hl% searche'. The'etection e-ipment was 4oin4 o-t'oors.

8(ne more sho-l' 'o it68 Ac!ers sai'6 ret-rnin4 the report to the atten'ant. ewon'ere' if it wo-l' come in an' how lon4 it wo-l' ta!e.

To waste time he telephone' his wife6 b-t instea' of 4ettin4 +llen he 4ot thea-tomatic response circ-it. 8es6 sir68 it tol' him. 8$rs. Ac!ers has retire' for the ni4ht.o- ma% state a thirt%2secon' messa4e which will be transcribe' for her attentiontomorrow mornin4. Than! %o-.8

Ac!ers ra4e' at the mechanism f-tilel% an' then h-n4 -p. e won'ere' if +llenwere reall% in be'J ma%be she ha'6 as often before6 slippe' o-t. B-t6 after all6 it wasalmost three o3cloc! in the mornin4. An% sane person wo-l' be asleep: onl% he an' 1arthwere still at their little stations6 performin4 their vital '-ties.

0hat ha' 1arth meant b% a 84eautiful 'o#an/%

8$r. Ac!ers68 the atten'ant sai'6 8there3s a tenth specification comin4 in over thewires.8

opef-ll%6 Ac!ers 4aGe' -p at the file ban!. e co-l' see nothin46 of co-rseJ theact-al mechanism occ-pie' the -n'er4ro-n' levels of the b-il'in46 an' all that existe'here was the inp-t receptors an' throw2o-t slots. B-t -st loo!in4 at the machiner% was initself comfortin4. At this moment the ban! was acceptin4 the tenth piece of material. In amoment he wo-l' !now how man% citiGens fell into the ten cate4ories . . . he wo-l' !nowif alrea'% he ha' a 4ro-p small eno-4h to be sorte' one b% one.

8ere it is68 the atten'ant sai'6 p-shin4 the report to him.





T%pe of -tiliGe' vehicle =color> E

8$% 1o'68 Ac!ers sai' mil'l%. 8That3s low eno-4h. Seven persons 22 we can 4o to

wor!.8

8o- want the seven car's poppe'58

8Pop them68 Ac!ers sai'.

A moment later6 the throw2o-t slot 'eposite' seven neat white car's in the tra%.The atten'ant passe' them to Ac!ers an' he -ic!l% riffle' them. The next step was personal motive an' proximit%: items that ha' to be 4otten from the s-spects themselves.

(f the seven names six meant nothin4 to him. Two live' on "en-s6 one in the

Centa-r-s S%stem6 one was somewhere in Siri-s6 one was in the hospital6 an' one live' inthe Soviet nion. The seventh6 however6 live' within a few miles6 on the o-ts!irts of *ew or!.

LA*TA*(6 A"I

That clinche' it. The 4estalt6 in Ac!ers3 min'6 loc!e' clearl% in placeJ the ima4ehar'ene' to realit%. e ha' half expecte'6 even pra%e' to see Lantano3s car' bro-4ht -p.

8ere3s %o-r pic!2-p68 he sai' sha!il% to the 4ame2pla%in4 cops. 8Better 4et aslar4e a team to4ether as possible6 this one won3t be eas%.8 $omento-sl%6 he a''e':8$a%be I3' better come alon4.8

Beam reache' the anteroom of his lab as the ancient fi4-re of Pa-l Tirol'isappeare' o-t the street 'oor an' onto the 'ar! si'ewal!. The %o-n4 woman6 trottin4ahea' of him6 ha' climbe' into a par!e' car an' starte' it forwar'J as Tirol emer4e'6 sheswept him -p an' at once 'eparte'.

Pantin46 Beam stoo' impotentl% collectin4 himself on the 'eserte' pavement. TheersatG T" -nit was 4oneJ now he ha' nothin4. Aimlessl%6 he be4an to r-n 'own the street.is heels echoe' lo-'l% in the col' silence. *o si4n of themJ no si4n of an%thin4.

8I3ll be 'amne'68 he sai'6 with almost reli4io-s awe. The -nit 22 a robot 'evice ofobvio-s complexit% 22 clearl% belon4e' to Pa-l TirolJ as soon as it ha' i'entifie' his





presence it ha' sprinte' 4la'l% to him. ,or. . . protection5

It ha' !ille' eimieJ an' it belon4e' to Tirol. So6 b% a novel an' in'irect metho'6Tirol ha' m-r'ere' his emplo%ee6 his ,ifth Aven-e front man. At a ro-4h 4-ess6 s-ch ahi4hl%2or4aniGe' robot wo-l' cost in the nei4hborhoo' of a h-n're' tho-san' 'ollars.

A lot of mone%6 consi'erin4 that m-r'er was the easiest of criminal acts. 0h% nothire an itinerant 4oon with a crowbar5

Beam starte' slowl% bac! towar' his lab. Then6 abr-ptl%6 he chan4e' his min' an't-rne' in the 'irection of the b-siness area. 0hen a free2wheelin4 cab came b%6 he haile'it an' clambere' in.

80here to6 sport58 the starter at cab rela% as!e'. Cit% cabs were 4-i'e' b% remotecontrol from one central so-rce.

e 4ave the name of a specific bar. Settlin4 bac! a4ainst the seat he pon'ere'.An%bo'% co-l' commit a m-r'erJ an expensive6 complicate' machine wasn3t necessar%.

The machine ha' been b-ilt to 'o somethin4 else. The m-r'er of eimie&osenb-r4 was inci'ental.

A4ainst the noct-rnal s!%line6 a h-4e stone resi'ence loome'. Ac!ers inspecte' itfrom a 'istance. There were no li4hts b-rnin4J ever%thin4 was loc!e' -p ti4ht. Sprea' o-t before the ho-se was an acre of 4rass. avi' Lantano was probabl% the last person on+arth to own an acre of 4rass o-tri4htJ it was less expensive to b-% an entire planet insome other s%stem.

8Let3s 4o68 Ac!ers comman'e'J 'is4-ste' b% s-ch op-lence6 he 'eliberatel%trample' thro-4h a be' of roses on his wa% -p the wi'e porch steps. Behin' him flowe'the team of shoc!2police.

81osh68 Lantano r-mble'6 when he ha' been ro-se' from his be'. e was a!in'l%2loo!in46 rather %o-thf-l fat man6 wearin4 now an ab-n'ant sil! 'ressin4 robe. ewo-l' have seeme' more in place as 'irector of a bo%s3 s-mmer campJ there was anexpression of perpet-al 4oo' h-mor on his soft6 sa44in4 face. 80hat3s wron46 officer58

Ac!ers loathe' bein4 calle' officer. 8o-3re -n'er arrest68 he state'.

8$e58 Lantano echoe' feebl%. 8e%6 officer6 I3ve 4ot law%ers to ta!e care of thesethin4s.8 e %awne' vol-mino-sl%. 8Care for some coffee58 St-pi'l%6 he be4an p-tterin4aro-n' his front room6 fixin4 a pot.

It ha' been %ears since Ac!ers ha' spl-r4e' an' bo-4ht himself a c-p of coffee.





0ith Terran lan' covere' b% 'ense in'-strial an' resi'ential installations there was noroom for crops6 an' coffee ha' ref-se' to 8ta!e8 in an% other s%stem. Lantano probabl%4rew his somewhere on an illicit plantation in So-th America 22 the pic!ers probabl% believe' the% ha' been transporte' to some remote colon%.

8*o than!s68 Ac!ers sai'. 8Let3s 4et 4oin4.8

Still 'aGe'6 Lantano ploppe' himself 'own in an eas% chair an' re4ar'e' Ac!erswith alarm. 8o-3re serio-s.8 1ra'-all% his expression fa'e'J he seeme' to be 'riftin4 bac! to sleep. 80ho58 he m-rm-re' 'istantl%.

8eimie &osenb-r4.8

8*o !i''in4.8 Lantano shoo! his hea' listlessl%. 8I alwa%s wante' him in m%compan%. eimie3s 4ot real charm. a'6 I mean.8

It ma'e Ac!ers nervo-s to remain here in the vast l-sh mansion. The coffee washeatin46 an' the smell of it tic!le' his nose. An'6 heaven forbi' 22 there on the table was a bas!etof apricots)

8Peaches68 Lantano correcte'6 noticin4 his fixe' stare. 8elp %o-rself.8

80here 22 'i' %o- 4et them58

Lantano shr-44e'. 8S%nthetic 'ome. %'roponics. I for4et where . . . I 'on3t havea technical min'.8

8o- !now what the fine is for possessin4 nat-ral fr-it58

8Loo!68 Lantano sai' earnestl%6 claspin4 his m-sh% han's to4ether. 81ive me the'etails on this affair6 an' I3ll prove to %o- I ha' nothin4 to 'o with it. Come on6 officer.8

8Ac!ers68 Ac!ers sai'.

8(!a%6 Ac!ers. I tho-4ht I reco4niGe' %o-6 b-t I wasn3t s-reJ 'i'n3t want to ma!ea fool of m%self. 0hen was eimie !ille'58

1r-'4in4l%6 Ac!ers 4ave him the pertinent information.

,or a time Lantano was silent. Then6 slowl%6 4ravel%6 he sai': 8o- better loo! atthose seven car's a4ain. (ne of those fellows isn3t in the Siri-s S%stem . . . he3s bac!here.8

Ac!ers calc-late' the chances of s-ccessf-ll% banishin4 a man of avi' Lantano3simportance. is or4aniGation 22 Interpla% +xport 22 ha' fin4ers all over the 4alax%J there3' be search crews 4oin4 o-t li!e bees. B-t nobo'% went o-t banishment 'istance. The





con'emne'6 temporaril% ioniGe'6 ren'ere' in terms of char4e' particles of ener4%6ra'iate' o-twar' at the velocit% of li4ht. This was an experimental techni-e that ha'faile'J it wor!e' onl% one wa%.

8Consi'er68 Lantano sai' tho-4htf-ll%. 8If I'as 4oin4 to !ill eimie 22'ould 7 do

it #yself% o-3re not bein4 lo4ical6 Ac!ers. I3' sen' somebo'%.8 e pointe' a flesh%fin4er at Ac!ers. 8o- ima4ine I3' ris! m% own life5 I !now %o- pic! -p ever%bo'% . . .%o- -s-all% t-rn -p eno-4h specifications.8

80e have ten on %o-68 Ac!ers sai' bris!l%.

8So %o-3re 4oin4 to banish me58

8If %o-3re 4-ilt%6 %o-3ll have to face banishment li!e an%one else. o-r partic-lar presti4e has no bearin4.8

*ettle'6 Ac!ers a''e'6 8(bvio-sl%6 %o-3ll be release'. o-3ll have plent% ofopport-nit% to prove %o-r innocenceJ %o- can -estion each of the ten specifications int-rn.8

e starte' to 4o on an' 'escribe the 4eneral process of co-rt proce'-re emplo%e'in the twent%2first cent-r%6 b-t somethin4 ma'e him pa-se. avi' Lantano an' his chairseeme' to be 4ra'-all% sin!in4 into the floor. 0as it an ill-sion5 Blin!in46 Ac!ers r-bbe'his e%es an' peere'. At the same time6 one of the policemen %elpe' a warnin4 of 'isma%JLantano was -ietl% leavin4 them.

8Come bac!78 Ac!ers 'eman'e'J he leape' forwar' an' 4rabbe' hol' of the chair.-rrie'l%6 one of his men shorte' o-t the power s-ppl% of the b-il'in4J the chair cease''escen'in4 an' 4roane' to a halt. (nl% Lantano3s hea' was visible above the floor level.e was almost entirel% s-bmer4e' in a conceale' escape shaft.

80hat see'%6 -seless 22 8 Ac!ers be4an.

8I !now68 Lantano a'mitte'6 ma!in4 no move to 'ra4 himself -p. e seeme'resi4ne'J his min' was a4ain off in clo-'s of contemplation. 8I hope we can clear all this-p. +vi'entl% I3m bein4 frame'. Tirol 4ot somebo'% who loo!s li!e me6 somebo'% to 4oin an' m-r'er eimie.8

Ac!ers an' the police crew helpe' him -p from his 'epresse' chair. e 4ave noresistanceJ he was too 'eep in his broo'in4.

The cab let Lero% Beam off in front of the bar. To his ri4ht6 in the next bloc!6 wasthe Interior B-il'in4. . . an'6 on the si'ewal!6 the opa-e blob that was arve% 1arth3s propa4an'a booth.





+nterin4 the bar6 Beam fo-n' a table in the bac! an' seate' himself. Alrea'% heco-l' pic! -p the faint6 'istorte' m-rm-r of 1arth3s reflections. 1arth6 spea!in4 tohimself in a 'irectionless bl-r6 was not %et aware of him.

8Banish it68 1arth was sa%in4. 8Banish all of them. B-nch of croo!s an' thieves.81arth6 in the miasma of his booth6 was ramblin4 vitriolicall%.

80hat3s 4oin4 on58 Beam as!e'. 80hat3s the latest58

1arth3s monolo4-e bro!e off as he foc-sse' his attention on Beam. 8o- in there5In the bar58

8I want to fin' o-t abo-t eimie3s 'eath.8

8es68 1arth sai'. 8e3s 'ea'J the files are movin46 !ic!in4 o-t car's.8

80hen I left eimie3s apartment68 Beam sai'6 8the% ha' t-rne' -p sixspecifications.8 e p-nche' a b-tton on the 'rin! selector an' 'roppe' in a to!en.

8That m-st have been earlier68 1arth sai'J 8the%3ve 4ot more.8

8ow man%58

8Ten in all.8

Ten. That was -s-all% eno-4h. An' all ten of them lai' o-t b% a robot 'evice . . . alittle procession of hints strewn alon4 its path: between the concrete si'e of the b-il'in4an' the 'ea' bo'% of eimie &osenb-r4.

8That3s l-c!%68 he sai' spec-lativel%. 8elps o-t Ac!ers.8

8Since %o-3re pa%in4 me68 1arth sai'6 8I3ll tell %o- the rest. The%3ve alrea'% 4oneo-t on their pic!2-p: Ac!ers went alon4.8

Then the 'evice ha' been s-ccessf-l. p to a point6 at least. e was s-re of onethin4: the 'evice sho-l' have been o-t of the apartment. Tirol ha'n3t !nown abo-teimie3s 'eath rattleJ eimie ha' been wise eno-4h to 'o the installation privatel%.

a' the rattle not bro-4ht persons into the apartment6 the 'evice wo-l' havesc-ttle' o-t an' ret-rne' to Tirol. Then6 no 'o-bt6 Tirol wo-l' have 'etonate' it. *othin4wo-l' remain to in'icate that a machine co-l' la% 'own a trail of s%nthetic cl-es: bloo't%pe6 fabric6 pipe tobacco6 hair... all the rest6 an' all sp-rio-s.

80ho3s the pic!2-p on58 Beam as!e'.





8avi' Lantano.8

Beam wince'. 8*at-rall%. That3s what the whole thin43s abo-tJ he3s bein4frame'78

1arth was in'ifferentJ he was a hire' emplo%ee6 statione' b% the pool ofin'epen'ent researchers to siphon information from the Interior epartment. e ha' noact-al interest in politicsJ his Banish 7t1 was sheer win'ow2'ressin4.

8I !now it3s a frame68 Beam sai'6 8an' so 'oes Lantano. B-t neither of -s can prove it. . . -nless Lantano has an absol-tel% airti4ht alibi.8

8Banish it68 1arth m-rm-re'6 revertin4 to his ro-tine. A small 4ro-p of late2retirin4 citiGens ha' strolle' past his booth6 an' he was mas!in4 his conversation with

Beam. The conversation6 'irecte' to the one listener6 was ina-'ible to ever%one elseJ b-tit was better not to ta!e ris!s. Sometimes6 ver% close to the booth6 there was an a-'iblefee'bac! of the si4nal.

-nche' over his 'rin!6 Lero% Beam contemplate' the vario-s items he co-l' tr%.e co-l' inform Lantano3s or4aniGation6 which existe' relativel% intact. . . b-t the res-ltwo-l' be epic civil war. An'6 in a''ition6 he 'i'n3t reall% care if Lantano was frame'J itwas all the same to him. Sooner or later one of the bi4 slavers ha' to absorb the other:cartel is the nat-ral concl-sion of bi4 b-siness. 0ith Lantano 4one6 Tirol wo-l' painlessl% swallow his or4aniGationJ ever%bo'% wo-l' be wor!in4 at his 'es! as alwa%s.

(n the other han'6 there mi4ht some'a% be a 'evice 22 now half2complete' inTirol3s basement 22 that left a trail of +eroy Bea# cl-es. (nce the i'ea ca-4ht on6 therewas no partic-lar en'.

8An' I ha' the 'amn thin468 he sai' fr-itlessl%. 8I hammere' on it for five ho-rs.It was a T" -nit6 then6 b-t it was still the 'evice that !ille' eimie.8

8o-3re positive it3s 4one58

8It3s not onl% 4one 22 it3s o-t of existence. nless she wrec!e' the car 'rivin4 Tirolhome.8

8She58 1arth as!e'.

8The woman.8 Beam pon'ere'. 8She saw it. (r she !new abo-t itJ she was withhim.8 B-t6 -nfort-natel%6 he ha' no i'ea who the woman mi4ht be.

80hat3' she loo! li!e58 1arth as!e'.





8Tall6 maho4an% hair. "er% nervo-s mo-th.8

8I 'i'n3t realiGe she was wor!in4 with him openl%. The% m-st have reall% nee'e'the 'evice.8 1arth a''e': 8o- 'i'n3t i'entif% her5 I 4-ess there3s no reason wh% %o-sho-l'J she3s !ept o-t of si4ht.8

80ho is she58

8That3s +llen Ac!ers.8

Beam la-4he' sharpl%. 8An' she3s 'rivin4 Pa-l Tirol aro-n'58

8She3s 22 well6 she3s 'rivin4 Tirol aro-n'6 %es. o- can p-t it that wa%.8

8ow lon458

8I tho-4ht %o- were in on it. She an' Ac!ers split -pJ that was last %ear. B-t hewo-l'n3t let her leaveJ he wo-l'n3t 4ive her a 'ivorce. Afrai' of the p-blicit%. "er%important to !eep -p respectabilit%. . . !eep the shirt f-ll% st-ffe'.8

8e !nows abo-t Pa-l Tirol an' her58

8(f co-rse not. e !nows she3s 22 spirit-all% hoo!e' -p. B-t he 'oesn3t care . . . aslon4 as she !eeps it -iet. It3s his position he3s thin!in4 abo-t.8

8If Ac!ers fo-n' o-t68 Beam m-rm-re'. 8If he saw the lin! between his wife an'Tirol. . . he3' i4nore his ten interoffice memos. e3''ant to ha-l in Tirol. The hell withthe evi'enceJ he co-l' alwa%s collect that later.8 Beam p-she' awa% his 'rin!J the 4lasswas empt% an%how. 80here is Ac!ers58

8I tol' %o-. (-t at Lantano3s place6 pic!in4 him -p.8

8e3' come bac! here5 e wo-l'n3t 4o home58

8*at-rall% he3' come bac! here.8 1arth was silent a moment. 8I see a co-ple ofInterior vans t-rnin4 into the 4ara4e ramp. That3s probabl% the pic!2-p crew ret-rnin4.8

Beam waite' tensel%. 8Is Ac!ers alon458

8es6 he3s there. Banish 7t1/ 1arth3s voice rose in stentorian frenG%./Banish the

syste# of Banish#ent1 Root out the crooks and pirates1/

Sli'in4 to his feet6 Beam left the bar.





A '-ll li4ht showe' in the rear of +'war' Ac!ers3 apartment: probabl% the !itchenli4ht. The front 'oor was loc!e'. Stan'in4 in the carpete' hallwa%6 Beam s!illf-ll% tilte'with the 'oor mechanism. It was 4eare' to respon' to specific ne-ral patterns: those of itsowners an' a limite' circle of frien's. ,or him there was no activit%.

Kneelin4 'own6 Beam switche' on a poc!et oscillator an' starte' sine waveemission. 1ra'-all%6 he increase' the fre-enc%. At perhaps 9?)6))) cps the loc!4-i ltil% clic!e'J that was all he nee'e'. Switchin4 the oscillator off6 he r-mma4e'thro-4h his s-ppl% of s!eleton patterns -ntil he locate' the closet c%lin'er. Slippe' intothe t-rret of the oscillator6 the c%lin'er emitte' a s%nthetic ne-ral pattern close eno-4h tothe real thin4 to affect the loc!.

The 'oor sw-n4 open. Beam entere'.

In half2'ar!ness the livin4 room seeme' mo'est an' tastef-l. +llen Ac!ers was ana'e-ate ho-se!eeper. Beam listene'. 0as she home at all5 An' if so6 where5 Awa!e5

Asleep5

e peepe' into the be'room. There was the be'6 b-t nobo'% was in it.

If she wasn3t here she was at Tirol3s. B-t he 'i'n3t inten' to follow herJ this was asfar as he care' to ris!.

e inspecte' the 'inin4 room. +mpt%. The !itchen was empt%6 too. *ext came an-pholstere' 4eneral2p-rpose r-mp-s roomJ on one si'e was a 4a-'% bar an' on the othera wall2to2wall co-ch. Tosse' on the co-ch was a woman3s coat6 p-rse6 4loves. ,amiliarclothes: +llen Ac!ers ha' worn them. So she ha' come here after leavin4 his research lab.

The onl% room left was the bathroom. e f-mble' with the !nobJ it was loc!e'from the insi'e. There was no so-n'6 b-t somebo'% was on the other si'e of the 'oor. eco-l' sense her in there.

8+llen68 he sai'6 a4ainst the panellin4. 8$rs. +llen Ac!ersJ is that %o-58

*o answer. e co-l' sense her not ma!in4 an% so-n' at all: a stifle'6 franticsilence.

0hile he was !neelin4 'own6 foolin4 with his poc!etf-l of ma4netic loc!2p-llers6an explosive pellet b-rst thro-4h the 'oor at hea' level an' splattere' into the plaster ofthe wall be%on'.

Instantl% the 'oor flew openJ there stoo' +llen Ac!ers6 her face 'istorte' withfri4ht. (ne of her h-sban'3s 4overnment pistols was clenche' in her small6 bon% han'.She was less than a foot from him. 0itho-t 4ettin4 -p6 Beam 4rabbe' her wristJ she fire'over his hea'6 an' then the two of them 'eteriorate' into harsh6 labore' breathin4.





8Come on68 Beam mana4e' finall%. The noGGle of the 4-n was literall% br-shin4the top of his hea'. To !ill him6 she wo-l' have to p-ll the pistol bac! a4ainst her. B-t he'i'n3t let herJ he !ept hol' of her wrist -ntil finall%6 rel-ctantl%6 she 'roppe' the 4-n. Itclattere' to the floor an' he 4ot stiffl% -p.

8o- were sittin4 'own68 she whispere'6 in a stric!en6 acc-sin4 voice.

8Kneelin4 'own: pic!in4 the loc!. I3m 4la' %o- aime' for m% brain.8 e pic!e'-p the 4-n an' s-ccee'e' in 4ettin4 it into his overcoat poc!etJ his han's were sha!in4.

+llen Ac!ers 4aGe' at him star!l%J her e%es were h-4e an' 'ar!6 an' her face wasan -4l% white. er s!in ha' a 'ea' cast6 as if it were artificial6 totall% 'r%6 thoro-4hl%sifte' with talc. She seeme' on the ver4e of h%steriaJ a harsh6 m-ffle' sh-''er str-44le'-p insi'e her6 lo'4in4 finall% in her throat. She trie' to spea! b-t onl% a raspin4 noisecame o-t.

81ee6 la'%68 Beam sai'6 embarrasse'. 8Come in the !itchen an' sit 'own.8

She stare' at him as if he ha' sai' somethin4 incre'ible or obscene or mirac-lo-sJhe wasn3t s-re which.

8Come on.8 e trie' to ta!e hol' of her arm b-t she er!e' franticall% awa%. Sheha' on a simple 4reen s-it6 an' in it she loo!e' ver% niceJ a little too thin an' terribl%tense6 b-t still attractive. She ha' on expensive earrin4s6 an importe' stone that seeme'alwa%s in motion . . . b-t otherwise her o-tfit was a-stere.

8o- 22 were the man at the lab68 she mana4e'6 in a brittle6 cho!e' voice.

8I3m Lero% Beam. An in'epen'ent.8 Aw!war'l% 4-i'in4 her6 he le' her into the!itchen an' seate' her at the table. She fol'e' her han's in front of her an' st-'ie' themfixe'l%J the blea! boniness of her face seeme' to be increasin4 rather than rece'in4. efelt -neas%.

8Are %o- all ri4ht58 he as!e'.

She no''e'.

8C-p of coffee58 e be4an searchin4 the c-pboar's for a bottle of "en-sian24rown coffee s-bstit-te. 0hile he was loo!in46 +llen Ac!ers sai' ta-ti%: 8o- better 4o inthere. In the bathroom. I 'on3t thin! he3s 'ea'6 b-t he mi4ht be.8

Beam race' into the bathroom. Behin' the plastic shower c-rtain was an opa-eshape. It was Pa-l Tirol6 l%in4 wa''e' -p in the t-b6 f-ll% clothe'. e was not 'ea' b-the ha' been str-c! behin' the left ear an' his scalp was lea!in4 a slow6 stea'% tric!le of bloo'. Beam too! his p-lse6 listene' to his breathin46 an' then strai4htene' -p.





At the 'oorwa% +llen Ac!ers materialiGe'6 still pale with fri4ht. 8Is he5 i' I !illhim58

8e3s fine.8

"isibl%6 she relaxe'. 8Than! 1o'. It happene' so fast 22 he steppe' ahea' of me tota!e the M insi'e his place6 an' then I 'i' it. I hit him as li4htl% as I co-l'. e was sointereste' in it. . . he for4ot abo-t me.8 0or's spille' from her6 -ic!6 er!% sentences6 p-nct-ate' b% ri4i' tremors of her han's. 8I l-44e' him bac! in the car an' 'rove hereJ itwas all I co-l' thin! of.8

80hat are %o- in this for58

er h%steria rose in a spasm of conv-lsive m-scle2twitchin4. 8It was all planne'22 I ha'everythin! wor!e' o-t. As soon as I 4ot hol' of it I was 4oin4 to 228 She bro!e off.

8Blac!mail Tirol58 he as!e'6 fascinate'.

She smile' wea!l%. 8*o6 not Pa-l. It was Pa-l who 4ave me the i'ea . . . it was hisfirst i'ea6 when his researchers showe' him the thin4. The M, he calls it. M stan's formachine. e means it can3t be e'-cate'6 morall% correcte'.8

Incre'-lo-s6 Beam sai': 8o- were 4oin4 to blac!mail %o-r h-sban'.8

+llen Ac!ers no''e'. 8So he3' let me leave.8

S-''enl% Beam felt sincere respect for her. 8$% 1o' 22 the rattle. eimie 'i'n3tarran4e thatJ you 'i'. So the 'evice wo-l' be trappe' in the apartment.8

8es68 she a4ree'. 8I was 4oin4 to pic! it -p. B-t Pa-l showe' -p with otheri'easJ he wante' it6 too.8

80hat went ha%wire5 o- have it6 'on3t %o-58

Silentl% she in'icate' the linen closet. 8I st-ffe' it awa% when I hear' %o-.8

Beam opene' the linen closet. &estin4 priml% on the neatl%2fol'e' towels was asmall6 familiar6 portable T" -nit.

8It3s reverte'68 +llen sai'6 from behin' him6 in an -tterl% 'efeate' monotone. 8Assoon as I hit Pa-l it chan4e'. ,or half an ho-r I3ve been tr%in4 to 4et it to shift. It won3t.It3ll sta% that wa% forever.8

III





Beam went to the telephone an' calle' a 'octor. In the bathroom6 Tirol 4roane'an' feebl% thrashe' his arms. e was be4innin4 to ret-rn to conscio-sness.

80as that necessar%58 +llen Ac!ers 'eman'e'. 8The 'octor 22 'i' %o- have to

call58

Beam i4nore' her. Ben'in46 he lifte' the portable T" -nit an' hel' it in his han'sJhe felt its wei4ht move -p his arms li!e a slow6 lea'en fati4-e. The -ltimate a'versar%6 hetho-4htJ too st-pi' to be 'efeate'. It was worse than an animal. It was a roc!6 soli' an''ense6 lac!in4 all -alities. +xcept6 he tho-4ht6 the -alit% of 'etermination. It was'etermine' to persist6 to s-rviveJ a roc! with will. e felt as if he were hol'in4 -p the-niverse6 an' he p-t the -nreconstr-cte' $ 'own.

,rom behin' him +llen sai': 8It 'rives %o- craG%.8 er voice ha' re4aine' tone.She lit a ci4arette with a silver ci4arette li4hter an' then shove' her han's in the poc!ets

of her s-it.

8es68 he sai'.

8There3s nothin4 %o- can 'o6 is there5 o- trie' to 4et it open before. The%3ll patch Pa-l -p6 an' he3ll 4o bac! to his place6 an' Lantano will be banishe' 228 She too! a'eep sh-''erin4 breath. 8An' the Interior epartment will 4o on as alwa%s.8

8es68 he sai'. Still !neelin46 he s-rve%e' the $. *ow6 with what he !new6 he 'i'not waste time str-44lin4 with it. e consi'ere' it impassivel%J he 'i' not even bother toto-ch it.

In the bathroom6 Pa-l Tirol was tr%in4 to crawl from the t-b. e slippe' bac!6c-rse' an' moane'6 an' starte' his laborio-s ascent once a4ain.

8+llen58 his voice -avere'6 a 'im an' 'istorte' so-n'6 li!e 'r% wires r-bbin4.

8Ta!e it eas%68 she sai' between her teethJ not movin4 she stoo' smo!in4 rapi'l%on her ci4arette.

8elp me6 +llen68 Tirol m-ttere'. 8Somethin4 happene' to me . . . I 'on3tremember what. Somethin4 hit me.8

8e3ll remember68 +llen sai'.

Beam sai': 8I can ta!e this thin4 to Ac!ers as it is. o- can tell him what it3s for 22what it 'i'. That o-4ht to be eno-4hJ he won3t 4o thro-4h with Lantano.8

B-t he 'i'n3t believe it6 either. Ac!ers wo-l' have to a'mit a mista!e6 a basicmista!e6 an' if he ha' been wron4 to pic! -p Lantano6 he was r-ine'. An' so6 in a sense6





was the whole s%stem of 'elineation. It co-l' be foole'J it ha' been foole'. Ac!ers wasri4i'6 an' he wo-l' 4o ri4ht on in a strai4ht line: the hell with Lantano. The hell withabstract -stice. Better to preserve c-lt-ral contin-it% an' !eep societ% r-nnin4 on aneven !eel.

8Tirol3s e-ipment68 Beam sai'. 8o %o- !now where it is58

She shr-44e' wil'l%. 80hat e-ipment58

8This thin4 22 8 he abbe' at the $ 22 8was ma'e somewhere.8

8*ot here6 Tirol 'i'n3t ma!e it.8

8All ri4ht68 he sai' reasonabl%. The% ha' perhaps six min-tes more before the'octor an' the emer4enc% me'ical carrier arrive' on rooftop. 80ho 'i' ma!e it58

8The allo% was 'evelope' on Bellatrix.8 She spo!e er!il%6 wor' b% wor'. 8Therin' . . . forms a s!in on the o-tsi'e6 a b-bble that 4ets s-c!e' in an' o-t of a reservoir.That3s its rin'6 the T" shape. It s-c!s it bac! an' becomes the $J it3s rea'% to act.8

80hat ma'e it58 he repeate'.

8A Bellatrix machine tool s%n'icate . . . a s-bsi'iar% of Tirol3s or4aniGation.The%3re ma'e to be watch'o4s. The bi4 plantations on o-tplanets -se themJ the% patrol.The% 4et poachers.8

Beam sai': 8Then ori4inall% the%3re not set for one person.8

8*o.8

8Then'ho set this for eimie5 *ot a machine tool s%n'icate.8

8That was 'one here.8

e strai4htene' -p an' lifte' the portable T" -nit. 8Let3s 4o. Ta!e me there6where Tirol ha' it altere'.8

,or a moment the woman 'i' not respon'. 1rabbin4 her arm he h-stle' her to the'oor. She 4aspe' an' stare' at him m-tel%.

8Come on68 he sai'6 p-shin4 her o-t into the hall. The portable T" -nit b-mpe'a4ainst the 'oor as he sh-t itJ he hel' the -nit ti4ht an' followe' after +llen Ac!ers.

The town was slatternl% an' r-n2'own6 a few retail stores6 f-el station6 bars an'





'ance halls. It was two ho-rs3 fli4ht from 1reater *ew or! an' it was calle' (l-m.

8T-rn ri4ht68 +llen sai' listlessl%. She 4aGe' o-t at the neon si4ns an' reste' herarm on the win'ow sill of the ship.

The% flew above wareho-ses an' 'eserte' streets. Li4hts were few. At anintersection +llen no''e' an' he set the ship 'own on a roof.

Below them was a sa44in46 fl%2spec!e' woo'en frame store. A peelin4 si4n was proppe' -p in the win'ow: ,LT(* B&(T+&Sloc!smiths. 0ith the si4n were'oor!nobs6 loc!s6 !e%s6 saws6 an' sprin42wo-n' alarm cloc!s. Somewhere in the interiorof the store a %ellow ni4ht li4ht b-rne' fitf-ll%.

8This wa%68 +llen sai'. She steppe' from the ship an' ma'e her wa% 'own a fli4htof ric!et% woo'en stairs. Beam lai' the portable T" -nit on the floor of the ship6 loc!e'the 'oors6 an' then followe' after the woman. ol'in4 onto the railin46 he 'escen'e' to a

bac! porch on which were trash cans an' a pile of so''en newspapers tie' with strin4.+llen was -nloc!in4 a 'oor an' feelin4 her wa% insi'e.

,irst he fo-n' himself in a m-st%6 crampe' storeroom. Pipe an' rolls of wire an'sheets of metal were heape' ever%whereJ it was li!e a -n!%ar'. *ext came a narrowcorri'or an' then he was stan'in4 in the entrance of a wor!shop. +llen reache' overhea'an' 4rope' to fin' the han4in4 strin4 of a li4ht. The li4ht clic!e' on. To the ri4ht was alon4 an' littere' wor!bench with a han' 4rin'er at one en'6 a vise6 a !e%hole sawJ twowoo'en stools were before the bench an' half2assemble' machiner% was stac!e' on thefloor in no apparent or'er. The wor!shop was chaotic6 '-st%6 an' archaic. (n the wallwas a threa'bare bl-e coat h-n4 from a nail: the wor!coat of a machinist.

8ere68 +llen sai'6 with bitterness. 8This is where Pa-l ha' it bro-4ht. This o-tfitis owne' b% the Tirol or4aniGationJ this whole sl-m is part of their hol'in4s.8

Beam wal!e' to the bench. 8To have altere' it68 he sai'6 8Tirol m-st have ha' a plate of eimie3s ne-ral pattern.8 e overt-rne' a heap of 4lass arsJ screws an' washers po-re' onto the pitte' s-rface of the bench.

8e 4ot it from eimie3s 'oor68 +llen sai'. 8e ha' eimie3s loc! anal%Ge' an'eimie3s pattern inferre' from the settin4 of the t-mblers.8

8An' he ha' the $ opene'58

8There3s an ol' mechanic68 +llen sai'. 8A little 'rie'2-p ol' manJ he r-ns thisshop. Patric! ,-lton. e installe' the bias on the $.8

8A bias68 Beam sai'6 no''in4.

8A bias a4ainst !illin4 people. eimie was the exception6 for ever%bo'% else it





too! its protective form. (-t in the wil's the% wo-l' have set it for somethin4 else6 not aT" -nit.8 She la-4he'6 a s-''en ripple close to h%steria. 8es6 that wo-l' have loo!e'o''6 it sittin4 o-t in a forest somewhere6 a T" -nit. The% wo-l' have ma'e it into a roc!or a stic!.8

8A roc!68 Beam sai'. e co-l' ima4ine it. The $ waitin46 covere' withmoss6waitin4 for months6 %ears6 an' then weathere' an' corro'e'6 finall% pic!in4 -p the presence of a h-man bein4. Then the $ ceasin4 to be a roc!6 becomin46 in a -ic! bl-r ofmotion6 a box one foot wi'e an' two feet lon4. An oversiGe' crac!er box that starte'forwar' 22

B-t there was somethin4 missin4. 8The fa!er%68 he sai'. 8+mittin4 fla!es of paintan' hair an' tobacco. ow 'i' that come in58

In a brittle voice +llen sai': 8The lan'owner m-r'ere' the poacher6 an' he wasc-lpable in the e%es of the law. So the $ left cl-es. Claw mar!s. Animal bloo'. Animal

hair.8

81o'68 he sai'6 revolte'. 8Kille' b% an animal.8

8A bear6 a wil'cat 22 whatever was in'i4eno-s6 it varie'. The pre'ator of there4ion6 a nat-ral 'eath.8 0ith her toe she to-che' a car'boar' carton -n'er thewor!bench. 8It3s in there6 it -se' to be6 an%how. The ne-ral plate6 the transmitter6 the'iscar'e' parts of the $6 the schematics.8

The carton ha' been a shippin4 container for power pac!s. *ow the pac!s were4one6 an' in their place was a caref-ll%2wrappe' inner box6 seale' a4ainst moist-re an'insect infestation. Beam tore awa% the metal foil an' saw that he ha' fo-n' what hewante'. e 4in4erl% carrie' the contents o-t an' sprea' them on the wor!bench amon4the sol'erin4 irons an' 'rills.

8It3s all there68 +llen sai'6 witho-t emotion.

8$a%be68 he sai'6 8I can leave %o- o-t of this. I can ta!e this an' the T" -nit toAc!ers an' tr% it witho-t %o-r testimon%.8

8S-re68 she sai' wearil%.

80hat are %o- 4oin4 to 'o58

80ell68 she sai'6 8I can3t 4o bac! to Pa-l6 so I 4-ess there3s not m-ch I can 'o.8

8The blac!mail bit was a mista!e68 he sai'.

er e%es 4lowe'. 8(!a%.8





8If he releases Lantano68 Beam sai'6 8he3ll be as!e' to resi4n. Then he3ll probabl%4ive %o- %o-r 'ivorce6 it won3t be important to him one wa% or another.8

8I 228 she be4an. An' then she stoppe'. er face seeme' to fa'e6 as if the coloran' text-re of her flesh was vanishin4 from within. She lifte' one han' an' half2t-rne'6

her mo-th open an' the sentence still -nfinishe'.

Beam6 reachin46 slappe' the overhea' li4ht o-tJ the wor!room win!e' into'ar!ness. e ha' hear' it too6 ha' hear' it at the same time as +llen Ac!ers. The ric!et%o-tsi'e porch ha' crea!e' an' now the slow6 pon'ero-s motion was past the storerooman' into the hall.

A heav% man6 he tho-4ht. A slow2movin4 man6 sleep%6 ma!in4 his wa% step b%step6 his e%es almost sh-t6 his 4reat bo'% sa44in4 beneath his s-it. Beneath6 he tho-4ht6his expensive twee' s-it. In the 'ar!ness the man3s shape was loomin4J Beam co-l' notsee it b-t he co-l' sense it there6 fillin4 -p the 'oorwa% as it halte'. Boar's crea!e' -n'er

its wei4ht. In a 'aGe he won'ere' if Ac!ers alrea'% !new6 if his or'er ha' alrea'% beenrescin'e'. (r ha' the man 4ot o-t on his own6 wor!e' thro-4h his own or4aniGation5

The man6 startin4 forwar' a4ain6 spo!e in a 'eep6 h-s!% voice. 84h68 Lantanosai'. 8amn it.8

+llen be4an to shrie!. Beam still 'i' not realiGe what it wasJ he was still f-mblin4for the li4ht an' won'erin4 st-pi'l% wh% it 'i' not come on. e ha' smashe' the b-lb6 herealiGe'. e lit a matchJ the match went o-t an' he 4rabbe' for +llen Ac!ers3 ci4aretteli4hter. It was in her p-rse6 an' it too! him an a4oniGe' secon' to 4et it o-t.

The -nreconstr-cte' $ was approachin4 them slowl%6 one receptor stal!exten'e'. A4ain it halte'6 swivele' to the left -ntil it was facin4 the wor!bench. It wasnot now in the shape of a portable T" -nitJ it ha' reta!en its crac!er2box shape.

8The plate68 +llen Ac!ers whispere'. 8It respon'e' to the plate.8

The $ ha' been ro-se' b% eimie &osenb-r43s loo!in4 for it. B-t Beam still feltthe presence of avi' Lantano. The bi4 man was still here in the roomJ the sense ofheaviness6 the proximit% of wei4ht an' pon'ero-sness ha' arrive' with the machine6 as itmove'6 s!etchin4 Lantano3s existence. As he fixe'l% watche'6 the machine pro'-ce' afra4ment of cloth fabric an' presse' it into a nearb% heap of 4ri'2mesh. (ther elements6 bloo' an' tobacco an' hair6 were bein4 pro'-ce'6 b-t the% were too small for him to see.The machine presse' a heel mar! into the '-st of the floor an' then proecte' a noGGlefrom its anterior section.

er arm over her e%es6 +llen Ac!ers ran awa%. B-t the machine was not intereste'in herJ revolvin4 in the 'irection of the wor!bench it raise' itself an' fire'. An explosive





pellet6 release' b% the noGGle6 travele' across the wor!bench an' entere' the 'ebrisheape' across the bench. The pellet 'etonate'J bits of wire an' nails showere' in particles.

eimie3s 'ea'6Beam tho-4ht6 an' went on watchin4. The machine was searchin4

for the plate6 tr%in4 to locate an' 'estro% the s%nthetic ne-ral emission. It swivele'6lowere' its noGGle hesitantl%6 an' then fire' a4ain. Behin' the wor!bench6 the wall b-rstan' settle' into itself.

Beam6 hol'in4 the ci4arette li4hter6 wal!e' towar' the $. A receptor stal! wave'towar' him an' the machine retreate'. Its lines wavere'6 flowe'6 an' then painf-ll%reforme'. ,or an interval6 the 'evice str-44le' with itselfJ then6 rel-ctantl%6 the portableT" -nit a4ain became visible. ,rom the machine a hi4h2pitche' whine emer4e'6 anan4-ishe' s-eal. Conflictin4 stim-li were presentJ the machine was -nable to ma!e a'ecision.

The machine was 'evelopin4 a sit-ation ne-rosis an' the ambivalence of itsresponse was 'estro%in4 it. In a wa% its an4-ish ha' a h-man -alit%6 b-t he co-l' notfeel sorr% for it. It was a mechanical contraption tr%in4 to ass-me a post-re of 'is4-isean' attac! at the same timeJ the brea!'own was one of rela%s an' t-bes6 not of a livin4 brain. An' it ha' been a livin4 brain into which it ha' fire' its ori4inal pellet. eimie&osenb-r4 was 'ea'6 an' there were no more li!e him an' no possibilit% that more co-l' be assemble'. e went over to the machine an' n-'4e' it onto its bac! with his foot.

The machine whirre' sna!e2li!e an' sp-n awa%. 84h6 'amn it78 it sai'. Itshowere' bits of tobacco as it rolle' offJ 'rops of bloo' an' fla!es of bl-e enamel fellfrom it as it 'isappeare' into the corri'or. Beam co-l' hear it movin4 abo-t6 b-mpin4into the walls li!e a blin'6 'ama4e' or4anism. After a moment he followe' after it.

In the corri'or6 the machine was travelin4 in a slow circle. It was erectin4 aro-n'itself a wall of particles: cloth an' hairs an' b-rnt matches an' bits of tobacco6 the masscemente' to4ether with bloo'.

84h6 'amn it68 the machine sai' in its heav% masc-line voice. It went onwor!in46 an' Beam ret-rne' to the other room.

80here3s a phone58 he sai' to +llen Ac!ers.

She stare' at him vacantl%.

8It won3t h-rt %o-68 he sai'. e felt '-ll an' worn2o-t. 8It3s in a close' c%cle. It3ll4o on -ntil it r-ns 'own.8

8It went craG%68 she sai'. She sh-''ere'.

8*o68 he sai'. 8&e4ression. It3s tr%in4 to hi'e.8





,rom the corri'or the machine sai'6 84h. amn it.8 Beam fo-n' the phone an'calle' +'war' Ac!ers.

Banishment for Pa-l Tirol meant first a procession of ban's of 'ar!ness an' thena protracte'6 inf-riatin4 interval in which empt% matter 'rifte' ran'oml% aro-n' him6arran4in4 itself into first one pattern an' then another.

The perio' between the time +llen Ac!ers attac!e' him an' the time banishmentsentence ha' been prono-nce' was va4-e an' 'im in his min'. Li!e the present sha'ows6it was har' to pin 'own.

e ha' 22 he tho-4ht 22 awa!ene' in Ac!ers3 apartment. es6 that was itJ an'Lero% Beam was there6 too. A sort of transcen'ental Lero% Beam who hovere' rob-stl%

aro-n'6 arran4in4 ever%bo'% in confi4-rations of his choice. A 'octor ha' come. An'finall% +'war' Ac!ers ha' shown -p to face his wife an' the sit-ation.

Ban'a4e'6 an' on his wa% into Interior6 he ha' ca-4ht a 4limpse of a man 4oin4o-t. The pon'ero-s6 b-lbo-s shape of avi' Lantano6 on his wa% home to his l-x-rio-sstone mansion an' acre of 4rass.

At si4ht of him Tirol ha' felt a 4oa' of fear. Lantano ha'n3t even notice' himJ anac-tel% tho-4htf-l expression on his face6 Lantano pa''e' into a waitin4 car an''eparte'.

8o- have one tho-san' 'ollars68 +'war' Ac!ers was sa%in4 wearil%6 '-rin4 thefinal phase. istorte'6 Ac!ers3 face bloome' a4ain in the 'riftin4 sha'ows aro-n' Tirol6an ima4e of the man3s last appearance. Ac!ers6 too6 was r-ine'6 b-t in a 'ifferent wa%.8The law s-pplies %o- with one tho-san' 'ollars to meet %o-r imme'iate nee's6 also%o-3ll fin' a poc!et 'ictionar% of representative o-t2s%stem 'ialects.8

IoniGation itself was painless. e ha' no memor% of itJ onl% a blan! space 'ar!erthan the bl-rre' ima4es on either si'e.

8o- hate me68 he ha' 'eclare' acc-sin4l%6 his last wor's to Ac!ers. 8I 'estro%e'%o-. B-t. . . it wasn3t %o-.8 e ha' been conf-se'. 8Lantano. $ane-vere' b-t not. ow5o- 'i' . . .8

B-t Lantano ha' ha' nothin4 to 'o with it. Lantano ha' shamble' off home6 awith'rawn spectator thro-4ho-t. The hell with Lantano. The hell with Ac!ers an' Lero%Beam an' 22 rel-ctantl% 22 the hell with $rs. +llen Ac!ers.





80ow68 Tirol babble'6 as his 'riftin4 bo'% finall% collecte' ph%sical shape. 80eha' a lot of 4oo' times . . . 'i'n3t we6 +llen58

An' then a roarin4 hot fiel' of s-nli4ht was ra'iatin4 'own on him. St-pefie'6 hesat sl-mpe' over6 limp an' passive. ellow6 scal'in4 s-nli4ht. . . ever%where. *othin4 b-t

the 'ancin4 heat of it6 blin'in4 him6 cowin4 him into s-bmission.

e was sprawle' in the mi''le of a %ellow cla% roa'. To his ri4ht was a ba!in46'r%in4 fiel' of corn wilte' in the mi''a% heat. A pair of lar4e6 'isrep-table2loo!in4 bir'swheele' silentl% overhea'. A lon4 wa% off was a line of bl-nte' hills: ra44e' tro-4hs an' pea!s that seeme' nothin4 more than heaps of '-st. At their base was a mea4er l-mp ofman2ma'e b-il'in4s.

At least hehoped the% were man2ma'e.

As he climbe' sha!il% to his feet6 a feeble noise 'rifte' to his ears. Comin4 'ownthe hot6 'irt% roa' was a car of some sort. Apprehensive an' ca-tio-s6 Tirol wal!e' tomeet it.

The 'river was h-man6 a thin6 almost emaciate' %o-th with pebble' blac! s!inan' a heav% mass of wee'2colore' hair. e wore a staine' canvas shirt an' overalls. A bent6 -nlit ci4arette h-n4 from his lower lip. The car was a comb-stion2'riven mo'el an'ha' rolle' o-t of the twentieth cent-r%J battere' an' twiste'6 it rattle' to a halt as the'river criticall% inspecte' Tirol. ,rom the car3s ra'io %ammere' a torrent of tinn% 'ancem-sic.

8o- a tax collector58 the 'river as!e'.

8Certainl% not68 Tirol sai'6 !nowin4 the b-colic hostilit% towar' tax collectors.B-t 22 he flo-n'ere'. e co-l'n3t confess that he was a banishe' criminal from +arthJ thatwas an invitation to be massacre'6 -s-all% in some pict-res-e wa%. 8I3m an inspector68he anno-nce'6 8epartment of ealth.8

Satisfie'6 the 'river no''e'. 8Lots of sc-ttl% c-tbee'e6 these 'a%s. o- fellows 4ota spra%6 %et5 Losin4 one crop after another.8

Tirol 4ratef-ll% climbe' into the car. 8I 'i'n3t realiGe the s-n was so hot68 hem-rm-re'.

8o-3ve 4ot an accent68 the %o-th observe'6 startin4 -p the en4ine. 80here %o-from58

8Speech impe'iment68 Tirol sai' ca4il%. 8ow lon4 before we reach town58





8(h6 ma%be an ho-r68 the %o-th answere'6 as the car wan'ere' laGil% forwar'.

Tirol was afrai' to as! the name of the planet. It wo-l' 4ive him awa%. B-t he wascons-me' with the nee' to !now. e mi4ht be two star2s%stems awa% or two millionJ hemi4ht be a month o-t of +arth or sevent% %ears. *at-rall%6 he ha' to 4et bac!J he ha' no

intention of becomin4 a sharecropper on some bac!water colon% planet.

8Prett% swip68 the %o-th sai'6 in'icatin4 the torrent of noxio-s aGG po-rin4 fromthe car ra'io. 8That3s Calamine ,re''% an' his 0ool%bear Creole (ri4inal Ban'. Knowthat t-ne58

8*o68 Tirol m-ttere'. The s-n an' 'r%ness an' heat ma'e his hea' ache6 an' hewishe' to 1o' he !new where he was.

The town was miserabl% tin%. The ho-ses were 'ilapi'ate'J the streets were 'irt. A!in' of 'omestic chic!en roame' here an' there6 pec!in4 in the r-bbish. n'er a porch a bl-ish -asi2'o4 la% sleepin4. Perspirin4 an' -nhapp%6 Pa-l Tirol entere' the b-s stationan' locate' a sche'-le. A series of meanin4less entries flashe' b%: names of towns. Thename of the planet6 of co-rse6 was not liste'.

80hat3s the fare to the nearest port58 he as!e' the in'olent official behin' thetic!et win'ow.

The official consi'ere'. 8epen's on what sort of port %o- want. 0here %o- plannin4 to 4o58

8Towar' Center68 Tirol sai'. 8Center8 was the term -se' in o-t2s%stems for the Sol1ro-p.

ispassionatel%6 the official shoo! his hea'. 8*o inter2s%stem port aro-n' here.8

Tirol was baffle'. +vi'entl%6 he wasn3t on the h-b planet of this partic-lar s%stem.80ell68 he sai'6 8then the nearest interplan port.8

The official cons-lte' a vast reference boo!. 8o- want to 4o to which s%stem2member58

80hichever one has the inter2s%stem port68 Tirol sai' patientl%. e wo-l' leavefrom there.

8That wo-l' be "en-s.8

Astonishe'6 Tirol sai': 8Then this s%stem 22 8 e bro!e off6 cha4rine'6 as heremembere'. It was the parochial c-stom in man% o-t2s%stems6 especiall% those a lon4





wa% o-t6 to name their member planets after the ori4inal nine. This one was probabl%calle' 8$ars8 or 8F-piter8 or 8+arth68 'epen'in4 on its position in the 4ro-p. 8,ine68 Tirolfinishe'. 8(ne2wa% tic!et to 22 "en-s.8

"en-s6 or what passe' for "en-s6 was a 'ismal orb no lar4er than an asteroi'. A

blea! clo-' of metallic haGe h-n4 over it6 obsc-rin4 the s-n. +xcept for minin4 an'smeltin4 operations the planet was 'eserte'. A few 'rear% shac!s 'otte' the barrenco-ntr%si'e. A perpet-al win' blew6 scatterin4 'ebris an' trash.

B-t the inter2s%stem port was here6 the fiel' which lin!e' the planet to its nearest star2nei4hbor an'6 -ltimatel%6 with the balance of the -niverse. At the moment a 4iantfrei4hter was ta!in4 ore.

Tirol entere' the tic!et office. Sprea'in4 o-t most of his remainin4 mone% hesai': 8I want a one2wa% tic!et ta!in4 me towar' Center. As far as I can 4o.8

The cler! calc-late'. 8o- care what class58

8*o68 he sai'6 moppin4 his forehea'.

8ow fast58

8*o.8

The cler! sai': 8That3ll carr% %o- as far as the Betel4e-se S%stem.8

81oo' eno-4h68 Tirol sai'6 won'erin4 what he 'i' then. B-t at least he co-l'contact his or4aniGation from thereJ he was alrea'% bac! in the charte' -niverse. B-t nowhe was almost bro!e. e felt a pric!le of ic% fear6 'espite the heat.

The h-b planet of the Betel4e-se S%stem was calle' Planta4enet III. It was athrivin4 -nction for passen4er carriers transportin4 settlers to -n'evelope' colon% planets. As soon as Tirol3s ship lan'e' he h-rrie' across the fiel' to the taxi stan'.

8Ta!e me to Tirol +nterprises68 he instr-cte'6 pra%in4 there was an o-tlet here.There ha' to be6 b-t it mi4ht be operatin4 -n'er a front name. ears a4o he lost trac! ofthe partic-lars of his sprawlin4 empire.

8Tirol +nterprises68 the cab 'river repeate' tho-4htf-ll%. 8*ope6 no s-ch o-tfit6mister.8

St-nne'6 Tirol sai': 80ho 'oes the slavin4 aro-n' here58

The 'river e%e' him. e was a wiGene'6 'rie'2-p little man with 4lassesJ he





peere' t-rtle2wise6 witho-t compassion. 80ell68 he sai'6 8I3ve been tol' %o- can 4etcarrie' o-t2s%stem witho-t papers. There3s a shippin4 contractor. . . calle' 228 ereflecte'. Tirol6 tremblin46 han'e' him a last bill.

8The &eliable +xport2Import68 the 'river sai'.

That was one of Lantano3s fronts. In horror Tirol sai': 8An' that3s it58

The 'river no''e'.

aGe'6 Tirol move' awa% from the cab. The b-il'in4s of the fiel' 'ance' aro-n'himJ he settle' 'own on a bench to catch his breath. n'er his coat his heart po-n'e'-nevenl%. e trie' to breathe6 b-t his breath ca-4ht painf-ll% in his throat. The br-ise onhis hea' where +llen Ac!ers ha' hit him be4an to throb. It was tr-e6 an' he was 4ra'-all%

be4innin4 to -n'erstan' an' believe it. e was not 4oin4 to 4et to +arthJ he was 4oin4 tospen' the rest of his life here on this r-ral worl'6 c-t off from his or4aniGation an'ever%thin4 he ha' b-ilt -p over the %ears.

An'6 he realiGe'6 as he sat str-44lin4 to breathe6 the rest of his life was not 4oin4to be ver% lon4.

e tho-4ht abo-t eimie &osenb-r4.

8Betra%e'68 he sai'6 an' co-4he' wrac!in4l%. 8o- betra%e' me. o- hear that5Beca-se of %o- I3m here. It3s %o-r fa-ltJ I never sho-l' have hire' %o-.8

e tho-4ht abo-t +llen Ac!ers. 8o- too68 he 4aspe'6 co-4hin4. Sittin4 on the bench he alternatel% co-4he' an' 4aspe' an' tho-4ht abo-t the people who ha' betra%e'him. There were h-n're's of them.

The livin4 room of avi' Lantano3s ho-se was f-rnishe' in ex-isite taste.Priceless late nineteenth cent-r% Bl-e 0illow 'ishes line' the walls in a rac! of wro-4htiron. At his anti-e %ellow plastic an' chrome table6 avi' Lantano was eatin4 'inner6an' the sprea' of foo' amaGe' Beam even more than the ho-se.

Lantano was in 4oo' h-mor an' he ate with enth-siasm. is linen nap!in wast-c!e' -n'er his chin an' once6 as he sippe' coffee6 he 'ribble' an' belche'. is brief perio' of confinement was overJ he ate to ma!e -p for the or'eal.

e ha' been informe'6 first b% his own apparat-s an' now b% Beam6 that banishment ha' s-ccessf-ll% carrie' Tirol past the point of ret-rn. Tirol wo-l' not becomin4 bac! an' for that Lantano was than!f-l. e felt expansive towar' BeamJ he





wishe' Beam wo-l' have somethin4 to eat.

$oo'il%6 Beam sai': 8It3s nice here.8

8o- co-l' have somethin4 li!e this68 Lantano sai'.

(n the wall h-n4 a frame' folio of ancient paper protecte' b% heli-m2fille' 4lass.It was the first printin4 of a poem of (4'en *ash6 a collector3s item that sho-l' have beenin a m-se-m. It aro-se' in Beam a mixe' feelin4 of lon4in4 an' aversion.

8es68 Beam sai'. 8I co-l' have this.8 This6 he tho-4ht6 or +llen Ac!ers or the obat Interior or perhaps all three at once. +'war' Ac!ers ha' been retire' on pension an' heha' 4iven his wife a 'ivorce. Lantano was o-t of eopar'%. Tirol ha' been banishe'. ewon'ere' what he 'i' want.

8o- co-l' 4o a lon4 wa%68 Lantano sai' sleepil%.

8As far as Pa-l Tirol58

Lantano ch-c!le' an' %awne'.

8I won'er if he left an% famil%68 Beam sai'. 8An% chil'ren.8 e was thin!in4abo-t eimie.

Lantano reache' across the table towar' the bowl of fr-it. e selecte' a peach an'caref-ll% br-she' it a4ainst the sleeve of his robe. 8Tr% a peach68 he sai'.

8*o than!s68 Beam sai' irritabl%.

Lantano examine' the peach b-t he 'i' not eat it. The peach was ma'e ofwaxJ thefr-it in the bowl was imitation. e was not reall% as rich as he preten'e'6 an' man% of theartifacts abo-t the livin4 room were fa!es. +ach time he offere' fr-it to a visitor he too! acalc-late' ris!. &et-rnin4 the peach to the bowl he leane' bac! in his chair an' sippe' hiscoffee.

If Beam 'i' not have plans6 at leasthe ha'6 an' with Tirol 4one the plans ha' a better than even chance of wor!in4 o-t. e felt peacef-l. Some'a%6 he tho-4ht6 an' nottoo far off6 the fr-it in the bowl wo-l' be real.





+xplorers 0e

81oll%68 Par!h-rst 4aspe'6 his re' face tin4lin4 with excitement. 8Come here6 %o-4-%s. Loo!78

The% crow'e' aro-n' the viewscreen.

8There she is68 Barton sai'. is heart beat stran4el%. 8She s-re loo!s 4oo'.8

8amn ri4ht she loo!s 4oo'68 Leon a4ree'. e tremble'. 8Sa% 22 I can ma!e o-t *ew or!.8

8The hell %o- can.8

8I can7 The 4ra%. B% the water.8

8That3s not even the nite' States. 0e3re loo!in4 at it -psi'e 'own. That3s Siam.8

The ship h-rtle' thro-4h space6 meteoroi' shiel's shrie!in4. Below it6 the bl-e24reen 4lobe swelle'. Clo-'s 'rifte' aro-n' it6 hi'in4 the continents an' oceans.

8I never expecte' to see her a4ain68 $erriweather sai'. 8I tho-4ht s-re as hell wewere st-c! -p there.8 is face twiste'. 8$ars. That 'amne' re' waste. S-n an' flies an'r-ins.8

8Barton !nows how to repair ets68 Captain Stone sai'. 8o- can than! hi#)/

8o- !now what I3m 4oin4 to 'o6 first thin4 I3m bac!58 Par!h-rst %elle'.

80hat58

81o to Cone% Islan'.8

80h%58

8People. I want to see people a4ain. Lots of them. -mb6 sweat%6 nois%. Ice creaman' water. The ocean. Beer bottles6 mil! cartons6 paper nap!ins 228

8An' 4als68 "ecchi sai'6 e%es shinin4. 8Lon4 time6 six months. I3ll 4o with %o-.0e3ll sit on the beach an' watch the 4als.8





8I won'er what !in' of bathin4 s-its the% 4ot now68 Barton sai'.

8$a%be the% 'on3t wear an%78 Par!h-rst crie'.

8e%78 $erriweather sho-te'. 8I3m 4oin4 to see m% wife a4ain.8 e was s-''enl%

'aGe'. is voice san! to a whisper. 8$% wife.8

8I 4ot a wife6 too68 Stone sai'. e 4rinne'. 8B-t I been marrie' a lon4 time.8 Thenhe tho-4ht of Pat an' Fean. A stabbin4 ache cho!e' his win'pipe. 8I bet the% have4rown.8

81rown58

8$% !i's68 Stone sai' h-s!il%.

The% loo!e' at each other6 six men6 ra44e'6 bear'e'6 e%es bri4ht an' feverish.

8ow lon458 "ecchi whispere'.

8An ho-r68 Stone sai'. 80e3ll be 'own in an ho-r.8

The ship str-c! with a crash that threw them on their faces. It leape' an' b-c!e'6 bra!e ets screamin46 tearin4 thro-4h roc!s an' soil. It came to rest6 nose b-rie' in ahillsi'e.

Silence.

Par!h-rst 4ot -nstea'il% to his feet. e ca-4ht hol' of the safet% rail. Bloo''rippe' 'own his face from a c-t over his e%e.

80e3re 'own68 he sai'.

Barton stirre'. e 4roane'6 force' himself -p on his !nees. Par!h-rst helpe' him.8Than!s. Are we . . .8

80e3re 'own. 0e3re bac!.8

The ets were off. The roarin4 ha' cease'. . . there was onl% the faint tric!le ofwall fl-i's lea!in4 o-t on the 4ro-n'.

The ship was a mess. The h-ll was crac!e' in three places. It billowe' in6 bentan' twiste'. Papers an' r-ine' instr-ments were strewn ever%where.

"ecchi an' Stone 4ot slowl% -p. 8+ver%thin4 all ri4ht58 Stone m-ttere'6 feelin4





his arm.

81ive me a han'68 Leon sai'. 8$% 'amn an!le3s twiste' or somethin4.8

The% 4ot him -p. $erriweather was -nconscio-s. The% revive' him an' 4ot him

to his feet.

80e3re 'own68 Par!h-rst repeate'6 as if he co-l'n3t believe it. 8This is +arth.0e3re bac! 22 alive78

8I hope the specimens are all ri4ht68 Leon sai'.

8The hell with the specimens78 "ecchi sho-te' excite'l%. e wor!e' the port boltsfranticall%6 -nscrewin4 the heav% hatch loc!. 8Let3s 4et o-t an' wal! aro-n'.8

80here are we58 Barton as!e' Captain Stone.

8So-th of San ,rancisco. (n the penins-la.8

8San ,rancisco7 e% 22 we can ri'e the cable cars78 Par!h-rst helpe' "ecchi-nscrew the hatch. 8San ,rancisco. I was thro-4h ,risco once. The% 4ot a bi4 par!.1ol'en 1ate Par!. 0e can 4o to the f-nho-se.8

The hatch opene'6 swin4in4 wi'e. Tal! cease' abr-ptl%. The men peere' o-t6 blin!in4 in the white2hot s-nli4ht.

A 4reen fiel' stretche' 'own an' awa% from them. ills rose in the 'istance6sharp in the cr%stal air. Alon4 a hi4hwa% below6 a few cars move'6 tin% 'ots6 the s-n4lintin4 on them. Telephone poles.

80hat3s that so-n'58 Stone sai'6 listenin4 intentl%.

8A train.8

It was comin4 alon4 the 'istant trac!6 blac! smo!e po-rin4 from its stac!. A faintwin' move' across the fiel'6 stirrin4 the 4rass. (ver to the ri4ht la% a town. o-ses an'trees. A theater mar-ee. A Stan'ar' 4as station. &oa'si'e stan's. A motel.

8Thin! an%bo'% saw -s58 Leon as!e'. 8$-st have.8

8S-re hear' -s68 Par!h-rst sai'. 80e ma'e a noise li!e 1o'3s in'i4estion when wehit.8

"ecchi steppe' o-t onto the fiel'. e swa%e' wil'l%6 arms o-tstretche'. 8I3mfallin478





Stone la-4he'. 8o-3ll 4et -se' to it. 0e3ve been in space too lon4. Come on.8 eleape' 'own. 8Let3s start wal!in4.8

8Towar' the town.8 Par!h-rst fell in besi'e him. 8$a%be the%3ll 4ive -s freeeats . . . ell 22 champa4ne78 is chest swelle' -n'er his tattere' -niform.

8&et-rnin4 heroes. Ke%s to the town. A para'e. $ilitar% ban'. ,loats with 'ames.8

8ames68 Leon 4r-nte'. 8o-3re obsesse'.8

8S-re.8 Par!h-rst stro'e across the fiel'6 the others trailin4 after him. 8-rr% -p78

8Loo!68 Stone sai' to Leon. 8Somebo'% over there. 0atchin4 -s.8 8Ki's68 Bartonsai'. 8A b-nch of !i's.8 e la-4he' excite'l%. 8Let3s 4o sa% hello.8

The% hea'e' towar' the !i's6 wa'in4 thro-4h the moist 4rass on the rich earth.

8$-st be sprin468 Leon sai'. 8The air smells li!e sprin4.8 e too! a 'eep breath.8An' the 4rass.8

Stone comp-te'. 8It3s April ninth.8

The% h-rrie'. The !i's stoo' watchin4 them6 silent an' -nmovin4.

8e%78 Par!h-rst sho-te'. 80e3re bac!78

80hat town is this58 Barton sho-te'.

The !i's stare' at them6 e%es wi'e.

80hat3s wron458 Leon m-ttere'.

8(-r bear's. 0e loo! prett% ba'.8 Stone c-ppe' his han's. 8on3t be scare'70e3re bac! from $ars. The roc!et fli4ht. Two %ears a4o 22 remember5 A %ear a4o last(ctober.8

The !i's stare'6 white2face'. S-''enl% the% t-rne' an' fle'. The% ran franticall%towar' the town.

The six men watche' them 4o.

80hat the hell68 Par!h-rst m-ttere'6 'aGe'. 80hat3s the matter58

8(-r bear's68 Stone repeate' -neasil%.

8Somethin43s wron468 Barton sai'6 sha!il%. e be4an to tremble. 8There3ssomethin4 terribl% wron4.8





8Can it78 Leon snappe'. 8It3s o-r bear's.8 e rippe' a piece of his shirt sava4el%awa%. 80e3re 'irt%. ,ilth% tramps. Come on.8 e starte' after the chil'ren6 towar' thetown. 8Let3s 4o. The% probabl% 4ot a special car on the wa% here. 0e3ll meet them.8

Stone an' Barton 4lance' at each other. The% followe' Leon slowl%. The othersfell in behin'.

Silent6 -neas%6 the six bear'e' men ma'e their wa% across the fiel' towar' thetown.

A %o-th on a bic%cle fle' at their approach. Some railroa' wor!ers6 repairin4 thetrain trac!6 threw 'own their shovels an' ran6 %ellin4.

*-mbl%6 the six men watche' them 4o.

80hat is it58 Par!h-rst m-ttere'.

The% crosse' the trac!. The town la% on the other si'e. The% entere' a h-4e 4roveof e-cal%pt-s trees.

8B-rlin4ame68 Leon sai'6 rea'in4 a si4n. The% loo!e' 'own a street. otels an'cafes. Par!e' cars. 1as stations. ime stores. A small s-b-rban town6 shoppers on thesi'ewal!s. Cars movin4 slowl%.

The% emer4e' from the trees. Across the street a fillin4 station atten'ant loo!e'-p 22

An' froGe.

After a moment6 he 'roppe' the hose he hel' an' ran 'own the main street6sho-tin4 shrill warnin4s.

Cars stoppe'. rivers leape' o-t an' ran. $en an' women po-re' o-t of stores6scatterin4 wil'l%. The% s-r4e' awa%6 retreatin4 in frantic haste.

In a moment the street was 'eserte'.

81oo' 1o'.8 Stone a'vance'6 bewil'ere'. 80hat 22 8 e crosse' onto the street. *o one was in si4ht.

The six men wal!e' 'own the main street6 'aGe' an' silent. *othin4 stirre'.+ver%one ha' fle'. A siren waile'6 risin4 an' fallin4. own a si'e street a car bac!e'-ic!l% awa%.





In an -pstairs win'ow Barton saw a pale6 fri4htene' face. Then the sha'e was er!e' 'own.

8I 'on3t -n'erstan'68 "ecchi m-ttere'.

8ave the% 4one n-ts58 $erriweather as!e'.

Stone sai' nothin4. is min' was blan!. *-mb. e felt tire'. e sat 'own on thec-rb an' reste'6 4ettin4 his breath. The others stoo' aro-n' him.

8$% an!le68 Leon sai'. e leane' a4ainst a stop si4n6 lips twistin4 with pain.8-rts li!e hell.8

8Captain68 Barton sai'. 80hat3s the matter with them58

8I 'on3t !now68 Stone sai'. e felt in his ra44e' poc!et for a ci4arette. Across thestreet was a 'eserte' cafe. The people ha' r-n o-t of it. ,oo' was still on the co-nter. Ahamb-r4er was scorchin4 on the s!illet6 coffee was boilin4 in a 4lass pot on the b-rner.

(n the si'ewal! la% 4roceries spillin4 o-t from ba4s 'roppe' b% terroriGe'shoppers. The motor of a 'eserte' par!e' car p-rre' to itself.

80ell58 Leon sai'. 80hat3ll we 'o58

8I 'on3t !now.8

80e can3t -st 228

8I 'on3t !now78 Stone 4ot to his feet. e wal!e' over an' entere' the cafe. The%watche' him sit 'own at the co-nter.

80hat3s he 'oin458 "ecchi as!e'.

8I 'on3t !now.8 Par!h-rst followe' Stone into the cafe. 80hat are %o- 'oin458

8I3m waitin4 to be serve'.8

Par!h-rst pl-c!e' aw!war'l% at Stone3s sho-l'er. 8Come on6 Captain. There3snobo'% here. The% all left.8

Stone sai' nothin4. e sat at the co-nter6 his face vacant. 0aitin4 passivel% to beserve'.

Par!h-rst went bac! o-t. 80hat the hell has happene'58 he as!e' Barton. 80hat3swron4 with them all58





A spotte' 'o4 came nosin4 aro-n'. It passe' them6 stiff an' alert6 sniffin4s-spicio-sl%. It trotte' off 'own a si'e street. 8,aces68 Barton sai'. 8,aces58

8The%3re watchin4 -s. p there.8 Barton 4est-re' towar' a b-il'in4.

8i'in4.Why% 0h% are the% hi'in4 from -s58

S-''enl% $erriweather stiffene'. 8Somethin43s comin4.8 The% t-rne' ea4erl%.

own the street two blac! se'ans t-rne' the corner6 hea'e' towar' them. 8Than!1o'68 Leon m-ttere'. e leane' a4ainst the wall of a b-il'in4. 8ere the% are.8

The two se'ans p-lle' to a stop at the c-rb. The 'oors opene'. $en spille' o-t6s-rro-n'e' them silentl%. 0ell2'resse'. Ties an' hats an' lon4 4ra% coats.

8I3m Scanlan68 one sai'. 8,BI.8 An ol'er man with iron24ra% hair. is voice was

clippe' an' fri4i'. e st-'ie' the five of them intentl%. 80here3s the other58

8Captain Stone5 In there.8 Barton pointe' to the cafe.

81et him o-t here.8

Barton went into the cafe. 8Captain6 the%3re o-tsi'e. Come on.8

Stone came alon4 with him6 bac! to the c-rb. 80ho are the%6 Barton58 he as!e'haltin4l%.

8Six68 Scanlan sai'6 no''in4. e wave' to his men. 8(!a%. This is all.8 The ,BImen move' in6 crow'in4 them bac! towar' the bric! front of the cafe.

80ait78 Barton crie' thic!l%. is hea' sp-n. 80hat 22 what3s happenin45

80hat is it58 Par!h-rst 'eman'e' 'eprecatoril%. Tears rolle' 'own his face6strea!in4 his chee!s. 80ill %o- tell -s6 for 1o'3s sa!e 228

The ,BI men ha' weapons. The% 4ot them o-t. "ecchi bac!e' awa%6 his han's -p.8Please78 he waile'. 80hat have we 'one5 0hat3s happenin458

S-''en hope flic!ere' in Leon3s breast. 8The% 'on3t !now who we are. The% thin!we3re Commies.8 e a''resse' Scanlan. 80e3re the +arth2$ars +xpe'ition. $% name isLeon. &emember5 A %ear a4o last (ctober. 0e3re4ack) 0e3re bac! from $ars.8 is voicetraile' off. The weapons were comin4 -p. *oGGles 22 hoses an' tan!s.

80e3re bac!78 $erriweather croa!e'. 80e3re the +arth2$ars +xpe'ition6comebac!78





Scanlan3s face was expressionless. 8That so-n's fine68 he sai' col'l%. 8(nl%6 theship crashe' an' blew -p when it reache' $ars. *one of the crew s-rvive'. 0e !now beca-se we sent -p a robot scaven4er team an' bro-4ht bac! the corpses 22 six of them.8

The ,BI men fire'. BlaGin4 napalm spra%e' towar' the six bear'e' fi4-res. The%

retreate'6 an' then the flames to-che' them. The ,BI men saw the fi4-res i4nite6 an'then the si4ht was c-t off. The% co-l' no lon4er see the six fi4-res thrashin4 abo-t6 b-tthe% co-l' hear them. It was not somethin4 the% eno%e' hearin46 b-t the% remaine'6waitin4 an' watchin4.

Scanlan !ic!e' at the charre' fra4ments with his foot. 8*ot eas% to be s-re68 hesai'. 8Possibl% onl% five here . . . b-t I 'i'n3t see an% of them 4et awa%. The% 'i'n3t havetime.8 At the press-re of his foot6 a section of ash bro!e awa%J it fell into particles thatstill steame' an' b-bble'.

is companion 0il!s stare' 'own. *ew at this6 he co-l' not -ite believe whathe ha' seen the napalm 'o. 8I 228 he sai'. 8$a%be I3ll 4o bac! to the car68 he m-ttere'6startin4 off awa% from Scanlan.

8It3s not over positivel%68 Scanlan sai'6 an' then he saw the %o-n4er man3s face.8es68 he sai'6 8%o- 4o sit 'own.8

People were be4innin4 to filter o-t onto the si'ewal!s. Peepin4 anxio-sl% from'oorwa%s an' win'ows. 8The% 4ot 3em78 a bo% sho-te' excite'l%. 8The% 4ot the o-terspace spies78

Cameramen snappe' pict-res. C-rio-s people appeare' on all si'es6 faces pale6e%es poppin4. 1apin4 'own in won'er at the in'iscriminate mass of charre' ash.

is han's sha!in46 0il!s crept bac! into the car an' sh-t the 'oor after him. Thera'io b-GGe'6 an' he t-rne' it off6 not wantin4 to hear an%thin4 from it or sa% an%thin4 toit. At the 'oorwa% of the cafe6 the 4ra%2coate' B-rea- men remaine'6 conferrin4 withScanlan. Presentl% a n-mber of them starte' off at a trot6 aro-n' the si'e of the cafe an'-p the alle%. 0il!s watche' them 4o. 0hat a ni4htmare6 he tho-4ht.

Comin4 over6 Scanlan leane' 'own an' p-t his hea' into the car. 8,eel better58

8Some.8 Presentl% he as!e'6 80hat3s this 22 the twent%2secon' time58 Scanlansai'6 8Twent%2first. +ver% co-ple of months ... the same names6 same men. I won3t tell%o- that %o-3ll 4et -se' to it. B-t at least it won3t s-rprise %o-.8

8I 'on3t see an% 'ifference between them an' -s68 0il!s sai'6 spea!in4 'istinctl%.8It was li!e b-rnin4 -p six h-man bein4s.8





8*o68 Scanlan sai'. e opene' the car 'oor an' 4ot into the bac! seat6 behin'0il!s. 8The% onl% loo!e' li!e six h-man bein4s. That3s the whole point. The% want to.The% inten' to. o- !now that Barton6 Stone6 an' Leon 228

8I !now68 he sai'. 8Somebo'% or somethin4 that lives somewhere o-t there saw

their ship 4o 'own6 saw them 'ie6 an' investi4ate'. Before we 4ot there. An' 4ot eno-4hto 4o on6 eno-4h to 4ive them what the% nee'e'. B-t 22 8 e 4est-re'. 8Isn3t therean%thin4 else we can 'o with them58

Scanlan sai'6 80e 'on3t !now eno-4h abo-t them. (nl% this 22 sen'in4 in ofimitations6 a4ain an' a4ain. Tr%in4 to snea! them past -s.8 is face became ri4i'6'espairin4. 8Are the% craG%5 $a%be the%3re so 'ifferent no contact3s possible. o the%thin! we3re all name' Leon an' $erriweather an' Par!h-rst an' Stone5 That3s the partthat personall% 4ets me 'own. . . (r ma%be that3s o-r chance6 the fact that the% 'on3t-n'erstan' we3re in'ivi'-als. ,i4-re how m-ch worse if sometime the% ma'e -p a 22whatever it is. . . a spore. . . a see'. B-t not li!e one of those poor miserable six who 'ie'

on $ars 22 somethin4 we wo-l'n3t !now was an imitation. . .8

8The% have to have a mo'el68 0il!s sai'.

(ne of the B-rea- men wave'6 an' Scanlan scramble' o-t of the car. e came bac! in a moment to 0il!s. 8The% sa% there3re onl% five68 he sai'. 8(ne 4ot awa%J the%thin! the% saw him. e3s cripple' an' not movin4 fast. The rest of -s are 4oin4 after him22 %o- sta% here6 !eep %o-r e%es open.8 e stro'e off -p the alle% with the other B-rea-men.

0il!s lit a ci4arette an' sat with his hea' restin4 on his arm. $imicr%. . .ever%bo'% terrifie'. B-t 22

a' an%bo'% reall% trie' to ma!e contact5

Two policemen appeare'6 her'in4 people bac! o-t of the wa%. A thir' blac!o'4e6 loa'e' with B-rea- men6 move' alon4 at the c-rb6 stoppe'6 an'

the men 4ot o-t.

(ne of the B-rea- men6 whom he 'i' not reco4niGe6 approache' the car.

8on3t %o- have %o-r ra'io on58

8*o68 0il!s sai'. e snappe' it bac! on.

8If %o- see one6 'o %o- !now how to !ill it58

8es68 he sai'.





The B-rea- man went on to oin his 4ro-p.

If it was -p to me6 0il!s as!e' himself6 what wo-l' I 'o5 Tr% to fin' o-t whatthe% want5 An%thin4 that loo!s so h-man6 behaves in s-ch a h-man wa%6#ust feel h-man. . . an' if the% 22 whatever the% are 22 feel h-man6 mi4ht the% not become h-man6 in

time5

At the e'4e of the crow' of people6 an in'ivi'-al shape 'etache' itself an' move'towar' him. ncertainl%6 the shape halte'6 shoo! its hea'6 sta44ere' an' ca-4ht itself6an' then ass-me' a stance li!e that of the people near it. 0il!s reco4niGe' it beca-se heha' been traine' to6 over a perio' of months. It ha' 4otten 'ifferent clothes6 a pair ofslac!s6 a shirt6 b-t it ha' b-ttone' the shirt wron46 an' one of its feet was bare. +vi'entl%it 'i' not -n'erstan' the shoes. (r6 he tho-4ht6 ma%be it was too 'aGe' an' in-re'.

As it approache' him6 0il!s raise' his pistol an' too! aim at its stomach. The%ha' been ta-4ht to fire thereJ he ha' fire'6 on the practice ran4e6 at chart after chart. &i4ht

in the mi'section . . . bisect it6 li!e a b-4.

(n its face the expression of s-fferin4 an' bewil'erment 'eepene' as it saw him prepare to fire. It halte'6 facin4 him6 ma!in4 no move to escape. *ow 0il!s realiGe' thatit ha' been severel% b-rne'J probabl% it wo-l' not s-rvive in an% case.

8I have to68 he sai'.

It stare' at him6 an' then it opene' its mo-th an' starte' to sa% somethin4.

e fire'.

Before it co-l' spea!6 it ha' 'ie'. 0il!s 4ot o-t as it pitche' over an' la% besi'ethe car.

I 'i' wron46 he tho-4ht to himself as he stoo' loo!in4 'own at it. I shot it beca-seI was afrai'. B-t I ha' to. +ven if it was wron4. It came here to infiltrate -s6 imitatin4 -sso we won3t reco4niGe it. That3s what we3re tol' 22 we have to believe that the% are plottin4 a4ainst -s6 are inh-man6 an' will never be more than that.

Than! 1o'6 he tho-4ht. It3s over.

An' then he remembere' it wasn3t...

It was a warm s-mmer 'a%6 late in F-l%.

The ship lan'e' with a roar6 '-4 across a plowe' fiel'6 tore thro-4h a fence6 ashe'6 an' came finall% to rest in a 4-ll%.





Silence.

Par!h-rst 4ot sha!il% to his feet. e ca-4ht hol' of the safet% rail. is sho-l'erh-rt. e shoo! his hea'6 'aGe'.

80e3re 'own68 he sai'. is voice rose with awe an' excitement. 80e3re 'own78

8elp me -p68 Captain Stone 4aspe'. Barton 4ave him a han'.

Leon sat wipin4 a tric!le of bloo' from his nec!. The interior of the ship was ashambles. $ost of the e-ipment was smashe' an' strewn abo-t.

"ecchi ma'e his wa% -nstea'il% to the hatch. 0ith tremblin4 fin4ers6 he be4an to-nscrew the heav% bolts.

80ell68 Barton sai'6 8we3re bac!.8

8I can har'l% believe it68 $erriweather m-rm-re'. The hatch came loose an' the%sw-n4 it -ic!l% asi'e. 8It 'oesn3t seem possible. 1oo' ol' +arth.8

8e%6 listen68 Leon 4aspe'6 as he clambere' 'own to the 4ro-n'. 8Somebo'% 4etthe camera.8

8That3s ri'ic-lo-s68 Barton sai'6 la-4hin4.

81et it78 Stone %elle'.

8es6 4et it68 $erriweather sai'. 8Li!e we planne'6 if we ever 4ot bac!. A historicrecor'6 for the schoolboo!s.8

"ecchi r-mma4e' aro-n' amon4 the 'ebris. 8It3s sort of ban4e' -p68 he sai'. ehel' -p the 'ente' camera.

8$a%be it3ll wor! an%how68 Par!h-rst sai'6 pantin4 with exertion as he followe'Leon o-tsi'e. 8ow3re we 4oin4 to ta!e all six of -s5 Somebo'% has to snap the sh-tter.8

8I3ll set it for time68 Stone sai'6 ta!in4 the camera an' a'-stin4 the !nobs.8+ver%bo'% line -p.8 e p-she' a b-tton6 an' oine' the others.

The six bear'e'6 tattere' men stoo' b% their smashe' ship6 as the camera tic!e'.The% 4aGe' across the 4reen co-ntr%si'e6 awe' an' s-''enl% silent. The% 4lance' at eachother6 e%es bri4ht.

80e3re bac!78 Stone sho-te'. 80e3re bac!78





0ar 1ame

In his office at the Terran Import B-rea- of Stan'ar's6 the tall man 4athere' -pthe mornin43s memos from their wire bas!et6 an'6 seatin4 himself at his 'es!6 arran4e'them for rea'in4. e p-t on his iris lenses6 lit a ci4arette.

81oo' mornin468 the first memo sai' in its tinn%6 chatter% voice6 as 0iseman ranhis th-mb alon4 the line of paste' tape. Starin4 off thro-4h the open win'ow at the par!in4 lot6 he listene' to it i'l%. 8Sa%6 loo!6 what3s wron4 with %o- people 'own there50e sent that lot of8 22 a pa-se as the spea!er6 the sales mana4er of a chain of *ew or!'epartment stores6 fo-n' his recor's 22 8those 1an%me'ean to%s. o- realiGe we have to4et them approve' in time for the a-t-mn b-%in4 plan6 so we can 4et them stoc!e' forChristmas.8 1r-mblin46 the sales mana4er concl-'e'6 80ar 4ames are 4oin4 to be animportant item a4ain this %ear. 0e inten' to b-% bi4.8

0iseman ran his th-mb 'own to the spea!er3s name an' title.

8Foe a-c!68 the memo2voice chattere'. 8Appele%3s Chil'ren3s.8

To himself6 0iseman sai'6 8Ah.8 e p-t 'own the memo6 4ot a blan! an' prepare' to repla%. An' then he sai'6 half2alo-'6 8es6 what abo-t that lot of 1an%me'eanto%s58

It seeme' li!e a lon4 time that the testin4 labs ha' been on them. At least twowee!s.

(f co-rse6 an% 1an%me'ean pro'-cts 4ot special attention these 'a%sJ the $oonsha'6 '-rin4 the last %ear6 4otten be%on' their -s-al state of economic 4ree' an' ha' be4-n 22 accor'in4 to intelli4ence circles 22 m-llin4 overt militar% action a4ainstcompetitive interest6 of which the Inner Three planets co-l' be calle' the foremostelement. B-t so far nothin4 ha' shown -p. +xports remaine' of a'e-ate -alit%6 with nospecial o!ers6 no toxic paint to be lic!e' off6 no caps-les of bacteria.

An' %et....

An% 4ro-p of people as inventive as the 1an%me'eans co-l' be expecte' to show





creativit% in whatever fiel' the% entere'. S-bversion wo-l' be tac!le' li!e an% othervent-re 22 with ima4ination an' a flair for wit.

0iseman 4ot to his feet an' left his office6 in the 'irection of the separate b-il'in4in which the testin4 labs operate'.

S-rro-n'e' b% half2'isassemble' cons-mers3 pro'-cts6 Pinario loo!e' -p to seehis boss6 Leon 0iseman6 sh-ttin4 the final 'oor of the lab.

8I3m 4la' %o- came 'own68 Pinario sai'6 altho-4h act-all% he was stallin4J he!new that he was at least five 'a%s behin' in his wor!6 an' this session was 4oin4 tomean tro-ble. 8Better p-t on a proph%laxis s-it 22 'on3t want to ta!e ris!s.8 e spo!e pleasantl%6 b-t 0iseman3s expression remaine' 'o-r.

8I3m here abo-t those inner2cita'el2stormin4 shoc! troops at six 'ollars a set680iseman sai'6 strollin4 amon4 the stac!s of man%2siGe' -nopene' pro'-cts waitin4 to beteste' an' release'.

8(h6 that set of 1an%me'ean to% sol'iers68 Pinario sai' with relief. isconscience was clear on that itemJ ever% tester in the labs !new the special instr-ctionshan'e' 'own b% the Che%enne 1overnment on the an4ers of Contamination fromC-lt-re Particles ostile to Innocent rban Pop-lations6 a t%picall% m-''% -!ase fromofficial'om. e co-l' alwa%s 22 le4itimatel% 22 fall bac! an' cite the n-mber of that'irective. 8I3ve 4ot them off b% themselves68 he sai'6 wal!in4 over to accompan%0iseman6 8'-e to the special 'an4er involve'.8

8Let3s have a loo!68 0iseman sai'. 8o %o- believe there3s an%thin4 in thisca-tion6 or is it more paranoia abo-t 3alien milie-x358

Pinario sai'6 8It3s -stifie'6 especiall% where chil'ren3s artifacts are concerne'.8

A few han'2si4nals6 an' a slab of wall expose' a si'e room.

Proppe' -p in the center was a si4ht that ca-se' 0iseman to halt. A plastic life2siGe '-mm% of a chil'6 perhaps five %ears in appearance6 wearin4 or'inar% clothes6 sats-rro-n'e' b% to%s. At this moment6 the '-mm% was sa%in46 8I3m tire' of that. osomethin4 else.8 It pa-se' a short time6 an' then repeate'6 8I3m tire' of that. osomethin4 else.8

The to%s on the floor6 tri44ere' to respon' to oral instr-ctions6 4ave -p theirvario-s occ-pations6 an' starte' afresh.

8It saves on labor costs68 Pinario explaine'. 8This is a crop of -n! that3s 4ot anentire repertoire to 4o thro-4h6 before the b-%er has his mone%3s worth. If we st-c!





aro-n' to !eep them active6 we3' be in here all the time.8

irectl% before the '-mm% was the 4ro-p of 1an%me'ean sol'iers6 pl-s thecita'el which the% ha' been b-ilt to storm. The% ha' been snea!in4 -p on it in anelaborate pattern6 b-t6 at the '-mm%3s -tterance6 the% ha' halte'. *ow the% were

re4ro-pin4.

8o-3re 4ettin4 this all on tape58 0iseman as!e'.

8(h6 %es68 Pinario sai'.

The mo'el sol'iers stoo' approximatel% six inches hi4h6 ma'e from the almostin'estr-ctible thermoplastic compo-n's that the 1an%me'ean man-fact-rers werefamo-s for. Their -niforms were s%nthetic6 a ho'4epo'4e of vario-s militar% cost-mesfrom the $oons an' nearb% planets. The cita'el itself6 a bloc! of omino-s 'ar! metal2li!est-ff6 resemble' a le4en'ar% fortJ peepholes 'otte' its -pper s-rfaces6 a 'rawbri'4e ha'

been 'rawn -p o-t of si4ht6 an' from the top t-rret a 4a-'% fla4 wave'.

0ith a whistlin4 pop6 the cita'el fire' a proectile at its attac!ers. The proectileexplo'e' in a clo-' of harmless smo!e an' noise6 amon4 a cl-ster of sol'iers.

8It fi4hts bac!68 0iseman observe'.

8B-t -ltimatel% it loses68 Pinario sai'. 8It has to. Ps%cholo4icall% spea!in46 its%mboliGes the external realit%. The 'oGen sol'iers6 of co-rse6 represent to the chil' hisown efforts to cope. B% participatin4 in the stormin4 of the cita'el6 the chil' -n'er4oes asense of a'e-ac% in 'ealin4 with the harsh worl'. +vent-all% he prevails6 b-t onl% aftera painsta!in4 perio' of effort an' patience.8 e a''e'6 8An%how6 that3s what theinstr-ction boo!let sa%s.8 e han'e' 0iseman the boo!let.

1lancin4 over the boo!let6 0iseman as!e'6 8An' their pattern of assa-lt varies eachtime58

80e3ve ha' it r-nnin4 for ei4ht 'a%s now. The same pattern hasn3t croppe' -ptwice. 0ell6 %o-3ve 4ot -ite a few -nits involve'.8

The sol'iers were snea!in4 aro-n'6 4ra'-all% nearin4 the cita'el. (n the walls6 an-mber of monitorin4 'evices appeare' an' be4an trac!in4 the sol'iers. tiliGin4 otherto%s bein4 teste'6 the sol'iers conceale' themselves.

8The% can incorporate acci'ental confi4-rations of terrain68 Pinario explaine'.8The%3re obect2tropicJ when the% see6 for example6 a 'ollho-se here for testin46 the%climb into it li!e mice. The%3ll be all thro-4h it.8 To prove his point6 he pic!e' -p a lar4eto% spaceship man-fact-re' b% a ranian compan%J sha!in4 it6 he spille' two sol'iersfrom it.





8ow man% times 'o the% ta!e the cita'el68 0iseman as!e'6 8on a percenta4e basis58

8So far6 the%3ve been s-ccessf-l one o-t of nine tries. There3s an a'-stment in the bac! of the cita'el. o- can set it for a hi4her %iel' of s-ccessf-l tries.8

e threa'e' a path thro-4h the a'vancin4 sol'iersJ 0iseman accompanie' him6an' the% bent 'own to inspect the cita'el.

8This is act-all% the power s-ppl%68 Pinario sai'. 8C-nnin4. Also6 the instr-ctionsto the sol'iers emanate from it. i4h2fre-enc% transmission6 from a shot2box.8

(penin4 the bac! of the cita'el6 he showe' his boss the container of shot.

+ach shot was an instr-ction iota. ,or an assa-lt pattern6 the shot were tosse' -p6vibrate'6 allowe' to settle in a new se-ence. &an'omness was thereb% achieve'. B-t

since there was a finite n-mber of shot6 there ha' to be a finite n-mber of patterns.

80e3re tr%in4 them all68 Pinario sai'.

8An' there3s no wa% to spee' it -p58

8It3ll -st have to ta!e time. It ma% r-n thro-4h a tho-san' patterns an' then 228

8The next one68 0iseman finishe'6 8ma% have them ma!e a ninet%2'e4ree t-rnan' start firin4 at the nearest h-man bein4.8

Pinario sai' somberl%6 8(r worse. There3re a 4oo' 'eal of er4s in that power pac!.It3s ma'e to p-t o-t for five %ears. B-t if it all went into somethin4 sim-ltaneo-sl% 228

8Keep testin468 0iseman sai'.

The% loo!e' at each other an' then at the cita'el. The sol'iers ha' b% now almostreache' it. S-''enl% one wall of the cita'el flappe' 'own6 a 4-n2m-GGle appeare'6 an'the sol'iers ha' been flattene'.

8I never saw that before68 Pinario m-rm-re'.

,or a moment nothin4 stirre'. An' then the lab3s chil'2'-mm%6 seate' amon4 itsto%s6 sai'6 8I3m tire' of that. o somethin4 else.8

0ith a tremor of -neasiness6 the two men watche' the sol'iers pic! themselves -pan' re4ro-p.





