gold, the final science fiction collection - isaac asimov

8/12/2019 Gold, The Final Science Fiction Collection - Isaac Asimov

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ISAAC

ASIMOV

GOLD

The Final Science Fiction Collection

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

PART ONE: THE FINAL STORIESCALLEFT TO RIGHTFRUSTRATION

HALLUCINATIONTHE INSTABILITYALEXANDER THE GODIN THE CANYONGOOD-BYE TO EARTHBATTLE-HYNFEGHOOT AND THE COURTSFAULT-INTOLERANT!ID BROTHERTHE NATIONS IN SPACETHE SILE OF THE CHIPPER

GOLD

PART T"O: ON SCIENCE FICTIONTHE LONGEST #OYAGEIN#ENTING A UNI#ERSEFLYING SAUCERS AND SCIENCE FICTIONIN#ASIONTHE SCIENCE FICTION BLO"GUNTHE ROBOT CHRONICLESGOLDEN AGE AHEADTHE ALL-HUAN GALAXY

PSYCHOHISTORYSCIENCE FICTION SERIESSUR#I#ORSNO"HERE$OUTSIDERS% INSIDERSSCIENCE FICTION ANTHOLOGIESTHE INFLUENCE OF SCIENCE FICTION"OEN AND SCIENCE FICTION


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RELIGION AND SCIENCE FICTIONTIE-TRA#EL

PART THREE: ON "RITING SCIENCE FICTIONPLOTTING

ETAPHORIDEASSUSPENSESERIALSTHE NAE OF OUR FIELDHINTS"RITING FOR YOUNG PEOPLENAESORIGlNALITYBOO! RE#IE"S"HAT "RITERS GO THROUGH

RE#ISIONSIRONYPLAGIARISSYBOLISPREDICTIONBEST-SELLERPSEUDONYSDIALOG

AC!NO"LEDGENTS


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PART ONE:

THE FINAL

STORIES


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CAL

I AM A ROBOT. MY NAME IS CAL.I ha&e a 'e(i)t'ation n*+,e' It i) CL-./0X% ,*t +1 +a)te' call) +eCal

The X in +1 'e(i)t'ation n*+,e' +ean) I a+ a )2ecial 'o,ot 3o' +1 +a)te' He a)4e5 3o' +e an5hel2e5 5e)i(n +e He ha) a lot o3 +one1 He i) a 6'ite'

I a+ not a &e'1 co+2licate5 'o,ot 1 +a)te' 5oe)n7t 6ant a co+2licate5 'o,ot He 8*)t 6ant))o+eone to 2ic4 *2 a3te' hi+% to '*n hi) 2'inte'% )tac4 hi) 5i)4)% an5 li4e that

He )a1) I 5on7t (i&e hi+ an1 ,ac4tal4 an5 8*)t 5o 6hat I a+ tol5 He )a1) that i) (oo5He ha) 2eo2le co+e in to hel2 hi+% )o+eti+e) The1 (i&e hi+ ,ac4tal4 So+eti+e) the1 5o not

5o 6hat the1 a'e tol5 He (et) &e'1 an('1 an5 'e5 in the 3aceThen he tell) +e to 5o )o+ethin(% an5 I 5o it He )a1)% than4 (oo5ne))% 1o* 5o a) 1o* a'e tol5O3 co*')e% I 5o a) I a+ tol5 "hat el)e can I 5o9 I 6ant to +a4e +1 +a)te' 3eel (oo5 I can tell

6hen +1 +a)te' 3eel) (oo5 Hi) +o*th )t'etche) an5 he call) that a )+ile He 2at) +e on the )ho*l5e' an5)a1)% Goo5% Cal Goo5

I li4e it 6hen he )a1)% Goo5% Cal Goo5I )a1 to +1 +a)te'% Than4 1o* Yo* +a4e +e 3eel (oo5% tooAn5 he la*(h) I li4e 6hen he la*(h) ,eca*)e it +ean) he 3eel) (oo5% ,*t it i) a *ee' )o*n5 I

5on7t *n5e')tan5 ho6 he +a4e) it o' 6h1 I a)4 hi+ an5 he )a1) to +e that he la*(h) 6hen )o+ethin( i)3*nn1

I a)4 hi+ i3 6hat I )ai5 i) 3*nn1He )a1)% Ye)% it i)It i) 3*nn1 ,eca*)e I )a1 I 3eel (oo5 He )a1) 'o,ot) 5o not 'eall1 3eel (oo5 He )a1) onl1 h*+an

+a)te') 3eel (oo5 He )a1) 'o,ot) 8*)t ha&e 2o)it'onic ,'ain 2ath) that 6o'4 +o'e ea)il1 6hen the1 3ollo6o'5e')

I 5on7t 4no6 6hat 2o)it'onic ,'ain 2ath) a'e He )a1) the1 a'e )o+ethin( in)i5e +eI )a1% "hen 2o)it'onic ,'ain-2ath) 6o'4 ,ette'% 5oe) it +a4e e&e'1thin( )+oothe' an5 ea)ie' 3o'

+e9 I) that 6h1 I 3eel (oo59Then I a)4% "hen a +a)te' 3eel) (oo5% i) it ,eca*)e )o+ethin( in hi+ 6o'4) +o'e ea)il191 +a)te' no5) an5 )a1)% Cal% 1o* a'e )+a'te' than 1o* loo4I 5on7t 4no6 6hat that +ean) eithe' ,*t +1 +a)te' )ee+) 2lea)e5 6ith +e an5 that +a4e) +1

2o)it'onic ,'ain 2ath) 6o'4 +o'e ea)il1% an5 that +a4e) +e 3eel (oo5 It i) ea)ie' 8*)t to )a1 it +a4e) +e3eel (oo5 I a)4 i3 I can )a1 thatHe )a1)% Yo* can )a1 6hate&e' 1o* choo)e% Cal"hat I 6ant i) to ,e a 6'ite' li4e +1 +a)te' I 5o not *n5e')tan5 6h1 I ha&e thi) 3eelin(% ,*t +1

+a)te' i) a 6'ite' an5 he hel2e5 5e)i(n +e a1,e hi) 5e)i(n +a4e) +e 3eel I 6ant to ,e a 6'ite' I 5o not*n5e')tan5 6h1 I ha&e thi) 3eelin( ,eca*)e I 5on7t 4no6 6hat a 6'ite' i) I a)4 +1 +a)te' 6hat a 6'ite' i)

He )+ile) a(ain "h1 5o 1o* 6ant to 4no6% Cal9 he a)4)I 5o not 4no6% I )a1 It i) 8*)t that 1o* a'e a 6'ite' an5 I 6ant to 4no6 6hat that i) Yo* )ee+ )o

ha221 6hen 1o* a'e 6'itin( an5 i3 it +a4e) 1o* ha221 +a1,e it 6ill +a4e +e ha221% too I ha&e a 3eelin(--I 5on7t ha&e the 6o'5) 3o' it I thin4 a 6hile an5 he 6ait) 3o' +e He i) )till )+ilin(

I )a1% I 6ant to 4no6 ,eca*)e it 6ill +a4e +e 3eel ,ette' to 4no6 I a+--I a+He )a1)% Yo* a'e c*'io*)% CalI )a1% I 5on7t 4no6 6hat that 6o'5 +ean)

He )a1)% It +ean) 1o* 6ant to 4no6 8*)t ,eca*)e 1o* 6ant to 4no6I 6ant to 4no6 8*)t ,eca*)e I 6ant to 4no6% I )a1He )a1)% "'itin( i) +a4in( *2 a )to'1 I tell a,o*t 2eo2le 6ho 5o 5i33e'ent thin()% an5 ha&e