Two 'a%s later6 0iseman3s s-perior6 a heav%2set6 short6 an4r% man with poppin4e%es6 appeare' in his office. 8Listen68 ,owler sai'6 8%o- 4et those 'amn to%s o-t oftestin4. I3ll 4ive %o- -ntil tomorrow.8 e starte' bac! o-t6 b-t 0iseman stoppe' him.

8This is too serio-s68 he sai'. 8Come 'own to the lab an' I3ll show %o-.8

Ar4-in4 all the wa%6 ,owler accompanie' him to the lab. 8o- have no concept ofthe capital some of these firms have investe' in this st-ff78 he was sa%in4 as the% entere'.8,or ever% pro'-ct %o-3ve 4ot represente' here6 there3s a ship or a wareho-se f-ll onL-na6 waitin4 for official clearance so it can come in78

Pinario was nowhere in si4ht. So 0iseman -se' his !e%6 b%2passin4 the han'2si4nals that opene' -p the testin4 room.

There6 s-rro-n'e' b% to%s6 sat the '-mm% that the lab men ha' b-ilt. Aro-n' itthe n-mero-s to%s went thro-4h their c%cles. The rac!et ma'e ,owler wince.

8This is the item in partic-lar68 0iseman sai'6 ben'in4 'own b% the cita'el. Asol'ier was in the process of s-irmin4 on his bell% towar' it. 8As %o- can see6 there area 'oGen sol'iers. 1iven that man%6 an' the ener4% available to them6 pl-s the complexinstr-ction 'ata 228

,owler interr-pte'6 8I see onl% eleven.8

8(ne3s probabl% hi'in468 0iseman sai'.

,rom behin' them6 a voice sai'6 8*o6 he3s ri4ht.8 Pinario6 a ri4i' expression on hisface6 appeare'. 8I3ve been havin4 a search ma'e. (ne is 4one.8

The three men were silent.

8$a%be the cita'el 'estro%e' him68 0iseman finall% s-44este'.

Pinario sai'6 8There3s a law of matter 'ealin4 with that. If it 3'estro%e'3 him22'hat did it do 'ith the re#ains%/

8Possibl% converte' him into ener4%68 ,owler sai'6 examinin4 the cita'el an' theremainin4 sol'iers.

80e 'i' somethin4 in4enio-s68 Pinario sai'6 8when we realiGe' that a sol'ier was4one. 0e wei4he' the remainin4 eleven pl-s the cita'el. Their combine' wei4ht isexactl% e-al to that of the ori4inal set 22 the ori4inal 'oGen sol'iers an' the cita'el. Sohe3s in there somewhere.8 e pointe' at the cita'el6 which at the moment was pinpointin4the sol'iers a'vancin4 towar' it.

St-'%in4 the cita'el6 0iseman ha' a 'eep int-itive feelin4. It ha' chan4e'. It was6





in some manner6 'ifferent.

8&-n %o-r tapes68 0iseman sai'.

80hat58 as!e' Pinario6 an' then he fl-she'. 8(f co-rse.8 1oin4 to the chil'2

'-mm%6 he sh-t it off6 opene' it6 an' remove' the 'r-m of vi'eo recor'in4 tape. Sha!il%6he carrie' it to the proector.

The% sat watchin4 the recor'in4 se-ences flash b%: one assa-lt after another6-ntil the three of them were blear%2e%e'. The sol'iers a'vance'6 retreate'6 were fire' on6 pic!e' themselves -p6 a'vance' a4ain. . .

8Stop the transport68 0iseman sai' s-''enl%.

The last se-ence was re2r-n.

A sol'ier move' stea'il% towar' the base of the cita'el. A missile6 fire' at him6explo'e' an' for a time obsc-re' him. $eanwhile6 the other eleven sol'iers sc-rrie' in awil' attempt to mo-nt the walls. The sol'ier emer4e' from the clo-' of '-st an'contin-e'. e reache' the wall. A section sli' bac!.

The sol'ier6 blen'in4 with the 'in4% wall of the cita'el6 -se' the en' of his rifle as ascrew'river to remove his hea'6 then one arm6 then both le4s. The 'isassemble' pieceswere passe' into the apert-re of the cita'el. 0hen onl% the arm an' rifle remaine'6 that6too6 crawle' into the cita'el6 wormin4 blin'l%6 an' vanishe'. The apert-re sli' o-t ofexistence.

After a lon4 time6 ,owler sai' in a hoarse voice6 8The pres-mption b% the parentwo-l' be that the chil' ha' lost or 'estro%e' one of the sol'iers. 1ra'-all% the set wo-l''win'le 22 with the chil' 4ettin4 the blame.8

Pinario sai'6 80hat 'o %o- recommen'58

8Keep it in action68 ,owler sai'6 with a no' from 0iseman. 8Let it wor! o-t itsc%cle. B-t 'on3t leave it alone.8

8I3ll have somebo'% in the room with it from now on68 Pinario a4ree'.

8Better %et6 sta% with it %o-rself68 ,owler sai'.

To himself6 0iseman tho-4ht: May4e 'e all 4etter stay 'ith it) "t least t'o of us,

Pinario and #yself)

I won'er what it 'i' with the pieces6he tho-4ht.

What did it #ake%





B% the en' of the wee!6 the cita'el ha' absorbe' fo-r more of the sol'iers.

0atchin4 it thro-4h a monitor6 0iseman co-l' see in it no visible chan4e. *at-rall%. The 4rowth wo-l' be strictl% internal6 'own o-t of si4ht.

(n an' on the eternal assa-lts6 the sol'iers wri44lin4 -p6 the cita'el firin4 in'efense. $eanwhile6 he ha' before him a new series of 1an%me'ean pro'-cts. $orerecent chil'ren3s to%s to be inspecte'.

8*ow what58 he as!e' himself.

The first was an apparentl% simple item: a cowbo% cost-me from the ancientAmerican 0est. At least6 so it was 'escribe'. B-t he pai' onl% c-rsor% attention to the

broch-re: the hell with what the 1an%me'eans ha' to sa% abo-t it.

(penin4 the box6 he lai' o-t the cost-me. The fabric ha' a 4ra%6 amorpho-s-alit%.What a #isera4ly 4ad 6o4, he tho-4ht. It onl% va4-el% resemble' a cowbo% s-itJthe lines seeme' -nforme'6 hesitant. An' the material stretche' o-t of shape as hehan'le' it. e fo-n' that he ha' p-lle' an entire section of it into a poc!et that h-n4'own.

8I 'on3t 4et it68 he sai' to Pinario. 8This won3t sell.8

8P-t it on68 Pinario sai'. 8o-3ll see.8

0ith effort6 0iseman mana4e' to s-eeGe himself into the s-it. 8Is it safe58 heas!e'.

8es68 Pinario sai'. 8I ha' it on earlier. This is a more beni4n i'ea. B-t it co-l' beeffective. To start it into action6 %o- fantasiGe.8

8Alon4 what lines58

8An% lines.8

The s-it ma'e 0iseman thin! of cowbo%s6 an' so he ima4ine' to himself that hewas bac! at the ranch6 tr-'4in4 alon4 the 4ravel roa' b% the fiel' in which blac!2face'sheep m-nche' ha% with that o''6 rapi' 4rin'in4 motion of their lower aws. e ha'stoppe' at the fence 22 barbe' wire an' occasional -pri4ht posts 22 an' watche' the sheep.Then6 witho-t warnin46 the sheep line' -p an' hea'e' off6 in the 'irection of a sha'e'hillsi'e be%on' his ran4e of vision.

e saw trees6 c%press 4rowin4 a4ainst the s!%line. A chic!en haw!6 far -p6





flappe' its win4s in a p-mpin4 action . . .as if, he tho-4ht6it0s fillin! itself 'ith #ore air,

to rise hi!her) The haw! 4li'e' ener4eticall% off6 then saile' at a leis-rel% pace. 0isemanloo!e' for a si4n of its pre%. *othin4 b-t the 'r% mi'2s-mmer fiel's m-nche' flat b% thesheep. ,re-ent 4rasshoppers. An'6 on the roa' itself6 a toa'. The toa' ha' b-rrowe' intothe loose 'irtJ onl% its top part was visible.

As he bent 'own6 tr%in4 to 4et -p eno-4h co-ra4e to to-ch the wart% top of thetoa'3s hea'6 a man3s voice sai' nearb% him6 8ow 'o %o- li!e it58

8,ine68 0iseman sai'. e too! a 'eep breath of the 'r% 4rass smellJ he fille' hisl-n4s. 8e%6 how 'o %o- tell a female toa' from a male toa'5 B% the spots6 or what58

80h%58 as!e' the man6 stan'in4 behin' him sli4htl% o-t of si4ht.

8I3ve 4ot a toa' here.8

8F-st for the recor'68 the man sai'6 8can I as! %o- a co-ple of -estions58

8S-re68 0iseman sai'.

8ow ol' are %o-58

That was eas%. 8Ten %ears an' fo-r months68 he sai'6 with pri'e.

80here exactl% are %o-6 at this moment58

8(-t in the co-ntr%6 $r. 1a%lor'3s ranch6 where m% 'a' ta!es me an' m% motherever% wee!en' when we can.8

8T-rn aro-n' an' loo! at me68 the man sai'. 8An' tell me if %o- !now me.8

0ith rel-ctance6 he t-rne' from the half2b-rie' toa' to loo!. e saw an a'-lt witha thin face an' a lon46 somewhat irre4-lar nose. 8o-3re the man who 'elivers the b-tane4as68 he sai'. 8,or the b-tane compan%.8 e 4lance' aro-n'6 an' s-re eno-4h6 there wasthe tr-c!6 par!e' b% the b-tane 4ate. 8$% 'a' sa%s b-tane is expensive6 b-t there3s noother 228

The man bro!e in6 8F-st for the sa!e of c-riosit%6 what3s the name of the b-tanecompan%58

8It3s ri4ht on the tr-c!68 0iseman sai'6 rea'in4 the lar4e painte' letters. 8PinarioB-tane istrib-tors6 Petal-ma6 California. o-3re $r. Pinario.8

80o-l' %o- be willin4 to swear that %o-3re ten %ears ol'6 stan'in4 in a fiel' nearPetal-ma6 California58 $r. Pinario as!e'.





8S-re.8 e co-l' see6 be%on' the fiel'6 a ran4e of woo'e' hills. *ow he wante'to investi4ate themJ he was tire' of stan'in4 aro-n' 4abbin4. 8I3ll see %o-68 he sai'6startin4 off. 8I have to 4o 4et some hi!in4 'one.8

e starte' r-nnin46 awa% from Pinario6 'own the 4ravel roa'. 1rasshoppers

leape' awa%6 ahea' of him. 1aspin46 he ran faster an' faster.

8Leon78 $r. Pinario calle' after him. 8o- mi4ht as well 4ive -p7 Stop r-nnin478

8I3ve 4ot b-siness in those hills68 0iseman pante'6 still o44in4 alon4. S-''enl%somethin4 str-c! him f-ll forceJ he sprawle' on his han's6 trie' to 4et bac! -p. In the'r% mi''a% air6 somethin4 shimmere'J he felt fear an' p-lle' awa% from it. A shapeforme'6 a flat wall. . .

8o- won3t 4et to those hills68 $r. Pinario sai'6 from behin' him. 8Better sta% inro-4hl% one place. (therwise %o- colli'e with thin4s.8

0iseman3s han's were 'amp with bloo'J he ha' c-t himself fallin4. In bewil'erment6 he stare' 'own at the bloo'. . . .

Pinario helpe' him o-t of the cowbo% s-it6 sa%in46 8It3s as -nwholesome a to% as%o- co-l' want. A short perio' with it on6 an' the chil' wo-l' be -nable to facecontemporar% realit%. Loo! at %o-.8

Stan'in4 with 'iffic-lt%6 0iseman inspecte' the s-itJ Pinario ha' forcibl% ta!en itfrom him.

8*ot ba'68 he sai' in a tremblin4 voice. 8It obvio-sl% stim-lates the with'rawalten'encies alrea'% present. I !now I3ve alwa%s ha' a latent retreat fantas% towar' m%chil'hoo'. That partic-lar perio'6 when we live' in the co-ntr%.8

8*otice how %o- incorporate' real elements into it68 Pinario sai'6 8to !eep thefantas% 4oin4 as lon4 as possible. If %o-3' ha' time6 %o- wo-l' have fi4-re' a wa% ofincorporatin4 the lab wall into it6 possibl% as the si'e of a barn.8

0iseman a'mitte'6 8I 22 alrea'% ha' starte' to see the ol' 'air% b-il'in46 wherethe farmers bro-4ht their mar!et mil!.8

8In time68 Pinario sai'6 8it wo-l' have been next to impossible to 4et %o- o-t ofit.8

To himself6 0iseman tho-4ht6 7f it could do that to an adult, 6ust i#a!ine the effecton a child)

8That other thin4 %o- have there68 Pinario sai'6 8that 4ame6 it3s a screwball notion.o- feel li!e loo!in4 at it now5 It can wait.8





8I3m o!a%68 0iseman sai'. e pic!e' -p the thir' item an' be4an to open it.

8A lot li!e the ol' 4ame of $onopol%68 Pinario sai'. 8It3s calle' S%n'rome.8

The 4ame consiste' of a boar'6 pl-s pla% mone%6 'ice6 pieces to represent the pla%ers. An' stoc! certificates.

8o- ac-ire stoc!68 Pinario sai'6 8same as in all this !in'6 obvio-sl%.8 e 'i'n3teven bother to loo! at the instr-ctions. 8Let3s 4et ,owler 'own here an' pla% a han'J itta!es at least three.8

Shortl%6 the% ha' the ivision irector with them. The three men seate'themselves at a table6 the 4ame of S%n'rome in the center.

8+ach pla%er starts o-t e-al with the others68 Pinario explaine'6 8same as all this

t%pe6 an' '-rin4 the pla%6 their stat-ses chan4e accor'in4 to the worth of the stoc! the%ac-ire in vario-s economic s%n'romes.8

The s%n'romes were represente' b% small6 bri4ht plastic obects6 m-ch li!e thearchaic hotels an' ho-ses of $onopol%.

The% threw the 'ice6 move' their co-nters alon4 the boar'6 bi' for an' ac-ire' propert%6 pai' fines6 collecte' fines6 went to the 8'econtamination chamber8 for a perio'.$eanwhile6 behin' them6 the seven mo'el sol'iers crept -p on the cita'el a4ain an'a4ain.

8I3m tire' of that68 the chil'2'-mm% sai'. 8o somethin4 else.8

The sol'iers re4ro-pe'. (nce more the% starte' o-t6 4ettin4 nearer an' nearer thecita'el.

&estless an' irritable6 0iseman sai'6 8I won'er how lon4 that 'amn thin4 has to4o on before we fin' o-t what it3s for.8

8*o tellin4.8 Pinario e%e' a p-rple2an'24ol' share of stoc! that ,owler ha'ac-ire'. 8I can -se that68 he sai'. 8That3s a heav% -rani-m mine stoc! on Pl-to. 0hat 'o%o- want for it58

8"al-able propert%68 ,owler m-rm-re'6 cons-ltin4 his other stoc!s. 8I mi4htma!e a tra'e6 tho-4h.8

ow can I concentrate on a 4ame60iseman as!e' himself6'hen that thin! is

!ettin! closer and nearer to -- 8od kno's 'hat% To 'hatever it 'as 4uilt to reach) 7ts

critical #ass, he tho-4ht.





8F-st a secon'68 he sai' in a slow6 caref-l voice. e p-t 'own his han' of stoc!s.8Co-l' that cita'el be a pile58

8Pile of what58 ,owler as!e'6 concerne' with his han'.

0iseman sai' lo-'l%6 8,or4et this 4ame.8

8An interestin4 i'ea68 Pinario sai'6 also p-ttin4 'own his han'. 8It3s constr-ctin4itself into an atomic bomb6 piece b% piece. A''in4 -ntil 228 e bro!e off. 8*o6 wetho-4ht of that. There3re no heav% elements present in it. It3s simpl% a five2%ear batter%6 pl-s a n-mber of small machines controlle' b% instr-ctions broa'cast from the batter%itself. o- can3t ma!e an atomic pile o-t of that.8

8In m% opinion68 0iseman sai'6 8we3' be safer 4ettin4 it o-t of here.8 isexperience with the cowbo% s-it ha' 4iven him a 4reat 'eal more respect for the1an%me'ean artificers. An' if the s-it was the beni4n one . . .

,owler6 loo!in4 past his sho-l'er6 sai'6 8There are onl% six sol'iers now.8 Both0iseman an' Pinario 4ot -p instantl%. ,owler was ri4ht. (nl% half of the set of sol'iersremaine'. (ne more ha' reache' the cita'el an' been incorporate'.

8Let3s 4et a bomb expert from the $ilitar% Services in here68 0iseman sai'6 8an'let him chec! it. This is o-t of o-r 'epartment.8 e t-rne' to his boss6 ,owler. 8on3t %o-a4ree58

,owler sai'6 8Let3s finish this 4ame first.8

80h%58

8Beca-se we want to be certain abo-t it68 ,owler sai'. B-t his rapt interestshowe' that he ha' 4otten emotionall% involve' an' wante' to pla% to the en' of the4ame. 80hat will %o- 4ive me for this share of Pl-to stoc!5 I3m open to offers.8

e an' Pinario ne4otiate' a tra'e. The 4ame contin-e' for another ho-r. At last6all three of them co-l' see that ,owler was 4ainin4 control of the vario-s stoc!s. e ha'five minin4 s%n'romes6 pl-s two plastics firms6 an al4ae monopol%6 an' all seven of theretail tra'in4 s%n'romes. -e to his control of the stoc!6 he ha'6 as a b%pro'-ct6 4ottenmost of the mone%.

8I3m o-t68 Pinario sai'. All he ha' left were minor shares which controlle'nothin4. 8An%bo'% want to b-% these58

0ith his last remainin4 mone%6 0iseman bi' for the shares. e 4ot them an'res-me' pla%in46 this time a4ainst ,owler alone.

8It3s clear that this 4ame is a replica of t%pical interc-lt-re economic vent-res68





0iseman sai'. 8The retail tra'in4 s%n'romes are obvio-sl% 1an%me'ean hol'in4s.8

A flic!er of excitement stirre' in himJ he ha' 4otten a co-ple of 4oo' throws withthe 'ice an' was in a position to a'' a share to his mea4er hol'in4s. 8Chil'ren pla%in4this wo-l' ac-ire a health% attit-'e towar' economic realities. It wo-l' prepare them for

the a'-lt worl'.8

B-t a few min-tes later6 he lan'e' on an enormo-s tract of ,owler hol'in4s6 an'the fine wipe' o-t his reso-rces. e ha' to 4ive -p two shares of stoc!J the en' was insi4ht.

Pinario6 watchin4 the sol'iers a'vance towar' the cita'el6 sai'6 8o- !now6 Leon6I3m incline' to a4ree with %o-. This thin4 ma% be one terminal of a bomb. A receivin4station of some !in'. 0hen it3s completel% wire' -p6 it mi4ht brin4 in a s-r4e of powertransmitte' from 1an%me'e.8

8Is s-ch a thin4 possible58 ,owler as!e'6 stac!in4 his pla% mone% into 'ifferent'enominations

80ho !nows what the% can 'o58 Pinario sai'6 wan'erin4 aro-n' with his han's inhis poc!ets. 8Are %o- almost finishe' pla%in458

8F-st abo-t68 0iseman sai'.

8The reason I sa% that68 Pinario sai'6 8is that now there3re onl% five sol'iers. It3sspee'in4 -p. It too! a wee! for the first one6 an' onl% an ho-r for the seventh. I wo-l'n3t be s-rprise' if the rest 4o within the next two ho-rs6 all five of them.8

80e3re finishe'68 ,owler sai'. e ha' ac-ire' the last share of stoc! an' the last'ollar.

0iseman arose from the table6 leavin4 ,owler. 8I3ll call $ilitar% Services to chec!the cita'el. Abo-t this 4ame6 tho-4h6 it3s nothin4 b-t a steal from o-r Terran 4ame$onopol%.8

8Possibl% the% 'on3t realiGe that we have the 4ame alrea'%68 ,owler sai'6 8-n'eranother name.8

A stamp of a'missibilit% was place' on the 4ame of S%n'rome an' the importerwas informe'. In his office6 0iseman calle' $ilitar% Services an' tol' them what hewante'.

8A bomb expert will be ri4ht over68 the -nh-rrie' voice at the other en' of the linesai'. 8Probabl% %o- sho-l' leave the obect alone -ntil he arrives.8

,eelin4 somewhat -seless6 0iseman than!e' the cler! an' h-n4 -p. The% ha'





faile' to 'ope o-t the sol'iers2an'2cita'el war 4ameJ now it was o-t of their han's.

The bomb expert was a %o-n4 man6 with close2croppe' hair6 who smile'

frien'lil% at them as he set 'own his e-ipment. e wore or'inar% coveralls6 with no protective 'evices.

8$% first a'vice68 he sai'6 after he ha' loo!e' the cita'el over6 8is to 'isconnectthe lea's from the batter%. (r6 if %o- want6 we can let the c%cle finish o-t6 an' then'isconnect the lea's before an% reaction ta!es place. In other wor's6 allow the last mobileelements to enter the cita'el. Then6 as soon as the%3re insi'e6 we 'isconnect the lea's an'open her -p an' see what3s been ta!in4 place.8

8Is it safe58 0iseman as!e'.

8I thin! so68 the bomb expert sai'. 8I 'on3t 'etect an% si4n of ra'ioactivit% in it.8e seate' himself on the floor6 b% the rear of the cita'el6 with a pair of c-ttin4 pliers inhis han'.

*ow onl% three sol'iers remaine'. 8It sho-l'n3t be lon468 the %o-n4 man sai'cheerf-ll%. ,ifteen min-tes later6 one of the three sol'iers crept -p to the base of thecita'el6 remove' his hea'6 arm6 le4s6 bo'%6 an' 'isappeare' piecemeal into the openin4 provi'e' for him. 8That leaves two68 ,owler sai'.

Ten min-tes later6 one of the two remainin4 sol'iers followe' the one ahea' ofhim.

The fo-r men loo!e' at each other. 8This is almost it68 Pinario sai' h-s!il%.

The last remainin4 sol'ier wove his wa% towar' the cita'el. 1-ns within thecita'el fire' at him6 b-t he contin-e' to ma!e pro4ress.

8Statisticall% spea!in468 0iseman sai' alo-'6 to brea! some of the tension6 8itsho-l' ta!e lon4er each time6 beca-se there are fewer men for it to concentrate on. Itsho-l' have starte' o-t fast6 then 4ot more infre-ent -ntil finall% this last sol'ier sho-l' p-t in at least a month tr%in4 to 228

8Pipe 'own68 the %o-n4 bomb expert sai' in a -iet6 reasonable voice. 8If %o-'on3t min'.8

The last of the twelve sol'iers reache' the base of the cita'el. Li!e those beforehim6 he be4an to 'issemble himself.

81et those pliers rea'%68 Pinario 4rate'.





The parts of the sol'ier travele' into the cita'el. The openin4 be4an to close.,rom within6 a h-mmin4 became a-'ible6 a risin4 pitch of activit%.

8*ow6 for 1o'3s sa!e78 ,owler crie'.

The %o-n4 bomb expert reache' 'own his pliers an' c-t into the positive lea' ofthe batter%. A spar! flashe' from the pliers an' the %o-n4 bomb expert -mpe'reflexivel%J the pliers flew from his han's an' s!i''e' across the floor. 8FeeG78 he sai'. 8Im-st have been 4ro-n'e'.8 1ro44il%6 he 4rope' abo-t for the pliers.

8o- were to-chin4 the frame of the thin468 Pinario sai' excite'l%. e 4rabbe'the pliers himself an' cro-che' 'own6 f-mblin4 for the lea'. 8$a%be if I wrap ahan'!erchief aro-n' it68 he m-ttere'6 with'rawin4 the pliers an' fishin4 in his poc!et fora han'!erchief. 8An%bo'% 4ot an%thin4 I can wrap aro-n' this5 I 'on3t want to 4et!noc!e' flat. *o tellin4 how man% 228

81ive it to me68 0iseman 'eman'e'6 snatchin4 the pliers from him. e shove'Pinario asi'e an' close' the aws of the pliers abo-t the lea'.

,owler sai' calml%6 8Too late.8

0iseman har'l% hear' his s-perior3s voiceJ he hear' the constant tone within hishea'6 an' he p-t -p his han's to his ears6 f-tilel% tr%in4 to sh-t it o-t. *ow it seeme' to pass 'irectl% from the cita'el thro-4h his s!-ll6 transmitte' b% the bone.We stalledaround too lon!, he tho-4ht. *o' it has us) 7t 'on out 4ecause there are too #any of us5

'e !ot to s:ua44lin!) ) )

0ithin his min'6 a voice sai'6 8Con4rat-lations. B% %o-r fortit-'e6 %o- have beens-ccessf-l.8

A vast feelin4 perva'e' him then6 a sense of accomplishment.

8The o''s a4ainst %o- were tremen'o-s68 the voice insi'e his min' contin-e'.8An%one else wo-l' have faile'.8

e !new then that ever%thin4 was all ri4ht. The% ha' been wron4.

80hat %o- have 'one here68 the voice 'eclare'6 8%o- can contin-e to 'o all %o-rlife. o- can alwa%s tri-mph over a'versaries. B% patience an' persistence6 %o- can wino-t. The -niverse isn3t s-ch an overwhelmin4 place6 after all. . .8

*o6 he realiGe' with iron%6 it wasn3t.

8The% are -st or'inar% persons68 the voice soothe'. 8So even tho-4h %o-3re the





onl% one6 an in'ivi'-al a4ainst man%6 %o- have nothin4 to fear. 1ive it time 22 an' 'on3tworr%.8

8I won3t68 he sai' alo-'.

The h-mmin4 rece'e'. The voice was 4one.

After a lon4 pa-se6 ,owler sai'6 8It3s over.8

8I 'on3t 4et it68 Pinario sai'.

8That was what it was s-ppose' to 'o68 0iseman sai'. 8It3s a therape-tic to%.elps 4ive the chil' confi'ence. The 'isassemblin4 of the sol'iers8 22 he 4rinne' 22 8en'sthe separation between him an' the worl'. e becomes one with it. An'6 in 'oin4 so6con-ers it.8

8Then it3s harmless68 ,owler sai'.

8All this wor! for nothin468 Pinario 4ro-se'. To the bomb expert6 he sai'6 8I3msorr% we 4ot %o- -p here for nothin4.8

The cita'el ha' now opene' its 4ates wi'e. Twelve sol'iers6 once more intact6iss-e' forth. The c%cle was completeJ the assa-lt co-l' be4in a4ain.

S-''enl% 0iseman sai'6 8I3m not 4oin4 to release it.8

80hat58 Pinario sai'. 80h% not58

8I 'on3t tr-st it68 0iseman sai'. 8It3s too complicate' for what it act-all% 'oes.8

8+xplain68 ,owler 'eman'e'.

8There3s nothin4 to explain68 0iseman sai'. 8ere3s this immensel% intricate4a'4et6 an' all it 'oes is ta!e itself apart an' then reassemble itself. There#ust be more6even if we can3t 228

8It3s therape-tic68 Pinario p-t in.

,owler sai'6 8I3ll leave it -p to %o-6 Leon. If %o- have 'o-bts6 then 'on3t release it.0e can3t be too caref-l.8

8$a%be I3m wron468 0iseman sai'6 8b-t I !eep thin!in4 to m%self:What did theyactually 4uild this for% I feel we still 'on3t !now.8

8An' the American Cowbo% S-it68 Pinario a''e'. 8o- 'on3t want to release thateither.8





8(nl% the 4ame68 0iseman sai'. 8S%n'rome6 or whatever it3s calle'.8 Ben'in4'own6 he watche' the sol'iers as the% h-stle' towar' the cita'el. B-rsts of smo!e6 a4ain .. . activit%6 fei4ne' attac!s6 caref-l with'rawals. . .

80hat are %o- thin!in458 Pinario as!e'6 scr-tiniGin4 him.

8$a%be it3s a 'iversion68 0iseman sai'. 8To !eep o-r min's involve'. So wewon3t notice somethin4 else.8 That was his int-ition6 b-t he co-l'n3t pin it 'own. 8A re'herrin468 he sai'. 80hile somethin4 else ta!es place. That3s wh% it3s so complicate'. 0ewere supposed to s-spect it. That3s wh% the% b-ilt it.8

Baffle'6 he p-t his foot 'own in front of a sol'ier. The sol'ier too! ref-4e behin'his shoe6 hi'in4 from the monitors of the cita'el.

8There m-st be somethin4 ri4ht before o-r e%es68 ,owler sai'6 8that we3re not

noticin4.8

8es.8 0iseman won'ere' if the% wo-l' ever fin' it. 8An%how68 he sai'6 8we3re!eepin4 it here6 where we can observe it.8

Seatin4 himself nearb%6 he prepare' to watch the sol'iers. e ma'e himselfcomfortable for a lon46 lon4 wait.

At six o3cloc! that evenin46 Foe a-c!6 the sales mana4er for Appele%3s Chil'ren3sStore6 par!e' his car before his ho-se6 4ot o-t6 an' stro'e -p the stairs.

n'er his arm he carrie' a lar4e flat pac!a4e6 a 8sample8 that he ha'appropriate'.

8e%78 his two !i's6 Bobb% an' Lora6 s-eale' as he let himself in. 8o- 4otsomethin4 for -s6 a'58 The% crow'e' aro-n' him6 bloc!in4 his path. In the !itchen6 hiswife loo!e' -p from the table an' p-t 'own her ma4aGine.

8A new 4ame I pic!e' for %o-68 a-c! sai'. e -nwrappe' the pac!a4e6 feelin44enial. There was no reason wh% he sho-l'n3t help himself to one of the new 4amesJ heha' been on the phone for wee!s6 4ettin4 the st-ff thro-4h Import Stan'ar's 22 an' afterall was sai' an' 'one6 onl% one of the three items ha' been cleare'.

As the !i's went off with the 4ame6 his wife sai' in a low voice6 8$ore corr-ptionin hi4h places.8 She ha' alwa%s 'isapprove' of his brin4in4 home items from the store3sstoc!.

80e3ve 4ot tho-san's of them68 a-c! sai'. 8A wareho-se f-ll. *obo'%3ll notice





one missin4.8

At the 'inner table6 '-rin4 the meal6 the !i's scr-p-lo-sl% st-'ie' ever% wor' ofthe instr-ctions that accompanie' the 4ame. The% were aware of nothin4 else.

8on3t rea' at the table68 $rs. a-c! sai' reprovin4l%.

Leanin4 bac! in his chair6 Foe a-c! contin-e' his acco-nt of the 'a%. 8An' afterall that time6 what 'i' the% release5 (ne lo-s% item. 0e3ll be l-c!% if we can p-sh eno-4hto ma!e a profit. It was that Shoc! Troop 4immic! that wo-l' reall% have pai' off. An'that3s tie' -p in'efinitel%.8

e lit a ci4arette an' relaxe'6 feelin4 the peacef-lness of his home6 the presenceof his wife an' chil'ren.

is 'a-4hter sai'6 8a'6 'o %o- want to pla%5 It sa%s the more who pla%6 the

better.8

8S-re68 Foe a-c! sai'.

0hile his wife cleare' the table6 he an' his chil'ren sprea' o-t the boar'6co-nters6 'ice an' paper mone% an' shares of stoc!. Almost at once he was 'eep in the4ame6 totall% involve'J his chil'hoo' memories of 4ame2pla%in4 swam bac!6 an' heac-ire' shares of stoc! with c-nnin4 an' ori4inalit%6 -ntil6 towar' the concl-sion of the4ame6 he ha' cornere' most of the s%n'romes.

e settle' bac! with a si4h of contentment. 8That3s that68 he 'eclare' to hischil'ren. 8Afrai' I ha' a hea' start. After all6 I3m not new to this t%pe of 4ame.8 1ettin4hol' of the val-able hol'in4s on the boar' fille' him with a powerf-l sense ofsatisfaction. 8Sorr% to have to win6 !i's.8

is 'a-4hter sai'6 8o- 'i'n3t win.8

8o- lost68 his son sai'.

8What%/ Foe a-c! exclaime'.

8The person who win's -p with the most stoc! loses,/ Lora sai'.

She showe' him the instr-ctions. 8See5 The i'ea is to 4et ri' of %o-r stoc!s. a'6%o-3re o-t of the 4ame.8

8The hec! with that68 a-c! sai'6 'isappointe'. 8That3s no !in' of 4ame.8 issatisfaction vanishe'. 8That3s no f-n.8

8*ow we two have to pla% o-t the 4ame68 Bobb% sai'6 8to see who finall% wins.8





As he 4ot -p from the boar'6 Foe a-c! 4r-mble'6 8I 'on3t 4et it. 0hat wo-l'an%bo'% see in a 4ame where the winner win's -p with nothin4 at all58

Behin' him6 his two chil'ren contin-e' to pla%. As stoc! an' mone% chan4e'

han's6 the chil'ren became more an' more animate'. 0hen the 4ame entere' its finalsta4es6 the chil'ren were in a state of ecstatic concentration.

8The% 'on3t !now $onopol%68 a-c! sai' to himself6 8so this screwball 4ame'oesn3t seem stran4e to them.8

An%how6 the important thin4 was that the !i's eno%e' pla%in4 S%n'romeJevi'entl% it wo-l' sell6 an' that was what mattere'. Alrea'% the two %o-n4sters werelearnin4 the nat-ralness of s-rren'erin4 their hol'in4s. The% 4ave -p their stoc!s an'mone% avi'l%6 with a !in' of tremblin4 aban'on.

1lancin4 -p6 her e%es bri4ht6 Lora sai'6 8It3s the best e'-cational to% %o- ever bro-4ht home6 a'78

If There 0ere *o Benn% Cemoli

Scamperin4 acrossthe -nplowe' fiel' the three bo%s sho-te' as the% saw the ship:it ha' lan'e'6 all ri4ht6 -st where the% expecte'6 an' the% were the first to reach it.

8e%6 that3s the bi44est I ever saw78 Pantin46 the first bo% halte'. 8That3s not from$arsJ that3s from farther. It3s from all the wa% o-t6 I !now it is.8 e became silent an'afrai' as he saw the siGe of it. An' then loo!in4 -p into the s!% he realiGe' that an arma'aha' arrive'6 exactl% as ever%one ha' expecte'. 80e better 4o tell68 he sai' to hiscompanions.

Bac! on the ri'4e6 Fohn LeConte stoo' b% his steam2powere' cha-ffe-r2'rivenlimo-sine6 impatientl% waitin4 for the boiler to warm. &ids !ot there first, he sai' tohimself with an4er.Whereas 70# supposed to) An' the chil'ren were ra44e'J the% weremerel% farm bo%s.

8Is the phone wor!in4 to'a%58 LeConte as!e' his secretar%.





1lancin4 at his clipboar'6 $r. ,all sai'6 8es6 sir. Shall I p-t thro-4h a messa4e to(!lahoma Cit%58 e was the s!inniest emplo%ee ever assi4ne' to LeConte3s office. Theman evi'entl% too! nothin4 for himself6 was positivel% -nintereste' in foo'. An' he wasefficient.

LeConte m-rm-re'6 8The immi4ration people o-4ht to hear abo-t this o-tra4e.8

e si4he'. It ha' all 4one wron4. The arma'a from Proxima Centa-ri ha' afterten %ears arrive' an' none of the earl%2warnin4 'evices ha' 'etecte' it in a'vance of itslan'in4. *ow (!lahoma Cit% wo-l' have to 'eal with the o-tsi'ers here on home 4ro-n'22 a ps%cholo4ical 'isa'vanta4e which LeConte felt !eenl%.

Loo! at the e-ipment the%3ve 4ot6he tho-4ht as he watche' the commercial shipsof the flotilla be4in to lower their car4os.Why, hell, they #ake us look like provincials) ewishe' that his official car 'i' not nee' twent% min-tes to warm -pJ he wishe' 22

Act-all%6 he wishe' that C&B 'i' not exist.

Centa-r-s rban &enewal B-rea-6 a 'o24oo'in4 bo'% -nfort-natel% veste' withenormo-s inter2s%stem a-thorit%. It ha' been informe' of the $isa'vent-re bac! in <9E)an' ha' starte' into space li!e a phototropic or4anism6 sensitive to the mere ph%sical li4htcreate' b% the h%'ro4en2bomb explosions. B-t LeConte !new better than that. Act-all%the 4overnin4 or4aniGations in the Centa-rian s%stem !new man% 'etails of the tra4e'% beca-se the% ha' been in ra'io contact with other planets of the Sol s%stem. Little of thenative forms on +arth ha' s-rvive'. e himself was from $arsJ he ha' hea'e' a reliefmission seven %ears a4o6 ha' 'eci'e' to sta% beca-se there were so man% opport-nitieshere on +arth6 con'itions bein4 what the% were. . .

This is all ver% 'iffic-lt6he sai' to himself as he stoo' waitin4 for his steam2 powere' car to warm.We !ot here first, 4ut C2RB does outrank us5 'e #ust face that

a'k'ard fact) 7n #y opinion, 'e0ve done a !ood 6o4 of re4uildin!) (f course, it isn 0t likeit 'as 4efore ) ) ) 4ut ten years is not lon!) 8ive us another t'enty and 'e0ll have the

trains runnin! a!ain) "nd our recent road-4uildin! 4onds sold :uite successfully, in fact

'ere oversu4scri4ed)

8Call for %o-6 sir6 from (!lahoma Cit%68 $r. ,all sai'6 hol'in4 o-t the receiver ofthe portable fiel'2phone.

8ltimate &epresentative in the ,iel' Fohn LeConte6 here68 LeConte sai' into itlo-'l%. 81o ahea'J I sa% 4o ahea'.8

8This is Part% ea'-arters68 the 'r% official voice at the other en' came faintl%6mixe' with static6 in his ear. 80e3ve receive' reports from 'oGens of alert citiGens in0estern (!lahoma an' Texas of an immense 228





8It3s here68 LeConte sai'. 8I can see it. I3m -st abo-t rea'% to 4o o-t an' conferwith its ran!in4 members6 an' I3ll file a f-ll report at the -s-al time. So it wasn3tnecessar% for %o- to chec! -p on me.8 e felt irritable.

8Is the arma'a heavil% arme'58

8*aw68 LeConte sai'. 8It appears to be comprise' of b-rea-crats an' tra'eofficials an' commercial carriers. In other wor's6 v-lt-res.8

The Part% 'es!2man sai'6 80ell6 4o an' ma!e certain the% -n'erstan' that their presence here is resente' b% the native pop-lation as well as the &elief of 0ar2torn AreasA'ministratin4 Co-ncil. Tell them that the le4islat-re will be callin4 to pass a special billexpressin4 in'i4nation at this intr-sion into 'omestic matters b% an inter2s%stem bo'%.8

8I !now6 I !now68 LeConte sai'. 8It3s all been 'eci'e'J I !now.8

is cha-ffe-r calle' to him6 8Sir6 %o-r car is rea'% now.8

The Part% 'es!2man concl-'e'6 8$a!e certain the% -n'erstan' that %o- can3tne4otiate with themJ %o- have no power to a'mit them to +arth. (nl% the Co-ncil can 'othat an' of co-rse it3s a'amantl% a4ainst that.8

LeConte h-n4 -p the phone an' h-rrie' to his car.

espite the opposition of the local a-thorities6 Peter oo' of C&B 'eci'e' tolocate his hea'-arters in the r-ins of the ol' Terran capital6 *ew or! Cit%. This wo-l'len' presti4e to the C&Bmen as the% 4ra'-all% wi'ene' the circle of the or4aniGation3sinfl-ence. At last6 of co-rse6 the circle wo-l' embrace the planet. B-t that wo-l' ta!e'eca'es.

As he wal!e' thro-4h the r-ins of what ha' once been a maor train %ar'6 Peteroo' tho-4ht to himself that when the tas! was 'one he himself wo-l' have lon4 beenretire'. *ot m-ch remaine' of the pre2tra4e'% c-lt-re here. The local a-thorities 22 the political nonentities who ha' floc!e' in from $ars an' "en-s6 as the nei4hborin4 planetswere calle' 22 ha' 'one little. An' %et he a'mire' their efforts.

To the members of his staff wal!in4 'irectl% behin' him he sai'6 8o- !now6 the%have 'one the har' part for -s. 0e o-4ht to be 4ratef-l. It is not eas% to come into atotall% 'estro%e' area6 as the%3ve 'one.8

is man ,letcher observe'6 8The% 4ot bac! a 4oo' ret-rn.8

oo' sai'6 8$otive is not important. The% have achieve' res-lts.8 e wasthin!in4 of the official who ha' met them in his steam carJ it ha' been solemn an'





formal6 carr%in4 complicate' trappin4s. 0hen these locals ha' first arrive' on the scene%ears a4othey ha' not been 4reete'6 except perhaps b% ra'iation2seare'6 blac!ene's-rvivors who ha' st-mble' o-t of cellars an' 4ape' si4htlessl%. e shivere'.

Comin4 -p to him6 a C&Bman of minor ran! sal-te' an' sai'6 8I thin! we3ve

mana4e' to locate an -n'ama4e' str-ct-re in which %o-r staff co-l' be ho-se' for thetime bein4. It3s -n'er4ro-n'.8 e loo!e' embarrasse'. 8*ot what we ha' hope' for. 0e3'have to 'isplace the locals to 4et an%thin4 attractive.8

8I 'on3t obect68 oo' sai'. 8A basement will 'o.8

8The str-ct-re68 the minor C&Bman sai'6 8was once a 4reat homeostaticnewspaper6 the *e' ork Ti#es) It printe' itself 'irectl% below -s. At least6 accor'in4 tothe maps. 0e haven3t locate' the newspaper %etJ it was c-stomar% for the homeopapes to be b-rie' a mile or so 'own. As %et we 'on3t !now how m-ch of this one s-rvive'.8

8B-t it wo-l' be val-able68 oo' a4ree'.

8es68 the C&Bman sai'. 8Its o-tlets are scattere' all over the planetJ it m-sthave ha' a tho-san' 'ifferent e'itions which it p-t o-t 'ail%. ow man% o-tlets f-nction228 e bro!e off. 8It3s har' to believe that the local politicos ma'e no efforts to repair an%of the ten or eleven worl'2wi'e homeopapes6 b-t that seems to be the case.8

8(''68 oo' sai'. S-rel% it wo-l' have ease' their tas!. The post2tra4e'% ob ofre-nitin4 people into a common c-lt-re 'epen'e' on newspapers6 ioniGation in theatmosphere ma!in4 ra'io an' T" reception 'iffic-lt if not impossible. 8This ma!es meinstantl% s-spicio-s68 he sai'6 t-rnin4 to his staff. 8Are the% perhaps not tr%in4 to reb-il'after all5 Is their wor! merel% a pretense58

It was his own wife Foan who spo!e -p. 8The% ma% simpl% have lac!e' the abilit%to place the homeopapes on an operational basis.8

1ive them the benefit of the 'o-bt6oo' tho-4ht.ou 0re ri!ht)

8So the last e'ition of theTi#es/ ,letcher sai'6 8was p-t on the lines the 'a% the$isa'vent-re occ-rre'. An' the entire networ! of newspaper comm-nication an' news2creation ha' been i'le since. I can3t respect these politicosJ it shows the%3re i4norant ofthe basics of a c-lt-re. B% revivin4 the homeopapes we can 'o more to re2establish the pre2tra4e'% c-lt-re than the%3ve 'one in ten tho-san' pitif-l proects.8 is tone wasscornf-l.

oo' sai'6 8o- ma% mis-n'erstan'6 b-t let it 4o. Let3s hope that the cephalon ofthe pape is -n'ama4e'. 0e co-l'n3t possibl% replace it.8 Ahea' he saw the %awnin4entrance which the C&Bmen crews ha' cleare'. This was to be his first move6 here onthe r-ine' planet6 restorin4 this immense self2containe' entit% to its former a-thorit%.(nce it ha' res-me' its activit% he wo-l' be free' for other tas!sJ the homeopape wo-l'





ta!e some of the b-r'en from him.

A wor!man6 still clearin4 'ebris awa%6 m-ttere'6 8FeeG6 I never saw so man%la%ers of -n!. o-3' thin! the% 'eliberatel% bottle' it -p 'own here.8 In his han's6 thes-ction f-rnace which he operate' 4lowe' an' po-n'e' as it absorbe' material6

convertin4 it to ener4%6 leavin4 an increasin4l% enlar4e' openin4.

8I3' li!e a report as soon as possible as to its con'ition68 oo' sai' to the team ofen4ineers who stoo' waitin4 to 'escen' into the openin4. 8ow lon4 it will ta!e to reviveit6 how m-ch 228 e bro!e off.

Two men in blac! -niforms ha' arrive'. Police6 from the Sec-rit% ship. (ne6 hesaw6 was (tto ietrich6 the ran!in4 investi4ator accompan%in4 the arma'a fromCenta-r-s6 an' he felt tense a-tomaticall%J it was a reflex for all of them 22 he saw theen4ineers an' the wor!men cease momentaril% an' then6 more slowl%6 res-me their wor!.

8es68 he sai' to ietrich. 81la' to see %o-. Let3s 4o off to this si'e room an' tal!there.8 e !new be%on' a 'o-bt what the investi4ator wante'J he ha' been expectin4him.

ietrich sai'6 8I won3t ta!e -p too m-ch of %o-r time6 oo'. I !now %o-3re -ite b-s%. 0hat is this6 here58 e 4lance' abo-t c-rio-sl%6 his scr-bbe'6 ro-n'6 alert faceea4er.

In a small si'e room6 converte' to a temporar% office6 oo' face' the two policemen. 8I am oppose' to prosec-tion68 he sai' -ietl%. 8It3s been too lon4. Let them4o.8

ietrich6 t-44in4 tho-4htf-ll% at his ear6 sai'6 8B-t war crimes are war crimes6even fo-r 'eca'es later. An%how6 what ar4-ment can there be5 0e3re re-ire' b% law to prosec-te.So#e4ody starte' the war. The% ma% well hol' positions of responsibilit% now6 b-t that har'l% matters.8

8ow man% police troops have %o- lan'e'58 oo' as!e'.

8Two h-n're'.8

8Then %o-3re rea'% to 4o to wor!.8

80e3re rea'% to ma!e in-iries. Se-ester pertinent 'oc-ments an' initiateliti4ation in the local co-rts. 0e3re prepare' to enforce cooperation6 if that3s what %o-mean. "ario-s experience' personnel have been 'istrib-te' to !e% points.8 ietrich e%e'him. 8All this is necessar%J I 'on3t see the problem. i' %o- inten' to protect the 4-ilt% parties 22 ma!e -se of their so2calle' abilities on %o-r staff58





8*o68 oo' sai' evenl%.

ietrich sai'6 8*earl% ei4ht% million people 'ie' in the $isfort-ne. Can %o-for4et that5 (r is it that since the% were merel% local people6 not !nown to -s personall%

228

8It3s not that68 oo' sai'. e !new it was hopelessJ he co-l' not comm-nicatewith the police mentalit%. 8I3ve alrea'% state' m% obections. I feel it serves no p-rpose atthis late 'ate to have trials an' han4in4s. on3t re-est -se of m% staff in thisJ I3ll ref-seon the 4ro-n's that I can spare no one6 not even a anitor. o I ma!e m%self clear58

8o- i'ealists68 ietrich si4he'. 8This is strictl% a noble tas! confrontin4 -s . . . toreb-il'6 correct5 0hat %o- 'on3t or won3t see is that these people will start it all overa4ain6 one 'a%6 -nless we ta!e steps now. 0e owe it to f-t-re 4enerations. To be harshnow is the most h-mane metho'6 in the lon4 r-n. Tell me6 oo'. 0hat is this site5 0hat

are %o- res-rrectin4 here with s-ch vi4or58

8The *e' ork Ti#es,/ oo' sai'.

8It has6 I ass-me6 a mor4-e5 0e can cons-lt its bac!lo4 of information5 Thatwo-l' prove val-able in b-il'in4 -p o-r cases.8

oo' sai'6 8I can3t 'en% %o- access to material we -ncover.8

Smilin46 ietrich sai'6 8A 'a% b% 'a% acco-nt of the political events lea'in4 -p tothe war wo-l' prove -ite interestin4. 0ho6 for instance6 hel' s-preme power in thenite' States at the time of the $isfort-ne5 *o one we3ve tal!e' to so far seems toremember.8 is smile increase'.

+arl% the next mornin4 the report from the corps of en4ineers reache' oo' in histemporar% office. The power s-ppl% of the newspaper ha' been totall% 'estro%e'. B-t thecephalon6 the 4overnin4 brain2str-ct-re which 4-i'e' an' oriente' the homeostatics%stem6 appeare' to be intact. If a ship were bro-4ht close b%6 perhaps its power s-ppl%co-l' be inte4rate' into the newspaper3s lines. There-pon m-ch more wo-l' be !nown.

8In other wor's68 ,letcher sai' to oo'6 as the% sat with Foan eatin4 brea!fast6 8itma% come on an' it ma% not. "er% pra4matic. o- hoo! it -p an' if it wor!s %o-3ve 'one%o-r ob. 0hat if it 'oesn3t5 o the en4ineers inten' to 4ive -p at that point58

+xaminin4 his c-p6 oo' sai'6 8This tastes li!e a-thentic coffee.8 e pon'ere'.8Tell them to brin4 a ship in an' start the homeopape -p. An' if it be4ins to print6 brin4me the e'ition at once.8 e sippe' his coffee.





An ho-r later a ship of the line ha' lan'e' in the vicinit% an' its power so-rce ha' been tappe' for insertion into the homeopape. The con'-its were place'6 the circ-itsca-tio-sl% close'.

Seate' in his office6 Peter oo' hear' far -n'er4ro-n' a low r-mble6 a haltin46

-ncertain stirrin4. The% ha' been s-ccessf-l. The newspaper was ret-rnin4 to life.

The e'ition6 when it was lai' on his 'es! b% a b-stlin4 C&Bman6 s-rprise' him b% its acc-rac%. +ven in its 'ormant state6 the newspaper ha' somehow mana4e' not tofall behin' events. Its receptors ha' !ept 4oin4.

C&B LA*S6 T&IP +CA+ L(*16

PLA*S C+*T&AL A$I*IST&ATI(*

Ten %ears after the $isfort-ne of a n-clear holoca-st6 the inter2s%stemrehabilitation a4enc%6 C&B6 has ma'e its historic appearance on +arth3s s-rface6 lan'in4from a veritable arma'a of craft 22 a si4ht which witnesses 'escribe' as 8overpowerin4 both in scope an' in si4nificance.8 C&Bman Peter oo'6 name' top co2or'inator b%Centa-rian a-thorities6 imme'iatel% set -p hea'-arters in the r-ins of *ew or! Cit%an' conferre' with ai'es6 'eclarin4 that he ha' come 8not to p-nish the 4-ilt% b-t to re2establish the planet2wi'e c-lt-re b% ever% means available6 an' to restore 22

It was -ncann%6 oo' tho-4ht as he rea' the lea' article. The varie' news24atherin4 services of the homeopape ha' reache' into his own life6 ha' 'i4este' an' theninserte' into the lea' article even the 'isc-ssion between himself an' (tto ietrich. Thenewspaper was 22 ha' been 22 'oin4 its ob. *othin4 of news2interest escape' it6 even a'iscreet conversation carrie' on with no o-tsi'ers as witnesses. e wo-l' have to becaref-l.

S-re eno-4h6 another item6 omino-s in tone6 'ealt with the arrival of the blac! ac!s6 the police.

S+C&IT A1+*C "(0S 80A& C&I$I*ALS8 TA&1+T

Captain (tto ietrich6 s-preme police investi4ator arrivin4 with the C&Barma'a from Proxima Centa-ri6 sai' to'a% that those responsible for the $isfort-ne of a'eca'e a4o 8wo-l' have to pa% for their crimes8 before the bar of Centa-rian -stice. Twoh-n're' blac!2-niforme' police6 it was learne' b% theTi#es, have alrea'% be4-nexplorator% activities 'esi4ne' to 22





The newspaper was warnin4 +arth abo-t ietrich6 an' oo' co-l' not helpfeelin4 4rim relish. TheTi#es ha' not been set -p to serve merel% the occ-p%in4

hierarch%. It serve' ever%one6 incl-'in4 those ietrich inten'e' to tr%. +ach step of the police activit% wo-l' no 'o-bt be reporte' in f-ll 'etail. ietrich6 who li!e' to wor! inanon%mit%6 wo-l' not eno% this. B-t the a-thorit% to maintain the newspaper belon4e' tooo'.

An' he 'i' not inten' to sh-t it off.

(ne item on the first pa4e of the paper attracte' his f-rther noticeJ he rea' it6frownin4 an' a little -neas%.

C+$(LI BACK+&S &I(T I* PSTAT+ *+0 (&K

S-pporters of Benn% Cemoli6 4athere' in the familiar tent cities associate' withthe colorf-l political fi4-re6 clashe' with local citiGens arme' with hammers6 shovels6 an' boar's6 both si'es claimin4 victor% in the two2ho-r melee which left twent% in-re' an' a'oGen hospitaliGe' in hastil%2erecte' first ai' stations. Cemoli6 4arbe' as alwa%s in histo4a2st%le re' robes6 visite' the in-re'6 evi'entl% in 4oo' spirits6 o!in4 an' tellin4 hiss-pporters that 8it won3t be lon4 now8 an evi'ent reference to the or4aniGation3s boast thatit wo-l' march on *ew or! Cit% in the near f-t-re to establish what Cemoli 'eems8social -stice an' tr-e e-alit% for the first time in worl' histor%.8 It sho-l' be recalle'that prior to his imprisonment at San -entin 22

,lippin4 a switch on his intercom s%stem6 oo' sai'6 8,letcher6 chec! intoactivities -p in the north of the co-nt%. ,in' o-t abo-t some sort of a political mob4atherin4 there.8

,letcher3s voice came bac!. 8I have a cop% of theTi#es, too6 sir. I see the itemabo-t this Cemoli a4itator. There3s a ship on the wa% -p there ri4ht nowJ sho-l' have areport within ten min-tes.8 ,letcher pa-se'. 8o %o- thin! 22 it3ll be necessar% to brin4 inan% of ietrich3s people58

8Let3s hope not68 oo' sai' shortl%.

alf an ho-r later the C&B ship6 thro-4h ,letcher6 ma'e its report.

P-GGle'6 oo' as!e' that it be repeate'. B-t there was no mista!e. The C&Bfiel' team ha' investi4ate' thoro-4hl%. The% ha' fo-n' no si4n whatsoever of an% tent





cit% or an% 4ro-p 4atherin4. An' citiGens in the area whom the% ha' interro4ate' ha'never hear' of an%one name' 8Cemoli.8 An' there was no si4n of an% sc-ffle havin4ta!en place6 no first ai' stations6 no in-re' persons. (nl% the peacef-l6 semi2r-ralco-ntr%si'e.

Baffle'6 oo' rea' the item in theTi#es once more. There it was6 in blac! an'white6 on the front pa4e6 alon4 with the news abo-t the lan'in4 of the C&B arma'a.0hat 'i' it mean5

e 'i' not li!e it at all.

a' it been a mista!e to revive the 4reat6 ol'6 'ama4e' homeostatic newspaper5

,rom a so-n' sleep that ni4ht oo' was awa!ene' b% a clan4in4 from far beneath

the 4ro-n'6 an -r4ent rac!et that 4rew lo-'er an' lo-'er as he sat -p in be'6 blin!in4 an'conf-se'. $achiner% roare'. e hear' the heav% r-mblin4 movement as a-tomaticcirc-its fitte' into place6 respon'in4 to instr-ctions emanatin4 from within the close's%stem itself.

8Sir68 ,letcher was sa%in4 from the 'ar!ness. A li4ht came on as ,letcher locate'the temporar% overhea' fixt-re. 8I tho-4ht I sho-l' come in an' wa!e %o-. Sorr%6 $r.oo'.8

8I3m awa!e68 oo' m-ttere'6 risin4 from the be' an' p-ttin4 on his robe an'slippers. 80hat3s it 'oin458

,letcher sai'6 8It3s printin4 an extra.8

Sittin4 -p6 smoothin4 her to-sle' blon'e hair bac!6 Foan sai'6 81oo' Lor'. 0hatabo-t58 0i'e2e%e'6 she loo!e' from her h-sban' to ,letcher.

80e3ll have to brin4 in the local a-thorities68 oo' sai'. 8Confer with them.8 eha' an int-ition as to the nat-re of the extra roarin4 thro-4h the presses at this moment.81et that LeConte6 the politico who met -s on o-r arrival. 0a!e him -p an' fl% him hereimme'iatel%. 0e nee' him.8

It too! almost an ho-r to obtain the presence of the ha-4ht%6 ceremonio-s local potentate an' his staff member. The two of them in their elaborate -niforms at last p-t inan appearance at oo'3s office6 both of them in'i4nant. The% face' oo' silentl%6 waitin4to hear what he wante'.

In his bathrobe an' slippers oo' sat at his 'es!6 a cop% of theTi#es0 extra beforehimJ he was rea'in4 it once more as LeConte an' his man entere'.





*+0 (&K P(LIC+ &+P(&T C+$(LI L+1I(*S

(* $("+ T(0A& CIT6

BA&&ICA+S +&+CT+6 *ATI(*AL 1A& AL+&T+

e t-rne' the paper6 showin4 the hea'lines to the two +arthmen. 80ho is thisman58 he sai'.

After a moment LeConte sai'6 8I 22 'on3t !now.8

oo' sai'6 8Come on6 $r. LeConte.8

8Let me rea' the article68 LeConte sai' nervo-sl%. e scanne' it in hasteJ hishan's tremble' as he hel' the newspaper. 8Interestin468 he sai' at last. 8B-t I can3t tell%o- a thin4. It3s news to me. o- m-st -n'erstan' that o-r comm-nications have beensparse6 since the $isfort-ne6 an' it3s entirel% possible that a political movement co-l'sprin4 -p witho-t o-r 228

8Please68 oo' sai'. 8on3t ma!e %o-rself abs-r'.8

,l-shin46 LeConte stammere'6 8I3m 'oin4 the best I can6 s-mmone' o-t of m% be' in the mi''le of the ni4ht.8

There was a stir6 an' thro-4h the office 'oorwa% came the rapi'l%2movin4 fi4-reof (tto ietrich6 loo!in4 4rim. 8oo'68 he sai' witho-t preamble6 8there3s aTi#es !ios!near m% hea'-arters. It -st poste' this.8 e hel' -p a cop% of the extra. 8The 'amnthin4 is r-nnin4 this off an' 'istrib-tin4 it thro-4ho-t the worl'6 isn3t it5 owever6 wehave crac! teams -p in that area an' the% report absol-tel% nothin46 no roa' bloc!s6 nomilitia2st%le troops on the move6 no activit% of an% sort.8

8I !now68 oo' sai'. e felt wear%. An' still6 from beneath them6 the 'eep r-mblecontin-e'6 the newspaper printin4 its extra6 informin4 the worl' of the march b% Benn%Cemoli3s s-pporters on *ew or! Cit% 22 a fantas% march6 evi'entl%6 a pro'-ctman-fact-re' entirel% within the cephalon of the newspaper itself. 8Sh-t it off68 ietrichsai'. oo' shoo! his hea'.

8*o. I want to !now more.8

8That3s no reason68 ietrich sai'. 8(bvio-sl%6 it3s 'efective. "er% serio-sl%'ama4e'6 not wor!in4 properl%. o-3ll have to search elsewhere for %o-r worl'2wi'e propa4an'a networ!.8 e tosse' the newspaper 'own on oo'3s 'es!.





To LeConte6 oo' sai'6 80as Benn% Cemoli active before the war58 There wassilence. Both LeConte an' his assistant $r. ,all were pale an' tenseJ the% face' himti4ht2lippe'6 4lancin4 at each other.

8I am not m-ch for police matters68 oo' sai' to ietrich6 8b-t I thin! %o- co-l'reasonabl% step in here.8

ietrich6 -n'erstan'in46 sai'6 8I a4ree. o- two men are -n'er arrest. nless %o-feel incline' to tal! a little more freel% abo-t this a4itator in the re' to4a.8 e no''e' totwo of his police6 who stoo' b% the office 'oorwa%J the% steppe' obe'ientl% forwar'.

As the two policemen came -p to him6 LeConte sai'6 8Come to thin! of it6 therewas s-ch a person. B-t 22 he was ver% obsc-re.8

8Before the war58 oo' as!e'.

8es.8 LeConte no''e' slowl%. 8e was a o!e. As I recall6 an' it3s 'iffic-lt. . . afat6 i4norant clown from some bac!woo's area. e ha' a little ra'io station or somethin4over which he broa'cast. e pe''le' some sort ofanti2ra'iation box which %o- installe'in %o-r ho-se6 an' it ma'e %o- safe from bomb2test fallo-t.8

*ow his staff member $r. ,all sai'6 8I remember. e even ran for the * senate.B-t he was 'efeate'6 nat-rall%.8

8An' that was the last of him58 oo' as!e'.

8(h %es68 LeConte sai'. 8e 'ie' of Asian fl- soon after. e3s been 'ea' forfifteen %ears.8

In a helicopter6 oo' flew slowl% above the terrain 'epicte' in theTi#es articles6seein4 for himself that there was no si4n of political activit%. e 'i' not feel reall%ass-re' -ntil he ha' seen with his own e%es that the newspaper ha' lost contact withact-al events. The realit% of the sit-ation 'i' not coinci'e with theTi#es0 articles in an%wa%J that was obvio-s. An' %et 22 the homeostatic s%stem contin-e' on.

Foan6 seate' besi'e him6 sai'6 8I have the thir' article here6 if %o- want to rea' it.8She ha' been loo!in4 the latest e'ition over.

8*o68 oo' sai'.

8It sa%s the%3re in the o-ts!irts of the cit%68 she sai'. 8The% bro!e thro-4h the police barrica'es an' the 4overnor has appeale' for * assistance.8





Tho-4htf-ll%6 ,letcher sai'6 8ere3s an i'ea. (ne of -s6 preferabl% %o-6 oo'6sho-l' write a letter to theTi#es)/ oo' 4lance' at him.

8I thin! I can tell %o- exactl% how it sho-l' be wor'e'68 ,letcher sai'. 8$a!e it asimple in-ir%. o-3ve followe' the acco-nts in the paper abo-t Cemoli3s movement. Tell

the e'itor 228 ,letcher pa-se'. 8That %o- feel s%mpatheticand you0d like to 6oin the#ove#ent) As! the paper how.8

To himself6 oo' tho-4ht6 7n other 'ords ask the ne'spaper to put #e in touch'ith Ce#oli) e ha' to a'mire ,letcher3s i'ea. It was brilliant6 in a craG% sort of wa%. Itwas as if ,letcher ha' been able to match the 'eran4ement of the newspaper b% a'eliberate shift from common sense on his own part. e wo-l' participate in thenewspaper3s 'el-sion. Ass-min4 there was a Cemoli an' a march on *ew or!6 he wasas!in4 a reasonable -estion.

Foan sai'6 8I 'on3t want to so-n' st-pi'6 b-t how 'oes one 4o abo-t mailin4 a

letter to a homeopape58

8I3ve loo!e' into that68 ,letcher sai'. 8At each !ios! set -p b% the paper there3s aletter2slot6 next to the coin2slot where %o- pa% for %o-r paper. It was the law when thehomeopapes were set -p ori4inall%6 'eca'es a4o. All we nee' is %o-r h-sban'3ssi4nat-re.8 &eachin4 into his ac!et6 he bro-4ht o-t an envelope. 8The letter3s written.8

oo' too! the letter6 examine' it.So 'e desire to 4e part of the #ythical fat

clo'n0s thron!, he sai' to himself. 80on3t there be a hea'line rea'in4 C&B CI+,F(I*S $A&C (* +A&T CAPITAL58 he as!e' ,letcher6 feelin4 a trace of wr%am-sement. 80o-l'n3t a 4oo'6 enterprisin4 homeopape ma!e front pa4e -se of a letters-ch as this58

(bvio-sl% ,letcher ha' not tho-4ht of thatJ he loo!e' cha4rine'. 8I s-ppose weha' better 4et someone else to si4n it68 he a'mitte'. 8Some minor person attache' to %o-rstaff.8 e a''e'6 8I co-l' si4n it m%self.8

an'in4 him the letter bac!6 oo' sai'6 8o so. It3ll be interestin4 to see whatresponse6 if an%6 there is.8 +etters to the editor, he tho-4ht. +etters to a vast, co#ple9,

electronic or!anis# 4uried deep in the !round, responsi4le to no one, !uided solely 4y itso'n rulin! circuits) o' 'ould it react to this e9ternal ratification of its delusion% Would

the ne'spaper 4e snapped 4ack to reality%

It was6he tho-4ht6as if the ne'spaper, durin! these years of this enforced silence,

had 4een drea#in!, and no', rea'akened, it had allo'ed portions of its for#er drea#s

to #ateriali.e in its pa!es alon! 'ith its accurate, perceptive accounts of the actual situation) " 4lend of fi!#ents and sheer, stark reportin!) Which ulti#ately 'ould

triu#ph% Soon, evidently, the unfoldin! story of Benny Ce#oli 'ould have the to!a-

'earin! spell4inder in *e' ork5 it appeared that the #arch 'ould succeed) "nd 'hat

then% o' could this 4e s:uared 'ith the arrival of C2RB, 'ith all its enor#ous inter-





0hen he ha' the chief investi4ator6 he sai'6 8ietrich6 I3' li!e a team of %o-r menJ wehave a trip to ma!e an' there ma% be 'iffic-lties.8

After a pa-se ietrich sai' 'r%l%6 8So it3s not all noble reclamation after all. 0ell6we3ve alrea'% 'ispatche' a man to !eep an e%e on the Blee!man Street a''ress. I a'mire

%o-r letter scheme. It ma% have 'one the tric!.8 e ch-c!le'.

Shortl%6 oo' an' fo-r blac!2-niforme' Centa-rian policemen flew b% 3copterabove the r-ins of *ew or! Cit%6 searchin4 for the remains of what ha' once beenBlee!man Street. B% the -se of a map the% mana4e' after half an ho-r to locatethemselves.

8There68 the police captain in char4e of the team sai'6 pointin4. 8That wo-l' be it6that b-il'in4 -se' as a 4rocer% store.8 The 3copter be4an to lower. It was a 4rocer% store6all ri4ht. oo' saw no si4ns of political activit%6 no persons loiterin46 no fla4s or banners.An' %et 22 somethin4 omino-s seeme' to lie behin' the commonplace scene below6 the

bins of ve4etables par!e' o-t on the si'ewal!6 the shabb% women in lon4 cloth coats whostoo' pic!in4 over the winter potatoes6 the el'erl% proprietor with his white cloth apronsweepin4 with his broom. It was too nat-ral6 too eas%. It wastoo or'inar%. 8Shall welan'58 the police captain as!e' him.

8es68 oo' sai'. 8An' be rea'%.8

The proprietor6 seein4 them lan' in the street before his 4rocer% store6 lai' his broom caref-ll% to one si'e an' wal!e' towar' them. e was6 oo' saw6 a 1ree!. eha' a heav% m-stache an' sli4htl% wav% 4ra% hair6 an' he 4aGe' at them with innateca-tion6 !nowin4 at once that the% 'i' not inten' him an% 4oo'. et he ha' 'eci'e' to4reet them with civilit%J he was not afrai' of them.

81entlemen68 the 1ree! 4rocer% store owner sai'6 bowin4 sli4htl%. 80hat can I 'ofor %o-58 is e%es rove' spec-lativel% over the blac! Centa-rian police -niforms6 b-t heshowe' no expression6 no reaction.

oo' sai'6 80e3ve come to arrest a political a4itator. o- have nothin4 to bealarme' abo-t.8 e starte' towar' the 4rocer% storeJ the team of police followe'6 theirsi'e arms 'rawn.

8Political a4itation here58 the 1ree! sai'. 8Come on. It is impossible.8

e h-rrie' after them6 pantin46 alarme' now. 80hat have I 'one5 *othin4 at allJ%o- can loo! aro-n'. 1o ahea'.8 e hel' open the 'oor of the store6 -sherin4 theminsi'e. 8See ri4ht awa% for %o-rself.8

8That3s what we inten' to 'o68 oo' sai'. e move' with a4ilit%6 wastin4 no timeon conspic-o-s portions of the storeJ he stro'e 'irectl% on thro-4h.





three 'a%s. (r at least the paintin4 was -st now 'one6 to be absol-tel% acc-rate abo-t it.8

8These flies68 oo' sai'. 8The%3re not even 'ea' %et.8 So it ha' not even beenthree 'a%s. Probabl% the boar'in42-p ha' been 'one %ester'a%.

0hat ha' this room been -se' for5e t-rne' to the 1ree!6 who ha' come afterthem6 still tense an' pale6 his 'ar! e%es flic!erin4 rapi'l% with concern.This is a s#art

#an, oo' realiGe'.We 'ill !et little out of hi#)

At the far en' of the storeroom the police flashli4hts pic!e' o-t a cabinet6 empt%shelves of bare6 ro-4h woo'. oo' wal!e' towar' it.

8(!a%68 the 1ree! sai' thic!l%6 swallowin4. 8I a'mit it. 0e have !ept bootle4 4instore' here. 0e became scare'. o- Centa-rians 228 e loo!e' aro-n' at them with fear.8o-3re not li!e o-r local bossesJ we !now them6 the% -n'erstan' -s. o-7 o- can3t bereache'. B-t we have to ma!e a livin4.8 e sprea' his han's6 appealin4 to them.

,rom behin' the cabinet the e'4e of somethin4 protr-'e'. Barel% visible6 it mi4htnever have been notice'. A paper which ha' fallen there6 almost o-t of si4htJ it ha'slippe' 'own farther an' farther. *ow oo' too! hol' of it an' caref-ll% 'rew it o-t.Bac! -p the wa% it ha' come.

The 1ree! sh-''ere'.

It was6 oo' saw6 a pict-re. A heav%6 mi''le2a4e' man with loose owls staine' blac! b% the 4raine' be4innin4s of a bear'6 frownin46 his lips set in 'efiance. A bi4 man6wearin4 some !in' of -niform. (nce this pict-re ha' h-n4 on the wall an' people ha'come here an' loo!e' at it6 pai' respect to it. e !new who it was. This was Benn%Cemoli6 at the hei4ht of his political career6 the lea'er 4larin4 bitterl% at the followerswho ha' 4athere' here. So this was the man.

*o won'er theTi#es showe' s-ch alarm.

To the 1ree! 4rocer% store owner6 oo' sai'6 hol'in4 -p the pict-re6 8Tell me. Isthis familiar to %o-58

8*o6 no68 the 1ree! sai'. e wipe' perspiration from his face with a lar4e re'han'!erchief. 8Certainl% not.8 B-t obvio-sl%6 it was.

oo' sai'6 8o-3re a follower of Cemoli6 aren3t %o-58

There was silence.

8Ta!e him alon468 oo' sai' to the police captain. 8An' let3s start bac!.8 ewal!e' from the room6 carr%in4 the pict-re with him.





As he sprea' the pict-re o-t on his 'es!6 oo' tho-4ht6 7t isn0t #erely a fantasy ofthe Times.We kno' the truth no') The #an is real and t'enty-four hours a!o this portrait

of hi# hun! on a 'all, in plain si!ht) 7t 'ould still 4e there this #o#ent, if C2RB had not

put in its appearance) We fri!htened the#) The $arth peoplehave a lot to hi'e from -s6an' the% !now it. The% are ta!in4 steps6 rapi'l% an' effectivel%6 an' we will be l-c!% ifwe can 22

Interr-ptin4 his tho-4hts6 Foan sai'6 8Then the Blee!man Street a''ress reall% wasa meetin4 place for them. The pape was correct.8

8es68 oo' sai'.

80here is he now58

I wish I !new6oo' tho-4ht.

8as ietrich seen the pict-re %et58

8*ot %et68 oo' sai'.

Foan sai'6 8e was responsible for the war an' ietrich is 4oin4 to fin' it o-t.8

8*o one man68 oo' sai'6 8co-l' be solel% responsible.8

8B-t he fi4-re' lar4el%68 Foan sai'. 8That3s wh% the%3ve 4one to so m-ch effort toera'icate all traces of his existence.8

oo' no''e'.

80itho-t theTi#es/ she sai'6 8wo-l' we ever have 4-esse' that s-ch a politicalfi4-re as Benn% Cemoli existe'5 0e owe a lot to the pape. The% overloo!e' it or weren3table to 4et to it. Probabl% the% were wor!in4 in s-ch hasteJ the% co-l'n3t thin! ofever%thin46 even in ten %ears. It m-st be har' to obliterateevery s-rvivin4 'etail of a planet2wi'e political movement6 especiall% when its lea'er mana4e' to seiGe absol-te power in the final phase.8

8Impossible to obliterate68 oo' sai'. " closed-off storeroo# in the 4ack of a8reek !rocery store) ) ) that 'as enou!h to tell us 'hat 'e needed to kno') *o'

Dietrich0s #en can do the rest) 7f Ce#oli is alive they 'ill eventually find hi#, and if he0s

dead -- they0ll 4e hard to convince, kno'in! Dietrich) They0ll never stop lookin! no')

8(ne 4oo' thin4 abo-t this68 Foan sai'6 8is that now a lot of innocent people will be off the hoo!. ietrich won3t 4o aro-n' prosec-tin4 them. e3ll be b-s% trac!in4 'ownCemoli.8





Tr-e6 oo' tho-4ht. An' that was important. The Centa-rian police wo-l' bethoro-4hl% occ-pie' for a lon4 time to come6 an' that was -st as well for ever%one6incl-'in4 C&B an' its ambitio-s pro4ram of reconstr-ction.

If there ha' never been a Benn% Cemoli6he tho-4ht s-''enl%6 7t 'ould al#ost have4een necessary to invent hi#) An o'' tho-4ht. . . he won'ere' how it happene' to cometo him. A4ain he examine' the pict-re6 tr%in4 to infer as m-ch as possible abo-t the manfrom this flat li!eness. ow ha' Cemoli so-n'e'5 a' he 4aine' power thro-4h thespo!en wor'6 li!e so man% 'ema4o4-es before him5 An' his writin4. . . $a%be some ofit wo-l' t-rn -p. (r even tape recor'in4s of speeches he ha' ma'e6 the act-al sound of theman. An' perhaps vi'eo tapes as well. +vent-all% it wo-l' all come to li4htJ it wasonl% a-estion of time. "nd then 'e 'ill 4e a4le to e9perience for ourselves ho' it 'as to liveunder the shado' of such a #an,he realiGe'.

The line from ietrich3s office b-GGe'. e pic!e' -p the phone. 80e have the

1ree! here68 ietrich sai'. 8n'er 'r-424-i'ance he3s ma'e a n-mber of a'missionsJ %o-ma% be intereste'.8

8es68 oo' sai'.

ietrich sai'6 8e tells -s he3s been a follower for seventeen %ears6 a real ol'2timer in the $ovement. The% met twice a wee! in the bac! of his 4rocer% store6 in theearl% 'a%s when the $ovement was small an' relativel% powerless. That pict-re %o- have22 I haven3t seen it6 of co-rse6 b-t Stavros6 o-r 1ree! 4entleman6 tol' me abo-t it 22 that portrait is act-all% obsolete in the sense that several more recent ones have been in vo4-eamon4 the faithf-l for some time now. Stavros h-n4 onto it for sentimental reasons. Itremin'e' him of the ol' 'a%s. Later on when the $ovement 4rew in stren4th6 Cemolistoppe' showin4 -p at the 4rocer% store6 an' the 1ree! lost o-t in an% personal contactwith him. e contin-e' to be a lo%al '-es2pa%in4 member6 b-t it became abstract forhim.8

80hat abo-t the war58 oo' as!e'.

8Shortl% before the war Cemoli seiGe' power in a co-p here in *orth America6thro-4h a march on *ew or! Cit%6 '-rin4 a severe economic 'epression. $illions were-nemplo%e' an' he 'rew a 4oo' 'eal of s-pport from them. e trie' to solve theeconomic problems thro-4h an a44ressive forei4n polic% 22 attac!e' several LatinAmerican rep-blics which were in the sphere of infl-ence of the Chinese. That seems to be it6 b-t Stavros is a bit haG% abo-t the bi4 pict-re . . . we3ll have to fill in more fromother enth-siasts as we 4o alon4. ,rom some of the %o-n4er ones. After all6 this one isover sevent% %ears ol'.8

oo' sai'6 8o-3re not 4oin4 to prosec-te him6 I hope.8

8(h6 no. e3s simpl% a so-rce of information. 0hen he3s tol' -s all he has on his





min' we3ll let him 4o bac! to his onions an' canne' apple sa-ce. e3s harmless.8

8i' Cemoli s-rvive the war58

8es68 ietrich sai'. 8B-t that was ten %ears a4o. Stavros 'oesn3t !now if the man

is still alive now. Personall% I thin! he is6 an' we3ll 4o on that ass-mption -ntil it3s prove'false. 0e have to.8 oo' than!e' him an' h-n4 -p.

As he t-rne' from the phone he hear'6 beneath him6 the low6 '-ll r-mblin4. Thehomeopape ha' once more starte' into life.

8It3s not a re4-lar e'ition68 Foan sai'6 -ic!l% cons-ltin4 her wristwatch. 8So itm-st be another extra. This is excitin46 havin4 it happen li!e thisJ I can3t wait to rea' thefront pa4e.8

0hat has Benn% Cemoli 'one now5oo' won'ere'. "ccordin! to the Times6in its

#isphased chroniclin! of the #an0s epic) ) ) 'hat sta!e, actually takin! place%ears a4o6has now been reache'. Somethin4 climactic6 'eservin4 of an extra. It will be interestin46no 'o-bt of that. TheTimeskno's 'hat is fit to print) e6 too6 co-l' har'l% wait.

In 'owntown (!lahoma Cit%6 Fohn LeConte p-t a coin into the slot of the !ios!which theTi#es ha' lon4 a4o establishe' there. The cop% of theTi#es0 latest extra sli'o-t6 an' he pic!e' it -p an' rea' the hea'line briefl%6 spen'in4 onl% a moment on it toverif% the essentials. Then he crosse' the si'ewal! an' steppe' once more into the rearseat of his cha-ffe-r2'riven steam car.

$r. ,all sai' circ-mspectl%6 8Sir6 here is the primar% material6 if %o- wish to ma!ea wor'2b%2wor' comparison.8 The secretar% hel' o-t the fol'er6 an' LeConte accepte' it.

The car starte' -p. 0itho-t bein4 tol'6 the cha-ffe-r 'rove in the 'irection ofPart% hea'-arters. LeConte leane' bac!6 lit a ci4ar an' ma'e himself comfortable.

(n his lap6 the newspaper blaGe' -p its enormo-s hea'lines.

C+$(LI +*T+&S C(ALITI(* * 1("+&*$+*T6

T+$P(&A& C+SSATI(* (, (STILITI+S

To his secretar%6 LeConte sai'6 8$% phone6 please.8





8es sir.8 $r. ,all han'e' him the portable fiel'2phone. 8B-t we3re almost there.An' it3s alwa%s possible6 if %o- 'on3t min' m% pointin4 it o-t6 that the% ma% have tappe'-s somewhere alon4 the line.8

8The%3re b-s% in *ew or!68 LeConte sai'. 8Amon4 the r-ins.8 7n an area that

hasn 0t #attered as lon! as 7 can re#e#4er, he sai' to himself. owever6 possibl% $r.,all3s a'vice was 4oo'J he 'eci'e' to s!ip the phone call. 80hat 'o %o- thin! of this lastitem58 he as!e' his secretar%6 hol'in4 -p the newspaper.

8"er% s-ccess2'eservin468 $r. ,all sai'6 no''in4.

(penin4 his briefcase6 LeConte bro-4ht o-t a tattere'6 coverless textboo!. It ha' been man-fact-re' onl% an ho-r a4o6 an' it was the next artifact to be plante' for theinva'ers from Proxima Centa-r-s to 'iscover. This was his own contrib-tion6 an' he was personall% -ite pro-' of it. The boo! o-tline' in massive 'etail Cemoli3s pro4ram ofsocial chan4eJ the revol-tion 'epicte' in lan4-a4e comprehensible to school chil'ren.

8$a% I as!68 $r. ,all sai'6 8if the Part% hierarch% inten's for them to 'iscover acorpse58

8+vent-all%68 LeConte sai'. 8B-t that will be several months from now.8 Ta!in4 a pencil from his coat poc!et he wrote in the tattere' textboo!6 cr-'el%6 as if a p-pil ha''one it:

(0* 0IT C+$(LI

(r was that 4oin4 too far5 *o6 he 'eci'e'. There wo-l' be resistance. Certainl% ofthe spontaneo-s6 school bo% variet%. e a''e':

0+&+ A&+ T+ (&A*1+S5

Peerin4 over his sho-l'er6 $r. ,all sai'6 80hat 'oes that mean58

8Cemoli promises oran4es to the %o-th68 LeConte explaine'. 8Another empt% boast which the revol-tion never f-lfills. That was Stavros3s i'ea . . . he bein4 a 4rocer. Anice to-ch.88ivin! it, he tho-4ht6 6ust that #uch #ore se#4lance of verisi#ilitude) 7t0s the

little touches that have done it)





8ester'a%68 $r. ,all sai'6 8when I was at Part% hea'-arters6 I hear' an a-'iotape that ha' been ma'e. Cemoli a''ressin4 the *. It was -ncann%J if %o- 'i'n3t !now228

80ho 'i' the% 4et to 'o it58 LeConte as!e'6 won'erin4 wh% he ha'n3t been in on

it.

8Some ni4htcl-b entertainer here in (!lahoma Cit%. &ather obsc-re6 of co-rse. I believe he specialiGes in all sorts of characteriGations. The fellow 4ave it a bombastic6threatenin4 -alit% . . . I m-st a'mit I eno%e' it.8

An' meanwhile6LeConte tho-4ht6there are no 'ar-cri#es trials) We 'ho 'ere

leaders durin! the 'ar, on $arth and on Mars, 'e 'ho held responsi4le posts -- 'e are safe, at least for a 'hile) "nd perhaps it 'ill 4e forever) 7f our strate!y continues to 'ork)

"nd if our tunnel to the cephalon of the ho#eopape, 'hich took us five years to co#plete,

isn0t discovered) (r doesn0t collapse)

The steam car par!e' in the reserve' space before Part% hea'-artersJ thecha-ffe-r came aro-n' to open the 'oor an' LeConte 4ot leis-rel% o-t6 steppin4 forth intothe li4ht of 'a%6 with no feelin4 of anxiet%. e tosse' his ci4ar into the 4-tter an' thensa-ntere' across the si'ewal!6 into the familiar b-il'in4.

*ovelt% Act

Li4hts b-rne' latein the 4reat comm-nal apartment b-il'in4 Abraham Lincoln6 beca-se this was All So-ls ni4ht: the resi'ents6 all six h-n're' of them6 were re-ire' b%their charter to atten'6 'own in the s-bs-rface comm-nit% hall. The% file' in bris!l%6 men6women an' chil'renJ at the 'oor Br-ce Corle%6 operatin4 their rather expensive newi'entification rea'er6 chec!e' each of them in t-rn to be s-re that no one from o-tsi'e6from another comm-nal apartment b-il'in46 4ot in. The resi'ents s-bmitte' 4oo'2nat-re'l%6 an' it all went ver% fast.

8e% Br-ce6 how m-ch3' it set -s bac!58 as!e' ol' Foe P-r'6 ol'est resi'ent in the b-il'in4J he ha' move' in with his wife an' two chil'ren the 'a% the b-il'in46 in $a% of9;)6 ha' been b-ilt. is wife was 'ea' now an' the chil'ren ha' 4rown -p6 marrie' an'move' on6 b-t Foe remaine'.





8Plent%68 Br-ce Corle% sai'6 8b-t it3s error2proofJ I mean6 it isn3t -st s-bective.8p to now6 in his permanent ob as ser4eant of arms6 he ha' a'mitte' people merel% b%his abilit% to reco4niGe them. B-t that wa% he ha' at last let in a pair of 4oons from &e'&obin ill $anor an' the% ha' 'isr-pte' the entire meetin4 with their -estions an'

comments. It wo-l' not happen a4ain.

Passin4 o-t copies of the a4en'a6 $rs. 0ells smile' fixe'l% an' chante'6 8ItemA6 Appropriation for &oof &epairs6 has been move' to #A. Please ma!e a note of that.8The resi'ents accepte' their a4en'as an' then 'ivi'e' into two streams flowin4 toopposite si'es of the hallJ the liberal faction of the b-il'in4 seate' themselves on the ri4htan' the conservatives on the left6 each conspic-o-sl% i4norin4 the existence of the other.A few -ncommitte' persons 22 newer resi'ents or o''2balls 22 too! seats in the rear6 self2conscio-s an' silent as the room b-GGe' with man% small conferences. The tone6 themoo' of the room6 was tolerant6 b-t the resi'ents !new that toni4ht there was 4oin4 to bea clash. Pres-mabl%6 both si'es were prepare'. ere an' there 'oc-ments6 petitions6

newspaper clippin4s r-stle' as the% were rea' an' exchan4e'6 han'e' bac! an' forth.

(n the platform6 seate' at the table with the fo-r 4overnin4 b-il'in4 tr-stees6chairman onal' Kl-4man felt sic! at his stomach. A peacef-l man6 he shran! from theseviolent s-abbles. +ven seate' in the a-'ience he fo-n' it too m-ch for him6 an' heretoni4ht he wo-l' have to ta!e active partJ time an' ti'e ha' rotate' the chair aro-n' tohim6 as it 'i' to each resi'ent in t-rn6 an' of co-rse it wo-l' be the ni4ht the school iss-ereache' its climax.

The room ha' almost fille' an' now Patric! o%le6 the c-rrent b-il'in4 s!% pilot6loo!in4 none too happ% in his lon4 white robe6 raise' his han's for silence. 8The openin4 pra%er68 he calle' h-s!il%6 cleare' his throat an' bro-4ht forth a small car'. 8+ver%one please sh-t their e%es an' bow their hea's.8 e 4lance' at Kl-4man an' the tr-stees6 an'Kl-4man no''e' for him to contin-e. 8eavenl% ,ather68 o%le sai'6 8we the resi'entsof the comm-nal apartment b-il'in4 Abraham Lincoln beseech o- to bless o-r assembl%toni4ht. m6 we as! that in o-r merc% o- enable -s to raise the f-n's for the roofrepairs which seem imperative. 0e as! that o-r sic! be heale' an' o-r -nemplo%e' fin' obs an' that in processin4 applicants wishin4 to live amon4st -s we show wis'om inwhom we a'mit an' whom we t-rn awa%. 0e f-rther as! that no o-tsi'ers 4et in an''isr-pt o-r law2abi'in46 or'erl% lives an' we as! in partic-larl% that lastl%6 if it be Th%will6 that *icole Thibo'ea-x be free of her sin-s hea'aches which have ca-se' her not toappear before -s on T" latel%6 an' that those hea'aches not have an%thin4 to 'o with thattime two %ears a4o6 which we all recall6 when that sta4ehan' allowe' that wei4ht to fallan' stri!e her on the hea'6 sen'in4 her to the hospital for several 'a%s. An%how6 amen.8

The a-'ience a4ree'6 8Amen.8

&isin4 from his chair6 Kl-4man sai'6 8*ow6 before the b-siness of the meetin46we3ll have a few min-tes of o-r own talent 'ispla%e' for o-r eno%ment. ,irst6 the three,ettersmoller 4irls from apartment n-mber <)?. The% will 'o a soft2shoe 'ance to the





t-ne of 3I3ll B-il' a Stairwa% to the Stars.3 8 e reseate' himself6 an' onto the sta4e camethe three little blon'e2haire' chil'ren6 familiar to the a-'ience from man% talent shows inthe past.

As the ,ettersmoller 4irls in their stripe' pants an' 4litter% silver ac!ets sh-ffle'

smilin4l% thro-4h their 'ance6 the 'oor to the o-tsi'e hall opene' an' a late2comer6 +'4arStone6 appeare'.

e was late6 this evenin46 beca-se he ha' been 4ra'in4 test papers of his next2'oor nei4hbor6 $r. Ian -ncan6 an' as he stoo' in the 'oorwa% his min' was still on thetest an' the poor showin4 which -ncan 22 whom he barel% !new 22 ha' ma'e. It seeme'to him that witho-t even havin4 finishe' the test he co-l' see that -ncan ha' faile'.

(n the sta4e the ,ettersmoller 4irls san4 in their scratch% voices6 an' Stonewon'ere' wh% he ha' come. Perhaps for no more reason than to avoi' the fine6 it bein4man'ator% for the resi'ents to be here6 toni4ht. These amate-r talent shows6 p-t on so

often6 meant nothin4 to himJ he recalle' the ol' 'a%s when the T" set ha' carrie'entertainment6 4oo' shows p-t on b% professionals. *ow of co-rse all the professionalswho were an% 4oo' were -n'er contract to the 0hite o-se6 an' the T" ha' becomee'-cational6 not entertainin4. $r. Stone tho-4ht of 4reat ol' late2late movies with comicss-ch as Fac! Lemmon an' Shirle% $acLaine6 an' then he loo!e' once more at the,ettersmoller 4irls an' 4roane'.

Corle%6 hearin4 him6 4lance' at him severel%.

At least he ha' misse' the pra%er. e presente' his i'entification to Corle%3s newmachine an' it allowe' him to pass 'own the aisle towar' a vacant seat. 0as *icolewatchin4 this6 toni4ht5 0as a 0hite o-se talent sco-t present somewhere in thea-'ience5 e saw no -nfamiliar faces. The ,ettersmoller 4irls were wastin4 their time.Seatin4 himself6 he close' his e%es an' listene'6 -nable to en'-re watchin4. The%3ll neverma!e it6 he tho-4ht. The%3ll have to face it6 an' so will their ambitio-s parentsJ the%3re-ntalente'6 li!e the rest of -s . . . Abraham Lincoln Apartments has a''e' little to thec-lt-ral store of the nation6 'espite its sweat%6 stren-o-s 'etermination6 an' %o- are not4oin4 to be able to chan4e that.

The hopelessness of the ,ettersmoller 4irls3 position ma'e him remember oncemore the test papers which Ian -ncan6 tremblin4 an' waxen2face'6 ha' presse' into hishan's earl% that mornin4. If -ncan faile' he wo-l' be even worse2off than the,ettersmoller 4irls beca-se he wo-l' not even be livin4 at Abraham LincolnJ he wo-l''rop o-t of si4ht 22 their si4ht6 an%how 22 an' wo-l' revert to a 'espise' an' ancientstat-s: he wo-l' fin' himself once more livin4 in a 'orm6 wor!in4 on a man-al 4an4 asthe% ha' all 'one bac! in their teens.

(f co-rse he wo-l' also be ref-n'e' the mone% which he ha' pai' for hisapartment6 a lar4e s-m which represente' the man3s sole maor investment in life. ,romone stan'point6 Stone envie' him. 0hat wo-l' I 'o6 he as!e' himself as he sat e%es





close'6 if I ha' m% e-it% bac! ri4ht now6 in a l-mp s-m5 Perhaps6 he tho-4ht6 I3'emi4rate. B-% one of those cheap6 ille4al alopies the% pe''le at those lots which 22

Clappin4 han's ro-se' him. The 4irls ha' finishe'6 an' he6 too6 oine' in theappla-se. (n the platform6 Kl-4man wave' for silence. 8(!a%6 fol!s6 I !now %o- eno%e'

that6 b-t there3s lots#ore in store6 toni4ht. An' then there3s the b-siness part of themeetin4J we m-stn3t for4et that.8 e 4rinne' at them.

es6 Stone tho-4ht. The b-siness. An' he felt tense6 beca-se he was one of thera'icals at Abraham Lincoln who wante' to abolish the b-il'in43s 4rammar school an'sen' their chil'ren to a p-blic 4rammar school where the% wo-l' be expose' to chil'renfrom other b-il'in4s entirel%. It was the !in' of i'ea which met m-ch opposition. An'%et6 in the last wee!s6 it ha' 4aine' s-pport. 0hat a broa'enin4 experience it wo-l' beJtheir chil'ren wo-l' 'iscover that people in other apartment b-il'in4s were no 'ifferentfrom themselves. Barriers between people of all apartments wo-l' be torn 'own an' anew -n'erstan'in4 wo-l' come abo-t.

At least6 that was how it str-c! Stone6 b-t the conservatives 'i' not see it thatwa%. Too soon6 the% sai'6 for s-ch mixin4. There wo-l' be o-tbrea!s of fi4hts as thechil'ren clashe' over which b-il'in4 was s-perior. In time it wo-l' happen . . . b-t notnow6 not so soon.

&is!in4 the severe fine6 Ian -ncan misse' the assembl% an' remaine' in hisapartment that evenin46 st-'%in4 official 1overnment texts on the reli4io2political histor%of the nite' States 2relpol, as the% were calle'. e was wea! in this6 he !newJ he co-l' barel% comprehen' the economic factors6 let alone all the reli4io-s an' politicali'eolo4ies that ha' come an' 4one '-rin4 the twentieth cent-r%6 'irectl% contrib-tin4 tothe present sit-ation. ,or instance6 the rise of the emocratic2&ep-blican Part%. (nce itha' been two parties6 en4a4in4 in wastef-l -arrels6 in str-44les for power6 -st the wa% b-il'in4s fo-4ht now. The two parties ha' mer4e'6 abo-t 9;?. *ow there was -st theone part%6 which ha' r-le' a stable an' peacef-l societ%6 an' ever%one belon4e' to it.+ver%one pai' '-es an' atten'e' meetin4s an' vote'6 each fo-r %ears6 for a newPresi'ent 22 for the man the% tho-4ht *icole wo-l' li!e best.

It was nice to !now that the%6 the people6 ha' the power to 'eci'e who wo-l' become *icole3s h-sban'6 each fo-r %earsJ in a sense it 4ave to the electorate s-preme power6 even above *icole herself. ,or instance6 this last man6 Ta-fic *e4al. &elations between him an' the ,irst La'% were -ite cool6 in'icatin4 that she 'i' not li!e this mostrecent choice ver% m-ch. B-t of co-rse bein4 a la'% she wo-l' never let on.

0hen 'i' the position of ,irst La'% first be4in to ass-me stat-re 4reater than thatof Presi'ent5 therelpol text in-ire'. In other wor's6 when 'i' o-r societ% becomematriarchal6 Ian -ncan sai' to himself. Aro-n' abo-t 9)J I !now the answer to that.There were 4limmerin4s before thatJ the chan4e came 4ra'-all%. +ach %ear the Presi'ent





became more obsc-re6 the ,irst La'% became better !nown6 more li!e'6 b% the p-blic. Itwas the p-blic which bro-4ht it abo-t. 0as it a nee' for mother6 wife6 mistress6 or perhaps all three5 An%how the% 4ot what the% wante'J the% 4ot *icole an' she iscertainl% all three an' more besi'es.

In the corner of his livin4 room the television set sai'taaaaan!, in'icatin4 that itwas abo-t to come on. 0ith a si4h6 Ian -ncan close' the official .S. 1overnment text boo! an' t-rne' his attention to the screen. A special6 'ealin4 with activities at the 0hiteo-se6 he spec-late'. (ne more to-r6 perhaps6 or a thoro-4h scr-tin% =in massivel%2'etaile' 'epth> of a new hobb% or p-rs-it of *icole3s. as she ta!en -p collectin4 bone2china c-ps5 If so6 we will have to view each an' ever% &o%al Albert bl-e.

S-re eno-4h6 the ro-n'6 wattle' feat-res of $axwell Famison6 the 0hite o-senews secretar%6 appeare' on the screen. &aisin4 his han'6 Famison ma'e his familiar4est-re of 4reetin4. 8+venin46 people of this lan' of o-rs68 he sai' solemnl%. 8ave %o-ever won'ere' what it wo-l' be li!e to 'escen' to the bottom of the Pacific (cean5

*icole has6 an' to answer that -estion she has assemble' in the T-lip &oom of the0hite o-se three of the worl'3s foremost oceano4raphers. Toni4ht she will as! them fortheir stories6 an' %o- will hear them6 too6 as the% were tape' live6 -st a short while a4othro-4h the facilities of the nifie' Tria'ic *etwor!s3 P-blic Affairs B-rea-.8

An' now to the 0hite o-se6 Ian -ncan sai' to himself. At least vicario-sl%. 0ewho can3t fin' o-r wa% there6 who have no talents which mi4ht interest the ,irst La'%even for one evenin4: we 4et to see in an%how6 thro-4h the caref-ll%2re4-late' win'owof o-r television set.

Toni4ht he 'i' not reall% want to watch6 b-t it seeme' expe'ient to 'o soJ theremi4ht be a s-rprise -iG on the pro4ram6 at the en'. An' a 4oo' 4ra'e on a s-rprise -iGmi4ht well offset the ba' 4ra'e he ha' s-rel% ma'e on the recent political test6 now bein4correcte' b% his nei4hbor $r. Stone.

(n the screen bloome' now lovel%6 tran-il feat-res6 the pale s!in an' 'ar!6intelli4ent e%es6 the wise an' %et pert face of the woman who ha' come to monopoliGetheir attention6 on whom an entire nation6 almost an entire planet6 'welt obsessivel%. Atthe si4ht of her6 Ian -ncan felt en4-lfe' b% fear. e ha' faile' herJ his rotten test res-ltswere somehow !nown to her an' altho-4h she wo-l' sa% nothin46 the 'isappointmentwas there.

81oo' evenin468 *icole sai' in her soft6 sli4htl%2h-s!% voice.

8It3s this wa%68 Ian -ncan fo-n' himself m-mblin4. 8I 'on3t have a hea' forabstractionsJ I mean6 all this reli4io2political philosoph% 22 it ma!es no sense to me.Co-l'n3t I -st concentrate on concrete realit%5 I o-4ht to be ba!in4 bric!s or t-rnin4 o-tshoes.8 I o-4ht to be on $ars6 he tho-4ht6 on the frontier. I3m fl-n!in4 o-t hereJ at thirt%2five I3m washe' -p6and she kno's it) Let me 4o6 *icole6 he tho-4ht in 'esperation. on3t4ive me an% more tests6 beca-se I 'on3t have a chance of passin4 them. +ven this





pro4ram abo-t the ocean3s bottomJ b% the time it3s over I3ll have for4otten all the 'ata. I3mno -se to the emocratic2&ep-blican Part%.

e tho-4ht abo-t his brother6 then. Al co-l' help me. Al wor!e' for Loon% L-!e6at one of his alop% -n4les6 pe''lin4 the little tin an' plastic ships that even 'efeate'

people co-l' affor'6 ships that co-l'6 if l-c! was with them6 s-ccessf-ll% ma!e a one2wa%trip to $ars. Al6 he sai' to himself6 %o- co-l' 4et me a alop% 22 wholesale.

(n the T" screen6 *icole was sa%in46 8An' reall%6 it is a worl' of m-chenchantment6 with l-mino-s entities far s-rpassin4 in variet% an' in sheer 'eli4htf-lwon'er an%thin4 fo-n' on other planets. Scientists comp-te that there are more forms oflife in the ocean 228

er face fa'e'6 an' a se-ence showin4 o''6 4rotes-e fish se4-e' into its place.This is part of the 'eliberate propa4an'a line6 Ian -ncan realiGe'. An effort to ta!e o-rmin's off of $ars an' the i'ea of 4ettin4 awa% from the Part%. . . an' from her. (n the

screen a b-lbo-s2e%e' fish 4ape' at him6 an' his attention6 'espite himself6 was capt-re'.Chrissa!es6 he tho-4ht6 it is a weir' worl' 'own there. *icole6 he tho-4ht6 %o-3ve 4ot metrappe'. If onl% Al an' I ha' s-ccee'e'J we mi4ht be performin4 ri4ht now for %o-6 an'we3' be happ%. 0hile %o- interviewe' worl'2famo-s oceano4raphers Al an' I wo-l' be'iscreetl% pla%in4 in the bac!4ro-n'6 perhaps one of the Bach 8Two Part Inventions.8

1oin4 to the closet of his apartment6 Ian -ncan bent 'own an' caref-ll% lifte' acloth2wrappe' obect into the li4ht. 0e ha' so m-ch %o-thf-l faith in this6 he recalle'.Ten'erl%6 he -nwrappe' the -4J then6 ta!in4 a 'eep breath6 he blew a co-ple of hollownotes on it. The -ncan Brothers an' Their Two2man F-4 Ban'6 he an' Al ha' been6 pla%in4 their own arran4ements for two -4s of Bach an' $oGart an' Stravins!%. B-t the0hite o-se talent sco-t 22 the s!-n!. e ha' never even 4iven them a fair a-'ition. Itha' been 'one6 he tol' them. Fesse Pi446 the fab-lo-s -42artist from Alabama6 ha' 4ottento the 0hite o-se first6 entertainin4 an' 'eli4htin4 the 'oGen an' one members of theThibo'ea-x famil% 4athere' there with his version of 8erb% &am8 an' 8Fohn enr%8an' the li!e.

8B-t68 Ian -ncan ha' proteste'6 8this isclassical -4. 0e pla% late Beethovensonatas.8

80e3ll call %o-68 the talent sco-t ha' sai' bris!l%. 8If *ic!% shows an interest atan% time in the f-t-re.8

*ic!%7 e ha' blanche'. Ima4ine bein4 that intimate with the ,irst ,amil%. ean' Al6 m-mblin4 pointlessl%6 ha' retire' from the sta4e with their -4s6 ma!in4 wa% forthe next act6 a 4ro-p of 'o4s 'resse' -p in +liGabethan cost-mes portra%in4 charactersfrom amlet. The 'o4s ha' not ma'e it6 either6 b-t that was little consolation.

8I am tol'68 *icole was sa%in46 8that there is so little li4ht in the ocean 'epthsthat6 well6 observe this stran4e fellow.8 A fish6 sportin4 a 4lowin4 lantern before him6





swam across the T" screen.

Startlin4 him6 there came a !noc! on the apartment 'oor. 0ith anxiet% -ncananswere' itJ he fo-n' his nei4hbor $r. Stone stan'in4 there6 loo!in4 nervo-s.

8o- weren3t at All So-ls58 $r. Stone sai'. 80on3t the% chec! an' fin' o-t58 ehel' in his han's Ian -ncan3s correcte' test.

-ncan sai'6 8Tell me how I 'i'.8 e prepare' himself.

+nterin4 the apartment6 Stone sh-t the 'oor after him. e 4lance' at the T" set6saw *icole seate' with the oceano4raphers6 listene' for a moment to her6 then abr-ptl%sai' in a hoarse voice6 8o- 'i' fine.8 e hel' o-t the test.

-ncan sai'6 8I passe'58 e co-l' not believe it. e accepte' the papers6examine' them with incre'-lit%. An' then he -n'erstoo' what ha' happene'. Stone ha'

conspire' to see that he passe'J he ha' falsifie' the score6 probabl% o-t of h-manitarianmotives. -ncan raise' his hea' an' the% loo!e' at each other6 neither spea!in4. This isterrible6 -ncan tho-4ht. 0hat3ll I 'o now5 is reaction amaGe' him6 b-t there it was.

I wante' to fail6he realiGe'. 0h%5 So I can 4et o-t of here6 so I wo-l' have anexc-se to 4ive -p all this6 m% apartment an' m% ob6 an' 4o. +mi4rate with nothin4 morethan the shirt on m% bac!6 in a alop% that falls to pieces the moment it comes to rest inthe $artian wil'erness.

8Than!s68 he sai' 4l-ml%.

In a rapi' voice6 Stone sai'6 8o- can 'o the same for me sometime.8

8(h %eah6 be happ% to68 -ncan sai'.

Sc-ttlin4 bac! o-t of the apartment6 Stone left him alone with the T" set6 his -4an' the falsel%2correcte' test papers6 an' his tho-4hts.

Al6 %o-3ve 4ot to help me6 he sai' to himself. o-3ve 4ot to 4et me o-t of thisJ Ican3t even fail on m% own.

In the little str-ct-re at the bac! of Falop% F-n4le *o. 6 Al -ncan sat with hisfeet on the 'es!6 smo!in4 a ci4arette an' watchin4 passers2b%6 the si'ewal! an' peoplean' stores of 'owntown &eno6 *eva'a. Be%on' the 4leam of the new alopies par!e'with flappin4 banners an' streamers casca'in4 from them he saw a shape waitin46 hi'in4 beneath the si4n that spelle' o-t L((* LK+.

An' he was not the onl% person to see the shapeJ alon4 the si'ewal! came a man





an' woman with a small bo% trottin4 ahea' of them6 an' the bo%6 with an exclamation6hoppe' -p an' 'own6 4est-rin4 excite'l%. 8e%6 a'6 loo!7 o- !now what it is5 Loo!6it3s the papoola.8

8B% 4oll%68 the man sai' with a 4rin6 8so it is. Loo!6 $arion6 there3s one of those

$artian creat-res6 hi'in4 there -n'er that si4n. 0hat 'o %o- sa% we 4o over an' chatwith it58 e starte' in that 'irection6 alon4 with the bo%. The woman6 however6 contin-e'alon4 the si'ewal!.

8Come on6 $om78 the bo% -r4e'.

In his office6 Al li4htl% to-che' the controls of the mechanism within his shirt.The papoola emer4e' from beneath the L((* LK+ si4n6 an' Al ca-se' it to wa''leon its six st-bb% le4s towar' the si'ewal!6 its ro-n'6 sill% hat slippin4 over one antenna6its e%es crossin4 an' -ncrossin4 as it ma'e o-t the si4ht of the woman. The tropism bein4establishe'6 the papoola tr-'4e' after her6 to the 'eli4ht of the bo% an' his father.

8Loo!6 a'6 it3s followin4 $om7 e% $om6 t-rn aro-n' an' see78

The woman 4lance' bac!6 saw the platter2li!e or4anism with its oran4e b-42shape' bo'%6 an' she la-4he'. +ver%bo'% loves the papoola6 Al tho-4ht to himself. Seethe f-nn% $artian papoola. Spea!6 papoolaJ sa% hello to the nice la'% who3s la-4hin4 at%o-.

The tho-4hts of the papoola6 'irecte' at the woman6 reache' Al. It was 4reetin4her6 tellin4 her how nice it was to meet her6 soothin4 an' coaxin4 her -ntil she came bac!-p the si'ewal! towar' it6 oinin4 her bo% an' h-sban' so that now all three of themstoo' to4ether6 receivin4 the mental imp-lses emanatin4 from the $artian creat-re whichha' come here to +arth with no hostile plans6 no capacit% to ca-se tro-ble. The papoolalove' them6 too6 -st as the% love' itJ it tol' them so ri4ht now 22 it conve%e' to them the4entleness6 the warm hospitalit% which it was acc-stome' to on its own planet.

0hat a won'erf-l place $ars m-st be6 the man an' woman were no 'o-btthin!in46 as the papoola po-re' o-t its recollections6 its attit-'e. 1osh6 it3s not col' an'schiGoi'6 li!e +arth societ%J nobo'% spies on an%bo'% else6 4ra'es their inn-merable political tests6 reports on them to b-il'in4 Sec-rit% committees wee! in6 wee! o-t. Thin!of it6 the papoola was tellin4 them as the% stoo' roote' to the si'ewal!6 -nable to pass on.o-3re %o-r own boss6 there6 free to wor! %o-r lan'6 believe %o-r own beliefs6 become yourself) Loo! at %o-6 afrai' even to stan' here listenin4. Afrai' to 22

In a nervo-s voice the man sai' to his wife6 80e better 4o.8

8(h no68 the bo% sai' plea'in4l%. 8I mean6 4ee6 how often 'o %o- 4et to tal! to a papoola5 It m-st belon4 to that alop% -n4le6 there.8 The bo% pointe'6 an' Al fo-n'himself -n'er the man3s !een6 observin4 scr-tin%.





The man sai'6 8(f co-rse. The% lan'e' here to sell alopies. It3s wor!in4 on -sri4ht now6 softenin4 -s -p.8 The enchantment visibl% fa'e' from his face. 8There3s theman sittin4 in there operatin4 it.8

B-t6 the papoola tho-4ht6 what I tell %o- is still tr-e. +ven if it is a sales pitch.

o- co-l' 4o there6 to $ars6 %o-rself. o- an' %o-r famil% can see with %o-r own e%es 22if %o- have the co-ra4e to brea! free. Can %o- 'o it5 Are %o- a real man5 B-% a Loon%L-!e alop% . . . b-% it while %o- still have the chance6 beca-se %o- !now that some'a%6ma%be not so lon4 from now6 the law is 4oin4 to crac! 'own. An' there will be no more alop% -n4les. *o more crac! in the wall of the a-thoritarian societ% thro-4h which afew 22 a few l-c!% people 22 can escape.

,i''lin4 with the controls at his mi'section6 Al t-rne' -p the 4ain. The force ofthe papoola3s ps%che increase'6 'rawin4 the man in6 ta!in4 control of him. o- m-st b-%a alop%6 the papoola -r4e'. +as% pa%ment plan6 service warrant%6 man% mo'els to choosefrom. The man too! a step towar' the lot. -rr%6 the papoola tol' him. An% secon' now

the a-thorities ma% close 'own the lot an' %o-r opport-nit% will be 4one forever.

8This is how the% wor! it68 the man sai' with 'iffic-lt%. 8The animal snares people. %pnosis. 0e have to leave.8 B-t he 'i' not leaveJ it was too late: he was 4oin4to b-% a alop%6 an' Al6 in the office with his control box6 was reelin4 the man in.

Leis-rel%6 Al rose to his feet. Time to 4o o-t an' close the 'eal. e sh-t off the papoola6 opene' the office 'oor an' steppe' o-tsi'e onto the lot 22 an' saw a once2familiar fi4-re threa'in4 its wa% amon4 the alopies6 towar' him. It was his brother Ianan' he ha' not seen him in %ears. 1oo' 4rief6 Al tho-4ht. 0hat3s he want5 An' at a timeli!e this 22

8Al68 his brother calle'6 4est-rin4. 8Can I tal! with %o- a secon'5 o-3re not too b-s%6 are %o-58 Perspirin4 an' pale6 he came closer6 loo!in4 abo-t in a fri4htene' wa%.e ha' 'eteriorate' since Al ha' last seen him.

8Listen68 Al sai'6 with an4er. B-t alrea'% it was too lateJ the co-ple an' their bo%ha' bro!en awa% an' were movin4 rapi'l% on 'own the si'ewal!.

8I 'on3t mean to bother %o-68 Ian m-mble'.

8o-3re not botherin4 me68 Al sai' as he 4loomil% watche' the three people'epart. 80hat3s the tro-ble6 Ian5 o- 'on3t loo! ver% wellJ are %o- sic!5 Come on in theoffice.8 e le' his brother insi'e an' sh-t the 'oor.

Ian sai'6 8I came across m% -4. &emember when we were tr%in4 to ma!e it to the0hite o-se5 Al6 we have to tr% once more. onest to 1o'6 I can3t 4o on li!e thisJ I can3tstan' to be a fail-re at what we a4ree' was the most important thin4 in o-r lives.8Pantin46 he moppe' at his forehea' with his han'!erchief6 his han's tremblin4.





of alopies bein4 left behin'.

8o-3re -st one -mp ahea' of them68 Ian m-se'. 8An' %et it 'oesn3t bother %o-. I4-ess it3s all in %o-r attit-'e.8

8If the% 4et me68 Al sai'6 8L-!e will bail me o-t.8 The sha'ow%6 powerf-l fi4-reof his boss was alwa%s there6 bac!in4 him -p6 so what 'i' he have to worr% abo-t5 The alop% t%coon !new a million tric!s. The Thibo'ea-x clan limite' their attac!s on him to'eep2thin! articles in pop-lar ma4aGines an' on T"6 harpin4 on L-!e3s v-l4arit% an' thesho''iness of his vehiclesJ the% were a little afrai' of him6 no 'o-bt.

8I env% %o-68 Ian sai'. 8o-r poise. o-r calmness.8

8oesn3t %o-r apartment b-il'in4 have a s!% pilot5 1o tal! to him.8

Ian sai' bitterl%6 8That3s no 4oo'. &i4ht now it3s Patric! o%le an' he3s as ba' off

as I am. An' on Kl-4man6 o-r chairman6 is even worse offJ he3s a b-n'le of nerves. Infact o-r whole b-il'in4 is shot thro-4h with anxiet%. $a%be it has to 'o with *icole3ssin-s hea'aches.8

1lancin4 at his brother6 Al saw that he was act-all% serio-s. The 0hite o-se an'all it stoo' for meant that m-ch to himJ it still 'ominate' his life6 as it ha' when the%were bo%s. 8,or %o-r sa!e68 Al sai' -ietl%6 8I3ll 4et m% -4 o-t an' practice. 0e3ll ma!eone more tr%.8

Speechless6 Ian 4ape' at him in 4ratit-'e.

Seate' to4ether in the b-siness office of the Abraham Lincoln6 on Kl-4man an'Patric! o%le st-'ie' the application which $r. Ian -ncan of no. )# ha' file' withthem. Ian 'esire' to appear in the twice2wee!l% talent show6 an' at a time when a 0hiteo-se talent sco-t was present. The re-est6 Kl-4man saw6 was ro-tine6 except that Ian propose' to 'o his act in con-nction with another in'ivi'-al'ho did not live at "4raha#

+incoln)

o%le sai'6 8It3s his brother. e tol' me onceJ the two of them -se' to have thisact6 %ears a4o. Baro-e m-sic on two -4s. A novelt%.8

80hat apartment ho-se 'oes his brother live in58 Kl-4man as!e'. Approval of theapplication wo-l' 'epen' on how relations stoo' between the Abraham Lincoln an' theother b-il'in4.

8*one. e sells alopies for that Loon% L-!e 22 %o- !now. Those cheap little shipsthat 4et %o- -st barel% to $ars. e lives on one of the lots6 I -n'erstan'. The lots movearo-n'J it3s a noma'ic existence. I3m s-re %o-3ve hear'.8





8es68 Kl-4man a4ree'6 8an' it3s totall% o-t of the -estion. 0e can3t have that acton o-r sta4e6 not with a man li!e that involve' in it. There3s no reason wh% Ian -ncancan3t pla% his -4J it3s a basic political ri4ht an' I wo-l'n3t be s-rprise' if it3s a satisfactor%act. B-t it3s a4ainst o-r tra'ition to have an o-tsi'er participateJ o-r sta4e is for o-r own

people excl-sivel%6 alwa%s has been an' alwa%s will. So there3s no nee' even to 'isc-ssthis.8 e e%e' the s!% pilot criticall%.

8Tr-e68 o%le sai'6 8b-t it is a bloo' relative of one of o-r people6 ri4ht5 It3s le4alfor one of -s to invite a relative to watch the talent shows . . . so wh% not let him participate5 This means a lot to IanJ I thin! %o- !now he3s been failin46 latel%. e3s not aver% intelli4ent person. Act-all%6 he sho-l' be 'oin4 a man-al ob6 I s-ppose. B-t if hehas artistic abilit%6 for instance this -4 concept 22 8

+xaminin4 his 'oc-ments6 Kl-4man saw that a 0hite o-se sco-t wo-l' beatten'in4 a show at the Abraham Lincoln in two wee!s. The best acts at the b-il'in4

wo-l' of co-rse be sche'-le' that ni4ht. . . the -ncan Brothers an' Their Baro-e F-4Ban' wo-l' have to compete s-ccessf-ll% in or'er to obtain that privile4e6 an' there werea n-mber of acts which 22 Kl-4man tho-4ht 22 were probabl% s-perior. After all6 6u!s . ..an' not even electronic -4s6 at that.

8All ri4ht68 he sai' alo-' to o%le. 8I a4ree.8

8o-3re showin4 %o-r h-mane si'e68 the s!% pilot sai'6 with a 4rin ofsentimentalit% which 'is4-ste' Kl-4man. 8An' I thin! we3ll all eno% the Bach an'"ival'i as pla%e' b% the -ncan Brothers on their inimitable -4s.8

Kl-4man6 wincin46 no''e'.

(n the bi4 ni4ht6 as the% starte' into the a-'itori-m on floor one of AbrahamLincoln Apartments6 Ian -ncan saw6 trailin4 alon4 behin' his brother6 the flat6 sc-ttlin4shape of the $artian creat-re6 the papoola. e stoppe' short. 8o-3re brin4in4 thatalon458

Al sai'6 8o- 'on3t -n'erstan'. on3t we have to win58

After a pa-se6 Ian sai'6 8*ot that wa%.8 e -n'erstoo'6 all ri4htJ the papoolawo-l' ta!e on the a-'ience as it ha' ta!en on si'ewal! traffic. It wo-l' exert its extra2sensor% infl-ence on them6 coaxin4 o-t a favorable 'ecision. So m-ch for the ethics of a alop% salesman6 Ian realiGe'. To his brother6 this seeme' perfectl% normalJ if the%co-l'n3t win b% their -42pla%in4 the% wo-l' win thro-4h the papoola.

8Aw68 Al sai'6 4est-rin46 8'on3t be %o-r own worst enem%. All we3re en4a4e' inhere is a little s-bliminal sales techni-e6 s-ch as the%3ve been -sin4 for a cent-r% 22 it3s





an ancient6 rep-table metho' of swin4in4 p-blic opinion %o-r wa%. I mean6 let3s face itJwe haven3t pla%e' the -4 professionall% in %ears.8 e to-che' the controls at his waistan' the papoola h-rrie' forwar' to catch -p with them. A4ain Al to-che' the controls 22

An' in Ian3s min' a pers-asive tho-4ht came6Why not% +ver%one else 'oes it.

0ith 'iffic-lt% he sai'6 81et that thin4 off me6 Al.8

Al shr-44e'. An' the tho-4ht6 which ha' inva'e' Ian3s min' from witho-t64ra'-all% with'rew. An' %et6 a resi'-e remaine'. e was no lon4er s-re of his position.

8It3s nothin4 compare' to what *icole3s machiner% can accomplish68 Al pointe'o-t6 seein4 the expression on his face. 8(ne papoola here an' there6 an' that planet2wi'einstr-ment that *icole has ma'e o-t of T" 22 there %o- have the real 'an4er6 Ian. The papoola is cr-'eJ %o- !now %o-3re bein4 wor!e' on. *ot so when %o- listen to *icole.The press-re is so s-btle an' so complete 228

8I 'on3t !now abo-t that68 Ian sai'6 8I -st !now that -nless we3re s-ccessf-l6-nless we 4et to pla% at the 0hite o-se6 life as far as I3m concerne' isn3t worth livin4.An' nobo'% p-t that i'ea in m% hea'. It3s -st the wa% I feelJ it3s m% own i'ea6 'ammit.8e hel' the 'oor open6 an' Al passe' on into the a-'itori-m6 carr%in4 his -4 b% thehan'le. Ian followe'6 an' a moment later the two of them were on the sta4e6 facin4 the partiall%2fille' hall.

8ave %o- ever seen her58 Al as!e'.

8I see her all the time.8

8I mean in realit%. In person. So to spea!6 in the flesh.8

8(f co-rse not68 Ian sai'. That was the whole point of their bein4 s-ccessf-l6 of4ettin4 to the 0hite o-se. The% wo-l' see her reall%6 not -st the T" ima4eJ it wo-l' nolon4er be a fantas% 22 it wo-l' be tr-e.

8I saw her once68 Al sai'. 8I ha' -st p-t the lot 'own6 Falop% F-n4le *o. 6 on amain b-siness aven-e in Shreveport6 La. It was earl% in the mornin46 abo-t ei4ht o3cloc!.I saw official cars comin4J nat-rall% I tho-4ht it was the police 22 I starte' to ta!e off. B-tit wasn3t. It was a motorca'e6 with *icole in it6 4oin4 to 'e'icate a new apartment b-il'in46 the lar4est %et.8

8es68 Ian sai'. 8The Pa-l B-n%an.8 The football team from Abraham Lincoln pla%e' ann-all% a4ainst its team6 an' alwa%s lost. The Pa-l B-n%an ha' over ten tho-san'resi'ents6 an' all of them came from a'ministrative2class bac!4ro-n'sJ it was anexcl-sive apartment b-il'in4 of active Part% members6 with -ni-el% hi4h monthl% pa%ments.





8o- sho-l' have seen her68 Al sai' tho-4htf-ll% as he sat facin4 the a-'ience6 his -4 on his lap. e tappe' the papoola with his footJ it ha' ta!en -p a position beneath hischair6 o-t of si4ht. 8es68 he m-rm-re'6 8%o- reall% sho-l'. It3s not the same as on T"6Ian. *ot at all.8

Ian no''e'. e ha' be4-n to feel apprehensive6 nowJ in a few min-tes the% wo-l' be intro'-ce'. Their test ha' come.

Seein4 him 4rippin4 his -4 ta-tl%6 Al sai'6 8Shall I -se the papoola or not5 It3s -pto %o-.8 e raise' a -iGGical brow.

Ian sai'6 8se it.8

8(!a%68 Al sai'6 reachin4 his han' insi'e his coat. Leis-rel%6 he stro!e' thecontrols. An'6 from beneath his chair6 the papoola rolle' forth6 its antennae twitchin4'roll%6 its e%es crossin4 an' -ncrossin4.

At once the a-'ience became alertJ people leane' forwar' to see6 some of themch-c!lin4 with 'eli4ht.

8Loo!68 a man sai' excite'l%. It was ol' Foe P-r'6 as ea4er as a chil'. 8It3s the papoola78

A woman rose to her feet to see more clearl%6 an' Ian tho-4ht tohimself6 $veryone loves the papoola) 0e3ll win6 whether we can pla% the -4 or not. An'then what5 0ill meetin4 *icole ma!e -s even more -nhapp% than we are5 Is that whatwe3ll 4et o-t of this: hopeless6 massive 'iscontent5 An ache6 a lon4in4 which can never besatisfie' in this worl'5

It was too late to bac! o-t6 now. The 'oors of the a-'itori-m ha' sh-t an' onKl-4man was risin4 from his chair6 rappin4 for or'er. 8(!a%6 fol!s68 he sai' into his lapelmicrophone. 80e3re 4oin4 to have a little 'ispla% of some talent6 ri4ht now6 for ever%one3seno%ment. As %o- see on %o-r pro4rams6 first in or'er is a fine 4ro-p6 the -ncanBrothers an' their Classical F-4s with a me'le% of Bach an' an'el t-nes that o-4ht toset %o-r feet tappin4.8 e beame' archl% at Ian an' Al6 as if sa%in46 ow 'oes that s-it%o- as an intro5

Al pai' no attentionJ he manip-late' his controls an' 4aGe' tho-4htf-ll% at thea-'ience6 then at last pic!e' -p his -46 4lance' at Ian an' then tappe' his foot. 8TheLittle ,-4-e in 1 $inor8 opene' their me'le%6 an' Al be4an to blow on the -46 sen'in4forth the livel% theme.

B-m6 b-m6 b-m. B-m2b-m b-m2b-m b-m b-m 'e b-m. + b-m6 + b-m6 'e'e2'e b-m . . . is chee!s p-ffe' o-t re' an' swollen as he blew.

The papoola wan'ere' across the sta4e6 then lowere' itself6 b% a series of 4an4l%6





foolish motions6 into the first row of the a-'ience. It ha' be4-n to 4o to wor!.

The news poste' on the comm-nal b-lletin boar' o-tsi'e the cafeteria of the

Abraham Lincoln that the -ncan Brothers ha' been chosen b% the talent sco-t to perform at the 0hite o-se asto-n'e' +'4ar Stone. e rea' the anno-ncement a4ain an'a4ain6 won'erin4 how the little nervo-s6 crin4in4 man ha' mana4e' to 'o it.

There3s been cheatin46 Stone sai' to himself. F-st as I passe' him on his politicaltests . . . he3s 4ot somebo'% else to falsif% a few res-lts for him alon4 the talent line: ehimself ha' hear' the -4sJ he ha' been present at that pro4ram6 an' the -ncanBrothers6 Classical F-4s6 were simpl% not that 4oo'. The% were !ood, a'mitte'l% . . . b-tint-itivel% he !new that more was involve'.

eep insi'e him he felt an4er6 a resentment that he ha' falsifie' -ncan3s test2

score. I p-t him on the roa' to s-ccess6 Stone realiGe'J I save' him. An' now he3s on hiswa% to the 0hite o-se.

*o won'er -ncan 'i' so poorl% on his political test6 Stone sai' to himself. ewas b-s% practicin4 on his -4J he has no time for the commonplace realities which therest of -s have to cope with. It m-st be 4reat to be an artist6 Stone tho-4ht with bitterness.o-3re exempt from all the r-les6 %o- can 'o as %o- li!e.

e s-re ma'e a fool o-t of me6 Stone realiGe'.

Stri'in4 'own the secon' floor hall6 Stone arrive' at the office of the b-il'in4 s!% pilotJ he ran4 the bell an' the 'oor opene'6 showin4 him the si4ht of the s!% pilot 'eep inwor! at his 'es!6 his face wrin!le' with fati4-e. 8rn6 father68 Stone sai'6 8I3' li!e toconfess. Can %o- spare a few min-tes5 It3s ver% -r4entl% on m% min'6 m% sins I mean.8

&-bbin4 his forehea'6 Patric! o%le no''e'. 8FeeG68 he m-rm-re'. 8It either rainsor it po-rsJ I3ve ha' ten resi'ents in to'a% so far6 -sin4 the confessionator. 1o ahea'.8 e pointe' to the alcove which opene' onto his office. 8Sit 'own an' pl-4 %o-rself in. I3ll belistenin4 while I fill o-t these #29) forms from Boise.8

,ille' with wrathf-l in'i4nation6 his han's tremblin46 +'4ar Stone attache' theelectro'es of the confessionator to the correct spots of his scalp6 an' then6 pic!in4 -p themicrophone6 be4an to confess. The tape2'r-ms of the machine t-rne' as he spo!e.8$ove' b% a false pit%68 he sai'6 8I infracte' a r-le of the b-il'in4. B-t mainl% I amconcerne' not with the act itself b-t with the motives behin' itJ the act merel% is theo-t4rowth of a false attit-'e towar' m% fellow resi'ents. This person6 m% nei4hbor $r.-ncan6 'i' poorl% in his recentrelpol test an' I foresaw him bein4 evicte' fromAbraham Lincoln. I i'entifie' with him beca-se s-bconscio-sl% I re4ar' m%self as afail-re6 both as a resi'ent of this b-il'in4 an' as a man6 so I falsifie' his score to in'icatethat he ha' passe'. (bvio-sl%6 a newrelpol test will have to be 4iven to $r. -ncan an'





the one which I score' will have to be voi'e'.8 e e%e' the s!% pilot6 b-t there was noreaction.

That will ta!e care of Ian -ncan an' his Classical F-46 Stone sai' to himself.

B% now the confessionator ha' anal%Ge' his confessionJ it poppe' a car' o-t6 an'o%le rose to his feet wearil% to receive it. After a caref-l st-'% he 4lance' -p. 8$r.Stone68 he sai'6 8the view expresse' here is that %o-r confession is no confession. 0hat'o %o- reall% have on %o-r min'5 1o bac! an' be4in all overJ %o- haven3t probe' 'own'eepl% eno-4h an' bro-4ht -p the 4en-ine material. An' I s-44est %o- start o-t b%confessin4 that %o- misconfesse' conscio-sl% an' 'eliberatel%.8

8*o s-ch thin468 Stone sai'6 b-t his voice 22 even to him 22 so-n'e' feeble.8Perhaps I co-l' 'isc-ss this with %o- informall%. I 'i' falsif% Ian -ncan3s test score. *ow6 ma%be m% motives for 'oin4 it 228

o%le interr-pte'6 8Aren3t %o- ealo-s of -ncan now5 0hat with his s-ccesswith the -46 0hite o-se2war'58

There was silence.

8This co-l' be68 Stone a'mitte' at last. 8B-t it 'oesn3t chan4e the fact that b% allri4hts Ian -ncan sho-l'n3t be livin4 hereJ he sho-l' be evicte'6 m% motivesnotwithstan'in4. Loo! it -p in the Comm-nal Apartment2b-il'in4 Co'e. I !now there3s asection coverin4 a sit-ation li!e this.8

8B-t %o- can3t 4et o-t of here68 the s!% pilot sai'6 8witho-t confessin4J %o- haveto satisf% the machine. o-3re attemptin4 to force eviction of a nei4hbor to f-lfill %o-rown emotional nee's. Confess that6 an' then perhaps we can 'isc-ss the co'e r-lin4 as it pertains to -ncan.8

Stone 4roane' an' once more attache' the electro'es to his scalp. 8All ri4ht68 he4rate'. 8I hate Ian -ncan beca-se he3s artisticall% 4ifte' an' I3m not. I3m willin4 to beexamine' b% a twelve2resi'ent -r% of m% nei4hbors to see what the penalt% for m% sin is22 b-t I insist that -ncan be 4iven another relpol test7 I won3t 4ive -p on thisJ he has nori4ht to be livin4 here amon4 -s. It3s morall% an' le4all%'ron!1/

8At least %o-3re bein4 honest6 now68 o%le sai'.

8Act-all%68 Stone sai'6 8I eno% -4 ban' pla%in4J I li!e' their m-sic6 the otherni4ht. B-t I have to act in what I believe to be the comm-nal interest.8

The confessionator6 it seeme' to him6 snorte' in 'erision as it poppe' a secon'car'. B-t perhaps it was onl% his ima4ination.

8o-3re -st 4ettin4 %o-rself 'eeper68 o%le sai'6 rea'in4 the car'. 8Loo! at this.8





e passe' the car' to Stone. 8o-r min' is a riot of conf-se'6 ambivalent motives. 0henwas the last time %o- confesse'58

,l-shin46 Stone m-mble'6 8I thin! last A-4-st. Pepe Fones was the s!% pilot6then.8

8A lot of wor! will have to be 'one with %o-68 o%le sai'6 li4htin4 a ci4arette an'leanin4 bac! in his chair.

The openin4 n-mber on their 0hite o-se performance6 the% ha' 'eci'e' afterm-ch 'isc-ssion an' ar4-ment6 wo-l' be the Bach 8Chaconne in .8 Al ha' alwa%s li!e'it6 'espite the 'iffic-lties involve'6 the 'o-ble2stoppin4 an' all. +ven thin!in4 abo-t the8Chaconne8 ma'e Ian nervo-s. e wishe'6 now that it ha' been 'eci'e'6 that he ha' hel'o-t for the simpler 8,ifth naccompanie' Cello S-ite.8 B-t too late now. Al ha' sent the

information on to the 0hite o-se A & 22 artists an' repertor% 22 secretar%6 arol'SleGa!.

Al sai'6 8on3t worr%J %o-3ve 4ot the n-mber two -4 in this. o %o- min' bein4secon' -4 to me58

8*o68 Ian sai'. It was a relief6 act-all%J Al ha' the far more 'iffic-lt part.

(-tsi'e the perimeter of Falop% F-n4le *o. the papoola move'6 crisscrossin4 thesi'ewal! in its 4li'in46 -iet p-rs-it of a sales prospect. It was onl% ten in the mornin4an' no one worth collarin4 ha' come alon46 as %et. To'a% the lot ha' set 'own in thehill% section of (a!lan'6 California6 amon4 the win'in4 tree2line' streets of the betterresi'ential section. Across from the lot6 Ian co-l' see the Foe Lo-is6 a pec-liarl%2shape' b-t stri!in4 apartment b-il'in4 of a tho-san' -nits6 mostl% occ-pie' b% well2to2'o *e4roes. The b-il'in46 in the mornin4 s-n6 loo!e' especiall% neat an' care' for. A 4-ar'6with ba'4e an' 4-n6 patrolle' the entrance6 stoppin4 an%one who 'i' not live there fromenterin4.

8SleGa! has to o!a% the pro4ram68 Al remin'e' him. 8$a%be *icole won3t want tohear the 3Chaconne3J she3s 4ot ver% specialiGe' tastes an' the%3re chan4in4 all the time.8

In his min' Ian saw *icole6 proppe' -p in her enormo-s be'6 in her pin!6 frill%robe6 her brea!fast on a tra% besi'e her as she scanne' the pro4ram sche'-les presente'to her for her approval. Alrea'% she3s hear' abo-t -s6 he tho-4ht.She kno's of our

e9istence) In that case6 we reall% 'o exist. Li!e a chil' that has to have its motherwatchin4 what it 'oesJ we3re bro-4ht into bein46 vali'ate' consens-all%6 b% *icole3s 4aGe.

An' when she ta!es her e%e off -s6 he tho-4ht6 then what5 0hat happens to -safterwar'5 o we 'isinte4rate6 sin! bac! into oblivion5





Bac!6 he tho-4ht6 into ran'om6 -nforme' atoms. 0here we came from . . . theworl' of nonbein4. The worl' we3ve been in all o-r lives6 -p -ntil now.

8An'68 Al sai'6 8she ma% as! -s for an encore. She ma% even re-est a partic-larfavorite. I3ve researche' it6 an' it seems she sometimes as!s to hear Sch-mann3s 3The

app% ,armer.3 1ot that in min'5 0e3' better wor! -p 3The app% ,armer63 -st in case.8e blew a few toots on his -46 tho-4htf-ll%.

8I can3t 'o it68 Ian sai' abr-ptl%. 8I can3t 4o on. It means too m-ch to me.Somethin4 will 4o wron4J we won3t please her an' the%3ll boot -s o-t. An' we3ll never beable to for4et it.8

8Loo!68 Al be4an. 80e have the papoola. An' that 4ives -s 228 e bro!e off. Atall6 stoop2sho-l'ere' el'erl% man in an expensive nat-ral2fiber bl-e pin2stripe s-it wascomin4 -p the si'ewal!. 8$% 1o'6 it3s L-!e himself68 Al sai'. e loo!e' fri4htene'.8I3ve onl% seen him twice before in m% life. Somethin4 m-st be wron4.8

8Better reel in the papoola68 Ian sai'. The papoola ha' be4-n to move towar'Loon% L-!e.

0ith a bewil'ere' expression on his face Al sai'6 8I can3t.8 e fi''le' 'esperatel%with the controls at his waist. 8It won3t respon'.8

The papoola reache' L-!e6 an' L-!e bent 'own6 pic!e' it -p an' contin-e' ontowar' the lot6 the papoola -n'er his arm.

8e3s ta!en prece'ence over me68 Al sai'. e loo!e' at his brother n-mbl%.

The 'oor of the little str-ct-re opene' an' Loon% L-!e entere'. 80e receive' areport that %o-3ve been -sin4 this on %o-r own time6 for p-rposes of %o-r own68 he sai' toAl6 his voice low an' 4ravell%. 8o- were tol' not to 'o thatJ the papoolas belon4 to thelots6 not to the operators.8

Al sai'6 8Aw6 come on6 L-!e.8

8o- o-4ht to be fire'68 L-!e sai'6 8b-t %o-3re a 4oo' salesman so I3ll !eep %o-on. $eanwhile6 %o-3ll have to ma!e %o-r -ota witho-t help.8 Ti4htenin4 his 4rip on the papoola6 he starte' bac! o-t. 8$% time is val-ableJ I have to 4o.8 e saw Al3s -4. 8That3snot a m-sical instr-mentJ it3s a thin4 to p-t whis!e% in.8

Al sai'6 8Listen6 L-!e6 this is p-blicit%. Performin4 for *icole means that thenetwor! of alop% -n4les will 4ain presti4eJ 4ot it58

8I 'on3t want presti4e68 L-!e sai'6 pa-sin4 at the 'oor. 8There3s no caterin4 to *icole Thibo'ea-x b% meJ let her r-n her societ% the wa% she wants an' I3ll r-n the -n4les the wa% I want. She leaves me alone an' I leave her alone an' that3s fine with me.





on3t mess it -p. Tell SleGa! %o- can3t appear an' for4et abo-t itJ no 4rown man in hisri4ht senses wo-l' be hootin4 into an empt% bottle an%how.8

8That3s where %o-3re wron468 Al sai'. 8Art can be fo-n' in the most m-n'ane'ail% wal!s of life6 li!e in these -4s for instance.8

L-!e6 pic!in4 his teeth with a silver toothpic!6 sai'6 8*ow %o- 'on3t have a papoola to soften the ,irst ,amil% -p for %o-. Better thin! abo-t that. . . 'o %o- reall%expect to ma!e it witho-t the papoola58

After a pa-se Al sai' to Ian6 8e3s ri4ht. The papoola 'i' it for -s. B-t 22 hell6 let3s4o on an%how.8

8o-3ve 4ot 4-ts68 L-!e sai'. 8B-t no sense. Still6 I have to a'mire %o-. I can seewh% %o-3ve been a top notch salesman for the or4aniGationJ %o- 'on3t 4ive -p. Ta!e the papoola the ni4ht %o- perform at the 0hite o-se an' then ret-rn it to me the next

mornin4.8 e tosse' the ro-n'6 b-42li!e creat-re to AlJ 4rabbin4 it6 Al h-44e' it a4ainsthis chest li!e a bi4 pillow. 8$a%be it wo-l' be 4oo' p-blicit% for the -n4les68 L-!e sai'.8B-t I !now this. *icole 'oesn3t li!e -s. Too man% people have slippe' o-t of her han's b% means of -sJ we3re a lea! in mama3s str-ct-re an' mama !nows it.8 e 4rinne'6showin4 4ol' teeth.

Al sai'6 8Than!s6 L-!e.8

8B-t I3ll operate the papoola68 L-!e sai'. 8B% remote. I3m a little more s!ille' than%o-J after all6 I4uilt them.8

8S-re68 Al sai'. 8I3ll have m% han's f-ll pla%in4 an%how.8

8es68 L-!e sai'6 8%o-3ll nee' both han's for that bottle.8

Somethin4 in L-!e3s tone ma'e Ian -ncan -neas%. 0hat3s he -p to5 hewon'ere'. B-t in an% case he an' his brother ha' no choiceJ the% ha' to have the papoolawor!in4 for them. An' no 'o-bt L-!e co-l' 'o a 4oo' ob of operatin4 itJ he ha' alrea'% prove' his s-periorit% over Al6 -st now6 an' as L-!e sai'6 Al wo-l' be b-s% blowin4awa% on his -4. B-t still 22

8Loon% L-!e68 Ian sai'6 8have %o- ever met *icole58 It was a s-''en tho-4ht onhis part6 an -nexpecte' int-ition.

8S-re68 L-!e sai' stea'il%. 8ears a4o. I ha' some han' p-ppetsJ m% a' an' Itravele' aro-n' p-ttin4 on p-ppet shows. 0e finall% pla%e' the 0hite o-se.8

80hat happene' there58 Ian as!e'.

L-!e6 after a pa-se6 sai'6 8She 'i'n3t care for -s. Sai' somethin4 abo-t o-r





p-ppets bein4 in'ecent.8

An' %o- hate her6 Ian realiGe'. o- never for4ave her. 80ere the%58 he as!e'L-!e.

8*o68 L-!e answere'. 8Tr-e6 one act was a strip showJ we ha' follies 4irl p-ppets. B-t nobo'% ever obecte' before. $% a' too! it har' b-t it 'i'n3t bother me.8is face was impassive.

Al sai'6 80as *icole the ,irst La'% that far bac!58

8(h %es68 L-!e sai'. 8She3s been in office for sevent%2three %earsJ 'i'n3t %o-!now that58

8It isn3t possible68 both Al an' Ian sai'6 almost to4ether.

8S-re it is68 L-!e sai'. 8She3s a reall% ol' woman6 now. A 4ran'mother. B-t shestill loo!s 4oo'6 I 4-ess. o-3ll !now when %o- see her.8

St-nne'6 Ian sai'6 8(n T" 228

8(h %eah68 L-!e a4ree'. 8(n T" she loo!s aro-n' twent%. B-t loo! in the histor% boo!s %o-rselfJ fi4-re it o-t. The facts are all there.8

The facts6 Ian realiGe'6 mean nothin4 when %o- can see with %o-r own e%es thatshe3s as %o-n42loo!in4 as ever. An' we see that ever% 'a%.

L-!e6 %o-3re l%in46 he tho-4ht. 0e !now itJ we all !now it. $% brother saw herJAl wo-l' have sai'6 if she was reall% li!e that. o- hate herJ that3s %o-r motive. Sha!en6he t-rne' his bac! to L-!e6 not wantin4 to have an%thin4 to 'o with the man6 now.Sevent%2three %ears in office 22 that wo-l' ma!e *icole almost ninet%6 now. esh-''ere' at the i'eaJ he bloc!e' it o-t of his tho-4hts. (r at least he trie' to.

81oo' l-c!6 bo%s68 L-!e sai'6 chewin4 on his toothpic!.

In his sleep Ian -ncan ha' a terrible 'ream. A hi'eo-s ol' woman with 4reenish6wrin!le' claws scrabble' at him6 whinin4 for him to 'o somethin4 22 he 'i' not !nowwhat it was beca-se her voice6 her wor's6 bl-rre' into in'istinction6 swallowe' b% her bro!en2toothe' mo-th6 lost in the twistin4 threa' of saliva which fo-n' its wa% to herchin. e str-44le' to free himself. . .

8Chrissa!e68 Al3s voice came to him. 80a!e -pJ we have to 4et the lot movin4Jwe3re s-ppose' to be at the 0hite o-se in three ho-rs.8





*icole6 Ian realiGe' as he sat -p 4ro44il%. It was her I was 'reamin4 abo-tJancient an' withere'6 b-t still her. 8(!a%68 he m-ttere' as he rose -nstea'il% from the cot.8Listen6 Al68 he sai'6 8s-ppose she is ol'6 li!e Loon% L-!e sa%s5 0hat then5 0hat3ll we'o58

80e3ll perform68 Al sai'. 8Pla% o-r -4s.8

8B-t I co-l'n3t live thro-4h it68 Ian sai'. 8$% abilit% to a'-st is -st too brittle.This is t-rnin4 into a ni4htmareJ L-!e controls the papoola an' *icole is ol' 22 what3s the point of o-r 4oin4 on5 Can3t we 4o bac! to -st seein4 her on the T" an' ma%be once ino-r lifetime at a 4reat 'istance li!e %o- 'i' in Shreveport5 That3s 4oo' eno-4h for me6now. I want that6 the ima4eJ o!a%58

8*o68 Al sai' 'o44e'l%. 80e have to see this thro-4h. &emember6 %o- can alwa%semi4rate to $ars.8

The lot ha' alrea'% risen6 was alrea'% movin4 towar' the +ast Coast an'0ashin4ton6 .C.

0hen the% lan'e'6 SleGa!6 a rot-n'6 4enial little in'ivi'-al6 4reete' them warml%Jhe shoo! han's with them as the% wal!e' towar' the service entrance of the 0hiteo-se. 8o-r pro4ram is ambitio-s68 he b-bble'6 8b-t if %o- can f-lfill it6 fine with me6with -s here6 the ,irst ,amil% I mean6 an' in partic-lar the ,irst La'% herself who isactivel% enth-siastic abo-t all forms of ori4inal artistr%. Accor'in4 to %o-r bio4raphical'ata %o- two ma'e a thoro-4h st-'% of primitive 'isc recor'in4s from the earl% nineteenh-n're's6 as earl% as 9<)6 of -4 ban's s-rvivin4 from the .S. Civil 0ar6 so %o-3rea-thentic -44ists except of co-rse %o-3re classical6 not fol!.8

8es sir68 Al sai'.

8Co-l' %o-6 however6 slip in one fol! n-mber58 SleGa! as!e' as the% passe' the4-ar's at the service entrance an' entere' the 0hite o-se6 the lon46 carpete' corri'orwith its artificial can'les set at intervals. 8,or instance6 we s-44est 3&oc!ab%e $% SarahFane.3 o %o- have that in %o-r repertoire5 If not 228

80e have it68 Al sai' shortl%. 80e3ll a'' it towar' the en'.8

8,ine68 SleGa! sai'6 pro''in4 them amiabl% ahea' of him. 8*ow ma% I as! whatthis creat-re %o- carr% is58 e e%e' the papoola with somethin4 less than enth-siasm. 8Isit alive58

8It3s o-r totem animal68 Al sai'.

8o- mean a s-perstitio-s charm5 A mascot58

8+xactl%68 Al sai'. 80ith it we ass-a4e anxiet%.8 e patte' the papoola3s hea'.





8An' it3s part of o-r actJ it 'ances while we pla%. o- !now6 li!e a mon!e%.8

80ell I3ll be 'arne'68 SleGa! sai'6 his enth-siasm ret-rnin4. 8I see6 now. *icolewill be 'eli4hte'J she loves soft6 f-rr% thin4s.8 e hel' a 'oor open ahea' of them.

An' there she sat.

ow co-l' L-!e have been so wron45 Ian tho-4ht. She was even lovelier than onT"6 an' m-ch more 'istinctJ that was the main 'ifference6 the fab-lo-s a-thenticit% of herappearance6 its realit% to the senses. The senses !new the 'ifference. ere she sat6 infa'e' bl-e2cotton tro-sers6 moccasins on her feet6 a carelessl%2b-ttone' white shirtthro-4h which he co-l' see 22 or ima4ine' he co-l' see 22 her tanne'6 smooth s!in . . .how informal she was6 Ian tho-4ht. Lac!in4 in pretense or show. er hair c-t short6exposin4 her bea-tif-ll%2forme' nec! an' ears. An'6 he tho-4ht6 so 'arn %o-n4. She 'i'not loo! even twent%. An' the vitalit%. The T" co-l' not catch that6 the 'elicate 4low ofcolor an' line all abo-t her.

8*ic!%68 SleGa! sai'6 8these are the classical -44ists.8

She 4lance' -p6 si'ewa%sJ she ha' been rea'in4 a newspaper. *ow she smile'.81oo' mornin468 she sai'. 8i' %o- have brea!fast5 0e co-l' serve %o- some Cana'ian bacon an' b-tterhorns an' coffee if %o- want.8 er voice6 o''l%6 'i' not seem to comefrom herJ it materialiGe' from the -pper part of the room6 almost at the ceilin4. Loo!in4that wa%6 Ian saw a series of spea!ers an' he realiGe' that a 4lass barrier separate' *icolefrom them6 a sec-rit% meas-re to protect her. e felt 'isappointe' an' %et he -n'erstoo'wh% it was necessar%. If an%thin4 happene' to her 22

80e ate6 $rs. Thibo'ea-x68 Al sai'. 8Than!s.8 e6 too6 was 4lancin4 -p at thespea!ers.

0e ate $rs. Thibo'ea-x6Ian tho-4ht craGil%. Isn3t it act-all% the other wa%aro-n'5 oesn3t she6 sittin4 here in her bl-e2cotton pants an' shirt6 'oesn3t she 'evo-r -s5

*ow the Presi'ent6 Ta-fic *e4al6 a slen'er6 'apper6 'ar! man6 entere' behin' *icole6 an' she lifte' her face -p to him an' sai'6 8Loo!6 Taff%6 the% have one of those papoolas with them 22 won3t that be f-n58

8es68 the Presi'ent sai'6 smilin46 stan'in4 besi'e his wife.

8Co-l' I see it58 *icole as!e' Al. 8Let it come here.8 She ma'e a si4nal6 an' the4lass wall be4an to lift.

Al 'roppe' the papoola an' it sc-ttle' towar' *icole6 beneath the raise' sec-rit% barrierJ it hoppe' -p6 an' all at once *icole hel' it in her stron4 han's6 4aGin4 'own at itintentl%.





8ec!68 she sai'6 8it3s not aliveJ it3s -st a to%.8

8*one s-rvive'68 Al sai'. 8As far as we !now. B-t this is an a-thentic mo'el6 base' on remains fo-n' on $ars.8 e steppe' towar' her 22

The 4lass barrier settle' in place. Al was c-t off from the papoola an' he stoo'4apin4 foolishl%6 seemin4l% ver% -pset. Then6 as if b% instinct6 he to-che' the controls athis waist. *othin4 happene' for a time an' then6 at last6 the papoola stirre'. It sli' from *icole3s han's an' hoppe' bac! to the floor. *icole exclaime' in amaGement6 her e%es bri4ht.

8o %o- want it6 'ear58 her h-sban' as!e'. 80e can -n'o-bte'l% 4et %o- one6even several.8

80hat 'oes it 'o58 *icole as!e' Al.

SleGa! b-bble'6 8It 'ances6 ma3am6 when the% pla%J it has rh%thm in its bones 22correct6 $r. -ncan5 $a%be %o- co-l' pla% somethin4 now6 a shorter piece6 to show$rs. Thibo'ea-x.8 e r-bbe' his han's to4ether. Al an' Ian loo!e' at each other.

8S2s-re68 Al sai'. 8h6 we co-l' pla% that little Sch-bert thin46 that arran4ementof 3The Tro-t.3 (!a%6 Ian6 4et set.8 e -nb-ttone' the protective case from his -46 lifte' ito-t an' hel' it aw!war'l%. Ian 'i' the same. 8This is Al -ncan6 here6 at the first -468 Alsai'. 8An' besi'es me is m% brother Ian at the secon' -46 brin4in4 %o- a concert ofclassical favorites6 be4innin4 with a little Sch-bert.8 An' then6 at a si4nal from Al6 the% both be4an to pla%.

B-mp b-mp2b-mp B$P2B$P b---mp b-mp6 ba2b-mp2b-mp b-p2b-p2b-p2 b-p2b-pppp. *icole 4i44le'.

0e3ve faile'6 Ian tho-4ht. 1o'6 the worst has come abo-t: we3re l-'icro-s. ecease' pla%in4J Al contin-e' on6 his chee!s re' an' swellin4 with the effort of pla%in4.e seeme' -naware that *icole was hol'in4 her han' -p to cover her la-4hter6 heram-sement at them an' their efforts. Al pla%e' on6 b% himself6 to the en' of the piece6an' then he6 too6 lowere' his -4.

8The papoola68 *icole sai'6 as evenl% as possible. 8It 'i'n3t 'ance. *ot one littlestep 22 wh% not58 An' a4ain she la-4he'6 -nable to stop herself.

Al sai' woo'enl%6 8I 22 'on3t have control of itJ it3s on remote6 ri4ht now.8 To the papoola he sai'6 8o- better 'ance.8

8(h reall%6 this is won'erf-l68 *icole sai'. 8Loo!68 she sai' to her h-sban'6 8hehas to4e! it to 'ance. ance6 whatever %o-r name is6 papoola2thin4 from $ars6 or rather





imitation papoola2thin4 from $ars.8 She pro''e' the papoola with the toe of hermoccasin6 tr%in4 to n-'4e it into life. 8Come on6 little s%nthetic ancient c-te creat-re6 allma'e o-t of wires. Please.8 The papoola leape' at her. It bit her.

*icole screame'. A sharp pop so-n'e' from behin' her6 an' the papoola vanishe'

into particles that swirle'. A 0hite o-se sec-rit% 4-ar' steppe' into si4ht6 his rifle inhis han's6 peerin4 intentl% at her an' at the floatin4 particlesJ his face was calm b-t hishan's an' the rifle -ivere'. Al be4an to c-rse to himself6 chantin4 the wor's over an'over a4ain6 the same three or fo-r6 -nceasin4l%.

8L-!e68 he sai' then6 to his brother. 8e 'i' it. &even4e. It3s the en' of -s.8 eloo!e' 4ra%6 worn2o-t. &eflexivel% he be4an wrappin4 his -4 -p once more6 4oin4thro-4h the motions step b% step.

8o-3re -n'er arrest68 a secon' 0hite o-se 4-ar' sai'6 appearin4 behin' theman' trainin4 his 4-n on the two of them.

8S-re68 Al sai' listlessl%6 his hea' no''in46 wobblin4 vac-o-sl%. 80e ha' nothin4to 'o with it so arrest -s.8

1ettin4 to her feet with the assistance of her h-sban'6 *icole wal!e' towar' Alan' Ian. 8i' it bite me beca-se I la-4he'58 she sai' in a -iet voice.

SleGa! stoo' moppin4 his forehea'. e sai' nothin4J he merel% stare' at themsi4htlessl%.

8I3m sorr%68 *icole sai'. 8I ma'e it an4r%6 'i'n3t I5 It3s a shameJ we wo-l' haveeno%e' %o-r act.8

8L-!e 'i' it68 Al sai'.

8 3L-!e.3 8 *icole st-'ie' him. 8Loon% L-!e6 %o- mean. e owns those 'rea'f-l alop% -n4les that come an' 4o onl% a step from ille4alit%. es6 I !now who %o- meanJ Iremember him.8 To her h-sban' she sai'6 8I 4-ess we3' better have him arreste'6 too.8

8An%thin4 %o- sa%68 her h-sban' sai'6 writin4 on a pa' of paper.

*icole sai'6 8This whole -4 b-siness. . . it was -st a cover2-p for an actionhostile to -s6 wasn3t it5 A crime a4ainst the state. 0e3ll have to rethin! the entire philosoph% of invitin4 performers here. . . perhaps it3s been a mista!e. It 4ives too m-chaccess to an%one who has hostile intentions towar' -s. I3m sorr%.8 She loo!e' sa' an' pale6 nowJ she fol'e' her arms an' stoo' roc!in4 bac! an' forth6 lost in tho-4ht.

8Believe me6 *icole68 Al be4an.

Introspectivel%6 she sai'6 8I3m not *icoleJ 'on3t call me that. *icole Thibo'ea-x





'ie' %ears a4o. I3m Kate &-pert6 the fo-rth one to ta!e her place. I3m -st an actress wholoo!s eno-4h li!e the ori4inal *icole to be able to !eep this ob6 an' I wish sometimes6when somethin4 li!e this happens6 that I 'i'n3t have it. I have no real a-thorit%. There3s aco-ncil somewhere that 4overns . . . I3ve never even seen them.8 To her h-sban' she sai'68The% !now abo-t this6 'on3t the%58

8es68 he sai'6 8the%3ve alrea'% been informe'.8

8o- see68 she sai' to Al6 8he6 even the Presi'ent6 has more act-al power than I.8She smile' wanl%.

Al sai'6 8ow man% attempts have there been on %o-r life58

8Six or seven68 she sai'. 8All for ps%cholo4ical reasons. nresolve' (e'ipalcomplexes or somethin4 li!e that. I 'on3t reall% care.8 She t-rne' to her h-sban'6 then. 8Ireall% thin! these two men here 228 She pointe' at Al an' Ian. 8The% 'on3t seem to !now

what3s 4oin4 onJ ma%be the% are innocent.8 To her h-sban' an' SleGa! an' the sec-rit%4-ar's she sai'6 8o the% have to be 'estro%e'5 I 'on3t see wh% %o- co-l'n3t -stera'icate a part of their memor%2cells an' let them 4o. 0h% wo-l'n3t that 'o58

er h-sban' shr-44e'. 8If %o- want it that wa%.8

8es68 she sai'. 8I3' prefer that. It wo-l' ma!e m% ob easier. Ta!e them to theme'ical center at Bethes'a an' then let3s 4o onJ let3s 4ive an a-'ience to the next performers.8

A sec-rit% 4-ar' n-'4e' Ian in the bac! with his 4-n. 8own the corri'or6 please.8

8(!a%68 Ian m-rm-re'6 4rippin4 his -4. B-t what happene'5 he won'ere'. I'on3t -ite -n'erstan'. This woman isn3t *icole an' even worse there is no *icolean%whereJ there3s -st the T" ima4e6 the ill-sion6 an' behin' it6 behin' her6 another 4ro-pentirel% r-les. A co-ncil of some !in'. B-t who are the% an' how 'i' the% 4et power50ill we ever !now5 0e came so farJ we almost seem to !now what3s reall% 4oin4 on. Theact-alit% behin' the ill-sion. . . can3t the% tell -s the rest5 0hat 'ifference wo-l' it ma!enow5 ow 22

81oo'b%e68 Al was sa%in4 to him.

80hat58 he sai'6 horrifie'. 80h% 'o %o- sa% that5 The%3re 4oin4 to let -s 4o6aren3t the%58

Al sai'6 80e won3t remember each other. Ta!e m% wor' for itJ we won3t beallowe' to !eep an% ties li!e that. So 228 e hel' o-t his han'. 8So 4oo'b%e6 Ian. 0ema'e it to the 0hite o-se. o- won3t remember that either6 b-t it3s tr-eJ we 'i' 'o it.8e 4rinne' croo!e'l%.





8$ove alon468 the sec-rit% 4-ar' sai' to them.

ol'in4 their -4s6 the two of them move' 'own the corri'or6 towar' the 'oor an'the waitin4 blac! me'ical van be%on'.

It was ni4ht6 an' Ian -ncan fo-n' himself at a 'eserte' street corner6 col' an'shiverin46 blin!in4 in the 4larin4 white li4ht of an -rban monorail loa'in4 platform. 0hatam I 'oin4 here5 he as!e' himself6 bewil'ere'. e loo!e' at his wristwatchJ it was ei4hto3cloc!. I3m s-ppose' to be at the All So-ls $eetin46 aren3t I5 he tho-4ht 'aGe'l%.

I can3t miss another one6 he realiGe'. Two in a row 22 it3s a terrible fineJ it3seconomic r-in. e be4an to wal!.

The familiar b-il'in46 Abraham Lincoln with all its networ! of towers an'win'ows6 la% exten'e' ahea'J it was not far an' he h-rrie'6 breathin4 'eepl%6 tr%in4 to!eep -p a 4oo' stea'% pace. It m-st be over6 he tho-4ht. The li4hts in the 4reat centrals-bs-rface a-'itori-m were not lit. amn it6 he breathe' in 'espair.

8All So-ls is over58 he sai' to the 'oorman as he entere' the lobb%6 hisi'entification hel' o-t.

8o-3re a little conf-se'6 $r. -ncan68 the 'oorman sai'6 p-ttin4 awa% his 4-n.8All So-ls was last ni4htJ this is ,ri'a%.8

Somethin43s 4one wron46 Ian realiGe'. B-t he sai' nothin4J he merel% no''e' an'h-rrie' on towar' the elevator.

As he emer4e' from the elevator on his own floor6 a 'oor opene' an' a f-rtivefi4-re bec!one' to him. 8e%6 -ncan.8

It was Corle%. 0aril%6 beca-se an enco-nter li!e this co-l' be 'isastro-s6 Ianapproache' him. 80hat is it58

8A r-mor68 Corle% sai' in a rapi'6 fear2fille' voice. 8Abo-t %o-r lastrelpol test 22some irre4-larit%. The%3re 4oin4 to ro-se %o- at five or six A.$. tomorrow mornin4 an'sprin4 a s-rprise -iG on %o-.8 e 4lance' -p an' 'own the hall. 8St-'% the late 9;)san' the reli4io2collectivist movements in partic-lar. 1ot it58

8S-re68 Ian sai'6 with 4ratit-'e. 8An' than!s a lot. $a%be I can 'o the same 228e bro!e off6 beca-se Corle% ha' h-rrie' bac! into his own apartment an' sh-t the 'oorJIan was alone.

Certainl% ver% nice of him6 he tho-4ht as he wal!e' on. Probabl% save' m% hi'e6





!ept me from bein4 forcibl% eecte' ri4ht o-t of here forever.

0hen he reache' his apartment he ma'e himself comfortable6 with all hisreference boo!s on the political histor% of the nite' States sprea' o-t aro-n' him. I3llst-'% all ni4ht6 he 'eci'e'. Beca-se I have to pass that -iGJ I have no choice.

To !eep himself awa!e6 he t-rne' on the T". Presentl% the warm6 familiar bein46the presence of the ,irst La'%6 flowe' into motion an' be4an to fill the room.

8. . .an' at o-r m-sical toni4ht68 she was sa%in46 8we will have a saxophone-artet which will pla% themes from 0a4ner3s operas6 in partic-lar m% favorite6 3ie$eistersin4er.3 I believe we will tr-l% all fin' this a 'eepl% rewar'in4 an' certainl% anenrichin4 experience to cherish. An'6 after that6 m% h-sban' the Presi'ent an' I havearran4e' to brin4 %o- once a4ain an ol' favorite of %o-rs6 the worl' renown cellist6 enriLeClerc6 in a pro4ram of Ferome Kern an' Cole Porter.8 She smile'6 an' at his pile ofreference boo!s6 Ian -ncan smile' bac!.

I won'er how it wo-l' be to pla% at the 0hite o-se6 he sai' to himself. To perform before the ,irst La'%. Too ba' I never learne' to pla% an% !in' of m-sicalinstr-ment. I can3t act6 write poems6 'ance or sin4 22 nothin4. So what hope is there forme5 *ow6 if I ha' come from a m-sical famil%6 if I ha' ha' a father or brothers to teachme how. . . .

1l-ml%6 he scratche' a few notes on the rise of the ,rench Christian ,ascist Part%of 9E?. An' then6 'rawn as alwa%s to the T" set6 he p-t his pen 'own an' t-rne' to facethe set. *icole was now exhibitin4 a piece of elft tile which she ha' pic!e' -p6 sheexplaine'6 in a little shop in "ermont. 0hat lovel% clear colors it ha'. . . he watche'6fascinate'6 as her stron46 slim fin4ers caresse' the shin% s-rface of the ba!e' enamel tile.

8See the tile68 *icole was m-rm-rin4 in her h-s!% voice. 8on3t %o- wish %o-ha' a tile li!e that5 Isn3t it lovel%58

8es68 Ian -ncan sai'.

8ow man% of %o- wo-l' li!e some'a% to see s-ch a tile58 *icole as!e'. 8&aise%o-r han's.8

Ian raise' his han' hopef-ll%.

8(h6 a whole lot of %o-68 *icole sai'6 smilin4 her intimate6 ra'iant smile. 80ell6 perhaps later we will have another to-r of the 0hite o-se. 0o-l' %o- li!e that58

oppin4 -p an' 'own in his chair6 Ian sai'6 8es6 I3' li!e that.8

(n the T" screen she was smilin4 'irectl% at him6 it seeme'. An' so he smile' bac!. An' then6 rel-ctantl%6 feelin4 a 4reat wei4ht 'escen' over him6 he at last t-rne'





%o- awa% in time6 -st barel% in time. *ow -st relax.

8es68 Ian sai'. e la% bac! a4ainst the si'e of the alop% an' relaxe'J for the firsttime in man% %ears he felt at peace.

The ship shot -pwar' into the ni4ht emptiness an' the new planet which la% be%on'.

0aterspi'er

I

That mornin46 as he caref-ll% shave' his hea' -ntil it 4listene'6 Aaron ToGGo pon'ere' a vision too -nfort-nate to be en'-re'. e saw in his min' fifteen convictsfrom *achbaren Sla4er6 each man onl% one inch hi4h6 in a ship the siGe of a chil'3s balloon. The ship6 travelin4 at almost the spee' of li4ht6 contin-e' on forever6 with themen aboar' neither !nowin4 nor carin4 what became of them.

The worst part of the vision was -st that in all probabilit% it was tr-e.

e 'rie' his hea'6 r-bbe' oil into his s!in6 then to-che' the b-tton within histhroat. 0hen contact with the B-rea- switchboar' ha' been establishe'6 ToGGo sai'6 8Ia'mit we can 'o nothin4 to 4et those fifteen men bac!6 b-t at least we can ref-se to sen'an% more.8

is comment6 recor'e' b% the switchboar'6 was passe' on to his co2wor!ers.The% all a4ree'J he listene' to their voices chimin4 in as he p-t on his smoc!6 slippersan' overcoat. (bvio-sl%6 the fli4ht ha' been an errorJ even the p-blic !new that now. B-t22

8B-t we3re 4oin4 on68 +'win ,ermeti6 ToGGo3s s-perior6 sai' above the clamor.80e3ve alrea'% 4ot the vol-nteers.8

8Also from *achbaren Sla4er58 ToGGo as!e'. *at-rall% the prisoners there wo-l'vol-nteerJ their lifespan at the camp was no more than five or six %ears. An' if this fli4htto Proxima were s-ccessf-l6 the men aboar' wo-l' obtain their free'om. The% wo-l' not





have to ret-rn to an% of the five inhabite' planets within the Sol S%stem.

80h% 'oes it matter where the% ori4inate58 ,ermeti sai' smoothl%.

ToGGo sai'6 8(-r effort sho-l' be 'irecte' towar' improvin4 the .S. epartment

of Penolo4%6 instea' of tr%in4 to reach other stars.8 e ha' a s-''en -r4e to resi4n his position with the +mi4ration B-rea- an' 4o into politics as a reform can'i'ate.

Later6 as he sat at the brea!fast table6 his wife patte' him s%mpatheticall% on thearm. 8Aaron6 %o- haven3t been able to solve it %et6 have %o-58

8*o68 he a'mitte' shortl%. 8An' now I 'on3t even care.8 e 'i' not tell her abo-tthe other ship loa's of convicts which ha' fr-itlessl% been expen'e'J it was forbi''en to'isc-ss that with an%one not emplo%e' b% a 'epartment of the 1overnment.

8Co-l' the% be re2enterin4 on their own58

8*o. Beca-se mass was lost here6 in the Sol S%stem. To re2enter the% have toobtain e-al mass bac!6 to replace it. That3s the whole point.8 +xasperate'6 he sippe' histea an' i4nore' her. 0omen6 he tho-4ht. Attractive b-t not bri4ht. 8The% nee' mass bac!68 he repeate'. 80hich wo-l' be fine if the% were ma!in4 a ro-n' trip6 I s-ppose.B-t this is an attempt to coloniGeJ it3s not a 4-i'e' to-r that ret-rns to its point of ori4in.8

8ow lon4 'oes it ta!e them to reach Proxima58 Leonore as!e'. 8All re'-ce' li!ethat6 to an inch hi4h.8

8Abo-t fo-r %ears.8

er e%es 4rew lar4e. 8That3s marvelo-s.8

1r-mblin4 at her6 ToGGo p-she' his chair bac! from the table an' rose. I wishthe%3' ta!e her6 he sai' to himself6 since she ima4ines it3s so marvelo-s. B-t Leonorewo-l' be too smart to vol-nteer.

Leonore sai' softl%6 8Then I was ri4ht. The B-rea-has sent people. o- as m-chas a'mitte' it -st now.8

,l-shin46 ToGGo sai'6 8on3t tell an%bo'%J none of %o-r female frien's especiall%.(r it3s m% ob.8 e 4lare' at her.

(n that hostile note6 he set off for the B-rea-.

As ToGGo -nloc!e' his office 'oor6 +'win ,ermeti haile' him. 8o- thin! onal' *ils is somewhere on a planet circlin4 Proxima at this ver% moment58 *ils was a





notorio-s m-r'erer who ha' vol-nteere' for one of the B-rea-3s fli4hts. 8I won'er 22ma%be he3s carr%in4 aro-n' a l-mp of s-4ar five times his siGe.8

8*ot reall% ver% f-nn%68 ToGGo sai'.

,ermeti shr-44e'. 8F-st hopin4 to relieve the pessimism. I thin! we3re all 4ettin4'isco-ra4e'.8 e followe' ToGGo into his office. 8$a%be we sho-l' vol-nteer o-rselvesfor the next fli4ht.8 It so-n'e' almost as if he meant it6 an' ToGGo 4lance' -ic!l% at him.8Fo!e68 ,ermeti sai'.

8(ne more fli4ht68 ToGGo sai'6 8an' if it fails6 I resi4n.8

8I3ll tell %o- somethin468 ,ermeti sai'. 80e have a new tac!.8 *ow ToGGo3s co2wor!er Crai4 1ill% ha' come sa-nterin4 -p. To the two men6 ,ermeti sai'6 80e3re 4oin4to tr% -sin4 pre2co4s in obtainin4 o-r form-la for re2entr%.8 is e%es flic!ere' as he sawtheir reaction.

Astonishe'6 1ill% sai'6 8B-t all the pre2co4s are 'ea'. estro%e' b% Presi'entialor'er twent% %ears a4o.8

ToGGo6 impresse'6 sai'6 8e3s 4oin4 to 'ip bac! into the past to obtain a pre2co4.Isn3t that ri4ht6 ,ermeti58

80e will6 %es68 his s-perior sai'6 no''in4. 8Bac! to the 4ol'en a4e of pre2co4nition. The twentieth cent-r%.8

,or a moment ToGGo was p-GGle'. An' then he remembere'. -rin4 the first halfof the twentieth cent-r% so man% pre2co4s 22 people with the abilit% to rea' the f-t-re 22ha' come into existence that an or4aniGe' 4-il' ha' been forme' with branches in LosAn4eles6 *ew or!6 San ,rancisco an' Penns%lvania. This 4ro-p of pre2co4s6 all!nowin4 one another6 ha' p-t o-t a n-mber of perio'icals which ha' flo-rishe' forseveral 'eca'es. Bol'l% an' openl%6 the members of the pre2co4 4-il' ha' proclaime' intheir writin4s their !nowle'4e of the f-t-re. An' %et 22 as a whole6 their societ% ha' pai'little attention to them.

ToGGo sai' slowl%6 8Let me 4et this strai4ht. o- mean %o-3re 4oin4 to ma!e -seof the epartment of Archaeolo4%3s time2're'4es to scoop -p a famo-s pre2co4 of the past58

*o''in46 ,ermeti sai'6 8An' brin4 him here to help -s6 %es.8

8B-t how can he help -s5 e wo-l' have no !nowle'4e of o-r f-t-re6 onl% of hisown.8

,ermeti sai'6 8The Librar% of Con4ress has alrea'% 4iven -s access to its virt-all%complete collection of pre2co4 o-rnals of the twentieth cent-r%.8 e smile' croo!e'l% at





ToGGo an' 1ill%6 obvio-sl% eno%in4 the sit-ation. 8It3s m% hope 22 an' m% expectation 22that amon4 this 4reat bo'% of writin4s we will fin' an article specifically dealin! 'ith our

re-entry pro4le#) The chances6 statisticall% spea!in46 are -ite 4oo' . . . the% wrote abo-tinn-merable topics of f-t-re civiliGation6 as %o- !now.8

After a pa-se6 1ill% sai'6 8"er% clever. I thin! %o-r i'ea ma% solve o-r problem.Spee'2of2li4ht travel to other star s%stems ma% %et become a possibilit%.8

So-rl%6 ToGGo sai'6 8opef-ll%6 before we r-n o-t of convicts.8 B-t he6 too6 li!e'his s-perior3s i'ea. An'6 in a''ition6 he loo!e' forwar' to seein4 face to face one of thefamo-s twentieth cent-r% pre2co4s. Theirs ha' been one brief6 4lorio-s perio' 22 sa'l%6lon4 since en'e'.

(r not so brief6 if one 'ate' it as startin4 with Fonathan Swift6 rather than with .1. 0ells. Swift ha' written of the two moons of $ars an' their -n-s-al orbitalcharacteristics %ears before telescopes ha' prove' their existence. An' so to'a% there was

a ten'enc% in the textboo!s to incl-'e him.

II

It too! the comp-ters at the Librar% of Con4ress onl% a short while to scan the brittle6 %ellowe' vol-mes6 article b% article6 an' to select the sole contrib-tion 'ealin4with 'eprivation of mass an' restoration as the mo'-s operan'i of interstellar spacetravel. +instein3s form-la that as an obect increase' its velocit% its mass increase' proportionall% ha' been so f-ll% accepte'6 so completel% -n-estione'6 that no one in thetwentieth cent-r% ha' pai' an% attention to the partic-lar article6 which ha' been p-t in print in A-4-st of 9?? in a pre2co4 o-rnal calle' 7f)

In ,ermeti3s office6 ToGGo sat besi'e his s-perior as the two of them pore' overthe photo4raphic repro'-ction of the o-rnal. The article was title' *i!ht 3li!ht, an' it ranonl% a few tho-san' wor's. Both men rea' it avi'l%6 neither spea!in4 -ntil the% ha'finishe'.

80ell58 ,ermeti sai'6 when the% ha' come to the en'.

ToGGo sai'6 8*o 'o-bt of it. That3s o-r Proect6 all ri4ht. A lot is 4arble'J forinstance he calls the +mi4ration B-rea- 3(-twar'6 Incorporate'63 an' believes it to be a private commercial firm.8 e referre' to the text. 8It3s reall% -ncann%6 tho-4h. o-3reobvio-sl% this character6 +'mon' ,letcherJ the names are similar b-t still a little off6 as isever%thin4 else. An' I3m Alison Torelli.8 e shoo! his hea' a'mirin4l%. 8Those pre2co4s .. . havin4 a mental ima4e of the f-t-re that was alwa%s as!ew an' %et in the main 228





8In the main correct68 ,ermeti finishe'. 8es6 I a4ree. This *i!ht 3li!ht article'efinitel% 'eals with -s an' the B-rea-3s Proect. . . herein calle'Waterspider, beca-se ithas to be 'one in one 4reat leap. 1oo' lor'6 that wo-l' have been a perfect name6 ha' wetho-4ht of it. $a%be we can still call it that.8

ToGGo sai' slowl%6 8B-t the pre2co4 who wrote *i!ht 3li!ht . . . in no place 'oeshe act-all% 4ive the form-la for mass2restoration or even for mass2'eprivation. e -stsimpl% sa%s that 3we have it.3 8 Ta!in4 the repro'-ction of the o-rnal6 he rea' alo-' fromthe article:

iffic-lt% in restorin4 mass to the ship an' its passen4ers at the termination of thefli4ht ha' prove' a st-mblin4 bloc! for Torelli an' his team of researchers an' %et the%ha' at last prove' s-ccessf-l. After the fatef-l implosion of theSea Scout, the initial shipto 22

8An' that3s all68 ToGGo sai'. 8So what 4oo' 'oes it 'o -s5 es6 this pre2co4experience' o-r present sit-ation a h-n're' %ears a4o 224ut he left out the technical

details)/

There was silence.

At last ,ermeti sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8That 'oesn3t mean he 'i'n3tkno' the technical'ata. 0e !now to'a% that the others in his 4-il' were ver% often traine' scientists.8 eexamine' the bio4raphical report. 8es6 while not act-all% -sin4 his pre2co4 abilit% hewor!e' as a chic!en2fat anal%st for the niversit% of California.8

8o %o- still inten' to -se the time2're'4e to brin4 him -p to the present58

,ermeti no''e'. 8I onl% wish the 're'4e wor!e' both wa%s. If it co-l' be -se'with the f-t-re6 not the past6 we co-l' avoi' havin4 to eopar'iGe the safet% of this pre2co4 228 e 4lance' 'own at the article. 8This Po-l An'erson.8

Chille'6 ToGGo sai'6 80hat haGar' is there58

80e ma% not be able to ret-rn him to his own time. (r 228 ,ermeti pa-se'. 80emi4ht lose part of him alon4 the wa%6 win' -p with onl% half of him. The 're'4e has bisecte' man% obects before.8

8An' this man isn3t a convict at *achbaren Sla4er68 ToGGo sai'. 8So %o- 'on3thave that rationale to fall bac! on.8

,ermeti sai' s-''enl%6 80e3ll 'o it properl%. 0e3ll re'-ce the eopar'% b% sen'in4





a team of men bac! to that time6 bac! to 9?#. The% can apprehen' this Po-l An'ersonan' see thatall of hi# 4ets into the time2're'4e6 not merel% the top half or the left si'e.8

So it ha' been 'eci'e'. The epartment of Archaeolo4%3s time2're'4e wo-l' 4o bac! to the worl' of 9?# an' pic! -p the pre2co4 Po-l An'ersonJ there was nothin4

f-rther to 'isc-ss.

&esearch con'-cte' b% the .S. epartment of Archaeolo4% showe' that inSeptember of 9?# Po-l An'erson ha' been livin4 in Ber!ele%6 California6 on 1roveStreet. In that month he ha' atten'e' a top2level meetin4 of pre2co4s from all over thenite' States at the Sir ,rancis ra!e otel in San ,rancisco. It was probable that there6in that meetin46 basic polic% for the next %ear ha' been wor!e' o-t6 with An'erson6 an'other experts6 participatin4.

8It3s reall% ver% simple68 ,ermeti explaine' to ToGGo an' 1ill%. 8A pair of menwill 4o bac!. The% will be provi'e' with for4e' i'entification showin4 them to be part ofthe nation2wi'e pre2co4 or4aniGation. . . s-ares of cellophane2enclose' paper which are pinne' to the coat lapel. *at-rall%6 the% will be wearin4 twentieth cent-r% 4arments. The%will locate Po-l An'erson6 sin4le him o-t an' 'raw him off to one si'e.8

8An' tell him what58 ToGGo sai' s!epticall%.

8That the% represent an -nlicense' amate-r pre2co4 or4aniGation in Battlecree!6$ichi4an6 an' that the% have constr-cte' an am-sin4 vehicle b-ilt to resemble a time2travel 're'4e of the f-t-re. The% will as! $r. An'erson6 who was act-all% -ite famo-sin his time6 to pose b% their h-mb-4 're'4e6 an' then the% will as! for a shot of himwithin. (-r research shows that6 accor'in4 to his contemporaries6 An'erson was mil' an'eas%24oin46 an' also that at these %earl% top2strate4% assemblies he often becameconvivial eno-4h to enter into the moo' of optimism 4enerate' b% his fellow pre2co4s.8

ToGGo sai'6 8o- mean he sniffe' what the% calle' 3airplane 'ope35 e was a34l-e2sniffer358

0ith a faint smile6 ,ermeti sai'6 8ar'l%. That was a mania amon4 a'olescentsan' 'i' not become wi'esprea' in fact -ntil a 'eca'e later. *o6 I am spea!in4 abo-timbibin4 alcohol.8

8I see68 ToGGo sai'6 no''in4.

,ermeti contin-e'6 8In the area of 'iffic-lties6 we m-st cope with the fact that atthis top2secret session6 An'erson bro-4ht alon4 his wife Karen6 'resse' as a $ai' of"en-s in 4leamin4 breast2c-ps6 short s!irt an' helmet6 an' that he also bro-4ht their new2 born 'a-4hter Astri'. An'erson himself 'i' not wear an% 'is4-ise for p-rposes ofconcealin4 his i'entit%. e ha' no anxieties6 bein4 a -ite stable person6 as were most





twentieth cent-r% pre2co4s.

8owever6 '-rin4 the 'isc-ssion perio's between formal sessions6 the pre2co4s6min-s their wives6 circ-latin4 abo-t6 pla%in4 po!er an' ar4-in46 some of them it is sai'stonin4 one another 228

8Stonin458

8(r6 as it was p-t6 becomin4 stone'. In an% case6 the% 4athere' in small 4ro-ps inthe antechambers of the hotel6 an' it is at s-ch an occasion that we expect to nab him. Inthe 4eneral h-bb-b his 'isappearance wo-l' not be note'. 0e wo-l' expect to ret-rn himto that exact time6 or at least no more than a few ho-rs later or earlier. . . preferabl% notearlier beca-set'o Po-l An'ersons at the meetin4 mi4ht prove aw!war'.8

ToGGo6 impresse'6 sai'6 8So-n's foolproof.8

8I3m 4la' %o- li!e it68 ,ermeti sai' tartl%6 8beca-se %o- will be one of the teamsent.8

Please'6 ToGGo sai'6 8Then I ha' better 4et starte' learnin4 the 'etails of life inthe mi' twentieth cent-r%.8 e pic!e' -p another iss-e of 7f) This one6 $a% of 9E96 ha'intereste' him as soon as he ha' seen it. (f co-rse6 this iss-e wo-l' not be !nown %et tothe people of 9?# . . . b-t event-all% the% wo-l' see it. An' once havin4 seen it the%wo-l' never for4et it. . .

&a% Bra'b-r%3s first textboo! to be serialiGe'6 he realiGe' as he examine' the o-rnal.The 3isher of Men, it was calle'6 an' in it the 4reat Los An4eles pre2co4 ha'anticipate' the 4hastl% 1-tmanist political revol-tion which was to sweep the inner planets. Bra'b-r% ha' warne' a4ainst 1-tman6 b-t the warnin4 ha' 4one 22 of co-rse 22-nhee'e'. *ow 1-tman was 'ea' an' the fanatical s-pporters ha' 'win'le' to the stat-sof ran'om terrorists. B-t ha' the worl' listene' to Bra'b-r% 22

80h% the frown58 ,ermeti as!e' him. 8on3t %o- want to 4o58

8es68 ToGGo sai' tho-4htf-ll%. 8B-t it3s a terrible responsibilit%. These are noor'inar% men.8

8That is certainl% the tr-th68 ,ermeti sai'6 no''in4.

III

Twent%2fo-r ho-rs later6 Aaron ToGGo stoo' s-rve%in4 himself in his mi'





twentieth cent-r% clothin4 an' won'erin4 if An'erson wo-l' be 'eceive'6 if he act-all%co-l' be '-pe' into enterin4 the 're'4e.

The cost-me certainl% was perfection itself. ToGGo ha' even been e-ippe' withthe c-stomar% waist2len4th bear' an' han'lebar m-stache so pop-lar circa 9?) in the

nite' States. An' he wore a wi4.

0i4s6 as ever%one !new6 ha' at that time swept the nite' States as the fashionnote par excellenceJ men an' women ha' both worn h-4e pow'ere' per-!es of bri4htcolors6 re's an' 4reens an' bl-es an' of co-rse 'i4nifie' 4ra%s. It was one of the mostam-sin4 occ-rrences of the twentieth cent-r%.

ToGGo3s wi46 a bri4ht re'6 please' him. A-thentic6 it ha' come from the LosAn4eles $-se-m of C-lt-ral istor%6 an' the c-rator ha' vo-che' for it bein4 a man3s6not a woman3s. So the fewest possible chances of 'etection were bein4 ta!en. Little ris!existe' that the% wo-l' be 'etecte' as members of another6 f-t-re c-lt-re entirel%.

An' %et6 ToGGo was still -neas%.

owever6 the plan ha' been arran4e'J now it was time to 4o. 0ith 1ill%6 the othermember selecte'6 ToGGo entere' the time2're'4e an' seate' himself at the controls. Theepartment of Archaeolo4% ha' provi'e' a f-ll instr-ction man-al6 which la% open before him. As soon as 1ill% ha' loc!e' the hatch6 ToGGo too! the b-ll b% the horns =atwentieth cent-r% expression> an' starte' -p the 're'4e.

ials re4istere'. The% were spinnin4 bac!war' into time6 bac! to 9?# an' theSan ,rancisco Pre2Co4 Con4ress.

Besi'e him6 1ill% practice' mi' twentieth cent-r% phrases from a referencevol-me. 8iG m-G be 'a blace. . .8 1ill% cleare' his throat. 8Kilro% was here68 hem-rm-re'. 80ha3 hoppen5 Li!e man6 let3s c-t o-tJ this ball3s a 'ra4.8 e shoo! his hea'.8I can3t 4rasp the exact sense of these phrases68 he apolo4iGe' to ToGGo. 8Twent%2threes!i'oo.8

*ow a re' li4ht 4lowe'J the 're'4e was abo-t to concl-'e its o-rne%. A momentlater its t-rbines halte'.

The% ha' come to rest on the si'ewal! o-tsi'e the Sir ,rancis ra!e otel in'owntown San ,rancisco.

(n all si'es6 people in -aint archaic cost-mes 'ra44e' alon4 on foot. An'6 ToGGosaw6 there were no monorailsJ all the visible traffic was s-rface2bo-n'. 0hat acon4estion6 he tho-4ht6 as he watche' the a-tomobiles an' b-ses movin4 inch b% inchalon4 the pac!e' streets. An official in bl-e wave' traffic ahea' as best he co-l'6 b-t theentire enterprise6 ToGGo co-l' see6 was an ab%smal fail-re.





8Time for phase two68 1ill% sai'. B-t he6 too6 was 4apin4 at the stalle' s-rfacevehicles. 81oo' 4rief68 he sai'6 8loo! at the incre'ibl% short s!irts of the womenJ wh%6the !nees are virt-all% expose'. 0h% 'on3t the women 'ie of whis! vir-s58

8I 'on3t !now68 ToGGo sai'6 8b-t I 'o !now we3ve 4ot to 4et into the Sir ,rancis

ra!e otel.8

Caref-ll%6 the% opene' the port of the time2're'4e an' steppe' o-t. An' thenToGGo realiGe' somethin4. There ha' been an error. Alrea'%.

The men of this 'eca'e were clean2shaven.

81ill%68 he sai' rapi'l%6 8we3ve 4ot to she' o-r bear's an' m-staches.8 In aninstant he ha' p-lle' 1ill%3s off6 leavin4 his bare face expose'. B-t the wi4J that wascorrect. All the men visible wore hea'2'ress of some t%peJ ToGGo saw few if an% bal'men. The women6 too6 ha' l-x-rio-s wi4s ... or were the% wi4s5 Co-l' the% perhaps

benatural hair5

In an% case6 both he an' 1ill% now wo-l' pass. Into the Sir ,rancis ra!e6 he sai'to himself6 lea'in4 1ill% alon4.

The% 'arte' lithel% across the si'ewal! 22 it was amaGin4 how slowl% the peopleof this time2perio' wal!e' 22 an' into the inexpressibl% ol'2fashione' lobb% of the hotel.Li!e a m-se-m6 ToGGo tho-4ht as he 4lance' abo-t him. I wish we co-l' lin4er. . . b-tthe% co-l' not.

8ow3s o-r i'entification58 1ill% sai' nervo-sl%. 8Is it passin4 inspection58 The b-siness with the facehair ha' -pset him.

(n each of their lapels the% carrie' the expertl% ma'e false i'entification. Itwor!e'. Presentl% the% fo-n' themselves ascen'in4 b% a lift6 or rather elevator6 to thecorrect floor.

The elevator let them off in a crow'e' fo%er. $en6 all clean2shaven6 with wi4s ornat-ral hair6 stoo' in small cl-sters ever%where6 la-4hin4 an' tal!in4. An' a n-mber ofattractive women6 some of them in 4arments calle' leotar's6 which were s!in2ti4ht6loitere' abo-t smilin4l%. +ven tho-4h the st%les of the times re-ire' their breasts to becovere'6 the% were a si4ht to see.

Sotto voce6 1ill% sai'6 8I am st-nne'. In this room are some of the 228

8I !now68 ToGGo m-rm-re'. Their Proect co-l' wait6 at least a little while. erewas an -nbelievabl% 4ol'en opport-nit% to see these pre2co4s6 act-all% to tal! to theman' listen to them. . .





ere came a tall6 han'some man in a 'ar! s-it that spar!le' with tin% spec!s ofsome -nnat-ral material6 some variet% of s%nthetic. The man wore 4lasses an' his hair6ever%thin4 abo-t him6 ha' a tanne'6 'ar! loo!. The name on his i'entification . . . ToGGo peere'.

The tall6 4oo'2loo!in4 man was A. +. van "o4t.

8Sa%68 another in'ivi'-al6 perhaps a pre2co4 enth-siast6 was sa%in4 to van "o4t6stoppin4 him. 8I rea' both versions of %o-r World of *ull " an' I still 'i'n3t -ite 4et thatabo-t it bein4hi#5 %o- !now6 at the en'. Co-l' %o- explain that part to me5 An' alsowhen the% starte' into the tree an' then -st 228

van "o4t halte'. A soft smile appeare' on his face an' he sai'. 80ell6 I3ll tell %o-a secret. I start o-t with a plot an' then the plot sort of fol's -p. So then I have to haveanother plot to finish the rest of the stor%.8

1oin4 over to listen6 ToGGo felt somethin4 ma4netic abo-t van "o4t. e was sotall6 so spirit-al. es6 ToGGo sai' to himselfJ that was the wor'6 a healin4 spirit-alit%.There was a -alit% of innate 4oo'ness which emanate' from him.

All at once van "o4t sai'6 8There 4oes a man with m% pants.8 An' witho-t af-rther wor' to the enth-siast6 stal!e' off an' 'isappeare' into the crow'.

ToGGo3s hea' swam. To act-all% have seen an' hear' A. +. van "o4t 22

8Loo!68 1ill% was sa%in46 pl-c!in4 at his sleeve. 8That enormo-s6 4enial2loo!in4man seate' over thereJ that3s owar' Browne6 who e'ite' the pre2co4 o-rnal "#a.in! atthis time2perio'.8

8I have to catch a plane68 owar' Browne was sa%in4 to an%one who wo-l' listento him. e 4lance' abo-t him in a worrie' anxiet%6 'espite his almost ph%sical 4enialit%.