5i33e'ent thin() ha22en to the+I )a1% Ho6 5o 1o* 3in5 o*t 6hat the1 5o an5 6hat ha22en) to the+9He )a1)% I +a4e the+ *2% Cal The1 a'e not 'eal 2eo2le The1 a'e not 'eal ha22enin() I i+a(ine

the+% in he'eHe 2oint) to hi) hea5I 5o not *n5e')tan5 an5 I a)4 ho6 he +a4e) the+ *2% ,*t he la*(h) an5 )a1)% I 5o not 4no6%

eithe' I 8*)t +a4e the+ *2


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He )a1)% I 6'ite +1)te'ie) C'i+e )to'ie) I tell a,o*t 2eo2le 6ho 5o 6'on( thin()% 6ho h*'t othe'2eo2le

I 3eel &e'1 ,a5 6hen I hea' that I )a1% Ho6 can 1o* tal4 a,o*t h*'tin( 2eo2le9 That +*)t ne&e' ,e5one

He )a1)% H*+an ,ein() a'e not cont'olle5 ,1 the Th'ee La6) o3 Ro,otic) H*+an +a)te') canh*'t othe' h*+an +a)te')% i3 the1 6i)h

Thi) i) 6'on(% I )a1It i)% he )a1) In +1 )to'ie)% 2eo2le 6ho 5o ha'+ a'e 2*ni)he5 The1 a'e 2*t in 2'i)on an5 4e2tthe'e 6he'e the1 cannot h*'t 2eo2le

Do the1 li4e it in 2'i)on9 I a)4O3 co*')e not The1 +*)t not Fea' o3 2'i)on 4ee2) the+ 3'o+ 5oin( +o'e h*'t3*l thin() than the1

5oI )a1% B*t 2'i)on i) 6'on(% too% i3 it +a4e) 2eo2le 3eel ,a5"ell% )a1) +1 +a)te'% that i) 6h1 1o* cannot 6'ite +1)te'ie) an5 c'i+e )to'ie)I thin4 a,o*t that The'e +*)t ,e a 6a1 to 6'ite )to'ie) in 6hich 2eo2le a'e not h*'t I 6o*l5 li4e

to 5o that I 6ant to ,e a 6'ite' I 6ant to ,e a 6'ite' &e'1 +*ch1 +a)te' ha) th'ee 5i33e'ent "'ite') 3o' 6'itin( )to'ie) One i) &e'1 ol5% ,*t he )a1) he 4ee2) it

,eca*)e it ha) )enti+ental &al*eI 5on7t 4no6 6hat )enti+ental &al*e i) I 5o not li4e to a)4 He 5oe) not *)e the +achine 3o' hi)

)to'ie) a1,e )enti+ental &al*e +ean) it +*)t not ,e *)e5He 5oe)n7t )a1 I can not *)e it I 5o not a)4 hi+ i3 I can *)e it I3 I 5o not a)4 hi+ an5 he 5oe) not

)a1 I +*)t not% then I a+ not 5i)o,e1in( o'5e') i3 I *)e itAt ni(ht% he i) )lee2in(% an5 the othe' h*+an +a)te') 6ho a'e )o+eti+e) he'e a'e (one The'e a'e

t6o othe' 'o,ot) +1 +a)te' ha) 6ho a'e +o'e i+2o'tant than I a+ The1 5o +o'e i+2o'tant 6o'4 The16ait in thei' niche) at ni(ht 6hen the1 ha&e not ,een (i&en an1thin( to 5o

1 +a)te' ha) not )ai5% Sta1 in 1o*' niche% CalSo+eti+e) he 5oe)n7t% ,eca*)e I a+ )o *ni+2o'tant% an5 then I can +o&e a,o*t at ni(ht I can

loo4 at the "'ite' Yo* 2*)h 4e1) an5 it +a4e) 6o'5) an5 then the 6o'5) a'e 2*t on 2a2e' I 6atch the+a)te' )o I 4no6 ho6 to 2*)h 4e1) The 6o'5) (o on the 2a2e' the+)el&e) I 5o not ha&e to 5o that

I 2*)h the 4e1) ,*t I 5o not *n5e')tan5 the 6o'5) I 3eel ,a5 a3te' a 6hile The +a)te' +a1 not li4eit e&en i3 he 5oe) not tell +e not to 5o it

The 6o'5) a'e 2'inte5 on 2a2e' an5 in the +o'nin( I )ho6 the 6o'5) to +1 +a)te'I )a1% I a+ )o''1 I 6a) *)in( the "'ite'

He loo4) at the 2a2e' Then he loo4) at +e He +a4e) a 3'o6n He )a1)% Di5 1o* 5o thi)9 Ye)%+a)te' "hen9

La)t ni(ht "h19I 6ant &e'1 +*ch to 6'ite I) thi) a )to'19 He hol5) *2 the 2a2e' an5 )+ile)He )a1)% The)e a'e 8*)t 'an5o+ lette')% Cal Thi) i) (i,,e'i)h He 5oe) not )ee+ an('1 I 3eel

,ette' I 5o not 4no6 6hat (i,,e'i)h i)I )a1% I) it a )to'19He )a1)% No% it i) not An5 it i) a l*c41 thin( the "'ite' cannot ,e 5a+a(e5 ,1 +i)han5lin( I3 1o*

'eall1 6ant to 6'ite )o ,a5l1% I 6ill tell 1o* 6hat I 6ill 5o I 6ill ha&e 1o* 'e2'o('a++e5 )o that 1o* 6ill4no6 ho6 to *)e a "'ite'

T6o 5a1) late'% a technician a''i&e) He i) a +a)te' 6ho 4no6) ho6 to +a4e 'o,ot) 5o ,ette' 8o,)1 +a)te' tell) +e that the technician i) the one 6ho 2*t +e to(ethe'% an5 +1 +a)te' hel2e5 I 5o not'e+e+,e' that

The technician li)ten) ca'e3*ll1 to +1 +a)te'He )a1)% "h1 5o 1o* 6ant to 5o thi)% ' No'th'o29 ' No'th'o2 i) 6hat othe' +a)te') call +1+a)te'

1 +a)te' )a1)% I hel2e5 5e)i(n Cal% 'e+e+,e' I thin4 I +*)t ha&e 2*t into hi+ the 5e)i'e to ,e a6'ite' I 5i5 not inten5 to% ,*t a) lon( a) he 5oe)% I 3eel I )ho*l5 h*+o' hi+ I o6e it to hi+

The technician )a1)% That i) 3ooli)h E&en i3 6e acci5entall1 2*t in a 5e)i'e to 6'ite that i) )till no8o, 3o' a 'o,ot

1 +a)te' )a1)% ;*)t the )a+e I 6ant it 5oneThe technician )a1)% It 6ill ,e e


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The technician loo4) an('1% too He )a1)% I3 that7) 6hat 1o* 6ant% &e'1 6ell The c*)to+e' i) ,o))B*t it 6ill ,e +o'e eI )ai5% =I a+ t'1in( to +a4e *2 a )to'1 It7) ha'5 6o'4>=A'e 1o* 3in5in( that o*t% Cal9 Goo5 O,&io*)l1% 1o*' 'eo'(aniation ha) not onl1 i+2'o&e5 1o*'

&oca,*la'1 ,*t it )ee+) to +e it ha) inten)i3ie5 1o*' intelli(ence>I )ai5% =I7+ not )*'e 6hat i) +eant ,1 inten)i3ie57>=It +ean) 1o* )ee+ )+a'te' Yo* )ee+ to 4no6 +o'e>=Doe) that 5i)2lea)e 1o*% +a)te'9>