8I won'er68 1ill% sai'6 8if octor Asimov is here.8

0e can as!6 ToGGo 'eci'e'. e ma'e his wa% over to one of the %o-n4 womenwearin4 a blon'e wi4 an' 4reen leotar's. 80+&+ IS (CT(& ASI$("58 he as!e'clearl% in the ar4ot of the times.

80ho3s to !now58 the 4irl sai'.

8Is he here6 miss58

8*aw68 the 4irl sai'.

1ill% a4ain pl-c!e' at ToGGo3s sleeve. 80e m-st fin' Po-l An'erson6 remember5





+no%able as it is to tal! to this 4irl 228

8I3m in-irin4 abo-t Asimov68 ToGGo sai' br-s-el%. After all6 Isaac Asimov ha' been the fo-n'er of the entire twent%2first cent-r% positronic robot in'-str%. ow co-l'he not be here5

A b-rl% o-t'oorish man stro'e b% them6 an' ToGGo saw that this was Fac! "ance."ance6 he 'eci'e'6 loo!e' more li!e a bi4 4ame h-nter than an%thin4 else . . . we m-st beware of him6 ToGGo 'eci'e'. If we 4ot into an% altercation "ance co-l' ta!e care of -seasil%.

e notice' now that 1ill% was tal!in4 to the blon'e2wi44e' 4irl in the 4reenleotar's. 8$&&A L+I*ST+&58 1ill% was as!in4. 8The man whose paper on paralleltime is still at the ver% forefront of theoretical st-'iesJ isn3t he 228

8I '-nno68 the 4irl sai'6 in a bore' tone of voice.

A 4ro-p ha' 4athere' abo-t a fi4-re opposite themJ the central person whomever%bo'% was listenin4 to was sa%in46 8. . .all ri4ht6 if li!e owar' Browne %o- preferair travel6 fine. B-t I sa% it3s ris!%. I 'on3t fl%. In fact even ri'in4 in a car is 'an4ero-s. I4enerall% lie 'own in the bac!.8 The man wore a short2croppe' wi4 an' a bow tieJ he ha'a ro-n'6 pleasant face b-t his e%es were intense.

It was &a% Bra'b-r%6 an' ToGGo starte' towar' him at once.

8Stop78 1ill% whispere' an4ril%. 8&emember what we came for.8

An'6 past Bra'b-r%6 seate' at the bar6 ToGGo saw an ol'er6 care2weathere' man ina brown s-it wearin4 small 4lasses an' sippin4 a 'rin!. e reco4niGe' the man from'rawin4s in earl% 1ernsbac! p-blicationsJ it was the fab-lo-sl% -ni-e pre2co4 from the *ew $exico re4ion6 Fac! 0illiamson.

8I tho-4ht +e!ion of Ti#e 'as the finest novel2len4th science2fiction wor! I everrea'68 an in'ivi'-al6 evi'entl% another pre2co4 enth-siast6 was sa%in4 to Fac! 0illiamson6an' 0illiamson was no''in4 in pleas-re.

8That was ori4inall% 4oin4 to be a short stor%68 0illiamson sai'. 8B-t it 4rew. es6I li!e that one6 too.8

$eanwhile 1ill% ha' wan'ere' on6 into an a'oinin4 room. e fo-n'6 at a table6two women an' a man in 'eep conversation. (ne of the women6 'ar!2haire' an'han'some6 with bare sho-l'ers6 was 22 accor'in4 to her i'entification plate 22 +vel%nPai4e. The taller woman he 'iscovere' was the renowne' $ar4aret St. Clair6 an' 1ill% atonce sai':





8$rs. St. Clair6 %o-r article entitle'The Scarlet e9apodin the September 9?was one of the finest 228 An' then he bro!e off.

Beca-se $ar4aret St. Clair ha' not written that %et. Knew in fact nothin4 abo-t it.

,l-shin4 with nervo-sness6 1ill% bac!e' awa%.

8Sorr%68 he m-rm-re'. 8+xc-se meJ I became conf-se'.8

&aisin4 an e%ebrow6 $ar4aret St. Clair sai'6 8In the September 9? iss-e6 %o-sa%5 0hat are %o-6 a man from the f-t-re58

8roll68 +vel%n Pai4e sai'6 8b-t let3s contin-e.8 She 4ave 1ill% a har' stare fromher blac! e%es. 8*ow Bob6 as I -n'erstan' what %o-3re sa%in4 228 She a''resse' the manopposite her6 an' 1ill% saw now to his 'eli4ht that the 'ire2loo!in4 ca'avero-s in'ivi'-alwas none other than &obert Bloch.

1ill% sai'6 8$r. Bloch6 %o-r article in8ala9y; Sa44atical, was 228

8o-3ve 4ot the wron4 person6 m% frien'68 &obert Bloch sai'. 8I never wrote an% piece entitle'Sa44atical)/

1oo' Lor'6 1ill% realiGe'. I 'i' it a4ainJSa44atical is another wor! which has not been written %et. I ha' better 4et awa% from here. e move' bac! towar' ToGGo. . . an'fo-n' him stan'in4 ri4i'l%.

ToGGo sai'6 8I3ve fo-n' An'erson.8

At once6 1ill% t-rne'6 also ri4i'.

Both of them ha' caref-ll% st-'ie' the pict-res provi'e b% the Librar% ofCon4ress. There stoo' the famo-s pre2co46 tall an' slen'er an' strai4ht6 even a trifle thin6with c-rl% hair 22 or wi4 22 an' 4lasses6 a warm 4lint of frien'liness in his e%es. e hel' awhis!e% 4lass in one han'6 an' he was 'isco-rsin4 with several other pre2co4s.(bvio-sl% he was eno%in4 himself.

8rn6 -h6 let3s see68 An'erson was sa%in46 as ToGGo an' 1ill% came -ietl% -p to oin the 4ro-p. 8Par'on58 An'erson c-ppe' his ear to catch what one of the other pre2co4s was sa%in4. 8(h6 -h6 %-p6 that3s ri4ht.8 An'erson no''e'. 8-p6 Ton%6 -h6 I a4reewith %o- one h-n're' per cent.8

The other pre2co46 ToGGo realiGe'6 was the s-perb Ton% Bo-cher6 whose pre2co4nition of the reli4io-s revival of the next cent-r% ha' been almost s-pernat-ral. Thewor'2b%2wor' 'escription of the $iracle in the Cave involvin4 the robot. . . ToGGo 4aGe'





at Bo-cher with awe6 an' then he t-rne' bac! to An'erson.

8Po-l68 another pre2co4 sai'. 8I3ll tell %o- how the Italians inten'e' to 4et theBritish to leave if the% 'i' inva'e in 9#. The British wo-l' sta% at hotels6 the best6nat-rall%. The Italians wo-l' overchar4e them.8

8(h6 %es6 %es68 An'erson sai'6 no''in4 an' smilin46 his e%es twin!lin4. 8An' thenthe British6 bein4 4entlemen6 wo-l' sa% nothin4 228

8B-t the%3' leave the next 'a%68 the other pre2co4 finishe'6 an' all in the 4ro-pla-4he'6 except for 1ill% an' ToGGo.

8$r. An'erson68 ToGGo sai' tensel%6 8we3re from an amate-r pre2co4 or4aniGationat Battlecree!6 $ichi4an an' we wo-l' li!e to photo4raph %o- besi'e o-r mo'el of atime2're'4e.8

8Par'on58 An'erson sai'6 c-ppin4 his ear.

ToGGo repeate' what he ha' sai'6 tr%in4 to be a-'ible above the bac!4ro-n'rac!et. At last An'erson seeme' to -n'erstan'.

8(h6 -m6 well6 where is it58 An'erson as!e' obli4in4l%.

8ownstairs on the si'ewal!68 1ill% sai'. 8It was too heav% to brin4 -p.8

80ell6 -h6 if it won3t ta!e too awf-ll% lon468 An'erson sai'6 8which I 'o-bt itwill.8 e exc-se' himself from the 4ro-p an' followe' after them as the% starte' towar'the elevator.

8It3s steam2en4ine b-il'in4 time68 a heav%2set man calle' to them as the% passe'.8Time to b-il' steam en4ines6 Po-l.8

80e3re 4oin4 'ownstairs68 ToGGo sai' nervo-sl%.

80al! 'ownstairs on %o-r hea's68 the pre2co4 sai'. e wave' 4oo'b%e4oo'nat-re'l%6 as the elevator came an' the three of them entere' it.

8Kris is oll% to'a%68 An'erson sai'.

8An' how68 1ill% sai'6 -sin4 one of his phrases.

8Is Bob einlein here58 An'erson as!e' ToGGo as the% 'escen'e'. 8I -n'erstan'he an' $il're' Clin4erman went off somewhere to tal! abo-t cats an' nobo'% has seenthem come bac!.8

8That3s the wa% the ball bo-nces68 1ill% sai'6 tr%in4 o-t another twentieth cent-r%





8In'ivi'-al cars68 ToGGo sai'6 stan'in4 close besi'e him. 8o-r monorails ha'onl% 4ro-p cars. Later on6 after %o-r time6 it was ma'e possible for each citiGen3s ho-se tohave a monorail o-tletJ the in'ivi'-al bro-4ht his car o-t of its 4ara4e an' onto the rail2terminal6 from which point he oine' the collective str-ct-re. o %o- see58

B-t An'erson remaine' perplexe'J his expression in fact ha' 'eepene'.

8m68 he sai'6 8what 'o %o- mean 3m% time35 Am I 'ea'58 e loo!e' morosenow. 8I tho-4ht it wo-l' be more alon4 the lines of "alhalla6 with "i!in4s an' s-ch. *otf-t-ristic.8

8o-3re not 'ea'6 $r. An'erson68 ,ermeti sai'. 80hat %o-3re facin4 is the c-lt-re2s%n'rome of the mi' twent%2first cent-r%. I m-st tell %o-6 sir6 that %o-3ve been nappe'.B-t %o- will be ret-rne'J I 4ive %o- both m% personal an' official wor'.8

An'ersen3s aw 'roppe'6 b-t he sai' nothin4J he contin-e' to stare.

onal' *ils6 notorio-s m-r'erer6 sat at the sin4le table in the reference room ofthe +mi4ration B-rea-3s interstellar spee'2of2li4ht ship an' comp-te' that he was6 in+arth fi4-res6 an inch hi4h. Bitterl%6 he c-rse'. 8It3s cr-el an' -n-s-al p-nishment68 he4rate' alo-'. 8It3s a4ainst the Constit-tion.8 An' then he remembere' that he ha'vol-nteere'6 in or'er to 4et o-t of *achbaren Sla4er. That 4o''am hole6 he sai' tohimself. An%how6 I3m o-t of there.

An'6 he sai' to himself6 even if I3m onl% an inch hi4h I3ve still ma'e m%selfcaptain of this lo-s% ship6 an' if it ever 4ets to Proxima I3ll be captain of the entire lo-s%Proxima S%stem. I 'i'n3t st-'% with 1-tman himself for nothin4. An' if that 'on3t beat *achbaren Sla4er6 I 'on3t !now what 'oes. . .

is secon'2in2comman'6 Pete Baill%6 st-c! his hea' into the reference room.8e%6 *ils6 I have been loo!in4 over the micro2repro of this partic-lar ol' pre2co4 o-rnal "stoundin! li!e %o- tol' me6 this "en-s +-ilateral article abo-t mattertransmission6 an' I mean even tho-4h I was the top vi' repairman in *ew or! Cit% that'on3t mean I can b-il' one of these thin4s.8 e 4lare' at *ils. 8That3s as!in4 a lot.8

*ils sai' ti4htl%6 80e3ve 4ot to 4et bac! to +arth.8

8o-3re o-t of l-c!68 Baill% tol' him. 8Better settle for Prox.8

,-rio-sl%6 *ils swept the micro2repro'-ctions from the table6 onto the floor of theship. 8That 'amn B-rea- of +mi4ration7 The% tric!e' -s78

Baill% shr-44e'. 8An%how we 4ot plent% to eat an' a 4oo' reference librar% an'





2 movies ever% ni4ht.8

8B% the time we 4et to Prox68 *ils snarle'6 8we3ll have seen ever% movie 228 ecalc-late'. 8Two tho-san' times.8

80ell6 then 'on3t watch. (r we can r-n them bac!war's. ow3s %o-r researchcomin458

8I 4ot 4oin4 the micro of an article inSpace Science 3iction/ *ils sai'tho-4htf-ll%6 8calle'The <aria4le Man) It tells abo-t faster2than2li4ht transmission. o-'isappear an' then reappear. Sonic 4-% name' Cole is 4oin4 to perfect it6 accor'in4 to theol'2time pre2co4 who wrote it.8 e broo'e' abo-t that. 8If we co-l' b-il' a faster2than2li4ht ship we co-l' ret-rn to +arth. 0e co-l' ta!e over.8

8That3s craG% tal!68 Baill% sai'.

*ils re4ar'e' him. 8I3m in comman'.8

8Then68 Baill% sai'6 8we 4ot a n-t in comman'. There3s no ret-rnin4 to TerraJ we better b-il' o-r lives on Proxima3s planets an' for4et forever abo-t o-r home. Than! 1o'we 4ot women aboar'. $% 1o'6 even if we 'i' 4et bac!. . . what co-l' one2inch hi4h people accomplish5 0e3' be eere' at.8

8*obo'% eers at me68 *ils sai' -ietl%.

B-t he !new Baill% was ri4ht. The%3' be l-c!% if the% co-l' research the micros ofthe ol' pre2co4 o-rnals in the ship3s reference room an' 'evelop for themselves a wa% oflan'in4 safel% on Proxima3s planets. . . eventhat was as!in4 a lot.

0e3ll s-ccee'6 *ils sai' to himself. As lon4 as ever%one obe%s me6 'oes exactl% asI tell them6 with no '-mb -estions.

Ben'in46 he activate' the spool of the ecember 9@< 7f) There was an article in itthat partic-larl% intereste' him ... an' he ha' fo-r %ears ahea' of him in which to rea'6-n'erstan'6 an' finall% appl% it.

,ermeti sai'6 8S-rel% %o-r pre2co4 abilit% helpe' prepare %o- for this6 $r.An'erson.8 is voice faltere' with nervo-s strain6 'espite his efforts to control it.

8ow abo-t ta!in4 me bac! now58 An'erson sai'. e so-n'e' almost calm.

,ermeti6 after shootin4 a swift 4lance at ToGGo an' 1ill%6 sai' to An'erson6 80ehave a technical problem6 %o- see. That3s wh% we bro-4ht %o- here to o-r own time2contin--m. o- see 228





8I thin! %o- ha' better6 -m6 ta!e me bac!68 An'erson bro!e in. 8Karen3ll 4etworrie'.8 e crane' his nec!6 peerin4 in all 'irections. 8I !new it wo-l' be somewhat onthis or'er68 he m-rm-re'. is face twitche'. 8*ot too 'ifferent from what I expecte'. . .what3s that tall thin4 over there5 Loo!s li!e what the ol' blimps -se' to catch onto.8

8That68 ToGGo sai'6 8is a pra%er tower.8

8(-r problem68 ,ermeti sai' patientl%6 8is 'ealt with in %o-r article *i!ht 3li!ht inthe A-4-st 9?? 7f) 0e3ve been able to 'eprive an interstellar vehicle of its mass6 b-t sofar restoration of mass has 228

8h6 oh6 %es68 An'erson sai'6 in a preocc-pie' wa%. 8I3m wor!in4 on that %arnri4ht now. Sho-l' have that off to Scott in another co-ple of wee!s.8 e explaine'6 8$%a4ent.8

,ermeti consi'ere' a moment an' then sai'6 8Can %o- 4ive -s the form-la formass2restoration6 $r. An'erson58

8m68 Po-l An'erson sai' slowl%6 8es6 I 4-ess that wo-l' be the correct term.$ass2restoration. . . I co-l' 4o alon4 with that.8 e no''e'. 8I haven3t wor!e' o-t an%form-laJ I 'i'n3t want to ma!e the %arn too technical. I 4-ess I co-l' ma!e one -p6 ifthat3s what the% wante'.8 e was silent6 then6 apparentl% havin4 with'rawn into a worl'of his ownJ the three men waite'6 b-t An'erson sai' nothin4 more.

8o-r pre2co4 abilit%68 ,ermeti sai'.

8Par'on58 An'erson sai'6 c-ppin4 his ear. 8Pre2co458 e smile' sh%l%. 8(h6 -h6 Iwo-l'n3t 4o so far as to sa% that. I !now Fohn believes in all that6 b-t I can3t sa% as Iconsi'er a few experiments at -!e niversit% as proof.8

,ermeti stare' at An'erson a lon4 time. 8Ta!e the first article in the Fan-ar%9?8ala9y/ he sai' -ietl%./The Defenders . . . abo-t the people livin4 beneath thes-rface an' the robots -p above6 preten'in4 to fi4ht the war b-t act-all% not6 act-all%fa!in4 the reports so interestin4l% that the people 228

8I rea' that68 Po-l An'erson a4ree'. 8"er% 4oo'6 I tho-4ht6 except for the en'in4.I 'i'n3t care too m-ch for the en'in4.8

,ermeti sai'6 8o- -n'erstan'6 'on3t %o-6 that those exact con'itions came to passin 9@6 '-rin4 0orl' 0ar Three5 That b% means of the article we were able to penetratethe 'eception carrie' on b% o-r s-rface robots5 That virt-all% ever% wor' of that articlewas exactl% prophetic 228

8Phil ic! wrote that68 An'erson sai'./The Defenders%0





8o %o- !now him58 ToGGo in-ire'.

8$et him %ester'a% at the Convention68 An'erson sai'. 8,or the first time. "er%nervo-s fellow6 was almost afrai' to come in.8

,ermeti sai'6 8Am I to -n'erstan' thatnone of you are a'are that you are pre-co!s%/ is voice shoo!6 completel% o-t of control now.

80ell68 An'erson sai' slowl%6 8some sf writers believe in it. I thin! Alf "an "o4t'oes68 e smile' at ,ermeti.

8B-t 'on3t %o- -n'erstan'58 ,ermeti 'eman'e'. 8o- 'escribe'us in an article 22%o- acc-ratel% 'escribe' o-r B-rea- an' its interstellar Proect78

After a pa-se6 An'erson m-rm-re'6 81osh6 I3ll be 'arne'. *o6 I 'i'n3t !now that.m6 than!s a lot for tellin4 me.8

T-rnin4 to ToGGo6 ,ermeti sai'6 8(bvio-sl% we3ll have to recast o-r entire conceptof the mi' twentieth cent-r%.8 e loo!e' wear%.

ToGGo sai'6 8,or o-r p-rposes their i4norance 'oesn3t matter. Beca-se the pre2co4nitive abilit% was there an%how6 whether the% reco4niGe' it or not.8 That6 to him6 was perfectl% clear.

An'erson6 meanwhile6 ha' wan'ere' off a little an' stoo' now inspectin4 the'ispla% win'ow of a nearb% 4ift store. 8Interestin4 bric2a2brac in there. I o-4ht to pic! -psomethin4 for Karen while I3m here. 0o-l' it be all ri4ht 228 e t-rne' -estionin4l% to,ermeti. 8Co-l' I step in there for a moment an' loo! aro-n'58

8es6 %es68 ,ermeti sai' irritabl%.

Po-l An'erson 'isappeare' insi'e the 4ift shop6 leavin4 the three of them to ar4-ethe meanin4 of their 'iscover%.

80hat we3ve 4ot to 'o68 ,ermeti sai'6 8is sit him 'own in the sit-ation familiar tohim:4efore a type'riter) 0e m-st pers-a'e him to compose an article on 'eprivation ofmass an' its s-bse-ent restoration. 0hether he himself ta!es the article to be fact-al ornot has no bearin4J it still will be. The Smithsonian m-st have a wor!able twentiethcent-r% t%pewriter an' ; 9/< b% 99 white sheets of paper. o %o- a4ree58

ToGGo6 me'itatin46 sai'6 8I3ll tell %o- what I thin!. It was a car'inal error to permithim to 4o into that 4ift shop.8

80h% is that58 ,ermeti sai'.

8I see his point68 1ill% sai' excite'l%. 80e3ll never see An'erson a4ainJ he3s





s!ippe' o-t on -s thro-4h the pretext of 4ift2shoppin4 for his wife.8

Ashen2face'6 ,ermeti t-rne' an' race' into the 4ift ship. ToGGo an' 1ill%followe'.

The store was empt%. An'erson ha' el-'e' themJ he was 4one.

As he lope' silentl% o-t the bac! 'oor of the 4ift shop6 Po-l An'erson tho-4ht tohimself6 I 'on3t believe the%3ll 4et me. At least not ri4ht awa%. I3ve 4ot too m-ch to 'owhile I3m here6 he realiGe'. 0hat an opport-nit%7 0hen I3m an ol' man I can tell Astri'3schil'ren abo-t this.

Thin!in4 of his 'a-4hter Astri' remin'e' him of one ver% simple fact6 however.+vent-all% he ha' to 4o bac! to 9?#. Beca-se of Karen an' the bab%. *o matter what he

fo-n' here 22 for him it was temporar%.

B-t meanwhile. . . first I3ll 4o to the librar%6any librar%6 he 'eci'e'. An' 4et a4oo' loo! at histor% boo!s that3ll tell me what too! place in the intervenin4 %ears between9?# an' now.

I3' li!e to !now6 he sai' to himself6 abo-t the Col' 0ar6 how the .S. an' &-ssiacame o-t. An' 22 space explorations. I3ll bet the% p-t a man on L-na b% 9E?. Certainl%6the%3re explorin4 space nowJ hec!6 the% even have a time2're'4e so the% m-st havethat)

Ahea' Po-l An'erson saw a 'oorwa%. It was open an' witho-t hesitation he pl-n4e' into it. Another shop of some !in'6 b-t this one lar4er than the 4ift shop.

8es sir68 a voice sai'6 an' a bal'2hea'e' man 22 the% all seeme' to be bal'2hea'e' here 22 approache' him. The man 4lance' at An'erson3s hair6 his clothes. . .however the cler! was politeJ he ma'e no comment. 8$a% I help %o-58 he as!e'.

8m68 An'erson sai'6 stallin4. 0hat 'i' this place sell6 an%how5 e 4lance'aro-n'. 1leamin4 electronic obects of some sort. B-t what 'i' the% 'o5

The cler! sai'6 8aven3t %o- been n-GGle' latel%6 sir58

80hat3s that58 An'erson sai'. *u..led%

8The new sprin4 n-GGlers have arrive'6 %o- !now68 the cler! sai'6 movin4 towar'the 4leamin4 spherical machine nearest him. 8es68 he sai' to Po-l6 8%o- 'o stri!e me asver%6 ver% faintl% introve 22 no offense meant6 sir6 I mean6 it3s le4al to be introve'.8 Thecler! ch-c!le'. 8,or instance6 %o-r rather o'' clothin4. . . ma'e it %o-rself6 I ta!e it5 Im-st sa%6 sir6 to ma!e %o-r own clothin4 is hi4hl% introve. i' %o- weave it58 The cler!4rimace' as if tastin4 somethin4 ba'.





8*o68 Po-l sai'6 8as a matter of fact it3s m% best s-it.8

8eh6 heh68 the cler! sai'. 8I share the o!e6 sirJ -ite witt%. B-t what abo-t %o-rhea'5 o- haven3t shave' %o-r hea' in'eeks)/

8*ope68 An'erson a'mitte'. 80ell6 ma%be I 'o nee' a n-GGler.8 +vi'entl%ever%one in this cent-r% ha' oneJ li!e a T" set in his own time6 it was a necessit%6 inor'er for one to be part of the c-lt-re.

8ow man% in %o-r famil%58 the cler! sai'. Brin4in4 o-t a meas-rin4 tape6 hemeas-re' the len4th of Po-l3s sleeve.

8Three68 Po-l answere'6 baffle'.

8ow ol' is the %o-n4est58

8F-st born68 Po-l sai'.

The cler!3s face lost all its color. 81et o-t of here68 he sai' -ietl%. 8Before I callfor the polpol.8

8m6 what3s that5 Par'on58 Po-l sai'6 c-ppin4 his ear an' tr%in4 to hear6 notcertain he ha' -n'erstoo'.

8o-3re a criminal68 the cler! m-mble'. 8o- o-4ht to be in *achbaren Sla4er.8

80ell6 than!s an%how68 Po-l sai'6 an' bac!e' o-t of the store6 onto the si'ewal!Jhis last 4limpse was of the cler! still starin4 at him.

8Are %o- a forei4ner58 a voice as!e'6 a woman3s voice. At the c-rb she ha' halte'her vehicle. It loo!e' to Po-l li!e a be'J in fact6 he realiGe'6 it was a be'. The womanre4ar'e' him with ast-te calm6 her e%es 'ar! an' intense. Altho-4h her 4listenin4 shave'hea' somewhat -pset him6 he co-l' see that she was attractive.

8I3m from another c-lt-re68 Po-l sai'6 fin'in4 himself -nable to !eep his e%esfrom her fi4-re. i' all the women 'ress li!e this here in this societ%5 Bare sho-l'ers6 heco-l' -n'erstan'. B-t not 22

An' the be'. The combination of the two was too m-ch for him. 0hat !in' of b-siness was she in6 an%how5 An' in p-blic. 0hat a societ% this was. . . morals ha'chan4e' since his own time.

8I3m loo!in4 for the librar%68 Po-l sai'6 not comin4 too close to the vehicle which





was a be' with motor an' wheels6 a tiller for steerin4.

The woman sai'6 8The librar% is one bi4ht from here.8

8m68 Po-l sai'6 8what3s a 3bi4ht358

8(bvio-sl%6 %o-3re wan4in4 me68 the woman sai'. All visible parts of her fl-she'a 'ar! re'. 8It3s not f-nn%. An% more than %o-r 'is4-stin4l% hair% hea' is. &eall%6 both%o-r wan4in4 an' %o-r hea' are not am-sin46 at least not to me.8 An' %et she 'i' not 4oonJ she remaine' where she was6 re4ar'in4 him somberl%. 8Perhaps %o- nee' help68 she'eci'e'. 8Perhaps I sho-l' pit% %o-. o- !now of co-rse that the polpol co-l' pic! %o--p an% time the% want.8

Po-l sai'6 8Co-l' I6 -m6 b-% %o- a c-p of coffee somewhere an' we co-l' tal!5I3m reall% anxio-s to fin' the librar%.8

8I3ll 4o with %o-68 the woman a4ree'. 8Altho-4h I have no i'ea what 3coffee3 is. If%o- to-ch me I3ll nilp at once.8

8on3t 'o that68 Po-l sai'6 8it3s -nnecessar%J all I want to 'o is loo! -p somehistorical material.8 An' then it occ-rre' to him that he co-l' ma!e 4oo' -se of an%technical 'ata he co-l' 4et his han's on.

0hat one vol-me mi4ht he sm-44le bac! to 9?# which wo-l' be of 4reat val-e5e rac!e' his brains. An almanac. A 'ictionar%. . . a school text on science whichs-rve%e' all the fiel's for la%menJ %es6 that wo-l' 'o it. A seventh 4ra'e text or a hi4hschool text. e co-l' rip the covers off6 throw them awa%6 p-t the pa4es insi'e his coat.

Po-l sai'6 80here3s a school5 The closest school.8 e felt the -r4enc% of it6 now.e ha' no 'o-bt that the% were after him6 close behin'.

80hat is a 3school358 the woman as!e'.

80here %o-r chil'ren 4o68 Po-l sai'.

The woman sai' -ietl%6 8o- poor sic! man.8

"

,or a time ToGGo an' ,ermeti an' 1ill% stoo' in silence. An' then ToGGo sai' in acaref-ll% controlle' voice6 8o- !now what3s 4oin4 to happen to him6 of co-rse. Polpolwill pic! him -p an' mono2express him to *achbaren Sla4er. Beca-se of his appearance.





e ma% even be there alrea'%.8

,ermeti sprinte' at once for the nearest vi'phone. 8I3m 4oin4 to contact thea-thorities at *achbaren Sla4er. I3ll tal! to PotterJ we can tr-st him6 I thin!.8

Presentl% $aor Potter3s heav%6 'ar! feat-res forme' on the vi'screen. 8(h6 hello6,ermeti. o- want more convicts6 'o %o-58 e ch-c!le'. 8o- -se them -p even fasterthan we 'o.8

Behin' Potter6 ,ermeti ca-4ht a 4limpse of the open recreation area of the 4iantinternment camp. Criminals6 both political an' nonpol6 co-l' be seen roamin4 abo-t6stretchin4 their le4s6 some of them pla%in4 '-ll6 pointless 4ames which6 he !new6 went onan' on6 sometimes for months6 each time the% were o-t of their wor!2cells.

80hat we want68 ,ermeti sai'6 8is to prevent an in'ivi'-al bein4 bro-4ht to %o- atall.8 e 'escribe' Po-l An'erson. 8If he3s monoe' there6 call me at once. An' 'on3t harm

him. o- -n'erstan'5 0e want him bac! safe.8

8S-re68 Potter sai' easil%. 8F-st a min-teJ I3ll have a scan p-t on o-r newa'missions.8 e to-che' a b-tton to his ri4ht an' a 9? 2& comp-ter came onJ ,ermetihear' its low h-m. Potter to-che' b-ttons an' then sai'6 8This3ll pic! him o-t if he3smonoe' here. (-r a'missions2circ-it is prepare' to reect him.8

8*o si4n %et58 ,ermeti as!e' tensel%.

8*ope68 Potter sai'6 an' p-rposef-ll% %awne'.

,ermeti bro!e the connection.

8*ow what58 ToGGo sai'. 80e co-l' possibl% trace him b% means of a1an%me'ean sniffer2spon4e.8 The% were a repellent life form6 tho-4hJ if one mana4e' tofin' its -arr% it fastene' at once to its bloo' s%stem leech2wise. 8(r 'o it mechanicall%68he a''e'. 80ith a 'etec beam. 0e have a print of An'erson3s ++1 pattern6 'on3t we5 B-tthat wo-l' reall% brin4 in the polpol.8 The 'etec beam b% law belon4e' onl% to the polpolJ after all6 it was the artifact which ha'6 at last6 trac!e' 'own 1-tman himself.

,ermeti sai' bl-ntl%6 8I3m for broa'castin4 a planet2wi'e T%pe II alert. That3llactivate the citiGenr%6 the avera4e informer. The%3ll !now there3s an a-tomatic rewar' foran% T%pe II fo-n'.8

8B-t he co-l' be manhan'le' that wa%68 1ill% pointe' o-t. 8B% a mob. Let3s thin!this thro-4h.8

After a pa-se ToGGo sai'6 8ow abo-t tr%in4 it from a p-rel% cerebral stan'point5If %o- ha' been transporte' from the mi' twentieth cent-r% to o-r contin--m6 whatwo-l' %o- want to 'o5Where 'ould you !o%/





-ietl%6 ,ermeti sai'6 8To the nearest spaceport6 of co-rse. To b-% a tic!et to $arsor the o-tplanets 22 ro-tine in o-r a4e b-t -tterl% o-t of the -estion at mi' twentiethcent-r%.8 The% loo!e' at one another.

8B-t An'erson 'oesn3t !now where the spaceport is68 1ill% sai'. 8It3ll ta!e himval-able time to orient himself. 0e can 4o there 'irectl% b% express s-bs-rface mono.8

A moment later the three B-rea- of +mi4ration men were on their wa%. 8Afascinatin4 sit-ation68 1ill% sai'6 as the% ro'e alon46 i44lin4 -p an' 'own6 facin4 oneanother in the monorail first2class compartment. 80e totall% mis-'4e' the mi' twentiethcent-r% min'J it sho-l' be a lesson to -s. (nce we3ve re4aine' possession of An'ersonwe sho-l' ma!e f-rther in-iries. ,or instance6 the Polter4eist +ffect. 0hat was theirinterpretation of it5 An' table2tappin4 22 'i' the% reco4niGe it for what it was5 (r 'i' the%merel% consi4n it to the realm of the so2calle' 3occ-lt3 an' let it 4o at that58

8An'erson ma% hol' the cl-e to these -estions an' man% others68 ,ermeti sai'.8B-t o-r central problem remains the same. 0e m-st in'-ce him to complete the mass2restoration form-la in precise mathematical terms6 rather than va4-e6 poetic all-sions.8

Tho-4htf-ll%6 ToGGo sai'6 8e3s a brilliant man6 that An'erson. Loo! at the ease b% which he el-'e' -s.8

8es68 ,ermeti a4ree'. 80e m-stn3t -n'erestimate him. 0e 'i' that6 an' it3srebo-n'e'.8 is face was 4rim.

-rr%in4 -p the almost2'eserte' si'estreet6 Po-l An'erson won'ere' wh% thewoman ha' re4ar'e' him as sic!. An' the mention of chil'ren ha' set off the cler! in thestore6 too. 0as birth ille4al now5 (r was it re4ar'e' as sex ha' been once6 as somethin4too private to spea! of in p-blic5

In an% case6 he realiGe'6 if I plan to sta% here I3ve 4ot to shave m% hea'. An'6 if possible6 ac-ire 'ifferent clothin4.

There m-st be barbershops.An'6 he tho-4ht6 the coins in m% poc!etsJ the%3re probabl% worth a lot to collectors.

e 4lance' abo-t6 hopef-ll%. B-t all he saw were tall6 l-mino-s plastic an' metal b-il'in4s which ma'e -p the cit%6 str-ct-res in which incomprehensible transactions too! place. The% were as alien to him as 22

Alien6 he tho-4ht6 an' the wor' lo'4e' cho!in4l% in his min'. Beca-se somethin4ha' ooGe' from a 'oorwa% ahea' of him. An' now his wa% was bloc!e' 22 'eliberatel%6 itseeme' 22 b% a slime mol'6 'ar! %ellow in color6 as lar4e as a h-man bein46 palpitatin4





visibl% on the si'ewal!. After a pa-se the slime mol' -n'-late' towar' at him at are4-lar6 slow rate. A h-man evol-tionar% 'evelopment5 Po-l An'erson won'ere'6recoilin4 from it. 1oo' Lor' . . . an' then he realiGe' what he was seein4.

This era ha' space travel. e was seein4 a creat-re from another planet.

8m68 Po-l sai'6 to the enormo-s mass of slime mol'6 8can I bother %o- a secon'to as! a -estion58

The slime mol' cease' to -n'-late forwar'. An' in Po-l3s brain a tho-4ht forme'which was not his own. 8I catch %o-r -er%. In answer: I arrive' %ester'a% from Callisto.B-t I also catch a n-mber of -n-s-al an' hi4hl% interestin4 tho-4hts in a''ition. . . %o-are a time traveler from the past.8 The tone of the creat-re3s emanations was one ofconsi'erate6 polite am-sement 22 an' interest.

8es68 Po-l sai'. 8,rom 9?#.8

8An' %o- wish to fin' a barbershop6 a librar% an' a school. All at once6 in the precio-s time remainin4 before the% capt-re %o-.8 The slime mol' seeme' solicito-s.80hat can I 'o to help %o-5 I co-l' absorb %o-6 b-t it wo-l' be a permanent s%mbiosis6an' %o- wo-l' not li!e that. o- are thin!in4 of %o-r wife an' chil'. Allow me to inform%o- as to the problem re4ar'in4 %o-r -nfort-nate mention of chil'ren. Terrans of this perio' are experiencin4 a man'ator% moratori-m on chil'birth6 beca-se of the almostinfinite sportin4 of the previo-s 'eca'es. There was a war6 %o- see. Between 1-tman3sfanatical followers an' the more liberal le4ions of 1eneral $cKinle%. The latter won.8

Po-l sai'6 80here sho-l' I 4o5 I3m conf-se'.8 is hea' throbbe' an' he felt tire'.Too m-ch ha' happene'. F-st a short while a4o he ha' been stan'in4 with Ton% Bo-cherin the Sir ,rancis ra!e otel6 'rin!in4 an' chattin4. . . an' now this. ,acin4 this 4reatslime mol' from Callisto. It was 'iffic-lt 22 to sa% the least 22 to ma!e s-ch ana'-stment.

The slime mol' was transmittin4 to him. 8I am accepte' here while %o-6 theirancestor6 are re4ar'e' as o''. Ironic. To me6 %o- loo! -ite li!e them6 except for %o-rc-rl% brown hair an' of co-rse %o-r sill% clothin4.8 The creat-re from Callisto pon'ere'.8$% frien'6 the polpol are the political police6 an' the% search for 'eviants6 followers ofthe 'efeate' 1-tman6 who are terrorists now6 an' hate'. $an% of these followers are'rawn from the potentiall% criminal classes. That is6 the non2conformists6 the so2calle'introves. In'ivi'-als who set their own s-bective val-e2s%stem -p in place of theobective s%stem in vo4-e. It is a matter of life an' 'eath to the Terrans6 since 1-tmanalmost won.8

8I3m 4oin4 to hi'e68 Po-l 'eci'e'.





8B-t where5 o- can3t reall%. *ot -nless %o- wish to 4o -n'er4ro-n' an' oin the1-tmanites6 the criminal class of bomb2throwers. . . an' %o- won3t want to 'o that. Let -sstroll to4ether6 an' if an%one challen4es %o-6 I will sa% %o-3re m% servant. o- haveman-al extensors an' I have not. An' I have6 b% a -ir!6 'eci'e' to 'ress %o- o''l% an'to have %o- retain %o-r hea'2hair. The responsibilit% then becomes mine. It is act-all% not

-n-s-al for hi4her o-t2worl' or4anisms to emplo% Terran help.8

8Than!s68 Po-l sai' ta-tl%6 as the slime mol' res-me' its slow forwar' motionalon4 the si'ewal!. 8B-t there are thin4s I want to 'o 228

8I am on m% wa% to the Goo68 the slime mol' contin-e'. An -n!in' tho-4ht cameto Po-l.

8Please68 the slime mol' sai'. 8o-r anachronistic twentieth cent-r% h-mor is notappreciate'. I am not an inhabitant of the GooJ it is for life forms of low mental or'er s-chas $artian 4lebs an' trawns. Since the initiation of interplanetar% travel6 Goos have

become the center of 228

Po-l sai'6 8Co-l' %o- lea' me to the space terminal58 e trie' to ma!e hisre-est so-n' cas-al.

8o- ta!e a 'rea'f-l ris!68 the slime mol' sai'6 8in 4oin4 to an% p-blic place. The polpol watch constantl%.8

8I still want to 4o.8 If he co-l' boar' an interplanetar% ship6 if he co-l' leave+arth6 see other worl's 22

B-t the% wo-l' erase his memor%J all at once he realiGe' that6 in a r-sh ofhorror. 70ve !ot to #ake notes, he tol' himself. At once7

8o6 -m6 %o- have a pencil58 he as!e' the slime mol'. 8(h6 waitJ I have one.Par'on me.8 (bvio-sl% the slime mol' 'i'n3t.

(n a piece of paper from his coat poc!et 22 it was convention material of somesort 22 he wrote h-rrie'l%6 in brief6 'isointe' phrases6 what ha' happene' to him6 what heha' seen in the twent%2first cent-r%. Then he -ic!l% st-c! the paper bac! in his poc!et.

8A wise move68 the slime mol' sai'. 8An' now to the spaceport6 if %o- willaccompan% me at m% slow pace. An'6 as we 4o6 I will 4ive %o- 'etails of Terra3s histor%from %o-r perio' on.8 The slime mol' move' 'own the si'ewal!. Po-l accompanie' itea4erl%J after all6 what choice 'i' he have5 8The Soviet nion. That was tra4ic. Their warwith &e' China in 9; which finall% involve' Israel an' ,rance. . . re4rettable6 b-t it 'i'solve the problem of what to 'o with ,rance 22 a most 'iffic-lt nation to 'eal with in thelatter half of the twentieth cent-r%.8

(n his piece of paper Po-l otte' that 'own6 too.





8After ,rance ha' been 'efeate' 228 The slime mol' went on6 as Po-l scratche'a4ainst time.

,ermeti sai'6 80e m-st 4lin6 if we3re to catch An'erson before he boar's a ship.8An' b% 84lin8 he 'i' not mean 4linnin4 a littleJ he meant a f-ll search with thecooperation of the polpol. e hate' to brin4 them in6 an' %et their help now seeme' vital.Too m-ch time ha' passe' an' An'erson ha' not %et been fo-n'.

The spaceport la% ahea'6 a 4reat 'is! miles in 'iameter6 with no verticalobstr-ctions. In the center was the B-rne' Spot6 seare' b% %ears of tail2exha-sts fromlan'in4 an' 'epartin4 ships. ,ermeti li!e' the spaceport6 beca-se here the 'enseness ofthe close2pac!e' b-il'in4s of the cit% abr-ptl% cease'. ere wasopenness, s-ch as herecalle' from chil'hoo'. . . if one 'are' to thin! openl% of chil'hoo'.

The terminal b-il'in4 was set h-n're's of feet beneath the rexeroi' la%er b-ilt to protect the waitin4 people in case of an acci'ent above. ,ermeti reache' the entrance ofthe 'escent ramp6 then halte' impatientl% to wait for ToGGo an' 1ill% to catch -p withhim.

8I3ll nilp68 ToGGo sai'6 b-t witho-t enth-siasm. An' he bro!e the ban' on his wristwith a sin4le 'ecisive motion.

The polpol ship hovere' overhea' at once.

80e3re from the +mi4ration B-rea-68 ,ermeti explaine' to the polpol lie-tenant.e o-tline' their Proect6 'escribe' 22 rel-ctantl% 22 their brin4in4 Po-l An'erson fromhis time2perio' to their own.

8air on hea'68 the polpol lie-tenant no''e'. 8-aint '-'s. (!a%6 $r. ,ermetiJwe3ll 4lin -ntil we fin' him.8 e no''e'6 an' his small ship shot off.

8The%3re efficient68 ToGGo a'mitte'.

8B-t not li!eable68 ,ermeti sai'6 finishin4 ToGGo3s tho-4ht.

8The% ma!e me -ncomfortable68 ToGGo a4ree'. 8B-t I s-ppose the%3re s-ppose'to.8

The three of them steppe' onto the 'escent ramp 22 an' 'roppe' at breathta!in4spee' to level one below. ,ermeti sh-t his e%es6 wincin4 at the loss of wei4ht. It wasalmost as ba' as ta!eoff itself. 0h% 'i' ever%thin4 have to be so rapi'6 these 'a%s5 Itcertainl% was not li!e the previo-s 'eca'e6 when thin4s ha' 4one leis-rel%.





The% steppe' from the ramp6 shoo! themselves6 an' were approache' instantl% b%the b-il'in43s polpol chief.

80e have a report on %o-r man68 the 4ra%2-niforme' officer tol' them.

8e hasn3t ta!en off58 ,ermeti sai'. 8Than! 1o'.8 e loo!e' aro-n'.

8(ver there68 the officer sai'6 pointin4.

At a ma4aGine rac!6 Po-l An'erson was loo!in4 intentl% at the 'ispla%. It too!onl% a moment for the three +mi4ration B-rea- officials to s-rro-n' him.

8(h6 -h6 hello68 An'erson sai'. 80hile I was waitin4 for m% ship I tho-4ht I3'ta!e a loo! an' see what3s still in print.8

,ermeti sai'6 8An'erson6 we re-ire %o-r -ni-e abilities. I3m sorr%6 b-t we3re

ta!in4 %o- bac! to the B-rea-.8

All at once An'erson was 4one. So-n'lessl%6 he ha' '-c!e' awa%J the% saw histall6 an4-lar form become smaller as he race' for the 4ate to the fiel' proper.

&el-ctantl%6 ,ermeti reache' within his coat an' bro-4ht o-t a sleep24-n. 8There3sno other choice68 he m-rm-re'6 an' s-eeGe'.

The racin4 fi4-re t-mble'6 rolle'. ,ermeti p-t the sleep24-n awa% an' in atoneless voice sai'6 8e3ll recover. A s!inne' !nee6 nothin4 worse.8 e 4lance' at 1ill%an' ToGGo. 8&ecover at the B-rea-6 I mean.8

To4ether6 the three of them a'vance' towar' the prone fi4-re on the floor of thespaceport waitin4 room.

8o- ma% ret-rn to %o-r own time2contin--m68 ,ermeti sai' -ietl%6 8when%o-3ve 4iven -s the mass2restoration form-la.8 e no''e'6 an' a B-rea- wor!manapproache'6 carr%in4 the ancient &o%al t%pewriter.

Seate' in the chair across from ,ermeti in the B-rea-3s inner b-siness office6 Po-lAn'erson sai'6 8I 'on3t -se a portable.8

8o- m-st cooperate68 ,ermeti informe' him. 80e have the scientific !now2howto restore %o- to KarenJ remember Karen an' remember %o-r newl%2born 'a-4hter at theCon4ress in San ,rancisco3s Sir ,rancis ra!e otel. 0itho-t f-ll cooperation from %o-6An'erson6 there will be no cooperation from the B-rea-. S-rel%6 with %o-r pre2co4 abilit%%o- can see that.8





After a pa-se An'erson sai'6 8rn6 I can3t wor! -nless I have a pot of fresh coffee brewin4 aro-n' me at all times6 somewhere.8

C-rtl%6 ,ermeti si4nale'. 80e3ll obtain coffee beans for %o-68 he 'eclare'. 8B-tthe brewin4 is -p to %o-. 0e3ll also s-ppl% a pot from the Smithsonian collection an'

there o-r responsibilit% en's.8

Ta!in4 hol' of the carria4e of the t%pewriter6 An'erson be4an to inspect it. 8&e'an' blac! ribbon68 he sai'. 8I alwa%s -se blac!. B-t I 4-ess I can ma!e 'o.8 e seeme' atrifle s-llen. Insertin4 a sheet of paper6 he be4an to t%pe. At the top of the pa4e appeare'the wor's:

*I1T ,LI1T

2 Po-l An'erson

8o- sa% 7f bo-4ht it58 he as!e' ,ermeti.

8es68 ,ermeti replie' tensel%.

An'erson t%pe':

iffic-lties at (-twar'6 Incorporate' ha' be4-n to nettle +'mon' ,letcher. ,orone thin46 an entire ship ha' 'isappeare'6 an' altho-4h the in'ivi'-als aboar' were not personall% !nown to him he felt a twin4e of responsibilit%. *ow6 as he lathere' himselfwith hormone2impre4nate' soap

8e starts at the be4innin468 ,ermeti sai' bitin4l%. 80ell6 if there3s no alternativewe3ll simpl% have to bear with him.8 $-sin4l%6 he m-rm-re'6 8I won'er how lon4 itta!es. . . I won'er how fast he writes. As a pre2co4 he can see what3s comin4 nextJ itsho-l' help him to 'o it in a h-rr%.8 (r was that -st wishf-l thin!in45

8ave the coffee beans arrive' %et58 An'erson as!e'6 4lancin4 -p.

8An% time now68 ,ermeti sai'.

8I hope some of the beans are Colombian68 An'erson sai'.

Lon4 before the beans arrive' the article was 'one.





brain.8 e t-rne' an' wal!e' slowl% bac! to Po-l An'erson. 8Loo! here68 he a''resse'him. 8I3m sorr% to tell %o- this6 b-t ever%thin4 that3s happene' to %o- m-st be wipe' from%o-r brain.8

After a pa-se6 An'erson sai'6 8That3s a shame. Sorr% to hear that.8 e loo!e'

'owncast. 8B-t I3m not s-rprise'68 he m-rm-re'. e seeme' philosophical abo-t thewhole affair. 8It3s 4enerall% han'le' this wa%.8

ToGGo as!e'6 80here can this alteration of the memor% cells of his brain beaccomplishe'58

8At the epartment of Penolo4%68 ,ermeti sai'. 8Thro-4h the same channels weobtaine' the convicts.8 Pointin4 his sleep24-n at Po-l An'erson he sai'6 Come alon4 with-s. I re4ret this. . . b-t it has to be 'one.8

"I

At the epartment of Penolo4%6 painless electroshoc! remove' from Po-lAn'erson3s brain the precise cells in which his most recent memories were store'. Then6in a semi2conscio-s state6 he was carrie' bac! into the time2're'4e. A moment later hewas on his trip bac! to the %ear 9?#6 to his own societ% an' time. To the Sir ,rancisra!e otel in 'owntown San ,rancisco6 California an' his waitin4 wife an' chil'.

0hen the time2're'4e ret-rne' empt%6 ToGGo6 1ill% an' ,ermeti breathe' a si4hof relief an' bro!e open a bottle of h-n're'2%ear2ol' Scotch which ,ermeti ha' beensavin4. The mission ha' been s-ccessf-ll% accomplishe'J now the% co-l' t-rn theirattention bac! to the Proect.

80here3s the man-script that he wrote58 ,ermeti sai'6 p-ttin4 'own his 4lass toloo! all aro-n' his office.

There was no man-script to be fo-n'. An'6 ToGGo notice'6 the anti-e Ko%alt%pewriter which the% ha' bro-4ht from the Smithsonian 2it was 4one6 too. B-t wh%5

S-''enl% chill fear travele' -p him. e -n'erstoo'.

81oo' Lor'68 he sai' thic!l%. e p-t 'own his 4lass. 8Somebo'% 4et a cop% of the o-rnal with his article in it. At once.8

,ermeti sai'6 80hat is it6 Aaron5 +xplain.8

80hen we remove' his memor% of what ha' happene' we ma'e it impossible for





him to write the article for the o-rnal68 ToGGo sai'. 8e m-st have base' *i!ht 3li!ht onhis experience with -s6 here.8 Snatchin4 -p the A-4-st 9?? cop% of 7f he t-rne' to thetable2of2contents pa4e.

*o article b% Po-l An'erson was liste'. Instea'6 on pa4e E;6 he saw Philip K.

ic!3sThe Mold of ancy liste' instea'.

The% ha' chan4e' the past after all. An' now the form-la for their Proect was4one 22 4one entirel%.

80e sho-l'n3t have tampere'68 ToGGo sai' in a hoarse voice. 80e sho-l' neverhave bro-4ht him o-t of the past.8 e 'ran! a little more of the cent-r%2ol' Scotch6 hishan's sha!in4.

8Bro-4ht who58 1ill% sai'6 with a p-GGle' loo!.

8on3t %o- remember58 ToGGo stare' at him6 incre'-lo-s.

80hat3s this 'isc-ssion abo-t58 ,ermeti sai' impatientl%. 8An' what are %o- two'oin4 in m% office5 o- both sho-l' be b-s% at wor!.8 e saw the bottle of Scotch an' blanche'. 8ow3' that 4et open58

is han's tremblin46 ToGGo t-rne' the pa4es of the o-rnal over an' over a4ain.Alrea'%6 the memor% was 4rowin4 'iff-se in his min'J he str-44le' in vain to hol' ontoit. The% ha' bro-4ht someone from the past6 a pre2co46 wasn3t it5 B-t who5 A name6 stillin his min' b-t 'immin4 with each passin4 moment. . . An'erson or An'erton6 somethin4li!e that. An' in connection with the B-rea-3s interstellar mass2'eprivation Proect. (rwas it5

P-GGle'6 ToGGo shoo! his hea' an' sai' in bewil'erment6 8I have some pec-liarwor's in m% min'. *i!ht 3li!ht) o either of %o- happen to !now what it refers to58

8*i4ht ,li4ht8,ermeti echoe'. 8*o6 it means nothin4 to me. I won'er6 tho-4h 2 itcertainl% wo-l' be an effective name for o-r Proect.8

8es68 1ill% a4ree'. 8That m-st be what it refers to.8

8B-t o-r Proect is calle'Waterspider, isn3t it58 ToGGo sai'. At least he tho-4ht itwas. e blin!e'6 tr%in4 to foc-s his fac-lties.

8The tr-th of the matter6 8 ,ermeti sai'6 8is that we3ve never title' it.8 Br-s-el%6he a''e'6 8B-t I a4ree with %o-J that3s an even better name for it.Waterspider) es6 I li!ethat.8

The 'oor of the office opene' an' there stoo' a -niforme'6 bon'e' messen4er.8,rom the Smithsonian68 he informe' them. 8o- re-este' this.8 e pro'-ce' a parcel6





which he lai' on ,ermeti3s 'es!.

8I 'on3t remember or'erin4 an%thin4 from the Smithsonian68 ,ermeti sai'.(penin4 it ca-tio-sl% he fo-n' a can of roaste'6 4ro-n' coffee beans6 still vac--m pac!e'6 over a cent-r% ol'.

The three men loo!e' at one another blan!l%.

8Stran4e68 Torelli m-rm-re'. 8There m-st be some mista!e.8

80ell68 ,letcher sai'6 8in an% case6 bac! to ProectWaterspider)/ *o''in46 Torellian' (ilman t-rne' in the 'irection of their own office on the first floor of (-twar'6Incorporate'6 the commercial firm at which the% has wor!e' an' the proect on whichthe% ha' labore'6 with so man% heartaches an' setbac!s6 for so lon4.

At the Science ,iction Convention at the Sir ,rancis ra!e otel6 Po-l An'ersonloo!e' aro-n' him in bewil'erment. 0here ha' he been5 0h% ha' he 4one o-t of the b-il'in45 An' it was an ho-r laterJ Ton% Bo-cher an' Fim 1-nn ha' left for 'inner b%now6 an' he saw no si4n of his wife Karen an' the bab%6 either.

The last he remembere' was two fans from Battlecree! who wante' him to loo!at a 'ispla% o-tsi'e on the si'ewal!. Perhaps he ha' 4one to see that. In an% case6 he ha'no memor% of the interval.

An'erson 4rope' abo-t in his coat poc!et for his pipe6 hopin4 to calm his o''l% itter% nerves 22 an' fo-n'6 not his pipe6 b-t instea' a fol'e' piece of paper.

81ot an%thin4 for o-r a-ction6 Po-l58 a member of the Convention committeeas!e'6 haltin4 besi'e him. 8The a-ction is -st abo-t to start 22 we have to h-rr%.8

Still loo!in4 at the paper from his poc!et6 Po-l m-rm-re'6 8rn6 %o- meansomethin4 here with me58

8Li!e a t%pescript of some p-blishe' stor%6 the ori4inal man-script or earlierversions or notes. o- !now.8 e pa-se'6 waitin4.

8I seem to have some notes in m% poc!et68 Po-l sai'6 still 4lancin4 over them.The% were in his han'writin4 b-t he 'i'n3t remember havin4 ma'e them. A time2travelstor%6 from the loo! of them. $-st have been from those Bo-rbons an' water6 he 'eci'e'6an' not eno-4h to eat. 8ere68 he sai' -ncertainl%6 8it isn3t m-ch b-t I 4-ess %o- cana-ction these.8 e too! one final 4lance at them. 8*otes for a stor% abo-t a politicalfi4-re calle' 1-tman an' a !i'nappin4 in time. Intelli4ent slime mol'6 too6 I notice.8 (nimp-lse6 he han'e' them over.





8Than!s68 the man sai'6 an' h-rrie' on towar' the other room6 where the a-ctionwas bein4 hel'.

8I bi' ten 'ollars68 owar' Browne calle'6 smilin4 broa'l%. 8Then I have to catcha b-s to the airport.8 The 'oor close' after him.

Karen6 with Astri'6 appeare' besi'e Po-l. 80ant to 4o into the a-ction58 sheas!e' her h-sban'. 8B-% an ori4inal ,inla%58

8m6 s-re68 Po-l An'erson sai'6 an' with his wife an' chil' wal!e' slowl% afterowar' Browne.

0hat the ea' $en Sa%

I

The bo'%of Lo-is Sarapis6 in a transparent plastic shatterproof case6 ha' lain on'ispla% for one wee!6 excitin4 a contin-al response from the p-blic. isten'e' lines file' past with the c-stomar% snifflin46 pinche' faces6 'istra-4ht el'erl% la'ies in blac! clothcoats.

In a corner of the lar4e a-'itori-m in which the cas!et repose'6 Fohnn% Barefootimpatientl% waite' for his chance at Sarapis3s bo'%. B-t he 'i' not inten' merel% to viewitJ his ob6 'etaile' in Sarapis3s will6 la% in another 'irection entirel%. As Sarapis3s p-blicrelations mana4er6 his ob was 22 simpl% 22 to brin4 Lo-is Sarapis bac! to life.

8Keer-m68 Barefoot m-rm-re' to himself6 examinin4 his wristwatch an''iscoverin4 that two more ho-rs ha' to pass before the a-'itori-m 'oors co-l' be finall%close'. e felt h-n4r%. An' the chill6 iss-in4 from the -ic!2pac! envelope s-rro-n'in4the cas!et6 ha' increase' his 'iscomfort min-te b% min-te.

is wife Sarah Belle approache' him6 then6 with a thermos of hot coffee. 8ere6Fohnn%.8 She reache' -p an' br-she' the blac!6 shin% Chiricah-a hair bac! from hisforehea'. 8o- 'on3t loo! so 4oo'.8

8*o68 he a4ree'. 8This is too m-ch for me. I 'i'n3t care for him m-ch when he





to him than the two little 4irls an' of co-rse Sarah Belle6 too. 7 !ot to think of the#, not

#yself, he tol' himself now as he waite' for the opport-nit% to remove the bo'% from thecas!et in accor'ance with the ol' man3s 'etaile' instr-ctions. +et0s see) e0s pro4a4ly !ota4out a year in total half-life ti#e, and he0ll 'ant it divided up strate!ically, like at the

end of each fiscal year) e0ll pro4a4ly proportion it out over t'o decades, a #onth here

and there, then to'ards the end as he runs out, #ay4e 6ust a 'eek) "nd then -- days)

An' finall% ol' Lo-is wo-l' be 'own to a co-ple of ho-rsJ the si4nal wo-l' bewea!6 the 'im spar! of electrical activit% hoverin4 in the froGen brain cells. . . it wo-l'flic!er6 the wor's from the amplif%in4 e-ipment wo-l' fa'e6 4row in'istinct. An' then22 silence6 at last the 4rave. B-t that mi4ht be twent%2five %ears from nowJ it wo-l' be the%ear <9)) before the ol' man3s cephalic processes cease' entirel%.

Fohnn% Barefoot6 smo!in4 his ci4arette rapi'l%6 tho-4ht bac! to the 'a% he ha'slo-che' anxio-sl% abo-t the personnel office of Archime'ean +nterprises6 m-mblin4 tothe 4irl at the 'es! that he wante' a obJ he ha' some brilliant i'eas that were for sale6

i'eas that wo-l' help -ntan4le the !not of stri!es6 the spaceport violence 4rowin4 o-t of -ris'ictional overlappin4 b% rival -nions 22 i'eas that wo-l'6 in essence6 free Sarapis ofhavin4 to rel% on -nion labor at all. It was a 'irt% scheme6 an' he ha' !nown it then6 b-the ha' been ri4htJ it was worth mone%. The 4irl ha' sent him on to $r. Pershin46 thePersonnel $ana4er6 an' Pershin4 ha' sent him to Lo-is Sarapis.

8o- mean68 Sarapis ha' sai'6 8I la-nch from theocean% ,rom the Atlantic6 o-t past the three mile limit58

8A -nion is a national or4aniGation68 Fohnn% ha' sai'. 8*either o-tfit has a -ris'iction on the hi4h seas. B-t a b-siness or4aniGation is international.8

8I3' nee' men o-t thereJ I3' nee' the same n-mber6 even more. 0here3ll I 4etthem58

81o to B-rma or In'ia or the $ala% States68 Fohnn% ha' sai'. 81et %o-n4-ns!ille' laborers an' brin4 them over. Train them %o-rself on an in'ent-re' servant basis. In other wor's6 char4e the cost of their passa4e a4ainst their earnin4s.8 It was peona4e6 he !new. An' it appeale' to Lo-is Sarapis. A little empire on the hi4h seas6wor!e' b% men who ha' no le4al ri4hts. I'eal.

Sarapis ha' 'one -st that an' hire' Fohnn% for his p-blic relations 'epartmentJthat was the best place for a man who ha' brilliant i'eas of a non2technical nat-re. Inother wor's6 an -ne'-cate' man: anoncol) A -seless misfit6 an o-tsi'er. A loner lac!in4colle4e 'e4rees.

8e% Fohnn%68 Sarapis ha' sai' once. 8ow come since %o-3re so bri4ht %o- neverwent to school5 +ver%one !nows that3s fatal6 nowa'a%s. Self2'estr-ctive imp-lse6ma%be58 e ha' 4rinne'6 showin4 his stainless2steel teeth.





$oo'il%6 he ha' replie'6 8o-3ve 4ot it6 Lo-is. I want to 'ie. I hate m%self.8 Atthat point he ha' recalle' his peona4e i'ea. B-t that ha' come after he ha' 'roppe' o-t ofschool6 so it co-l'n3t have been that. 8$a%be I sho-l' see an anal%st68 he ha' sai'.

8,a!es68 Lo-is ha' tol' him. 8All of them 22 I !now beca-se I3ve ha' six on m%

staff6 wor!in4 for me excl-sivel% at one time or another. 0hat3s wron4 with %o- is %o-3rean envio-s t%peJ if %o- can3t have it bi4 %o- 'on3t want it6 %o- 'on3t want the climb6 thelon4 str-44le.8

B-t I3ve 4ot it bi46Fohnn% Barefoot realiGe'6 ha' realiGe' even then.This is 4i!,

'orkin! for you) $veryone 'ants to 'ork for +ouis Sarapis5 he !ives all sorts of people

6o4s)

The 'o-ble lines of mo-rners that file' past the cas!et. . . he won'ere' if all these people co-l' be emplo%ees of Sarapis or relatives of emplo%ees. +ither that or peoplewho ha' benefite' from the p-blic 'ole that Sarapis ha' p-she' thro-4h Con4ress an'

into law '-rin4 the 'epression three %ears a4o. Sarapis6 in his ol' a4e the 4reat 'a''% forthe poor6 the h-n4r%6 the o-t of wor!. So-p !itchens6 with lines there6 too. F-st as now.

Perhaps the same people ha' been in those lines who were here to'a%.

Startlin4 Fohnn%6 an a-'itori-m 4-ar' n-'4e' him. 8Sa%6 aren3t %o- $r. Barefoot6the P.&. man for ol' Lo-is58

8es68 Fohnn% sai'. e p-t o-t his ci4arette an' then be4an to -nscrew the li' ofthe thermos of coffee which Sarah Belle ha' bro-4ht him. 8ave some68 he sai'. 8(rma%be %o-3re -se' to the col' in these civic halls.8 The Cit% of Chica4o ha' lent this spotfor Lo-is to lie in stateJ it was 4ratit-'e for what he ha' 'one here in this area. Thefactories he ha' opene'6 the men he ha' p-t on the pa%roll.

8I3m not -se'68 the 4-ar' sai'6 acceptin4 a c-p of coffee. 8o- !now6 $r.Barefoot6 I3ve alwa%s a'mire' %o- beca-se %o-3re a noncol6 an' loo! how %o- rose to atop ob an' lots of salar%6 not to mention fame. It3s an inspiration to -s other noncols.8

1r-ntin46 Fohnn% sippe' his own coffee.

8(f co-rse68 the 4-ar' sai'6 8I 4-ess it3s reall% Sarapis we o-4ht to than!J he 4ave%o- the ob. $% brother2in2law wor!e' for himJ that was bac! five %ears a4o whennobo'% in the worl' was hirin4 except Sarapis. o- hear what an ol' s!inflint he was 22wo-l'n3t permit the -nions to come in6 an' all. B-t he 4ave so man% ol' fol!s pensions. . . m% father was livin4 on a Sarapis pension2plan -ntil the 'a% he 'ie'. An' allthose bills he 4ot thro-4h Con4ressJ the% wo-l'n3t have passe' an% of the welfare for thenee'% bills witho-t press-re from Sarapis.8

Fohnn% 4r-nte'.





8*o won'er there3re so man% people here to'a%68 the 4-ar' sai'. 8I can see wh%.0ho3s 4oin4 to help the little fellow6 the noncols li!e %o- an' me6 now that he3s 4one58

Fohnn% ha' no answer6 for himself or for the 4-ar'.

As owner of the Belove' Brethren $ort-ar%6 erbert Schoenheit von "o4elsan4fo-n' himself re-ire' b% law to cons-lt with the late $r. Sarapis3s le4al co-nsel6 thewell2!nown $r. Cla-'e St. C%r. In this connection it was essential for him to !now precisel% how the half2life perio's were to be proportione' o-tJ it was his ob to exec-tethe technical arran4ements.

The matter sho-l' have been ro-tine6 an' %et a sna4 'evelope' almost at once. ewas -nable to 4et in to-ch with $r. St. C%r6 tr-stee for the estate.

rat6Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 tho-4ht to himself as he h-n4 -p the -nresponsive phone.So#ethin! #ust 4e 'ron!5 this is unheard of in connection 'ith a #an so

i#portant)

e ha' phone' from the bin 22 the stora4e va-lts in which the half2lifers were !eptin perpet-al -ic!2pac!. At this moment6 a worrie'2loo!in4 clerical sort of in'ivi'-alwaite' at the 'es! with a claim chec! st-b in his han'. (bvio-sl% he ha' shown -p tocollect a relative. &es-rrection a% 22 the holi'a% on which the half2lifers were p-blicl%honore' 22 was -st aro-n' the cornerJ the r-sh wo-l' soon be be4innin4.

8es sir68 erb sai' to him6 with an affable smile. 8I3ll ta!e %o-r st-b personall%.8

8It3s an el'erl% la'%68 the c-stomer sai'. 8Abo-t ei4ht%6 ver% small an' wiGene'. I'i'n3t want -st to tal! to herJ I wante' to ta!e her o-t for a while.8 e explaine'6 8$%4ran'mother.8

8(nl% a moment68 erb sai'6 an' went bac! into the bin to search o-t n-mber)?#)2B.

0hen he locate' the correct part% he scr-tiniGe' the la'in4 report attache'J it4ave b-t fifteen 'a%s of half2life remainin4. A-tomaticall%6 he presse' a portableamplifier into the h-ll of the 4lass cas!et6 t-ne' it6 listene' at the proper fre-enc% forin'ication of cephalic activit%.

,aintl% from the spea!er came6 8. . .an' then Tillie spraine' her an!le an' wenever tho-4ht it3' healJ she was so foolish abo-t it6 wantin4 to start wal!in4imme'iatel%. . .8

Satisfie'6 he -npl-44e' the amplifier an' locate' a -nion man to perform theact-al tas! of cartin4 )?#)2B to the loa'in4 platform6 where the c-stomer co-l' place





her in his 3copter or car.

8o- chec!e' her o-t58 the c-stomer as!e' as he pai' the mone% '-e.

8Personall%68 erb answere'. 8,-nctionin4 perfectl%.8 e smile' at the c-stomer.

8app% &es-rrection a%6 $r. ,or'.8

8Than! %o-68 the c-stomer sai'6 startin4 off for the loa'in4 platform.When 7 pass, erb sai' to himself6 7 think 70ll 'ill #y heirs to revive #e one day a century) That 'ay 7can o4serve the fate of all #ankind) B-t that meant a rather hi4h maintenance cost to theheirs6 an' no 'o-bt sooner or later the% wo-l' !ic! over the traces6 have the bo'% ta!eno-t of -ic!2pac! an' 22 1o' forbi' 22 b-rie'.

8B-rial is barbaric68 erb m-rm-re' alo-'. 8&emnant of the primitive ori4ins ofo-r c-lt-re.8

8es sir68 his secretar% $iss Beasman a4ree'6 at her t%pewriter. In the bin6 severalc-stomers comm-ne' with their half2lifer relations6 in rapt -iet6 'istrib-te' at intervalsalon4 the aisles which separate' the cas!ets. It was a tran-il si4ht6 these faithf-ls6comin4 as the% 'i' so re4-larl%6 to pa% homa4e. The% bro-4ht messa4es6 news of whattoo! place in the o-tsi'e worl'J the% cheere' the 4loom% half2lifers in these intervals ofcerebral activit%. An' 22 the% pai' erb Schoenheit von "o4elsan4J it was a profitable b-siness6 operatin4 a mort-ar%.

8$% 'a' seems a little frail68 a %o-n4 man sai'6 catchin4 erb3s attention. 8Iwon'er if %o- co-l' ta!e a moment to chec! him over. I3' reall% appreciate

it.8

3Certainl%68 erb sai'6 accompan%in4 the c-stomer 'own the aisle to his 'ecease'relative. The la'in4 report showe' onl% a few 'a%s remainin4J that explaine' the vitiate'-alit% of cerebration. B-t still 22 he t-rne' -p the 4ain6 an' the voice from the half2lifer became a trifle stron4er. e0s al#ost at an end, erb tho-4ht. It was obvio-s that the son'i' not want to see the la'in46 'i' not act-all% care to !now that contact with his 'a' was'iminishin46 finall%. So erb sai' nothin4J he merel% wal!e' off6 leavin4 the son tocomm-ne. 0h% tell him5 0h% brea! the ba' news5

A tr-c! ha' now appeare' at the loa'in4 platform6 an' two men hoppe' 'ownfrom it6 wearin4 familiar pale bl-e -niforms. Atlas Interplan "an an' Stora4e6 erbrealiGe'. eliverin4 another half2lifer6 or here to pic! -p one which ha' expire'. estrolle' towar' them. 8es6 4entlemen68 he sai'.

The 'river of the tr-c! leane' o-t an' sai'6 80e3re here to 'eliver $r. Lo-isSarapis. 1ot room all rea'%58

8Absol-tel%68 erb sai' at once. 8B-t I can3t 4et hol' of $r. St. C%r to ma!e





arran4ements for the sche'-le. 0hen3s he to be bro-4ht bac!58

Another man6 'ar!2haire'6 with shin%2b-tton blac! e%es6 emer4e' from the tr-c!.8I3m Fohn Barefoot. Accor'in4 to the terms of the will I3m in char4e of $r. Sarapis. e3sto be bro-4ht bac! to life imme'iatel%J that3s the instr-ctions I3m char4e' with.8

8I see68 erb sai'6 no''in4. 80ell6 that3s fine. Brin4 him in an' we3ll pl-4 himri4ht in.8

8It3s col'6 here68 Barefoot sai'. 80orse than the a-'itori-m.8

80ell of co-rse68 erb answere'.

The crew from the van be4an wheelin4 the cas!et. erb ca-4ht a 4limpse of the'ea' man6 the massive6 4ra% face resemblin4 somethin4 cast from a brea!2mol'. 7#pressive old pirate, he tho-4ht.8ood thin! for us all he0s dead finally, in spite of

his charity 'ork) Because 'ho 'ants charity% $specially his) (f co-rse6 erb 'i' not sa%that to BarefootJ he contente' himself with 4-i'in4 the crew to the prearran4e' spot.

8I3ll have him tal!in4 in fifteen min-tes68 he promise' Barefoot6 who loo!e'tense. 8on3t worr%J we3ve ha' almost no fail-res at this sta4eJ the initial resi'-al char4eis 4enerall% -ite vital.8

I s-ppose it3s later68 Barefoot sai'6 8as it 'ims. . . then %o- have the technical problems.8

80h% 'oes he want to be bro-4ht bac! so soon58 erb as!e'.

Barefoot scowle' an' 'i' not answer.

8Sorr%68 erb sai'6 an' contin-e' tin!erin4 with the wires which ha' to be seate' perfectl% to the catho'e terminals of the cas!et. 8At low temperat-res68 he m-rm-re'68the flow of c-rrent is virt-all% -nimpe'e'. There3s no meas-rable resistance at min-s9?). So 228 e fitte' the ano'e cap in place. 8The si4nal sho-l' bo-nce o-t clear an'stron4.8 In concl-sion6 he clic!e' the amplifier on.

A h-m. *othin4 more.

80ell58 Barefoot sai'.

8I3ll rechec!68 erb sai'6 won'erin4 what ha' 4one afo-l.

8Listen68 Barefoot sai' -ietl%6 8if %o- slip -p here an' let the spar! flic!er o-t 228It was not necessar% for him to finishJ erb !new.

8Is it the emocratic2&ep-blican *ational Convention that he wants to participate





in58 erb as!e'. The Convention wo-l' be hel' later in the month6 in Clevelan'. In the past6 Sarapis ha' been -ite active in the behin'2the2scenes activities at both theemocratic2&ep-blican an' the Liberal Part% nominatin4 conventions. It was sai'6 infact6 that he ha' personall% chosen the last emocratic2&ep-blican Presi'entialcan'i'ate6 Alfonse 1am. Ti'%6 han'some 1am ha' lost6 b-t not b% ver% m-ch.

8Are %o- still 4ettin4 nothin458 Barefoot as!e'.

8m6 it seems 228 erb sai'.

8*othin4. (bvio-sl%.8 *ow Barefoot loo!e' 4rim. 8If %o- can3t ro-se him inanother ten min-tes I3ll 4et hol' of Cla-'e St. C%r an' we3ll ta!e Lo-is o-t of %o-rmort-ar% an' lo'4e char4es of ne4li4ence a4ainst %o-.8

8I3m 'oin4 what I can68 erb sai'6 perspirin4 as he fi''le' with the lea's to thecas!et. 80e 'i'n3t perform the -ic!2pac! installation6 rememberJ there ma% have been a

slip2-p at that point.8

*ow static s-pervene' over the stea'% h-m.

8Is that him comin4 in58 Barefoot 'eman'e'.

8*o68 erb a'mitte'6 thoro-4hl% -pset b% now. It was6 in fact6 a ba' si4n.

8Keep tr%in468 Barefoot sai'. B-t it was -nnecessar% to tell erbert Schoenheitvon "o4elsan4 thatJ he was str-44lin4 'esperatel%6 with all he ha'6 with all his %ears of professional competence in this fiel'. An' still he achieve' nothin4J Lo-is Sarapisremaine' silent.

I3m not 4oin4 to be s-ccessf-l6erb realiGe' in fear. 7 don0t understand 'hy, either)

W"T0S WR(*8% " 4i! client like this, and it has to !et fouled up) e toile' on6 notloo!in4 at Barefoot6 not 'arin4 to.

At the ra'io telescope at Kenne'% Slo-4h6 on the 'ar! si'e of L-na6 ChiefTechnician (wen An4ress 'iscovere' that he ha' pic!e' -p a si4nal emanatin4 from are4ion one li4ht2wee! be%on' the solar s%stem in the 'irection of Proxima. (r'inaril%s-ch a re4ion of space wo-l' have hel' little of interest for the .*. Commission oneep2Space Comm-nications6 b-t this6 (wen An4ress realiGe'6 was -ni-e.

0hat reache' him6 thoro-4hl% amplifie' b% the 4reat antennae of the ra'iotelescope6 was6 faintl% b-t clearl%6 a h-man voice.

8. . .probabl% let it sli'e b%68 the voice was 'eclarin4. 8If I !now them6 an' I believe I 'o. That Fohnn%J he3' revert witho-t m% !eepin4 m% e%e on him6 b-t at least he3s





8Listen6 m% frien'68 St. C%r sai'6 8%o- !now it3ll t-rn o-t to be a transistor ra'iothat some Fap st-'ent lost on a trip between +arth an' Callisto. An' the ra'io -st 'rifte'on o-t of the solar s%stem entirel% an' now the telescope has pic!e' it -p an' it3s a h-4em%ster% to all the scientists.8 e became more sober. 8Sh-t it off6 1ertJ we3ve 4ot serio-s

thin4s to consi'er.8

(be'ientl% b-t rel-ctantl% she 'i' so. 8Is it tr-e6 Cla-'e68 she as!e'6 risin4 to herfeet6 8that the mort-ar% wasn3t able to revive ol' Lo-is5 That he3s not in half2life as he3ss-ppose' to be b% now58

8*obo'% tells me an%thin4 from the or4aniGation6 now68 St. C%r answere'. 8B-t I'i' hear a r-mor to that effect.8 e !new6 in fact6 that it was soJ he ha' man% frien'swithin 0ilhelmina6 b-t he 'i' not li!e to tal! abo-t these s-rvivin4 lin!s. 8es6 I s-pposethat3s so68 he sai'.

1ertr-'e shivere'. 8Ima4ine not comin4 bac!. ow 'rea'f-l.8

8B-t that was the ol' nat-ral con'ition68 her h-sban' pointe' o-t as he 'ran! hismartini. 8*obo'% ha' half2life before the t-rn of the cent-r%.8

8B-t we3re -se' to it68 she sai' st-bbornl%.

To Phil arve%6 St. C%r sai'6 8Let3s contin-e o-r 'isc-ssion.8

Shr-44in46 arve% sai'6 8All ri4ht. If %o- reall% feel there3s somethin4 to'isc-ss.8 e e%e' St. C%r criticall%. 8I co-l' p-t %o- on m% le4al staff6 %es. If that3s what%o-3re s-re %o- want. B-t I can3t 4ive %o- the !in' of b-siness that Lo-is co-l'. Itwo-l'n3t be fair to the le4al men I have in there now.8

8(h6 I reco4niGe that68 St. C%r sai'. After all6 arve%3s 'ra%a4e firm was small incomparison with the Sarapis o-tfitsJ arve% was in fact a minor fi4-re in the 2# shippin4 b-siness.

B-t that was precisel% what St. C%r wante'. Beca-se he believe' that within a%ear with the experience an' contacts he ha' 4aine' wor!in4 for Lo-is Sarapis he co-l''epose arve% an' ta!e over +le!tra +nterprises.

arve%3s first wife ha' been name' +le!tra. St. C%r ha' !nown her6 an' after she an'arve% ha' split -p St. C%r ha' contin-e' to see her6 now in a more personal 22 an' morespirite' 22 wa%. It ha' alwa%s seeme' to him that +le!tra arve% ha' obtaine' a rather ba' 'ealJ arve% ha' emplo%e' le4al talent of s-fficient caliber to o-twit +le!tra3sattorne%. . . who ha' been6 as a matter of fact6 St. C%r3s -nior law partner6 arol' ,aine.+ver since her 'efeat in the co-rts6 St. C%r ha' blame' himselfJ wh% ha'n3t he ta!en thecase personall%5 B-t he ha' been so tie' -p with Sarapis b-siness . . . it ha' simpl% not been possible.





*ow6 with Sarapis 4one an' his ob with Atlas6 0ilhelmina an' Archime'eanover6 he co-l' ta!e some time to rectif% the imbalanceJ he co-l' come to the ai' of thewoman =he a'mitte' it> whom he love'.

B-t that was a lon4 step from this sit-ationJ first he ha' to 4et into arve%3s le4alstaff 22 at an% cost. +vi'entl%6 he was s-ccee'in4.

8Shall we sha!e on it6 then58 he as!e' arve%6 hol'in4 o-t his han'.

8(!a%68 arve% sai'6 not ver% m-ch stirre' b% the event. e hel' o-t his han'6however6 an' the% shoo!. 8B% the wa%68 he sai'6 then6 8I have some !nowle'4e 22fra4mentar% b-t evi'entl% acc-rate 22 as to wh% Sarapis c-t %o- off in his will. An' it isn3twhat %o- sai' at all.8

8(h58 St. C%r sai'6 tr%in4 to so-n' cas-al.

8$% -n'erstan'in4 is that he s-specte' someone6 possibl% %o-6 of 'esirin4 to prevent him from ret-rnin4 to half2life. That %o- were 4oin4 to select a partic-larmort-ar% which certain contacts of %o-rs operate . . . an' the%3' somehow fail to revivethe ol' man.8 e e%e' St. C%r. 8An' o''l%6 that seems to be exactl% what has happene'.8

There was silence.

1ertr-'e sai'6 at last6 80h% wo-l' Cla-'e not want Lo-is Sarapis to beres-rrecte'58

8I have no i'ea68 arve% sai'. e stro!e' his chin tho-4htf-ll%. 8I 'on3t even f-ll%-n'erstan' half2life itself. Isn3t it tr-e that the half2lifer often fin's himself in possessionof a sort of insi4ht6 of a new frame of reference6 a perspective6 that he lac!e' whilealive58

8I3ve hear' ps%cholo4ists sa% that68 1ertr-'e a4ree'. 8It3s what the ol' theolo4istscalle'conversion)/

8$a%be Cla-'e was afrai' of some insi4ht that Lo-is mi4ht show -p with68arve% sai'. 8B-t that3s -st conect-re.8

8Conect-re68 Cla-'e St. C%r a4ree'6 8in its entiret%6 incl-'in4 that as to an% s-ch plan as %o- 'escribeJ in act-al fact I !now absol-tel% no one in the mort-ar% b-siness.8is voice was stea'%6 tooJ he ma'e it come o-t that wa%. B-t this all was ver% stic!%6 hesai' to himself. -ite aw!war'.

The mai' appeare'6 then6 to tell them that 'inner was rea'%. Both Phil an'1ertr-'e rose6 an' Cla-'e oine' them as the% entere' the 'inin4 room to4ether.





8Tell me68 Phil arve% sai' to Cla-'e. 80ho is Sarapis3 heir58 St. C%r sai'6 8A4ran''a-4hter who lives on CallistoJ her name is Kath% +4mont an' she3s an o'' one . . .she3s abo-t twent% %ears ol' an' alrea'% she3s been in ail five times6 mostl% for narcoticsa''iction. Latel%6 I -n'erstan'6 she3s mana4e' to c-re herself of the 'r-4 habit an' nowshe3s a reli4io-s convert of some !in'. I3ve never met her b-t I3ve han'le' vol-mes of

correspon'ence passin4 between her an' ol' Lo-is.8

8An' she 4ets the entire estate6 when it3s o-t of probate5 0ith all the political power inherent in it58

8aw68 St. C%r sai'. 8Political power can3t be wille'6 can3t be passe' on. All Kath%4ets is the economic s%n'rome. It f-nctions6 as %o- !now6 thro-4h the parent hol'in4compan% license' -n'er the laws of the state of elaware6 0ilhelmina Sec-rities6 an'that3s hers6 if she cares to ma!e -se of it 22 if she can -n'erstan' what it is she3sinheritin4.8

Phil arve% sai'6 8o- 'on3t so-n' ver% optimistic.8

8All the correspon'ence from her in'icates 22 to me at least 22 that she3s a sic!6criminal t%pe6 ver% eccentric an' -nstable. The ver% last sort I3' li!e to see inherit Lo-is3shol'in4s.8

(n that note6 the% seate' themselves at the 'inner table.

In the ni4ht6 Fohnn% Barefoot hear' the phone6 'rew himself to a sittin4 positionan' f-mble' -ntil his han's to-che' the receiver. Besi'e him in the be' Sarah Bellestirre' as he sai' 4ratin4l%6 8ello. 0ho the hell is it58

A fra4ile female voice sai'6 8I3m sorr%6 $r. Barefoot. . . I 'i'n3t mean to wa!e %o--p. B-t I was tol' b% m% attorne% to call %o- as soon as I arrive' on +arth.8 She a''e'68This is Kath% +4mont6 altho-4h act-all% m% real name is $rs. Kath% Sharp. o %o-!now who I am58

8es68 Fohnn% sai'6 r-bbin4 his e%es an' %awnin4. e shivere' from the col' ofthe roomJ besi'e him6 Sarah Belle 'rew the covers bac! -p over her sho-l'ers an' t-rne'the other wa%. 80ant me to come an' pic! %o- -p5 o %o- have a place to sta%58

8I have no frien's here on Terra68 Kath% sai'. 8B-t the spaceport people tol' methat the Severel% is a 4oo' hotel6 so I3m 4oin4 there. I starte' from Callisto as soon as Ihear' that m% 4ran'father ha' 'ie'68

8o- ma'e 4oo' time68 he sai'. e ha'n3t expecte' her for another twent%2fo-rho-rs.





8Is there an% chance 228 The 4irl so-n'e' timi'. 8Co-l' I possibl% sta% with %o-6$r. Barefoot5 It scares me6 the i'ea of a bi4 hotel where no one !nows me.8

8I3m sorr%68 he sai' at once. 8I3m marrie'.8 An' then he realiGe' that s-ch a retortwas not onl% inappropriate . . . it was act-all% ab-sive. 80hat I mean is68 he explaine'6 8I

have no spare room. o- sta% at the Severel% toni4ht an' tomorrow we3ll fin' %o- a moreacceptable apartment.8

8All ri4ht68 Kath% sai'. She so-n'e' resi4ne' b-t still anxio-s. 8Tell me6 $r.Barefoot6 what l-c! have %o- ha' with m% 4ran'father3s res-rrection5 Is he in half2life6now58

8*o68 Fohnn% sai'. 8It3s faile'6 so far. The%3re wor!in4 on it.8

0hen he ha' left the mort-ar%6 five technicians ha' been b-s% at wor!6 tr%in4 to'iscover what was wron4.

Kath% sai'6 8I tho-4ht it mi4ht wor! o-t that wa%.8

80h%58

80ell6 m% 4ran'father 22 he was so 'ifferent from ever%one else. I realiGe %o-!now that6 perhaps even better than I. . . after all6 %o- were with him 'ail%. B-t 22 I -stco-l'n3t ima4ine him inert6 the wa% the half2lifers are. Passive an' helpless6 %o- !now.Can %o- ima4ine him li!e that6 after all he3s 'one58

Fohnn% sai'6 8Let3s tal! tomorrowJ I3ll come b% the hotel abo-t nine. (!a%58

8es6 that3s fine. I3m 4la' to have met %o-6 $r. Barefoot. I hope %o-3ll sta% on withArchime'ean6 wor!in4 for me. 1oo'b%e.8 The phone clic!e'J she ha' r-n4 off.

$% new boss6Fohnn% sai' to himself.Wo')

80ho was that58 Sarah Belle m-rm-re'. 8At this ho-r58

8The owner of Archime'ean68 Fohnn% sai'. 8$% emplo%er.8

8Lo-is Sarapis58 is wife sat -p at once. 8(h. . . %o- mean his 4ran''a-4hterJshe3s here alrea'%. 0hat3s she so-n' li!e58

8I can3t tell68 he sai' me'itativel%. 8,ri4htene'6 mostl%. It3s a finite6 small worl'she comes from6 compare' with Terra6 here.8 e 'i' not tell his wife the thin4s he !newabo-t Kath%6 her 'r-4 a''iction6 her terms in ail.

8Can she ta!e over now58 Sarah Belle as!e'. 8oesn3t she have to wait -ntilLo-is3s half2life is over58





8Le4all%6 he3s 'ea'. is will has come into force)/ "nd, he tho-4ht aci'l%6he0s not

in half-life anyho'5 he0s silent and dead in his plastic casket, in his :uick-pack, 'hichevidently 'asn0t :uite :uick enou!h)

8ow 'o %o- thin! %o-3ll 4et alon4 with her58

8I 'on3t !now68 he sai' can'i'l%. 8I3m not even s-re I3m 4oin4 to tr%.8 e 'i' notli!e the i'ea of wor!in4 for a woman6 especiall% one %o-n4er than himself. An' one whowas 22 at least accor'in4 to hearsa% 22 virt-all% ps%chopathic. B-t on the phone she ha'certainl% not so-n'e' ps%chopathic. e m-lle' that over in his min'6 wi'e2awa!e now.

8She3s probabl% ver% prett%68 Sarah Belle sai'. 8o-3ll probabl% fall in love withher an' 'esert me.8

8(h no68 he sai'. 8*othin4 as startlin4 as that. I3ll probabl% tr% to wor! for her6

'ra4 o-t a few miserable months6 an' then 4ive -p an' loo! elsewhere.8 "nd #ean'hile, he tho-4ht6W"T "B(2T +(27S% "re 'e, or are 'e not, !oin! to 4e a4le to revive

hi#% That was the reall% bi4 -n!nown.

If the ol' man co-l' be revive'6 he co-l' 'irect his 4ran''a-4hterJ even tho-4hle4all% an' ph%sicall% 'ea'6 he co-l' contin-e to mana4e his complex economic an' political sphere6 to some extent. B-t ri4ht now this was simpl% not wor!in4 o-t6 an' theol' man ha' planne' on bein4 revive' at once6 certainl% before the emocratic2&ep-blican Convention. Lo-is certainl% !new 22 or rather ha' !nown 22 what sort of person he was willin4 his hol'in4s to. 0itho-t help she s-rel% co-l' not f-nction. "nd, Fohnn% tho-4ht6there0s little 7 can do for her) Claude St) Cyr could have, 4ut 4y the ter#s

of the 'ill he0s out of the picture entirely) So 'hat is left% We #ust keep tryin! to revive

old +ouis, even if 'e have to visit every #ortuary in the 2nited States, Cu4a and Russia)

8o-3re thin!in4 conf-se' tho-4hts68 Sarah Belle sai'. 8I can tell b% %o-rexpression.8 She t-rne' on the small lamp b% the be'6 an' was now reachin4 for her robe.8on3t tr% to solve serio-s matters in the mi''le of the ni4ht.8

This m-st be how half2life feels6he tho-4ht 4ro44il%. e shoo! his hea'6 tr%in4 toclear it6 to wa!e -p f-ll%.

The next mornin4 he par!e' his car in the -n'er4ro-n' 4ara4e of the Beverel%an' ascen'e' b% elevator to the lobb% an' the front 'es! where he was 4reete' b% thesmilin4 'a% cler!. It was not m-ch of a hotel6 Fohnn% 'eci'e'. Clean6 howeverJ arespectable famil% hotel which probabl% rente' man% of its -nits b% the month6 some no'o-bt to el'erl% retire' people. +vi'entl% Kath% was acc-stome' to livin4 mo'estl%.

In answer to his -er%6 the cler! pointe' to the a'oinin4 coffee shop. 8o-3ll fin'





her in there6 eatin4 brea!fast. She sai' %o- mi4ht be callin46 $r. Barefoot.8

In the coffee shop he fo-n' a 4oo' n-mber of people havin4 brea!fastJ he stoppe'short6 won'erin4 which was Kath%. The 'ar!2haire' 4irl with the stilte'6 froGen feat-res6over in the far corner o-t of the wa%5 e wal!e' towar' her. er hair6 he 'eci'e'6 was

'%e'. 0itho-t ma!e-p she loo!e' -nnat-rall% paleJ her s!in ha' a star! -alit%6 as if sheha' !nown a 4oo' 'eal of s-fferin46 an' not the sort that ta-4ht or informe' one6 ma'eone into a 8better8 person. It ha' been p-re pain6 with no re'emptive aspects6 he 'eci'e'as he st-'ie' her.

8Kath%58 he as!e'.

The 4irl t-rne' her hea'. er e%es6 empt%J her expression totall% flattene'. In alittle voice she sai'6 8es. Are %o- Fohn Barefoot58 As he came -p to the booth an'seate' himself opposite her she watche' as if she ima4ine' he wo-l' sprin4 at her6 h-rlhimself on her an' 22 1o' forbi' 22 sex-all% assa-lt her. 7t0s as if she0s nothin! #ore than

a lone, s#all ani#al, he tho-4ht. Backed into a corner to face the entire 'orld)

The color6 or rather lac! of it6 co-l' stem from the 'r-4 a''iction6 he 'eci'e'. B-tthat 'i' not explain the flatness of her tone6 an' her -tter lac! of facial expression. An'%et 22 she was prett%. She ha' 'elicate6 re4-lar feat-res. . . animate'6 the% wo-l' have been interestin4. An' perhaps the% ha' been6 once. ears a4o.

8I have onl% five 'ollars left68 Kath% sai'. 8After I pai' for m% one2wa% tic!et an'm% hotel an' m% brea!fast. Co-l' %o- 228 She hesitate'. 8I3m not s-re exactl% what to 'o.Co-l' %o- tell me. . . 'o I own an%thin4 %et5 An%thin4 that was m% 4ran'father3s5 That Ico-l' borrow a4ainst58

Fohnn% sai'6 8I3ll write %o- a personal chec! for one h-n're' 'ollars an' %o- can pa% me bac! sometime.8 e 4ot o-t his chec!boo!.

8&eall%58 She loo!e' st-nne'6 an' now6 faintl%6 she smile'. 8ow tr-stin4 of %o-.(r are %o- tr%in4 to impress me5 o- were m% 4ran'father3s p-blic relations man6weren3t %o-5 ow were %o- 'ealt with in the will5 I can3t rememberJ it3s all happene' sofast6 it3s been so bl-rre'.8

80ell68 he sai'6 8I wasn3t fire'6 as was Cla-'e St. C%r.8

8Then %o-3re sta%in4 on.8 That seeme' to relieve her min'. 8I won'er. . . wo-l' it be correct to sa% %o-3re now wor!in4 for #e%/

8o- co-l' sa% that68 Fohnn% sai'. 8Ass-min4 %o- feel %o- nee' a P.&. man.$a%be %o- 'on3t. Lo-is wasn3t s-re6 half the time.8

8Tell me what efforts have been ma'e to res-rrect him.8





e explaine' to her6 briefl%6 what he ha' 'one.

8An' this is not 4enerall% !nown58 she as!e'.

8efinitel% not. I !now it6 a mort-ar% owner with the -nnat-ral name of erb

Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 !nows it6 an' possibl% news has tric!le' to a few hi4h peoplein the 'ra%a4e b-siness6 s-ch as Phil arve%. +ven Cla-'e St. C%r ma% !now it6 b% now.(f co-rse6 as time 4oes on an' Lo-is has nothin4 to sa%6 no political prono-ncements forthe press 228

80e3ll have to ma!e them -p68 Kath% sai'. 8An' preten' the%3re from him. Thatwill be %o-r ob6 $r. ,-nn%foot.8 She smile' once more. 8Press2releases b% m%4ran'father6 -ntil he3s finall% revive' or we 4ive -p. o %o- thin! we3ll have to 4ive -p58After a pa-se she sai' softl%6 8I3' li!e to see him. If I ma%. If %o- thin! it3s all ri4ht.8

8I3ll ta!e %o- there6 to the Blesse' Brethren $ort-ar%. I have to 4o there within the

ho-r an%how.8

*o''in46 Kath% res-me' eatin4 her brea!fast.