=Not at all It 2lea)e) +e It +a1 +a4e it +o'e 2o))i,le 3o' 1o* to 6'ite )to'ie) an5 e&en a3te' 1o*ha&e ('o6n ti'e5 o3 t'1in( to 6'ite% 1o* 6ill 'e+ain +o'e *)e3*l to +e>

I tho*(ht at once that it 6o*l5 ,e 5eli(ht3*l to ,e +o'e *)e3*l to the +a)te'% ,*t I 5i5n7t*n5e')tan5 6hat he +eant a,o*t ('o6in( ti'e5 o3 t'1in( to 6'ite I 6a)n7t (oin( to (et ti'e5 o3 6'itin(

Finall1% I ha5 a )to'1 in +1 +in5% an5 I a)4e5 +1 +a)te' 6hen 6o*l5 ,e a 2'o2e' ti+e to 6'ite itHe )ai5% ="ait till ni(ht Then 1o* 6on7t ,e (ettin( in +1 6a1 "e can ha&e a )+all li(ht 3o' the

co'ne' 6he'e the ol5 "'ite' i) )tan5in( an5 1o* can 6'ite 1o*' )to'1 Ho6 lon( 5o 1o* thin4 it 6ill ta4e1o*9>

=;*)t a little 6hile%> I )ai5% )*'2'i)e5 =I can 6o'4 the "'ite' &e'1 *ic4l1>1 +a)te' )ai5% =Cal% 6o'4in( the "'ite' i)n7t all the'e--> Then he )to22e5% tho*(ht a 6hile% an5

)ai5% =No% 1o* (o ahea5 an5 5o it Yo* 6ill lea'n I 6on7t t'1 to a5&i)e 1o*>He 6a) 'i(ht "o'4in( the "'ite' 6a)n7t all the'e 6a) to it I )2ent nea'l1 the 6hole ni(ht t'1in(

to 3i(*'e o*t the )to'1 It i) &e'1 5i33ic*lt to 5eci5e 6hich 6o'5 co+e) a3te' 6hich I ha5 to e'a)e the )to'1

)e&e'al ti+e) an5 )ta't o&e' It 6a) &e'1 e+,a''a))in(Finall1% it 6a) 5one% an5 he'e it i) I 4e2t it a3te' I 6'ote it ,eca*)e it 6a) the 3i')t )to'1 I e&e'

6'ote It 6a) not (i,,e'i)h

The Introoderby Cal

There was a detektav wuns named Cal, who was a very good detektav and very brave.Nuthin fritened him. Imajin his surprise one night when he herd an introoder in his masters home.


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He came russian into the riting office. There was an introoder. He had cum in throo thewindo. There was broken glas. That was what Cal, the brave detektav, had herd with his goodhering.

He said, !top, introoder."The introoder stopped and looked skared. Cal felt bad that the introoder looked skared.Cal said, #ook what you have done. $ou have broken the windo."$es," said the introoder, looking very ashaymed. I did not mean to break the windo."Cal was very clever and he saw the flawr in the introoder%s remark. He said, How did you

e&pect to get in if you were not going to break the windo'"I thought it would be open," he said. I tried to open it and it broke."Cal said, (aht was the meaning of what you have done, anyhow' (hy should you want

to come into this room when it is not your room' $ou are an introoder."I did not mean any harm," he said.That is not so, for if you ment no harm, you would not be here," said Cal. $ou must be

punnished.")lease do not punnish me," said the introoder.I will not punnish you," said Cal. I don%t wish to cause you unhappiness or payn. I will

call my master."He called, *aster+ *aster+"The master came russian in. (hat have we here'" he asked.

n introoder," I said. I have caut him and he is for you to punnish."*y master looked at the introoder. He said, re you sorry for wat you have done'"I am," said the introoder. He was crying and water was coming out of his eys the way it

happens with masters when they are sad.(ill you ever do it agen'" said my master.Never. I will never do it agen," said the introoder.In that case," said the master, you have been punnished enogh. -o away and be sure

never to do it agen."Then the master said, $ou are a good detektav, Cal. I am proud of you."Cal was very glad to have pleased the master.

The end

I 6a) &e'1 2lea)e5 6ith the )to'1 an5 I )ho6e5 it to the +a)te' I 6a) )*'e he 6o*l5 ,e &e'12lea)e5% too

He 6a) +o'e than 2lea)e5% 3o' a) he 'ea5 it% he )+ile5 He e&en la*(he5 a 3e6 ti+e) Then heloo4e5 *2 at +e an5 )ai5% =Di5 1o* 6'ite thi)9>

=Ye)% I 5i5% +a)te'%> I )ai5=I +ean% all ,1 1o*')el3 Yo* 5i5n7t co21 an1thin(9>=I +a5e it *2 in +1 o6n hea5% +a)te'% = I )ai5 =Do 1o* li4e it9> He la*(he5 a(ain% *ite lo*5l1

=It7) inte'e)tin(%> he )ai5I 6a) a little an I a)4e5 =I 5on7t 4no6 ho6 to +a4e thin() 3*nn1>=I 4no6% Cal It7) not 3*nn1 intentionall1>I tho*(ht a,o*t that 3o' a 6hile Then I a)4e5% =Ho6 can )o+ethin( ,e 3*nn1 *nintentionall19>=It7) ha'5 to e=Yo* 5on7t ha&e to 6o''1 a,o*t that% Cal%> )ai5 +1 +a)te' ="e 6ill o*t3it 1o* 6ith a 5ictiona'1

B*t tell +e% Cal In 1o*' )to'1% Cal i)you, i)n7t he9>=Ye)> I 6a) 2lea)e5 he ha5 notice5 that=Ba5 i5ea Yo* 5on7t 6ant to 2*t 1o*')el3 into a )to'1 an5 )a1 ho6 ('eat 1o* a'e It o33en5) the

'ea5e'>="h1% +a)te'9>=Beca*)e it 5oe) It loo4) li4e I will ha&e to (i&e 1o* a5&ice% ,*t I7ll +a4e it a) ,'ie3 a) 2o))i,le It


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i) not c*)to+a'1 to 2'ai)e 1o*')el3 Be)i5e) 1o* 5on7t 6ant tosay 1o* a'e ('eat% 1o* +*)tshow 1o* a'e('eat in 6hat 1o* 5o An5 5on7t *)e 1o*' o6n na+e>

=I) that a '*le9>=A (oo5 6'ite' can ,'ea4 an1 '*le% ,*t 1o*7'e 8*)t a ,e(inne' Stic4 to the '*le) an5 6hat I ha&e

tol5 1o* a'e 8*)t a co*2le o3 the+ Yo*7'e (oin( to enco*nte' +an1% +an1 +o'e i3 1o* 4ee2 on 6'itin(Al)o% Cal% 1o*7'e (oin( to ha&e t'o*,le 6ith the Th'ee La6) o3 Ro,otic) Yo* can7t a))*+e that

6'on(5oe') 6ill 6ee2 an5 ,e a)ha+e5 H*+an ,ein() a'en7t li4e that The1 must,e 2*ni)he5 )o+eti+e)>I 3elt +1 2o)it'onic ,'ain-2ath) (o 'o*(h I )ai5% =That i) 5i33ic*lt ==I 4no6 Al)o% the'e7) no +1)te'1 in the )to'1 The'e 5oe)n7t ha&e to ,e% ,*t I thin4 1o*75 ,e