As Fohnn% Barefoot stoo' besi'e the 4irl6 who 4aGe' intentl% at the transparentcas!et6 he tho-4ht biGarrel%6 May4e she0ll rap on the !lass and say, /8randfather, you

'ake up)/ "nd, he tho-4ht6#ay4e that 'ill acco#plish it) Certainly nothin! else has)

0rin4in4 his han's6 erb Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 b-rble' miserabl%6 8I -st'on3t -n'erstan' it6 $r. Barefoot. 0e wor!e' all ni4ht6 in rela%s6 an' we -st aren3t4ettin4 a sin4le spar!. An' %et we ran an electrocephalo4raph an' the 34ram shows faint b-t -nmista!able cerebral activit%. So the after2life is there6 b-t we can3t seem to contactit. 0e3ve 4ot probes at ever% part of the s!-ll6 now6 as %o- can see.8 e pointe' to themaGe of hair2wires connectin4 the 'ea' man3s hea' to the amplif%in4 e-ipments-rro-n'in4 the cas!et. 8I 'on3t !now what else we can 'o6 sir.8

8Is there meas-rable brain metabolism58 Fohnn% as!e'.

8es sir. 0e calle' in o-tsi'e experts an' the% 'etecte' itJ it3s a normal amo-nt6too6 -st what %o-3' expect6 imme'iatel% after 'eath.8

Kath% sai' calml%6 8I !now it3s hopeless. e3s too bi4 a man for this. This is fora4e' relatives. ,or 4ran'mothers6 to be trotte' o-t once a %ear on &es-rrection a%.8 Shet-rne' awa% from the cas!et. 8Let3s 4o68 she sai' to Fohnn%.

To4ether6 he an' the 4irl wal!e' alon4 the si'ewal! from the mort-ar%6 neitherspea!in4. It was a mil' sprin4 'a%6 an' the trees here an' there at the c-rb ha' small pin!flowers. Cherr% trees6 Fohnn% 'eci'e'.





8eath68 Kath% m-rm-re'6 at last. 8An' rebirth. A technolo4ical miracle. $a%bewhen Lo-is saw what it was li!e on the other si'e he chan4e' his min' abo-t comin4 bac!. . . ma%be he -st 'oesn3t'ant to ret-rn.8

80ell68 Fohnn% sai'6 8the electrical spar! is thereJ he3s insi'e there6 thin!in4somethin4.8 e let Kath% ta!e his arm as the% crosse' the street. 8Someone tol' me68 hesai' -ietl%6 8that %o-3re intereste' in reli4ion.8

8es6 I am68 Kath% sai' -ietl%. 8o- see6 when I was a narcotics a''ict I too! anover'ose 22 never min' of what 22 an' as a res-lt m% heart action cease'. I was officiall%6me'icall%6 'ea' for several min-tesJ the% bro-4ht me bac! b% open2chest heart massa4ean' electroshoc!. . . %o- !now. -rin4 that time I ha' an experience6 probabl% m-ch li!ewhat those who 4o into half2life have experience'.8

80as it better than here58

8*o68 she sai'. 8B-t it was 'ifferent. It was 22 'reamli!e. I 'on3t mean va4-e or-nreal. I mean the lo4ic6 the wei4htlessnessJ %o- see6 that3s the main 'ifference. o-3refree of 4ravit%. It3s har' to realiGe how important that is6 b-t -st thin! how man% of thecharacteristics of the 'ream 'erive from that one fact.8

Fohnn% sai'6 8An' it chan4e' %o-.8

8I mana4e' to overcome the oral a''ictive aspects of m% personalit%6 if that3swhat %o- mean. I learne' to control m% appetites. $% 4ree'.8 At a newspaper stan'Kath% halte' to rea' the hea'lines. 8Loo!68 she sai'.

"(IC+ ,&($ (T+& SPAC+ BA,,L+S SCI+*TISTS

8Interestin468 Fohnn% sai'.

Kath%6 pic!in4 -p the newspaper6 rea' the article which accompanie' thehea'line. 8ow stran4e68 she sai'. 8The%3ve pic!e' -p a sentient6 livin4 entit%. . . here6%o- can rea' it6 too.8 She passe' the newspaper to him. 8I 'i' that6 when I 'ie'. . . I'rifte' o-t6 free of the solar s%stem6 first planetar% 4ravit% then the s-n3s. I won'er who itis.8 Ta!in4 the newspaper bac! she rerea' the article.

8Ten cents6 sir or ma'am68 the robot ven'er sai'6 s-''enl%.

Fohnn% tosse' it the 'ime.





8o %o- thin! it3s m% 4ran'father58 Kath% as!e'.

8ar'l%68 Fohnn% sai'.

8I thin! it is68 Kath% sai'6 starin4 past him6 'eep in tho-4ht. 8I !now it isJ loo!6 it

be4an one wee! after his 'eath6 an' it3s one li4ht2wee! o-t. The time fits6 an' here3s thetranscript of what it3s sa%in4.8 She pointe' to the col-mn. 8All abo-t %o-6 Fohnn%6 an'abo-t me an' abo-t Cla-'e St. C%r6 that law%er he fire'6 an' the ConventionJ it3s allthere6 b-t 4arble'. That3s the wa% %o-r tho-4hts r-n6 when %o-3re 'ea'J all compresse'6instea' of in se-ence.8 She smile' -p at Fohnn%. 8So we3ve 4ot a terrible problem. 0ecan hear him6 b% -se of the ra'io telescope at Kenne'% Slo-4h. B-t he can3t hear -s.8

8o- 'on3t act-all% 228

8(h6 I 'o68 she sai' matter2of2factl%. 8I !new he wo-l'n3t settle for half2lifeJ thisis a whole6 entire life he3s lea'in4 now6 o-t in space6 there6 be%on' the last planet of o-r

s%stem. An' there isn3t 4oin4 to be an% wa% we can interfere with himJ whatever it is he3s'oin4 228 She be4an to wal! on6 once moreJ Fohnn% followe'. 80hatever it is6 it3s 4oin4to be at least as m-ch as he 'i' when he was alive here on Terra. o- can be s-re of that.Are %o- afrai'58

8ell68 Fohnn% proteste'6 8I3m not even convince'6 let alone afrai'.8 An' %et 22 perhaps she was ri4ht. She seeme' so certain abo-t it. e co-l' not help bein4 a littleimpresse'6 a little convince'.

8o- sho-l' be afrai'68 Kath% sai'. 8e ma% be ver% stron46 o-t there. e ma% beable to 'o a lot. Affect a lot. . . affect -s6 what we 'o an' sa% an' believe. +ven witho-tthe ra'io telescope 22 he ma% be reachin4 -s6 even now. S-bliminall%.8

8I 'on3t believe it68 Fohnn% sai'. B-t he 'i'6 in spite of himself. She was ri4htJ itwas -st what Lo-is Sarapis wo-l' 'o.

Kath% sai'6 80e3ll !now more when the Convention be4ins6 beca-se that3s whathe cares abo-t. e faile' to 4et 1am electe' last time6 an' that was one of the few timesin his life that he was beaten.8

81am78 Fohnn% echoe'6 amaGe'. 8That has2been5 Is he even still in existence50h%6 he completel% 'isappeare'6 fo-r %ears a4o 228

8$% 4ran'father won3t 4ive -p with him68 Kath% sai' me'itativel%. 8An' he isaliveJ he3s a t-r!e% farmer or some s-ch thin46 on Io. Perhaps it3s '-c!s. An%how6 he3sthere. 0aitin4.8

80aitin4 for what58

Kath% sai'6 8,or m% 4ran'father to contact him a4ain. As he 'i' before6 fo-r %ears





a4o6 at the Convention then.8

8*o one wo-l' vote for 1am a4ain78 &epelle'6 he 4aGe' at her.

Smilin46 Kath% sai' nothin4. B-t she s-eeGe' his arm6 h-44in4 him. As if6 he

tho-4ht6 she were afrai' a4ain6 as she ha' been in the ni4ht6 when he ha' tal!e' to her.Perhaps even more so.

III

The han'some6 'apper6 mi''le2a4e' man wearin4 vest an' narrow6 ol'2fashione'nec!tie6 rose to his feet as Cla-'e St. C%r entere' the o-ter office of St. C%r an' ,aine6 on

his wa% to co-rt. 8$r. St. C%r 228

1lancin4 at him6 St. C%r m-rm-re'6 8I3m in a r-shJ %o-3ll have to ma!e anappointment with m% secretar%.8 An' then he reco4niGe' the man. e was tal!in4 toAlfonse 1am.

8I have a tele4ram68 1am sai'. 8,rom Lo-is Sarapis.8 e reache' into his coat poc!et.

8Sorr%68 St. C%r sai' stiffl%. 8I3m associate' with $r. Phil arve% nowJ m% b-siness relationship with $r. Sarapis was terminate' several wee!s a4o.8 B-t he pa-se'6c-rio-s. e ha' met 1am beforeJ at the time of the national campai4n6 fo-r %ears a4o6 heha' seen a 4oo' 'eal of the man 22 in fact6 he ha' represente' 1am in several libel s-its6one with 1am as the plaintiff6 the other as 'efen'ant. e 'i' not li!e the man.

1am sai'6 8This wire arrive' the 'a% before %ester'a%.8

8B-t Sarapis has been 228 Cla-'e St. C%r bro!e off. 8Let me see it.8 e hel' o-this han'6 an' 1am passe' him the wire.

It was a statement from Lo-is Sarapis to 1am6 ass-rin4 1am of Lo-is3s -tter an'absol-te s-pport in the forthcomin4 str-44le at the Convention. An' 1am was correctJthe wire was 'ate' onl% three 'a%s before. It 'i' not ma!e sense.

8I can3t explain it6 $r. St. C%r68 1am sai' 'r%l%. 8B-t it so-n's li!e Lo-is. ewants me to r-n a4ain. As %o- can see. It never occ-rre' to meJ as far as I3m concerne'I3m o-t of politics an' in the 4-inea2fowl b-siness. I tho-4ht %o- mi4ht !now somethin4abo-t this6 who sent it an' wh%.8 e a''e'6 8Ass-min4 that ol' Lo-is 'i'n3t.8

St. C%r sai'6 8ow co-l' Lo-is have sent it58





8I mean6 written it before his 'eath an' ha' someone sen' it -st the other 'a%.o-rself6 perhaps.8 1am shr-44e'. 8+vi'entl% it wasn3t %o-. Perhaps $r. Barefoot6 then.8e reache' o-t for his wire.

8o %o- act-all% inten' to r-n a4ain58 St. C%r as!e'.

8If Lo-is wants me to.8

8An' lose a4ain5 ra4 the part% to 'efeat a4ain6 -st beca-se of one st-bborn6vin'ictive ol' man 228 St. C%r bro!e off. 81o bac! to raisin4 4-inea fowl. ,or4et politics.o-3re a loser6 1am. +ver%one in the part% !nows it. +ver%one in America6 in fact.8

8ow can I contact $r. Barefoot58

St. C%r sai'6 8I have no i'ea.8 e starte' on.

8I3ll nee' le4al help68 1am sai'.

8,or what5 0ho3s s-in4 %o- now5 o- 'on3t nee' le4al help6 $r. 1amJ %o- nee'me'ical help6 a ps%chiatrist to explain wh% %o- want to r-n a4ain. Listen 228 e leane'towar' 1am. 8If Lo-is alive co-l'n3t 4et %o- into office6 Lo-is 'ea' certainl% can3t.8 ewent on6 then6 leavin4 1am stan'in4 there.

80ait68 1am sai'.

&el-ctantl%6 Cla-'e St. C%r t-rne' aro-n'.

8This time I3m 4oin4 to win68 1am sai'. e so-n'e' as if he meant itJ his voice6instea' of its -s-al ree'% fl-tter6 was firm.

neas%6 St. C%r sai'6 80ell6 4oo' l-c!. To both %o- an' Lo-is.8

8Then heis alive.8 1am3s e%es flic!ere'.

8I 'i'n3t sa% thatJ I was bein4 ironic.8

1am sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8B-t he is aliveJ I3m s-re of it. I3' li!e to fin' him. I wentto some of the mort-aries6 b-t none of them ha' him6 or if the% 'i' the% wo-l'n3t a'mit it.I3ll !eep loo!in4J I want to confer with him.8 e a''e'6 8That3s wh% I came here fromIo.8

At that point6 St. C%r mana4e' to brea! awa% an' 'epart.What a nonentity, he sai'to himself. " cypher, nothin! 4ut a puppet of +ouis0s) e sh-''ere'.8od protect us fro#

such a fate; that #an as our President)





Ima4ine -sall4eco#in! like 8a#1

It was not a pleasant tho-4htJ it 'i' not inspire him for the 'a% ahea'. An' he ha'a 4oo' 'eal of wor! on his sho-l'ers.

This was the 'a% that he6 as attorne% for Phil arve%6 wo-l' ma!e $rs. Kath%Sharp 22 the former Kath% +4mont 22 an offer for 0ilhelmina Sec-rities. An exchan4e ofstoc! wo-l' be involve'J votin4 stoc!6 re'istrib-te' in s-ch a fashion that arve% 4aine'control of 0ilhelmina. The worth of the corporation bein4 almost impossible to calc-late6arve% was offerin4 not mone% b-t real estate in exchan4eJ he ha' enormo-s tracts oflan' on 1an%me'e6 'ee'e' to him b% the Soviet 1overnment a 'eca'e a4o in exchan4efor technical assistance he ha' ren'ere' it an' its colonies.

The chance of Kath% acceptin4 was nil.

An' %et6 the offer ha' to be ma'e. The next step 22 he shran! from even thin!in4

abo-t it 22 involve' a fracas to the 'eath in the area of 'irect economic competition6 between arve%3s 'ra%a4e firm an' hers. An' hers6 he !new6 was now in a state of 'eca%Jthere ha' been -nion tro-ble since the ol' man3s 'eath. The thin4 that Lo-is hate' themost ha' starte' to ta!e place: -nion or4aniGers ha' be4-n to move in on Archime'ean.

e himself s%mpathiGe' with the -nionsJ it was abo-t time the% came onto thescene. (nl% the ol' man3s 'irt% tactics an' his bo-n'less ener4%6 not to spea! of hisr-thless6 eternal ima4ination6 ha' !ept them o-t. Kath% ha' none of these. An' Fohnn%Barefoot 22

0hat can %o- as! of a noncol5St. C%r as!e' himself ca-sticall%. Brilliant strate!y-

purse out of the so'0s ear of #ediocrity%

An' Barefoot ha' his han's f-ll b-il'in4 -p Kath%3s ima4e before the p-blicJ heha' barel% be4-n to s-ccee' in that when the -nion s-abbles bro!e o-t. An ex2narcoticsa''ict an' reli4io-s n-t6 a woman who ha' a criminal recor'. . . Fohnn% ha' his wor! c-to-t for him.

0here he ha' been pro'-ctive la% in the area of the woman3s ph%sical appearance.She loo!e' sweet6 even 4entle an' p-reJ almost saintl%. An' Fohnn% ha' seiGe' on this.Instea' of -otin4 her in the press he ha' photo4raphe' her6 a tho-san' wholesome poses: with 'o4s6 chil'ren6 at co-nt% fairs6 at hospitals6 involve' in charit% 'rives 22 thewhole b-siness.

B-t -nfort-natel% Kath% ha' spoile' the ima4e he ha' create'6 spoile' it in arather -n-s-al wa%.

Kath% maintaine' 22 simpl% 22 that she was in comm-nication with her4ran'father. That it was he who la% a li4ht2wee! o-t in space6 pic!e' -p b% Kenne'%Slo-4h. She hear' him6 as the rest of the worl' 'i'. . . an' b% some miracle he hear' her6





too.

St. C%r6 ri'in4 the self2service elevator -p to the 3copter port on the roof6 la-4he'alo-'. er reli4io-s cran!er% co-l'n3t be !ept from the 4ossip col-mnists. . . Kath% ha'sai' too m-ch in p-blic places6 in resta-rants an' small6 famo-s bars. An' even with

Fohnn% besi'e her. +ven he co-l'n3t !eep her -iet.

Also6 there ha' been that inci'ent at that part% in which she ha' ta!en off herclothes6 'eclarin4 the ho-r of p-rification to be momentaril% arrivin4J she ha' 'a-be'herself in certain spots with crimson nail polish6 as well6 a sort of rit-al ceremon%. . . ofco-rse she ha' been 'rin!in4.

An' this is the woman6St. C%r tho-4ht6'ho operates "rchi#edean)The 'o#an 'e#ust oust, for our !ood an'the pu4lic0s) It was6 to him6 practicall% a man'ate in the nameof the people. "irt-all% a p-blic service to be performe'6 an' the onl% one who 'i' notsee it that wa% was Fohnn%.

St. C%r tho-4ht6 Johnny +7&$S her) There0s the #otive)

I won'er6he m-se'6'hat Sarah Belle thinks of that)

,eelin4 cheerf-l6 St. C%r entere' his 3copter6 close' the hatch an' inserte' his !e%in the i4nition. An' then he tho-4ht once a4ain of Alfonse 1am. An' his 4oo' h-morvanishe' at onceJ a4ain he felt 4l-m.

There are two people6he realiGe'6'ho are actin! on the assu#ption that old +ouisSarapis is alive5 &athy $!#ont Sharp and "lfonse 8a#)

Two most -nsavor% people6 too. An'6 in spite of himself6 he was bein4 force' toassociate with both of them. It seeme' to be his fate.

e tho-4ht6 70# no 4etter off than 7 'as 'ith old +ouis) 7n so#e respects, 70# even'orse off)

The 3copter rose into the s!%6 on its wa% to Phil arve%3s b-il'in4 in 'owntownenver.

Bein4 late6 he snappe' on the little transmitter6 pic!e' -p the microphone an' p-tin a call to arve%. 8Phil68 he sai'6 8Can %o- hear me5 This is St. C%r an' I3m on m% wa%west.8 e listene'6 then.

Listene'6 an' hear' from the spea!er a far2off weir' babble6 a m-rm-r as if man%wor's were bein4 blen'e' into a conf-sion. e reco4niGe' itJ he ha' come onto it severaltimes now6 on the T" news pro4rams.

8... spite of personal attac!s6 m-ch s-perior to Chambers6 who co-l'n3t win an





election for ho-se of ill rep-te anitor. o- !eep -p faith in %o-rself6 Alfonse. People!now a 4oo' man6 val-e himJ %o- wait. ,aith moves mo-ntains. I o-4ht to !now6 loo!what I3ve accomplishe' in m% life. . .8

It was6 St. C%r realiGe'6 the entit% a li4ht2wee! o-t6 now emittin4 an even more

powerf-l si4nalJ li!e s-nspots6 it beclo-'e' normal transmission channels. e c-rse'6scowle'6 then snappe' off the receiver.

,o-lin4 -p comm-nications6he sai' to himself. Must 4e a!ainst the la'5 7 ou!ht toconsult the 3CC)

Sha!en6 he pilote' his 3copter on6 across open farm lan'.

$% 1o'6he tho-4ht6it did sound like old +ouis1

Co-l' Kath% +4mont Sharp possibl% be ri4ht5

At the $ichi4an plant of Archime'ean6 Fohnn% Barefoot appeare' for hisappointment with Kath% an' fo-n' her in a state of 4loom.

8on3t %o- see what3s happenin458 she 'eman'e'6 facin4 him across the officewhich ha' once been Lo-is3s. 8I3m not mana4in4 thin4s ri4ht at allJ ever%bo'% !nowsthat. on3t %o- !now that58 0il'2e%e'6 she stare' at him.

8I 'on3t !now that68 Fohnn% sai'. B-t insi'e he 'i' !now itJ she was correct. 8Ta!eit eas% an' sit 'own68 he sai'. 8arve% an' St. C%r will be here an% min-te now6 an' %o-want to be in comman' of %o-rself when %o- meet with them.8 It was a meetin4 whichhe ha' hope' to avoi'. B-t6 he ha' realiGe'6 sooner or later it wo-l' ta!e place6 an' so heha' let Kath% a4ree to it.

Kath% sai'6 8I have somethin4 terrible to tell %o-.8

80hat is it5 It can3t be so terrible.8 e set himself6 waitin4 in 'rea' to hear.

8I3m bac! on 'r-4s6 Fohnn%. All this responsibilit% an' press-reJ it3s too m-ch forme. I3m sorr%.8 She 4aGe' 'own at the floor sa'l%.

80hat is the 'r-458

8I3' rather not sa%. It3s one of the amphetamines. I3ve rea' the literat-reJ I !now itcan ca-se a ps%chosis6 in the amo-nts I3m ta!in4. B-t I 'on3t care.8 Pantin46 she t-rne'awa%6 her bac! to him. e saw6 now6 how thin she ha' 4otten. An' her face was 4a-nt6hollow2e%e'J he now -n'erstoo' wh%. The over'osa4e of amphetamines waste' the bo'%awa%6 t-rne' matter into ener4%. er metabolism was altere' so that she became6 as the





a''iction ret-rne'6 a pse-'o2h%perth%roi'6 with all the somatic processes spee'e' -p.

Fohnn% sai'6 8I3m sorr% to hear it.8 e ha' been afrai' of this. An' %et when it ha'come he ha' not -n'erstoo'J he ha' ha' to wait -ntil she tol' him. 8I thin!68 he sai'68%o- sho-l' be -n'er a 'octor3s care.8 e won'ere' where she 4ot the 'r-4. B-t probabl%

for her6 with her %ears of experience6 it was not 'iffic-lt.

8It ma!es a person ver% -nstable emotionall%68 Kath% sai'. 81iven to s-''enra4es an' also cr%in4 a4s. I want %o- to !now that6 so %o- won3t blame me. So %o-3ll-n'erstan' that it3s the 'r-4.8 She trie' to smileJ he saw her ma!in4 the effort.

1oin4 over to her he p-t his han' on her sho-l'er. 8Listen68 he sai'6 8whenarve% an' St. C%r 4et here6 I thin! %o- better accept their offer.8

8(h68 she sai'6 no''in4. 80ell.8

8An' then68 he sai'6 8I want %o- to 4o vol-ntaril% into a hospital.8

8The coo!ie factor%68 Kath% sai' bitterl%.

8o-3' be better off68 he sai'6 8witho-t the responsibilit% %o- have6 here atArchime'ean. 0hat %o- nee' is 'eep6 protracte' rest. o-3re in a state of mental an' ph%sical fati4-e6 b-t as lon4 as %o-3re ta!in4 that amphetamine 228

8Then it 'oesn3t catch -p with me68 Kath% finishe'. 8Fohnn%6 I can3t sell o-t toarve% an' St. C%r.8

80h% not58

8Lo-is wo-l'n3t want me to. e 228 She was silent a moment. 8e sa%s no.8

Fohnn% sai'6 8o-r health6 ma%be %o-r life 228

8$% sanit%6 %o- mean6 Fohnn%.8

8o- have too m-ch personall% at sta!e68 he sai'. 8The hell with Lo-is. The hellwith Archime'eanJ %o- want to fin' %o-rself in a mort-ar%6 too6 in half2life5 It3s notworth itJ it3s -st propert%6 an' %o-3re a livin4 creat-re.8

She smile'. An' then6 on the 'es!6 a li4ht came on an' a b-GGer so-n'e'. Thereceptionist o-tsi'e sai'6 8$rs. Sharp6 $r. arve% an' $r. St. C%r are here6 now. Shall Isen' them in58

8es68 she answere'.

The 'oor opene'6 an' Cla-'e St. C%r an' Phil arve% came swiftl% in. 8e%6





Fohnn%68 St. C%r sai'. e seeme' to be in a confi'ent moo'J besi'e him6 arve% loo!e'confi'ent6 too.

Kath% sai'6 8I3ll let Fohnn% 'o most of the tal!in4.8

e 4lance' at her. Did that #ean she had a!reed to sell% e sai'6 80hat !in' of'eal is this5 0hat 'o %o- have to offer in exchan4e for a controllin4 interest in0ilhelmina Sec-rities of elaware5 I can3t ima4ine what it co-l' be.8

81an%me'e68 St. C%r sai'. 8An entire moon.8 e a''e'6 8"irt-all%.8

8(h %es68 Fohnn% sai'. 8The SS& lan' 'ee'. as it been teste' in theinternational co-rts58

8es68 St. C%r sai'6 8an' fo-n' totall% vali'. Its worth is be%on' estimate. An'each %ear it will increase6 perhaps 'o-ble6 in val-e. $% client will p-t that -p. It3s a 4oo'

offer6 Fohnn%J %o- an' I !now each other6 an' %o- !now when I sa% it that it3s tr-e.8

Probabl% it was6 Fohnn% 'eci'e'. It was in man% respects a 4enero-s offerJarve% was not tr%in4 to bil! Kath%.

8Spea!in4 for $rs. Sharp68 Fohnn% be4an. B-t Kath% c-t him off.

8*o68 she sai' in a -ic!6 bris! voice. 8I can3t sell. e sa%s not to.8

Fohnn% sai'6 8o-3ve alrea'% 4iven me a-thorit% to ne4otiate6 Kath%.8

80ell68 she sai' in a har' voice6 8I3m ta!in4 it bac!.8

8If I3m to wor! with %o- an' for %o- at all68 Fohnn% sai'6 8%o- m-st 4o on m%a'vice. 0e3ve alrea'% tal!e' it over an' a4ree' 228

The phone in the office ran4.

8Listen to him %o-rself68 Kath% sai'. She pic!e' -p the phone an' hel' it o-t toFohnn%. 8e3ll tell %o-.8

Fohnn% accepte' the phone an' p-t it to his ear. 80ho is this58 he 'eman'e'. An'then he hear' the 'r-mmin4. The far2off -ncann% 'r-mmin4 noise6 as if somethin4 werescratchin4 at a lon4 metal wire.

8. . . imperative to retain control. o-r a'vice abs-r'. She can p-ll herselfto4etherJ she3s 4ot the st-ff. Panic reactionJ %o-3re scare' beca-se she3s ill. A 4oo' 'octorcan fix her -p. 1et a 'octor for herJ 4et me'ical help. 1et an attorne% an' be s-re shesta%s o-t of the han's of the law. $a!e s-re her s-ppl% of 'r-4s is c-t. Insist on . . .8Fohnn% %an!e' the receiver awa% from his ear6 ref-sin4 to hear more. Tremblin46 he h-n4





the phone bac! -p.

8o- hear' him68 Kath% sai'. 8i'n3t %o-5That 'as +ouis)/

8es68 Fohnn% sai'.

8e3s 4rown68 Kath% sai'. 8*ow we can hear him 'irectJ it3s not -st the ra'iotelescope at Kenne'% Slo-4h. I hear' him last ni4ht6 clearl%6 for the first time6 as I la%'own to 4o to sleep.8

To St. C%r an' arve%6 Fohnn% sai'6 80e3ll have to thin! %o-r proposition over6evi'entl%. 0e3ll have to 4et an appraisal of the worth of the -nimprove' real estate %o-3reofferin4 an' no 'o-bt %o- want an a-'it of 0ilhelmina. That will ta!e time.8 e hear'his voice sha!eJ he ha' not 4otten over the shoc! of pic!in4 -p the telephone an' hearin4the livin4 voice of Lo-is Sarapis.

After ma!in4 an appointment with St. C%r an' arve% to meet with them oncemore later in the 'a%6 Fohnn% too! Kath% o-t to a late brea!fastJ she ha' a'mitte'6rel-ctantl%6 that she ha' eaten nothin4 since the ni4ht before.

8I3m -st not h-n4r%68 she explaine'6 as she sat pic!in4 listlessl% at her plate of bacon an' e44s6 toast with am.

8+ven if that was Lo-is Sarapis68 Fohnn% sai'6 8%o- 'on3t 228

8It was. on3t sa% 3even3J %o- !now it3s him. e3s 4ainin4 power all the time6 o-tthere. Perhaps from the s-n.8

8So it3s Lo-is68 he sai' 'o44e'l%. 8*onetheless6 %o- have to act in %o-r owninterest6 not in his.8

8is interests an' mine are the same68 Kath% sai'. 8The% involve maintainin4Archime'ean.8

8Can he 4ive %o- the help %o- nee'5 Can he s-ppl% what3s missin45 e 'oesn3tta!e %o-r 'r-42a''iction serio-sl%J that3s obvio-s. All he 'i' was preach at me.8 e feltan4er. 8That3s 'amn little help6 for %o- or for me6 in this sit-ation.8

8Fohnn%68 she sai'6 8I feel him near me all the timeJ I 'on3t nee' the T" or the phone 22 I sense him. It3s m% m%stical bent6 I thin!. $% reli4io-s int-itionJ it3s helpin4 memaintain contact with him.8 She sippe' a little oran4e -ice.

Bl-ntl%6 Fohnn% sai'6 8It3s %o-r amphetamine ps%chosis6 %o- mean.8





8I won3t 4o into the hospital6 Fohnn%. I won3t si4n m%self inJ I3m sic! b-t not thatsic!. I can 4et over this bo-t on m% own6 beca-se I3m not alone. I have m% 4ran'father.An' 228 She smile' at him. 8I have %o-. In spite of Sarah Belle.8

8o- won3t have me6 Kath%68 he sai' -ietl%6 8-nless %o- sell to arve%. nless

%o- accept the 1an%me'e real estate.8

8o-3' -it58

8es68 he sai'.

After a pa-se6 Kath% sai'6 8$% 4ran'father sa%s 4o ahea' an' -it.8 er e%eswere 'ar!6 enlar4e'6 an' -tterl% col'.

8I 'on3t believe he3' sa% that.8

8Then tal! to him.8

8ow58

Kath% pointe' to the T" set in the corner of the resta-rant. 8T-rn it on an' listen.8

&isin4 to his feet6 Fohnn% sai'6 8I 'on3t have toJ I3ve alrea'% 4iven m% 'ecision. I3ll be at m% hotel6 if %o- sho-l' chan4e %o-r min'.8 e wal!e' awa% from the table6 leavin4her sittin4 there. 0o-l' she call after him5 e listene' as he wal!e'. She 'i' not call.

A moment later he was o-t of the resta-rant6 stan'in4 on the si'ewal!. She ha'calle' his bl-ff6 an' so it cease' to be a bl-ffJ it became the real thin4. e act-all% ha'-it.

St-nne'6 he wal!e' aimlessl% on. An' %et 22 he ha' been ri4ht. e !new that. Itwas -st that. . . 'amn her6 he tho-4ht. 0h% 'i'n3t she 4ive in5 Beca-se of Lo-is6 herealiGe'. 0itho-t the ol' man she wo-l' have 4one ahea' an' 'one it6 tra'e' hercontrollin46 votin4 stoc! for the 1an%me'e propert%. amn Lo-is Sarapis6 not her6 hetho-4ht f-rio-sl%.

0hat now5he as!e' himself. 1o bac! to *ew or!5 Loo! for a new ob5 ,orinstance approach Alfonse 1am5 There was mone% in that6 if he co-l' lan' it. (r sho-l'he sta% here in $ichi4an6 hopin4 that Kath% wo-l' chan4e her min'5

She can3t !eep on6he 'eci'e'. *o #atter 'hat Sarapis tells her) (r rather, 'hat

she 4elieves he0s tellin! her) Whichever it is)

ailin4 a cab6 he 4ave the 'river the a''ress of his hotel room. A few momentslater he was enterin4 the lobb% of the Antler otel6 bac! where he ha' starte' earl% in themornin4. Bac! to the forbi''in4 empt% room6 this time merel% to sit an' wait. To hope





that Kath% wo-l' chan4e her min' an' call him. This time he ha' no appointment to 4otoJ the appointment was over.

0hen he reache' his hotel room he hear' his phone rin4in4.

,or a moment Fohnn% stoo' at the 'oor6 !e% in han'6 listenin4 to the phone on theother si'e of the 'oor6 the shrill noise reachin4 him as he stoo' in the hall. 7s it &athy% hewon'ere'.(r is it him5

e p-t the !e% in the loc!6 t-rne' it an' entere' the roomJ sweepin4 the receiveroff its hoo! he sai'6 8ello.8

r-mmin4 an' far2off6 the voice6 in the mi''le of its monotono-s monolo4-e6 itsrecitation to itself6 was m-rm-rin46 8. . . no 4oo' at all6 Barefoot6 to leave her. Betra%al of

%o-r obJ tho-4ht %o- -n'erstoo' %o-r responsibilities. Same to her as it was to me6 an'%o- never wo-l' have wal!e' off in a fit of pi-e an' left me. I 'eliberatel% left the'isposition of m% bo'% to %o- so %o-3' sta% on. o- can3t. . .8 At that point Fohnn% h-n4-p6 chille'.

The phone ran4 a4ain6 at once.

This time he 'i' not ta!e it off the hoo!.The hell 'ith you, he sai' to himself. ewal!e' to the win'ow an' stoo' loo!in4 'own at the street below6 thin!in4 to himself ofthe conversation he ha' hel' with ol' Lo-is %ears a4o6 the one that ha' ma'e s-ch animpression in his min'. The conversation in which it ha' come o-t that he ha' faile' to4o to colle4e beca-se he wante' to 'ie. Loo!in4 'own at the street below6 hetho-4ht6 May4e 7 ou!ht to 6u#p) "t least there0d 4e no #ore phones) ) ) no #ore of it)

The worse part6he tho-4ht6is its senilit%. 7ts thou!hts are not clear, not distinct5

they0re drea#-like5 irrational) The old #an is not !enuinely alive) e is not even in half-life) This is a d'indlin! a'ay of consciousness to'ard a nocturnal state) "nd 'e are

forced to listen to it as it un'inds, as it develops step 4y step, to final, total death)

B-t even in this 'e4enerative state6 it ha' 'esires. It'anted, an' stron4l%. Itwante' him to 'o somethin4J it wante' Kath% to 'o somethin4J the remnants of Lo-isSarapis were vital an' active6 an' clever eno-4h to fin' wa%s of p-rs-in4 him6 of 4ettin4what was wante'. It was a travest% of Lo-is3s wishes '-rin4 his lifetime6 an' %et it co-l'not be i4nore'J it co-l' not be escape'.

The phone contin-e' to rin4.

$a%be it isn3t Lo-is6he tho-4ht then. May4e it0s &athy) 1oin4 to it he lifte' thereceiver. An' p-t it bac! 'own at once. The 'r-mmin4 once more6 the fra4ments of Lo-isSarapis3s personalit%. . . he sh-''ere'. "nd is it 6ust here, is it selective%





e ha' a terrible feelin4 that it wasnot selective.

1oin4 to the T" set at the far en' of the room he snappe' the switch. The screen4rew into li4hte' animation6 an' %et6 he saw6 it was stran4el% bl-rre'. The 'im o-tlines of

22 it seeme' to be a face.

An' ever%one6he realiGe'6is seein! this) e t-rne' to another channel. A4ain the'-ll%2forme' feat-res6 the ol' man half2materialiGe' here on the television screen. An'from the set3s spea!er the m-rm-r of in'istinct wor's. 8. . .tol' %o- time an' a4ain %o-r primar% responsibilit% is to. . .8 Fohnn% sh-t the set offJ the ill2forme' face an' wor'ssan! o-t of existence6 an' all that remaine'6 once more6 was the rin4in4 phone.

e pic!e' -p the phone an' sai'6 8Lo-is6 can %o- hear me58

8. . . when election time comes the%3ll see. A man with the spirit to campai4n a

secon' time6 ta!e the financial responsibilit%6 after all it3s onl% for the wealth% men6 now6the cost of r-nnin4. . .8 The voice 'rone' on. *o6 the ol' man co-l' not hear him. It wasnot a conversationJ it was a monolo4-e. It was not a-thentic comm-nication.

An' %et the ol' man !new what was occ-rrin4 on +arthJ he seeme' to -n'erstan'6to somehow see6 that Fohnn% ha' -it his ob.

an4in4 -p the phone he seate' himself an' lit a ci4arette.

I can3t 4o bac! to Kath%6he realiGe'6unless 70# 'illin! to chan!e #y #ind andadvise her not to sell) "nd that0s i#possi4le5 7 can0t do that) So that0s out) What is there

left for #e%

ow lon4 can Sarapis ho-n' me5 Is there an% place I can 4o5

1oin4 to the win'ow once more he stoo' loo!in4 'own at the street below.

At a newsstan'6 Cla-'e St. C%r tosse' 'own coins6 pic!e' -p the newspaper.

8Than! %o-6 sir or ma'am68 the robot ven'er sai'.

The lea' article. . . St. C%r blin!e' an' won'ere' if he ha' lost his min'. e co-l'not 4rasp what he was rea'in4 22 or rather -nable to rea'. It ma'e no senseJ thehomeostatic news2printin4 s%stem6 the f-ll% a-tomate' micro2rela% newspaper6 ha'evi'entl% bro!en 'own. All he fo-n' was a procession of wor's6 ran'oml% str-n4to4ether. It was worse than 3inne!ans Wake)

(r was it ran'om5 (ne para4raph ca-4ht his e%e.





At the hotel win'ow now rea'% to leap. If %o- expect to con'-ct an% more b-siness with her %o- better 4et over there. She3s 'epen'ent on him6 nee's a man since

her h-sban'6 that Pa-l Sharp6 aban'one' her. The Antler otel6 room @)#. I thin! %o-have time. Fohnn% is too hot2hea'e'J sho-l'n3t have trie' to bl-ff her. 0ith m% bloo' %o-can3t be bl-ffe' an' she3s 4ot m% bloo'6 I. . .

St. C%r sai' rapi'l% to arve%6 who stoo' besi'e him6 8Fohnn% Barefoot3s in aroom at the Antler otel abo-t to -mp6 an' this is ol' Sarapis tellin4 -s6 warnin4 -s. 0e better 4et over there.8

1lancin4 at him6 arve% sai'6 8Barefoot3s on o-r si'eJ we can3t affor' to have him

ta!e his life. B-t wh% wo-l' Sarapis 228

8Let3s -st 4et over there68 St. C%r sai'6 startin4 towar' his par!e' 3copter. arve%followe' on the r-n.

I"

All at once the telephone stoppe' rin4in4. Fohnn% t-rne' from the win'ow 22 an'saw Kath% Sharp stan'in4 b% it6 the receiver in her han'. 8e calle' me68 she sai'. 8An'he tol' me6 Fohnn%6 where %o- were an' what %o- were 4oin4 to 'o.8

8*-ts68 he sai'6 8I3m not 4oin4 to 'o an%thin4.8 e move' bac! from the win'ow.

8e tho-4ht %o- were68 Kath% sai'.

8es6 an' that proves he can be wron4.8 is ci4arette6 he saw6 ha' b-rne' 'own tothe filterJ he 'roppe' it into the ashtra% on the 'resser an' st-bbe' it o-t.

8$% 4ran'father was alwa%s fon' of %o-68 Kath% sai'. 8e wo-l'n3t li!e an%thin4to happen to %o-.8

Shr-44in46 Fohnn% sai'6 8As far as I3m concerne' I have nothin4 to 'o with Lo-isSarapis an% more.8

Kath% ha' p-t the receiver to her earJ she pai' no attention to Fohnn% 22 she waslistenin4 to her 4ran'father6 he saw6 an' so he cease' tal!in4. It was f-tile.





8e sa%s68 Kath% sai'6 8that Cla-'e St. C%r an' Phil arve% are on their wa% -phere. e tol' them to come6 too.8

8*ice of him68 he sai' shortl%.

Kath% sai'6 8I3m fon' of %o-6 too6 Fohnn%. I can see what m% 4ran'father fo-n'abo-t %o- to li!e an' a'mire. o- 4en-inel% ta!e m% welfare serio-sl%6 'on3t %o-5 $a%beI co-l' 4o into the hospital vol-ntaril%6 for a short perio' an%how6 a wee! or a few 'a%s.8

80o-l' that be eno-4h58 he as!e'.

8It mi4ht.8 She hel' the phone o-t to him. 8e wants to tal! to %o-. I thin! %o-3' better listenJ he3ll fin' a wa% to reach %o-6 in an% case. An' %o- !now that.8

&el-ctantl%6 Fohnn% accepte' the phone.

8. . . tro-ble is %o-3re o-t of a ob an' that 'epresses %o-. If %o-3re not wor!in4%o- feel %o- 'on3t amo-nt to an%thin4J that3s the !in' of person %o- are. I li!e that. Thesame wa% m%self. Listen6 I3ve 4ot a ob for %o-. At the Convention. oin4 p-blicit% toma!e s-re Alfonse 1am is nominate'J %o-3' 'o a swell ob. Call 1am. Call Alfonse 1am.Fohnn%6 call 1am. Call 228

Fohnn% h-n4 -p the phone.

I3ve 4ot a ob68 he tol' Kath%. 8&epresentin4 1am. At least Lo-is sa%s so.8

0o-l' %o- 'o that58 Kath% as!e'. 8Be his P.&. man at the nominatin4convention58

e shr-44e'. 0h% not5 1am ha' the mone%J he co-l' an' wo-l' pa% well. An'certainl% he was no worse than the Presi'ent6 Kent $ar4rave. "nd 7 #ust !et a 6o4, Fohnn% realiGe'. 7 have to live) 70ve !ot a 'ife and t'o children5 this is no 6oke)

8o %o- thin! 1am has a chance this time58 Kath% as!e'.

8*o6 not reall%. B-t miracles in politics 'o happenJ loo! at &ichar' *ixon3sincre'ible comebac! in 9@;.8

80hat is the best ro-te for 1am to follow58

e e%e' her. 8I3ll tal! that over with him. *ot with %o-.8

8o-3re still an4r%68 Kath% sai' -ietl%. 8Beca-se I won3t sell. Listen6 Fohnn%.S-ppose I t-rne' Archime'ean over to %o-.8





After a moment he sai'6 80hat 'oes Lo-is sa% to that58

8I haven3t as!e' him.8

8o- !now he3' sa% no. I3m too inexperience'. I !now the operation6 of co-rseJ

I3ve been with it from the start. B-t 228

8on3t sell %o-rself short68 Kath% sai' softl%.

8Please68 Fohnn% sai'. 8on3t lect-re me. Let3s tr% to sta% frien'sJ cool6'istant friends)/ "nd if there0s one thin! 7 can0t stand, he sai' to himself6it0s 4ein! lectured

4y a 'o#an) "nd for #y o'n !ood)

The 'oor of the room b-rst open. Cla-'e St. C%r an' Phil arve% leape' insi'e6then saw Kath%6 saw him with her6 an' sa44e'. 8So he 4ot %o- to come here6 too68 St. C%rsai' to her6 pantin4 for breath.

8es68 she sai'. 8e was ver% concerne' abo-t Fohnn%.8 She patte' him on thearm. 8See how man% frien's %o- have5 Both warm an' cool58

8es68 he sai'. B-t for some reason felt 'eepl%6 miserabl% sa'.

That afternoon Cla-'e St. C%r fo-n' time to 'rop b% the ho-se of +le!tra arve%6his present emplo%er3s ex2wife.

8Listen6 'oll68 St. C%r sai'6 8I3m tr%in4 to 'o 4oo' for %o- in this present 'eal. IfI3m s-ccessf-l 228 e p-t his arms aro-n' her an' 4ave her a bear h-4. 8o-3ll recover alittle of what %o- lost. *ot all6 b-t eno-4h to ma!e %o- a trifle happier abo-t life in4eneral.8 e !isse' her an'6 as -s-al6 she respon'e'J she s-irme' effectivel%6 'rew him'own to her6 presse' close in a manner almost -ncannil% satisf%in4. It was ver% pleasant6an' in a''ition it laste' a lon4 time. An' that wasnot -s-al.

Stirrin46 movin4 awa% from him finall%6 +le!tra sai'6 8B% the wa%6 can %o- tellme what ails the phone an' the T"5 I can3t call 22 there alwa%s seems to be someone onthe line. An' the pict-re on the T" screenJ it3s all f-GG% an' 'istorte'6 an' it3s alwa%s thesame6 -st a sort of face)/

8on3t worr% abo-t it68 Cla-'e sai'. 80e3re wor!in4 on that ri4ht nowJ we3ve 4ota crew of men o-t sco-tin4.8 is men were 4oin4 from mort-ar% to mort-ar%J event-all%the%3' fin' Lo-is3s bo'%. An' then this nonsense wo-l' come to an en'. . . to ever%one3srelief.

1oin4 to the si'eboar' to fix 'rin!s6 +le!tra arve% sai'6 8oes Phil !now abo-t-s58 She meas-re' o-t bitters into the whis!e% 4lasses6 three 'rops to each.





8*o68 St. C%r sai'6 8an' it3s none of his b-siness an%how.8

8B-t Phil has a stron4 pre-'ice abo-t ex2wives. e wo-l'n3t li!e it. e3' 4eti'eas abo-t %o- bein4 'islo%alJ since he 'isli!es me6 %o-3re s-ppose' to6 too. That3s what

Phil calls 3inte4rit%3.8

8I3m 4la' to !now that68 St. C%r sai'6 8b-t there3s 'amn little I can 'o abo-t it.An%how6 he isn3t 4oin4 to fin' o-t.8

8I can3t help bein4 worrie'6 tho-4h68 +le!tra sai'6 brin4in4 him his 'rin!. 8I wast-nin4 the T"6 %o- see6 an' 22 I !now this so-n's craG%6 b-t it act-all% seeme' to me 228She bro!e off. 80ell6 I act-all% tho-4ht I hear' the T" anno-ncer mention -s. B-t he wassort of m-mblin46 or the reception was ba'. B-t an%how I 'i' hear that6 %o-r name an'mine.8 She loo!e' soberl% -p at him6 while absent2min'e'l% rearran4in4 the strap of her'ress.

Chille'6 he sai'6 8ear6 it3s ri'ic-lo-s.8 1oin4 over to the T" set he clic!e' it on.

1oo' Lor'6he tho-4ht. 7s +ouis Sarapis ever%where5 Does he see everythin! 'e do

fro# that locus of his out there in deep space%

It was not exactl% a comfortin4 tho-4ht6 especiall% since he was tr%in4 to involveLo-is3s 4ran''a-4hter in a b-siness 'eal which the ol' man 'isapprove' of.

e3s 4ettin4 bac! at me6St. C%r realiGe' as he reflexivel% t-ne' the television setwith n-mbe' fin4ers.

Alfonse 1am sai'6 8As a matter of fact6 $r. Barefoot6 I inten'e' to call %o-. Ihave a wire from $r. Sarapis a'visin4 me to emplo% %o-. I 'o thin!6 however6 we3ll haveto come -p with somethin4 entirel% new. $ar4rave has a consi'erable a'vanta4e over-s.8

8Tr-e68 Fohnn% a'mitte'. 8B-t let3s be realisticJ we3re 4oin4 to 4et help this time.elp from Lo-is Sarapis.8

8Lo-is helpe' last time68 1am pointe' o-t6 8an' it wasn3t s-fficient.8

8B-t his help now will be on a 'ifferent or'er.8 "fter all, Fohnn% tho-4ht6the old

#an controls all the co##unication #edia, the ne'spapers, radio and T<, even thetelephones, 8od for4id) 0ith s-ch power Lo-is co-l' 'o almost an%thin4 he chose.

e har'l% nee's me6he tho-4ht ca-sticall%. B-t he 'i' not sa% that to Alfonse1amJ apparentl% 1am 'i' not -n'erstan' abo-t Lo-is an' what Lo-is co-l' 'o. An' after





all6 a ob was a ob.

8ave %o- t-rne' on a T" set latel%58 1am as!e'. 8(r trie' to -se the phone6 oreven bo-4ht a newspaper5 There3s nothin4 b-t a sort of 'eca%in4 4ibberish comin4 o-t. Ifthat3s Lo-is6 he3s not 4oin4 to be m-ch help at the Convention. e3s 22 'isointe'. F-st

rambles.8

8I !now68 Fohnn% sai' 4-ar'e'l%.

8I3m afrai' whatever scheme Lo-is ha' for his half2life perio' has 4one wron4681am sai'. e loo!e' moroseJ he 'i' not loo! li!e a man who expecte' to win anelection. 8o-r a'miration for Lo-is is certainl% 4reater than mine6 at this sta4e68 1amsai'. 8,ran!l%6 $r. Barefoot6 I ha' a lon4 tal! with $r. St. C%r6 an' his concepts weretotall% 'isco-ra4in4. I3m 'etermine' to press on6 b-t fran!l% 228 e 4est-re'. 8Cla-'e St.C%r tol' me to m% face I3m a loser.8

8o-3re 4oin4 to believe St. C%r5 e3s on the other si'e6 now6 with Phil arve%.8Fohnn% was astonishe' to fin' the man so naive6 so pliable.

8I tol' him I was 4oin4 to win68 1am m-rm-re'. 8B-t honest to 1o'6 this 'rivelfrom ever% T" set an' phone 22 it3s awf-l. It 'isco-ra4es meJ I want to 4et as far awa%from it as possible.8

Presentl% Fohnn% sai'6 8I -n'erstan'.8

8Lo-is 'i'n3t -se to be li!e that68 1am sai' plaintivel%. 8e -st 'rones on6 now.+ven if he can swin4 the nomination to me. . . 'o I want it5 I3m tire'6 $r. Barefoot. "er%tire'.8 e was silent6 then.

8If %o-3re as!in4 me to 4ive %o- pep68 Fohnn% sai'6 8%o-3ve 4ot the wron4 man.8The voice from the phone an' the T" affecte' him m-ch the same wa%. $-ch too m-chfor him to sa% an%thin4 enco-ra4in4 to 1am.

8o-3re in P.&.68 1am sai'. 8Can3t %o- 4enerate enth-siasm where there is none5Convince me6 Barefoot6 an' then I3ll convince the worl'.8 ,rom his poc!et he bro-4ht afol'e'2-p tele4ram. 8This is what came from Lo-is6 the other 'a%. +vi'entl% he caninterfere with the tele4raph lines as well as the other me'ia.8 e passe' it over an'Fohnn% rea' it.

8Lo-is was more coherent then68 Fohnn% sai'. 80hen he wrote this.8

8That3s what I mean7 e3s 'eterioratin4 rapi'l%. 0hen the Convention be4ins 22an' it3s onl% one more 'a%6 now 22 what3ll he be li!e5 I sense somethin4 'rea'f-l6 here.An' I 'on3t care to 4et mixe' -p in it.8 e a''e'6 8An' %et I want to r-n. So Barefoot 22%o- 'eal with Lo-is for meJ %o- can be the 4o2between.8 e a''e'6 8The ps%chopomp.8





80hat3s that mean58

8The 4o2between 1o' an' man68 1am sai'.

Fohnn% sai'6 8If %o- -se wor's li!e that %o- won3t 4et the nominationJ I can

promise %o- that.8

Smilin4 wr%l%6 1am sai'6 8ow abo-t a 'rin!58 e starte' from his livin4 room6towar' the !itchen. 8Scotch5 Bo-rbon58

8Bo-rbon68 Fohnn% sai'.

80hat 'o %o- thin! of the 4irl6 Lo-is3s 4ran''a-4hter58

8I li!e her68 he sai'. An' that was tr-eJ he certainl% 'i'.

8+ven tho-4h she3s a ps%chotic6 a 'r-4 a''ict6 been in ail an' on top of that areli4io-s n-t58

8es68 Fohnn% sai' ti4htl%.

8I thin! %o-3re craG%68 1am sai'6 ret-rnin4 with the 'rin!s. 8B-t I a4ree with %o-.She3s a 4oo' person. I3ve !nown her for some time6 as a matter of fact. ,ran!l%6 I 'on3t!now wh% she too! the bent that she has. I3m not a ps%cholo4ist. . . probabl% tho-4h it hassomethin4 to 'o with Lo-is. She has a pec-liar sort of 'evotion to him6 a !in' of lo%alt%that3s both infantile an' fanatic. An'6 to me6 to-chin4l% sweet.8

Sippin4 his 'rin!6 Fohnn% sai'6 8This is terrible bo-rbon.8

8(l' Sir $-s!rat68 1am sai'6 4rimacin4. 8I a4ree.8

8o- better serve a better 'rin!68 Fohnn% sai'6 8or %o- reall% are thro-4h in politics.8

8That3s wh% I nee' %o-68 1am sai'. 8o- see58

8I see68 Fohnn% sai'6 carr%in4 his 'rin! into the !itchen to po-r it bac! in the bottle 22 an' to ta!e a loo! at the Scotch instea'.

8ow are %o- 4oin4 abo-t 4ettin4 me electe'58 Alfonse 1am as!e'.

Fohnn% sai'6 8I thin! o-r best approach6 o-r onl% approach6 is to ma!e -se of thesentimentalit% people feel abo-t Lo-is3s 'eath. I saw the lines of mo-rnersJ it wasimpressive6 Alfonse. a% after 'a% the% came. 0hen he was alive6 man% persons feare'him6 feare' his power. B-t now the% can breathe easierJ he3s 4one6 an' the fri4htenin4aspects of 228





1am interr-pte'. 8B-t Fohnn%6 he3s not 4oneJ that3s the whole point. o- !nowthat 4ibberin4thin! on the phones an' on T" 22 that3s him78

8B-t the% 'on3t !now it68 Fohnn% sai'. 8The p-blic is baffle' 22 -st as the first

person to pic! it -p was baffle'. That technician at Kenne'% Slo-4h.8 +mphaticall%6 hesai'6 80h% sho-l' the% connect an electrical emanation one li4ht2wee! awa% from +arthwith Lo-is Sarapis58

After a moment 1am sai'6 8I thin! %o-3re ma!in4 an error6 Fohnn%. B-t Lo-is sai'to hire %o-6 an' I3m 4oin4 to. An' %o- have a free han'J I3ll 'epen' on %o-r expertise.8

8Than!s68 Fohnn% sai'. 8o- can 'epen' on me.8 B-t insi'e6 he was not sos-re. May4e the pu4lic is s#arter than 7 reali.e, he tho-4ht. May4e 70# #akin! a #istake) B-t what other approach was there5 *one that he co-l' 'ream -pJ either the% ma'e -seof 1am3s tie with Lo-is or the% ha' absol-tel% nothin4 b% which to recommen' him.

A slen'er threa' on which to base the campai4n for nomination 22 an' onl% a 'a% before the Convention convene'. e 'i' not li!e it.

The telephone in 1am3s livin4 room ran4.

8That3s probabl% him68 1am sai'. 8o- want to tal! to him5 To be tr-thf-l6 I3mafrai' to ta!e it off the hoo!.8

8Let it rin468 Fohnn% sai'. e a4ree' with 1amJ it was -st too 'amn -npleasant.

8B-t we can3t eva'e him68 1am pointe' o-t. 8If he wants to 4et in to-ch with -sJif it isn3t the phone it3s the newspaper. An' %ester'a% I trie' to -se m% electrict%pewriter. . . instea' of the letter I inten'e' to compose I 4ot the same mishmash 22 I 4ota text fromhi#)/

*either of them move' to ta!e the phone6 however. The% let it rin4 on.

8o %o- want an a'vance58 1am as!e'. 8Some cash58

8I3' appreciate it68 Fohnn% sai'. 8Since to'a% I -it m% ob with Archime'ean.8

&eachin4 into his coat for his wallet6 1am sai'6 8I3ll 4ive %o- a chec!.8 e e%e'Fohnn%. 8o- li!e her b-t %o- can3t wor! with herJ is that it58

8That3s it68 Fohnn% sai'. e 'i' not elaborate6 an' 1am 'i' not press him an%f-rther. 1am was6 if nothin4 else6 4entlemanl%. An' Fohnn% appreciate' it.

As the chec! chan4e' han's the phone stoppe' rin4in4.





0as there a lin! between the two5 Fohnn% won'ere'. (r was it -st chance5 *owa% to tell. Lo-is seeme' to !now ever%thin4. . . an%how6 this was what Lo-is ha'wante'J he ha' tol' both of them that.

8I 4-ess we 'i' the ri4ht thin468 1am sai' tartl%. 8Listen6 Fohnn%. I hope %o- can

4et bac! on 4oo' terms with Kath% +4mont Sharp. ,or her sa!eJ she nee's help. Lots ofit.8

Fohnn% 4r-nte'.

8*ow that %o-3re not wor!in4 for her6 ma!e one more tr%68 1am sai'. 8(!a%58

8I3ll thin! abo-t it68 Fohnn% sai'.

8She3s a ver% sic! 4irl6 an' she3s 4ot a lot of responsibilit% now. o- !now that6too. 0hatever ca-se' the rift between %o- 22 tr% to come to some !in' of

-n'erstan'in44efore it0s too late) That3s the onl% proper wa%.8

Fohnn% sai' nothin4. B-t he !new6 insi'e him6 that 1am was ri4ht.

An' %et 22 how 'i' he 'o it5 e 'i'n3t !now how. o' to you approach a

psychotic person% he won'ere'. o' do you repair such a deep rift% It was har' eno-4hin re4-lar sit-ations. . . an' this ha' so man% overtones.

If nothin4 else6 this ha' Lo-is mixe' in it. An' Kath%3s feelin4s abo-t Lo-is.Those wo-l' have to chan4e. The blin' a'oration 22 that wo-l' have to cease.

80hat 'oes %o-r wife thin! of her58 1am as!e'.

Startle'6 he sai'6 8Sarah Belle5 She3s never met Kath%.8 e a''e'6 80h% 'o %o-as!58

1am e%e' him an' sai' nothin4.

8amn o'' -estion68 Fohnn% sai'.

8amn o'' 4irl6 that Kath%68 1am sai'. 8(''er than %o- thin!6 m% frien'. There3sa lot %o- 'on3t !now.8 e 'i' not elaborate.

To Cla-'e St. C%r6 Phil arve% sai'6 8There3s somethin4 I want to !now.Somethin4 we m-st have the answer to6 or we3ll never 4et control of the votin4 stoc! of0ilhelmina.Where0s the 4ody%/

80e3re loo!in468 St. C%r sai' patientl%. 80e3re tr%in4 all of the mort-aries6 one b%





one. B-t mone%3s involve'J -n'o-bte'l% someone3s pa%in4 them to !eep -iet6 an' if wewant them to tal! 228

8That 4irl68 arve% sai'6 8is 4oin4 on instr-ctions from be%on' the 4rave. espitethe fact that Lo-is is 'evolvin4. . . she still pa%s attention to him. It3s 22 -nnat-ral.8 e

shoo! his hea'6 repelle'.

8I a4ree68 St. C%r sai'. 8In fact6 %o- expresse' it perfectl%. This mornin4 when Iwas shavin4 I pic!e' him -p on the T".8 e sh-''ere' visibl%. 8I mean6 it3s comin4 at -sfrom ever% si'e6 now.8

8To'a%68 arve% sai'6 8is the first 'a% of the Convention.8 e loo!e' o-t of thewin'ow6 at the cars an' people. 8Lo-is3s attention will be tie' -p there6 tr%in4 to swin4the vote onto Alfonse 1am. That3s where Fohnn% is6 wor!in4 for 1am 22 that was Lo-is3si'ea. *ow perhaps we can operate with more s-ccess. o %o- see5 $a%be he3s for4ottenabo-t Kath%J m% 1o'6 he can3t watch ever%thin4 at once.8

St. C%r sai' -ietl%6 8B-t Kath% is not at Archime'ean now.8

80here is she6 then5 In elaware5 At 0ilhelmina Sec-rities5 It o-4ht to be eas%to fin' her.8

8She3s sic!68 St. C%r sai'. 8In a hospital6 Phil. She was a'mitte' '-rin4 the lateevenin46 last ni4ht. ,or her 'r-4 a''iction6 I pres-me.8

There was silence.

8o- !now a lot68 arve% sai' finall%. 80here3' %o- learn this6 an%how58

8,rom listenin4 to the phone an' the T". B-t I 'on3t !now where the hospital is. Itco-l' even be off +arth6 on L-na or on $ars6 even bac! where she came from. I 4ot theimpression she3s extremel% ill. Fohnn%3s aban'onin4 her set her bac! 4reatl%.8 e 4aGe' athis emplo%er somberl%. 8That3s all I !now6 Phil.8

8o %o- thin! Fohnn% Barefoot !nows where she is58

8I 'o-bt it.8

Pon'erin46 arve% sai'6 8I3ll bet she tries to call him. I3ll bet he either !nows orwill !now6 soon. If we onl% co-l' mana4e to p-t a snoop2circ-it on his phone. . . 4et hiscalls ro-te' thro-4h here.8

8B-t the phones68 St. C%r sai' wearil%. 8All it is now 22 -st the 4ibberish. Theinterference from Lo-is.8 e won'ere' what became of Archime'ean +nterprises ifKath% was 'eclare' -nable to mana4e her affairs6 if she was forcibl% committe'. "er%complicate'6 'epen'in4 on whether +arth law or 22





arve% was sa%in46 80e can3t fin' her an' we can3t fin' the bo'%. An' meanwhilethe Convention3s on6 an' the%3ll nominate that wretche' 1am6 that creat-re of Lo-is3s.An' next we !now6 he3ll be Presi'ent.8 e e%e' St. C%r with anta4onism. 8So far %o-haven3t 'one me m-ch 4oo'6 Cla-'e.8

80e3ll tr% all the hospitals. B-t there3s tens of tho-san's of them. An' if it isn3t inthis area it co-l' be an%where.8 e felt helpless. "round and around 'e !o,hetho-4ht6and 'e !et no'here)

0ell6 we can !eep monitorin4 the T"6he 'eci'e'.That0s so#e help)

8I3m 4oin4 to the Convention68 arve% anno-nce'. 8I3ll see %o- later. If %o-sho-l' come -p with somethin4 22 which I 'o-bt 22 %o- can 4et in to-ch with me there.8e stro'e to the 'oor6 an' a moment later St. C%r fo-n' himself alone.

o44one it6St. C%r sai' to himself.What0ll 7 do no'% May4e 7 ou!ht to !o to theConvention, too) B-t there was one more mort-ar% he wante' to chec!J his men ha' beenthere6 b-t he also wante' to 4ive it a tr% personall%. It was -st the sort that Lo-is wo-l'have li!e'6 r-n b% an -nct-o-s in'ivi'-al name'6 revoltin4l%6 erbert Schoenheit von"o4elsan46 which meant6 in 1erman6 erbert Bea-t% of the Bir'3s Son4 22 a fittin4 namefor a man who ran the Belove' Brethren $ort-ar% in 'owntown Los An4eles6 with branches in Chica4o an' *ew or! an' Clevelan'.

0hen he reache' the mort-ar%6 Cla-'e St. C%r 'eman'e' to see Schoenheit von"o4elsan4 personall%. The place was 'oin4 a r-sh b-sinessJ &es-rrection a% was -staro-n' the corner an' the petite bo-r4eoisie6 who floc!e' in 4reat n-mbers to -st s-chceremonies6 were line' -p waitin4 to retrieve their half2lifer relatives.

8es sir68 Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 sai'6 when at last he appeare' at the co-nterin the mort-ar%3s b-siness office. 8o- as!e' to spea! to me.8

St. C%r lai' his b-siness car' 'own on the co-nterJ the car' still 'escribe' him asle4al cons-ltant for Archime'ean +nterprises. 8I am Cla-'e St. C%r68 he 'eclare'. 8o-ma% have hear' of me.8

1lancin4 at the car'6 Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 blanche' an' m-mble'6 8I 4ive%o- m% wor'6 $r. St. C%r6 we3re tr%in46 we3re reall% tr%in4. 0e3ve spent o-t of o-r ownf-n's over a tho-san' 'ollars in tr%in4 to ma!e contact with himJ we3ve ha' hi4h24aine-ipment flown in from Fapan where it was 'evelope' an' ma'e. An' still no res-lts.8Trem-lo-sl%6 he bac!e' awa% from the co-nter. 8o- can come an' see for %o-rself.,ran!l%6 I believe someone3s 'oin4 it on p-rposeJ a complete fail-re li!e this can3t occ-rnat-rall%6 if %o- see what I mean.8





St. C%r sai'6 8Let me see him.8

8Certainl%.8 The mort-ar% owner6 pale an' a4itate'6 le' the wa% thro-4h the b-il'in4 into the chill bin6 -ntil6 at last6 St. C%r saw ahea' the cas!et which ha' lain instate6 the cas!et of Lo-is Sarapis. 8Are %o- plannin4 an% sort of liti4ation58 the mort-ar%

owner as!e' fearf-ll%. 8I ass-re %o-6 we 228

8I3m here68 St. C%r state'6 8merel% to ta!e the bo'%. ave %o-r men loa' it onto atr-c! for me.8

8es6 $r. St. C%r68 erb Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 sai' in mee! obe'ienceJ hewave' two mort-ar% emplo%ees over an' be4an 4ivin4 them instr-ctions. 8o %o- have atr-c! with %o-6 $r. St. C%r58 he as!e'.

8o- ma% provi'e it68 St. C%r sai'6 in a forbi''in4 voice.

Shortl%6 the bo'% in its cas!et was loa'e' onto a mort-ar% tr-c!6 an' the 'rivert-rne' to St. C%r for instr-ctions.

St. C%r 4ave him Phil arve%3s a''ress.

8An' the liti4ation68 erb Schoenheit von "o4elsan4 was m-rm-rin46 as St. C%r boar'e' the tr-c! to sit besi'e the 'river. 8o- 'on3t infer malpractice on o-r part6 'o%o-6 $r. St. C%r5 Beca-se if %o- 'o 228

8The affair is close' as far as we3re concerne'68 St. C%r sai' to him laconicall%6an' si4nale' the 'river to 'rive off.

As soon as the% left the mort-ar%6 St. C%r be4an to la-4h.

80hat stri!es %o- so f-nn%58 the mort-ar% 'river as!e'.

8*othin468 St. C%r sai'6 still ch-c!lin4.

0hen the bo'% in its cas!et6 still 'eep in its ori4inal -ic!2pac!6 ha' been left offat arve%3s home an' the 'river ha' 'eparte'6 St. C%r pic!e' -p the telephone an' 'iale'.B-t he fo-n' himself -nable to 4et thro-4h to the Convention all. All he hear'6 for histro-ble6 was the weir' 'istant 'r-mmin46 the monotono-s litan% of Lo-is Sarapis 22 heh-n4 -p6 'is4-ste' b-t at the same time 4riml% 'etermine'.

0e3ve ha' eno-4h of that6St. C%r sai' to himself. /'on0t 'ait for arvey0s

approval5 7 don0t need it)

Searchin4 the livin4 room he fo-n'6 in a 'es! 'rawer6 a heat 4-n. Pointin4 it at the





cas!et of Lo-is Sarapis he presse' the tri44er.

The envelope of -ic!2pac! steame' -p6 the cas!et itself fiGGe' as the plasticmelte'. 0ithin6 the bo'% blac!ene'6 shrivele'6 charre' awa% at last into a ba!e'6 coal2li!eclin!er6 small an' non'escript.

Satisfie'6 St. C%r ret-rne' the heat 4-n to the 'es! 'rawer.

(nce more he pic!e' -p the phone an' 'iale'.

In his ear the monotono-s voice intone'6 8... no one b-t 1am can 'o itJ 1am3s theman what am 22 4oo' slo4an for %o-6 Fohnn%. 1am3s the man what amJ remember that. I3ll'o the tal!in4. 1ive me the mi!e an' I3ll tell themJ 1am3s the man what am. 1am3s 228

Cla-'e St. C%r slamme' 'own the phone6 t-rne' to the blac!ene' 'eposit that ha' been Lo-is SarapisJ he 4ape' m-tel% at what he co-l' not comprehen'. The voice6 when

St. C%r t-rne' on the television set6 emanate' from that6 too6 -st as it ha' been 'oin4Jnothin4 ha' chan4e'.

The voice of Lo-is Sarapis was not ori4inatin4 in the bo'%.Beca-se the bo'% was4one. There simpl% was no connection between them.

Seatin4 himself in a chair6 Cla-'e St. C%r 4ot o-t his ci4arettes an' sha!il% lit -p6tr%in4 to -n'erstan' what this meant. It seeme' almost as if he ha' it6 almost ha' theexplanation.

B-t not -ite.

"

B% monorail 22 he ha' left his 3copter at the Belove' Brethren $ort-ar% 22 Cla-'eSt. C%r n-mbl% ma'e his wa% to Convention all. The place6 of co-rse6 was pac!e'J thenoise was terrible. B-t he mana4e' to obtain the services of a robot pa4eJ over the p-blica''ress s%stem6 Phil arve%3s presence was re-este' in one of the si'e rooms -se' asmeetin4 places b% 'ele4ations wishin4 to ca-c-s in secret.

arve% appeare'6 'ishevele' from shovin4 thro-4h the 'ense pac! of spectatorsan' 'ele4ates. 80hat is it6 Cla-'e58 he as!e'6 an' then he saw his attorne%3s face. 8o- better tell me68 he sai' -ietl%.

St. C%r bl-rte'6 8The voice we hear. It isn3t Lo-is7 It3s someone else tr%in4 toso-n' li!e Lo-is78

8ow 'o %o- !now58





e tol' him.

*o''in46 arve% sai'6 8An' it 'efinitel% was Lo-is3s bo'% %o- 'estro%e'J therewas no 'eceit there at the mort-ar% 22 %o-3re positive of that.8

8I3m not positive68 St. C%r sai'. 8B-t I thin! it wasJ I believe it now an' I believe'it at the time.8 It was too late to fin' o-t now6 in an% case6 not eno-4h remaine' of the bo'% for s-ch an anal%sis to be s-ccessf-ll% ma'e.

8B-t who co-l' it be6 then58 arve% sai'. 8$% 1o'6 it3s comin4 to -s from be%on' the solar s%stem 22 co-l' it be nonterrestrials of some !in'5 Some sort of echo ormoc!er%6 a non2livin4 reaction -nfamiliar to -s5 An inert process witho-t intent58

St. C%r la-4he'. 8o-3re babblin46 Phil. C-t it o-t.8

*o''in46 arve% sai'6 80hatever %o- sa%6 Cla-'e. If %o- thin! it3s someone here228

8I 'on3t !now68 St. C%r sai' can'i'l%. 8B-t I3' 4-ess it3s someone ri4ht on this planet6 someone who !new Lo-is well eno-4h to have introecte' his characteristicss-fficientl% thoro-4hl% to imitate them.8 e was silent6 then. That was as far as he co-l'carr% his lo4ical processes. . . be%on' that he saw nothin4. It was a blan!6 an' afri4htenin4 one at that.

There is6he tho-4ht6an ele#ent of the deran!ed in it) What 'e took to 4e decay --it0s #ore a for# of #adness than de!eneration) (r is #adness itself de!eneration% e 'i'not !nowJ he wasn3t traine' in the fiel' of ps%chiatr%6 except re4ar'in4 its le4al aspects.An' the le4al aspects ha' no application6 here.

8as an%one nominate' 1am %et58 he as!e' arve%.

8*ot %et. It3s expecte' to come sometime to'a%6 tho-4h. There3s a 'ele4ate from$ontana who3ll 'o it6 the r-mor is.8

8Fohnn% Barefoot is here58

8es.8 arve% no''e'. 8B-s% as can be6 linin4 -p 'ele4ates. In an' o-t of the'ifferent 'ele4ations6 ver% m-ch in evi'ence. *o si4n of 1am6 of co-rse. e won3t comein -ntil the en' of the nominatin4 speech an' then of co-rse all hell will brea! loose.Cheerin4 an' para'in4 an' wavin4 banners. . . the 1am s-pporters are all prepare'.8

8An% in'ication of 228 St. C%r hesitate'. 80hat we3ve ass-me' to be Lo-is5 is presence58(r its presence, he tho-4ht.Whatever it is)

8*one as %et68 arve% sai'.





8I thin! we3ll hear from it68 St. C%r sai'. 8Before the 'a% is over.8

arve% no''e'J he tho-4ht so6 too.

8Are %o- afrai' of it58 St. C%r as!e'.

8S-re68 arve% sai'. 8A tho-san' times more so than ever6 now that we 'on3t even!now who or what it is.8

8o-3re ri4ht to ta!e that attit-'e68 St. C%r sai'. e felt the same wa%.

8Perhaps we sho-l' tell Fohnn%68 arve% sai'.

St. C%r sai'6 8Let him fin' o-t on his own.8

8All ri4ht6 Cla-'e68 arve% sai'. 8An%thin4 %o- sa%. After all6 it was %o- whofinall% fo-n' Lo-is3s bo'%J I have complete faith in %o-.8

In a wa%6St. C%r tho-4ht6 7 'ish 7 hadn0t found it) 7 'ish 7 didn 0t kno' 'hat 7 kno'

no'5 'e 'ere 4etter off 4elievin! it 'as old +ouis talkin! to us fro# every phone,

ne'spaper and T< set)

That was ba' 22 b-t this is far worse. Altho-4h6he tho-4ht6it see#s to #e that the

ans'er is there, so#e'here, 6ust 'aitin!)

I m-st tr%6he tol' himself.Try to !et it) TR1

(ff b% himself in a si'e room6 Fohnn% Barefoot tensel% watche' the events of theConvention on close'2circ-it T". The 'istortion6 the inva'in4 presence from one li4ht2wee! awa%6 ha' cleare' for a time6 an' he co-l' see an' hear the 'ele4ate from $ontana'eliverin4 the nominatin4 speech for Alfonse 1am.

e felt tire'. The whole process of the Convention6 its speeches an' para'es6 itsta-tness6 4rate' on his nerves6 ran contrar% to his 'isposition.So da#n #uch sho', hetho-4ht. ispla% for what5 If 1am wante' to 4ain the nomination he co-l' 4et it6 an' allthe rest of this was p-rposeless. is own tho-4hts were on Kath% +4mont Sharp.

e ha' not seen her since her 'epart-re for .C. ospital in San ,rancisco. Atthis point he ha' no i'ea of her con'ition6 whether she ha' respon'e' to therap% or not.

The 'eep int-ition co-l' not be eva'e' that she ha' not. ow sic! reall% wasKath%5 Probabl% ver% sic!6 with or witho-t 'r-4sJ he felt that stron4l%. Perhaps shewo-l' never be 'ischar4e' from .C. ospitalJ he co-l' ima4ine that.





(n the other han' 22 if she wante' o-t6 he 'eci'e'6 she 'ould find a 'ay to !et

out) That he int-ite'6 too6 even more stron4l%.

So it was -p to her. She ha' committe' herself6 4one into the hospital vol-ntaril%.

An' she wo-l' come o-t 22 if she ever 'i' 22 the same wa%. *o one co-l' compel Kath%. .. she was simpl% not that sort of person. An' that6 he realiGe'6 co-l' well be a s%mptomof the illness2process.

The 'oor to the room opene'. e 4lance' -p from the T" screen. An' saw Cla-'eSt. C%r stan'in4 in the entrance. St. C%r hel' a heat 4-n in his han'6 pointe' at Fohnn%.e sai'6 80here3s Kath%58

8I 'on3t !now68 Fohnn% sai'. e 4ot slowl%6 waril%6 to his feet.

8o- 'o. I3ll !ill %o- if %o- 'on3t tell me.8

80h%58 he sai'6 won'erin4 what ha' bro-4ht St. C%r to this point6 this extreme behavior.

St. C%r sai'6 8Is it on +arth58 Still hol'in4 the 4-n pointe' at Fohnn% he cametowar' him.

8es68 Fohnn% sai'6 with rel-ctance.

81ive me the name of the cit%.8

80hat are %o- 4oin4 to 'o58 Fohnn% sai'. 8This isn3t li!e %o-6 Cla-'eJ %o- -se' toalwa%s wor! within the law.8

St. C%r sai'6 8I thin! the voice is Kath%. I !now it3s not Lo-is6 nowJ we have thatto 4o on b-t be%on' that it3s -st a 4-ess. &athy is the only one 7 kno' deran!ed enou!h,deteriorated enou!h) 1ive me the name of the hospital.8

8The onl% wa% %o- co-l' !now it isn3t Lo-is68 Fohnn% sai'6 8wo-l' be to 'estro%the bo'%.8

8That3s ri4ht68 St. C%r sai'6 no''in4.

Then %o- have6Fohnn% realiGe'.ou found the correct #ortuary5 you !ot to er4

Schoenheit van <o!ehan!) So that was that.

The 'oor to the room b-rst open a4ainJ a 4ro-p of cheerin4 'ele4ates6 1ams-pporters6 marche' in6 blowin4 horns an' h-rlin4 streamers6 carr%in4 h-4e han'2painte' placar's. St. C%r t-rne' towar' them6 wavin4 his 4-n at them 22 an' Fohnn% Barefootsprinte' past the 'ele4ates6 to the 'oor an' o-t into the corri'or.





e ran 'own the corri'or an' a moment later emer4e' at the 4reat central hall inwhich 1am3s 'emonstration was in f-ll swin4. ,rom the lo-'spea!ers mo-nte' at theceilin4 a voice boome' over an' over.

8"ote for 1am6 the man what am. 1am6 1am6 vote for 1am6 vote for 1am6 theone fine manJ vote for 1am who reall% am. 1am6 1am6 1am6 he reall% am 228

Kath%6he tho-4ht. 7t can0t 4e you5 it 6ust can0t) e ran on6 o-t of the hall6 s-eeGin4 past the 'ancin46 'elirio-s 'ele4ates6 past the 4laGe'2e%e' men an' women in their f-nn%hats6 their banners wi44lin4. . . he reache' the street6 the par!e' 3copters an' cars6 thron4sof people cl-stere' abo-t6 tr%in4 to p-sh insi'e.

If it is %o-6he tho-4ht6then you0re too sick ever to co#e 4ack) $ven if you 'ant to,

'ill yourself to) ad you 4een 'aitin! for +ouis to die, is that it% Do you hate us% (r are

you afraid of us% What e9plains 'hat it is you0re doin!) ) ) 'hat0s the reasonfor it%

e haile' a 3copter mar!e' TAHI. 8To San ,rancisco68 he instr-cte' the 'river.

$a%be %o-3re not conscio-s that %o-3re 'oin4 it6he tho-4ht. May4e it0s an

autono#ous process, risin! out of your unconscious #ind) our #ind split into t'o

portions, one on the surface 'hich 'e see, the other one --

The one we hear.

Sho-l' we feel sorr% for %o-5he won'ere'.(r should 'e hate you, fear you% (W M2C "RM C"* (2 D(% 7 !uess that0s the real issue) 7 love you, hetho-4ht. 7n so#e fashion, at least) 7 care a4out you, and that0s a for# of love, not such as

7 feel to'ard #y 'ife or #y children, 4ut it is a concern) Da#n it, he tho-4ht6this isdreadful) May4e St) Cyr is 'ron!5 #ay4e it isn0t you)

The 3copter swept -pwar' into the s!%6 cleare' the b-il'in4s an' t-rne' west6 its bla'e spinnin4 at pea! velocit%.

(n the 4ro-n'6 stan'in4 in front of the convention hall6 St. C%r an' Phil arve%watche' the 3copter 4o.

80ell6 so it wor!e'68 St. C%r sai'. 8I 4ot him starte' movin4. I3' 4-ess he3s on hiswa% either to Los An4eles or to San ,rancisco.8

A secon' 3copter sli' -p before them6 haile' b% Phil arve%J the two men entere'it an' arve% sai'6 8o- see the taxi that -st too! off5 Sta% behin' it6 -st within si4ht.B-t 'on3t let it catch a 4limpse of %o- if %o- can help it.8





8ec!68 the 'river sai'6 8If I can see it6 it can see me.8 B-t he clic!e' on his meteran' be4an to ascen'. 1r-mpil%6 he sai' to arve% an' St. C%r6 8I 'on3t li!e this !in' ofst-ffJ it can be 'an4ero-s.8

8T-rn on %o-r ra'io68 St. C%r tol' him. 8If %o- want to hear somethin4 that3s

'an4ero-s.8

8Aw hell68 the 'river sai'6 'is4-ste'. 8The ra'io 'on3t wor!J some !in' ofinterference6 li!e s-n spots or ma%be some amate-r operator 22 I lost a lot of fares beca-se the 'ispatcher can3t 4et hol' of me. I thin! the police o-4ht to 'o somethin4abo-t it6 'on3t %o-58

St. C%r sai' nothin4. Besi'e him6 arve% peere' at the 3copter ahea'.

0hen he reache' .C. ospital at San ,rancisco6 an' ha' lan'e' at the fiel' onthe main b-il'in43s roof6 Fohnn% saw the secon' ship circlin46 not passin4 on6 an' he!new that he was ri4htJ he ha' been followe' all the wa%. B-t he 'i' not care. It 'i'n3tmatter.

escen'in4 b% means of the stairs6 he came o-t on the thir' floor an' approache'a n-rse. 8$rs. Sharp68 he sai'. 80here is she58

8o-3ll have to as! at the 'es!68 the n-rse sai'. 8An' visitin4 ho-rs aren3t -ntil 228

e r-she' on -ntil he fo-n' the 'es!.

8$rs. Sharp3s room is )68 the bespectacle'6 el'erl% n-rse at the 'es! sai'. 8B-t%o- m-st have octor 1ross3s permission to visit her. An' I believe octor 1ross ishavin4 l-nch ri4ht now an' probabl% won3t be bac! -ntil two o3cloc!6 if %o-3' care towait.8 She pointe' to a waitin4 room.

8Than!s68 he sai'. 8I3ll wait.8 e passe' thro-4h the waitin4 room an' o-t the'oor at the far en'6 'own the corri'or6 watchin4 the n-mbers on the 'oors -ntil he sawroom n-mber ). (penin4 the 'oor he entere' the room6 sh-t the 'oor after him an'loo!e' aro-n' for her.

There was the be'6 b-t it was empt%.

8Kath%68 he sai'.

At the win'ow6 in her robe6 she t-rne'6 her face sl%6 bo-n' -p b% hatre'J her lipsmove' an'6 starin4 at him6 she sai' with loathin46 8I want 1am beca-se he am.8 Spittin4at him6 she crept towar' him6 her han's raise'6 her fin4ers writhin4. 81am3s a man6 areal

#an,/ she whispere'6 an' he saw6 in her e%es6 the 'issolve' remnants of her personalit%





expire even as he stoo' there. 81am6 4am6 4am68 she whispere'6 an' slappe' him.

e retreate'. 8It3s %o-68 he sai'. 8Cla-'e St. C%r was ri4ht. (!a%. I3ll 4o.8 ef-mble' for the 'oor behin' him6 tr%in4 to 4et it open. Panic passe' thro-4h him6 li!e awin'6 thenJ he wante' nothin4 b-t to 4et awa%. 8Kath%68 he sai'6 8let 4o.8 er nails ha'

'-4 into him6 into his sho-l'er6 an' she h-n4 onto him6 peerin4 si'ewa%s into his face6smilin4 at him.

8o-3re 'ea'68 she sai'. 81o awa%. I smell %o-6 the 'ea' insi'e %o-.8

8I3ll 4o68 he sai'6 an' mana4e' to fin' the han'le of the 'oor. She let 4o of him6thenJ he saw her ri4ht han' flash -p6 the nails 'irecte' at his face6 possibl% his e%es 22 he'-c!e'6 an' her blow misse' him. 8I want to 4et awa%68 he sai'6 coverin4 his face withhis arms.

Kath% whispere'6 8I am 1am6 I am. I3m the onl% one who am. Am alive. 1am6

alive.8 She la-4he'. 8es6 I will68 she sai'6 mimic!in4 his voice perfectl%. 8Cla-'e St.C%r was ri4htJ o!a%6 I3ll 4o. I3ll 4o. I3ll 4o.8 She was now between him an' the 'oor. 8Thewin'ow68 she sai'. 8o it now6 what %o- wante' to 'o when I stoppe' %o-.8 She h-rrie'towar' him6 an' he retreate'6 bac!war'6 step b% step6 -ntil he felt the wall behin' him.

8It3s all in %o-r min'68 he sai'6 8this hate. +ver%one is fon' of %o-J I am6 1am is6St. C%r an' arve% are. 0hat3s the point of this58

8The point68 Kath% sai'6 8is that I show %o- what %o-3re reall% li!e. on3t %o-!now %et5 o-3re even worse than me. I3m -st bein4 honest.8

80h% 'i' %o- preten' to be Lo-is58 he sai'.

8I am Lo-is68 Kath% sai'. 80hen he 'ie' he 'i'n3t 4o into half2life beca-se I atehimJ he became me. I was waitin4 for that. Alfonse an' I ha' it all wor!e' o-t6 thetransmitter o-t there with the recor'e' tape rea'% 22 we fri4htene' %o-6 'i'n3t we5 o-3reall scare'6 too scare' to stan' in his wa%. e3ll be nominate'J he3s been nominate'alrea'%6 I feel it6 I !now it.8

8*ot %et68 Fohnn% sai'.

8B-t it won3t be lon468 Kath% sai'. 8An' I3ll be his wife.8 She smile' at him. 8An'%o-3ll be 'ea'6 %o- an' the others.8 Comin4 at him she chante'6 8I am 1am6 I am Lo-isan' when %o-3re 'ea' I3ll be %o-6 Fohnn% Barefoot6 an' all the restJ I3ll eat %o- all.8 Sheopene' her mo-th wi'e an' he saw the sharp6 a44e'6 pale2as2'eath teeth.

8An' r-le over the 'ea'68 Fohnn% sai'6 an' hit her with all his stren4th6 on thesi'e of her face6 near the aw. She sp-n bac!war'6 fell6 an' then at once was -p an'r-shin4 at him. Before she co-l' catch him he sprinte' awa%6 to one si'e6 ca-4ht then a4limpse of her 'istorte'6 shre''e' feat-res6 r-ine' b% the force of his blow 22 an' then the





'oor to the room opene'6 an' St. C%r an' Phil arve%6 with two n-rses6 stoo' there.Kath% stoppe'. e stoppe'6 too. 8Come on6 Barefoot68 St. C%r sai'6 er!in4 his hea'.Fohnn% crosse' the room an' oine' them.

T%in4 the sash of her robe6 Kath% sai' matter2of2factl%6 8So it was planne'J he was

to !ill me6 Fohnn% was to. An' the rest of %o- wo-l' all stan' an' watch an' eno% it.8

8The% have an immense transmitter o-t there68 Fohnn% sai'. 8The% place' it alon4 time a4o6 possibl% %ears bac!. All this time the%3ve been waitin4 for Lo-is to 'ieJma%be the% even !ille' him6 finall%. The i'ea3s to 4et 1am nominate' an' electe'6 while!eepin4 ever%one terroriGe' with that transmission. She3s sic!6 m-ch sic!er than werealiGe'6 even sic!er than you realiGe'. $ost of all it was -n'er the s-rface where it 'i'n3tshow.8

St. C%r shr-44e'. 80ell6 she3ll have to be certifie'.8 e was calm b-t -n-s-all%slow2spo!en. 8The will name' me as tr-steeJ I can represent the estate a4ainst her6 file the

commitment papers an' then come forth at the sanit% hearin4.8

8I3ll 'eman' a -r% trial68 Kath% sai'. 8I can convince a -r% of m% sanit%J it3sact-all% -ite eas% an' I3ve been thro-4h it before.8

8Possibl%68 St. C%r sai'. 8B-t an%how the transmitter will be 4oneJ b% that timethe a-thorities will be o-t there.8

8It3ll ta!e months to reach it68 Kath% sai'. 8+ven b% the fastest ship. An' b% thenthe election will be overJ Alfonse will be Presi'ent.8

St. C%r 4lance' at Fohnn% Barefoot. 8$a%be so68 he m-rm-re'.

8That3s wh% we p-t it o-t so far68 Kath% sai'. 8It was Alfonse3s mone% an' m%abilit%J I inherite' Lo-is3s abilit%6 %o- see. I can 'o an%thin4. *othin4 is impossible forme if I want itJ all I have to 'o is want itenou!h)/

8o- wante' me to -mp68 Fohnn% sai'. 8An' I 'i'n3t.8

8o- wo-l' have68 Kath% sai'6 8in another min-te. If the% ha'n3t come in.8 Sheseeme' -ite poise'6 now. 8o- will6 event-all%J I3ll !eep after %o-. An' there3s no place%o- can hi'eJ %o- !now I3ll follow %o- an' fin' %o-. All three of %o-.8 er 4aGe sweptfrom one of them to the next6 ta!in4 them all in.

arve% sai'6 8I3ve 4ot a little power an' wealth6 too. I thin! we can 'efeat 1am6even if he3s nominate'.8

8o- have power68 Kath% sai'6 8b-t not ima4ination. 0hat %o- have isn3t eno-4h. *ot a4ainst me.8 She spo!e -ietl%6 with complete confi'ence.





8Let3s 4o68 Fohnn% sai'6 an' starte' 'own the hall6 awa% from room ) an'Kath% +4mont Sharp.

p an' 'own San ,rancisco3s hill% streets Fohnn% wal!e'6 han's in his poc!ets6i4norin4 the b-il'in4s an' people6 seein4 nothin46 merel% wal!in4 on an' on. Afternoonfa'e'6 became evenin4J the li4hts of the cit% came on an' he i4nore' that6 too. e wal!e' bloc! after bloc! -ntil his feet ache'6 b-rne'6 -ntil he became aware that he was ver%h-n4r% 22 that it was now ten o3cloc! at ni4ht an' he ha' not eaten an%thin4 sincemornin4. e stoppe'6 then6 an' loo!e' aro-n' him.

0here were Cla-'e St. C%r an' Phil arve%5 e co-l' not remember havin4 parte' from themJ he 'i' not even remember leavin4 the hospital. B-t Kath%J heremembere' that. e co-l' not for4et it even if he wante' to. An' he 'i' not want to. Itwas too important ever to be for4otten6 b% an% of them who ha' witnesse' it6 -n'erstoo'

it.

At a newsstan' he saw the massive6 thic!2blac! hea'lines.

1A$ 0I*S *($I*ATI(*6 P&($IS+S BATTLI*1 CA$PAI1*

,(& *("+$B+& +L+CTI(*

So she 'i' 4et that6Fohnn% tho-4ht.They did, the t'o of the#5 they !ot 'hatthey0re after e9actly) "nd no' -- all they have to do is defeat &ent Mar!rave) "nd that

thin! out there, a li!ht-'eek a'ay5 it0s still ya##erin!) "nd 'ill 4e for #onths)

The%3ll win6he realiGe'.

At a 'r-4store he fo-n' a phone boothJ enterin4 it he p-t mone% into the slot an''iale' Sarah Belle6 his own home phone n-mber.

The phone clic!e' in his ear. An' then the familiar monotono-s voice chante'681am in *ovember6 1am in *ovemberJ win with 1am6 Presi'ent Alfonse 1am6 o-r man22 I am for 1am. 7 a# for 8a#) 3or 8"M1/ e ran4 off6 then6 an' left the phone booth. Itwas hopeless.

At the co-nter of the 'r-4store he or'ere' a san'wich an' coffeeJ he sat eatin4mechanicall%6 fillin4 the re-irements of his bo'% witho-t pleas-re or 'esire6 eatin4 b%reflex -ntil the foo' was 4one an' it was time to pa% the bill.What can 7 do% he as!e'himself.What can anyone do% "ll the #eans of co##unication are !one5 the #edia have





4een taken over) The%have the radio, T<, ne'spapers, phone, 'ire services) ) ) everythin!

that depends on #icro'ave trans#ission or open-!ap electric circuitry) They0ve captured

it all, left nothin! for us, the opposition, 4y 'hich to fi!ht 4ack)

efeat6he tho-4ht.That0s the dreary reality that lies ahead for us) "nd then, 'hen

they enter office, it0ll 4e our-death)

8That3ll be a 'ollar ten68 the co-nter 4irl sai'.

e pai' for his meal an' left the 'r-4store.

0hen a 3copter mar!e' TAHI came spiralin4b%6 he haile' it.

8Ta!e me home68 he sai'.

8(!a%68 the 'river sai' amiabl%. 80here is home6 b-''%58

e 4ave him the a''ress in Chica4o an' then settle' bac! for the lon4 ri'e. ewas 4ivin4 -pJ he was -ittin46 4oin4 bac! to Sarah Belle6 to his wife an' chil'ren. Thefi4ht 22 for him 22 apparentl% was over.

0hen she saw him stan'in4 in the 'oorwa%6 Sarah Belle sai'6 81oo' 1o'6 Fohnn%22 %o- loo! terrible.8 She !isse' him6 le' him insi'e6 into the warm6 familiar livin4 room.8I tho-4ht %o-3' be o-t celebratin4.8

8Celebratin458he sai' hoarsel%.

8o-r man won the nomination.8 She went to p-t the coffee pot on for him.

8(h %eah68 he sai'6 no''in4. 8That3s ri4ht. I was his P.&. manJ I for4ot.8

8Better lie 'own68 Sarah Belle sai'. 8Fohnn%6 I3ve never seen %o- loo! so beatenJ Ican3t -n'erstan' it. 0hat happene' to %o-58

e sat 'own on the co-ch an' lit a ci4arette.

80hat can I 'o for %o-58 she as!e'6 with anxiet%.

8*othin468 he sai'.

8Is that Lo-is Sarapis on all the T" an' phones5 It so-n's li!e him. I was tal!in4with the *elsons an' the% sai' it3s Lo-is3s exact voice.8

8*o68 he sai'. 8It3s not Lo-is. Lo-is is 'ea'.8





8B-t his perio' of half2life 228

8*o68 he sai'. 8e3s 'ea'. ,or4et abo-t it.8

8o- !now who the *elsons are6 'on3t %o-5 The%3re the new people who move'into the apartment that 228

8I 'on3t want to tal!68 he sai'. 8(r be tal!e' at.8

Sarah Belle was silent6 for a min-te. An' then she sai'6 8(ne thin4 the% sai' 22%o- won3t li!e to hear it6 I 4-ess. The *elsons are plain6 -ite commonplace people. . .the% sai' even if Alfonse 1am 4ot the nomination the% wo-l'n3t vote for him. The% -st'on3t li!e him.8

e 4r-nte'.

8oes that ma'e %o- feel ba'58 Sarah Belle as!e'. 8I thin! the%3re reactin4 to the press-re6 Lo-is3s press-re on the T" an' phonesJ the% -st 'on3t care for it. I thin! %o-3ve been excessive in %o-r campai4n6 Fohnn%.8 She 4lance' at him hesitantl%. 8That3s thetr-thJ I have to sa% it.8

&isin4 to his feet6 he sai'6 8I3m 4oin4 to visit Phil arve%. I3ll be bac! later on.8

She watche' him 4o o-t the 'oor6 her e%es 'ar!ene' with concern.

0hen he was a'mitte' to Phil arve%3s ho-se he fo-n' Phil an' 1ertr-'e arve%an' Cla-'e St. C%r sittin4 to4ether in the livin4 room6 each with a 4lass in han'6 b-t noone spea!in4. arve% 4lance' -p briefl%6 saw him6 an' then loo!e' awa%.