,ette' o33 i3 the'e 6e'e "hat i3 1o*' he'o% 6ho+ 1o*7ll ha&e to call )o+ethin( othe' than Cal% 5oe)n7t4no6 6hethe' )o+eone i) an int'*5e' o' not Ho6 6o*l5 he 3in5 o*t9 Yo* )ee% he ha) to *)e hi) hea5>An5 +1 +a)te' 2ointe5 to hi) o6n

I 5i5n7t *ite 3ollo61 +a)te' )ai5% =I7ll tell 1o* 6hat I7ll (i&e 1o* )o+e )to'ie) o3 +1 o6n to 'ea5% a3te' 1o*7&e ,een

o*t3itte5 6ith a )2ellin( 5ictiona'1 an5 a ('a++a' an5 1o*7ll )ee 6hat I +ean>

The technician ca+e to the ho*)e an5 )ai5% =The'e7) no 2'o,le+ in in)tallin( a )2ellin( 5ictiona'1an5 a ('a++a' It7ll co)t 1o* +o'e +one1 I 4no6 1o* 5on7t ca'e a,o*t +one1% ,*t tell +e 6h1 1o* a'e )ointe'e)te5 in +a4in( a 6'ite' o*t o3 thi) h*n4 o3 )teel an5 titani*+>

I 5i5n7t thin4 it 6a) 'i(ht 3o' hi+ to call +e a h*n4 o3 )teel an5 titani*+% ,*t o3 co*')e a h*+an+a)te' can )a1 an1thin( he 6ant) to )a1 The1 al6a1) tal4 a,o*t *) 'o,ot) a) tho*(h 6e 6e'en7t the'e I7&enotice5 that% too

1 +a)te' )ai5% =Di5 1o* e&e' hea' o3 a 'o,ot 6ho 6ante5 to ,e a 6'ite'9>=No%> )ai5 the technician% =I can7t )a1 I e&e' 5i5% ' No'th'o2>=Neithe' 5i5 I$ Neithe' 5i5 an1one a) 3a' a) I 4no6 Cal i) *ni*e% an5 I 6ant to )t*51 hi+>The technician )+ile5 &e'1 6i5e-('inne5% that7) the 6o'5 =Don7t tell +e 1o* ha&e it in 1o*' hea5

that he7ll ,e a,le to 6'ite 1o*' )to'ie) 3o' 1o*% ' No'th'o2>1 +a)te' )to22e5 )+ilin( He li3te5 hi) hea5 an5 loo4e5 5o6n on the technician &e'1 an('il1

=Don7t ,e a 3ool Yo* 8*)t 5o 6hat I 2a1 1o* to 5o>I thin4 the +a)te' +a5e the technician )o''1 he ha5 )ai5 that% ,*t I 5on7t 4no6 6h1 I3 +1 +a)te'

a)4e5 +e to 6'ite hi) )to'ie) 3o' hi+ I 6o*l5 ,e 2lea)e5 to 5o )o

A(ain% I 5on7t 4no6 ho6 lon( it too4 the technician to 5o hi) 8o, 6hen he ca+e ,ac4 a co*2le o35a1) late' I 5on7t 'e+e+,e' a thin( a,o*t it

Then +1 +a)te' 6a) )*55enl1 tal4in( to +e =Ho6 5o 1o* 3eel% Cal9>I )ai5% =I 3eel &e'1 6ell Than4 1o*% )i'>="hat a,o*t 6o'5) Can 1o* )2ell9>=I 4no6 the lette'-co+,ination)% )i'>=#e'1 (oo5 Can 1o* 'ea5 thi)9> He han5e5 +e a ,oo4 It )ai5% on the co&e'% The Best Mysteries

of J. F. Northrop.

I )ai5% =A'e the)e 1o*' )to'ie)% )i'9>=A,)ol*tel1 I3 1o* 6ant to 'ea5 the+% 1o* can>I ha5 ne&e' ,een a,le to 'ea5 ea)il1 ,e3o'e% ,*t no6 a) )oon a) I loo4e5 at the 6o'5)% I co*l5 hea'

the+ in +1 ea' It 6a) )*'2'i)in( I co*l5n7t i+a(ine ho6 I ha5 ,een *na,le to 5o it ,e3o'e=Than4 1o*% )i'%> I )ai5 =I )hall 'ea5 thi) an5 I7+ )*'e it 6ill hel2 +e in +1 6'itin(>=#e'1 (oo5 Contin*e to )ho6 +e e&e'1thin( 1o* 6'ite>

The +a)te'7) )to'ie) 6e'e *ite inte'e)tin( He ha5 a 5etecti&e 6ho co*l5 al6a1) *n5e')tan5+atte') that othe') 3o*n5 2*lin( I 5i5n7t al6a1) *n5e')tan5 ho6 he co*l5 )ee the t'*th o3 a +1)te'1 an5 Iha5 to 'ea5 )o+e o3 the )to'ie) o&e' a(ain an5 5o )o )lo6l1

So+eti+e) I co*l5n7t *n5e')tan5 the+ e&en 6hen I 'ea5 the+ )lo6l1 So+eti+e) I 5i5% tho*(h%an5 it )ee+e5 to +e I co*l5 6'ite a )to'1 li4e ' No'th'o27)

Thi) ti+e I )2ent *ite a lon( 6hile 6o'4in( it o*t in +1 hea5 "hen I tho*(ht I ha5 it 6o'4e5o*t% I 6'ote the 3ollo6in(:

The Shiny Quarter


9/160

by uphrosyne /urando

Calumet !mithson sat in his arm chair, his eagle0eyes sharp and the nostrils of his thinhigh0bridged nose flaring, as though he could scent a new mystery.

He said, (ell, *r. (assell, tell me your story again from the beginning. #eave outnothing, for one can%t tell when even the smallest detail may not be of the greatest importance."

(assell owned an important business in town, and in it he employed many robots andalso human beings.(assell did so, but there was nothing startling in the details at all and he was able to

summari1e it this way. (hat it amounts to, *r. !mithson, is that I am losing money. !omeone inmy employ is helping himself to small sums now and then. The sums are of no great importance,each in itself, but it is like a small, steady oil loss in a machine, or the drip0drop of water from aleaky faucet, or the oo1ing of blood from a small wound. In time, it would mount up and becomedangerous."

re you actually in danger of losing your business, *r. !mithson'"Not yet. 2ut I don%t like to lose money, either. /o you'"No, indeed," said !mithson, I do not. How many robots do you employ in your

business'"Twenty0seven, sir."nd they are all reliable, I suppose."3ndoubtedly. They could not steal. 2esides, I have asked each one of them if they took

any money and they all said they had not. nd, of course, robots cannot lie, either."$ou are 4uite right," said !mithson. It is useless to be concerned over robots. They are

honest, through and through. (hat about the human beings you employ' How many of them arethere'"

I employ seventeen, but of these only four can possibly have been stealing."(hy is that'"The others do not work on the premises. These four, however, do. ach one has the

occasion, now and then, to handle petty cash, and I suspect that what happens is that at leastone of them manages to transfer assets from the company to his private account in such a waythat the matter is not easily traced."

I see. $es, it is unfortunately true that human beings may steal. Have you confrontedyour suspects with the situation'"

$es, I have. They all deny any such activity, but, of course, human beings can lie, too."!o they can. /id any of them look uneasy while being 4uestioned'"ll did. They could see I was a furious man who could fire all four, guilty or innocent.