8Are we 4oin4 to 4ive -p58 he as!e' arve%.

arve% sai'6 8I3m in to-ch with Kent $ar4rave. 0e3re 4oin4 to tr% to !noc! o-tthe transmitter. B-t it3s a million to one shot6 at that 'istance. An' with even the fastestmissile it3ll ta!e a month.8

8B-t that3s at least somethin468 Fohnn% sai'. It wo-l' at least be before theelectionJ it wo-l' 4ive them several wee!s in which to campai4n. 8oes $ar4rave-n'erstan' the sit-ation58

8es68 Cla-'e St. C%r sai'. 80e tol' him virt-all% ever%thin4.8

8B-t that3s not eno-4h68 Phil arve% sai'. 8There3s one more thin4 we m-st 'o.o- want to be in on it5 raw for the shortest match58 e pointe' to the coffee tableJ on





it Fohnn% saw three matches6 one of them bro!en in half. *ow Phil arve% a''e' a fo-rthmatch6 a whole one.

St. C%r sai'6 8er first. er ri4ht awa%6 as soon as possible. An' then later on ifnecessar%6 Alfonse 1am.8

0ear%6 col' fri4ht fille' Fohnn% Barefoot.

8Ta!e a match68 arve% sai'6 pic!in4 -p the fo-r matches6 arran4in4 an'rearran4in4 them in his han' an' then hol'in4 o-t the fo-r even tops to the people in theroom. 81o ahea'6 Fohnn%. o- 4ot here last so I3ll have %o- 4o first.8

8*ot me68 he sai'.

8Then we3ll 'raw witho-t %o-68 1ertr-'e arve% sai'6 an' pic!e' a match. Philhel' the remainin4 ones o-t to St. C%r an' he 'rew one also. Two remaine' in Phil

arve%3s han'.

8I was in love with her68 Fohnn% sai'. 8I still am.8

*o''in46 Phil arve% sai'6 8es6 I !now.8

is heart lea'en6 Fohnn% sai'6 8(!a%. I3ll 'raw.8 &eachin46 he selecte' one of thetwo matches.

It was the bro!en one.

8I 4ot it68 he sai'. 8It3s me.8

8Can %o- 'o it58 Cla-'e St. C%r as!e' him.

e was silent for a time. An' then he shr-44e' an' sai'6 8S-re. I can 'o it. 0h%not58Why not indeed% he as!e' himself. " 'o#an that 7 'as fallin! in love 'ith5

certainly 7 can #urder her) Because it has to 4e done) There is no other 'ay out for us)

8It ma% not be as 'iffic-lt as we thin!68 St. C%r sai'. 80e3ve cons-lte' some ofPhil3s technicians an' we pic!e' -p some interestin4 a'vice. $ost of their transmissionsare comin4 from nearb%6 not a li4ht2wee! awa% b% an% means. I3ll tell %o- how we !now.Their transmissions have !ept -p with chan4in4 events. ,or example6 %o-r s-ici'e2attempt at the Antler otel.There 'as no ti#e-lapse there or any'here else10

8An' the%3re not s-pernat-ral6 Fohnn%68 1ertr-'e arve% sai'.

8So the first thin4 to 'o68 St. C%r contin-e'6 8is to fin' their base here on +arth orat least here in the solar s%stem. It co-l' be 1am3s 4-inea fowl ranch on Io. Tr% there6 if%o- fin' she3s left the hospital.8





8(!a%68 Fohnn% sai'6 no''in4 sli4htl%.

8ow abo-t a 'rin!58 Phil arve% sai' to him.

Fohnn% no''e'.

The fo-r of them6 seate' in a circle6 'ran!6 slowl% an' in silence.

8o %o- have a 4-n58 St. C%r as!e'.

8es.8 &isin4 to his feet he set his 4lass 'own.

81oo' l-c!68 1ertr-'e sai'6 after him.

Fohnn% opene' the front 'oor an' steppe' o-tsi'e alone6 o-t into the 'ar!6 col'

evenin4.

(rphe-s 0ith Cla% ,eet

At the officesof Concor' $ilitar% Service Cons-ltants6 Fesse Sla'e loo!e'thro-4h the win'ow at the street below an' saw ever%thin4 'enie' him in the wa% offree'om6 flowers an' 4rass6 the opport-nit% for a lon4 an' -nenc-mbere' wal! into new places. e si4he'.

8Sorr%6 sir68 the client opposite his 'es! m-mble' apolo4eticall%. 8I 4-ess I3m borin4 %o-.8

8*ot at all68 Sla'e sai'6 reawa!enin4 to his onero-s '-ties. 8Let3s see. . .8 eexamine' the papers which the client6 a $r. 0alter 1rossbein6 ha' presente' to him.8*ow %o- feel6 $r. 1rossbein6 that %o-r most favorable chance to el-'e militar% servicelies in the area of a chronic ear2tro-ble 'eeme' b% civilian 'octors in the past acute





la4yrinthitis) mmm.8 Sla'e st-'ie' the pertinent 'oc-ments.

is '-ties 22 an' he 'i' not eno% them 22 la% in locatin4 for clients of the firm awa% o-t of militar% service. The war a4ainst the Thin4s ha' not been con'-cte' properl%6of lateJ man% cas-alties from the Proxima re4ion ha' been reporte' 22 an' with the

reports ha' come a r-sh of b-siness for Concor' $ilitar% Service Cons-ltants.

8$r. 1rossbein68 Sla'e sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8I notice' when %o- entere' m% officethat %o- ten'e' to list to one si'e.8

8i' I58 $r. 1rossbein as!e'6 s-rprise'.

8es6 an' I tho-4ht to m%self6 That man has a severe impairment of his sense of balance. That3s relate' to the ear6 %o- !now6 $r. 1rossbein. earin46 from anevol-tionar% stan'point6 is an o-t4rowth of the sense of balance. Some water creat-res ofa low or'er incorporate a 4rain of san' an' ma!e -se of it as a 'rop2wei4ht within their

fl-i' bo'%6 an' b% that metho' tell if the%3re 4oin4 -p or 'own.8

$r. 1rossbein sai'6 8I believe I -n'erstan'.8

8Sa% it6 then68 Fesse Sla'e sai'.

8I 22 fre-entl% list to one si'e or another as I wal!.8

8An' at ni4ht58

$r. 1rossbein frowne'6 an' then sai' happil%6 8I6 -h6 fin' it almost impossible toorient m%self at ni4ht6 in the 'ar!6 when I can3t see.8

8,ine68 Fesse Sla'e sai'6 an' be4in writin4 on the client3s militar% service form B2). 8I thin! this will 4et %o- an exemption68 he sai'.

appil%6 the client sai'6 8I can3t than! %o- eno-4h.8

(h %es %o- can6 Fesse Sla'e tho-4ht to himself. o- can than! -s to the t-ne offift% 'ollars. After all6 witho-t -s %o- mi4ht be a pale6 lifeless corpse in some 4-ll% on a'istant planet6 not far from now.

An'6 thin!in4 abo-t 'istant planets6 Fesse Sla'e felt once more the %earnin4. Thenee' to escape from his small office an' the process of 'ealin4 with 4ol'2bric!in4 clientswhom he ha' to face6 'a% after 'a%.

There m-st be another life than this6 Sla'e sai' to himself. Can this reall% be allthere is to existence5

,ar 'own the street o-tsi'e his office win'ow a neon si4n 4lowe' ni4ht an' 'a%.





$-se +nterprises6 the si4n rea'6 an' Fesse Sla'e !new what it meant. I3m 4oin4 in there6he sai' to himself. To'a%. 0hen I3m on m% ten2thirt% coffee brea!J I won3t even wait forl-nch time.

As he p-t on his coat6 $r. natt6 his s-pervisor6 entere' the office an' sai'6 8Sa%6

Sla'e6 what3s -p5 0h% the fierce trappe' loo!58

8m6 I3m 4ettin4 o-t6 $r. natt68 Sla'e tol' him. 8+scapin4. I3ve tol' fifteentho-san' men how to escape militar% serviceJ now it3s m% t-rn.8

$r. natt clappe' him on the bac!. 81oo' i'ea6 Sla'eJ %o-3re overwor!e'. Ta!e avacation. Ta!e a time2travel a'vent-re to some 'istant civiliGation 22 it3ll 'o %o- 4oo'.8

8Than!s6 $r. natt68 Sla'e sai'6 8I3ll 'o -st that.8 An' left his office as fast as hisfeet wo-l' carr% him6 o-t of the b-il'in4 an' 'own the street to the 4lowin4 neon si4n of$-se +nterprises.

The 4irl behin' the co-nter6 blon'e2haire'6 with 'ar! 4reen e%es an' a fi4-re thatimpresse' him more for its en4ineerin4 aspects6 its s-spension so to spea!6 smile' at himan' sai'6 8(-r $r. $anville will see %o- in a moment6 $r. Sla'e. Please be seate'. o-3llfin' a-thentic nineteenth cent-r% arper0s Weeklies over on the table6 there.8 She a''e'68An' some twentieth cent-r% Mad Co#ics, those 4reat classics of lampooner% e-al too4arth.8

Tensel%6 $r. Sla'e seate' himself an' trie' to rea'J he fo-n' an article in arper0s

Weekly tellin4 that the Panama Canal was impossible an' ha' alrea'% been aban'one' b%its ,rench 'esi4ners 22 that hel' his attention for a moment =the reasonin4 was so lo4ical6so convincin4> b-t after a few moments his ol' enn-i an' restlessness6 li!e a chronic fo46ret-rne'. &isin4 to his feet he once more approache' the 'es!.

8$r. $anville isn3t here %et58 he as!e' hopef-ll%.

,rom behin' him a male voice sai'6 8o-6 there at the co-nter.8

Sla'e t-rne'. An' fo-n' himself facin4 a tall6 'ar!2haire' man with an intenseexpression6 e%es blaGin4.

8o-68 the man sai'6 8are in the'ron! century)/

Sla'e 4-lpe'.

Stri'in4 towar' him6 the 'ar!2haire' man sai'6 8I am $anville6 sir.8 e hel' o-this han' an' the% shoo!. 8o- m-st 4o awa%68 $anville sai'. 8o %o- -n'erstan'6 sir5As soon as possible.8





8B-t I want to -se %o-r services68 Sla'e m-mble'.

$anville3s e%es flashe'. 8I mean awa% into the past. 0hat3s %o-r name58 e4est-re' emphaticall%. 80ait6 it3s comin4 to me. Fesse Sla'e6 of Concor'6 -p the street6

there.8

8&i4ht68 Sla'e sai'6 impresse'.

8All ri4ht6 now 'own to b-siness68 $r. $anville sai'. 8Into m% office.8 To theexceptionall%2constr-cte' 4irl at the co-nter he sai'6 8*o one is to 'ist-rb -s6 $iss ,rib.8

8es6 $r. $anville68 $iss ,rib sai'. 8I3ll see to that6 'on3t %o- fear6 sir.8

8I !now that6 $iss ,rib.8 $r. $anville -shere' Sla'e into a well2f-rnishe' inneroffice. (l' maps an' prints 'ecorate' the wallsJ the f-rnit-re 22 Sla'e 4ape'. +arl%

American6 with woo' pe4s instea' of nails. *ew +n4lan' maple an' worth a fort-ne.

8Is it all ri4ht. . .8 he be4an.

8es6 %o- ma% act-all% sit on that irectorate chair68 $r. $anville tol' him. 8B-t be caref-lJ it scoots o-t from -n'er %o- if %o- lean forwar'. 0e !eep meanin4 to p-tr-bber casters on it or some s-ch thin4.8 e loo!e' irritate' now6 at havin4 to 'isc-sss-ch trifles. 8$r. Sla'e68 he sai' br-s-el%6 8I3ll spea! plainl%J obvio-sl% %o-3re a man ofhi4h intellect an' we can s!ip the c-stomar% circ-mloc-tions.8

8es68 Sla'e sai'6 8please 'o.8

8(-r time2travel arran4ements are of a specific nat-reJ hence the name 3$-se.3 o%o- 4rasp the meanin46 here58

8rn68 Sla'e sai'6 at a loss b-t tr%in4. 8Let3s see. A m-se is an or4anism thatf-nctions to 228

8That inspires68 $r. $anville bro!e in impatientl%. 8Sla'e6 %o- are 22 let3s face it22 not a creative man. That3s wh% %o- feel bore' an' -nf-lfille'. o %o- paint5 Compose5$a!e wel'e' iron sc-lpt-re o-t of spaceship bo'ies an' 'iscar'e' lawn chairs5 o-'on3t. o- 'o nothin4J %o-3re -tterl% passive. Correct58

Sla'e no''e'. 8o-3ve hit it6 $r. $anville.8

8I3ve hit nothin468 $r. $anville sai' irritabl%. 8o- 'on3t follow me6 Sla'e. *othin4 will ma!e %o- creative beca-se %o- 'on3t have it within %o-. o-3re too or'inar%.I3m not 4oin4 to 4et %o- starte' fin4er2paintin4 or bas!et2weavin4J I3m no F-n4ian anal%stwho believes art is the answer.8 Leanin4 bac! he pointe' his fin4er at Sla'e. 8Loo!6Sla'e. 0e can help %o-6 b-t %o- m-st be willin4 to help %o-rself first. Since %o-3re not





creative6 the best %o- can hope for 22 an' we can assist %o- here 22is to inspire others 'ho

are creative) o %o- see58

After a moment Sla'e sai'6 8I see6 $r. $anville. I 'o.8

8&i4ht68 $anville sai'6 no''in4. 8*ow6 %o- can inspire a famo-s m-sician6 li!e$oGart or Beethoven6 or a scientist s-ch as Albert +instein6 or a sc-lptor s-ch as SirFacob +pstein 22 an% one of a n-mber of people6 writers6 m-sicians6 poets. o- co-l'6 forexample6 meet Sir +'war' 1ibbon '-rin4 his travels to the $e'iterranean an' fall into acas-al conversation with him an' sa% somethin4 to this or'er. . . mmm6 loo! at the r-insof this ancient civiliGation all aro-n' -s. I won'er6 how 'oes a mi4ht% empire s-ch as&ome come to fall into 'eca%5 ,all into r-in. . . fall apart. . .8

81oo' Lor'68 Sla'e sai' ferventl%6 8I see6 $anvilleJ I 4et it. I repeat the wor' 3fall3over an' over a4ain to 1ibbon6 an' '-e to me he 4ets the i'ea of his 4reat histor% of&ome6 the Decline and 3all of the Ro#an $#pire) An' 228 e felt himself tremble. 8I

helpe'.8

8 3elpe'358 $anville sai'. 8Sla'e6 that3s har'l% the wor'. 0itho-t %o- therewo-l' have been no s-ch wor!. o-6 Sla'e6 co-l' be Sir +'war'3s m-se.8 e leane' bac!6 4ot o-t an pmann ci4ar6 circa 99?6 an' lit -p.

8I thin!68 Sla'e sai'6 8I3' li!e to m-ll this over. I want to be s-re I inspire the proper personJ I mean6 the% all 'eserve to be inspire'6 b-t 228

8B-t %o- want to fin'the person in terms of %o-r own ps%chic nee's68 $anvillea4ree'6 p-ffin4 fra4rant bl-e smo!e. 8Ta!e o-r broch-re.8 e passe' a lar4e shin% m-lti2color 2 pop2-p boo!let to Sla'e. 8Ta!e this home6 rea' it6 an' come bac! to -s when%o-3re rea'%.8

Sla'e sai'6 81o' bless %o-6 $r. $anville.8

8An' calm 'own68 $anville sai'. 8The worl' isn3t 4oin4 to en'. . . we !now thathere at $-se beca-se we3ve loo!e'.8 e smile'6 an' Sla'e mana4e' to smile bac!.

Two 'a%s later Fesse Sla'e ret-rne' to $-se +nterprises. 8$r. $anville68 he sai'68I !now whom I want to inspire.8 e too! a 'eep breath. 8I3ve tho-4ht an' tho-4ht an'what wo-l' mean to the most to me wo-l' be if I co-l' 4o bac! to "ienna an' inspireL-'wi4 van Beethoven with the i'ea for the Choral S%mphon%6 %o- !now6 that theme inthe fo-rth movement that the baritone sin4s that 4oes b-m2b-m 'e2'a 'e2'a b-m2b-m6'a-4hters of +l%si-mJ %o- !now.8 e fl-she'. 8I3m no m-sician6 b-t all m% life I3vea'mire' the Beethoven *inth an' especiall% 22

8It3s been 'one68 $anville sai'.





8+h58 e 'i' not -n'erstan'.

8It3s been ta!en6 $r. Sla'e.8 $anville loo!e' impatient as he sat at his 4reat oa!rolltop 'es!6 circa 99). Brin4in4 o-t a thic! metal2stave' blac! bin'er he t-rne' the

pa4es. 8Two %ears a4o a $rs. &-b% 0elch of $ontpelier6 I'aho went bac! to "ienna an'inspire' Beethoven with the theme for the choral movement of his *inth.8 $anvilleslamme' the bin'er sh-t an' re4ar'e' Sla'e. 80ell5 0hat3s %o-r secon' choice58

Stammerin46 Sla'e sai'6 8I3' 22 have to thin!. 1ive me time.8

+xaminin4 his watch6 $anville sai' shortl%6 8I3ll 4ive %o- two ho-rs. ntil threethis afternoon. 1oo' 'a%6 Sla'e.8 e rose to his feet6 an' Sla'e a-tomaticall% rose6 too.

An ho-r later6 in his crampe' office at Concor' $ilitar% Service Cons-ltants6Fesse Sla'e realiGe' in a flashin4 sin4le instant who an' what he wante' to inspire. Atonce he p-t on his coat6 exc-se' himself to s%mpathetic $r. natt6 an' h-rrie' 'own thestreet to $-se +nterprises.

80ell6 $r. Sla'e68 $anville sai'6 seein4 him enter. 8Bac! so soon. Come into theoffice.8 e stro'e ahea'6 lea'in4 the wa%. 8All ri4ht6 let3s have it.8 e sh-t the 'oor afterthe two of them.

Fesse Sla'e lic!e' his 'r% lips an' then6 co-4hin46 sai'6 8$r. $anville6 I want to4o bac! an' inspire 22 well6 let me explain. o- !now the 4reat science fiction of the4ol'en a4e6 between 9) an' 9E)58

8es6 %es68 $anville sai' impatientl%6 scowlin4 as he listene'.

80hen I was in colle4e68 Sla'e sai'6 84ettin4 m% $.A. in +n4lish lit6 I ha' to rea'a 4oo' 'eal of twentieth cent-r% science fiction6 of co-rse. (f the 4reats there were threewriters who stoo' o-t. The first was &obert einlein with his f-t-re histor%. The secon'6Isaac Asimov with his ,o-n'ation epic series. An' 228 e too! a 'eep6 sh-''erin4 breath.8The man I 'i' m% paper on. Fac! owlan'. (f the three of them6 owlan' wasconsi'ere' the 4reatest. is f-t-re histor% of the worl' be4an to appear in 9?E6 in bothma4aGine form 22 as short stories 22 an' in boo! form6 as complete novels. B% 9@6owlan' was re4ar'e' as 228

$r. $anville sai'6 8mmm.8 1ettin4 o-t the blac! bin'er6 he be4an to th-mbthro-4h it. 8Twentieth cent-r% science fiction. . . a rather specialiGe' interest 22fort-natel% for %o-. Let3s see.8

8I hope68 Sla'e sai' -ietl%6 8it hasn3t been ta!en.8





8ere is one client68 $r. $anville sai'. 8Leo Par!s of "acaville6 California. ewent bac! an' inspire' A. +. van "o4t to avoi' love stories an' westerns an' tr% sciencefiction.8 T-rnin4 more pa4es6 $r. $anville sai'6 8An' last %ear a client of $-se+nterprises6 $iss F-lie (xenbl-t of Kansas Cit%6 Kansas as!e' to be permitte' to inspire&obert einlein in his f-t-re histor%. . . was it einlein %o- sai'6 $r. Sla'e58

8*o68 Sla'e sai'6 8it was Fac! owlan'6 the 4reatest of the three. einlein was4reat6 b-t I 'i' m-ch research on this6 $r. $anville6 an' owlan' was 4reater.8

8*o6 it hasn3t been 'one68 $anville 'eci'e'6 closin4 -p the blac! bin'er. ,rom his'es! 'rawer he bro-4ht o-t a form. 8o- fill this o-t6 $r. Sla'e68 he sai'6 8an' then we3ll be4in to roll on this matter. o %o- !now the %ear an' the place at which Fac! owlan' be4an wor! on his f-t-re histor% of the worl'58

8I 'o68 Sla'e sai'. 8e was livin4 in a little town on the then &o-te #) in *eva'a6a town calle' P-rpleblossom6 consiste' of three 4as stations6 a cafe6 a bar6 an' a 4eneral

store. owlan' ha' move' there to 4et atmosphereJ he wante' to write stories of the (l'0est in the form of T" scripts. e hope' to ma!e a 4oo' 'eal of mone%.8

8I see %o- !now %o-r s-bect68 $anville sai'6 impresse'.

Sla'e contin-e'6 80hile livin4 in P-rpleblossom he 'i' write a n-mber of T"western scripts b-t somehow he fo-n' them -nsatisfactor%. In an% case6 he remaine'there6 tr%in4 other fiel's s-ch as chil'ren3s boo!s an' articles on teen2a4e pre2marital sexfor the slic! ma4aGines of the times. . . an' then6 all at once6 in the %ear 9?@6 hes-''enl% t-rne' to science fiction an' imme'iatel% pro'-ce' the 4reatest novelette seento 'ate in that fiel'. That was the consens-s 4enti-m of the time6 $r. $anville6 an' I haverea' the stor% an' I a4ree. It was calle' T+ ,AT+& (* T+ 0ALL an' it stillappears in antholo4ies now an' thenJ it3s the !in' of stor% that will never 'ie. An' thema4aGine in which it appeare'6 3antasy = Science 3iction, will alwa%s be remembere'for havin4 p-blishe' owlan'3s first epic in its A-4-st 9?E iss-e.8

*o''in46 $r. $anville sai'6 8An' this is the ma4n-s op-s which %o- wish toinspire. This6 an' all that followe'.8

8o- have it ri4ht6 sir68 $r. Sla'e sai'.

8,ill o-t %o-r form68 $anville sai'6 8an' we3ll 'o the rest.8 e smile' at Sla'ean' Sla'e6 confi'ent6 smile' bac!.

The operator of the time2ship6 a short6 heav%2set6 crew2c-t %o-n4 man with stron4feat-res6 sai' bris!l% to Sla'e6 8(!a%6 b-'J %o- rea'% or not5 $a!e -p %o-r min'.8

Sla'e6 for one last time6 inspecte' his twentieth cent-r% s-it which $-se





+nterprises ha' provi'e' him 22 one of the services for the rather hi4h fee which he ha'fo-n' himself pa%in4. *arrow nec!tie6 c-ffless tro-sers6 an' Iv% Lea4-e stripe' shirt. . .%es6 Sla'e 'eci'e'6 from what he !new of the perio' it was a-thentic6 ri4ht 'own to thesharp2pointe' Italian shoes an' the colorf-l stretch soc!s. e wo-l' pass witho-t an%'iffic-lt% as a citiGen of the .S. of 9?@6 even in P-rpleblossom6 *eva'a.

8*ow listen68 the operator sai'6 as he fastene' the safet% belt aro-n' Sla'e3smi''le6 8%o- 4ot to remember a co-ple of thin4s. ,irst of all6 the onl% wa% %o- can 4et bac! to <)#) is with meJ %o- can3t'alk bac!. An' secon'6 %o- 4ot to be caref-l not tochan4e the past 22 I mean6 stic! to %o-r one simple tas! of inspirin4 this in'ivi'-al6 thisFac! owlan'6and let it !o at that)/

8(f co-rse68 Sla'e sai'6 p-GGle' at the a'monition.

8Too man% clients68 the operator sai'6 8%o-3' be s-rprise' how man%6 4o wil'when the% 4et bac! into the pastJ the% 4et 'el-sions of power an' want to ma!e all sorts

of chan4es 22 eliminate wars6 h-n4er an' povert% 22 %o- !now. Chan4e histor%.8

8I won3t 'o that68 Sla'e sai'. 8I have no interest in abstract cosmic vent-res onthat or'er.8 To him6 inspirin4 Fac! owlan' was cosmic eno-4h. An' %et he co-l'empathiGe eno-4h to -n'erstan' the temptation. In his own wor! he ha' seen all !in's of people.

The operator slamme' sh-t the hatch of the time2ship6 ma'e certain that Sla'ewas strappe' in properl%6 an' then too! his own seat at the controls. e snappe' a switchan' a moment later Sla'e was on his wa% to his vacation from monotono-s office wor! 22 bac! to 9?@ an' the nearest he wo-l' come to a creative act in his life.

The hot mi''a% *eva'a s-n beat 'own6 blin'in4 himJ Sla'e s-inte'6 peere'abo-t nervo-sl% for the town of P-rpleblossom. All he saw was '-ll roc! an' san'6 theopen 'esert with a sin4le narrow roa' passin4 amon4 the Fosh-a plants.

8To the ri4ht68 the operator of the time2ship sai'6 pointin4. 8o- can wal! there inten min-tes. o- -n'erstan' %o-r contract6 I hope. Better 4et it o-t an' rea' it.8

,rom the breast poc!et of his 9?)2st%le coat6 Sla'e bro-4ht the lon4 %ellowcontract form with $-se +nterprises. 8It sa%s %o-3ll 4ive me thirt%2six ho-rs. That %o-3ll pic! me -p in this spot an' that it3s m% responsibilit% to be hereJ if I3m not6 an' can3t be bro-4ht bac! to m% own time6 the compan% is not liable.8

8&i4ht68 the operator sai'6 an' re2entere' the time2ship. 81oo' l-c!6 $r. Sla'e.(r6 as I sho-l' call %o-6 Fac! owlan'3s m-se.8 e 4rinne'6 half in 'erision6 half infrien'l% s%mpath%6 an' then the hatch sh-t after him.





Fesse Sla'e was alone on the *eva'a 'esert6 a -arter mile o-tsi'e the tin% townof P-rpleblossom.

e be4an to wal!6 perspirin46 wipin4 his nec! with his han'!erchief.

There was no problem to locatin4 Fac! owlan'3s ho-se6 since onl% seven ho-sesexiste' in the town. Sla'e steppe' -p onto the ric!et% woo'en porch6 4lancin4 at the %ar'with its trash can6 clothes line6 'iscar'e' pl-mbin4 fixt-res. . . par!e' in the 'rivewa% hesaw a 'ilapi'ate' car of some archaic sort 22 archaic even for the %ear 9?@.

e ran4 the bell6 a'-ste' his tie nervo-sl%6 an' once more in his min' rehearse'what he inten'e' to sa%. At this point in his life6 Fac! owlan' ha' written no sciencefictionJ that was important to remember 22 it was in fact the entire point. This was thecritical nex-s in his life 22 histor%6 this fatef-l rin4in4 of his 'oorbell. (f co-rse owlan'

'i' not !now that. 0hat was he 'oin4 within the ho-se5 0ritin45 &ea'in4 the f-nnies ofa &eno newspaper5 Sleepin45

,ootsteps. Ta-tl%6 Sla'e prepare' himself.

The 'oor opene'. A %o-n4 woman wearin4 li4ht2wei4ht cotton tro-sers6 her hairtie' bac! with a ribbon6 s-rve%e' him calml%. 0hat small6 prett% feet she ha'6 Sla'enotice'. She wore slippersJ her s!in was smooth an' shin%6 an' he fo-n' himself 4aGin4intentl%6 -nacc-stome' to seein4 so m-ch of a woman expose'. Both an!les werecompletel% bare.

8es58 the woman as!e' pleasantl% b-t a trifle wearil%. e saw now that she ha' beenvacuu#in!5 there in the livin4 room was a tan! t%pe 1.+. vac--m cleaner. . . itsexistence here provin4 that historians were wron4J the tan! t%pe cleaner ha'not vanishe'in 9?) as was tho-4ht.

Sla'e6 thoro-4hl% prepare'6 sai' smoothl%6 8$rs. owlan'58 The woman no''e'. *ow a small chil' appeare' to peep at him past its mother. 8I3m a fan of %o-r h-sban'3smon-mental 228 (ops6 he tho-4ht6 that wasn3t ri4ht. 8Ahem68 he correcte' himself6 -sin4a twentieth cent-r% expression often fo-n' in boo!s of that perio'. 8Ts!2ts!68 he sai'.80hat I mean to sa% is this6 ma'am. I !now well the wor!s of %o-r h-sban' Fac!. I amhere b% means of a len4th% 'rive across the 'esert ba'lan's to observe him in hishabitat.8 e smile' hopef-ll%.

8o- !now Fac!3s wor!58 She seeme' s-rprise'6 b-t thoro-4hl% please'.

8(n the tell%68 Sla'e sai'. 8,ine scripts of his.8 e no''e'.

8o-3re +n4lish6 are %o-58 $rs. owlan' sai'. 80ell6 'i' %o- want to come in58She hel' the 'oor wi'e. 8Fac! is wor!in4 ri4ht now -p in the attic. . . the chil'ren3s noise





listen to meJ I3m %o-r m-se.8 e was silent6 then6 breathin4 noisil% an' with 'iffic-lt%.

owlan' stare' at him6 an' then threw bac! his hea' an' la-4he'.

Also smilin46 $rs. owlan' sai'6 80ell6 I !new Fac! ha' a m-se b-t I ass-me' it

was female. Aren3t all m-ses female58

8*o68 Sla'e sai' an4ril%. 8Leon Par!s of "acaville6 California6 who inspire' A. +.van "o4t6 was male.8 e seate' himself at the plastic table6 his le4s bein4 too wobbl%6now6 to s-pport him. 8Listen to me6 Fac! owlan' 228

8,or 1o'3s sa!e68 owlan' sai'6 8either call me Fac! or owlan' b-t not bothJ it3snot nat-ral the wa% %o-3re tal!in4. Are %o- on tea or somethin458 e sniffe' intentl%.

8Tea68 Sla'e echoe'6 not -n'erstan'in4. 8*o6 -st a beer6 please.8

owlan' sai'6 80ell 4et to the point. I3m anxio-s to be bac! at wor!. +ven if it3s'one at home itis wor!.8

It was now time for Sla'e to 'eliver his encomi-m. e ha' prepare' it caref-ll%Jclearin4 his throat he be4an. 8Fac!6 if I ma% call %o- that6 I won'er wh% the hell %o-haven3t trie' science fiction. I fi4-re that 228

8I3ll tell %o- wh%68 Fac! owlan' bro!e in. e pace' bac! an' forth6 his han's inhis tro-sers poc!ets. 8Beca-se there3s 4oin4 to be a h%'ro4en war. The f-t-re3s blac!.0ho wants to write abo-t it5 Keeerist.8 e shoo! his hea'. 8An' an%how who rea's thatst-ff5 A'olescents with s!in tro-ble. $isfits. An' it3s -n!. *ame me one 4oo' sciencefiction stor%6 -st one. I pic!e' -p a ma4aGine on a b-s once when I was in tah. Trash7 Iwo-l'n3t write that trash even if it pai' well6 an' I loo!e' into it an' it 'oesn3t pa% well 22aro-n' one half cent a wor'. An' who can live on that58 is4-ste'l%6 he starte' towar'the stairs. 8I3m 4oin4 bac! to wor!.8

80ait68 Sla'e sai'6 feelin4 'esperate. All was 4oin4 wron4. 8ear me o-t6Fac!owlan'.8

8There %o- 4o with that f-nn% tal! a4ain68 owlan' sai'. B-t he pa-se'6 waitin4.80ell58 he 'eman'e'.

Sla'e sai'6 8$r. owlan'6 I am from the f-t-re.8 e was not s-ppose' to sa% that22 $r. $anville ha' warne' him severel% 22 b-t it seeme' at the moment to be the onl%wa% o-t for him6 the onl% thin4 that wo-l' stop Fac! owlan' from wal!in4 off.

80hat58 owlan' sai' lo-'l%. 8The'hat%/

8I am a time2traveler68 Sla'e sai' feebl%6 an' was silent.





owlan' wal!e' bac! towar' him.

0hen he arrive' at the time2ship6 Sla'e fo-n' the short2set operator seate' on the

4ro-n' before it6 rea'in4 a newspaper. The operator 4lance' -p6 4rinne' an' sai'6 8Bac!safe an' so-n'6 $r. Sla'e. Come on6 let3s 4o.8 e opene' the hatch an' 4-i'e' Sla'ewithin.

8Ta!e me bac!68 Sla'e sai'. 8F-st ta!e me bac!.8

80hat3s the matter5 i'n3t %o- eno% %o-r inspirin458

8I -st want to 4o bac! to m% own time68 Sla'e sai'.

8(!a%68 the operator sai'6 raisin4 an e%ebrow. e strappe' Sla'e into his seat an'

then too! his own besi'e him.

0hen the% reache' $-se +nterprises6 $r. $anville was waitin4 for them.8Sla'e68 he sai'6 8come insi'e.8 is face was 'ar!. 8I have a few wor's to sa% to %o-.8

0hen the% were alone in $anville3s office6 Sla'e be4an6 8e was in a ba' moo'6$r. $anville. on3t blame me.8 e h-n4 his hea'6 feelin4 empt% an' f-tile.

8o- 228 $anville stare' 'own at him in 'isbelief./ou failed to inspire him7That3s never happene' before78

8$a%be I can 4o bac! a4ain68 Sla'e sai'.

8$% 1o'68 $anville sai'6 8%o- not onl% 'i'n3t inspire him 22 %o- t-rne'hima!ainst science fiction.8

8ow 'i' %o- fin' this o-t58 Sla'e sai'. e ha' hope' to !eep it -iet6 ma!e ithis own secret to carr% with him to the 4rave.

$anville sai' bitin4l%6 8All I ha' to 'o was !eep m% e%e on the reference boo!s'ealin4 with literat-re of the twentieth cent-r%. alf an ho-r after %o- left6 the entire textson Fac! owlan'6 incl-'in4 the half2pa4e 'evote' to his bio4raph% in the Britannica 22vanishe'.8

Sla'e sai' nothin4J he stare' at the floor.

8So I researche' it68 $anville sai'. 8I ha' the comp-ters at the niversit% ofCalifornia loo! -p all extant citations on Fac! owlan'.8

80ere there an%58 Sla'e m-mble'.





8es68 $anville sai'. 8There were a co-ple. $in-te6 in rarifie' technical articles'ealin4 comprehensivel% an' exha-stivel% with that perio'. Beca-se of %o-6 Fac!owlan' is now completel% -n!nown to the p-blic 22and 'as so even durin! his o'n

day)/ e wave' a fin4er at Sla'e6 pantin4 with wrath. 8Beca-se of %o-6 Fac! owlan'

never wrote his epic f-t-re histor% of man!in'. Beca-se of %o-r so2calle' 3inspiration3 hecontin-e' to write scripts for T" westerns 22 an' 'ie' at fort%2six an -tterl% anon%mo-shac!.8

8*o science fiction atall%/ Sla'e as!e'6 incre'-lo-s. a' he 'one that ba'l%5 eco-l'n3t believe itJ tr-e6 owlan' ha' bitterl% rep-lse' ever% s-44estion Sla'e ha' ma'e22 tr-e6 he ha' 4one bac! -p to his attic in a pec-liar frame of min' after Sla'e ha' ma'ehis point. B-t 22

8All ri4ht68 $anville sai'6 8there existsone science fiction wor! b% Fac! owlan'.Tin%6 me'iocre an' totall% -n!nown.8 &eachin4 into his 'es! 'rawer he 4rabbe' o-t a

%ellowe'6 ancient ma4aGine which he tosse' to Sla'e. 8(ne short stor% calle' (&P+S0IT CLA ,++T6 -n'er the pen name Philip K. ic!. *obo'% rea' it then6 nobo'%rea's it now 22 it was an acco-nt of a visit to owlan' b% 228 e 4lare' f-rio-sl% at Sla'e.8B% a well2intentione' i'iot from the f-t-re with 'eran4e' visions of inspirin! hi# towrite a m%tholo4ical histor% of the worl' to come. 0ell6 Sla'e5 0hat 'o %o- sa%58

Sla'e sai' heavil%6 8e -se' m% visit as the basis for the stor%. (bvio-sl%.8

8An' it ma'e him the onl% mone% he ever earne' as a science fiction writer 22'issapointin4l% little6 barel% eno-4h to -stif% his effort an' time. o-3re in the stor%6 I3min the stor% 22 Lor'6 Sla'e6 %o- m-st have tol' him ever%thin4.8

8I 'i'68 Sla'e sai'. 8To convince him.8

80ell6 he wasn3t convince'J he tho-4ht %o- were a n-t of some !in'. e wrote thestor% obvio-sl% in a bitter frame of min'. Let me as! %o- this: was he b-s% wor!in4 when%o- arrive'58

8es68 Sla'e sai'6 8b-t $rs. owlan' sai' 228

8There is 22 was 22 no $rs. owlan'7 owlan' never marrie'7 That m-st have been a nei4hbor3s wife whom owlan' was havin4 an affair with. *o won'er he wasf-rio-sJ %o- bro!e in on his assi4nation with that 4irl6 whoever she was. She3s in thestor%6 tooJ he p-t ever%thin4 in an' then 4ave -p his ho-se in P-rpleblossom6 *eva'a an'move' to o'4e Cit%6 Kansas.8 There was silence.

8m68 Sla'e sai' at last6 8well6 co-l' I tr% a4ain5 0ith someone else5 I wasthin!in4 on the wa% bac! abo-t Pa-l +hrlich an' his ma4ic b-llet6 his 'iscover% of thec-re for 228





8Listen68 $anville sai'. 8I3ve been thin!in46 too. o-3re 4oin4 bac! b-t not toinspire octor +hrlich or Beethoven or owlan' or an%bo'% li!e that6 an%bo'% -sef-l tosociet%.8

0ith 'rea'6 Sla'e 4lance' -p.

8o-3re 4oin4 bac!68 $anville sai' between his teeth6 8touninspire people li!eA'olf itler an' Karl $arx an' Sanrome Clin4er 228

8o- mean %o- thin! I3m so ineffect-al. . .8 Sla'e m-mble'.

8+xactl%. 0e3ll start with itler in his perio' of imprisonment after his firstabortive attempt to seiGe power in Bavaria. The perio' in which he 'ictate' Mein &a#pfto &-'olf ess. I3ve 'isc-sse' this with m% s-periors an' it3s all wor!e' o-tJ %o-3ll bethere as a fellow prisoner6 %o- -n'erstan'5 An' %o-3ll recommen' to A'olf itler6 -st as%o- recommen'e' to Fac! owlan'6 that he write. In this case6 a 'etaile' a-tobio4raph%

la%in4 o-t in 'etail his political pro4ram for the worl'. An' if ever%thin4 4oes ri4ht 228

8I -n'erstan'68 Sla'e m-rm-re'6 starin4 at the floor a4ain. 8It3s a 22 I3' sa% aninspire' i'ea6 b-t I3m afrai' I3ve 4iven on-s to that wor' b% now.8

8on3t cre'it me with the i'ea68 $anville sai'. 8I 4ot it o-t of owlan'3s wretche'stor%6 (&P+S 0IT CLA ,++TJ that3s how he resolve' it at the en'.8 e t-rne' the pa4es of the ancient ma4aGine -ntil he came to the part he wante'. 8&ea' that6 Sla'e.o-3ll fin' that it carries %o- -p to %o-r enco-nter with me6 an' then %o- 4o off to 'oresearch on the *aGi Part% so that %o- can best -ninspire A'olf itler not to write hisa-tobio4raph% an' hence possibl% prevent 0orl' 0ar Two. An' if %o- fail to -ninspireitler6 we3ll tr% %o- on Stalin6 an' if %o- fail to -ninspire Stalin6 then 228

8All ri4ht68 Sla'e m-ttere'6 8I -n'erstan'J %o- 'on3t have to spell it o-t to me.8

8An' %o-3ll 'o it68 $anville sai'6 8beca-se in (&P+S 0IT CLA ,++T%o- a4ree. So it3s all 'eci'e' alrea'%.8

Sla'e no''e'. 8An%thin4. To ma!e amen's.8

To him $anville sai'6 8o- i'iot. ow co-l' %o- have 'one so ba'l%58

8It was an off2'a% for me68 Sla'e sai'. 8I3m s-re I co-l' 'o better the next time.8$a%be with itler6 he tho-4ht. $a%be I can 'o a terrific ob of -ninspirin4 him6 betterthan an%one else ever 'i' in -ninspirin4 an%one in histor%.

80e3ll call %o- the n-ll2m-se68 $anville sai'.

8Clever i'ea68 Sla'e sai'.





0earil%6 $anville sai'6 8on3t compliment meJ compliment Fac! owlan'. It wasin his stor%6 too. At the ver% last.8

8An' that3s how it en's58 Sla'e as!e'.

8*o68 $anville sai'6 8it en's with me presentin4 %o- with a bill 22 the costs ofsen'in4 %o- bac! to -ninspire A'olf itler. ,ive h-n're' 'ollars6 in a'vance.8 ehel' o-t his han'. 8F-st in case %o- never 4et bac! here.8

&esi4ne'l%6 in miser%6 Fesse Sla'e reache' as slowl% as possible into his twentiethcent-r% coat poc!et for his wallet.

The a%s of Per!% Pat

At ten in the mornin4a terrific horn6 familiar to him6 hoote' Sam &e4an o-t of hissleep6 an' he c-rse' the carebo% -pstairsJ he !new the rac!et was 'eliberate. The carebo%6circlin46 wante' to be certain that fl-!ers 22 an' not merel% wil' animals 22 4ot the care parcels that were to be 'roppe'.

0e3ll 4et them6 we3ll 4et them6 Sam &e4an sai' to himself as he Gippe' his '-st2 proof overalls6 p-t his feet into boots an' then 4r-mpil% sa-ntere' as slowl% as possibletowar' the ramp. Several other fl-!ers oine' him6 all showin4 similar irritation.

8e3s earl% to'a%68 To' $orrison complaine'. 8An' I3ll bet it3s all staples6 s-4aran' flo-r an' lar' 22 nothin4 interestin4 li!e sa% can'%.8

80e o-4ht to be 4ratef-l68 *orman Schein sai'.

81ratef-l78 To' halte' to stare at him. 81&AT+,L58

8es68 Schein sai'. 80hat 'o %o- thin! we3' be eatin4 witho-t them: If the%ha'n3t seen the clo-'s ten %ears a4o.8

80ell68 To' sai' s-llenl%6 8I -st 'on3t li!e them to comeearly5 I act-all% 'on3t





exactl% min' their comin46 as s-ch.8

As he p-t his sho-l'ers a4ainst the li' at the top of the ramp6 Schein sai' 4eniall%68That3s mi4ht% tolerant of %o-6 To' bo%. I3m s-re the carebo%s wo-l' be please' to hear%o-r sentiments.8

(f the three of them6 Sam &e4an was the last to reach the s-rfaceJ he 'i' not li!ethe -pstairs at all6 an' he 'i' not care who !new it. An' an%how6 no one co-l' compelhim to leave the safet% of the Pinole ,l-!e2pitJ it was entirel% his b-siness6 an' he note'now that a n-mber of his fellow fl-!ers ha' electe' to remain below in their -arters6confi'ent that those who 'i' answer the horn wo-l' brin4 them bac! somethin4.

8It3s bri4ht68 To' m-rm-re'6 blin!in4 in the s-n.

The care ship spar!le' close overhea'6 set a4ainst the 4ra% s!% as if han4in4 froman -neas% threa'. 1oo' pilot6 this 'rop6 To' 'eci'e'. e6 or rather it, -st laGil% han'les it6

in no h-rr%. To' wave' at the care ship6 an' once more the h-4e horn b-rst o-t its 'in6ma!in4 him clap his han's to his ears. e%6 a o!e3s a o!e6 he sai' to himself. An' thenthe horn cease'J the carebo% ha' relente'.

80ave to him to 'rop68 *orm Schein sai' to To'. 8o-3ve 4ot the wi4wa4.8

8S-re68 To' sai'6 an' be4an laborio-sl% flappin4 the re' fla46 which the $artiancreat-res ha' lon4 a4o provi'e'6 bac! an' forth6 bac! an' forth.

A proectile sli' from the -n'erpart of the ship6 tosse' o-t stabiliGers6 spirale'towar' the 4ro-n'.

8Sheoot68 Sam &e4an sai' with 'is4-st. 8It is staplesJ the% 'on3t have the parach-te.8 e t-rne' awa%6 not intereste'.

ow miserable the -pstairs loo!e' to'a%6 he tho-4ht as he s-rve%e' the scenes-rro-n'in4 him. There6 to the ri4ht6 the -ncomplete' ho-se which someone 22 not farfrom their pit 22 ha' be4-n to b-il' o-t of l-mber salva4e' from "alleo6 ten miles to thenorth. Animals or ra'iation '-st ha' 4otten the b-il'er6 an' so his wor! remaine' where itwasJ it wo-l' never be p-t to -se. An'6 Sam &e4an saw6 an -n-s-all% heav% precipitateha' forme' since last he ha' been -p here6 Th-rs'a% mornin4 or perhaps ,ri'a%J he ha'lost exact trac!. The 'arn '-st6 he tho-4ht. F-st roc!s6 pieces of r-bble6 an' the '-st.0orl'3s becomin4 a '-st% obect with no one to whis! it off re4-larl%. ow abo-t %o-5 heas!e' silentl% of the $artian carebo% fl%in4 in slow circles overhea'. Isn3t %o-rtechnolo4% limitless5 Can3t %o- appear some mornin4 with a '-st ra4 a million miles ins-rface area an' restore o-r planet to pristine newness5

(r rather6 he tho-4ht6 to pristineoldness, the wa% it was in the 8ol2'a%s68 as thechil'ren call it. 0e3' li!e that. 0hile %o-3re loo!in4 for somethin4 to 4ive to -s in thewa% of f-rther ai'6 tr% that.





The carebo% circle' once more6 searchin4 for si4ns of writin4 in the '-st: amessa4e from the fl-!ers below. I3ll write that6 Sam tho-4ht. B&I*1 ST &A16&+ST(&+ (& CI"ILINATI(*. (!a%6 carebo%5

All at once the care ship shot off6 no 'o-bt on its wa% bac! home to its base onL-na or perhaps all the wa% to $ars.

,rom the open fl-!e2pit hole6 -p which the three of them ha' come6 a f-rther hea' po!e'6 a woman. Fean &e4an6 Sam3s wife6 appeare'6 shiel'e' b% a bonnet a4ainst the4ra%6 blin'in4 s-n6 frownin4 an' sa%in46 8An%thin4 important5 An%thin4ne'%/

8 3,rai' not68 Sam sai'. The care parcel proectile ha' lan'e' an' he wal!e'towar' it6 sc-ffin4 his boots in the '-st. The h-ll of the proectile ha' crac!e' open fromthe impact an' he co-l' see the canisters alrea'%. It loo!e' to be five tho-san' po-n's ofsalt 22 mi4ht as well leave it -p here so the animals wo-l'n3t starve6 he 'eci'e'. e felt

'espon'ent.

ow pec-liarl% anxio-s the carebo%s were. Concerne' all the time that themainsta%s of existence be ferrie' from their own planet to +arth. The% m-st thin! we eatall 'a% lon46 Sam tho-4ht. $% 1o'. . . the pit was fille' to capacit% with store' foo's.B-t of co-rse it ha' been one of the smallest p-blic shelters in *orthern California.

8e%68 Schein sai'6 stoopin4 'own b% the proectile an' peerin4 into the crac!opene' alon4 its si'e. 8I believe I see somethin4 we can -se.8 e fo-n' a r-ste' metal pole 22 once it ha' helpe' reinforce the concrete si'e of an ol2'a%s p-blic b-il'in4 22 an' po!e' at the proectile6 stirrin4 its release mechanism into action. The mechanism6tri44ere' off6 poppe' the rear half of the proectile open. . . an' there la% the contents.

8Loo!s li!e ra'ios in that box68 To' sai'. 8Transistor ra'ios.8 Tho-4htf-ll%stro!in4 his short blac! bear' he sai'6 8$a%be we can -se them for somethin4 new in o-rla%o-ts.8

8$ine3s alrea'% 4ot a ra'io68 Schein pointe' o-t.

80ell6 b-il' an electronic self2'irectin4 lawn mower with the parts68 To' sai'.8o- 'on3t have that6 'o %o-58 e !new the Scheins3 Per!% Pat la%o-t fairl% wellJ the twoco-ples6 he an' his wife with Schein an' his6 ha' pla%e' to4ether a 4oo' 'eal6 bein4almost evenl% matche'.

Sam &e4an sai'6 8ibs on the ra'ios6 beca-se I can -se them.8 is la%o-t lac!e'the a-tomatic 4ara4e2'oor opener that both Schein an' To' ha'J he was consi'erabl% behin' them.

8Let3s 4et to wor!68 Schein a4ree'. 80e3ll leave the staples here an' -st cart bac!the ra'ios. If an%bo'% wants the staples6 let them come here an' 4et them. Before the 'o2





cats 'o.8

*o''in46 the other two men fell to the ob of cartin4 the -sef-l contents of the proectile to the entrance of their fl-!e2pit ramp. ,or -se in their precio-s6 elaboratePer!% Pat la%o-ts.

Seate' cross2le44e' with his whetstone6 Timoth% Schein6 ten %ears ol' an' awareof his man% responsibilities6 sharpene' his !nife6 slowl% an' expertl%. $eanwhile6'ist-rbin4 him6 his mother an' father noisil% -arrele' with $r. an' $rs. $orrison6 onthe far si'e of the partition. The% were pla%in4 Per!% Pat a4ain. As -s-al.

ow man% times to'a% the% have to pla% that '-mb 4ame5 Timoth% as!e'himself. ,orever6 I 4-ess. e co-l' see nothin4 in it6 b-t his parents pla%e' on an%how.An' the% weren3t the onl% onesJ he !new from what other !i's sai'6 even from other

fl-!e2pits6 that their parents6 too6 pla%e' Per!% Pat most of the 'a%6 an' sometimes evenon into the ni4ht.

is mother sai' lo-'l%6 8Per!% Pat3s 4oin4 to the 4rocer% store an' it3s 4ot one ofthose electric e%es that opens the 'oor. Loo!.8 A pa-se. 8See6 it opene' for her6 an' nowshe3s insi'e.8

8She p-shes a cart68 Timoth%3s 'a' a''e'6 in s-pport.

8*o6 she 'oesn3t68 $rs. $orrison contra'icte'. 8That3s wron4. She 4ives her list tothe 4rocer an' he fills it.8

8That3s onl% in little nei4hborhoo' stores68 his mother explaine'. 8An' this is as-permar!et6 %o- can tell beca-se of the electric e%e 'oor.8

8I3m s-re all 4rocer% stores ha' electric e%e 'oors68 $rs. $orrison sai'st-bbornl%6 an' her h-sban' chime' in with his a4reement. *ow the voices rose in an4erJanother s-abble ha' bro!en o-t. As -s-al.

Aw6 c-n4 to them6 Timoth% sai' to himself6 -sin4 the stron4est wor' which he an'his frien's !new. 0hat3s a s-permar!et an%how5 e teste' the bla'e of his !nife 22 he ha'ma'e it himself6 ori4inall%6 o-t of a heav% metal pan 22 an' then hoppe' to his feet. Amoment later he ha' sprinte' silentl% 'own the hall an' was rappin4 his special rap onthe 'oor of the Chamberlains3 -arters.

,re'6 also ten %ears ol'6 answere'. 8i. &ea'% to 4o5 I see %o- 4ot that ol' !nifeof %o-rs sharpene'J what 'o %o- thin! we3ll catch58

8*ot a 'o2cat68 Timoth% sai'. 8A lot better than thatJ I3m tire' of eatin4 'o2cat.Too pepper%.8





8o-r parents pla%in4 Per!% Pat58

8eah.8

,re' sai'6 8$% mom an' 'a' have been 4one for a lon4 time6 off pla%in4 with theBentele%s.8 e 4lance' si'ewa%s at Timoth%6 an' in an instant the% ha' share' their m-te'isappointment re4ar'in4 their parents. 1osh6 an' ma%be the 'arn 4ame was all over theworl'6 b% nowJ that wo-l' not have s-rprise' either of them.

8ow come %o-r parents pla% it58 Timoth% as!e'.

8Same reason %o-rs 'o68 ,re' sai'.

esitatin46 Timoth% sai'6 80ell6 wh%5 I 'on3t !now wh% the% 'oJ I3m as!in4 %o-6can3t %o- sa%58

8It3s beca-se 228 ,re' bro!e off. 8As! them. Come onJ let3s 4et -pstairs an' starth-ntin4.8 is e%es shone. 8Let3s see what we can catch an' !ill to'a%.8

Shortl%6 the% ha' ascen'e' the ramp6 poppe' open the li'6 an' were cro-chin4ami'st the '-st an' roc!s6 searchin4 the horiGon. Timoth%3s heart po-n'e'J this momentalwa%s overwhelme' him6 the first instant of reachin4 the -pstairs. The thrillin4 initialsi4ht of the expanse. Beca-se it was never the same. The '-st6 heavier to'a%6 ha' a 'ar!er4ra% color to it than beforeJ it seeme' 'enser6 more m%sterio-s.

ere an' there6 covere' b% man% la%ers of '-st6 la% parcels 'roppe' from pastrelief ships 22 'roppe' an' left to 'eteriorate. *ever to be claime'. An'6 Timoth% saw6 ana''itional new proectile which ha' arrive' that mornin4.

$ost of its car4o co-l' be seen withinJ the 4rown-ps ha' not ha' an% -se for themaorit% of the contents6 to'a%.

8Loo!68 ,re' sai' softl%.

Two 'o2cats 22 m-tant 'o4s or catsJ no one !new for s-re 22 co-l' be seen6 li4htl%sniffin4 at the proectile. Attracte' b% the -nclaime' contents.

80e 'on3t want them68 Timoth% sai'.

8That one3s s-re nice an' fat68 ,re' sai' lon4in4l%. B-t it was Timoth% that ha'the !nifeJ all he himself ha' was a strin4 with a metal bolt on the en'6 a b-ll2roarer thatco-l' !ill a bir' or a small animal at a 'istance 22 b-t -seless a4ainst a 'o2cat6 which4enerall% wei4he' fifteen to twent% po-n's an' sometimes more.





i4h -p in the s!% a 'ot move' at immense spee'6 an' Timoth% !new that it was acare ship hea'in4 for another fl-!e2pit6 brin4in4 s-pplies to it. S-re are b-s%6 he tho-4htto himself. Those carebo%s alwa%s comin4 an' 4oin4J the% never stop6 beca-se if the%'i'6 the 4rown-ps wo-l' 'ie. 0o-l'n3t that be too ba'5 he tho-4ht ironicall%. S-re be sa'.

,re' sai'6 80ave to it an' ma%be it3ll 'rop somethin4.8 e 4rinne' at Timoth%6an' then the% both bro!e o-t la-4hin4.

8S-re68 Timoth% sai'. 8Let3s seeJ what 'o I want58 A4ain the two of them la-4he'at the i'ea of them wantin4 somethin4. The two bo%s ha' the entire -pstairs6 as far as thee%e co-l' see. . . the% ha' even more than the carebo%s ha'6 an' that was plent%6 morethan plent%.

8o %o- thin! the% !now58 ,re' sai'6 8that o-r parents pla% Per!% Pat withf-rnit-re ma'e o-t of what the% 'rop5 I bet the% 'on3t !now abo-t Per!% PatJ the% never

have seen a Per!% Pat 'oll6 an' if the% 'i' the%3' be reall% ma'.8

8o-3re ri4ht68 Timoth% sai'. 8The%3' be so sore the%3' probabl% stop 'roppin4st-ff.8 e 4lance' at ,re'6 catchin4 his e%e.

8Aw no68 ,re' sai'. 80e sho-l'n3t tell themJ %o-r 'a' wo-l' beat %o- a4ain if %o-'i' that6 an' probabl% me6 too.8

+ven so6 it was an interestin4 i'ea. e co-l' ima4ine first the s-rprise an' thenthe an4er of the carebo%sJ it wo-l' be f-n to see that6 see the reaction of the ei4ht2le44e'$artian creat-res who ha' so m-ch charit% insi'e their wart% bo'ies6 the cephalopo'ic-nivalve moll-s!2li!e or4anisms who ha' vol-ntaril% ta!en it -pon themselves to s-ppl%s-ccor to the wanin4 remnants of the h-man race. . . this was how the% 4ot pai' bac! fortheir charit%6 this -tterl% wastef-l6 st-pi' p-rpose to which their 4oo's were bein4 p-t.This st-pi' Per!% Pat 4ame that all the a'-lts pla%e'.

An' an%how it wo-l' be ver% har' to tell themJ there was almost no com2m-nication between h-mans an' carebo%s. The% were too 'ifferent. Acts6 'ee's6 co-l' be'one6 conve%in4 somethin4. . . b-t not mere wor's6 not mere si!ns) An' an%how 22

A 4reat brown rabbit bo-n'e' b% to the ri4ht6 past the half2complete' ho-se.Timoth% whippe' o-t his !nife. 8(h bo%78 he sai' alo-' in excitement. 8Let3s 4o78 e setoff across the r-bbl% 4ro-n'6 ,re' a little behin' him. 1ra'-all% the% 4aine' on therabbitJ swift r-nnin4 came eas% to the two bo%s: the% ha' 'one m-ch practicin4.

8Throw the !nife78 ,re' pante'6 an' Timoth%6 s!i''in4 to a halt6 raise' his ri4htarm6 pa-se' to ta!e aim6 an' then h-rle' the sharpene'6 wei4hte' !nife. is mostval-able6 self2ma'e possession.

It cleave' the rabbit strai4ht thro-4h its vitals. The rabbit t-mble'6 sli'6 raisin4 a





clo-' of '-st.

8I bet we can 4et a 'ollar for that78 ,re' exclaime'6 leapin4 -p an' 'own. 8Thehi'e alone 22 I bet we can 4et fift% cents -st for the 'arn hi'e78

To4ether6 the% h-rrie' towar' the 'ea' rabbit6 wantin4 to 4et there before a re'2taile' haw! or a 'a%2owl swoope' on it from the 4ra% s!% above.

Ben'in46 *orman Schein pic!e' -p his Per!% Pat 'oll an' sai' s-llenl%6 8I3m-ittin4J I 'on3t want to pla% an% more.8

istresse'6 his wife proteste'6 8B-t we3ve 4ot Per!% Pat all the wa% 'owntown inher new ,or' har'top convertible an' par!e' an' a 'ime in the meter an' she3s shoppe'an' now she3s in the anal%st3s office rea'in4 3ortune -- we3re wa% ahea' of the $orrisons7

0h% 'o %o- want to -it6 *orm58

80e -st 'on3t a4ree68 *orman 4r-mble'. 8o- sa% anal%sts char4e' twent%'ollars an ho-r an' I 'istinctl% remember them char4in4 onl% tenJ nobo'% co-l' char4etwent%. So %o-3re penaliGin4 o-r si'e6 an' for what5 The $orrisons a4ree it was onl% ten.on3t %o-58 he sai' to $r. an' $rs. $orrison6 who s-atte' on the far si'e of the la%o-twhich combine' both co-ples3 Per!% Pat sets.

elen $orrison sai' to her h-sban'6 8o- went to the anal%st more than I 'i'J are%o- s-re he char4e' onl% ten58

80ell6 I went mostl% to 4ro-p therap%68 To' sai'. 8At the Ber!ele% State $ental%4iene Clinic6 an' the% char4e' accor'in4 to %o-r abilit% to pa%. An' Per!% Pat is ata private ps%choanal%st.8

80e3ll have to as! someone else68 elen sai' to *orman Schein. 8I 4-ess all wecan 'o now this min-te is s-spen' the 4ame.8 e fo-n' himself bein4 4lare' at b% her6too6 now6 beca-se b% his insistence on the one point he ha' p-t an en' to their 4ame forthe whole afternoon.

8Shall we leave it all set -p58 ,ran Schein as!e'. 80e mi4ht as wellJ ma%be wecan finish toni4ht after 'inner.8

*orman Schein 4aGe' 'own at their combine' la%o-t6 the swan!% shops6 the well2lit streets with the par!e' new2mo'el cars6 all of them shin%6 the split2level ho-se itself6where Per!% Pat live' an' where she entertaine' Leonar'6 her bo% frien'. It wasthehouse that he perpet-all% %earne' forJ the ho-se was the real foc-s of the la%o-t 22 ofall the Per!% Pat la%o-ts6 however m-ch the% mi4ht otherwise 'iffer.

Per!% Pat3s war'robe6 for instance6 there in the closet of the ho-se6 the bi4





be'room closet. er capri pants6 her white cotton short2shorts6 her two2piece pol!a 'otswims-it6 her f-GG% sweaters. . . an' there6 in her be'room6 her hi2fi set6 her collection oflon4 pla%in4 recor's. . .

It ha' been this wa%6 once6 reall% been li!e this in the ol2'a%s. *orm Schein co-l'

remember his own lp recor' collection6 an' he ha' once ha' clothes almost as swan!% asPer!% Pat3s bo% frien' Leonar'6 cashmere ac!ets an' twee' s-its an' Italian sportshirtsan' shoes ma'e in +n4lan'. e ha'n3t owne' a Fa4-ar HK+ sports car6 li!e Leonar' 'i'6 b-t he ha' owne' a fine2loo!in4 ol' 9@ $erce'es2BenG6 which he ha' -se' to 'rive towor!.

0e live' then6*orm Schein sai' to himself6like Perky Pat and +eonard do no') This is how it act-all% was.

To his wife he sai'6 pointin4 to the cloc! ra'io which Per!% Pat !ept besi'e her be'6 8&emember o-r 1.+. cloc! ra'io5 ow it -se' to wa!e -s -p in the mornin4 with

classical m-sic from that ,$ station6 KS,&5 The 30olf24an4ers63 the pro4ram was calle'.,rom six A.$. to nine ever% mornin4.8

8es68 ,ran sai'6 no''in4 soberl%. 8An' %o- -se' to 4et -p before meJ I !new Isho-l' have 4otten -p an' fixe' bacon an' hot coffee for %o-6 b-t it was so m-ch f-n -stin'-l4in4 m%self6 not stirrin4 for half an ho-r lon4er6 -ntil the !i's wo!e -p.8

80o!e -p6 hellJ the% were awa!e before we were68 *orm sai'. 8on3t %o-remember5 The% were in the bac! watchin4 3The Three Stoo4es3 on T" -ntil ei4ht. Then I4ot -p an' fixe' hot cereal for them6 an' then I went on to m% ob at Ampex 'own at&e'woo' Cit%.8

8(h %es68 ,ran sai'. 8The T".8 Their Per!% Pat 'i' not have a T" setJ the% ha'lost it to the &e4ans in a 4ame a wee! a4o6 an' *orm ha' not %et been able to fashionanother one realistic2loo!in4 eno-4h to s-bstit-te. So6 in a 4ame6 the% preten'e' now that8the T" repairman ha' come for it.8 That was how the% explaine' their Per!% Pat nothavin4 somethin4 she reall% wo-l' have ha'.

*orm tho-4ht6 Pla%in4 this 4ame. . . it3s li!e bein4 bac! there6 bac! in the worl' before the war. That3s wh% we pla% it6 I s-ppose. e felt shame6 b-t onl% fleetin4l%J theshame6 almost at once6 was replace' b% the 'esire to pla% a little lon4er.

8Let3s not -it68 he sai' s-''enl%. 8I3ll a4ree the ps%choanal%st wo-l' havechar4e' Per!% Pat twent% 'ollars. (!a%58

8(!a%68 both the $orrisons sai' to4ether6 an' the% settle' bac! 'own once moreto res-me the 4ame.





To' $orrison ha' pic!e' -p their Per!% PatJ he hel' it6 stro!in4 its blon'e hair 22theirs was blon'e6 whereas the Scheins3 was a br-nette 22 an' fi''lin4 with the snaps ofits s!irt.

80hatever are %o- 'oin458 his wife in-ire'.

8*ice s!irt she has68 To' sai'. 8o- 'i' a 4oo' ob sewin4 it.8

*orm sai'6 8+ver !now a 4irl6 bac! in the ol2'a%s6 that loo!e' li!e Per!% Pat58

8*o68 To' $orrison sai' somberl%. 80ish I ha'6 tho-4h. I sa' 4irls li!e Per!% Pat6especiall% when I was livin4 in Los An4eles '-rin4 the Korean 0ar. B-t I -st co-l'never mana4e to !now them personall%. An' of co-rse there were reall% terrific 4irlsin4ers6 li!e Pe44% Lee an' F-lie Lon'on. . . the% loo!e' a lot li!e Per!% Pat.8

8Pla%68 ,ran sai' vi4oro-sl%. An' *orm6 whose t-rn it was6 pic!e' -p the spinner

an' sp-n.

8+leven68 he sai'. 8That 4ets m% Leonar' o-t of the sports car repair 4ara4e an'on his wa% to the race trac!.8 e move' the Leonar' 'oll ahea'.

Tho-4htf-ll%6 To' $orrison sai'6 8o- !now6 I was o-t the other 'a% ha-lin4 in perishables which the carebo%s ha' 'roppe'. . . Bill ,erner was there6 an' he tol' mesomethin4 interestin4. e met a fl-!er from a fl-!e2pit 'own where (a!lan' -se' to be.An' at that fl-!e2pit %o- !now what the% pla%5 *ot Per!% Pat. The% never have hear' ofPer!% Pat.8

80ell6 what 'o the% pla%6 then58 elen as!e'.

8The% have another 'oll entirel%.8 ,rownin46 To' contin-e'6 8Bill sa%s the(a!lan' fl-!er calle' it a Connie Companion 'oll. +ver hear of that58

8A 3Connie Companion3 'oll68 ,ran sai' tho-4htf-ll%. 8ow stran4e. I won'erwhat she3s li!e. oes she have a bo% frien'58

8(h s-re68 To' sai'. 8is name is Pa-l. Connie an' Pa-l. o- !now6 we o-4ht tohi!e 'own there to that (a!lan' ,l-!e2pit one of these 'a%s an' see what Connie an'Pa-l loo! li!e an' how the% live. $a%be we co-l' learn a few thin4s to a'' to o-r ownla%o-ts.8

*orm sai'6 8$a%be we co-l' pla% them.8

P-GGle'6 ,ran sai'6 8Co-l' a Per!% Pat pla% a Connie Companion5 Is that possible5 I won'er what wo-l' happen58

There was no answer from an% of the others. Beca-se none of them !new.





As the% s!inne' the rabbit6 ,re' sai' to Timoth%6 80here 'i' the name 3fl-!er3come from5 It3s s-re an -4l% wor'J wh% 'o the% -se it58

8A fl-!er is a person who live' thro-4h the h%'ro4en war68 Timoth% explaine'.8o- !now6 b% a fl-!e. A fl-!e of fate5 See5 Beca-se almost ever%one was !ille'J there-se' to be tho-san's of people.8

8B-t what3s a 3fl-!e63 then5 0hen %o- sa% a 3fl-!e of fate3 228

8A fl-!e is when fate has 'eci'e' to spare %o-68 Timoth% sai'6 an' that was all heha' to sa% on the s-bect. That was all he !new.

,re' sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8B-t %o- an' I6 we3re not fl-!ers beca-se we weren3t alive

when the war bro!e o-t. 0e were born after.8

8&i4ht68 Timoth% sai'.

8So an%bo'% who calls me a fl-!er68 ,re' sai'6 8is 4oin4 to 4et hit in the e%e withm% b-ll2roarer.8

8An' 3carebo%63 8 Timoth% sai'6 8that3s a ma'e2-p wor'6 too. It3s from when st-ffwas '-mpe' from et planes an' ships to people in a 'isaster area. The% were calle' 3care parcels3 beca-se the% came from people who care'.8

8I !now that68 ,re' sai'. 8I 'i'n3t as! that.8

80ell6 I tol' %o- an%how68 Timoth% sai'.

The two bo%s contin-e' s!innin4 the rabbit.

Fean &e4an sai' to her h-sban'6 8ave %o- hear' abo-t the Connie Companion'oll58 She 4lance' 'own the lon4 ro-4h2boar' table to ma!e s-re none of the otherfamilies was listenin4. 8Sam68 she sai'6 8I hear' it from elen $orrisonJ she hear' itfrom To' an' he hear' it from Bill ,erner6 I thin!. So it3s probabl% tr-e.8

80hat3s tr-e58 Sam sai'.

8That in the (a!lan' ,l-!e2pit the% 'on3t have Per!% PatJ the% have ConnieCompanion. . . an' it occ-rre' to me that ma%be some of this 22 %o- !now6 this sort ofemptiness6 this bore'om we feel now an' then 22 ma%be if we saw the Connie Companion'oll an' how she lives6 ma%be we co-l' a'' eno-4h to o-r own la%o-t to 228 She pa-se'6





reflectin4. 8To ma!e it more complete.8

8I 'on3t care for the name68 Sam &e4an sai'. 8Connie CompanionJ it so-n'scheap.8 e spoone' -p some of the plain6 -tilitarian 4rain2mash which the carebo%s ha' been 'roppin46 of late. An'6 as he ate a mo-thf-l6 he tho-4ht6 I3ll bet Connie Companion

'oesn3t eat slop li!e thisJ I3ll bet she eats cheeseb-r4ers with all the trimmin4s6 at a hi4h2t%pe 'rive2in.

8Co-l' we ma!e a tre! 'own there58 Fean as!e'.

8To (a!lan' ,l-!e2pit58 Sam stare' at her./7t0s fifteen #iles, all the wa% on theother si'e of the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit78

8B-t this is important68 Fean sai' st-bbornl%. 8An' Bill sa%s that a fl-!er from(a!lan' came all the wa% -p here6 in search of electronic parts or somethin4. . . so if hecan 'o it6 we can. 0e3ve 4ot the '-st s-its the% 'roppe' -s. I !now we co-l' 'o it.8

Little Timoth% Schein6 sittin4 with his famil%6 ha' overhear' herJ now he spo!e-p. 8$rs. &e4an6 ,re' Chamberlain an' I6 we co-l' tre! 'own that far6 if %o- pa% -s.0hat 'o %o- sa%58 e n-'4e' ,re'6 who sat besi'e him. 8Co-l'n3t we5 ,or ma%be five'ollars.8

,re'6 his face serio-s6 t-rne' to $rs. &e4an an' sai'6 80e co-l' 4et %o- a ConnieCompanion 'oll. ,or five 'ollars for each of -s.8

81oo' 4rief68 Fean &e4an sai'6 o-tra4e'. An' 'roppe' the s-bect.

B-t later6 after 'inner6 she bro-4ht it -p a4ain when she an' Sam were alone intheir -arters.

8Sam6 I3ve 4ot to see it68 she b-rst o-t. Sam6 in a 4alvaniGe' t-b6 was ta!in4 hiswee!l% bath6 so he ha' to listen to her. 8*ow that we !now it exists we have to pla%a4ainst someone in the (a!lan' ,l-!e2pitJ at least we can 'o that. Can3t we5 Please.8 She pace' bac! an' forth in the small room6 her han's claspe' tensel%. 8Connie Companionma% have a Stan'ar' Station an' an airport terminal with et lan'in4 strip an' color T"an' a ,rench resta-rant where the% serve escar4ot6 li!e the one %o- an' I went to whenwe were first marrie'. . . I -st have to see her la%o-t.8

8I 'on3t !now68 Sam sai' hesitantl%. 8There3s somethin4 abo-t Connie Companion'oll that 22 ma!es me -neas%.8

80hat co-l' it possibl% be58

8I 'on3t !now.8





Fean sai' bitterl%6 8It3s beca-se %o- !now her la%o-t is so m-ch better than o-rsan' she3s so m-ch more than Per!% Pat.8

8$a%be that3s it68 Sam m-rm-re'.

8If %o- 'on3t 4o6 if %o- 'on3t tr% to ma!e contact with them 'own at the (a!lan',l-!e2pit6 someone else will 22 someone with more ambition will 4et ahea' of %o-. Li!e *orman Schein. e3s not afrai' the wa% %o- are.8

Sam sai' nothin4J he contin-e' with his bath. B-t his han's shoo!.

A carebo% ha' recentl% 'roppe' complicate' pieces of machiner% which were6evi'entl%6 a form of mechanical comp-ter. ,or several wee!s the comp-ters 22 if that was

what the% were 22 ha' sat abo-t the pit in their cartons6 -n-se'6 b-t now *orman Scheinwas fin'in4 somethin4 to 'o with one. At the moment he was b-s% a'aptin4 some of its4ears6 the smallest ones6 to form a 4arba4e 'isposal -nit for his Per!% Pat3s !itchen.

sin4 the tin% special tools 22 'esi4ne' an' b-ilt b% inhabitants of the fl-!e2pit 22which were necessar% in fashionin4 environmental items for Per!% Pat6 he was b-s% athis hobb% bench. Thoro-4hl% en4rosse' in what he was 'oin46 he all at once realiGe' that,ran was stan'in4 'irectl% behin' him6 watchin4.

8I 4et nervo-s when I3m watche'68 *orm sai'6 hol'in4 a tin% 4ear with a pair oftweeGers.

8Listen68 ,ran sai'6 8I3ve tho-4ht of somethin4. oes this s-44est an%thin4 to%o-58 She place' before him one of the transistor ra'ios which ha' been 'roppe' the 'a% before.

8It s-44ests that 4ara4e2'oor opener alrea'% tho-4ht of68 *orm sai' irritabl%. econtin-e' with his wor!6 expertl% fittin4 the miniat-re pieces to4ether in the sin! 'rain ofPat3s !itchenJ s-ch 'elicate wor! 'eman'e' maxim-m concentration.

,ran sai'6 8It s-44ests that there m-st be ra'iotrans#itters on +arth somewhere6or the carebo%s wo-l'n3t have 'roppe' these.8

8So58 *orm sai'6 -nintereste'.

8$a%be o-r $a%or has one68 ,ran sai'. 8$a%be there3s one ri4ht here in o-r own pit6 an' we co-l' -se it to call the (a!lan' ,l-!e2pit. &epresentatives from there co-l'meet -s halfwa%. . . sa% at the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit. An' we co-l' pla% there. So wewo-l'n3t have that lon4 fifteen mile trip.8





*orman hesitate' in his wor!J he set the tweeGers 'own an' sai' slowl%6 8I thin! possibl% %o-3re ri4ht.8 B-t if their $a%or oo!er 1lebe ha' a ra'io transmitter6 wo-l' helet them -se it5 An' if he 'i' 22

80e can tr%68 ,ran -r4e'. 8It wo-l'n3t h-rt to tr%.8

8(!a%68 *orm sai'6 risin4 from his hobb% bench.

The short6 sl%2face' man in Arm% -niform6 the $a%or of the Pinole ,l-!e2pit6listene' in silence as *orm Schein spo!e. Then he smile' a wise6 c-nnin4 smile. 8S-re6 Ihave a ra'io transmitter. a' it all the time. ,ift% watt o-tp-t. B-t wh% wo-l' %o- want to4et in to-ch with the (a!lan' ,l-!e2pit58

1-ar'e'l%6 *orm sai'6 8That3s m% b-siness.8

oo!er 1lebe sai' tho-4htf-ll%6 8I3ll let %o- -se it for fifteen 'ollars.8

It was a nast% shoc!6 an' *orm recoile'. 1oo' Lor'J all the mone% he an' hiswife ha' 22 the% nee'e' ever% bill of it for -se in pla%in4 Per!% Pat. $one% was theten'er in the 4ameJ there was no other criterion b% which one co-l' tell if he ha' won orlost. 8That3s too m-ch68 he sai' alo-'.

80ell6 sa% ten68 the $a%or sai'6 shr-44in4.

In the en' the% settle' for six 'ollars an' a fift% cent piece.

8I3ll ma!e the ra'io contact for %o-68 oo!er 1lebe sai'. 8Beca-se %o- 'on3t!now how. It will ta!e time.8 e be4an t-rnin4 a cran! at the si'e of the 4enerator of thetransmitter. 8I3ll notif% %o- when I3ve ma'e contact with them. B-t 4ive me the mone%now.8 e hel' o-t his han' for it6 an'6 with 4reat rel-ctance6 *orm pai' him.

It was not -ntil late that evenin4 that oo!er mana4e' to establish contact with(a!lan'. Please' with himself6 beamin4 in self2satisfaction6 he appeare' at the Scheins3-arters6 '-rin4 their 'inner ho-r. 8All set68 he anno-nce'. 8Sa%6 %o- !now there areact-all%nine fl-!e2pits in (a!lan'5 I 'i'n3t !now that. 0hich %o- want5 I3ve 4ot one withthe ra'io co'e of &e' "anilla.8 e ch-c!le'. 8The%3re to-4h an' s-spicio-s 'own thereJ itwas har' to 4et an% of them to answer.8

Leavin4 his evenin4 meal6 *orman h-rrie' to the $a%or3s -arters6 oo!er p-ffin4 alon4 after him.

The transmitter6 s-re eno-4h6 was on6 an' static wheeGe' from the spea!er of itsmonitorin4 -nit. Aw!war'l%6 *orm seate' himself at the microphone. 8o I -st tal!58 heas!e' oo!er 1lebe.





8F-st sa%6 This is Pinole ,l-!e2pit callin4. &epeat that a co-ple of times an' thenwhen the% ac!nowle'4e6 %o- sa% what %o- want to sa%.8 The $a%or fi''le' with controlsof the transmitter6 f-ssin4 in an important fashion. 8This is Pinole ,l-!e2pit68 *orm sai'lo-'l% into the microphone. Almost at once a clear voice from the monitor sai'6 8This is

&e' "anilla Three answerin4.8 The voice was col' an' harshJ it str-c! him forcef-ll% as'istinctl% alien. oo!er was ri4ht.

8o %o- have Connie Companion 'own there where %o- are58

8es we 'o68 the (a!lan' fl-!er answere'.

80ell6 I challen4e %o-68 *orman sai'6 feelin4 the veins in his throat p-lse with thetension of what he was sa%in4. 80e3re Per!% Pat in this areaJ we3ll pla% Per!% Pat a4ainst%o-r Connie Companion. 0here can we meet58

8Per!% Pat68 the (a!lan' fl-!er echoe'. 8eah6 I !now abo-t her. 0hat wo-l' thesta!es be6 in %o-r min'58

8p here we pla% for paper mone% mostl%68 *orman sai'6 feelin4 that his responsewas somehow lame.

80e3ve 4ot lots of paper mone%68 the (a!lan' fl-!er sai' c-ttin4l%. 8That wo-l'n3tinterest an% of -s. 0hat else58

8I 'on3t !now.8 e felt hampere'6 tal!in4 to someone he co-l' not seeJ he was not-se' to that. People sho-l'6 he tho-4ht6 be face to face6 then %o- can see the other person3s expression. This was not nat-ral. 8Let3s meet halfwa%68 he sai'6 8an' 'isc-ss it.$a%be we co-l' meet at the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pitJ how abo-t that58

The (a!lan' fl-!er sai'6 8That3s too far. o- mean l-4 o-r Connie Companionla%o-t all that wa%5 It3s too heav% an' somethin4 mi4ht happen to it.8

8*o6 -st to 'isc-ss r-les an' sta!es68 *orman sai'.

-bio-sl%6 the (a!lan' fl-!er sai'6 80ell6 I 4-ess we co-l' 'o that. B-t %o- better -n'erstan' 22 we ta!e Connie Companion 'oll prett% 'amn serio-sl%J %o- better be prepare' to tal! terms.8

80e will68 *orm ass-re' him.

All this time $a%or oo!er 1lebe ha' been cran!in4 the han'le of the 4eneratorJ perspirin46 his face bloate' with exertion6 he motione' an4ril% for *orm to concl-'e his palaver.

8At the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit68 *orm finishe'. 8In three 'a%s. An' sen' %o-r best





pla%er6 the one who has the bi44est an' most a-thentic la%o-t. (-r Per!% Pat la%o-ts arewor!s of art6 %o- -n'erstan'.8

The (a!lan' fl-!er sai'6 80e3ll believe that when we see them. After all6 we3ve4ot carpenters an' electricians an' plasterers here6 b-il'in4 o-r la%o-tsJ I3ll bet %o-3re all

-ns!ille'.8

8*ot as m-ch as %o- thin!68 *orm sai' hotl%6 an' lai' 'own the microphone. Tooo!er 1lebe 22 who ha' imme'iatel% stoppe' cran!in4 22 he sai'6 80e3ll beat them.0ait3ll the% see the 4arba4e 'isposal -nit I3m ma!in4 for m% Per!% PatJ 'i' %o- !nowthere were people bac! in the ol2'a%s6 I mean real alive h-man bein4s6 who 'i'n3t have4arba4e 'isposal -nits58

8I remember68 oo!er sai' peevishl%. 8Sa%6 %o- 4ot a lot of cran!in4 for %o-rmone%J I thin! %o- 4%ppe' me6 tal!in4 so lon4.8 e e%e' *orm with s-ch hostilit% that *orm be4an to feel -neas%. After all6 the $a%or of the pit ha' the a-thorit% to evict an%

fl-!er he wishe'J that was their law.

8I3ll 4ive %o- the fire alarm box I -st finishe' the other 'a%68 *orm sai'. 8In m%la%o-t it 4oes at the corner of the bloc! where Per!% Pat3s bo% frien' Leonar' lives.8

81oo' eno-4h68 oo!er a4ree'6 an' his hostilit% fa'e'. It was replace'6 at once6 b% 'esire. 8Let3s see it6 *orm. I bet it3ll 4o 4oo' in m% la%o-tJ a fire alarm box is -st whatI nee' to complete m% first bloc! where I have the mailbox. Than! %o-.8

8o-3re welcome68 *orm si4he'6 philosophicall%.

0hen he ret-rne' from the two2'a% tre! to the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit his face was so4rim that his wife !new at once that the parle% with the (a!lan' people ha' not 4onewell.

That mornin4 a carebo% ha' 'roppe' cartons of a s%nthetic tea2li!e 'rin!J shefixe' a c-p of it for *orman6 waitin4 to hear what ha' ta!en place ei4ht miles to theso-th.

80e ha44le'68 *orm sai'6 seate' wearil% on the be' which he an' his wife an'chil' all share'. 8The% 'on3t want mone%J the% 'on3t want 4oo's 22 nat-rall% not 4oo's6 beca-se the 'arn carebo%s are 'roppin4 re4-larl% 'own there6 too.8

80hat will the% accept6 then58

*orm sai'6 8Per!% Pat herself.8 e was silent6 then.

8(h 4oo' Lor'68 she sai'6 appalle'.





8B-t if we win68 *orm pointe' o-t6 8we win Connie Companion.8

8An' the la%o-ts5 0hat abo-t them58

80e !eep o-r own. It3s -st Per!% Pat herself6 not Leonar'6 not an%thin4 else.8

8B-t68 she proteste'6 8what3ll wedo if we lose Per!% Pat58

8I can ma!e another one68 *orm sai'. 81iven time. There3s still a bi4 s-ppl% ofthermoplastics an' artificial hair6 here in the pit. An' I have plent% of 'ifferent paintsJ itwo-l' ta!e at least a month6 b-t I co-l' 'o it. I 'on3t loo! forwar' to the ob6 I a'mit. B-t228 is e%es 4linte'. 8on3t loo! on the 'ar! si'eJi#a!ine 'hat it 'ould 4e like to 'inConnie Co#panion doll) I thin! we ma% well winJ their 'ele4ate seeme' smart an'6 asoo!er sai'6 to-4h. . . b-t the one I tal!e' to 'i'n3t stri!e me as bein4 ver% fl-!e%. o-!now6 on 4oo' terms with l-c!.8

An'6 after all6 the element of l-c!6 of chance6 entere' into each sta4e of the 4amethro-4h the a4enc% of the spinner.

8It seems wron468 ,ran sai'6 8to p-t -p Per!% Pat herself. B-t if %o- sa% so 228She mana4e' to smile a little. 8I3ll 4o alon4 with it. An' if %o- won Connie Companion 22who !nows5 o- mi4ht be electe' $a%or when oo!er 'ies. Ima4ine6 to have wonsomebo'% else3sdoll -- not -st the 4ame6 the mone%6 b-t thedoll itself

8I can win68 *orm sai' soberl%. 8Beca-se I3m ver% fl-!e%.8 e co-l' feel it inhim6 the same fl-!e%ness that ha' 4ot him thro-4h the h%'ro4en war alive6 that ha' !epthim alive ever since. o- either have it or %o- 'on3t6 he realiGe'. An' I 'o.

is wife sai'6 8Sho-l'n3t we as! oo!er to call a meetin4 of ever%one in the pit6an' sen' the best pla%er o-t of o-r entire 4ro-p. So as to be the s-rest of winnin4.8

8Listen68 *orm Schein sai' emphaticall%. 8I3m the best pla%er. I3m 4oin4. An' soare %o-J we ma!e a 4oo' team6 an' we 'on3t want to brea! it -p. An%how6 we3ll nee' atleast two people to carr% Per!% Pat3s la%o-t.8 All in all6 he -'4e'6 their la%o-t wei4he'sixt% po-n's.

is plan seeme' to him to be satisfactor%. B-t when he mentione' it to the otherslivin4 in the Pinole ,l-!e2pit he fo-n' himself facin4 sharp 'isa4reement. The wholenext 'a% was fille' with ar4-ment.

8o- can3t l-4 %o-r la%o-t all that wa% %o-rselves68 Sam &e4an sai'. 8+ither ta!emore people with %o- or carr% %o-r la%o-t in a vehicle of some sort. S-ch as a cart.8 escowle' at *orm.





80here3' I 4et a cart58 *orm 'eman'e'.

8$a%be somethin4 co-l' be a'apte'68 Sam sai'. 8I3ll 4ive %o- ever% bit of help Ican. Personall%6 I3' 4o alon4 b-t as I tol' m% wife this whole i'ea worries me.8 e

th-mpe' *orm on the bac!. 8I a'mire %o-r co-ra4e6 %o- an' ,ran6 settin4 off this wa%. Iwish I ha' what it ta!es.8 e loo!e' -nhapp%.

In the en'6 *orm settle' on a wheelbarrow. e an' ,ran wo-l' ta!e t-rns p-shin4it. That wa% neither of them wo-l' have to carr% an% loa' above an' be%on' their foo'an' water6 an' of co-rse !nives b% which to protect them from the 'o2cats.

As the% were caref-ll% placin4 the elements of their la%o-t in the wheelbarrow6 *orm Schein3s bo% Timoth% came si'lin4 -p to them. 8Ta!e me alon46 a'68 he plea'e'.8,or fift% cents I3ll 4o as 4-i'e an' sco-t6 an' also I3ll help %o- catch foo' alon4 the wa%.8

80e3ll mana4e fine68 *orm sai'. 8o- sta% here in the fl-!e2pitJ %o-3ll be saferhere.8 It anno%e' him6 the i'ea of his son ta44in4 alon4 on an important vent-re s-ch asthis. It was almost 22 sacreli4io-s.

8Kiss -s 4oo'b%e68 ,ran sai' to Timoth%6 smilin4 at him briefl%J then her attentionret-rne' to the la%o-t within the wheelbarrow. 8I hope it 'oesn3t tip over68 she sai'fearf-ll% to *orm.

8*ot a chance68 *orm sai'. 8If we3re caref-l.8 e felt confi'ent.

A few moments later the% be4an wheelin4 the wheelbarrow -p the ramp to the li'at the top6 to -pstairs. Their o-rne% to the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit ha' be4-n.

A mile o-tsi'e the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit he an' ,ran be4an to st-mble over empt%'rop2canisters an' some onl% partl% empt% remains of past care parcels s-ch as littere'the s-rface near their own pit. *orm Schein breathe' a si4h of reliefJ the o-rne% ha' not been so ba' after all6 except that his han's ha' become blistere' from 4rippin4 the metalhan'les of the wheelbarrow6 an' ,ran ha' t-rne' her an!le so that now she wal!e' with a painf-l limp. B-t it ha' ta!en them less time than he ha' anticipate'6 an' his moo' wasone of b-o%anc%.

Ahea'6 a fi4-re appeare'6 cro-chin4 low in the ash. A bo%. *orm wave' at himan' calle'6 8e%6 sonn% 22 we3re from the Pinole pitJ we3re s-ppose' to meet a part% from(a!lan' here. . . 'o %o- remember me58

The bo%6 witho-t answerin46 t-rne' an' scampere' off.

8*othin4 to be afrai' of68 *orm sai' to his wife. 8e3s 4oin4 to tell their $a%or. A





nice ol' fellow name' Ben ,ennimore.8

Soon several a'-lts appeare'6 approachin4 waril%.

0ith relief6 *orm set the le4s of the wheelbarrow 'own into the ash6 lettin4 4o

an' wipin4 his face with his han'!erchief. 8as the (a!lan' team arrive' %et58 he calle'.

8*ot %et68 a tall6 el'erl% man with a white armban' an' ornate cap answere'. 8It3s%o- Schein6 isn3t it58 he sai'6 peerin4. This was Ben ,ennimore. 8Bac! alrea'% with %o-rla%o-t.8 *ow the Ber!ele% fl-!ers ha' be4-n crow'in4 aro-n' the wheelbarrow6inspectin4 the Scheins3 la%o-t. Their faces showe' a'miration.

8The% have Per!% Pat here68 *orm explaine' to his wife. 8B-t 228 e lowere' hisvoice. 8Their la%o-ts are onl% basic. F-st a ho-se6 war'robe an' car. . . the%3ve b-iltalmost nothin4. *o ima4ination.8

(ne Ber!ele% fl-!er6 a woman6 sai' won'erin4l% to ,ran6 8An' %o- ma'e each ofthe pieces of f-rnit-re %o-rselves58 $arvelin46 she t-rne' to the man besi'e her. 8Seewhat the%3ve accomplishe'6 +'58

8es68 the man answere'6 no''in4. 8Sa%68 he sai' to ,ran an' *orm6 8can we seeit all set -p5 o-3re 4oin4 to set it -p in o-r pit6 aren3t %o-58

80e are in'ee'68 *orm sai'.

The Ber!ele% fl-!ers helpe' p-sh the wheelbarrow the last mile. An' before lon4the% were 'escen'in4 the ramp6 to the pit below the s-rface.

8It3s a bi4 pit68 *orm sai' !nowin4l% to ,ran. 8$-st be two tho-san' people here.This is where the niversit% of California was.8

8I see68 ,ran sai'6 a little timi' at enterin4 a stran4e pitJ it was the first time in%ears 22 since the war6 in fact 22 that she ha' seen an% stran4ers. An' so man% at once. Itwas almost too m-ch for herJ *orm felt her shrin! bac!6 pressin4 a4ainst him in fri4ht.

0hen the% ha' reache' the first level an' were startin4 to -nloa' thewheelbarrow6 Ben ,ennimore came -p to them an' sai' softl%6 8I thin! the (a!lan' people have been spotte'J we -st 4ot a report of activit% -pstairs. So be prepare'.8 ea''e'6 80e3re rootin4 for %o-6 of co-rse6 beca-se %o-3re Per!% Pat6 the same as -s.8

8ave %o- ever seen Connie Companion 'oll58 ,ran as!e' him.

8*o ma3am68 ,ennimore answere' co-rteo-sl%. 8B-t nat-rall% we3ve hear' abo-tit6 bein4 nei4hbors to (a!lan' an' all. I3ll tell %o- one thin4. . . we hear that Connie





Companion 'oll is a bit ol'er than Per!% Pat. o- !now 22 more6 -m6#atured)/ eexplaine'6 8I -st wante' to prepare %o-.8

*orm an' ,ran 4lance' at each other. 8Than!s68 *orm sai' slowl%. 8es6 wesho-l' be as m-ch prepare' as possible. ow abo-t Pa-l58

8(h6 he3s not m-ch68 ,ennimore sai'. 8Connie r-ns thin4sJ I 'on3t even thin! Pa-lhas a real apartment of his own. B-t %o- better wait -ntil the (a!lan' fl-!ers 4et hereJ I'on3t want to mislea' %o- 22 m% !nowle'4e is all hearsa%6 %o- -n'erstan'.8

Another Ber!ele% fl-!er6 stan'in4 nearb%6 spo!e -p. 8I saw Connie once6 an'she3s m-ch more 4rown -p than Per!% Pat.8

8ow ol' 'o %o- fi4-re Per!% Pat is58 *orm as!e' him.

8(h6 I3' sa% seventeen or ei4hteen68 *orm was tol'.

8An' Connie58 e waite' tensel%.

8(h6 she mi4ht be twent%2five6 even.8

,rom the ramp behin' them the% hear' noises. $ore Ber!ele% fl-!ers appeare'6an'6 after them6 two men carr%in4 between them a platform on which6 sprea' o-t6 *ormsaw a 4reat6 spectac-lar la%o-t.

This was the (a!lan' team6 an' the% weren3t a co-ple6 a man an' wifeJ the% were both men6 an' the% were har'2face' with stern6 remote e%es. The% er!e' their hea's briefl% at him an' ,ran6 ac!nowle'4in4 their presence. An' then6 with enormo-s care6the% set 'own the platform on which their la%o-t reste'.

Behin' them came a thir' (a!lan' fl-!er carr%in4 a metal box6 m-ch li!e a l-nch pail. *orm6 watchin46 !new instinctivel% that in the box la% Connie Companion 'oll. The(a!lan' fl-!er pro'-ce' a !e% an' be4an -nloc!in4 the box.

80e3re rea'% to be4in pla%in4 an% time68 the taller of the (a!lan' men sai'. 8Aswe a4ree' in o-r 'isc-ssion6 we3ll -se a n-mbere' spinner instea' of 'ice. Less chance ofcheatin4 that wa%.8

8A4ree'68 *orm sai'. esitantl% he hel' o-t his han'. 8I3m *orman Schein an'this is m% wife an' pla%2partner ,ran.8

The (a!lan' man6 evi'entl% the lea'er6 sai'6 8I3m 0alter &. 0%nn. This is m% partner here6 Charle% ow'6 an' the man with the box6 that3s Peter ,oster. e isn3t 4oin4to pla%J he -st 4-ar's o-r la%o-t.8 0%nn 4lance' abo-t6 at the Ber!ele% fl-!ers6 as ifsa%in46 I !now %o-3re all partial to Per!% Pat6 in here. B-t we 'on3t careJ we3re not scare'.





,ran sai'6 80e3re rea'% to pla%6 $r. 0%nn.8 er voice was low b-t controlle'.

80hat abo-t mone%58 ,ennimore as!e'.

8I thin! both teams have plent% of mone%68 0%nn sai'. e lai' o-t several

tho-san' 'ollars in 4reenbac!s6 an' now *orm 'i' the same. 8The mone% of co-rse is nota factor in this6 except as a means of con'-ctin4 the 4ame.8

*orm no''e'J he -n'erstoo' perfectl%. (nl% the 'olls themselves mattere'. An'now6 for the first time6 he saw Connie Companion 'oll.

She was bein4 place' in her be'room b% $r. ,oster who evi'entl% was in char4eof her. An' the si4ht of her too! his breath awa%. es6 she was ol'er. A 4rown woman6 nota 4irl at all. . . the 'ifference between her an' Per!% Pat was ac-te. An' so life2li!e.Carve'6 not po-re'J she obvio-sl% ha' been whittle' o-t of woo' an' then painte' 22 shewas not a thermoplastic. An' her hair. It appeare' to be 4en-ine hair.

e was 'eepl% impresse'.

80hat 'o %o- thin! of her58 0alter 0%nn as!e'6 with a faint 4rin.

8"er% 22 impressive68 *orm conce'e'.

*ow the (a!lan'ers were st-'%in4 Per!% Pat. 8Po-re' thermoplastic68 one ofthem sai'. 8Artificial hair. *ice clothes6 tho-4hJ all stitche' b% han'6 %o- can see that.Interestin4J what we hear' was correct. Per!% Pat isn3t a 4rown-p6 she3s -st a teena4er.8

*ow the male companion to Connie appeare'J he was set 'own in the be'room besi'e Connie.

80ait a min-te68 *orm sai'. 8o-3re p-ttin4 Pa-l or whatever his name is6 in her be'room with her5 oesn3t he have his own apartment58

0%nn sai'6 8The%3re marrie'.8

8$arrie'78*orman an' ,ran stare' at him6 '-mbfo-n'e'.

80h% s-re68 0%nn sai'. 8So nat-rall% the% live to4ether. o-r 'olls6 the%3re not6are the%58

8*2no68 ,ran sai'. 8Leonar' is Per!% Pat3s bo% frien'. . .8 er voice traile' off.8*orm68 she sai'6 cl-tchin4 his arm6 8I 'on3t believe himJ I thin! he3s -st sa%in4 the%3remarrie' to 4et the a'vanta4e. Beca-se if the% both start o-t from the same room 228





*orm sai' alo-'6 8o- fellows6 loo! here. It3s not fair6 callin4 them marrie'.8

0%nn sai'6 80e3re not 3callin43 them marrie'J the% are marrie'. Their names areConnie an' Pa-l Lathrope6 of <# Ar'en Place6 Pie'mont. The%3ve been marrie' for a %ear6most pla%ers will tell %o-.8 e so-n'e' calm.

$a%be6 *orm tho-4ht6 it3s tr-e. e was tr-l% sha!en.

8Loo! at them to4ether68 ,ran sai'6 !neelin4 'own to examine the (a!lan'ers3la%o-t. 8In the same be'room6 in the same ho-se. 0h%6 *ormJ 'o %o- see5 There3s -stthe one be'. A bi4 'o-ble be'.8 0il'2e%e'6 she appeale' to him. 8ow can Per!% Pat an'Leonar' pla% a4ainst them58 er voice shoo!. 8It3s not morall%ri!ht)/

8This is another t%pe of la%o-t entirel%68 *orm sai' to 0alter 0%nn. 8This6 that%o- have. tterl% 'ifferent from what we3re -se' to6 as %o- can see.8 e pointe' to hisown la%o-t. 8I insist that in this 4ame Connie an' Pa-lnot live to4ether an'not be

consi'ere' marrie'.8

8B-t the% are68 ,oster spo!e -p. 8It3s a fact. Loo! 22 their clothes are in the samecloset.8 e showe' them the closet. 8An' in the same b-rea- 'rawers.8 e showe' themthat6 too. 8An' loo! in the bathroom. Two toothbr-shes. is an' hers6 in the same rac!.So %o- can see we3re not ma!in4 it -p.8

There was silence.

Then ,ran sai' in a cho!e' voice6 8An' if the%3re marrie' 22 %o- mean the%3ve been 22 intimate58

0%nn raise' an e%ebrow6 then no''e'. 8S-re6 since the%3re marrie'. Is therean%thin4 wron4 with that58

8Per!% Pat an' Leonar' have never 228 ,ran be4an6 an' then cease'.

8*at-rall% not68 0%nn a4ree'. 8Beca-se the%3re onl% 4oin4 to4ether. 0e-n'erstan' that.8

,ran sai'6 80e -st can3t pla%. 0e can3t.8 She ca-4ht hol' of her h-sban'3s arm.8Let3s 4o bac! to Pinole pit 22 please6 *orman.8

80ait68 0%nn sai'6 at once. 8If %o- 'on3t pla%6 %o-3re conce'in4J %o- have to 4ive-p Per!% Pat.8

The three (a!lan'ers all no''e'. An'6 *orm saw6 man% of the Ber!ele% fl-!erswere no''in46 too6 incl-'in4 Ben ,ennimore.

8The%3re ri4ht68 *orm sai' heavil% to his wife. 80e3' have to 4ive her -p. 0e





better pla%6 'ear.8

8es68 ,ran sai'6 in a 'ea'6 flat voice. 80e3ll pla%.8 She bent 'own an' listlessl%sp-n the nee'le of the spinner. It stoppe' at six.

Smilin46 0alter 0%nn !nelt 'own an' sp-n. e obtaine' a fo-r.

The 4ame ha' be4-n.

Cro-chin4 behin' the strewn6 'eca%e' contents of a care parcel that ha' been'roppe' lon4 a4o6 Timoth% Schein saw comin4 across the s-rface of ash his mother an'father6 p-shin4 the wheelbarrow ahea' of them. The% loo!e' tire' an' worn.

8i68 Timoth% %elle'6 leapin4 o-t at them in o% at seein4 them a4ainJ he ha'

misse' them ver% m-ch.

8i6 son68 his father m-rm-re'6 no''in4. e let 4o of the han'les of thewheelbarrow6 then halte' an' wipe' his face with his han'!erchief.

*ow ,re' Chamberlain race' -p6 pantin4. 8i6 $r. ScheinJ hi6 $rs. Schein. e%6'i' %o- win5 i' %o- beat the (a!lan' fl-!ers5 I bet %o- 'i'6 'i'n3t %o-58 e loo!e'from one of them to the other an' then bac!.

In a low voice ,ran sai'6 8es6 ,re''%. 0e won.8

*orm sai'6 8Loo! in the wheelbarrow.8

The two bo%s loo!e'. An'6 there amon4 Per!% Pat3s f-rnishin4s6 la% another 'oll.Lar4er6 f-ller2fi4-re'6 m-ch ol'er than Pat... the% stare' at her an' she stare' -psi4htlessl% at the 4ra% s!% overhea'. So this is Connie Companion 'oll6 Timoth% sai' tohimself. 1ee.

80e were l-c!%68 *orm sai'. *ow several people ha' emer4e' from the pit an'were 4atherin4 aro-n' them6 listenin4. Fean an' Sam &e4an6 To' $orrison an' his wifeelen6 an' now their $a%or6 oo!er 1lebe himself6 wa''lin4 -p excite' an' nervo-s6his face fl-she'6 4aspin4 for breath from the labor 22 -n-s-al for him 22 of ascen'in4 theramp.

,ran sai'680e 4ot a cancellation of 'ebts car'6 -st when we were most behin'.0e owe' fift% tho-san'6 an' it ma'e -s even with the (a!lan' fl-!ers. An' then6 afterthat6 we 4ot an a'vance ten s-ares car'6 an' that p-t -s ri4ht on the ac!pot s-are6 atleast in o-r la%o-t. 0e ha' a ver% bitter s-abble6 beca-se the (a!lan'ers showe' -s thaton their la%o-t it was a tax lien slappe' on real estate hol'in4s s-are6 b-t we ha' sp-n ano'' n-mber so that p-t -s bac! on o-r own boar'.8 She si4he'. 8I3m 4la' to be bac!. It





was har'6 oo!erJ it was a to-4h 4ame.8

oo!er 1lebe wheeGe'6 8Let3s all 4et a loo! at the Connie Companion 'oll6fol!s.8 To ,ran an' *orm he sai'6 8Can I lift her -p an' show them58

8S-re68 *orm sai'6 no''in4.

oo!er pic!e' -p Connie Companion 'oll. 8She s-re is realistic68 he sai'6scr-tiniGin4 her. 8Clothes aren3t as nice as o-rs 4enerall% areJ the% loo! machine2ma'e.8

8The% are68 *orm a4ree'. 8B-t she3s carve'6 not po-re'.8

8es6 so I see.8 oo!er t-rne' the 'oll abo-t6 inspectin4 her from all an4les. 8Anice ob. She3s 22 -m6 more fille'2o-t than Per!% Pat. 0hat3s this o-tfit she has on5 Twee's-it of some sort.8

8A b-siness s-it68 ,ran sai'. 80e won that with herJ the% ha' a4ree' on that ina'vance.8

8o- see6 she has a ob68 *orm explaine'. 8She3s a ps%cholo4% cons-ltant for a b-siness firm 'oin4 mar!etin4 research. In cons-mer preferences. A hi4h2pa%in4 position. . . she earns twent% tho-san' a %ear6 I believe 0%nn sai'.8

81oll%68 oo!er sai'. 8An' Pat3s -st 4oin4 to colle4eJ she3s still in school.8 eloo!e' tro-ble'. 80ell6 I 4-ess the% were bo-n' to be ahea' of -s in some wa%s. 0hatmatters is that %o- won.8 is ovial smile ret-rne'. 8Per!% Pat came o-t ahea'.8 e hel'the Connie Companion 'oll -p hi4h6 where ever%one co-l' see her. 8Loo! what *orman' ,ran came bac! with6 fol!s78

*orm sai'6 8Be caref-l with her6 oo!er.8 is voice was firm.

8+h58 oo!er sai'6 pa-sin4. 80h%6 *orm58

8Beca-se68 *orm sai'6 8she3s 4oin4 to have a bab%.8

There was a s-''en chill silence. The ash aro-n' them stirre' faintl%J that was theonl% so-n'.

8ow 'o %o- !now58 oo!er as!e'.

8The% tol' -s. The (a!lan'ers tol' -s. An' we won that6 too 22 after a bitterar4-ment that ,ennimore ha' to settle.8 &eachin4 into the wheelbarrow he bro-4ht o-t alittle leather po-ch6 from it he caref-ll% too! a carve' pin! new2born bab%. 80e won thistoo beca-se ,ennimore a4ree' that from a technical stan'point it3s literall% part of ConnieCompanion 'oll at this point.8





oo!er stare' a lon46 lon4 time.

8She3s marrie'68 ,ran explaine'. 8To Pa-l. The%3re not -st 4oin4 to4ether. She3sthree months pre4nant6 $r. 0%nn sai'. e 'i'n3t tell -s -ntil after we wonJ he 'i'n3t wantto6 then6 b-t the% felt the% ha' to. I thin! the% were ri4htJ it wo-l'n3t have 'one not to

sa%.8

*orm sai'6 8An' in a''ition there3s act-all% an embr%o o-tfit 228

8es68 ,ran sai'. 8o- have to open Connie -p6 of co-rse6 to see 228

8*o68 Fean &e4an sai'. 8Please6 no.8

oo!er sai'6 8*o6 $rs. Schein6 'on3t.8 e bac!e' awa%.

,ran sai'6 8It shoc!e' -s of co-rse at first6 b-t 228

8o- see68 *orm p-t in6 8it3s lo4icalJ %o- have to follow the lo4ic. 0h%6event-all% Per!% Pat 228

8*o68 oo!er sai' violentl%. e bent 'own6 pic!e' -p a roc! from the ash at hisfeet. 8*o68 he sai'6 an' raise' his arm. 8o- stop6 %o- two. on3t sa% an% more.8

*ow the &e4ans6 too6 ha' pic!e' -p roc!s. *o one spo!e. ,ran sai'6 at last68*orm6 we3ve 4ot to 4et o-t of here.8

8o-3re ri4ht68 To' $orrison tol' them. is wife no''e' in 4rim a4reement.

8o- two 4o bac! 'own to (a!lan'68 oo!er tol' *orman an' ,ran Schein. 8o-'on3t live here an% more. o-3re 'ifferent than %o- were. o- 22 chan4e'.8

8es68 Sam &e4an sai' slowl%6 half to himself. 8I was ri4htJ there was somethin4to fear.8 To *orm Schein he sai'6 8ow 'iffic-lt a trip is it to (a!lan'58

80e -st went to Ber!ele%68 *orm sai'. 8To the Ber!ele% ,l-!e2pit.8 e seeme' baffle' an' st-nne' b% what was happenin4. 8$% 1o'68 he sai'6 8we can3t t-rn aro-n'an' p-sh this wheelbarrow bac! all the wa% to Ber!ele% a4ain 22 we3re worn o-t6 we nee'rest78

Sam &e4an sai'6 80hat if somebo'% else p-she'58 e wal!e' -p to the Scheins6then6 an' stoo' with them. 8I3ll p-sh the 'arn thin4. o- lea' the wa%6 Schein.8 e loo!e'towar' his own wife6 b-t Fean 'i' not stir. An' she 'i' not p-t 'own her han'f-l of roc!s.

Timoth% Schein pl-c!e' at his father3s arm. 8Can I come this time6 a'5 Pleaselet me come.8





8(!a%68 *orm sai'6 half to himself. *ow he 'rew himself to4ether. 8So we3re notwante' here.8 e t-rne' to ,ran. 8Let3s 4o. Sam3s 4oin4 to p-sh the wheelbarrowJ I thin!we can ma!e it bac! there before ni4htfall. If not6 we can sleep o-t in the openJTimoth%3ll help protect -s a4ainst the 'o2cats.8 ,ran sai'6 8I 4-ess we have no choice.8er face was pale. 8An' ta!e this68 oo!er sai'. e hel' o-t the tin% carve' bab%. ,ran

Schein accepte' it an' p-t it ten'erl% bac! in its leather po-ch. *orm lai' ConnieCompanion bac! 'own in the wheelbarrow6 where she ha' been. The% were rea'% to start bac!.

8It3ll happen -p here event-all%68 *orm sai'6 to the 4ro-p of people6 to the Pinolefl-!ers. 8(a!lan' is -st more a'vance'J that3s all.8

81o on68 oo!er 1lebe sai'. 81et starte'.8

*o''in46 *orm starte' to pic! -p the han'les of the wheelbarrow6 b-t Sam &e4anmove' him asi'e an' too! them himself. 8Let3s 4o68 he sai'.

The three a'-lts6 with Timoth% Schein 4oin4 ahea' of them with his !nife rea'% 22in case a 'o2cat attac!e' 22 starte' into motion6 in the 'irection of (a!lan' an' the so-th. *o one spo!e. There was nothin4 to sa%.

8It3s a shame this ha' to happen68 *orm sai' at last6 when the% ha' 4one almost amile an' there was no f-rther si4n of the Pinole fl-!ers behin' them.

8$a%be not68 Sam &e4an sai'. 8$a%be it3s for the 4oo'.8 e 'i' not seem'owncast. An' after all6 he ha' lost his wifeJ he ha' 4iven -p more than an%one else6 an'%et 22 he ha' s-rvive'.

81la' %o- feel that wa%68 *orm sai' somberl%. The% contin-e' on6 each with hisown tho-4hts.

After a while6 Timoth% sai' to his father6 8All these bi4 fl-!e2pits to the so-th. . .there3s lots more thin4s to 'o there6 isn3t there5 I mean6 %o- 'on3t -st sit aro-n' pla%in4that 4ame.8 e certainl% hope' not.

is father sai'6 8That3s tr-e6 I 4-ess.8

(verhea'6 a care ship whistle' at 4reat velocit% an' then was 4one a4ain almost atonceJ Timoth% watche' it 4o b-t he was not reall% intereste' in it6 beca-se there was som-ch more to loo! forwar' to6 on the 4ro-n' an' below the 4ro-n'6 ahea' of them to theso-th.

is father m-rm-re'6 8Those (a!lan'ersJ their 4ame6 their partic-lar 'oll6 itta-4ht them somethin4. Connie ha' to 4row an' it force' them all to 4row alon4 with her.(-r fl-!ers never learne' abo-t that6 not from Per!% Pat. I won'er if the% ever will. She3'have to 4row -p the wa% Connie 'i'. Connie m-st have been li!e Per!% Pat6 once. A lon4





time a4o.8

*ot intereste' in what his father was sa%in4 22 who reall% care' abo-t 'olls an'4ames with 'olls5 22 Timoth% scampere' ahea'6 peerin4 to see what la% before them6 theopport-nities an' possibilities6 for him an' for his mother an' 'a'6 for $r. &e4an also.

8I can3t wait68 he %elle' bac! at his father6 an' *orm Schein mana4e' a faint6fati4-e' smile in answer.

Stan'2b%

An ho-r beforehis mornin4 pro4ram on channel six6 ran!in4 news clown FimBris!in sat in his private office with his pro'-ction staff6 conferrin4 on the report of an-n!nown possibl% hostile flotilla 'etecte' at ei4ht h-n're' astronomical -nits from thes-n. It was bi4 news6 of co-rse. B-t how sho-l' it be presente' to his several2billionviewers scattere' over three planets an' seven moons5

Pe44% Fones6 his secretar%6 lit a ci4arette an' sai'6 8on3t alarm them6 Fim2Fam.o it fol!s%2st%le.8 She leane' bac!6 riffle' the 'ispatches receive' b% their commercialstation from nicephalon #)23s telet%pers.

It ha' been the homeostatic problem2solvin4 str-ct-re nicephalon #)2 at the0hite o-se in 0ashin4ton6 .C. which ha' 'etecte' this possible external enem%J in itscapacit% as Presi'ent of the nite' States it ha' at once 'ispatche' ships of the line tostan' pic!et '-t%. The flotilla appeare' to be enterin4 from another solar s%stem entirel%6 b-t that fact of co-rse wo-l' have to be 'etermine' b% the pic!et ships.

8,ol!s%2st%le68 Fim Bris!in sai' 4l-ml%. 8I 4rin an' sa%6 e% loo! comra'es 22 it3shappene' at last6 the thin4 we all feare'6 ha ha.8 e e%e' her. 8That3ll 4et bas!ets f-ll ofla-4hs all over +arth an' $ars b-t -st possibl% not on the far2o-t moons.8 Beca-se ifthere were some !in' of attac! it wo-l' be the farther colonists who wo-l' be hit first.

8*o6 the% won3t be am-se'68 his contin-it% a'visor +' ,ineber4 a4ree'. e6 too6loo!e' worrie'J he ha' a famil% on 1an%me'e.

8Is there an% li4hter piece of news58 Pe44% as!e'. 8B% which %o- co-l' open





%o-r pro4ram5 The sponsor wo-l' li!e that.8 She passe' the armloa' of news 'ispatchesto Bris!in. 8See what %o- can 'o. $-tant cow obtains votin4 franchise in co-rt case inAlabama. . . %o- !now.8

8I !now68 Bris!in a4ree' as he be4an to inspect the 'ispatches. (ne s-ch as his

-aint acco-nt 22 it ha' to-che' the hearts of millions 22 of the m-tant bl-e a% whichlearne'6 b% 4reat trial an' effort6 to sew. It ha' sewn itself an' its pro4en% a nest6 oneApril mornin46 in Bismar!6 *orth a!ota6 in front of the T" cameras of Bris!in3snetwor!.

(ne piece of news stoo' o-tJ he !new int-itivel%6 as soon as he saw it6 that herehe ha' what he wante' to li4hten the 'ire tone of the 'a%3s news. Seein4 it6 he relaxe'.The worl's went on with b-siness as -s-al6 'espite this 4reat news2brea! from ei4hth-n're' As o-t.

8Loo!68 he sai'6 4rinnin4. 8(l' 1-s SchatG is 'ea'. ,inall%.8

80ho3s 1-s SchatG58 Pe44% as!e'6 p-GGle'. 8That name. . . it 'oes so-n'familiar.8

8The -nion man68 Fim Bris!in sai'. 8o- remember. The stan'2b% Presi'ent6 sentover to 0ashin4ton b% the -nion twent%2two %ears a4o. e3s 'ea'6 an' the -nion 228 etosse' her the 'ispatch: it was l-ci' an' brief. 8*ow it3s sen'in4 a new stan'2b% Presi'entover to ta!e SchatG3s place. I thin! I3ll interview him. Ass-min4 he can tal!.8

8That3s ri4ht68 Pe44% sai'. 8I !eep for4ettin4. There still is a h-man stan'2b% incase nicephalon fails. as it ever faile'58

8*o.8 +' ,ineber4 sai'6 8An' it never will. So we have one more case of -nionfeatherbe''in4. The pla4-e of o-r societ%.8

8B-t still68 Fim Bris!in sai'6 8people wo-l' be am-se'. The home life of the topstan'2b% in the co-ntr%. . . wh% the -nion pic!e' him6 what his hobbies are. 0hat thisman6 whoever he is6 plans to 'o '-rin4 his term to !eep from 4oin4 ma' with bore'om.(l' 1-s learne' to bin' boo!sJ he collecte' rare ol' motor ma4aGines an' bo-n' them invell-m with 4ol'2stampe' letterin4.8

Both +' an' Pe44% no''e' in a4reement. 8o that68 Pe44% -r4e' him. 8o- canma!e it interestin46 Fim2FamJ %o- can ma!e an%thin4 interestin4. I3ll place a call to the0hite o-se6 or is the new man there %et58

8Probabl% still at -nion hea'-arters in Chica4o68 +' sai'. 8Tr% a line there.1overnment Civil Servants3 nion6 +ast ivision.8

Pic!in4 -p the phone6 Pe44% -ic!l% 'iale'.





At seven o3cloc! in the mornin4 $aximilian ,ischer sleepil% hear' noisesJ helifte' his hea' from the pillow6 hear' the conf-sion 4rowin4 in the !itchen6 the lan'la'%3sshrill voice6 then men3s voices which were -nfamiliar to him. 1ro44il%6 he mana4e' to sit

-p6 shiftin4 his b-l! with care. e 'i' not h-rr%J the 'oc ha' sai' not to overexert6 beca-se of the strain on his alrea'%2enlar4e' heart. So he too! his time 'ressin4.

$-st be after a contrib-tion to one of the f-n's6$ax sai' to himself. 7t sounds like so#e of the fellas) Pretty early, thou!h) e 'i' not feel alarme'. 70# in !ood standin!, hetho-4ht firml%. *uthin0 to fear)

0ith care6 he b-ttone' a fine pin! an' 4reen2stripe' sil! shirt6 one of hisfavorites.8ives #e class, he tho-4ht as with labore' effort he mana4e' to ben' fareno-4h over to slip on his a-thentic sim-late' 'eers!in p-mps. Be ready to #eet the# on

an e:uality level, he tho-4ht as he smoothe' his thinnin4 hair before the mirror. 7f they

shake #e do'n too #uch 70ll s:ua'k directly to Pat *o4le at the *oo ork hirin! hall5 7#ean, 7 don0t have to stand for any stuff) 7 4een in the union too lon!)

,rom the other room a voice bawle'6 8,ischer 22 4et %o-r clothes on an' comeo-t. 0e 4ot a ob for %o- an' it be4ins to'a%.8

A ob6$ax tho-4ht with mixe' feelin4sJ he 'i' not !now whether to be 4la' orsorr%. ,or over a %ear now he ha' been 'rawin4 from the -nion f-n'6 as were most of hisfrien's. 0ell what 'o %o- !now.8ripes, he tho-4htJ suppose it0s a hard 6o4, like #ay4e 7

!ot to 4end over all the ti#e or #ove around) e felt an4er.What a dirty deal) 7 #ean,'ho do they think they are% (penin4 the 'oor6 he face' them. 8Listen68 he be4an6 b-t oneof the -nion officials c-t him off.

8Pac! %o-r thin4s6 ,ischer. 1-s SchatG !ic!e' the b-c!et an' %o- 4ot to 4o 'ownto 0ashin4ton6 .C. an' ta!e over the n-mber one stan'2b%J we want %o- there beforethe% abolish the position or somethin4 an' we have to 4o o-t on stri!e or 4o to co-rt.$ainl%6 we want to 4et someone ri4ht in clean an' eas% with no tro-bleJ %o- -n'erstan'5$a!e the transition so smooth that no one har'l% ta!es notice.8

At once6 $ax sai'6 80hat3s it pa%58

0itherin4l%6 the -nion official sai'6 8o- 4ot no 'ecision to ma!e in thisJ you 0re

picked) o- want %o-r freeloa'er f-n'2mone% c-t off5 o- want to have to 4et o-t at%o-r a4e an' loo! for wor!58

8Aw come on68 $ax proteste'. 8I can pic! -p the phone an' 'ial Pat *oble 228

The -nion officials were 4rabbin4 -p obects here an' there in the apartment.80e3ll help %o- pac!. Pat wants %o- in the 0hite o-se b% ten o3cloc! this mornin4.8





8Pat78 $ax echoe'. e ha' been sol' o-t.

The -nion officials6 'ra44in4 s-itcases from the closet6 4rinne'.

Shortl%6 the% were on their wa% across the flatlan's of the $i'west b% monorail.$oo'il%6 $aximilian ,ischer watche' the co-ntr%si'e flash pastJ he sai' nothin4 to theofficials flan!in4 him6 preferrin4 to m-ll the matter over an' over in his min'. 0hatco-l' he recall abo-t the n-mber one stan'2b% ob5 It be4an at ei4ht A.$. 22 he recalle'rea'in4 that. An' there alwa%s were a lot of to-rists floc!in4 thro-4h the 0hite o-se tocatch a 4limpse of nicephalon #)26 especiall% the school !i's. . . an' he 'isli!e' !i's beca-se the% alwa%s eere' at him '-e to his wei4ht. 1ripes6 he3' have a million of themfilin4 b%6 beca-se he ha' to be on the premises. B% law6 he ha' to be within a h-n're'%ar's of nicephalon #)2 at all times6 'a% an' ni4ht6 or was it fift% %ar's5 An%how it practicall% was ri4ht on top6 so if the homeostatic problem2solvin4 s%stem faile' 22 May4e

7 4etter 4one up on this, he 'eci'e'.Take a T< educational course on !overn#entad#inistration, 6ust in case)

To the -nion official on his ri4ht6 $ax as!e'6 8Listen6 4oo'member6 'o I have an% powers in this ob %o- 4-%s 4ot me5 I mean6 can I 228

8It3s a -nion ob li!e ever% other -nion ob68 the official answere' wearil%. 8o-sit. o- stan' b%. ave %o- been o-t of wor! that lon46 %o- 'on3t remember58 ela-4he'6 n-'4in4 his companion. 8Listen6 ,ischer here wants to !now what a-thorit% the ob entails.8 *ow both men la-4he'. 8I tell %o- what6 ,ischer68 the official 'rawle'.80hen %o-3re all set -p there in the 0hite o-se6 when %o- 4ot %o-r chair an' be' an'ma'e all %o-r arran4ements for meals an' la-n'r% an' T" viewin4 time6 wh% 'on3t %o-amble over to nicephalon #)2 an' -st sort of whine aro-n' there6 %o- !now6 scratchan' whine6 -ntil it notices %o-.8

8La% off68 $ax m-ttere'.

8An' then68 the official contin-e'6 8%o- sort of sa%6 e% nicephalon6 listen. I3m%o-r b-''%. ow abo-t a little 3I scratch %o-r bac!6 %o- scratch mine.3 o- pass anor'inance for me 228

8B-t what can he 'o in exchan4e58 the other -nion official as!e'.

8Am-se it. e can tell it the stor% of his life6 how he rose o-t of povert% an'obsc-rit% an' e'-cate' himself b% watchin4 T" seven 'a%s a wee! -ntil finall%6 4-esswhat6 he rose all the wa% to the topJ he 4ot the ob 228 The official snic!ere'. 8(f stan'2b%Presi'ent.8

$aximilian6 fl-shin46 sai' nothin4J he stare' woo'enl% o-t of the monorailwin'ow.





0hen the% reache' 0ashin4ton6 .C. an' the 0hite o-se6 $aximilian ,ischerwas shown a little room. It ha' belon4e' to 1-s6 an' altho-4h the fa'e' ol' motor

ma4aGines ha' been cleare' o-t6 a few prints remaine' tac!e' on the walls: a 9@ "olvoS29<<6 a 9?E Pe-4eot #) an' other anti-e classics of a b%4one a4e. An'6 on a boo!case6 $ax saw a han'2carve' plastic mo'el of a 9?) St-'eba!er Starli4ht co-pe6with each 'etail perfect.

8e was ma!in4 that when he croa!e'68 one of the -nion officials sai' as he set'own $ax3s s-itcase. 8e co-l' tell %o- an% fact there is abo-t those ol' pret-rbine cars22 an% -seless bit of car !nowle'4e.8

$ax no''e'.

8o- 4ot an% i'ea what %o-3re 4oin4 to 'o58 the official as!e' him.

8Aw hell68 $ax sai'. 8ow co-l' I 'eci'e so soon5 1ive me time.8 $oo'il%6 he pic!e' -p the St-'eba!er Starli4ht co-pe an' examine' its -n'ersi'e. The 'esire tosmash the mo'el car came to himJ he p-t the car 'own6 then6 t-rnin4 awa%.

8$a!e a r-bber ban' ball68 the official sai'.

80hat58 $ax sai'.

8The stan'2b% before 1-s. Lo-is somebo'%2or2other. . . he collecte' r-bber ban's6ma'e a h-4e ball6 bi4 as a ho-se6 b% the time he 'ie'. I for4et his name6 b-t the r-bber ban' ball is at the Smithsonian now.8

There was a stir in the hallwa%. A 0hite o-se receptionist6 a mi''le2a4e'woman severel% 'resse'6 p-t her hea' in the room an' sai'6 8$r. Presi'ent6 there3s a T"news clown here to interview %o-. Please tr% to finish with him as -ic!l% as possible beca-se we have -ite a few to-rs passin4 thro-4h the b-il'in4 to'a% an' some ma%want to loo! at %o-.8

8(!a%68 $ax sai'. e t-rne' to face the T" news clown. It was Fim2Fam Bris!in6he saw6 the ran!in4 clown -st now. 8o- want to see me58 he as!e' Bris!in haltin4l%. 8Imean6 %o-3re s-re it3s#e %o- want to interview58 e co-l' not ima4ine what Bris!inco-l' fin' of interest abo-t him. ol'in4 o-t his han' he a''e'6 8This is m% room6 b-tthese mo'el cars an' pics aren3t mineJ the% were 1-s3s. I can3t tell %o- n-thin3 abo-tthem.8

(n Bris!in3s hea' the familiar flamin42re' clown wi4 4lowe'6 4ivin4 him in reallife the same biGarre cast that the T" cameras pic!e' -p so well. e was ol'er6 however6than the T" ima4e in'icate'6 b-t he ha' the frien'l%6 nat-ral smile that ever%one loo!e'





for: it was his ba'4e of informalit%6 a reall% nice 4-%6 even2tempere' b-t with a ca-sticwit when occasion 'eman'e'. Bris!in was the sort of man who. . .'ell, $ax tho-4ht6the

sort of fella you0d like to see #arry into your fa#ily)

The% shoo! han's. Bris!in sai'6 8o-3re on camera6 $r. $ax ,ischer. (r rather6

$r. Presi'ent6 I sho-l' sa%. This is Fim2Fam tal!in4. ,or o-r literall% billions of viewerslocate' in ever% niche an' corner of this far2fl-n4 solar s%stem of o-rs6 let me as! %o-this. ow 'oes it feel6 sir6 to !now that if nicephalon #)2 sho-l' fail6 evenmomentaril%6 %o- wo-l' be catap-lte' into the most important post that has ever fallenonto the sho-l'ers of a h-man bein46 that of act-al6 not merel% stan'2b%6 Presi'ent of thenite' States5 oes it worr% %o- at ni4ht58 e smile'. Behin' him the cameratechnicians sw-n4 their mobile lenses bac! an' forthJ li4hts b-rne' $ax3s e%es an' hefelt the heat be4innin4 to ma!e him sweat -n'er his arms an' on his nec! an' -pper lip.80hat emotions 4rip %o- at this instant58 Bris!in as!e'. 8As %o- stan' on the threshol'of this new tas! for perhaps the balance of %o-r life5 0hat tho-4hts r-n thro-4h %o-rmin'6 now that %o-3re act-all% here in the 0hite o-se58

After a pa-se6 $ax sai'6 8It3s 22 a bi4 responsibilit%.8 An' then he realiGe'6 he saw6that Bris!in was la-4hin4 at him6 la-4hin4 silentl% as he stoo' there. Beca-se it wasall a 4a4 Bris!in was p-llin4. (-t in the planets an' moons his a-'ience !new it6 tooJthe% !new Fim2Fam3s h-mor.

8o-3re a lar4e man6 $r. ,ischer68 Bris!in sai'. 8If I ma% sa% so6 a sto-t man. o%o- 4et m-ch exercise5 I as! this beca-se with %o-r new ob %o- prett% well will beconfine' to this room6 an' I won'ere' what chan4e in %o-r life this wo-l' brin4 abo-t.8

80ell68 $ax sai'6 8I feel of co-rse that a 1overnment emplo%ee sho-l' alwa%s beat his post. es6 what %o- sa% is tr-eJ I have to be ri4ht here 'a% an' ni4ht6 b-t that'oesn3t bother me. I3m prepare' for it.8

8Tell me68 Fim Bris!in sai'6 8'o %o- 228 An' then he cease'. T-rnin4 to the vi'eotechnicians behin' him he sai' in an o'' voice6 80e3re off the air.8

A man wearin4 hea'phones s-eeGe' forwar' past the cameras. 8(n the monitor6listen.8 e h-rrie'l% han'e' the hea'phones to Bris!in. 80e3ve been pre2empte' b%nicephalonJ it3s broa'castin4 a news b-lletin.8

Bris!in hel' the phones to his ear. is face writhe' an' he sai'6 8Those ships atei4ht h-n're' As. The% are hostile6 it sa%s.8 e 4lance' -p sharpl% at his technicians6the re' clown3s wi4 sli'in4 as!ew. 8The%3ve be4-n to attac!.8

0ithin the followin4 twent%2fo-r ho-rs the aliens ha' mana4e' not onl% to penetrate the Sol S%stem b-t also to !noc! o-t nicephalon #)2.





*ews of this reache' $aximilian ,ischer in an in'irect manner as he sat in the0hite o-se cafeteria havin4 his s-pper.

8$r. $aximilian ,ischer58

8eah68 $ax sai'6 4lancin4 -p at the 4ro-p of Secret Servicemen who ha's-rro-n'e' his table.

8o-3re Presi'ent of the nite' States.8

8*aw68 $ax sai'. 8I3m the stan'2b% Presi'entJ that3s 'ifferent.8

The Secret Serviceman sai'6 8nicephalon #)2 is o-t of commission for perhapsas lon4 as a month. So accor'in4 to the amen'e' Constit-tion6 %o-3re Presi'ent an' alsoComman'er2in2Chief of the arme' forces. 0e3re here to 4-ar' %o-.8 The SecretServiceman 4rinne' l-'icro-sl%. $ax 4rinne' bac!. 8o %o- -n'erstan'58 the Secret

Serviceman as!e'. 8I mean6 'oes it penetrate58

8S-re68 $ax sai'. *ow he -n'erstoo' the b-GG of conversation he ha' overhear'while waitin4 in the cafeteria line with his tra%. It explaine' wh% 0hite o-se personnelha' loo!e' at him stran4el%. e set 'own his coffee c-p6 wipe' his mo-th with hisnap!in6 slowl% an' 'eliberatel%6 preten'e' to be absorbe' in solemn tho-4ht. B-t act-all%his min' was empt%.

80e3ve been tol'68 the Secret Serviceman sai'6 8that %o-3re nee'e' at once at the *ational Sec-rit% Co-ncil b-n!er. The% want %o-r participation in finaliGation of strate4%'eliberations.8

The% wal!e' from the cafeteria to the elevator.

8Strate4% polic%68 $ax sai'6 as the% 'escen'e'. 8I 4ot a few opinions abo-t that. I4-ess it3s time to 'eal harshl% with these alien ships6 'on3t %o- a4ree58

The Secret Servicemen no''e'.

8es6 we 4ot to show we3re not afrai'68 $ax sai'. 8S-re6 we3ll 4et finaliGationJwe3ll blast the b-44ers.8

The Secret Servicemen la-4he' 4oo'2nat-re'l%.

Please'6 $ax n-'4e' the lea'er of the 4ro-p. 8I thin! we3re prett% 4o''am stron4JI mean6 the .S.A. has 4ot teeth.8

8o- tell 3em6 $ax68 one of the Secret Servicemen sai'6 an' the% all la-4he'alo-'. $ax incl-'e'.





As the% steppe' from the elevator the% were stoppe' b% a tall6 well2'resse' manwho sai' -r4entl%6 8$r. Presi'ent6 I3m Fonathan Kir!6 0hite o-se press secretar%J Ithin! before %o- 4o in there to confer with the *SC people %o- sho-l' a''ress the nationin this ho-r of 4ravest peril. The p-blic wants to see what their new lea'er is li!e.8 ehel' o-t a paper. 8ere3s a statement 'rawn -p b% the Political A'visor% Boar'J it co'ifies

%o-r 228

8*-ts68 $ax sai'6 han'in4 it bac! witho-t loo!in4 at it. 8I3m the Presi'ent6 not%o-. Kir!5 B-r!e5 Shir!5 *ever hear' of %o-. Show me the microphone an' I3ll ma!e m%own speech. (r 4et me Pat *obleJ ma%be he3s 4ot some i'eas.8 An' then he remembere'that Pat ha' sol' him o-t in the first placeJ Pat ha' 4otten him into this. 8*ot him either68$ax sai'. 8F-st 4ive me the microphone.8

8This is a time of crisis68 Kir! 4rate'.

8S-re68 $ax sai'6 8so leave me aloneJ %o- !eep o-t of m% wa% an' I3ll !eep o-t of

%o-rs. Ain3t that ri4ht58 e slappe' Kir! 4oo'2nat-re'l% on the bac!. 8An' we3ll both be better off.8

A 4ro-p of people with portable T" cameras an' li4htin4 appeare'6 an' amon4them $ax saw Fim2Fam Bris!in6 in the mi''le6 with his staff.

8e%6 Fim2Fam68 he %elle'. 8Loo!6 I3m Presi'ent now78

Stoli'l%6 Fim Bris!in came towar' him.

8I3m not 4oin4 to be win'in4 no ball of strin468 $ax sai'. 8(r ma!in4 mo'el boats6 n-thin3 li!e that.8 e shoo! han's warml% with Bris!in. 8I than! %o-68 $ax sai'.8,or %o-r con4rat-lations.8

8Con4rat-lations68 Bris!in sai'6 then6 in a low voice.

8Than!s68 $ax sai'6 s-eeGin4 the man3s han' -ntil the !n-c!les crea!e'. 8(fco-rse6 sooner or later the%3ll 4et that noise2box patche' -p an' I3ll -st be stan'2b% a4ain.B-t 228 e 4rinne' 4leef-ll% aro-n' at all of themJ the corri'or was f-ll of people now6from T" to 0hite o-se staff members to Arm% officers an' Secret Servicemen.

Bris!in sai'6 8o- have a bi4 tas!6 $r. ,ischer.8

8eah68 $ax a4ree'.

Somethin4 in Bris!in3s e%es sai': "nd 7 'onder if you can handle it) 7 'onder if you 0re the #an to hold such po'er)

8S-rel% I can 'o it68 $ax 'eclare'6 into Bris!in3s microphone6 for all the vasta-'ience to hear.





8Possibl% %o- can68 Fim Bris!in sai'6 an' on his face was '-bio-sness.

8e%6 %o- 'on3t li!e me an% more68 $ax sai'. 8ow come58

Bris!in sai' nothin46 b-t his e%es flic!ere'.

8Listen68 $ax sai'6 8I3m Presi'ent nowJ I can close 'own %o-r sill% networ! 2 Ican sen' ,BI men in an% time I want. ,or %o-r information I3m firin4 the Attorne%1eneral ri4ht now6 whatever his name is6 an' p-ttin4 in a man I !now6 a man I can tr-st.8

Bris!in sai'6 8I see.8 An' now he loo!e' less '-bio-sJ conviction6 of a sort which$ax co-l' not fathom6 be4an to appear instea'. 8es68 Fim Bris!in sai'6 8%o- have thea-thorit% to or'er that6 'on3t %o-5 o-3re reall% Presi'ent. . .8

80atch o-t68 $ax sai'. 8o-3re nothin4 compare' to me6 Bris!in6 even if %o- 'o

have that 4reat bi4 a-'ience.8 Then6 t-rnin4 his bac! on the cameras6 he stro'e thro-4hthe open 'oor6 into the *SC b-n!er.

o-rs later6 in the earl% mornin46 'own in the *ational Sec-rit% Co-ncils-bs-rface b-n!er6 $aximilian ,ischer listene' sleepil% to the T" set in the bac!4ro-n'as it %ammere' o-t the latest news. B% now6 intelli4ence so-rces ha' plotte' the arrival ofthirt% more alien ships in the Sol S%stem. It was believe' that sevent% in all ha' entere'.+ach was bein4 contin-all% trac!e'.

B-t that was not eno-4h6 $ax !new. Sooner or later he wo-l' have to 4ive theor'er to attac! the alien ships. e hesitate'. After all6 who were the%5 *obo'% at CIA!new. ow stron4 were the%5 *ot !nown either. An' 22 wo-l' the attac! be s-ccessf-l5

An' then there were 'omestic problems. nicephalon ha' contin-all% tin!ere'with the econom%6 primin4 it when necessar%6 c-ttin4 taxes6 lowerin4 interest rates. . .that ha' cease' with the problem2solver3s 'estr-ction. Jee. 6 $ax tho-4ht 'ismall%.What

do 7 kno' a4out une#ploy#ent1 7 #ean, ho' can 7 tell 'hat factories to reopen and

'here%

e t-rne' to 1eneral Tomp!ins6 Chairman of the Foint Chiefs of Staff6 who sat besi'e him examinin4 a report on the scramblin4 of the tactical 'efensive ships protectin4+arth. 8The% 4ot all them ships 'istrib-te' ri4ht58 he as!e' Tomp!ins.

8es6 $r. Presi'ent68 1eneral Tomp!ins answere'.

$ax wince'. B-t the 4eneral 'i' not seem to have spo!en ironicall%J his tone ha' been respectf-l. 8(!a%68 $ax m-rm-re'. 81la' to hear that. An' %o- 4ot all that missileclo-' -p so there3re no lea!s6 li!e %o- let in that ship to blast nicephalon. I 'on3t want





that to happen a4ain.8

80e3re -n'er efcon one68 1eneral Tomp!ins sai'. 8,-ll war footin46 as of sixo3cloc!6 o-r time.8

8ow abo-t those strate4ic ships58 That6 he ha' learne'6 was the e-phemism fortheir offensive stri!e2force.

80e can mo-nt an attac! at an% time68 1eneral Tomp!ins sai'6 4lancin4 'own atthe lon4 table to obtain the assentin4 no's of his co2wor!ers. 80e can ta!e care of each ofthe sevent% inva'ers now within o-r s%stem.8

0ith a 4roan6 $ax sai'6 8An%bo'% 4ot an% bicarb58 The whole b-siness'epresse' him.What a lot of 'ork and s'eat, he tho-4ht. "ll this !odda# a!itation -- 'hy

don0t the 4u!!ers 6ust leave our syste# % 7 #ean, do 'e haveto !et into a 'ar% *o tellin!

'hat their ho#e syste# 'ill do in retaliation5 you never can tell a4out unhu#an life

for#s -- they0re unrelia4le)

8That3s what bothers me68 he sai' alo-'. 8&etaliation.8 e si4he'.

1eneral Tomp!ins sai'6 8*e4otiation with them evi'entl% is impossible.8

81o ahea'6 then68 $ax sai'. 81o 4ive it to them.8 e loo!e' abo-t for the bicarb.

8I thin! %o-3re ma!in4 a wise choice68 1eneral Tomp!ins sai'6 an'6 across thetable6 the civilian a'visors no''e' in a4reement.

8ere3s an o'' piece of news68 one of the a'visors sai' to $ax. e hel' o-t atelet%pe 'ispatch. 8Fames Bris!in has -st file' a writ of #anda#us a4ainst %o- in a,e'eral Co-rt in California6 claimin4 %o-3re not le4all% Presi'ent beca-se %o- 'i'n3t r-nfor office.8

8o- mean beca-se I 'i'n3t 4etvoted in58 $ax sai'. 8F-st beca-se of that58

8es sir. Bris!in is as!in4 the ,e'eral Co-rts to r-le on this6 an' meanwhile hehas anno-nce' his own can'i'ac%.8

80AT58

8Bris!in claims not onl% that %o- m-st r-n for office an' be vote' in6 b-t %o-m-st r-n a4ainst him. An' with his pop-larit% he evi'entl% feels 228

8Aw n-ts68 $ax sai' in 'espair. 8ow 'o %o- li!e that.8

*o one answere'.





80ell an%how68 $ax sai'6 8it3s all 'eci'e'J %o- militar% fellas 4o ahea' an' !noc!o-t those alien ships. An' meanwhile 228 e 'eci'e' there an' then. 80e3ll p-t economic press-re on Fim2Fam3s sponsors6 that &einlan'er Beer an' Calbest +lectronics6 to 4et himnot to r-n.8

The men at the lon4 table no''e'. Papers rattle' as briefcases were p-t awa%J themeetin4 22 temporaril% 22 was at an en'.

e3s 4ot an -nfair a'vanta4e6$ax sai' to himself. o' can 7 run 'hen it0s note:ual, hi# a fa#ous T< personality and #e not% That0s not ri!ht5 7 can0t allo' that)

Fim2Fam can r-n6he 'eci'e'64ut it 'on0t do hi# any !ood) e3s not 4oin4 to beatme beca-se he3s not 4oin4 to be alive that lon4.

A wee! before the election6 Telscan6 the interplanetar% p-blic2opinion samplin4a4enc%6 p-blishe' its latest fin'in4s. &ea'in4 them6 $aximilian ,ischer felt more 4loom%than ever.

8Loo! at this68 he sai' to his co-sin Leon Lait6 the law%er whom he ha' recentl%ma'e Attorne% 1eneral. e tosse' the report to him.

is own showin4 of co-rse was ne4li4ible. In the election6 Bris!in wo-l' easil%6an' most 'efinitel%6 win.

80h% is that58 Lait as!e'. Li!e $ax6 he was a lar4e6 pa-nch% man who for %earsnow ha' hel' a stan'2b% obJ he was not -se' to ph%sical activit% of an% sort an' his new position was provin4 'iffic-lt for him. owever6 o-t of famil% lo%alt% to $ax6 heremaine'. 8Is that beca-se he3s 4ot all those T" stations58 he as!e'6 sippin4 from his canof beer.

$ax sai' c-ttin4l%6 8*aw6 it3s beca-se his navel 4lows in the 'ar!. (f co-rse it3s beca-se of his T" stations6 %o- er! 22 he3s 4ot them po-n'in4 awa% ni4ht an' 'a%6creatin3 ani#a!e)/ e pa-se'6 moo'il%. 8e3s a clown. It3s that re' wi4J it3s fine for anewscaster6 b-t not for a Presi'ent.8 Too morose to spea!6 he lapse' into silence.

An' worse was to follow.

At nine P.$. that ni4ht6 Fim2Fam Bris!in be4an a sevent%2two ho-r marathon T" pro4ram over all his stations6 a 4reat final 'rive to brin4 his pop-larit% over the top an'ens-re his victor%.

In his special be'room at the 0hite o-se6 $ax ,ischer sat with a tra% of foo' before him6 in be'6 4loomil% facin4 the T" set.





That Bris!in6 he tho-4ht f-rio-sl% for the millionth time. 8Loo!68 he sai' to hisco-sinJ the Attorne% 1eneral sat in the eas% chair across from him. 8There3s the ner'now.8 e pointe' to the T" screen.

Leon Lait6 m-nchin4 on his cheeseb-r4er6 sai'6 8It3s abominable.8

8o- !now where he3s broa'castin4 from5 0a% o-t in 'eep space6 o-t past Pl-to.At their farthest2o-t transmitter6 which %o-r ,BI 4-%s will never in a million %earsmana4e to 4et to.8

8The% will68 Leon ass-re' him. 8I tol' them the%have to 4et him 22 the Presi'ent6m% co-sin6 personall% sa%s so.8

8B-t the% won3t 4et him for a while68 $ax sai'. 8Leon6 %o-3re -st too 'amn slow.I3ll tell %o- somethin4. I 4ot a ship of the line o-t there6 the D'i!ht D) $isenho'er) It3s allrea'% to la% an e44 on them6 %o- !now6 a bi4 ban46 -st as soon as I pass on the wor'.8

8&i4ht6 $ax.8

8An' I hate to68 $ax sai'.

The telecast ha' be4-n to pic! -p moment-m alrea'%. ere came the Spotli4hts6an' sa-nterin4 o-t onto the sta4e prett% Pe44% Fones6 wearin4 a 4litter% bare2sho-l'er4own6 her hair ra'iant. *o' 'e !et a top-fli!ht striptease, $ax realiGe'64y a real fine-lookin! !irl) +ven he sat -p an' too! notice. 0ell6 ma%be not a tr-e striptease6 b-tcertainl% the opposition6 Bris!in an' his staff6 ha' sex wor!in4 for them6 here. Across theroom his co-sin the Attorne% 1eneral ha' stoppe' m-nchin4 his cheeseb-r4erJ the noisecame to a halt6 then pic!e' -p slowl% once more.

(n the screen6 Pe44% san4:

It3s Fim2Fam6 for whom I am6

America3s best2love' 4-%.

It3s Fim2Fam6 the best one that am6

The can'i'ate for %o- an' I.

8(h 1o'68 $ax 4roane'. An' %et6 the wa% she 'elivere' it6 with ever% part of her





slim6 lon4 bo'%. . . it was o!a%. 8I 4-ess I 4ot to inform the D'i!ht D) $isenho'er to 4oahea'68 he sai'6 watchin4.

8If %o- sa% so6 $ax68 Leon sai'. 8I ass-re %o-6 I3ll r-le that %o- acte' le4all%J'on3t worr% none abo-t that.8

81imme the re' phone68 $ax sai'. 8That3s the armore' connection that onl% theComman'er2in2Chief -ses for top2secret instr-ctions. *ot ba'6 h-h58 e accepte' the phone from the Attorne% 1eneral. 8I3m callin4 1eneral Tomp!ins an' he3ll rela% the or'erto the ship. Too ba'6 Bris!in68 he a''e'6 with one last loo! at the screen. 8B-t it3s %o-rown fa-ltJ %o- 'i'n3t have to 'o what %o- 'i'6 opposin4 me an' all.8

The 4irl in the silver% 'ress ha' 4one6 now6 an' Fim2Fam Bris!in ha' appeare' inher place. $omentaril%6 $ax waite'.

8i6 belove' comra'es68 Bris!in sai'6 raisin4 his han's for silenceJ the canne'

appla-se 22 $ax !new that no a-'ience existe' in that remote spot 22 lowere'6 then rosea4ain. Bris!in 4rinne' amiabl%6 waitin4 for it to 'ie.

8It3s a fa!e68 $ax 4r-nte'. 8,a!e a-'ience. The%3re smart6 him an' his staff. isratin43s alrea'% wa% -p.8

8&i4ht6 $ax68 the Attorne% 1eneral a4ree'. 8I notice' that.8

8Comra'es68 Fim Bris!in was sa%in4 soberl% on the T" screen6 8as %o- ma%!now6 ori4inall% Presi'ent $aximilian ,ischer an' I 4ot alon4 ver% well.8 is han' onthe re' phone6 $ax tho-4ht to himself that what Fim2Fam sai' was tr-e.

80here we bro!e68 Bris!in contin-e'6 8was over the iss-e of force 22 of the -se ofna!e'6 raw power. To $ax ,ischer6 the office of Presi'ent is merel% a machine6 aninstr-ment6 which he can -se as an extension of his own 'esires6 to f-lfill his own nee's.I honestl% believe that in man% respects his aims are 4oo'J he is tr%in4 to carr% o-tnicephalon3s fine policies. B-t as to the means. That3s a 'ifferent matter.8

$ax sai'6 8Listen to him6 Leon.8 An' he tho-4ht6 *o #atter 'hat he says 70#

!oin! to keep on5 no4ody is !oin! to stand in #y 'ay, 4ecause it0s #y duty5 it0s the 6o4 ofthe office, and if you !ot to 4e President like 7 a# you 0d do it, too)

8+ven the Presi'ent68 Bris!in was sa%in46 8m-st obe% the lawJ he 'oesn3t stan'o-tsi'e it6 however powerf-l he is.8 e was silent for a moment an' then he sai' slowl%68I !now that at this moment the ,BI6 -n'er 'irect or'ers from $ax ,ischer3s appointee6Leon Lait6 is attemptin4 to close 'own these stations6 to still m% voice. ere a4ain $ax,ischer is ma!in4 -se of power6 of the police a4enc%6 for his own en's6 ma!in4 it anextension 228

$ax pic!e' -p the re' phone. At once a voice sai' from it6 8es6 $r. Presi'ent.





This is 1eneral Tomp!ins3 C of C.8

80hat3s that58 $ax sai'.

8Chief of Comm-nications6 Arm% @))29)))6 sir. Aboar' the D'i!ht D)

$isenho'er, acceptin4 rela% thro-4h the transmitter at the Pl-to Station.8

8(h %eah68 $ax sai'6 no''in4. 8Listen6 %o- fellas stan' b%6 %o- -n'erstan'5 Berea'% to receive instr-ctions.8 e p-t his han' over the mo-thpiece of the phone. 8Leon68he sai' to his co-sin6 who ha' now finishe' his cheeseb-r4er an' was startin4 on astrawberr% sha!e. 8ow can I 'o it5 I mean6 Bris!in is tellin4 the tr-th.8

Leon sai'6 81ive Tomp!ins the wor'.8 e belche'6 then tappe' himself on thechest with the si'e of his fist. 8Par'on me.8

(n the screen Fim Bris!in sai'6 8I thin! ver% possibl% I3m ris!in4 m% life to spea!

to %o-6 beca-se this we m-st face: we have a Presi'ent who wo-l' not min' emplo%in4m-r'er to obtain his obectives. This is the political tactic of a t%rann%6 an' that3s whatwe3re seein46 a t%rann% comin4 into existence in o-r societ%6 replacin4 the rational6'isintereste' r-le of the homeostatic problem2solvin4 nicephalon #)2 which was'esi4ne'6 b-ilt an' p-t into operation b% some of the finest min's we have ever seen6min's 'e'icate' to the preservation of all that3s worth% in o-r tra'ition. An' thetransformation from this to a one2man t%rann% is melanchol%6 to sa% the least.8

-ietl%6 $ax sai'6 8*ow I can3t 4o ahea'.8

80h% not58 Leon sai'.

8i'n3t %o- hear him5 e3s tal!in4 abo-t#e) I3m the t%rant he has reference to.Keerist.8 $ax h-n4 -p the re' phone. 8I waite' too lon4.8

8It3s har' for me to sa% it68 $ax sai'6 8b-t 22 well6 hell6 it wo-l' prove he3sri4ht.8 7kno' he0s ri!ht anyho', $ax tho-4ht. But do the%kno' it% Does the pu4lic kno'

it% 7 can0t let the# find out a4out #e, he realiGe'.They should look up to their President,

respect hi#) onor hi#) *o 'onder 7 sho' up so 4ad in the Telscan poll) *o 'onder Ji#

Briskin decided to run a!ainst #e the #o#ent he heard 7 'as in office) They really dokno' a4out #e5 they sense it, sense that Ji#-Ja# is speakin! the truth) 70# 6ust not

Presidential cali4er)

I3m not fit6he tho-4ht6to hold this office)

8Listen6 Leon68 he sai'6 8I3m 4oin4 to 4ive it to that Bris!in an%how an' then step'own. It3ll be m% last official act.8 (nce more he pic!e' -p the re' phone. 8I3m 4oin4 toor'er them to wipe o-t Bris!in an' then someone else can be Presi'ent. An%one the people want. +ven Pat *oble or %o-J I 'on3t care.8 e i44le' the phone. 8e%6 C. of C.68he sai' lo-'l%. 8Come on6 answer.8 To his co-sin he sai'6 8Leave me some of that sha!eJ





it3s act-all% half mine.8

8S-re6 $ax68 Leon sai' lo%all%.

8Isn3t no one there58 $ax sai' into the phone. e waite'. The phone remaine'

'ea'. 8Somethin43s 4one wron468 he sai' to Leon. 8Comm-nications have b-ste' 'own.It m-st be those aliens a4ain.8

An' then he saw the T" screen. It was blan!.

80hat3s happenin458 $ax sai'. 80hat are the% 'oin4 to me5Who0s 'oin4 it58 eloo!e' aro-n'6 fri4htene'. 8I 'on3t 4et it.8

Leon stoicall% 'ran! the mil!sha!e6 shr-44in4 to show that he ha' no answer. B-this beef% face ha' pale'.

8It3s too late68 $ax sai'. 8,or some reason it3s -st too late.8 Slowl%6 he h-n4 -pthe phone. 8I3ve 4ot enemies6 Leon6 more powerf-l than %o- or me. An' I 'on3t even!now who the% are.8 e sat in silence6 before the 'ar!6 so-n'less T" screen. 0aitin4.

The spea!er of the T" set sai' abr-ptl%6 8Ps-e'o2a-tonomic news b-lletin. Stan' b%6 please.8 Then a4ain there was silence.

Fim Bris!in6 4lancin4 at +' ,ineber4 an' Pe44%6 waite'.

8Comra'e citiGens of the nite' States68 the flat6 -nmo'-late' voice from the T"spea!er sai'6 all at once. 8The interre4n-m is over6 the sit-ation has ret-rne' to normal.8As it spo!e6 wor's appeare' on the monitor screen6 a ribbon of printe' tape passin4slowl% across6 before the T" cameras in 0ashin4ton6 .C. nicephalon #)2 ha'splice' itself into the co2ax in its -s-al fashionJ it ha' pre2empte' the pro4ram in pro4ress: that was its tra'itional ri4ht.

The voice was the s%nthetic verbaliGin42or4an of the homeostatic str-ct-re itself.

8The election campai4n is n-llifie'68 nicephalon #)2 sai'. 8That is item one.The stan'2b% Presi'ent $aximilian ,ischer is cancelle' o-tJ that is item two. Item three:we are at war with the aliens who have inva'e' o-r s%stem. Item fo-r. Fames Bris!in6who has been spea!in4 to %o- 228

This is it6 Fim Bris!in realiGe'.

In his earphones the impersonal6 platea-2li!e voice contin-e'6 8Item fo-r. FamesBris!in6 who has been spea!in4 to %o- on these facilities6 is hereb% or'ere' to cease an''esist6 an' a writof #anda#us is iss-e' forthwith re-irin4 him to show -st ca-se wh%





he sho-l' be free to p-rs-e an% f-rther political activit%. In the p-blic interest we instr-cthim to become politicall% silent.8

1rinnin4 star!l% at Pe44% an' +' ,ineber46 Bris!in sai'6 8That3s it. It3s over. I3mto politicall% sh-t -p.8

8o- can fi4ht it in the co-rts68 Pe44% sai' at once. 8o- can ta!e it all the wa% -pto the S-preme Co-rtJ the%3ve set asi'e 'ecisions of nicephalon in the past.8 She p-t herhan' on his sho-l'er6 b-t he move' awa%. 8(r 'o %o- want to fi4ht it58

8At least I3m not cancelle' o-t68 Bris!in sai'. e felt tire'. 8I3m 4la' to see thatmachine bac! in operation68 he sai'6 to reass-re Pe44%. 8It means a ret-rn tostabilit%.That we can -se.8

80hat3ll %o- 'o6 Fim2Fam58 +' as!e'. 81o bac! to &einlan'er Beer an' Calbest+lectronics an' tr% to 4et %o-r ol' ob bac!58

8*o68 Bris!in m-rm-re'. Certainl% not that. B-t 22 he co-l' not reall% become politicall% silentJ he co-l' not 'o what the problem2solver sai'. It simpl% was not biolo4icall% possible for himJ sooner or later he wo-l' be4in to tal! a4ain6 for better orworse. "nd, he tho-4ht6 70ll 4et Ma9 can0t do 'hat it says either) ) ) neither of us can)

$a%be6he tho-4ht6 70ll ans'er the 'rit of man'am-sJ#ay4e 70ll contest it) "counter suit) ) ) 70ll sue 2nicephalon >?-D in a court of la') Ji#-Ja# Briskin the plaintiff,

2nicephalon >?-D the defendant) e smile'. 70ll need a !ood la'yer for that) So#eone

:uite a 4it 4etter than Ma9 3ischer0s top le!al #ind, cousin +eon +ait)

1oin4 to the closet of the small st-'io in which the% ha' been broa'castin46 he4ot his coat an' be4an to p-t it on. A lon4 trip la% ahea' of them bac! to +arth from thisremote spot6 an' he wante' to 4et starte'.

Pe44%6 followin4 after him6 sai'6 8o-3re not 4oin4 bac! on the air at all% *oteven to finish the pro4ram58

8*o68 he sai'.

8B-t nicephalon will be c-ttin4 bac! o-t a4ain6 an' what3ll that leave5 F-st 'ea'air. That3s not ri4ht6 is it6 Fim5 F-st to wal! o-t li!e this. . . I can3t believe %o-3' 'o it6 it3snot li!e %o-.8

e halte' at the 'oor of the st-'io. 8o- hear' what it sai'. The instr-ctions ithan'e' o-t to me.8

8*obo'% leaves 'ea' air 4oin468 Pe44% sai'. 8It3s a vac--m6 Fim6 the thin4 nat-reabhors. "nd if you don0t fill it, so#eone else 'ill) Loo!6 nicephalon is 4oin4 bac! offri4ht now.8 She pointe' at the T" monitor. The ribbon of wor's ha' cease'J once more





the screen was 'ar!6 empt% of motion an' li4ht. 8It3s %o-r responsibilit%68 Pe44% sai'68an' %o- !now it.8

8Are we bac! on the air58 he as!e' +'.

8es. It3s 'efinitel% o-t of the circ-it6 at least for a while.8 +' 4est-re' towar' thevacant sta4e on which the T" cameras an' li4hts foc-sse'. e sai' nothin4 moreJ he 'i'not have to.

0ith his coat still on6 Fim Bris!in wal!e' that wa%. an's in his poc!ets hesteppe' bac! into the ran4e of the cameras6 smile' an' sai'6 8I thin!6 belove' comra'es6the interr-ption is over. ,or the time bein46 an%how. So. . . let3s contin-e.8

The noise of canne' appla-se 22 manip-late' b% +' ,ineber4 22 swelle' -p6 an'Fim Bris!in raise' his han's an' si4nalle' the nonexistent st-'io a-'ience for silence.

8oes an% of %o- !now a 4oo' law%er58 Fim2Fam as!e' ca-sticall%. 8An' if %o-'o6 phone -s an' tell -s ri4ht awa% 22 before the ,BI finall% mana4es to reach -s o-there.8

In his be'room at the 0hite o-se6 as nicephalon3s messa4e en'e'6 $aximilian,ischer t-rne' to his co-sin Leon an' sai'6 80ell6 I3m o-t of office.8

8eah6 $ax68 Leon sai' heavil%. 8I 4-ess %o- are.8

8An' %o-6 too68 $ax pointe' o-t. 8It3s 4oin4 to be a clean sweepJ %o- can co-nton that. Cancelle'.8 e 4ritte' his teeth. 8That3s sort of ins-ltin4. It co-l' havesai'retired)/

8I 4-ess that3s -st its wa% of expressin4 itself68 Leon sai'. 8on3t 4et -pset6 $axJremember %o-r heart tro-ble. o- still 4ot the ob of stan'2b%6 an' that3s the top stan'2b% position there is6 Stan'2b% Presi'ent of the nite' States6 I want to remin' %o-. An' now%o-3ve 4ot all this worr% an' effort off %o-r bac!J %o-3re l-c!%.8

8I won'er if I3m allowe' to finish this meal68 $ax sai'6 pic!in4 at the foo' in thetra% before him. is appetite6 now that he was retire'6 be4an almost at once to improveJhe selecte' a chic!en sala' san'wich an' too! a bi4 bite from it. 8It3s still mine68 he'eci'e'6 his mo-th f-ll. 8I still 4et to live here an' eat re4-larl% 22 ri4ht58

8&i4ht68 Leon a4ree'6 his le4al min' active. 8That3s in the contract the -nionsi4ne' with Con4ressJ remember bac! to that5 0e 'i'n3t 4o o-t on stri!e for nothin4.8

8Those were the 'a%s68 $ax sai'. e finishe' the chic!en sala' san'wich an'ret-rne' to the e44no4. It felt 4oo' not to have to ma!e bi4 'ecisionsJ he let o-t a lon46





heartfelt si4h an' settle' bac! into the pile of pillows proppin4 him -p.

B-t then he tho-4ht6 7n so#e respects 7 sort of en6oyed #akin! decisions) 7 #ean,it 'as -- e searche' for the tho-4ht. 7t 'as different fro# 4ein! a stand-4y or dra'in!

une#ploy#ent) 7t had --

Satisfaction6he tho-4ht.That0s 'hat it !ave #e) +ike 7 'as acco#plishin!

so#ethin!) e misse' that alrea'%J he felt s-''enl% hollow6 as if thin4s ha' all at once become p-rposeless.

8Leon68 he sai'6 8I co-l' have 4one on as Presi'ent another whole month. An'eno%e' the ob. o- !now what I mean58

8eah6 I 4-ess I 4et %o-r meanin468 Leon m-mble'.

8*o %o- 'on3t68 $ax sai'.

8I3m tr%in46 $ax68 his co-sin sai'. 8onest.8

0ith bitterness6 $ax sai'6 8I sho-l'n3t have ha' them 4o ahea' an' let thoseen4ineer2fellas patch -p that nicephalonJ I sho-l' have b-rie' the proect6 at least forsix months.8

8Too late to thin! abo-t that now68 Leon sai'.

Is it5$ax as!e' himself.ou kno', so#ethin! could happento 2nicephalon >?-D) "n accident)

e pon'ere' that as he ate a piece of 4reen2apple pie with a wi'e slice oflon4horn cheese. A n-mber of persons whom he !new co-l' p-ll off s-ch tas!s ... an' 'i'so6 now an' then.

A bi46 nearl%2fatal acci'ent6he tho-4ht. +ate so#e ni!ht, 'hen everyone0s asleep

and it0s 6ust #e and it a'ake here in the White ouse) 7 #ean, let0s face it5 the aliens

sho'ed us ho')

8Loo!6 Fim2Fam Bris!in3s bac! on the air68 Leon sai'6 4est-rin4 at the T" set.S-re eno-4h6 there was the famo-s6 familiar re' wi46 an' Bris!in was sa%in4 somethin4witt% an' %et profo-n'6 somethin4 that ma'e one stop to pon'er. 8e% listen68 Leon sai'.8e3s po!in4 f-n at the ,BIJ can %o- ima4ine him 'oin4 thatno'% e3s not scare' ofan%thin4.8

8on3t bother me68 $ax sai'. 8I3m thin!in4.8 e reache' over an' caref-ll%t-rne' the so-n' of the T" set off.

,or tho-4hts s-ch as he was havin4 he wante' no 'istractions.





0hat3ll 0eowith &a4lan' Par!5

In his 'emesnenear the lo44in4 town of Fohn a%6 (re4on6 Sebastian a'atho-4htf-ll% ate a 4rape as he watche' the T" screen. The 4rapes6 flown to (re4on b%ille4al et transport6 came from one of his farms in the Sonoma "alle% of California. e

spat the see's into the fireplace across from him6 half2listenin4 to his CLT&+anno-ncer 'eliverin4 a lect-re on the portrait b-sts of twentieth2cent-r% sc-lptors.

If onl% I co-l' 4et Fim Bris!in on m% networ!6 a'a tho-4ht 4loomil%. Theran!in4 T" news clown6 so pop-lar6 with his flamin4 scarlet wi4 an' 4enial6 informal patter. . . CLT&+ nee's that6 a'a realiGe'. B-t 22

B-t their societ%6 at the moment6 was bein4 r-n b% the i'iotic 22 b-t pec-liarl%able 22 Presi'ent $aximilian ,ischer6 who ha' loc!e' horns with Fim2Fam Bris!inJ whoha'6 in fact6 clappe' the famo-s news clown in ail. So6 as a res-lt6 Fim2Fam was availableneither for the commercial networ! which lin!e' the three habitable planets nor forCLT&+. An' meanwhile6 $ax ,ischer r-le' on.

If I co-l' 4et Fim2Fam o-t of prison6 a'a tho-4ht6 perhaps '-e to 4ratit-'e he3'move over to m% networ!6 leave his sponsors &einlan'er Beer an' Calbest +lectronicsJafter all6 the% have not been able to free him 'espite their intricate co-rt mane-vers. The%'on3t have the power or the !now2how. . .and 7 have)

(ne of a'a3s wives6 Thelma6 ha' entere' the livin4 room of the 'emesne an'now stoo' watchin4 the T" screen from behin' him. 8on3t place %o-rself there6 please68a'a sai'. 8It 4ives me a panic reactionJ I li!e to see people3s faces.8 e twiste' aro-n'in his 'eep chair.

8The fox is bac!68 Thelma sai'. 8I saw himJ he 4lare' at me.8 She la-4he' with'eli4ht. 8e loo!e' so feral an' in'epen'ent 22 a bit li!e %o-6 Seb. I wish I co-l' have4otten a film clip of him.8

8I m-st sprin4 Fim2Fam Bris!in68 a'a sai' alo-'J he ha' 'eci'e'.

Pic!in4 -p the phone6 he 'iale'c-lt-re3s pro'-ction chief6 *at Kamins!%6 at the





transmittin4 +arth satellite C-lone.

8In exactl% one ho-r68 a'a tol' his emplo%ee6 8I want all o-r o-tlets to be4incr%in4 for Fim2Fam Bris!in3s release from ail. e3s not a traitor6 as Presi'ent ,ischer'eclares. In fact6 his political ri4hts6 his free'om of speech6 have been ta!en awa% from

him 22 ille4all%. 1ot it5 Show clips of Bris!in6 b-il' him -p. . . %o- -n'erstan'.8 a'ah-n4 -p then6 an' 'iale' his attorne%6 Art eavisi'e.

Thelma sai'6 8I3m 4oin4 bac! o-t'oors an' fee' the animals.8

8o that68 a'a sai'6 li4htin4 an Ab'-lla6 a British2ma'e T-r!ish ci4arette whichhe was most fon' of. 8Art58 he sai' into the phone. 81et starte' on Fim2Fam Bris!in3scaseJ fin' a wa% to free him.8

is law%er3s voice came protestin4l%6 8B-t6 Seb6 if we mix into that6 we3ll havePresi'ent ,ischer after -s with the ,BIJ it3s too ris!%.8

a'a sai'6 8I nee' Bris!in. CLT&+ has become pompo-s 22 loo! at the screenri4ht this min-te. +'-cation an' art 22 we nee' a personality, a 4oo' news clownJ we nee'Fim2Fam.8 Telscan3s s-rve%s6 of late6 ha' shown an omino-s 'roppin42off of viewers6 b-the 'i' not tell Art eavisi'e thatJ it was confi'ential.

Si4hin46 the attorne% sai'6 80ill 'o6 Seb. B-t the char4e a4ainst Bris!in is se'ition intime of war.8

8Time of war5 0ith whom58

8Those alien ships 22 %o- !now. That entere' the Sol S%stem last ,ebr-ar%. arnit6 SebJ %o- !now we3re at war 22 %o- can3t be so loft% as to 'en% thatJ it3s a le4al fact.8

8In m% opinion68 a'a sai'6 8the aliens are not hostile.8 e p-t the receiver 'own6feelin4 an4r%. It3s $ax ,ischer3s wa% of hol'in4 onto s-preme power6 he sai' to himself.Th-mpin4 the war2scare 'r-m. I as! %o-6 0hatactual 'ama4e have the aliens 'onelatel%5 After all6 we 'on3t own the Sol S%stem. 0e -st li!e to thin! we 'o.

In an% case6 CLT&+ 22 e'-cational T" itself 22 was witherin46 an' as theowner of the networ!6 Sebastian a'a ha' to act. Am I personall% 'eclinin4 in vi4or5 heas!e' himself.

(nce more pic!in4 -p the phone6 he 'iale' his anal%st6 r. Ito as-mi6 at his'emesne o-tsi'e of To!%o. I nee' help6 he sai' to himself. CLT&+3screator an'financial bac!er nee's help. An' r. as-mi can 4ive it to me.

,acin4 him from across his 'es!6 r. as-mi sai'6 8a'a6 ma%be problem stems





from %o- havin4 ei4ht wives. That3s abo-t five too man%.8 e wave' a'a bac! to theco-ch. 8Be calm6 a'a. Prett% sa' that bi42time operator li!e $r. S. a'a fallin4 apart-n'er stress. o- afrai' Presi'ent ,ischer3s ,BI 4et %o- li!e the% 4ot Fim Bris!in58 esmile'.

8*o68 a'a sai'. 8I3m fearless.8 e la% semis-pine6 arms behin' his hea'6 4aGin4at a Pa-l Klee print on the wall. . . or perhaps it was an ori4inalJ 4oo' anal%sts 'i' ma!e a4o'2awf-l amo-nt of mone%: as-mi3s char4e to him was one tho-san' 'ollars a halfho-r.

as-mi sai' contemplativel%6 8$a%be %o- sho-l' seiGe power6 a'a6 in bol' co-pa4ainst $ax ,ischer. $a!e s-ccessf-l power pla% of %o-r ownJ become Presi'ent an'then release $r. Fim2Fam 22 no problem then.8

8,ischer has the Arme' ,orces behin' him68 a'a sai' 4loomil%. 8AsComman'er2in2Chief. Beca-se of 1eneral Tomp!ins6 who li!es ,ischer6 the%3re

absol-tel% lo%al.8 e ha' alrea'% tho-4ht of this. 8$a%be I o-4ht to flee to m% 'emesneon Callisto68 he m-rm-re'. It was a s-perb one6 an' ,ischer6 after all6 ha' no a-thorit%thereJ it was not .S. b-t -tch territor%. 8An%how6 I 'on3t want to fi4htJ I3m not a fi4hter6a street brawlerJ I3m a c-lt-re' man.8

8o- are bioph%sical or4anism with b-ilt2in responsesJ %o- are alive. All that livesstrives to s-rvive. o- will fi4ht if necessar%6 a'a.8

Loo!in4 at his watch6 a'a sai'6 8I have to 4o6 Ito. At three I3ve an appointmentin avana to interview a new fol!sin4er6 a balla'2an'2bano man who3s sweepin4 LatinAmerica. &a4lan' Par! is his nameJ he can brin4 life bac! into CLT&+.8

8I !now of him68 Ito as-mi sai'. 8Saw him on commercial T"J ver% 4oo' performer. Part So-thern .S.6 part ane6 ver% %o-n46 with h-4e blac! m-stache an' bl-ee%es. $a4netic6 this &a4s6 as is calle'.8

8B-t is fol!sin4in4 c-lt-ral58 a'a m-rm-re'.

8I tell %o- somethin468 r. as-mi sai'. 8There stran4eness abo-t &a4s Par!J Inote' even over T". *ot li!e other people.8

8That3s wh% he3s s-ch a sensation.8

8$ore than that. I 'ia4nose.8 as-mi reflecte'. 8o- !now6 mental illness an' psionic powers closel% relate'6 as in polter4eist effect. $an% schiGophrenics of paranoi'variet% are telepaths6 pic!in4 -p hate tho-4hts in s-bconscio-s of persons aro-n' them.8

8I !now68 a'a si4he'6 thin!in4 that this was costin4 him h-n're's of 'ollars6 thisspo-tin4 of ps%chiatric theor%.





81o caref-l with &a4s Par!68 r. as-mi ca-tione'. 8o- volatile t%pe6 a'aJ -mp too -ic!. ,irst6 i'ea of sprin4in4 Fim2Fam Bris!in 22 ris!in4 ,BI wrath 22 an' nowthis &a4s Par!. o- li!e hat 'esi4ner or h-man flea. Best bet6 as I sa%6 is to openl% facePresi'ent ,ischer6 not 'evio-sness as I foresee %o- 'oin4.8

8evio-s58 a'a m-rm-re'. 8I3m not 'evio-s.8

8o- most 'evio-s patient I 4ot68 r. as-mi tol' him bl-ntl%. 8o- 4ot nothin4 b-t tric!% bones in %o-r bo'%6 a'a. 0atch o-t or %o- scheme %o-rself o-t of existence.8e no''e' with 4reat soberness.

8I3ll 4o caref-ll%68 a'a sai'6 his min' on &a4s Par!J he barel% hear' what r.as-mi was tellin4 him.

8A favor68 r. as-mi sai'. 80hen %o- can arran4e6 let me examine $r. Par!J Iwo-l' eno%6 o!a%5 ,or %o-r 4oo'6 a'a6 as well as professional interest. Psi talent ma%

be of new !in'J one never !nows.8

8(!a%68 a'a a4ree'. 8I3ll 4ive %o- a call.8 B-t6 he tho-4ht6 I3m not 4oin4 to pa%for itJ %o-r examination of &a4s Par! will be on %o-r own time.

There was an opport-nit% before his appointment with the balla' sin4er &a4s Par!to 'rop b% the fe'eral prison in *ew or! at which Fim2Fam Bris!in was bein4 hel' onthe se'ition in time of war char4e.

a'a ha' never met the news clown face2to2face6 an' he was s-rprise' to'iscover how m-ch ol'er the man loo!e' than on the T". B-t perhaps Bris!in3s arrest6 histro-bles with Presi'ent ,ischer6 ha' temporaril% overwhelme' him. It wo-l' be eno-4hto overwhelm an%one6 a'a reflecte' as the 'ep-t% -nloc!e' the cell an' a'mitte' him.

8ow 'i' %o- happen to tan4le with Presi'ent ,ischer58 a'a as!e'.

The news clown shr-44e' an' sai'6 8o- live' thro-4h that perio' in histor% asm-ch as I 'i'.8 e lit a ci4arette an' stare' woo'enl% past a'a.

e was referrin46 a'a realiGe'6 to the 'emise of the 4reat problem2solvin4comp-ter at 0ashin4ton6 .C.6 nicephalon #)2J it ha' r-le' as Presi'ent of the nite'States an' Comman'er2in2Chief of the Arme' ,orces -ntil a missile6 'elivere' b% thealien ships6 ha' p-t it o-t of action. -rin4 that perio'6 the stan'b% Presi'ent6 $ax,ischer6 ha' ta!en power6 a clo' appointe' b% the -nion6 a primitive man with an-nnat-ral b-colic c-nnin4. 0hen at last nicephalon #)2 ha' been repaire' an' ha'res-me' f-nctionin46 it ha' or'ere' ,ischer to 'epart his office an' Fim Bris!in to cease political activit%. *either man ha' complie'. Bris!in ha' 4one on campai4nin4 a4ainst$ax ,ischer6 an' ,ischer ha' mana4e'6 b% some metho' still -n!nown6 to 'isable the





comp-ter6 thereb% a4ain becomin4 Presi'ent of the nite' States.

An' his initial act ha' been to clap Fim2Fam in ail.

8as Art eavisi'e6 m% attorne%6 seen %o-58 a'a as!e'.

8*o68 Bris!in sai' shortl%.

8Listen6 m% frien'68 a'a sai'6 8witho-t m% help %o-3ll be in prison forever6 or atleast -ntil $ax ,ischer 'ies. This time he isn3t ma!in4 the mista!e of allowin4nicephalon #)2 to be repaire'J it3s o-t of action for 4oo'.8

Bris!in sai'6 8An' %o- want me on %o-r networ! in exchan4e for 4ettin4 me o-tof here.8 e smo!e' rapi'l% at his ci4arette.

8I nee' %o-6 Fim2Fam68 a'a sai'. 8It too! co-ra4e for %o- to expose Presi'ent

,ischer for the power2h-n4r% b-ffoon he isJ we3ve 4ot a terrible menace han4in4 over -sin $ax ,ischer6 an' if we 'on3t oin to4ether an' wor! fast it3ll be too lateJ we3ll both be'ea'. o- !now 22 in fact %o- sai' it on T" 22 that ,ischer wo-l' 4la'l% stoop toassassination to 4et what he wants.8

Bris!in sai'6 8Can I sa% what I want over %o-r facilities58

8I 4ive %o- absol-te free'om. Attac! an%one %o- want6 incl-'in4 me.8

After a pa-se6 Bris!in sai'6 8I3' ta!e %o-r offer6 a'a. . . b-t I 'o-bt if even Arteavisi'e can 4et me o-t of here. Leon Lait6 ,ischer3s Attorne% 1eneral6 is con'-ctin4the prosec-tion a4ainst me personall%.8

8on3t resi4n %o-rself68 a'a sai'. 8Billions of %o-r viewers are waitin4 to see%o- emer4e from this cell. At this moment all m% o-tlets are clamorin4 for %o-r release.P-blic press-re is b-il'in4 -p. +ven $ax will have to listen to that.8

80hat I3m afrai' of is that an 3acci'ent3 will happen to me68 Bris!in sai'. 8F-st li!ethe 3acci'ent3 that befell nicephalon #)2 a wee! after it res-me' f-nctionin4. If itco-l'n3t save itself6 how can 228

8o-afrai'58 a'a in-ire'6 incre'-lo-s. 8Fim2Fam Bris!in6 the ran!in4 newsclown 22 I 'on3t believe it.8

There was silence.

Bris!in sai'6 8The reason m% sponsors6 &einlan'er Beer an' Calbest +lectronics6haven3t been able to 4et me o-t is8 22 he pa-se' 22 8press-re p-t on them b% Presi'ent,ischer. Their attorne%s as m-ch as a'mitte' that to me. 0hen ,ischer learns %o-3retr%in4 to help me6 he3ll brin4 all the press-re he has to bear 'irectl% on %o-.8 e 4lance'





before a CLT&+ microphone.

At three o3cloc! Sebastian a'a met the fol!sin4er &a4lan' Par! at the avana

office of CLT&+.

8I3m 4la' to ma!e %o-r ac-aintance68 &a4s Par! sai' sh%l%. Tall6 s!inn%6 with hish-4e blac! m-stache hi'in4 most of his mo-th6 he sh-ffle' abo-t self2conscio-sl%6 his bl-e e%es 4entle with a-thentic frien'liness. e ha' an -n-s-al sweetness abo-t him6a'a note'. Almost a saintl% -alit%. a'a fo-n' himself impresse'.

8An' %o- pla% both the 4-itar an' five2strin4 bano58 a'a sai'. 8*ot at once6 ofco-rse.8

&a4s Par! m-mble'6 8*o6 sir. I alternate. 0ant me to pla% somethin4 ri4ht now

for %o-58

80here were %o- born58 *at Kamins!% as!e'. a'a ha' bro-4ht his pro'-ctionchief alon4J in matters s-ch as this6 Kamins!%3s opinion was val-able.

8In Ar!ansas68 &a4s answere'. 8$% famil% raises ho4s.8 e ha' his bano withhim an' now6 nervo-sl%6 he twan4e' a few notes. 8I !now a real sa' son4 that3ll brea!%o-r heart. It3s calle' 3Poor (l' oss.3 0ant me to sin4 it for %o-58

80e3ve hear' %o-68 a'a sai'. 80e !now %o-3re 4oo'.8 e trie' to ima4ine thisaw!war' %o-n4 man twan4in4 awa% over CLT&+ in between lect-res on twentieth2cent-r% portrait sc-lptors. ar' to ima4ine. . .

&a4s sai'6 8I bet there3s one thin4 %o- 'on3t !now abo-t me6 $r. a'a. I ma!e -pa lot of m% own balla's.8

8Creative68 Kamins!% sai' to a'a strai4ht2face'. 8That3s 4oo'.8

8,or instance68 &a4s contin-e'6 8I once ma'e -p a balla' abo-t a man name' Tom$cPhail who ran ten miles with a b-c!et of water to p-t o-t the fire in his little'a-4hter3s crib.8

8i' he ma!e it58 a'a as!e'.

8S-re 'i'. F-st in time. Tom $cPhail ran faster an' faster with that b-c!et ofwater.8 Chantin46 &a4s twan4e' in accompaniment.

8ere comes Tom $cPhail





ol'in3 on ti4ht to that 4reat little pail.

ol'in3 on ti4ht6 bo%s6 here he come.

eart f-ll of fear6 fac-lties n-mb.8

Twan46 twan46so-n'e' the bano6 mo-rnf-ll% an' -r4entl%.

Kamins!% sai' ac-tel%6 8I3ve been followin4 %o-r shows an' I3ve never hear' %o-sin4 that n-mber.8

8Aw68 &a4s sai'6 8I ha' ba' l-c! with that6 $r. Kamins!%. T-rne' o-t there reall%is a Tom $cPhail. Lives in Pocatello6 I'aho. I san4 abo-t ol3 Tom $cPhail on m% Fan-ar%

fo-rteenth T" show an' ri4ht awa% he 4ot sore 22 he was listenin3 22 an' 4ot a law%er towrite me.8

80asn3t it -st a coinci'ence in names58 a'a sai'.

80ell68 &a4s sai'6 twistin4 abo-t self2conscio-sl%6 8it seems there reall% ha' beena fire in his home there in Pocatello6 an' $cPhail6 he 4ot panic!% an' ran with a b-c!etto the cree!6 an' it was ten miles off6 li!e I sai' in the son4.8

8i' he 4et bac! with the water in time58

8AmaGin4l%6 he 'i'68 &a4s sai'.

Kamins!% sai' to a'a6 8It wo-l' be better6 on CLT&+6 if this man st-c! toa-thentic (l' +n4lish balla's s-ch as 31reensleeves.3 That wo-l' seem more what wewant.8

Tho-4htf-ll%6 a'a sai' to &a4s6 8Ba' l-c! to pic! a name for a balla' an' have itt-rn o-t that s-ch a man reall% exists. . . ave %o- ha' that sort of ba' l-c! since58

8es6 I have68 &a4s a'mitte'. 8I ma'e -p a balla' last wee!. . . it was abo-t a la'%6$iss $arsha obbs. Listen.

8All 'a%6 all ni4ht6 $arsha obbs.

Loves a marrie' man whose wife she robs.

&obs that wife an' hearth of Fac! Coo!s3s heart.





Steals the h-sban'6 ma!es that marria4e fall apart.

8That3s the first verse68 &a4s explaine'. 8It 4oes on for seventeen versesJ tells how$arsha comes to wor! at Fac! Coo!s3s office as a secretar%6 4oes to l-nch with him6 thenlater the% meet late at 228

8Is there a moral at the en'58 Kamins!% in-ire'.

8(h s-re68 &a4s sai'. 8on3t ta!e no one else3s man beca-se if %o- 'o6 heavenaven4es the 'ishonore' wife. In this case:

8"ir-s fl- la% 3ro-n' the corner -st for Fac!.

,or $arsha obbs 3twas to be worse6 a heart attac!.

$iG Coo!s6 the han' of heaven so-4ht to spare.

S-rro-n'e' her6 became a 4arment stron4 to wear.

$iG Coo!s 228

a'a bro!e in over the twan4in4 an' sin4in4. 8That3s fine6 &a4s. That3s eno-4h.8e 4lance' at Kamins!% an' wince'.

8An' I bet it t-rne' o-t68 Kamins!% sai'6 8that there3s a real $arsha obbs whoha' an affair with her boss6 Fac! Coo!s.8

8&i4ht68 &a4s sai'6 no''in4 8*o law%er calle' me6 b-t I rea' it in the homeopape6the *ew or! Ti#es) $arsha6 she 'ie' of a heart attac!6 an' it was act-all% '-rin4 228 ehesitate' mo'estl%. 8o- !now. 0hile she an' Fac! Coo!s were at a motel satellite6lovema!in4.8

8ave %o- 'elete' that n-mber from %o-r repertoire58 Kamins!% as!e'.

80ell68 &a4s sai'6 8I can3t ma!e -p m% min'. *obo'%3s s-in4 me. . . an' I li!e the balla'. I thin! I3ll leave it in.8

To himself6 a'a tho-4ht6 0hat was it r. as-mi sai'5 That he scente' psi powers of some -n-s-al !in' in &a4lan' Par!. . . perhaps it3s the paraps%cholo4ical





power of havin4 the ba' l-c! to ma!e -p balla's abo-t people who reall% exist. *ot m-chof a talent6 that.

(n the other han'6 he realiGe'6 it co-l' be a variant on the telepathic talent... an'with a little tin!erin4 it mi4ht be:uite val-able.

8ow lon4 'oes it ta!e %o- to ma!e -p a balla'58 he as!e' &a4s.

8I can 'o it on the spot68 &a4s Par! answere'. 8I co-l' 'o it nowJ 4ive me a themean' I3ll compose ri4ht here in this office of %o-rs.8

a'a pon'ere' an' then sai'6 8$% wife Thelma has been fee'in4 a 4ra% fox that I!now 22 or I believe 22 !ille' an' ate o-r best &o-en '-c!.8

After a moment of consi'erin46 &a4s Par! twan4e':

8$iG Thelma a'a tal!e' to the fox.

B-ilt it a home from an ol' pine box.

Sebastian a'a hear' a sa' cl-c!:

0ic!e' 4ra% fox ha' eaten his '-c!8

8B-t '-c!s 'on3t cl-c!6 the% -ac!68 *at Kamins!% sai' criticall%.

8That3s a fact68 &a4s a'mitte'. e pon'ere' an' then san4:

8a'a3s pro'-ction chief chan4e' m% l-c!.

I 4ot no ob6 an' '-c!s 'on3t cl-c!.8

1rinnin46 Kamins!% sai'6 8(!a%6 &a4sJ %o- win.8 To a'a he sai'6 8I a'vise %o-to hire him.8

8Let me as! %o- this68 a'a sai' to &a4s. 8o you thin! the fox 4ot m% &o-en58

81osh68 &a4s sai'6 8I 'on3t !now an%thin4 abo-t that.8





8B-t in %o-r balla' %o- sai' so68 a'a pointe' o-t.

8Let me thin!68 &a4s sai'. Presentl% he twan4e' once more an' sai':

8Interestin4 problem a'a3s state'.

Perhaps m% abilit%3s -n'errate'.

Perhaps I3m not no or'inar% 4-%.

o I 4et m% balla's thro-4h the -se of psi58

8ow 'i' %o- !now I meant psi58 a'a as!e'. 8o- can rea' interior tho-4hts6can3t %o-5 as-mi was ri4ht.8

&a4s sai'6 8$ister6 I3m -st sin4in4 an' twan4in4J I3m -st an entertainer6 same asFim2Fam Bris!in6 that news clown Presi'ent ,ischer clappe' in ail.8

8Are %o- afrai' of ail58 a'a as!e' him bl-ntl%.

8Presi'ent ,ischer 'oesn3t have nothin4 a4ainst me68 &a4s sai'. 8I 'on3t 'o political balla's.8

8If %o- wor! for me68 a'a sai'6 8ma%be %o- will. I3m tr%in4 to 4et Fim2Fam o-tof ailJ to'a% all m% o-tlets be4an their campai4n.8

8es6 he o-4ht to be o-t68 &a4s a4ree'6 no''in4. 8That was a ba' thin46 Presi'ent,ischer -sin4 the ,BI for that. . . those aliens aren3t that m-ch of a menace.8

Kamins!%6 r-bbin4 his chin me'itativel%6 sai'6 8o one on Fim2Fam Bris!in6 $ax,ischer6 the aliens 2 on the whole political sit-ation. S-m it -p.8

8That3s as!in4 a lot68 &a4s sai'6 with a wr% smile.

8Tr%68 Kamins!% sai'. 8See how well %o- can epitomiGe.8

80hooee68 &a4s sai'. 8 3+pitomiGe.3 *ow I !now I3m tal!in4 to CLT&+. (!a%6$r. Kamins!%. ow3s this58 e sai':





8,at little Presi'ent b% name of $ax.

se' his power6 4ave Fim the ax.

Sebastian a'a3s 4ot e%es li!e a v-lt-re.

Sees his openin46 steps in with CLT&+.8

8o-3re hire'68 a'a sai' to the fol!sin4er6 an' reache' into his poc!et for acontract form.

Kamins!% sai'6 80ill we be s-ccessf-l6 $r. Par!5 Tell -s abo-t the o-tcome.8

8I3'6 -h6 rather not68 &a4s sai'. 8At least not this min-te. o- thin! I can also rea'

the f-t-re6 too5 That I3m a preco4 as well as a telepath58 e la-4he' 4entl%. 8I3ve 4ot plent% of talent6 accor'in4 to %o-J I3m flattere'.8 e bowe' moc!in4l%.

8I3ll ass-me that %o-3re comin4 to wor! for -s68 a'a sai'. 8An' %o-r willin4nessto be an emplo%ee of CLT&+ 22 is it a si4n that %o- feel Presi'ent ,ischer is not 4oin4to be able to 4et -s58

8(h6 we co-l' be in ail6 too6 alon4 with Fim2Fam68 &a4s m-rm-re'. 8Thatwo-l'n3t s-rprise me.8 Seatin4 himself6 his bano in han'6 he prepare' to si4n thecontract.

In his be'room at the 0hite o-se6 Presi'ent $ax ,ischer ha' listene' for almostan ho-r now to the T" set6 to CLT&+ hammerin4 awa% on the same topic6 a4ain an'a4ain. Ji# Briskin #ust 4e released, the voice sai'J it was a smooth6 professionalanno-ncer3s voice6 b-t behin' it6 -nhear'6 $ax !new6 was Sebastian a'a.