They would have had trouble finding other jobs if fired for such a reason."Then that cannot be done. (e must not punish the innocent with the guilty."$ou are 4uite right," said *r. (assell. I couldn%t do that. 2ut how can I decide which one

is guilty'"Is there one among them who has a dubious record, who has been fired under uncertain

circumstances earlier in his career'"I have made 4uiet in4uiries, *r. !mithson, and I have found nothing suspicious about

any of them."Is one of them in particular need of money'"I pay good wages."

I am sure of that, but perhaps one has some sort of e&pensive taste that makes hisincome insufficient."

I have found no evidence of that, though, to be sure, if one of them needed money forsome perverse reason, he would keep it secret. No one wants to be thought evil."

$ou are 4uite right," said the great detective. In that case, you must confront me withthe four men. I will interrogate them." His eyes flashed. (e will get to the bottom of this mystery,never fear. #et us arrange a meeting in the evening. (e might meet in the company dining roomover some small meal and a bottle of wine, so the men will feel completely rela&ed. Tonight, ifpossible."

I will arrange it," said *r. (assell, eagerly.


10/160

Calumet !mithson sat at the dinner table and regarded the four men closely. Two of themwere 4uite young and had dark hair. 5ne of them had a mustache as well. Neither was very goodlooking. 5ne of them was *r. 6oster and the other was *r. #ionell. The third man was rather fatand had small eyes. He was *r. *ann. The fourth was tall and rangy and had a nervous way ofcracking his knuckles. He was *r. 5strak.

!mithson seemed to be a little nervous himself as he 4uestioned each man in turn. Hiseagle eyes narrowed as he ga1ed sharply at the four suspects and he played with a shiny 4uarterthat flipped casually between the fingers of his right hand.

!mithson said, I7m sure that each of the four of you is 4uite aware what a terrible thing itis to steal from an employer."

They all agreed at once.!mithson tapped the shiny 4uarter on the table, thoughtfully. 5ne of you, I7m sure, is

going to break down under the load of guilt and I think you will do it before the evening is over.2ut, for now, I must call my office. I will be gone for only a few minutes. )lease sit here and waitfor me and while I am gone, do not talk toeach othe'% o' loo4 at each other."

He gave the 4uarter a last tap, and, paying no attention to it, he left. In about ten minutes,he was back.

He looked from one to another and said, $ou did not talk to each other or look at eachother, I hope'"

There was a general shaking of heads as though they were still fearful of speaking.*r. (assell," said the detective. /o you agree that no one spoke'"bsolutely. (e just sat here 4uietly and waited. (e didn%t even look at each other."-ood. Now I will ask each one of you four men to show me what you have in your

pockets. )lease put everything into a pile in front of you."!mithson%s voice was so compelling, his eyes so bright and sharp, that none of the men

thought of disobeying.!hirt pockets, too. Inside jacket pockets. ll the pockets."There was 4uite a pile, credit cards, keys, spectacles, pens, some coins. !mithson

looked at the four piles coldly, his mind taking in everything.Then he said, 8ust to make sure that we are all meeting the same re4uirements, I will

make a pile of the contents of my own pockets and, *r. (assell, you do the same."Now there were si& piles. !mithson reached over to the pile in front of *r. (assell, and

said, (hat is this shiny 4uarter I see, *r. (assell. $ours'"(assell looked confused. $es."It couldn%t be. It has my mark on it. I left it on the table when I went out to call my office.

$ou took it."(assell was silent. The other four men looked at him.!mithson said, I felt that if one of you was a thief, you wouldn%t be able to resist a shiny

4uarter. *r. (assell, you%ve been stealing from your own company, and, afraid you would becaught, you tried to spread the guilt among your men. That was a wicked and cowardly thing todo."

(assell hung his head. $ou are right, *r. !mithson. I thought if I hired you to investigateyou would find one of the men guilty, and then perhaps I could stop taking the money for myprivate use."

$ou little reali1e the detective%s mind," said Calumet !mithson. I will turn you over to the

authorities. They will decide what to do with you, though if you are sincerely sorry and promisenever to do it again, I will try to keep you from being punished badly."

the end

I )ho6e5 it to ' No'th'o2% 6ho 'ea5 it )ilentl1 He ha'5l1 )+ile5 at all ;*)t in one o' t6o 2lace)Then he 2*t it 5o6n an5 )ta'e5 at +e ="he'e 5i5 1o* (et the na+e E*2h'o)1ne D*'an5o9>=Yo* )ai5% )i'% I 6a) not to *)e +1 o6n na+e% )o I *)e5 one a) 5i33e'ent a) 2o))i,le>=B*t 6he'e 5i5 1o* (et it9>


11/160

=Si'% one o3 the +ino' cha'acte') in one o3 1o*' )to'ie)-->=O3 co*')e$ I tho*(ht it )o*n5e5 3a+ilia'$ Do 1o* 'ealie it) a 3e+inine na+e 9 ==Since I a+ neithe' +a)c*line no' 3e+inine-->=Ye)% 1o*'e *ite 'i(ht B*t the na+e o3 the 5etecti&e% Cal*+et S+ith)on That Cal 2a't i) )till

1o*% i)nt it9>=I 6ante5 )o+e connection% )i'>

=Yo*&e (ot a t'e+en5o*) e(o% Cal>I he)itate5 ="hat 5oe) that +ean% )i'9>=Ne&e' +in5 It 5oe)nt +atte'>He 2*t the +an*)c'i2t 5o6n an5 I 6a) t'o*,le5 I )ai5% =B*t 6hat 5i5 1o* thin4 o3 the +1)te'19>=It) an i+2'o&e+ent% ,*t it) )till not a (oo5 +1)te'1 Do 1o* 'ealie that9>=In 6hat 6a1 i) it 5i)a22ointin(% )i'9>="ell% 1o* 5ont *n5e')tan5 +o5e'n ,*)ine)) 2'actice) o' co+2*te'ie5 3inancin( 3o' one thin(

An5 no one 6o*l5 ta4e a *a'te' 3'o+ the ta,le 6ith 3o*' othe' +en 2'e)ent% e&en i3 the1 6e'ent loo4in( It6o*l5 ha&e ,een )een Then% e&en i3 that ha22ene5% ' "a))ell) ta4in( it i)nt 2'oo3 he 6a) the thie3An1one co*l5 2oc4et a *a'te' a*to+aticall1% 6itho*t thin4in( It) an inte'e)tin( in5ication% ,*t it) not

2'oo3 An5 the title o3 the )to'1 ten5) to (i&e it a6a1% too>=I )ee>=An5% in a55ition% the Th'ee La6) o3 Ro,otic) a'e )till (ettin( in 1o*' 6a1 Yo* 4ee2 6o''1in(

a,o*t 2*ni)h+ent>=I +*)t% )i'>=I 4no6 1o* +*)t That) 6h1 I thin4 1o* )ho*l5nt t'1 to 6'ite c'i+e )to'ie)>="hat el)e )ho*l5 I 6'ite% )i' 9 ==Let +e thin4 a,o*t it>

' No'th'o2 calle5 in the technician a(ain Thi) ti+e% I thin4% he 6a)nt &e'1 ea(e' to ha&e +eo&e'hea' 6hat he 6a) )a1in(% ,*t e&en 3'o+ 6he'e I 6a) )tan5in(% I co*l5 hea' the con&e')ationSo+eti+e) h*+an ,ein() 3o'(et ho6 )ha'2 the )en)e) o3 'o,ot) can ,e

A3te' all% I 6a) &e'1 *2)et I 6ante5 to ,e a 6'ite' an5 I 5i5n7t 6ant ' No'th'o2 tellin( +e 6hatI co*l5 6'ite an5 6hat I co*l5n7t 6'ite O3 co*')e% he 6a) a h*+an ,ein( an5 I ha5 to o,e1 hi+% ,*t I5i5n7t li4e it

="hat7) the +atte' no6% ' No'th'o29> a)4e5 the technician in a &oice that )o*n5e5 )a'5onic to+1 ea') =Ha) thi) 'o,ot o3 1o*') ,een 6'itin( a )to'1 a(ain9>

=Ye)% he ha)%> )ai5 ' No'th'o2% t'1in( to )o*n5 in5i33e'ent =He7) 6'itten anothe' +1)te'1 )to'1an5 I 5on7t 6ant hi+ 6'itin( +1)te'ie)>

=Too +*ch co+2etition% eh% ' No'th'o29>=No Don7t ,e a 8ac4a)) The'e7) 8*)t no 2oint in t6o 2eo2le in the )a+e ho*)ehol5 6'itin(

+1)te'ie) Be)i5e)% the Th'ee La6) o3 Ro,otic) (et in the 6a1 Yo* can ea)il1 i+a(ine ho6>="ell% 6hat 5o 1o* 6ant +e to 5o9>=I7+ not )*'e S*22o)e he 6'ite) )ati'e That7) one thin( I 5on7t 6'ite% )o 6e 6on7t ,e co+2etin(%

an5 the Th'ee La6) o3 Ro,otic) 6on7t (et in hi) 6a1 I 6ant 1o* to (i&e thi) 'o,ot a )en)e o3 the'i5ic*lo*)>

=A )en)e o3 the 6hat9> )ai5 the technician% an('il1 =Ho6 5o I 5o that9 Loo4% ' No'th'o2% ,e'ea)ona,le I can 2*t in in)t'*ction) on ho6 to '*n a "'ite' I can 2*t in a 5ictiona'1 an5 ('a++a' B*t ho6can I 2o))i,l1 2*t in a )en)e o3 the 'i5ic*lo*)9>

="ell% thin4 a,o*t it Yo* 4no6 the 6o'4in() o3 a 'o,ot7) ,'ain 2atte'n) I)n7t the'e )o+e 6a1 o3

'ea58*)tin( hi+ )o that he can )ee 6hat7) 3*nn1% o' )ill1% o' 8*)t 2lain 'i5ic*lo*) a,o*t h*+an ,ein()9>=I can 3ool a'o*n5% ,*t it7) not )a3e>="h1 i)n7t it )a3e9>=Beca*)e% loo4% ' No'th'o2% 1o* )ta'te5 o33 6ith a 2'ett1 chea2 'o,ot% ,*t I7&e ,een +a4in( it

+o'e ela,o'ate Yo* a5+it that it7) *ni*e an5 that 1o* ne&e' hea'5 o3 one that 6ant) to 6'ite )to'ie)% )ono6 it7) a 2'ett1 e

=I7+ 6illin( to ta4e the chance I3 the 6hole thin( i) )2oile5% it 6ill ,e )2oile5% ,*t 6h1 )ho*l5 it,e9 I7+ not a)4in( 1o* to 6o'4 in a h*''1 Ta4e the ti+e to anal1e it ca'e3*ll1 I ha&e lot) o3 ti+e an5 lot)


12/160

o3 +one1% an5 I 6ant +1 'o,ot to 6'ite )ati'e>="h1 )ati'e9>=Beca*)e then hi) lac4 o3 6o'l5l1 4no6le5(e +a1 not +atte' )o +*ch an5 the Th'ee La6) 6on7t

,e )o i+2o'tant an5 in ti+e% )o+e 5a1% he +a1 2o))i,l1 t*'n o*t )o+ethin( inte'e)tin(% tho*(h I 5o*,t it>=An5 he 6on7t ,e t'ea5in( on 1o*' t*'3>=All 'i(ht% then He 6on7t ,e t'ea5in( on +1 t*'3 Sati)3ie59>

I )till 5i5n7t 4no6 eno*(h a,o*t the lan(*a(e to 4no6 6hat t'ea5in( on +1 t*'37 +eant% ,*t I(athe'e5 that ' No'th'o2 6a) anno1e5 ,1 +1 +1)te'1 )to'ie) I 5i5n7t 4no6 6h1The'e 6a) nothin( I co*l5 5o% o3 co*')e E&e'1 5a1% the technician )t*5ie5 +e an5 anal1e5 +e

an5 3inall1% he )ai5% = All 'i(ht% ' No'th'o2% I7+ (oin( to ta4e a chance% ,*t I7+ (oin( to a)4 1o* to )i(na 2a2e' a,)ol&in( +e an5 +1 co+2an1 o3 all 'e)2on)i,ilit1 i3 an1thin( (oe) 6'on(>

=Yo* 8*)t 2'e2a'e the 2a2e' I7ll )i(n it%> )ai5 ' No'th'o2It 6a) &e'1 chillin( to thin4 that )o+ethin( +i(ht (o 6'on(% ,*t that7) ho6 thin() a'e A 'o,ot

+*)t acce2t all that h*+an ,ein() 5eci5e to 5o

Thi) ti+e% a3te' I ,eca+e a6a'e o3 e&e'1thin( a(ain% I 6a) *ite 6ea4 3o' a lon( ti+e I ha55i33ic*lt1 )tan5in(% an5 +1 )2eech 6a) )l*''e5

I tho*(ht that ' No'th'o2 loo4e5 at +e 6ith a 6o''ie5 e


13/160

I said, -eorge, are you getting ready to tell me that you know yon bloke in the tu&'"No," said -eorge. I intend to tell you no such thing. *y communications with you, and

with all living beings, are always predicated on total truth."#ike your tales of your two0centimeter demon, 100 The look of agony on his face made

me stop./on%t speak of such things," he whispered hoarsely. 1a1el has no sense of humor, and

he has a powerful sense of power." Then, more normally, he went on, I was merely e&pressingmy detestation of tu&edos, particularly when infested by fat slobs like yon bloke, to use your owncurious turn of e&pression."

5ddly enough," I said, I rather agree with you. I, too, find formal wear objectionable and,e&cept when it is impossible to do so, I avoid all black0tie affairs, for that reason alone."

-ood for you," said -eorge. That rather spoils my impression that you have noredeeming social 4ualities. I%ve told everyone that you haven%t, you know."

Thank you, -eorge," I said. That was very thoughtful of you, considering that you gorgeyourself at my e&pense every chance you get."

I merely allow you to enjoy my company on those occasions, old man. I would tell all myfriends now that you do have one redeeming social 4uality, but that would merely confuseeveryone. They seem 4uite content with the thought that you have none."

I thank all your friends," I said.s it happens, I know a man," said -eorge, who was to the manor born. His diapers

had been clamped shut with studs, not safety pins. 5n his first birthday, he was given a little blacktie, to be knotted and not clipped on. nd so things continued all his life. His name is (inthropCarver Cabwell, and he lived on so rarefied a level of 2oston%s 2rahman aristocracy that he hadto carry an o&ygen mask for occasional use."

nd you knew this patrician' You?-eorge looked offended. 5f course, I did," he said. /o you, for one moment, think that I

am such a snob that I would refuse to associate with someone for no other reason than that hewas a rich and aristocratic man of 2rahman persuasion' $ou little know me if you do, old man.(inthrop and I knew each other 4uite well. I was his escape."

-eorge heaved a vinous sigh that sent a neighboring fly into an alcoholic tailspin. )oorfellow," he said. )oor rich aristocrat."