8Attorne% 1eneral68 $ax sai' to his co-sin Leon Lait6 84et me 'ossiers on all ofa'a3s wives6 all seven or ei4ht6 whatever it is. I 4-ess I 4ot to ta!e a 'rastic co-rse.8

0hen6 later in the 'a%6 the ei4ht 'ossiers ha' been p-t before him6 he be4an torea' caref-ll%6 chewin4 on his +l Pro'-cto alta ci4ar an' frownin46 his lips movin4 withthe effort of comprehen'in4 the intricate6 'etaile' material.

FeeG6 what a mess some of these 'ames m-st be6 he realiGe'. (-4ht to be 4ettin4chemical ps%chotherap%6 have their brain metabolisms strai4htene' o-t. B-t he was not'isplease'J it ha' been his h-nch that a man li!e Sebastian a'a wo-l' attract an-nstable sort of woman.





(ne in partic-lar6 a'a3s fo-rth wife6 intereste' him. Noe $artin a'a6 thirt%2one%ears ol'6 now livin4 on Io with her ten2%ear2ol' son.

Noe a'a ha' 'efinite ps%chotic traits.

8Attorne% 1eneral68 he sai' to his co-sin6 8this 'ame is livin4 on a pensions-pplie' b% the .S. epartment of $ental ealth. a'a isn3t contrib-tin4 a 'ime to hers-pport. o- 4et her here to the 0hite o-se6 %o- -n'erstan'5 I 4ot a ob for her.8

The followin4 mornin4 Noe $artin a'a was bro-4ht to his office.

e saw6 between the two ,BI men6 a scrawn% woman6 attractive6 b-t with wil'6animosit%2fille' e%es. 8ello6 $rs. Noe a'a68 $ax sai'. 8Listen6 I !now s-mpthin3abo-t %o-J %o-3re the onl% 4en-ine $rs. a'a 22 the others are imposters6 ri4ht5 An'Sebastian3s 'one %o- 'irt.8 e waite'6 an' saw the expression on her face chan4e.

8es68 Noe sai'. 8I3ve been in co-rts for six %ears tr%in4 to prove what %o- -stsai'. I can har'l% believe itJ are %o- reall% 4oin4 to help me58

8S-re68 $ax sai'. 8B-t %o- 4ot to 'o it m% wa%J I mean6 if %o-3re waitin4 for thats!-n! a'a to chan4e6 %o-3re wastin4 %o-r time. Abo-t all %o- can 'o8 22 he pa-se' 22 8iseven -p the score.8

The violence which ha' left her face crept bac! as she -n'erstoo'6 4ra'-all%6what he meant.

,rownin46 r. Ito as-mi sai'6 8I have now ma'e m% examination6 a'a.8 e be4an p-ttin4 awa% his batter% of car's. 8This &a4s Par! is neither telepath or preco4J heneither rea's m% min' nor co4nates what is to be an'6 fran!l%6 a'a6 altho-4h I stillsense psi power abo-t him6 I have no i'ea what it mi4ht be.8

a'a listene' in silence. *ow &a4s Par!6 this time with a 4-itar over his sho-l'er6wan'ere' in from the other room. It seeme' to am-se him that r. as-mi co-l' ma!enothin4 of himJ he 4rinne' at both of them an' then seate' himself. 8I3m a p-GGle68 hesai' to a'a. 8+ither %o- 4ot too m-ch when %o- hire' me or not eno-4h. . . b-t %o-'on3t !now which an' neither 'oes r. as-mi or me.8

8I want %o- to start at once over CLT&+68 a'a tol' him impatientl%. 8$a!e-p an' sin4 fol! balla's that 'epict the -nfair imprisonment an' harassment of Fim2FamBris!in b% Leon Lait an' his ,BI. $a!e Lait appear a monsterJ ma!e ,ischer appear aschemin46 4ree'% boob. n'erstan'58

8S-re68 &a4s Par! sai'6 no''in4. 80e 4ot to 4et p-blic opinion aro-se'. I !newthat when I si4ne'J I ain3t -st entertainin4 no more.8





r. as-mi sai' to &a4s6 8Listen6 I have favor to as!. $a!e -p fol!2st%le balla'tellin4 how Fim2Fam Bris!in !et out of 6ail)/

Both a'a an' &a4s Par! 4lance' at him.

8*ot abo-t what is68 as-mi explaine'6 8b-t abo-t that which we want to be.8

Shr-44in46 Par! sai'6 8(!a%.8

The 'oor to a'a3s office b-rst open an' the chief of his bo'%4-ar's6 ieterSaxton6 p-t his hea' excite'l% in. 8$r. a'a6 we -st 4-nne' 'own a woman who wastr%in4 to 4et thro-4h to %o- with a homema'e bomb. o %o- have a moment to i'entif%her5 0e thin! ma%be it3s 22 I mean it was 22 one of %o-r wives.8

81o' in heaven68 a'a sai'6 an' h-rrie' alon4 with Saxton from the office an'

'own the corri'or.

There on the floor6 near the front entrance of the 'emesne6 la% a woman he !new.Noe6 he tho-4ht. e !nelt 'own6 to-che' her.

8Sorr%68 Saxton m-mble'. 80e ha' to6 $r. a'a.8

8All ri4ht68 he sai'. 8I believe %o- if %o- sa% so.8 e 4reatl% tr-ste' SaxtonJ afterall6 he ha' to.

Saxton sai'6 8I thin! from now on %o- better have one of -s close b% %o- at alltimes. I 'on3t mean o-tsi'e %o-r officeJ I mean within ph%sical to-ch.8

8I won'er if $ax ,ischer sent her here68 a'a sai'.

8The chances are 4oo'68 Saxton sai'. 8I3' ma!e boo! on it.8

8F-st beca-se I3m tr%in4 to 4et Fim2Fam Bris!in release'.8 a'a was thoro-4hl%sha!en. 8It reall% amaGes me.8 e rose to his feet -nstea'il%.

8Let me 4o after ,ischer68 Saxton -r4e' in a low voice. 8,or %o-r protection. ehas no ri4ht to be Presi'entJ nicephalon #)2 is o-r onl% le4al Presi'ent an' we all!now ,ischer p-t it o-t of commission.8

8*o68 a'a m-rm-re'. 8I 'on3t li!e m-r'er.8

8It3s not m-r'er68 Saxton sai'. 8It3s protection for %o- an' %o-r wives an'chil'ren.8

8$a%be so68 a'a sai'6 8b-t I still can3t 'o it. At least not %et.8 e left Saxton an'





ma'e his wa% with 'iffic-lt% bac! to his office6 where &a4s Par! an' r. as-mi waite'.

80e hear'68 as-mi sai' to him. 8Bear -p6 a'a. The woman was a paranoi'

schiGophrenic with 'el-sions of persec-tionJ witho-t ps%chotherap% it was inevitable thatshe wo-l' meet a violent 'eath. o not blame %o-rself or $r. Saxton.8

a'a sai'6 8An' at one time I love' that woman.8

olef-ll% str-mmin4 on his 4-itar6 &a4s Par! san4 to himselfJ the wor's were nota-'ible. Perhaps he was practicin4 on his balla' of Fim Bris!in3s escape from ail.

8Ta!e $r. Saxton3s a'vice68 r. as-mi sai'. 8Protect %o-rself at all times.8 e patte' a'a on the sho-l'er.

&a4s spo!e -p6 8$r. a'a6 I thin! I3ve 4ot m% balla' now. Abo-t 228

8I 'on3t want to hear it68 a'a sai' harshl%. 8*ot now.8 e wishe' the two of themwo-l' leaveJ he wante' to be b% himself.

$a%be I sho-l' fi4ht bac!6 he tho-4ht. r. as-mi recommen's itJ now ieterSaxton recommen's it. 0hat wo-l' Fim2Fam recommen'5 e has a so-n' min'. . . hewo-l' sa%6 on3t emplo% m-r'er. I !now that wo-l' be his answerJ I !now him.

An' if he sa%s not to6 I won3t.

r. as-mi was instr-ctin4 &a4s Par!6 8A balla'6 please6 abo-t that vase of4la'ioli over there on the boo!case. Tell how it rise -p strai4ht in the air an' hoverJ allri4ht58

80hat !in' of balla' is that58 &a4s sai'. 8An%how6 I 4ot m% wor! c-t o-t for meJ%o- hear' what $r. a'a sai'.8

8B-t I3m still testin4 %o-68 r. as-mi 4r-mble'.

To his co-sin the Attorne% 1eneral6 $ax ,ischer sai' 'is4-ste'l%6 80ell6 we'i'n3t 4et him.8

8*o6 $ax68 Leon Lait a4ree'. 8e3s 4ot 4oo' men in his emplo%J he3s not anin'ivi'-al li!e Bris!in6 he3s a whole corporation.8

$oo'il%6 $ax sai'6 8I rea' a boo! once that sai' if three people are competin46event-all% two of them will oin to4ether an' 4an4 -p on the thir' one. It3s inevitable.





That3s exactl% what3s happene'J a'a an' Bris!in are b-''ies6 an' I3m alone. 0e have tosplit them apart6 Leon6 an' 4et one of them on o-r si'e a4ainst the other. (nce Bris!inli!e' me. (nl% he 'isapprove' of m% metho's.8

Leon sai'6 80ait3ll he hears abo-t Noe a'a tr%in4 to !ill her ex2h-sban'J then

Bris!in3ll reall% 'isapprove of %o-.8

8o- thin! it3s impossible to win him over now58

8I s-re 'o6 $ax. o-3re in a worse position than ever6 re4ar'in4 him. ,or4et abo-twinnin4 him over.8

8There3s some i'ea in m% min'6 tho-4h68 $ax sai'. 8I can3t -ite ma!e o-t what itis %et6 b-t it has to 'o with freein4 Fim2Fam in the hopes that he3ll feel 4ratit-'e.8

8o-3re o-t of %o-r min'68 Leon sai'. 8ow come %o- ever tho-4ht of an i'ea

li!e that5 It isn3t li!e %o-.8

8I 'on3t !now68 $ax 4roane'. 8B-t there it is.8

To Sebastian a'a6 &a4s Par! sai'6 8h6 I thin! ma%be I 4ot me a balla' now6 $r.a'a. Li!e r. as-mi s-44este'. It has to 'o with tellin4 how Fim2Fam Bris!in 4ets o-tof ail. o- want to hear it58

-ll%6 a'a no''e'. 81o ahea'.8 After all6 he was pa%in4 the fol!sin4erJ he mi4htas well 4et somethin4 for his mone%.

Twan4in4 awa%6 &a4s san4:

8Fim2Fam Bris!in lan4-ishe' in ail6

Co-l'n3t fin' no one to p-t -p his bail.

Blame $ax ,ischer7 Blame $ax ,ischer78

&a4s explaine'6 8That3s the chor-s6 3Blame $ax ,ischer73 (!a%58

8All ri4ht68 a'a sai'6 no''in4.





8The Lor' came alon46 sai'6 $ax6 I3m ma'.

Castin4 that man in ail6 that was ba'.

Blame $ax ,ischer7 the 4oo' Lor' crie'.

Poor Fim Bris!in6 his ri4hts 'enie'.

Blame $ax ,ischer7 I3m here to tellJ

1oo' Lor' sa%6 im 4o strai4ht to hell.

&epent6 $ax ,ischer7 There3s onl% one ro-te:

1et on m% 4oo' si'eJ let Fim2Fam o-t.8

&a4s explaine' to a'a6 8*ow here3s what3s 4oin4 to happen.8 e cleare' histhroat:

8Ba' $ax ,ischer6 he saw the li4ht6

Tol' Leon Lait6 0e 4ot to 'o ri4ht.

Sent a messa4e 'own to t-rn that !e%6

(pen that 'oor an' let Fim2Fam free.

(l' Fim Bris!in saw an en' to his pli4htJ

Fail 'oor open now6 lets in the li4ht.

8That3s all68 &a4s informe' a'a. 8It3s a sort of holler t%pe of fol! son46 a spirit-alwhere %o- tap %o-r foot. o %o- li!e it58

a'a mana4e' to no'. 8(h s-re. An%thin43s fine.8

8Shall I tell $r. Kamins!% %o- want me to air it over CLT&+58

8Air awa%68 a'a sai'. e 'i' not careJ the 'eath of Noe still wei4he' on his min'





22 he felt responsible6 beca-se after all it ha' been his bo'%4-ar's who ha' 'one it6 an'the fact that Noe ha' been insane6 ha' been tr%in4 to 'estro% him6 'i' not seem to matter.It was still a h-man lifeJ it was still m-r'er. 8Listen68 he sai' to &a4s on imp-lse6 8I want%o- to ma!e -p another son46 now.8

0ith s%mpath%6 &a4s sai'6 8I !now6 $r. a'a. A balla' abo-t the sa' 'eath of%o-r former wife Noe. I been thin!in4 abo-t that an' I have a balla' all rea'%. Listen:

8There once was a la'% fair to see an' hearJ

0an'er6 spirit6 over fiel' an' star6

Sorrowf-l6 b-t for4ivin4 from afar.

That spirit !nows who 'i' her in.

It was a stran4er6 not her !in.

It was $ax ,ischer who !new her not 228

a'a interr-pte'6 8on3t whitewash me6 &a4sJ I3m to blame. on3t p-t ever%thin4on $ax as if he3s a whippin4 bo%.8

Seate' in the corner of the office6 listenin4 -ietl%6 r. as-mi now spo!e -p.8An' also too m-ch cre'it to Presi'ent ,ischer in %o-r balla's6 &a4s. In balla' of Fim2Fam3s release from ail6 %o- specificall% 4ive cre'it to $ax ,ischer for ethical chan4e ofheart. This will not 'o. The cre'it for Fim2Fam3s release m-st 4o to a'a. Listen6 &a4sJ Ihave compose' a poem for this occasion.8

r. as-mi chante':

8*ews clown nestles not in ail.

A frien'6 Sebastian a'a6 4ot him free.

e loves that frien'6 re4ar's him well.

Knows whom to honor6 an' to see!.8





8+xactl% thirt%2two s%llables68 r. as-mi explaine' mo'estl%. 8(l'2st%leFapanese2t%pe hai!- poetr% 'oes not have to rh%me as 'o .S.2+n4lish balla's6 howeverm-st 4et ri4ht to the point6 which in this matter is all2important.8 To &a4s he sai'6 8o-ma!e m% hai!- into balla'6 o!a%5 In %o-r t%pical fashion6 in rh%thmic6 rh%min4 co-plets6

et cetera6 an' so on.8

8I co-nte' thirt%2three s%llables68 &a4s sai'. 8An%how6 I3m a creative artistJ I3mnot -se' to bein4 tol' what to compose.8 e t-rne' to a'a. 80ho3m I wor!in4 for6 %o-or him5 *ot him6 as far as I !now.8

8o as he sa%s68 a'a tol' &a4s. 8e3s a brilliant man.8

S-llenl%6 &a4s m-rm-re'6 8(!a%6 b-t I 'i'n3t expect this sort of ob when I si4ne'the contract.8 e retire' to a far corner of the office to broo'6 thin!6 an' compose.

80hat are %o- involve' with6 here6 octor58 a'a as!e'.

80e3ll see68 r. as-mi sai' m%sterio-sl%. 8Theor% abo-t psi power of this balla'eer6 here. $a% pa% off6 ma% not.8

8o- seem to feel that the exact wor'in4 of &a4s3s balla's is ver% important68a'a sai'.

8That3s ri4ht68 r. as-mi a4ree'. 8As in le4al 'oc-ment. o- wait6 a'aJ %o-fin' o-t 22 if I ri4ht 22 event-all%. If I wron46 'oesn3t matter an%how.8 e smile'enco-ra4in4l% at a'a.

The phone in Presi'ent $ax ,ischer3s office ran4. It was the Attorne% 1eneral6 hisco-sin6 callin4 in a4itation. 8$ax6 I went over to the fe'eral pen where Fim2Fam is6 to seeabo-t -ashin4 the char4es a4ainst him li!e %o- were tal!in4 abo-t 228 Leon hesitate'.8e3s 4one6 $ax. e3s not in there an%more.8 Leon so-n'e' wil'l% nervo-s.

8ow3' he 4et o-t58 $ax sai'6 more baffle' than an4r%.

8Art eavisi'e6 a'a3s attorne%6 fo-n' a wa%J I 'on3t !now %et what it is 22 I haveto see Circ-it Co-rt F-'4e ale 0inthrop6 abo-t itJ he si4ne' the release or'er an ho-r orso a4o. I have an appointment with 0inthrop. . . as soon as I3ve seen him6 I3ll call %o- bac!.8

8I3ll be 'arne'68 $ax sai' slowl%. 80ell6 we were too late.8 e h-n4 -p the phonereflexivel% an' then stoo' 'eep in tho-4ht.What has ada !ot !oin! for hi#% he as!e'himself. Somethin4 I 'on3t -n'erstan'.





An' now the thin4 to watch for6 he realiGe'6 is Fim Bris!in showin4 -p on T".(nCLT&+3s networ!.

0ith relief he saw on the screen 22 not Fim Bris!in b-t a fol!sin4er pl-c!in4 awa%on a bano.

An' then he realiGe' that the fol!sin4er was sin4in4 abo-thi#)

8Ba' $ax ,ischer6 he saw the li4ht6

Tol' Leon Lait6 0e 4ot to 'o ri4ht.

Sent a messa4e 'own to t-rn that !e%.8

Listenin46 $ax ,ischer sai' alo-'6 8$% 1o'6 that3s exactl% what happene'7 That3sexactl% what I 'i'78 +erie6 he tho-4ht. 0hat3s it mean6 this balla' sin4er on CLT&+who sin4s abo-t what I3m 'oin4 22 secret matters that he co-l'n3t possibl% !now abo-t7

Telepathic ma%be6 $ax tho-4ht. That m-st be it.

*ow the fol!sin4er was narratin4 an' pl-c!in4 abo-t Sebastian a'a6 how a'aha' been personall% responsible for 4ettin4 Fim2Fam Bris!in o-t of ail. An' it3s tr-e6 $axsai' to himself. 0hen Leon Lait 4ot there to the fe'eral pen6 he fo-n' Bris!in 4one beca-se of Art eavisi'e3s activit%. . . I better listen prett% caref-ll% to this sin4er6 beca-sefor some reason he seems to !now more than I 'o.

B-t the sin4er now ha' finishe'.

The CLT&+ anno-ncer was sa%in46 8That was a brief interl-'e of political balla's b% the worl'2renowne' &a4lan' Par!. $r. Par!6 %o-3ll be please' to hear6 willappear on this channel ever% ho-r for five min-tes of new balla's6 compose' hereinc-lt-re3s st-'ios for the occasion. $r. Par! will be watchin4 the telet%pers an' willcompose his balla's to 228

$ax switche' the set off then.

Li!e cal%pso6 $ax realiGe'. *ew balla's. 1o'6 he tho-4ht 'ismall%. S-pposePar!s sin4s abo-t nicephalon #)2 comin4 bac!.

7 have a feelin!,he tho-4ht6that 'hat Ra!land Park sin!s turns out to 4e true) It3sone of those psionic talents.





An' the%6 the opposition6 are ma!in4 -se of this.

(n the other han'6 he tho-4ht6 I mi4ht have a few psionic talents of m% own.Beca-se if I 'i'n3t6 7 'ouldn0t have !otten as far as 7 have)

Seate' before the T" set6 he switche' it on once a4ain an' waite'6 chewin4 hislower lip an' pon'erin4 what he sho-l' 'o. As %et he co-l' come -p with nothin4. B-t Iwill6 sooner or later6 he sai' to himself. An' before the% come -p with the i'ea of brin4in4 nicephalon #)2 bac!. . .

r. as-mi sai'6 8I have solve' what &a4lan' Par!3s psi talent is6 a'a. o- careto !now58

8I3m more intereste' in the fact that Fim2Fam is o-t of ail68 a'a answere'. e

p-t 'own the receiver of the telephone6 almost -nable to believe the news. 8e3ll be hereri4ht awa%68 he sai' to r. as-mi. 8e3s on his wa% 'irect6 b% monorail. 0e3ll see that he4ets to Callisto6 where $ax has no -ris'iction6 so the% can3t possibl% rearrest him.8 ismin' swirle' with plans. &-bbin4 his han's to4ether6 he sai' rapi'l%6 8Fim2Fam can broa'cast from o-r transmitter on Callisto. An' he can live at m% 'emesne there 22 that3ll be beer an' s!ittles for him 22 I !now he3ll a4ree.8

8e is o-t68 r. as-mi sai' 'r%l%6 8beca-se of &a4s3s psi talent6 so %o- ha' betterlisten. Beca-se this psi talent is not -n'erstoo' even b% &a4s an'6 honestl% to 1o'6 itco-l' rebo-n' on %o- an% time.8

&el-ctantl%6 a'a sai'6 8(!a%6 4ive me %o-r opinion.8

8&elationship between &a4s3s ma'e2-p balla's an' realit% is one of ca-se an'effect. 0hat &a4s 'escribes then ta!es place. The balla' prece'es the event an' not b%m-ch. o- see5 This co-l' be 'an4ero-s6 if &a4s -n'erstoo' it an' ma'e -se of it forown a'vanta4e.8

8If this is tr-e68 a'a sai'6 8then we want him to compose a balla' abo-tnicephalon #)2 ret-rnin4 to action.8 That was obvio-s to him instantl%. $ax ,ischerwo-l' be merel% the stan'b% Presi'ent once more6 as he ha' ori4inall% been. 0itho-ta-thorit% of an% !in'.

8Correct68 r. as-mi sai'. 8B-t problem is6 now that he is ma!in4 -p these political2t%pe balla's6 &a4lan' Par! is apt to 'iscover this fact6 too. ,or if he ma!es -pson4 abo-t nicephalon an' then it act-all% 228

8o-3re ri4ht68 a'a sai'. 8+ven Par! co-l'n3t miss that.8 e was silent then6 'eepin tho-4ht. &a4lan' Par! was potentiall% even more 'an4ero-s than $ax ,ischer. (n theother han'6 &a4lan' seeme' li!e a 4oo' e44J there was no reason to ass-me that he





wo-l' mis-se his power6 as $ax ,ischer ha' his.

B-t it was a 4reat 'eal of power for one h-man bein4 to have. $-ch too m-ch.

r. as-mi sai'6 8Care m-st be ta!en as to exactl% what sort of balla's &a4lan'

ma!es -p. Contents m-st be e'ite' in a'vance6 ma%be b% %o-.8

8I want as little as possible 228 a'a be4an6 an' then cease'. The receptionist ha' b-GGe' himJ he switche' on the intercom.

8$r. Fames Bris!in is here.8

8Sen' him ri4ht in68 a'a sai'6 'eli4hte'. 8e3s here alrea'%6 Ito.8 a'a opene'the 'oor to the office 22 an' there stoo' Fim2Fam6 his face line' an' sober.

8$r. a'a 4ot %o- o-t68 r as-mi informe' Fim2Fam.

8I !now. I appreciate it6 a'a.8 Bris!in entere' the office an' a'a at once close'an' loc!e' the 'oor.

8Listen6 Fim2Fam68 a'a sai' witho-t preamble6 8we3ve 4ot 4reater problems thanever. $ax ,ischer as a threat is nothin4. *ow we have to 'eal with an -ltimate form of power6 an absol-te rather than a relative form. I wish I ha' never 4otten into thisJ whosei'ea was it to hire &a4s Par!58

r. as-mi sai'6 8o-rs6 a'a6 an' I warne' %o- at the time.8

8I3' better instr-ct &a4s not to ma!e -p an% more new balla's68 a'a 'eci'e'.8That3s the first step to ta!e. I3ll call the st-'io. $% 1o'6 he mi4ht ma!e -p one abo-t -sall 4oin4 to the bottom of the Atlantic6 or twent% As o-t into 'eep space.8

8Avoi' panic68 r. as-mi tol' him firml%. 8There %o- 4o ahea' with panic6a'a. "olatile as ever. Be calm an' thin! first.8

8ow can I be calm68 a'a sai'6 8when that r-stic has the power to move -saro-n' li!e to%s5 0h%6 he can comman' the entire -niverse.8

8*ot necessaril%68 r. as-mi 'isa4ree'. 8There ma% be limit. Psi power not well-n'erstoo'6 even %et. ar' to test o-t in laborator% con'itionJ har' to

s-bect to ri4oro-s6 repeatable scr-tin%.8 e pon'ere'.

Fim Bris!in sai'6 8As I -n'erstan' what %o-3re sa%in4 228

8o- were spr-n4 b% a ma'e2-p balla'68 a'a tol' him. 8one at m% comman'.It wor!e'6 b-t now we3re st-c! with the balla' sin4er.8 e pace' bac! an' forth6 han's in





his poc!ets.

0hat3ll we 'o with &a4lan' Par!5he as!e' himself 'esperatel%.

At the main st-'ios of CLT&+ in the +arth satellite C-lone6 &a4lan' Par! satwith his bano an' 4-itar6 examinin4 the news 'ispatches comin4 in over the telet%pe an' preparin4 balla's for his next appearance.

Fim2Fam Bris!in6 he saw6 ha' been release' from ail b% or'er of a fe'eral -'4e.Please'6 &a4lan' consi'ere' a balla' on that topic6 then remembere' that he ha' alrea'%compose' 22 an' s-n4 22 several. 0hat he nee'e' was a new topic entirel%. e ha' 'onethat one to 'eath.

,rom the control booth6 *at Kamins!%3s voice boome' over the lo-'spea!er6

8o- abo-t rea'% to 4o on a4ain6 $r. Par!58

8(h s-re68 &a4lan' replie'6 no''in4. Act-all% he was not6 b-t he wo-l' be in amoment or two.

0hat abo-t a balla'6 he tho-4ht6 concernin4 a man name' Pete &obinson ofChica4o6 Illinois6 whose sprin4er spaniel was attac!e' one fine 'a% in broa' 'a%li4ht on acit% street b% an enra4e' ea4le5

*o6 that3s not political eno-4h6 he 'eci'e'.

0hat abo-t one 'ealin4 with the en' of the worl'5 A comet hittin4 +arth6 orma%be the aliens swarmin4 in an' ta!in4 over. . . a real scar% balla' with people 4ettin4 blown -p an' c-t in half b% ra% 4-ns5

B-t that was too -nintellect-al for CLT&+J that wo-l'n3t 'o either.

0ell6 he tho-4ht6 then a son4 abo-t the ,BI. I3ve never 'one one on the s-bectJLeon Lait3s men in 4ra% b-siness s-its with fat re' nec!s. . . colle4e 4ra'-ates carr%in4 briefcases. . .

To himself6 he san46 while str-mmin4 his 4-itar:

8(-r 'epartment chief sa%s6 ar!J

1o an' brin4 bac! &a4lan' Par!.

e3s a menace to conformit%J





is crimes are an enormit%.8

Ch-c!lin46 &a4lan' pon'ere' how to 4o on with the balla'. A balla' abo-thimselfJ interestin4 i'ea. . . how ha' he happene' to thin! of that5

e was so b-s% concoctin4 the balla'6 in fact6 that he 'i' not notice the three menin 4ra% b-siness s-its with fat re' nec!s who ha' entere' the st-'io an' were comin4towar' him6 each man carr%in4 a briefcase in a wa% that ma'e it clear he was a colle4e4ra'-ate an' -se' to carr%in4 it.

I reall% have a 4oo' balla' 4oin46 &a4lan' sai' to himself. The best one of m%career. Str-mmin46 he went on:

8es6 the% snea!e' -p in the 'ar!

Aime' their 4-ns an' shot poor Par!.

Stille' free'om3s clarion cr%

0hen the% 'oome' this man to 'ieJ

B-t a crime not soon for4otten

+ven in a c-lt-re rotten.8

That was as far as &a4lan' 4ot in his balla'. The lea'er of the 4ro-p of ,BI menlowere' his smo!in4 pistol6 no''e' to his companions6 an' then spo!e into his wristtransmitter. 8Inform $r. Lait that we have been s-ccessf-l.8

The tinn% voice from his wrist answere'6 81oo'. &et-rn to hea'-arters atonce. e or'ers it.8

e6 of co-rse6 was $aximilian ,ischer. The ,BI men !new that6 !new who ha'sent them on their mission.

In his office at the 0hite o-se6 $aximilian ,ischer breathe' a si4h of reliefwhen informe' that &a4lan' Par! was 'ea'. A close call6 he sai' to himself. That man





mi4ht have finishe' me off 22 me an' ever%bo'% else in the worl'.

AmaGin46 he tho-4ht6 that we were able to 4et him. The brea!s certainl% went o-rwa%. I won'er wh%.

Co-l' be one of m% psionic talents has to 'o with p-ttin4 an en' to fol!2sin4ers6he sai' to himself6 an' 4rinne' with slee! satisfaction.

Specificall%6 he tho-4ht6 a psi talent for 4ettin4 fol!sin4ers to compose balla's onthe theme of their own 'estr-ction. . .

An' now6 he realiGe'6 the real problem. (f 4ettin4 Fim Bris!in bac! into ail. An'it will be har'J a'a is probabl% smart eno-4h to thin! of transportin4 him imme'iatel%to an o-tl%in4 moon where I have no a-thorit%. It will be a lon4 str-44le6 me a4ainstthose two. . . an' the% co-l' well beat me in the en'.

e si4he'. A lot of har' wor!6 he sai' to himself. B-t I 4-ess I 4ot to 'o it.Pic!in4 -p the phone6 he 'iale' Leon Lait. . .

(h6 To Be A Blobel7

e p-ta twent%2'ollar platin-m coin into the slot an' the anal%st6 after a pa-se6 lit-p. Its e%es shone with sociabilit% an' it swivele' abo-t in its chair6 pic!e' -p a pen an' pa' of lon4 %ellow paper from its 'es! an' sai'6 81oo' mornin46 sir. o- ma% be4in.8

8ello6 r. Fones. I 4-ess %o-3re not the same r. Fones who 'i' the 'efinitive bio4raph% of ,re-'J that was a cent-r% a4o.8 e la-4he' nervo-sl%J bein4 a rather povert%2stric!en man he was not acc-stome' to 'ealin4 with the new f-ll% homeostatic ps%choanal%sts. 8m68 he sai'6 8sho-l' I free2associate or 4ive %o- bac!4ro-n' materialor -st what58

r. Fones sai'6 8Perhaps %o- co-l' be4in b% tellin4 me who %o- are -n' war-mmich 22 wh% %o- have selecte' me.8

8I3m 1eor4e $-nster of catwal! #6 b-il'in4 0+,2?6 San ,ranciscocon'omini-m establishe' [email protected]





8ow 'o %o- 'o6 $r. $-nster.8 r. Fones hel' o-t its han'6 an' 1eor4e $-nstershoo! it. e fo-n' the han' to be of a pleasant bo'%2temperat-re an' 'eci'e'l% soft. The4rip6 however6 was manl%.

8o- see68 $-nster sai'6 8I3m an ex21I6 a war veteran. That3s how I 4ot m%con'omini-m apartment at 0+,2?J veterans3 preference.8

8Ah %es68 r. Fones sai'6 tic!in4 faintl% as it meas-re' the passa4e of time. 8Thewar with the Blobels.8

8I fo-4ht three %ears in that war68 $-nster sai'6 nervo-sl% smoothin4 his lon46 blac!6 thinnin4 hair. 8I hate' the Blobels an' I vol-nteere'J I was onl% nineteen an' I ha'a 4oo' ob 22 b-t the cr-sa'e to clear the Sol S%stem of Blobels came first in m% min'.8

8m68 r. Fones sai'6 tic!in4 an' no''in4.

1eor4e $-nster contin-e'6 8I fo-4ht well. In fact I 4ot two 'ecorations an' a battlefiel' citation. Corporal. That3s beca-se I sin4le2han'e'l% wipe' o-t an observationsatellite f-ll of BlobelsJ we3ll never !now exactl% how man% beca-se of co-rse6 bein4Blobels6 the% ten' to f-se to4ether an' -nf-se conf-sin4l%.8 e bro!e off6 then6 feelin4emotional. +ven rememberin4 an' tal!in4 abo-t the war was too m-ch for him. . . he la% bac! on the co-ch6 lit a ci4arette an' trie' to become calm.

The Blobels ha' emi4rate' ori4inall% from another star s%stem6 probabl%Proxima. Several tho-san' %ears a4o the% ha' settle' on $ars an' on Titan6 'oin4 ver%well at a4rarian p-rs-its. The% were 'evelopments of the ori4inal -nicell-lar amoeba6-ite lar4e an' with a hi4hl%2or4aniGe' nervo-s s%stem6 b-t still amoeba6 with pse-'opo'ia6 repro'-cin4 b% binar% fission6 an' in the main offensive to Terran settlers.

The war itself ha' bro!en o-t over ecolo4ical consi'erations. It ha' been the'esire of the ,orei4n Ai' epartment of the * to chan4e the atmosphere on $ars6ma!in4 it more -sable for Terran settlers. This chan4e6 however6 ha' ma'e it -npalatablefor the Blobel colonies alrea'% thereJ hence the s-abble.

An'6 $-nster reflecte'6 it was not possible to chan4ehalf the atmosphere of a planet6 the Brownian movement bein4 what it was. 0ithin a perio' of ten %ears thealtere' atmosphere ha' 'iff-se' thro-4ho-t the planet6 brin4in4 s-fferin4 22 at least sothe% alle4e' 22 to the Blobels. In retaliation6 a Blobel arma'a ha' approache' Terra an'ha' p-t into orbit a series of technicall% sophisticate' satellites 'esi4ne' event-all% toalter the atmosphere of Terra. This alteration ha' never come abo-t beca-se of co-rse the0ar (ffice of the * ha' 4one into actionJ the satellites ha' been 'etonate' b% self2instr-ctin4 missiles. . . an' the war was on.

r. Fones sai'6 8Are %o- marrie'6 $r. $-nster58





8*o sir68 $-nster sai'. 8An' 228 e sh-''ere'. 8o-3ll see wh% when I3vefinishe' tellin4 %o-. See6 octor 228 e st-bbe' o-t his ci4arette. 8I3ll be fran!. I was aTerran sp%. That was m% tas!J the% 4ave the ob to me beca-se of m% braver% in thefiel'. . . I 'i'n3t as! for it.8

8I see68 r. Fones sai'.

8o %o-58 $-nster3s voice bro!e. 8o %o- !now what was necessar% in those'a%s in or'er to ma!e a Terran into a s-ccessf-l sp% amon4 the Blobels58

*o''in46 r. Fones sai'6 8es6 $r. $-nster. o- ha' to relin-ish %o-r h-manform an' ass-me the repellent form of a Blobel.8

$-nster sai' nothin4J he clenche' an' -nclenche' his fist6 bitterl%. Across fromhim r. Fones tic!e'.

That evenin46 bac! in his small apartment at 0+,2?6 $-nster opene' a fifth ofTeacher3s scotch6 sat b% himself sippin4 from a c-p6 lac!in4 even the ener4% to 4et a 4lass'own from the c-pboar' over the sin!.

0hat ha' he 4otten o-t of the session with r. Fones to'a%5 *othin46 as nearl% ashe co-l' tell. An' it ha' eaten 'eep into his mea4er financial reso-rces. . . mea4er beca-se 22

Beca-se for almost twelve ho-rs o-t of the 'a% he reverte'6 'espite all the effortsof himself an' the "eterans3 ospitaliGation A4enc% of the *6 to his ol' war2time Blobelshape. To a formless -nicell-lar2li!e blob6 ri4ht in the mi''le of his own apartment at0+,2?.

is financial reso-rces consiste' of a small pension from the 0ar (fficeJ fin'in4a ob was impossible6 beca-se as soon as he was hire' the strain ca-se' him to revertthere on the spot6 in plain si4ht of his new emplo%er an' fellow wor!ers.

It 'i' not assist in formin4 s-ccessf-l wor!2relationships.

S-re eno-4h6 now6 at ei4ht in the evenin46 he felt himself once more be4innin4 torevertJ it was an ol' an' familiar experience to him6 an' he loathe' it. -rrie'l%6 hesippe' the last of the c-p of scotch6 p-t the c-p 'own on a table. . . an' felt himself sli'eto4ether into a homo4eno-s p-''le.

The telephone ran4.

8I can3t answer68 he calle' to it. The phone3s rela% pic!e' -p his an4-ishe'messa4e an' conve%e' it to the callin4 part%. *ow $-nster ha' become a sin4le





transparent 4elatino-s mass in the mi''le of the r-4J he -n'-late' towar' the phone 22 itwas still rin4in46 'espite his statement to it6 an' he felt f-rio-s resentmentJ 'i'n3t he haveeno-4h tro-bles alrea'%6 witho-t havin4 to 'eal with a rin4in4 phone5

&eachin4 it6 he exten'e' a pse-'opo'i-m an' snatche' the receiver from the

hoo!. 0ith 4reat effort he forme' his plastic s-bstance into the semblance of a vocalapparat-s6 resonatin4 '-ll%. 8I3m b-s%68 he resonate' in a low boomin4 fashion into themo-thpiece of the phone. 8Call later.8Call, he tho-4ht as he h-n4 -p6to#orro' #ornin!)

When 70ve 4een a4le to re!ain #y hu#an for#)

The apartment was -iet6 now.

Si4hin46 $-nster flowe' bac! across the carpet6 to the win'ow6 where he roseinto a hi4h pillar in or'er to see the view be%on'J there was a li4ht2sensitive spot on hiso-ter s-rface6 an' altho-4h he 'i' not possess a tr-e lens he was able to appreciate 22nostal4icall% 22 the si4ht of San ,rancisco Ba%6 the 1ol'en 1ate Bri'4e6 the pla%4ro-n'

for small chil'ren which was AlcatraG Islan'.

ammit6he tho-4ht bitterl%. 7 can0t #arry5 7 can0t live a !enuine hu#an e9istence,revertin! this 'ay to the for# the War (ffice 4i!shots forced #e into 4ack in the 'ar

ti#es) ) ) )

e ha' not !nown then6 when he accepte' the mission6 that it wo-l' leave this permanent effect. The% ha' ass-re' him it was 8onl% temporar%6 for the '-ration68 orsome s-ch 4lib phrase. Duration #y ass, $-nster tho-4ht with f-rio-s6 impotentresentment. 7t0s 4een eleven %ears6no')

The ps%cholo4ical problems create' for him6 the press-re on his ps%che6 wereimmense. ence his visit to r. Fones.

(nce more the phone ran4.

8(!a%68 $-nster sai' alo-'6 an' flowe' laborio-sl% bac! across the room to it.8o- want to tal! to me58 he sai' as he came closer an' closerJ the trip6 for someone inBlobel form6 was a lon4 one. 8I3ll tal! to %o-. o- can even t-rn on the vi'screen an'look

at me.8 At the phone he snappe' the switch which wo-l' permit vis-al comm-nication aswell as a-'itor%. 8ave a 4oo' loo!68 he sai'6 an' 'ispla%e' his amorpho-s form beforethe scannin4 t-be of the vi'eo.

r. Fones3 voice came: 8I3m sorr% to bother %o- at %o-r home6 $r. $-nster6especiall% when %o-3re in this6 -m6 aw!war' con'ition. . .8 The homeostatic anal%st pa-se'. 8B-t I3ve been 'evotin4 time to problem2solvin4 vis2a2vis %o-r con'ition. I ma%have at least a partial sol-tion.8

80hat58 $-nster sai'6 ta!en b% s-rprise. 8o- mean to impl% that me'icalscience can now 228





8*o6 no68 r. Fones sai' h-rrie'l%. 8The ph%sical aspects lie o-t of m% 'omainJ%o- m-st !eep that in min'6 $-nster. 0hen %o- cons-lte' me abo-t %o-r problems itwas the ps%cholo4ical a'-stment that 228

8I3ll come ri4ht 'own to %o-r office an' tal! to %o-68 $-nster sai'. An' then herealiGe' that he co-l' notJ in his Blobel form it wo-l' ta!e him 'a%s to -n'-late all thewa% across town to r. Fones3 office. 8Fones68 he sai' 'esperatel%6 8%o- see the problems Iface. I3m st-c! here in this apartment ever% ni4ht be4innin4 abo-t ei4ht o3cloc! an'lastin4 thro-4h -ntil almost seven in the mornin4. . . I can3t even visit %o- an' cons-lt%o- an' 4et help 228

8Be -iet6 $r. $-nster68 r. Fones interr-pte'. 8I3m tr%in4 to tell %o-somethin4.ou0re not the only one in this condition) i' %o- !now that58

eavil%6 $-nster sai'6 8S-re. In all6 ei4ht%2three Terrans were ma'e over into

Blobels at one time or another '-rin4 the war. (f the ei4ht%2three 228 e !new the facts b% heart. 8Sixt%2one s-rvive' an' now there3s an or4aniGation calle' "eterans ofnnat-ral 0ars of which fift% are members. I3m a member. 0e meet twice a month6revert in -nison. . .8 e starte' to han4 -p the phone. So this was what he ha' 4otten forhis mone%6 this stale news. 81oo'b%e6 octor68 he m-rm-re'.

r. Fones whirre' in a4itation. 8$r. $-nster6 I 'on3t mean other Terrans. I3veresearche' this in %o-r behalf6 an' I 'iscover that accor'in4 to capt-re' recor's at theLibrar% of Con4ress fifteen Blo4els were forme' into pse-'o2Terrans to act as spiesfor their si'e. o %o- -n'erstan'58

After a moment $-nster sai'6 8*ot exactl%.8

8o- have a mental bloc! a4ainst bein4 helpe'68 r. Fones sai'. 8B-t here3s what Iwant6 $-nsterJ %o- be at m% office at eleven in the mornin4 tomorrow. 0e3ll ta!e -p thesol-tion to %o-r problem then. 1oo'ni4ht.8

0earil%6 $-nster sai'6 80hen I3m in m% Blobel form m% wits aren3t too !een6octor. o-3ll have to for4ive me.8 e h-n4 -p6 still p-GGle'. So there were fifteenBlobels wal!in4 aro-n' on Titan this moment6 'oome' to occ-p% h-man forms 22 sowhat5 ow 'i' that help him5 $a%be he wo-l' fin' o-t at eleven tomorrow.

0hen he stro'e into r. Fones3 waitin4 room he saw6 seate' in a 'eep chair in acorner b% a lamp6 rea'in4 a cop% of 3ortune, an excee'in4l% attractive %o-n4 woman.

A-tomaticall%6 $-nster fo-n' a place to sit from which he co-l' e%e her. St%lish'%e'2white hair brai'e' 'own the bac! of her nec!. . . he too! in the si4ht of her with'eli4ht6 preten'in4 to rea' his own cop%of 3ortune) Slen'er le4s6 small an' 'elicate





elbows. An' her sharp6 clearl%2feat-re' face. The intelli4ent e%es6 the thin6 tapere'nostrils 22 a tr-l% lovel% 4irl6 he tho-4ht. e 'ran! in the si4ht of her. . . -ntil all at onceshe raise' her hea' an' stare' cooll% bac! at him.

8-ll6 havin4 to wait68 $-nster m-mble'.

The 4irl sai'6 8o %o- come to r. Fones often58

8*o68 he a'mitte'. 8This is -st the secon' time.8

8I3ve never been here before68 the 4irl sai'. 8I was 4oin4 to another electronicf-ll%2homeostatic ps%choanal%st in Los An4eles an' then late %ester'a% r. Bin46 m%anal%st6 calle' me an' tol' me to fl% -p here an' see r. Fones this mornin4. Is this one4oo'58

8m68 $-nster sai'. 8I 4-ess so.8We0ll see, he tho-4ht.That0s precisely 'hat 'e

don0t kno', at this point)

The inner office 'oor opene' an' there stoo' r. Fones. 8$iss Arrasmith68 it sai'6no''in4 to the 4irl. 8$r. $-nster.8 It no''e' to 1eor4e. 80on3t %o- both come in58

&isin4 to her feet6 $iss Arrasmith sai'6 80ho pa%s the twent% 'ollars then58

B-t the anal%st ha' become silentJ it ha' t-rne' off.

8I3ll pa%68 $iss Arrasmith sai'6 reachin4 into her p-rse.

8*o6 no68 $-nster sai'. 8Let me.8 e 4ot o-t a twent%2'ollar piece an' 'roppe' itinto the anal%st3s slot.

At once6 r. Fones sai'6 8o-3re a 4entleman6 $r. $-nster.8 Smilin46 it -shere'the two of them into its office. 8Be seate'6 please. $iss Arrasmith6 witho-t preamble please allow me to explain %o-r 22 con'ition to $r. $-nster.8 To $-nster it sai'6 8$issArrasmith is a Blobel.8

$-nster co-l' onl% stare at the 4irl.

8(bvio-sl%68 r. Fones contin-e'6 8presentl% in h-man form. This6 for her6 is thestate of invol-ntar% reversion. -rin4 the war she operate' behin' Terran lines6 actin4 forthe Blobel 0ar Lea4-e. She was capt-re' an' hel'6 b-t then the war en'e' an' she wasneither trie' nor sentence'.8

8The% release' me68 $iss Arrasmith sai' in a low6 caref-ll%2controlle' voice.8Still in h-man form. I sta%e' here o-t of shame. I -st co-l'n3t 4o bac! to Titan an' 228er voice wavere'.





8There is 4reat shame attache' to this con'ition68 r. Fones sai'6 8for an% hi4h2caste Blobel.8

*o''in46 $iss Arrasmith sat6 cl-tchin4 a tin% Irish linen han'!erchief an' tr%in4to loo! poise'. 8Correct6 octor. I 'i' visit Titan to 'isc-ss m% con'ition with me'ical

a-thorities there. After expensive an' prolon4e' therap% with me the% were able toin'-ce a ret-rn to m% nat-ral form for a perio' of 228 She hesitate'. 8Abo-t one2fo-rth ofthe time. B-t the other three2fo-rths. . . I am as %o- perceive me now.8 She '-c!e' herhea' an' to-che' the han'!erchief to her ri4ht e%e.

8FeeG68 $-nster proteste'6 8%o-3re l-c!%J a h-man form is infinitel% s-perior to aBlobel form 2 I o-4ht to !now. As a Blobel %o- have to creep alon4. . . %o-3re li!e a bi4 ell%fish6 no s!eleton to !eep %o- erect. An' binar% fission 22 it3s lo-s%6 I sa% reall% lo-s%6compare' to the Terran form of 22 %o- !now. &epro'-ction.8 e colore'.

r. Fones tic!e' an' state'6 8,or a perio' of abo-t six ho-rs %o-r h-man forms

overlap. An' then for abo-t one ho-r %o-r Blobel forms overlap. So all in all6 the two of%o- possess seven ho-rs o-t of twent%2fo-r in which %o- both possess i'entical forms. Inm% opinion 228 It to%e' with its pen an' paper. 8Seven ho-rs is not too ba'. If %o- followm% meanin4.8

After a moment $iss Arrasmith sai'6 8B-t $r. $-nster an' I are nat-ralenemies.8

8That was %ears a4o68 $-nster sai'.

8Correct68 r. Fones a4ree'. 8Tr-e6 $iss Arrasmith is basicall% a Blobel an' %o-6$-nster6 are a Terran6 b-t 228 It 4est-re'. 8Both of %o- are o-tcasts in either civiliGationJ both of %o- are stateless an' hence 4ra'-all% s-fferin4 a loss of e4o2i'entit%. I pre'ict for both of %o- a 4ra'-al 'eterioration en'in4 finall% in severe mental illness. nless %o-two can 'evelop a rapprochement.8 The anal%st was silent6 then.

$iss Arrasmith sai' softl%6 8I thin! we3re ver% l-c!%6 $r. $-nster. As r. Fonessai'6 we 'o overlap for seven ho-rs a 'a%. . . we can eno% that time to4ether6 no lon4er inwretche' isolation.8 She smile' -p hopef-ll% at him6 rearran4in4 her coat. Certainl%6 sheha' a nice fi4-reJ the somewhat low2c-t 'ress 4ave an i'eal cl-e to that.

St-'%in4 her6 $-nster pon'ere'.

81ive him time68 r. Fones tol' $iss Arrasmith. 8$% anal%sis of him is that hewill see this correctl% an' 'o the ri4ht thin4.8

Still rearran4in4 her coat an' 'abbin4 at her lar4e6 'ar! e%es6 $iss Arrasmithwaite'.





The phone in r. Fones3 office ran46 a n-mber of %ears later. e answere' it in hisc-stomar% wa%. 8Please6 sir or ma'am6 'eposit twent% 'ollars if %o- wish to spea! tome.8

A to-4h male voice on the other en' of the line sai'6 8Listen6 this is the * Le4al(ffice an' we 'on3t 'eposit twent% 'ollars to tal! to an%bo'%. So trip that mechanisminsi'e %o-6 Fones.8

8es6 sir68 r. Fones sai'6 an' with his ri4ht han' trippe' the lever behin' his earthat ca-se' him to come on free.

8Bac! in <)E68 the * le4al expert sai'6 8'i' %o- a'vise a co-ple to marr%5 A1eor4e $-nster an' a "ivian Arrasmith6 now $rs. $-nster58

80h% %es68 r. Fones sai'6 after cons-ltin4 his b-ilt2in memor% ban!s.

8a' %o- investi4ate' the le4al ramifications of their iss-e58

8m well68 r. Fones sai'6 8that3s not m% worr%.8

8o- can be arrai4ne' for a'visin4 an% action contrar% to * law.8

8There3s no law prohibitin4 a Blobel an' a Terran from marr%in4.8

The * le4al expert sai'6 8All ri4ht6 octor6 I3ll settle for a loo! at their casehistories.8

8Absol-tel% not68 r. Fones sai'. 8That wo-l' be a breach of ethics.8

80e3ll 4et a writ an' se-ester them6 then.8

81o ahea'.8 r. Fones reache' behin' his ear to sh-t himself off.

80ait. It ma% interest %o- to !now that the $-nsters now have fo-r chil'ren. An'6followin4 the $en'elian Law6 the offsprin4 comprise a strict one6 two6 one ratio. (neBlobel 4irl6 one h%bri' bo%6 one h%bri' 4irl6 one Terran 4irl. The le4al problem arises inthat the Blobel S-preme Co-ncil claims the p-re2bloo'e' Blobel 4irl as a citiGen of Titanan' also s-44ests that one of the two h%bri's be 'onate' to the Co-ncil3s -ris'iction.8The * le4al expert explaine'6 8o- see6 the $-nsters3 marria4e is brea!in4 -pJ the%3re4ettin4 'ivorce' an' it3s stic!% fin'in4 which laws obtain re4ar'in4 them an' their iss-e.8

8es68 r. Fones a'mitte'6 8I wo-l' thin! so. 0hat has ca-se' their marria4e to brea! -p58

8I 'on3t !now an' 'on3t care. Possibl% the fact that both a'-lts an' two of the fo-r





chil'ren rotate 'ail% between bein4 Blobels an' TerransJ ma%be the strain 4ot to be toom-ch. If %o- want to 4ive them ps%cholo4ical a'vice6 cons-lt them. 1oo'b%e.8 The *le4al expert ran4 off.

i' I ma!e a mista!e6 a'visin4 them to marr%5r. Fones as!e' itself. 7 'onder if 7

shouldn 0t look the# up5 7 o'e at least that to the#)

(penin4 the Los An4eles phone boo!6 it be4an th-mbin4 thro-4h the $s.

These ha' been six 'iffic-lt %ears for the $-nsters.

,irst6 1eor4e ha' move' from San ,rancisco to Los An4elesJ he an' "ivian ha'set -p a ho-sehol' in a con'omini-m apartment with three instea' of two rooms. "ivian6 bein4 in Terran form three2fo-rths of the time6 ha' been able to obtain a obJ ri4ht o-t in

p-blic she 4ave et fli4ht information at the ,ifth Los An4eles Airport. 1eor4e6 however22

is pension comprise' an amo-nt onl% one2fo-rth that of his wife3s salar% an' hefelt it !eenl%. To a-4ment it6 he ha' searche' for a wa% of earnin4 mone% at home.,inall% in a ma4aGine he ha' fo-n' this val-able a':

$AK+ S0I,T P&(,ITS I* (& (0* C(*(7

&AIS+ 1IA*T BLL,&(1S ,&($ FPIT+&6 CAPABL+ (, +I1T2,((TL+APS.

CA* B+ S+ I* ,&(12&ACI*1 =where le4al> A*. . .

So in <); he ha' bo-4ht his first pair of fro4s importe' from F-piter an' ha' be4-n raisin4 them for swift profits6 ri4ht in his own con'omini-m apartment b-il'in46 ina corner of the basement that Leopol'6 the partiall%2homeostatic anitor6 let him -se4ratis.

B-t in the relativel% feeble Terran 4ravit% the fro4s were capable of enormo-sleaps6 an' the basement prove' too small for themJ the% ricochete' from wall to wall li!e4reen pin4 pon4 balls an' soon 'ie'. (bvio-sl% it too! more than a portion of the basement at +K2@)# Apartments to ho-se a crop of the 'amne' thin4s6 1eor4e realiGe'.

An' then6 too6 their first chil' ha' been born. It ha' t-rne' o-t to be a p-re2 bloo'e' BlobelJ for twent%2fo-r ho-rs a 'a% it consiste' of a 4elatino-s mass an' 1eor4e





fo-n' himself waitin4 in vain for it to switch over to a h-man form6 even for a moment.

e face' "ivian 'efiantl% in this matter6 '-rin4 a perio' when both of them werein h-man form.

8ow can I consi'er it m% chil'58 he as!e' her. 8It3s 22 an alien life form to me.8e was 'isco-ra4e' an' even horrifie'. 8r. Fones sho-l' have foreseen thisJ ma%beit3s your chil' 22 it loo!s -st li!e %o-.8

Tears fille' "ivian3s e%es. 8o- mean that ins-ltin4l%.8

8amn ri4ht I 'o. 0e fo-4ht %o- creat-res 22 we -se' to consi'er %o- no betterthan Port-4-ese stin42ra%s.8 1loomil%6 he p-t on his coat. 8I3m 4oin4 'own to "eterans ofnnat-ral 0ars ea'-arters68 he informe' his wife. 8ave a beer with the bo%s.8Shortl%6 he was on his wa% to oin with his ol' war2time b-''ies6 4la' to 4et o-t of theapartment ho-se.

"0 ea'-arters was a 'ecrepit cement b-il'in4 in 'owntown Los An4eles leftover from the twentieth cent-r% an' sa'l% in nee' of paint. The "0 ha' little f-n's beca-se most of its members were6 li!e 1eor4e $-nster6 livin4 on * pensions.owever6 there was a pool table an' an ol' 2 television set an' a few 'oGen tapes of pop-lar m-sic an' also a chess set. 1eor4e 4enerall% 'ran! his beer an' pla%e' chesswith his fellow members6 either in h-man form or in Blobel formJ this was one place inwhich both were accepte'.

This partic-lar evenin4 he sat with Pete &-44les6 a fellow veteran who also ha'marrie' a Blobel female6 revertin46 as "ivian 'i'6 to h-man form.

8Pete6 I can3t 4o on. I3ve 4ot a 4elatino-s blob for a chil'. $% whole life I3vewante' a !i'6 an' now what have I 4ot5 Somethin4 that loo!s li!e it washe' -p on the beach.8

Sippin4 his beer 22 he too was in h-man form at the moment 22 Pete answere'68Crimin%6 1eor4e6 I a'mit it3s a mess. B-t %o- m-st have !nown what %o- were 4ettin4into when %o- marrie' her. An' m% 1o'6 accor'in4 to $en'el3s Law6 the next !i' 228

8I mean68 1eor4e bro!e in6 8I 'on3t respect m% own wifeJ that3s the basis of it. Ithin! of her as athin!) An' m%self6 too. 0e3re both thin4s.8 e 'ran! 'own his beer inone 4-lp.

Pete sai' me'itativel%6 8B-t from the Blobel stan'point 228

8Listen6 whose si'e are %o- on58 1eor4e 'eman'e'.

8on3t %ell at me68 Pete sai'6 8or I3ll 'ec! %o-.8





A moment later the% were swin4in4 wil'l% at each other. ,ort-natel% Petereverte' to Blobel form in the nic! of timeJ no harm was 'one. *ow 1eor4e sat alone6 inh-man shape6 while Pete ooGe' off somewhere else6 probabl% to oin a 4ro-p of the bo%swho ha' also ass-me' Blobel form.

$a%be we can fin' a new societ% somewhere on a remote moon61eor4e sai' tohimself moo'il%. *either Terran nor Blo4el)

I3ve 4ot to 4o bac! to "ivian61eor4e resolve'.What else is there for #e% 70# luckyto find her5 70d 4e nothin! 4ut a 'ar veteran !u..lin! 4eer here at <2W ead:uarters

every da#n day and ni!ht, 'ith no future, no hope, no real life) ) )

e ha' a new mone%2ma!in4 scheme 4oin4 now. It was a home mail2or'er b-sinessJ he ha' place' an a' in theSaturday $venin! Post for $A1IC L(+2ST(*+S&+PT+ T( B&I*1 ( LCK. ,&($ A*(T+& STA&2SST+$entirel%7 Thestones ha' come from Proxima an' were obtainable on TitanJ it was "ivian who ha'

ma'e the commercial contact for him with her people. B-t so far6 few people ha' sent inthe 'ollar2fift%.

I3m a fail-re61eor4e sai' to himself.

,ort-natel% the next chil'6 born in the winter of <)6 showe' itself to be ah%bri'J it too! h-man form fift% percent of the time6 an' so at last 1eor4e ha' a chil'who was 22 occasionall%6 an%how 22 a member of his own species.

e was still in the process of celebratin4 the birth of $a-rice when a 'ele4ationof their nei4hbors at +K2@)# Apartments came an' rappe' on their 'oor.

80e3ve 4ot a petition here68 the chairman of the 'ele4ation sai'6 sh-fflin4 his feetin embarrassment6 8as!in4 that %o- an' $rs. $-nster leave +K2@)#.8

8B-t wh%58 1eor4e as!e'6 bewil'ere'. 8o- haven3t obecte' to -s -p -ntil now.8

8The reason is that now %o-3ve 4ot a h%bri' %o-n4ster who will want to pla% witho-rs6 an' we feel it3s -nhealth% for o-r !i's to 228

1eor4e slamme' the 'oor in their faces.

B-t still6 he felt the press-re6 the hostilit% from the people on all si'es ofthem. "nd to think, he tho-4ht bitterl%6that 7 fou!ht in the 'ar to save these people) 7t sure'asn 0t 'orth it)

An ho-r later he was 'own at "0 ea'-arters once more6 'rin!in4 beer an'tal!in4 with his b-''% Sherman owns6 also marrie' to a Blobel.





8Sherman6 it3s no 4oo'. 0e3re not wante'J we3ve 4ot to emi4rate. $a%be we3ll tr%it on Titan6 in "iv3s worl'.8

8Chrissa!es68 Sherman proteste'6 8I hate to see %o- fol' -p6 1eor4e. Isn3t %o-r

electroma4netic re'-cin4 belt be4innin4 to sell6 finall%58

,or the last few months6 1eor4e ha' been ma!in4 an' sellin4 a complexelectronic re'-cin4 4a'4et which "ivian ha' helpe' him 'esi4nJ it was base' in principleon a Blobel 'evice pop-lar on Titan b-t -n!nown on Terra. An' this ha' 4one over wellJ1eor4e ha' more or'ers than he co-l' fill. B-t 22

8I ha' a terrible experience6 Sherm68 1eor4e confi'e'. 8I was in a 'r-4store theother 'a%6 an' the% 4ave me a bi4 or'er for m% re'-cin4 belt6 an' I 4ot so excite' 228 e bro!e off. 8o- can 4-ess what happene'. I reverte'. &i4ht in plain si4ht of a h-n're'c-stomers. An' when the b-%er saw that he cancele' the or'er for the belts. It was what

we all fear. . . %o- sho-l' have seen how their attit-'e towar' me chan4e'.8

Sherm sai'6 8ire someone to 'o %o-r sellin4 for %o-. A f-ll2bloo'e' Terran.8

Thic!l%6 1eor4e sai'6/70# a f-ll2bloo'e' Terran6 an' 'on3t %o- for4et it. +ver.8

8I -st mean 228

8I !now what %o- meant68 1eor4e sai'. An' too! a swin4 at Sherman. ,ort-natel%he misse' an' in the excitement both of them reverte' to Blobel form. The% ooGe'an4ril% into each other for a time6 b-t at last fellow veterans mana4e' to separate them.

8I3m as m-ch Terran as an%one68 1eor4e tho-4ht2ra'iate' in the Blobel manner toSherman. 8An' I3ll flatten an%one who sa%s otherwise.8

In Blobel form he was -nable to 4et homeJ he ha' to phone "ivian to come an'4et him. It was h-miliatin4.

S-ici'e6he 'eci'e'.That0s the ans'er)

ow best to 'o it5 In Blobel form he was -nable to feel painJ best to 'o it then.Several s-bstances wo-l' 'issolve him. . . he co-l' for instance 'rop himself into aheavil%2chlorinate' swimmin4 pool6 s-ch as +K2@)# maintaine' in its recreation room.

"ivian6 in h-man form6 fo-n' him as he repose' hesitantl% at the e'4e of theswimmin4 pool6 late one ni4ht.

81eor4e6 I be4 %o- 22 4o bac! to r. Fones.8

8*aw68 he boome' '-ll%6 formin4 a -asi2vocal apparat-s with a portion of his





bo'%. 8It3s no -se6 "iv. I 'on3t'ant to 4o on.8 +ven the beltsJ the% ha' been "iv3s i'ea6rather than his. e was secon' even there. . . behin' her6 fallin4 constantl% farther behin'each passin4 'a%.

"iv sai'6 8o- have so m-ch to offer the chil'ren.8

That was tr-e. 8$a%be I3ll 'rop over to the * 0ar (ffice68 he 'eci'e'. 8Tal! tothem6 see if there3s an%thin4 new that me'ical science has come -p with that mi4htstabiliGe me.8

8B-t if %o- stabiliGe as a Terran68 "ivian sai'6 8what wo-l' become of me58

80e3' haveei!hteen entire hours to4ether a 'a%. All the ho-rs %o- ta!e h-manform78

8B-t %o- wo-l'n3t want to sta% marrie' to me. Beca-se6 1eor4e6 then %o- co-l'

meet a Terran woman.8

It wasn3t fair to her6 he realiGe'. So he aban'one' the i'ea.

In the sprin4 of <)#9 their thir' chil' was born6 also a 4irl6 an' li!e $a-rice ah%bri'. It was Blobel at ni4ht an' Terran b% 'a%.

$eanwhile6 1eor4e fo-n' a sol-tion to some of his problems.

e 4ot himself a mistress.

e an' *ina arran4e' to meet each other at the otel +l%si-m6 a r-n'ownwoo'en b-il'in4 in the heart of Los An4eles.

8*ina68 1eor4e sai'6 sippin4 Teacher3s scotch an' seate' besi'e her on the shabb%sofa which the hotel provi'e'6 8%o-3ve ma'e m% life worth livin4 a4ain.8 e foole'with the b-ttons of her blo-se.

8I respect %o-68 *ina 1la-bman sai'6 assistin4 him with the b-ttons. 8In spite ofthe fact 22 well6 %o- are a former enem% of o-r people.8

81o'68 1eor4e proteste'6 8we m-st not thin! abo-t the ol' 'a%s 22 we have toclose o-r min's to o-r pasts.8 *othin! 4ut our future, he tho-4ht.

is re'-cin4 belt enterprise ha' 'evelope' so well that now he emplo%e' fifteenf-ll2time Terran emplo%ees an' owne' a small6 mo'ern factor% on the o-ts!irts of San,ernan'o. If * taxes ha' been reasonable he wo-l' b% now be a wealth% man. . . broo'in4 on that6 1eor4e won'ere' what the tax rate was in Blobel2r-n lan's6 on Io6 for





instance. $a%be he o-4ht to loo! into it.

(ne ni4ht at "0 ea'-arters he 'isc-sse' the s-bect with &einholt6 *ina3sh-sban'6 who of co-rse was i4norant of the mo'-s viven'i between 1eor4e an' *ina.

8&einholt68 1eor4e sai' with 'iffic-lt%6 as he 'ran! his beer6 8I3ve 4ot bi4 plans.This cra'le2to24rave socialism the * operates. . . it3s not for me. It3s crampin4 me. The$-nster $a4ic $a4netic Belt is 228 e 4est-re'. 8$ore than Terran civiliGation cans-pport. o- 4et me58

Col'l%6 &einholt sai'6 8B-t 1eor4e6 %o- are a TerranJ if %o- emi4rate to Blobel2r-n territor% with %o-r factor% %o-3ll be betra%in4 %o-r 228

8Listen68 1eor4e tol' him6 8I3ve 4ot one a-thentic Blobel chil'6 two half2Blobel

chil'ren6 an' a fo-rth on the wa%. I3ve 4ot stron4e#otional ties with those people o-tthere on Titan an' Io.8

8o-3re a traitor68 &einholt sai'6 an' p-nche' him in the mo-th. 8An' not onl%that68 he contin-e'6 p-nchin4 1eor4e in the stomach6 8%o-3re r-nnin4 aro-n' with m%wife. I3m 4oin4 to !ill %o-.8

To escape6 1eor4e reverte' to Blobel formJ &einholt3s blows passe' harmlessl%'eep into his moist6 ell%2li!e s-bstance. &einholt then reverte' too6 an' flowe' into himm-r'ero-sl%6 tr%in4 to cons-me an' absorb 1eor4e3s n-cle-s.

,ort-natel% fellow veterans prie' their two bo'ies apart before an% permanentharm was 'one.

Later that ni4ht6 still tremblin46 1eor4e sat with "ivian in the livin4 room of theirei4ht2room s-ite at the 4reat new con'omini-m apartment b-il'in4 N1,2)). It ha' beena close call6 an' now of co-rse &einholt wo-l' tell "ivJ it was onl% a -estion of time.The marria4e6 as far as 1eor4e co-l' see6 was over. This perhaps was their last momentto4ether.

8"iv68 he sai' -r4entl%6 8%o- have to believe meJ I love %o-. o- an' the chil'ren22 pl-s the belt b-siness6 nat-rall% 22 are m% complete life.8 A 'esperate i'ea came to him.8Let3s emi4rate now6 toni4ht. Pac! -p the !i's an' 4o to Titan6 ri4ht this min-te.8

8I can3t 4o68 "ivian sai'. 8I !now how m% people wo-l' treat me6 an' treat %o-an' the chil'ren6 too. 1eor4e6 you !o) $ove the factor% to Io. I3ll sta% here.8 Tears fille'her 'ar! e%es.

8ell68 1eor4e sai'6 8what !in' of life is that5 0ith %o- on Terra an' me on Io 22that3s no marria4e. An' who3ll 4et the !i's58 Probabl% "iv wo-l' 4et them. . . b-t his firm





emplo%e' top le4al talent 22 perhaps he co-l' -se it to solve his 'omestic problems.

The next mornin4 "ivian fo-n' o-t abo-t *ina. An' hire' an attorne% of her own.

8Listen68 1eor4e sai'6 on the phone tal!in4 to his top le4al talent6 enr%&amara-. 81et me c-sto'% of the fo-rth chil'J it3ll be a Terran. An' we3ll compromise onthe two h%bri'sJ I3ll ta!e $a-rice an' she can have Kath%. An' nat-rall% she 4ets that blob6 the first so2calle' chil'. As far as I3m concerne' it3s hers an%how.8 e slamme' thereceiver 'own an' then t-rne' to the boar' of 'irectors of his compan%. 8*ow wherewere we58 he 'eman'e'. 8In o-r anal%sis of Io tax laws.8

-rin4 the next wee!s the i'ea of a move to Io appeare' more an' more feasiblefrom a profit an' loss stan'point.

81o ahea' an' b-% lan' on Io68 1eor4e instr-cte' his b-siness a4ent in the fiel'6Tom en'ric!s. 8An' 4et it cheapJ we want to start ri4ht.8 To his secretar%6 $iss *olan6he sai'6 8*ow !eep ever%one o-t of m% office -ntil f-rther notice. I feel a attac! comin4on. ,rom anxiet% over this maor move off Terra to Io.8 e a''e'6 8An' personalworries.8

8es6 $r. $-nster68 $iss *olan sai'6 -sherin4 Tom en'ric!s o-t of 1eor4e3s private office. 8*o one will 'ist-rb %o-.8 She co-l' be co-nte' on to !eep ever%one o-twhile 1eor4e reverte' to his war2time Blobel shape6 as he often 'i'6 these 'a%sJ the press-re on him was immense.

0hen6 later in the 'a%6 he res-me' h-man form6 1eor4e learne' from $iss *olanthat a octor Fones ha' calle'.

8I3ll be 'amne'68 1eor4e sai'6 thin!in4 bac! to six %ears a4o. 8I tho-4ht it3' be inthe -n! pile b% now.8 To $iss *olan he sai'6 8Call octor Fones6 notif% me when %o-have itJ I3ll ta!e a min-te off to tal! to it.8 It was li!e ol' times6 bac! in San ,rancisco.

Shortl%6 $iss *olan ha' r. Fones on the line.

8octor68 1eor4e sai'6 leanin4 bac! in his chair an' swivelin4 from si'e to si'ean' po!in4 at an orchi' on his 'es!. 81oo' to hear from %o-.8

The voice of the homeostatic anal%st came in his ear6 8$r. $-nster6 I note that%o- now have a secretar%.8

8es68 1eor4e sai'6 8I3m a t%coon. I3m in the re'-cin4 belt 4ameJ it3s somewhatli!e the flea2collar that cats wear. 0ell6 what can I 'o for %o-58

8I -n'erstan' %o- have fo-r chil'ren now 228





8Act-all% three6 pl-s a fo-rth on the wa%. Listen6 that fo-rth6 octor6 is vital tomeJ accor'in4 to $en'el3s Law it3s a f-ll2bloo'e' Terran an' b% 1o' I3m 'oin4ever%thin4 in m% power to 4et c-sto'% of it.8 e a''e'6 8"ivian 22 %o- remember her 22 isnow bac! on Titan. Amon4 her own people6 where she belon4s. An' I3m p-ttin4 some of

the finest 'octors I can 4et on m% pa%roll to stabiliGe meJ I3m tire' of this constantrevertin46 ni4ht an' 'a%J I3ve 4ot too m-ch to 'o for s-ch nonsense.8

r. Fones sai'6 8,rom %o-r tone I can see %o-3re an important6 b-s% man6 $r.$-nster. o-3ve certainl% risen in the worl'6 since I saw %o- last.8

81et to the point68 1eor4e sai' impatientl%. 80h%3' %o- call58

8I6 -m6 tho-4ht perhaps I co-l' brin4 %o- an' "ivian to4ether a4ain.8

8Bah68 1eor4e sai' contempt-o-sl%. 8That woman5 *ever. Listen6 octor6 I have

to rin4 offJ we3re in the process of finaliGin4 on some basic b-siness strate4%6 here at$-nster6 Incorporate'.8

8$r. $-nster68 r. Fones as!e'6 8is there another woman58

8There3s another Blobel68 1eor4e sai'6 8if that3s what %o- mean.8 An' he h-n4 -pthe phone.T'o Blo4els are 4etter than none, he sai' to himself. "nd no' 4ack to 4usiness)) ) e presse' a b-tton on his 'es! an' at once $iss *olan p-t her hea' into the office.8$iss *olan68 1eor4e sai'6 84et me an! &amara-J I want to fin' o-t 228

8$r. &amara- is waitin4 on the other line68 $iss *olan sai'. 8e sa%s it3s -r4ent.8

Switchin4 to the other line6 1eor4e sai'6 8i6 an!. 0hat3s -p58

8I3ve -st 'iscovere'68 his top le4al a'visor sai'6 8that to operate %o-r factor% onIo %o- m-st be a citiGen of Titan.8

80e o-4ht to be able to fix that -p68 1eor4e sai'.

8B-t to be a citiGen of Titan 228 &amara- hesitate'. 8I3ll brea! it to %o- eas% as Ican6 1eor4e. o- have to be a Blobel.8

8ammit6 I am a Blobel68 1eor4e sai'. 8At least part of the time. 0on3t that 'o58

8*o68 &amara- sai'6 8I chec!e' into that6 !nowin4 of %o-r affliction6 an' it3s 4otto be one h-n're' percent of the time. *i4htand 'a%.8

8mmm68 1eor4e sai'. 8This is ba'. B-t we3ll overcome it6 somehow. Listen6an!6 I3ve 4ot an appointment with +''% ,-llbri4ht6 m% me'ical coor'inatorJ I3ll tal! to%o- after6 o!a%58 e ran4 off an' then sat scowlin4 an' r-bbin4 his aw.Well, he





'eci'e'6if it has to 4e it has to 4e) 3acts are facts, and 'e can0t let the# stand in our 'ay)

Pic!in4 -p the phone he 'iale' his 'octor6 +''% ,-llbri4ht.

The twent%2'ollar platin-m coin rolle' 'own the ch-te an' trippe' the circ-it. r.Fones came on6 4lance' -p an' saw a st-nnin46 sharp2breaste' %o-n4 woman whom itreco4niGe' 22 b% means of a -ic! scan of its memor% ban!s 22 as $rs. 1eor4e $-nster6the former "ivian Arrasmith.

81oo' 'a%6 "ivian68 r. Fones sai' cor'iall%. 8B-t I -n'erstoo' %o- were onTitan.8 It rose to its feet6 offerin4 her a chair.

abbin4 at her lar4e6 'ar! e%es6 "ivian sniffle'6 8octor6 ever%thin4 is collapsin4aro-n' me. $% h-sban' is havin4 an affair with another woman. . . all I !now is that her

name is *ina an' all the bo%s 'own at "0 ea'-arters are tal!in4 abo-t it.Pres-mabl% she3s a Terran. 0e3re both filin4 for 'ivorce. An' we3re havin4 a 'rea'f-lle4al battle over the chil'ren.8 She arran4e' her coat mo'estl%. 8I3m expectin4. (-rfo-rth.8

8This I !now68 r. Fones sai'. 8A f-ll2bloo'e' Terran this time6 if $en'el3s Lawhol's. . . altho-4h it onl% applie' to litters.8

$rs. $-nster sai' miserabl%6 8I3ve been on Titan tal!in4 to le4al an' me'icalexperts6 4%necolo4ists6 an' especiall% marital 4-i'ance co-nselorsJ I3ve ha' all sorts ofa'vice '-rin4 the past month. *ow I3m bac! on Terra b-t I can3t fin' 1eor4e 22he3s !one1/

8I wish I co-l' help %o-6 "ivian68 r. Fones sai'. 8I tal!e' to %o-r h-sban' briefl%6 the other 'a%6 b-t he spo!e onl% in 4eneralities. . . evi'entl% he3s s-ch a bi4 t%coonnow that it3s har' to approach him.8

8An' to thin!68 "ivian sniffle'6 8that he achieve' it all beca-se of an i'ea 7 4avehim. A Blobel i'ea.8

8The ironies of fate68 r. Fones sai'. 8*ow6 if %o- want to !eep %o-r h-sban'6"ivian 228

8I3m 'etermine' to !eep him6 octor Fones. ,ran!l% I3ve -n'er4one therap% onTitan6 the latest an' most expensive. . . it3s beca-se I love 1eor4e so m-ch6 even morethan I love m% own people or m% planet.8

8+h58 r. Fones sai'.

8Thro-4h the most mo'ern 'evelopments in me'ical science in the Sol S%stem68





"ivian sai'6 8I3ve been stabiliGe'6 octor Fones. *ow I am in h-man form twent%2fo-rho-rs a 'a% instea' of ei4hteen. I3ve reno-nce' m% nat-ral form in or'er to !eep m%marria4e with 1eor4e.8

8The s-preme sacrifice68 r. Fones sai'6 to-che'.

8*ow6 if I can onl% find him6 octor 228

At the 4ro-n'2brea!in4 ceremonies on Io6 1eor4e $-nster flowe' 4ra'-all% tothe shovel6 exten'e' a pse-'opo'i-m6 seiGe' the shovel6 an' with it mana4e' to 'i4 as%mbolic amo-nt of soil. 8This is a 4reat 'a%68 he boome' hollowl%6 b% means of thesemblance of a vocal apparat-s into which he ha' fashione' the slim%6 plastic s-bstancewhich ma'e -p his -nicell-lar bo'%.

8&i4ht6 1eor4e68 an! &amara- a4ree'6 stan'in4 nearb% with the le4al'oc-ments.

The Ionan official6 li!e 1eor4e a 4reat transparent blob6 ooGe' across to &amara-6too! the 'oc-ments an' boome'6 8These will be transmitte' to m% 4overnment. I3m s-rethe%3re in or'er6 $r. &amara-.8

8I 4-arantee %o-68 &amara- sai' to the official6 8$r. $-nster 'oes not revert toh-man form at an% timeJ he3s ma'e -se of some of the most a'vance' techni-es inme'ical science to achieve this stabilit% at the -nicell-lar phase of his former rotation.$-nster wo-l' never cheat.8

8This historic moment68 the 4reat blob that was 1eor4e $-nster tho-4ht2ra'iate'to the thron4 of local Blobels atten'in4 the ceremonies6 8means a hi4her stan'ar' oflivin4 for Ionans who will be emplo%e'J it will brin4 prosperit% to this area6 pl-s a pro-'sense of national achievement in the man-fact-re of what we reco4niGe to be a nativeinvention6 the $-nster $a4ic $a4netic Belt.8

The thron4 of Blobels tho-4ht2ra'iate' cheers.

8This is a pro-' 'a% in m% life68 1eor4e $-nster informe' them6 an' be4an toooGe b% 'e4rees bac! to his car6 where his cha-ffe-r waite' to 'rive him to his permanenthotel room at Io Cit%.

Some'a% he wo-l' own the hotel. e was p-ttin4 the profits from his b-siness inlocal real estateJ it was the patriotic 22 an' the profitable 22 thin4 to 'o6 other Ionans6 otherBlobels6 ha' tol' him.

8I3m finall% a s-ccessf-l man68 1eor4e $-nster tho-4ht2ra'iate' to all closeeno-4h to pic! -p his emanations.





Ami' frenGie' cheers he ooGe' -p the ramp an' into his Titan2ma'e car.

*otes

All notes in italics are b% Philip K. ic!. The %ear when the note was written

appears in parentheses followin4 the note. $ost of these notes were written as stor% notesfor the collections T+ B+ST (, PILIP K. ICK =p-blishe' 9EE> an' T+1(L+* $A* =p-blishe' 9;)>. A few were written at the re-est of e'itors p-blishin4or reprintin4 a PK stor% in a boo! or ma4aGine.

0hen there is a 'ate followin4 the name of a stor%6 it is the 'ate the man-script ofthat stor% was first receive' b% ic!3s a4ent6 per the recor's of the Scott $ere'ithLiterar% A4enc%. Absence of a 'ate means no recor' is available. The name of a ma4aGinefollowe' b% a month an' %ear in'icates the first p-blishe' appearance of a stor%. Analternate name followin4 a stor% in'icates ic!3s ori4inal name for the stor%6 as shown inthe a4enc% recor's.

These five vol-mes incl-'e all of Philip K. ic!3s short fiction6 with the exceptionof short novels later p-blishe' as or incl-'e' in novels6 chil'hoo' writin4s6 an'-np-blishe' writin4s for which man-scripts have not been fo-n'. The stories arearran4e' as closel% as possible in chronolo4ical or'er of compositionJ research for thischronolo4% was 'one b% 1re44 &ic!man an' Pa-l 0illiams.

AT(,AC 9)/99/?#.8ala9y, *ov 9??.

Tom isch sai' of this stor% that it was one of the earliest ecolo4% warnin4s in sf.0hat I ha' in min' in writin4 it6 however6 was the tho-4ht that if factories became f-ll%a-tomate'6 the% mi4ht be4in to show the instinct for s-rvival which or4anic livin4entities have. . . an' perhaps 'evelop similar sol-tions.=9E@>

S+&"IC+ CALL 9)/99/?#.Science 3iction Stories, July 9??.





0hen this stor% appeare' man% fans obecte' to it beca-se of the ne4ative attit-'eI expresse' in it. B-t I was alrea'% be4innin4 to s-ppose in m% hea' the 4rowin4'omination of machines over man6 especiall% the machines we vol-ntaril% s-rro-n'o-rselves with6 which sho-l'6 b% lo4ic6 be the most harmless. I never ass-me' that some

h-4e clan!in4 monster wo-l' stri'e 'own ,ifth Aven-e6 'evo-rin4 *ew or!J I alwa%sfeare' that m% own T" set or iron or toaster wo-l'6 in the privac% of m% apartment6 whenno one else was aro-n' to help me6 anno-nce to me that the% ha' ta!en over6 an' herewas a list of r-les I was to obe%. I never li!e the i'ea of 'oin4 what a machine sa%s. I hatehavin4 to sal-te somethin4 b-ilt in a factor%. =o %o- s-ppose all those 0hite o-setapes came o-t of the bac! of the Presi'ent3s hea'5 An' pro4ramme' him as to what hewas to sa% an' 'o5>=9E@>

CAPTI"+ $A&K+T 9)/9;/?#. 7f 6 April 9??.

T+ $(L (, A*C 9)/9;/?#. 7f, A-4 9??.

(bvio-sl%6 anc% is base' on Presi'ent +isenhower. -rin4 his rei4n we all wereworr%in4 abo-t the man2in2the24ra%2flannel2s-it problemJ we feare' that the entireco-ntr% was t-rnin4 into one person an' a whole lot of clones. =Altho-4h in those 'a%sthe wor' 8clone8 was -n!nown to -s.> I li!e' this stor% eno-4h to -se it as the basis form% novel T+ P+*LTI$AT+ T&TJ in partic-lar the part where ever%thin4 the4overnment tells %o- is a lie. I still li!e that partJ I mean6 I still believe it3s so. 0ater4ate6of co-rse6 bore the basic i'ea of this stor% o-t.=9E;>

T+ $I*(&IT &+P(&T 9</<</?#. 3antastic 2niverse, Fan 9?@.

&+CALL $+CA*IS$. 7f, F-l% 9?.

T+ *&+C(*ST&CT+ $ @/</??.Science 3iction Stories, Fan 9?E.

If the main theme thro-4ho-t m% writin4 is6 8Can we consi'er the -niverse real6an' if so6 in what wa%58 m% secon'ar% theme wo-l' be6 8Are we all h-mans58ere amachine 'oes not imitate a h-man bein46 b-t instea' fa!es evi'enceof a hu#an 4ein!, a

!iven hu#an 4ein!) 3akery is a topic 'hich a4solutely fascinates #e5 7 a# convinced

that anythin! can 4e faked, or anyho' evidence pointin! to any !iven thin!) Spurious





clues can lead us to 4elieve anythin! the%'ant us to 4elieve) There is really no

theoretical upper li#it to this) (nce you have #entally opened the door to the reception

of the notion of fa!e6 you are ready to think yourself into another kind of reality entirely) 7t0s a trip fro# 'hich you never return) "nd, 7 think, a healthy trip) ) ) unless you take it

too seriously) =9E;>

+HPL(&+&S 0+ ?/@/?;. 3antasy = Science 3iction, Fan 9?.

0A& 1A$+ =8iversion8> 9)/9/?;.8ala9y, ec 9?.

I, T+&+ 0+&+ *( B+** C+$(LI =8a' There *ever Been A Benn% Cemoli8></<E/@.8ala9y, ec 9@.

7 have al'ays 4elieved that at least half the fa#ous people in history never

e9isted) ou invent 'hat you need to invent) Perhaps even &arl Mar9 'as invented, the

product of so#e hack 'riter) 7n 'hich case --=9E@>

*("+LT ACT =8At Secon' F-48> /</@. 3antastic, ,eb 9@#. OIncl-'e' in PK3snovel T+ SI$LAC&A.

0AT+&SPI+& #/9)/@. 7f, Fan 9@#.

0AT T+ +A $+* SA =8$an 0ith a Bro!en $atch8> #/9?/@.Worlds of

To#orro', June 9@#.

(&P+S 0IT CLA ,++T #/9@/@ Op-blishe' in $scapade circa 9@# -n'er the pse-'on%m Fac! owlan'.

T+ AS (, P+&K PAT =8In the a%s of Per!% Pat8>>@A@) "#a.in!, ec 9@.





ears later 22 after I ha' lon4 since written T+ T&++ STI1$ATA (,PAL$+& +L&ITC an' sol' it to o-ble'a%6 m% first sale to o-ble'a% 22 I cameacross a pict-re of the face in an iss-e ofLife#a!a.ine) 7t 'as, very si#ply, a World War(ne o4servation cupola on the Marne, 4uilt 4y the 3rench) My father had fou!ht in the

Second Battle of the Marne5 he had 4een 'ith the 3ifth Marines, a4out the first !roup of

"#erican soldiers to !o over to $urope and fi!ht in that !hastly 'ar) When 7 'as a very s#all child he had sho'ed #e his unifor# and !as#ask, the entire !as-filtration

e:uip#ent, and told #e ho' the soldiers 4eca#e panic-stricken durin! !as attacks as the

charcoal in their filtration syste#s 4eca#e saturated, and ho' so#eti#es a soldier'ould freak and tear off his #ask and run) "s a child 7 felt a lot of an9iety listenin! to #y

father0s 'ar stories and lookin! at and playin! 'ith the !as#ask and hel#et5 4ut 'hat

scared #e the #ost 'as 'hen #y father 'ould put on the !as#ask) is face 'ould

disappear) This 'as not #y father any lon!er) This 'as not a hu#an 4ein! at all) 7 'asonly four years old) "fter that #y #other and father !ot divorced and 7 did not see #y

father for years) But the si!ht of hi# 'earin! his !as#ask, 4lendin! as it did 'ith his

accounts of #en 'ith their !uts han!in! fro# the#, #en destroyed 4y shrapnel --

decades later, in AF, as 7 'alked alone day after day alon! that country road 'ith noone to talk to, no one to 4e 'ith, that #etal, 4lind, inhu#an visa!e appeared to #e a!ain,

4ut no' transcendent and vast, and a4solutely evil)

I 'eci'e' to exorcise it b% writin4 abo-t it6 an' I 'i' write abo-t it6 an' it 'i' 4oawa%. B-t I ha' seen the evil one himself6 an' I sai' then an' sa% now6 8The evil onewears a metal face.8 If %o- want to see this %o-rself6 loo! at a pict-re of the war mas!s ofthe Attic 1ree!s. 0hen men wish to inspire terror an' !ill the% p-t on s-ch metal faces.The inva'in4 Christian !ni4hts that Alexan'er *evs!% fo-4ht wore s-ch mas!sJ if %o-saw +isenstein3s film %o- !now what I am tal!in4 abo-t.The% all loo!e' ali!e. 7 had not seen *evs!%'hen 7 'rote T$ TR$$ ST78M"T", 4ut 7 sa' it later and sa' a!ain the

thin! that had hun! in the sky 4ack in AF, the thin! into 'hich #y o'n father had 4een

transfor#ed 'hen 7 'as a child)

So T+ T&++ STI1$ATA is a novel that came o-t of powerf-l atavistic fearsin me6 fears 'atin4 bac! to m% earl% chil'hoo' an' no 'o-bt connecte' with m% 4rief an'loneliness when m% father left m% mother an' me. In the novel m% father appears as bothPalmer +l'ritch =the evil father6 the 'iabolic mas!2father> an' as Leo B-lero6 the ten'er64r-ff6 warm6 h-man6 lovin4 man. The novel which emer4e' came o-t of the most intensean4-ish possibleJ in 9@ I was relivin4 the ori4inal isolation I ha' experience' -pon theloss of m% father6 an' the horror an' fear expresse' in the novel are not fictionalsentiments 4ro-n' o-t to interest the rea'erJ the% come from the 'eepest part of me:%earnin4 for the 4oo' father an' fear of the evil father6 the father who left me.

I fo-n' in the stor%The a%s of Per!% Pata vehicle that 7 could translate into a

the#atic 4asis for the novel 7 'anted to 'rite) *o', you see, Perky Pat is the eternally4eckonin! fair one, 'as ewi4e 0eiblich!eit 22/the eternally fe#inine,/ as 8oethe put it)

7solation !enerated the novel and yearnin! !enerated the story5 so the novel is a #i9ture

of the fear of 4ein! a4andoned and the fantasy of the 4eautiful 'o#an 'ho 'aits for you

-- so#e'here, 4ut 8od only kno's 'here5 7 have still to fi!ure it out) But if you are





sittin! alone day after day at your type'riter, turnin! out one story after another and

havin! no one to talk to, no one to 4e 'ith, and yet pro for#a havin! a 'ife and four

dau!hters fro# 'hose house you have 4een e9pelled, 4anished to a little sin!le-'alled shack that is so cold in 'inter that, literally, the ink 'ould free.e in #y type'riter ri44on,

'ell, you are !oin! to 'rite a4out iron slot-eyed faces and 'ar# youn! 'o#en) "nd thus

7 did) "nd thus 7 still do)

&eaction to T+ T&++ STI1$ATA was mixe'. In +n4lan' some reviewers'escribe' it as blasphem%. Terr% Carr6 who was m% a4ent at Scott $ere'ith at the time6tol' me later6 8That novel is craG%68 altho-4h s-bse-ent to that he reverse' his opinion.Some reviewers fo-n' it a profo-n' novel. I onl% fin' it fri4htenin4. I was -nable to proofrea' the 4alle%s beca-se the novel fri4htene' me so. It is a 'ar! o-rne% into them%stical an' the s-pernat-ral an' the absol-tel% evil as I -n'erstoo' it at the time. Let -ssa%6 I wo-l' li!e Per!% Pat to show -p at m% 'oor6 b-t I 'rea' the possibilit% that6 when Ihear the !noc!6 it will be Palmer +l'ritch waitin4 o-tsi'e an' not Per!% Pat. Act-all%6 to be honest6 neither has shown -p in the seventeen or so %ears since I wrote the novel. I

4-ess that is the stor% of life: what %o- most fear never happens6 b-t what %o- most %earnfor never happens either. This is the 'ifference between life an' fiction. I s-ppose it3s a4oo' tra'e2off. B-t I3m not s-re.=9E>

STA*2B =8Top Stan'2B% Fob8> #/9;/@. "#a.in!, (ct 9@.

0AT3LL 0+ ( 0IT &A1LA* PA&K5 =8*o (r'inar% 1-%8> #/</@. "#a.in!, *ov 9@.

(6 T( B+ A BL(B+L7 =80ell6 See6 There 0ere These Blobels. . .8> ?/@/@.8ala9y, ,eb 9@#.

At the be4innin4 of m% writin4 career in the earl% ,ifties61alax%'as #y

econo#ic #ainstay) orace 8old at 1alax%liked #y 'ritin! 'hereas John W Ca#p4ell, Jr) at Asto-n'in4considered #y 'ritin! not only 'orthless 4ut as he put it, /*uts)/ By

and lar!e 7 liked readin! 1alax%4ecause it had the 4roadest ran!e of ideas, venturin!

into the soft sciences such as sociolo!y and psycholo!y, at a ti#e 'hen Ca#p4ell Gas heonce 'rote #e1 considered psionics a necessary pre#ise for science fiction) "lso,

Ca#p4ell said, the psionic character in the story had to 4e in char!e of 'hat 'as !oin!

on) So 1alax% provided a latitude 'hich Asto-n'in4did not) o'ever, 7 'as to !et into ana'ful :uarrel 'ith orace 8old5 he had the ha4it of chan!in! your stories 'ithout

tellin! you; addin! scenes, addin! characters, re#ovin! do'n4eat endin!s in favor of

up4eat endin!s) Many 'riters resented this) 7 did #ore than resent this5 despite the fact

that 1alax%'as #y #ain source of inco#e 7 told 8old that 7 'ould not sell to hi# unless





he stopped alterin! #y stories -- after 'hich he 4ou!ht nothin! fro# #e at all)

It was not6 then6 -ntil ,re' Pohl became e'itor of1alax%that 7 4e!an to appearthere a!ain) (h6 To Be A Blobel7is a story 'hich 3red Pohl 4ou!ht) 7n this story #y

enor#ous anti-'ar 4ias is evident, a 4ias 'hich had, ironically, pleased 8old) 7 'asn0t

thinkin! of the <iet *a# War 4ut 'ar in !eneral5 in particular, ho' a 'ar forces you to4eco#e like your ene#y) itler had once said that the true victory of the *a.is 'ould 4e

to force its ene#ies, the 2nited States in particular, to 4eco#e like the Third Reich -- i)e)

a totalitarian society -- in order to 'in) itler, then, e9pected to 'in even in losin!) "s 7'atched the "#erican #ilitary-industrial co#ple9 !ro' after World War T'o 7 kept

re#e#4erin! itler0s analysis, and 7 kept thinkin! ho' ri!ht the son of a 4itch 'as) We

had 4eaten 8er#any, 4ut 4oth the 2)S) and the 2)S)S)R) 'ere !ettin! #ore and #ore like

the *a.is 'ith their hu!e police syste#s every day) Well, it see#ed to #e there 'as a little'ry hu#or in this G4ut not #uch) May4e 7 could 'rite a4out it 'ithout !ettin! too deep

into pole#ics) But the issue presented in this story is real) +ook 'hat 'e had to 4eco#e

in <iet *a# 6ust to lose, let alone to 'in5 can you i#a!ine 'hat 'e0d have had to 4eco#e

to 'in% itler 'ould have !otten a lot of lau!hs out of it, and the lau!hs 'ould have4een on us) ) ) and to a very !reat e9tent in fact 'ere) "nd they 'ere hollo' and !ri#

lau!hs, 'ithout hu#or of any kind) =9E>

ere I naile' 'own the -ltimate meanin4less iron% of warJ the h-man t-rns into aBlobel6 an' the Blobel6 his enem%6 t-rns into a h-man6 an' there it all is6 the f-tilit%6 the blac! h-mor6 the st-pi'it%. An' in the stor% the% all win' -p happ%.=9E@>

The Collecte' Stories of Philip K. ic!

Dick, Philip K - The Minority Report and Other Stories

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Transcript of Dick, Philip K - The Minority Report and Other Stories