-eorge," I said. I believe you%re winding yourself up to tell me one of your improbabletales of disaster. I don%t wish to hear it."

/isaster' 5n the contrary. I have a tale to tell of great happiness and joy, and since thatis what you want to hear, I will now tell it to you."

s I told you 9said -eorge: my 2rahman friend was a gentleman from toe to crown,clean0favored and imperially slim00

9(hy are you interrupting me with your asinine mouthing of ;ichard Corey, old fellow' Inever heard of him. I7m talking of (inthrop Carver Cabwell. (hy don7t you listen' (here was I'5h, yes.:

He was a gentleman from toe to crown, clean0favored and imperially slim. s a result, hewas naturally a hissing and a byword to all decent people, as he would have known, if he hadever associated with decent people which, of course, he did not, only with other lost souls likehimself.

$es, as you say, he did know me and it was the eventual saving of him00not that I ever

profited by the matter. However, as you know, old fellow, money is the last thing on my mind.9I will ignore your statement, that is the first thing, too, as the product of a perverted

attitude of mind.:!ometimes poor (inthrop would escape. 5n those occasions, when business ventures

took me to 2oston, he would slip his chains and eat dinner with me in a hidden nook at the )arkerHouse.

-eorge," (inthrop would say. It is a hard and difficult task to uphold the Cabwell nameand tradition. fter all, it is not simply that we are rich, we are also old money. (e are not likethose parvenue ;ockyfellows, if I remember the name correctly, who gained their money out ofnineteenth0century oil.


14/160

*y ancestors, I must never forget, established their fortunes in colonial days in the timesof pioneering splendor. *y ancestor, Isaiah Cabwell, smuggled guns and firewater to the Indiansduring


15/160

are only deviations.I said, (inthrop, let me approach the situation from another angle. (ould you like to

deviate if you could'"(inthrop hesitated long, then whispered, 2y 5liver (endell Holmes, both !enior and

8unior, I00I00" He could go no further, but I could see the telltale crystal of the teardrop in thecorner of his eye. It bespoke the e&istence of an emotion too deep for words and my heart bledfor my poor friend as I watched him sign the check for dinner for both of us.

I knew what I had to do.

I had to call 1a1el from the other continuum. It is a complicated matter of runes andpentagrams, fragrant herbs and words of power, which I will not describe to you because it wouldpermanently unhinge your already weak mind, old fellow.

1a1el arrived with his usual thin shriek at seeing me. No matter how often he sees me,my appearance always seems to have some strong influence on him. I believe he covers his eyesto shut out the bla1e of my magnificence.

There he was, all two centimeters of him, bright red, of course, with little nubbins of hornsand a long spiked tail. (hat made his appearance different this time was the presence of a bluecord wrapped about the tail in swatches and curlicues so intricate it made me di11y tocontemplate it.

(hat is that, 5 )rotector of the /efenseless," I asked, for he f inds pleasure in thesemeaningless titles.

That," said 1a1el, with remarkable complacence, is there because I am about to behonored at a ban4uet for my contributions to the good of my people. Naturally, I am wearing a1platchnik."

splatchnik'"No. 1platchnik. The initial sibilant is voiced. No decent male would consent to let

himself be honored without wearing a 1platchnik."ha," I said, a light of understanding breaking. It is formal dress."5f course, it is formal dress. (hat else does it look like'"

ctually, it merely looked like a blue cord, but I felt it would be impolitic to say so.It looks perfectly formal," I said, and bya peculiar coincidence it is this matter of perfect

formality I wish to place before you."I told him (inthrop%s story and 1a1el spattered a few tiny teardrops, for, on rare

occasions, he has a soft heart when someone%s troubles remind him of his own.$es," he said, formality can be trying. It is not something I would admit to everyone, but

my 1platchnik is most uncomfortable. It invariably obstructs the circulation of my magnificentcaudal appendage. 2ut what would you do' creature without a 1platchnik at formal gatheringsis formally rebuked. In actual fact, he is thrown out onto a hard, concrete surface, and he ise&pected to bounce."

2ut is there anything you can do for (inthrop, 5 3pholder of the )itiful'"I think so." 1a1el was une&pectedly cheerful. 3sually, when I come to him with these

little re4uests of mine, he makes heavy weather of it, decrying its difficulties. This time he said,ctually, no one on my world, or, I imagine, on your slummish misery of a planet, enjoysformality. It is merely the result of assiduous and sadistic childhood training. 5ne need merelyrelease a spot in what, on my world, is called the Itchko -anglion of the brain, and, spro0o0o0oing,the individual reverts instantly to the naturallackadaisicality of nature."

Could you then spro0o0o0oing (inthrop'"Certainly, if you will introduce us so that I may study his mental e4uipment, such as it

must be."That was easily done for I simply put 1a1el into my shirt pocket on the occasion of my

ne&t visit with (inthrop. (e visited a bar, which was a great relief, for in 2oston, bars areoccupied by serious drinkers who are not discommoded by the sight of a small scarlet heademerging from a person%s shirt pocket and looking about. 2oston drinkers see worse things evenwhen sober.

(inthrop did not see 1a1el, however, for 1a1el has the power to cloud men%s mindswhen he chooses, rather resembling, in that respect, your writing style, old fellow.


16/160

I could tell, though, at one point, that 1a1el was doing something, for (inthrop%s eyesopened wide. !omething in him must have gone spro0o0o0oing. I did not hear the sound, butthose eyes gave him away.

The results did not take long to show themselves. #ess than a week afterward, he was atmy hotel room. I was staying at the Copley *anhole at the time, just five blocks and down severalflights of stairs from the Copley )la1a.

I said, (inthrop. $ou look a mess." Indeed, one of the small buttons on his shirt collarwas undone.

His hand went to the erring button and he said, in a low voice. To Natick with it. I carenot." Then, in a still lower voice, he said, I have broken off with Hortense."

Heavens+" I said. (hy'" small thing. I visited her for *onday tea, as is my wont, and I was wearing !unday%s

shoes, a simple oversight. I had not noticed that I had done so, but lately I have had difficultynoticing other such things, too. It worries me a little, -eorge, but, fortunately, not much."

I take it Hortense noticed."Instantly, for her sense of the correct is as keen as mine, or, at least, as keen as mine

used to be. !he said, =(inthrop, you are improperly shod.% 6or some reason, her voice seemed tograte on me. I said, =Hortense, if I want to be improperly shod, I can be, and you can go to NewHaven if you don%t like it."=

New Haven' (hy New Haven'"

It%s a miserable place. I understand they have some sort of Institute of #ower #earningthere called $ell or 8ale or something like that. Hortense, as a ;adcliffe woman of the mostintense variety, chose to take my remark as in insult merely because that was what I intended itto be. !he promptly gave me back the faded rose I had given her last year and declared ourengagement at an end. !he kept the ring, however, for, as she correctly pointed out, it wasvaluable. !o here I am."

I am sorry, (inthrop."/on%t be sorry, -eorge. Hortense is flat0chested. I have no definite evidence of that, but

she certainly appears frontally concave. !he%s not in the least like Cherry."(hat%s Cherry'"Not what. (ho. !he is a woman of e&cellent discourse, whom I have met recently, and

who is not flat0chested, but is e&tremely conve&. Her full name is Cherry #ang -ahn. !he is of the#angs of 2ensonhoist."

2ensonhoist' (here%s that."I don%t know. !omewhere in the outskirts of the nation I imagine. !he speaks an odd

variety of what was once nglish." He simpered. !he calls me =boychik."=(hy'"2ecause that means =young man% in 2ensonhoist. I%m learning the language rapidly. 6or

instance, suppose you want to say, =-reetings, sir, I am pleased to see you again.% How wouldyou say it'"

8ust the way you did."In 2ensonhoist, you say, =Hi, kiddo.% 2rief, and to the point, you see. 2ut come, I want

you to meet her. Have dinner with us tomorrow night at #ocke05ber%s."I was curious to see this Cherry and it is, of course, against my religion to turn down a

dinner at #ocke05ber%s, so I was there the following night, and early rather than late.(inthrop walked in soon afterward and with him was a young woman whom I had no

difficulty in recogni1ing as Cherry #ang -ahn of the 2ensonhoist #angs, for she was indeedmagnificently conve&. !he also had a narrow waist, and generous hips that swayed as shewalked and even as she stood. If her pelvis had been full of cream, it would have been butter longsince.

!he had fri11y hair of a startling yellow color, and lips of a startling red color which keptup a continual writhing over a wad of chewing gum she had in her mouth.

-eorge," said (inthrop, I want you to meet my fiancee, Cherry. Cherry, this is -eorge.")lee1tameechah," said Cherry. I did not understand the language, but from thetone of

her high0pitched, rather nasal voice, I guessed that she was in a state of ecstasy over theopportunity to make my ac4uaintance.


17/160

Cherry occupied my full attention for several minutes for there were several points ofinterest about her that repaid close observation, but eventually I did manage to notice that(inthrop was in a peculiar state of undress. His vest was open and he was wearing no tie. closer look revealed that there were no buttons on his vest, and that he was wearing a tie, but itwas down his back.

I said, (inthrop00" and had to point. I couldn%t put it into words.(inthrop said, They caught me at it at the 2rahman 2ank."Caught you at what."I hadn%t troubled to shave this morning. I thought since I was going out to dinner, I would

shave after I got back at work. (hy shave twice in one day' Isn%t that reasonable, -eorge'" Hesounded aggrieved.

*ost reasonable," I said.(ell, they noticed I hadn%t shaved and after a 4uick trial in the office of the president00a

kangaroo court, if you want to know00I suffered the punishment you see. I was also relieved of mypost and was thrown out onto the hard concrete of Tremont venue. I bounced twice," he added,with a faint touch of pride.

2ut this means you%re out of a job+" I was appalled. I have been out of a job all my life,and I am well aware of the occasional difficulties that entails.

That is true," said (inthrop. I now have nothing left in life but my vast stock portfolio, myelaborate bond holdings and the enormous real0estate tract on which the )rudential Center is

built00and Cherry."Natchally," said Cherry with a giggle. I wooden leave my man in advoisity, with all that

dough to worry about. (e gonna get hitched, ainit, (inthrop."Hitched'" I said.(inthrop said, I believe she is suggesting a blissful wedded state."Cherry left for a while after that to visit the ladies% room and I said, (inthrop, she%s a

wonderful woman, laden down with obvious assets, but if you marry her, you will be cut off by allof New ngland !ociety. ven the people in New Haven won%t speak to you."

#et them not." He looked to right and left, leaned toward me and whispered, Cherry isteaching me se&."

I said, I thought you knew about that, (inthrop."!o did I. 2ut there are apparently post0graduate courses in the subject of an intensity

and variety I never dreamed."

How did she find out about it herself'"I asked her e&actly that, for I will not hide from you that the thought did occur to me that

she may have had e&periences with other men, though that seems most unlikely for one of herobvious refinement and innocence."

nd what did she say'"!he said that in 2ensonhoist the women are born knowing all about se&."How convenient+"$es. This is not true in 2oston. I was twenty0four before I00but never mind."

ll in all, it was an instructive evening, and, thereafter, I need not tell you, (inthrop wentrapidly downhill. pparently, one need only snap the ganglion that controls formality and there areno limits to the lengths to which informality can go.

He was, of course, cut by everyone in New ngland of any conse4uence whatsoever,e&actly as I had predicted. ven in New Haven at the Institute of #ower #earning, which (inthrop

had mentioned with such shudderings of distaste, his case was known and his disgrace wasgloried in. There was graffiti allover the walls of 8ale, or $ule, or whatever its name is, that said,with cheerful obscenity, (inthrop Carver Cabwell is a Harvard man."

This was, as you can well imagine, fiendishly resented by all the good people of Harvardand there was even talk of an invasion of $ale. The states of both *assachusetts andConnecticut made ready to call up the !tate *ilitia but, fortunately, the crisis passed. The f ire0eaters, both at Harvard and at the other place, decided that a war would get their clothes mussedup.

(inthrop had to escape. He married Cherry and they retired to a small house in someplace called 6ah ;ockaway, which apparently serves as 2ensonhoist%s ;iviera. There he lives in


18/160

obscurity, surrounded by the mountainous remnants of his wealth and by Cherry whose hair hasturned brown with age, and whose figure has e&panded with weight.

He is also surrounded by five children, for Cherry00in teaching (inthrop about se&00wasoverenthusiastic. The children, as I recall, are named )oil, Hoibut, 2oinard, -oitrude, and )oicy,all good 2ensonhoist names. s for (inthrop, he is widely and affectionately known as the !lobof 6ah ;ockaway, and an old, beat0up bathrobe is his preferred article of wear on formaloccasions.

I listened to the story patiently and, when -eorge was done, I said, nd there you are.nother story of disaster caused by your interference."

/isaster'" said -eorge, indignantly. (hat gives you the idea it was a disaster' I visited(inthrop only last week and he sat there burping over this beer and patting the paunch he hasdeveloped, and telling me how happy he was."

=6reedom, -eorge,% he said. =I have freedom to be myself and somehow I feel I owe it toyou. I don%t know why I have this feeling, but I do.% nd he forced a ten0dollar bill on me out ofsheer gratitude. I took it only to avoid hurting his feelings. nd that reminds me, old fellow, thatyou owe me ten dollars because you bet me I couldn%t tell you a story that didn%t end in disaster."

I said, I don%t remember any such bet, -eorge."-eorge%s eyes rolled upward. How convenient is the fle&ible memory of a deadbeat. If

you had won the bet, you would have remembered it clearly. m I going to have to ask that youplace all your little wagers with me in writing so that I can be free of your clumsy attempts to avoidpayment'"

I said, 5h, well," and handed him a ten0dollar bill, adding, $ou won%t hurt my feelings,-eorge, if you refuse to accept this."

It%s kind of you to say so," said -eorge, but I%m sure that your feelings would be hurt,anyway, and I couldn%t bear that." nd he put the bill away.

the end

I )ho6e5 thi) )to'1 to ' No'th'o2% too% 6atchin( hi+ na''o6l1 a) he 'ea5 itHe 6ent th'o*(h it in the ('a&e)t 2o))i,le +anne'% ne&e' a ch*c4le% ne&e' a )+ile% tho*(h I !new

thi) one 6a) 3*nn1% an5 intentionally 3*nn1% too

"hen he 6a) 3ini)he5% he 6ent ,ac4 an5 'ea5 it a(ain% +o'e *ic4l1 Then he loo4e5 *2 at +e an5the'e 6a) clea' ho)tilit1 in hi) e1e) He )ai5% =Di5 1o* 6'ite thi) all ,1 1o*')el3% Cal9>=Ye)% )i'>=Di5 an1one hel2 1o*9 Di5 1o* co21 an1 o3 it9>=No% )i' I)n7t it 3*nn1% )i'9>=It 5e2en5) on 1o*' )en)e o3 h*+o'% = )ai5 ' No'th'o2 )o*'l1=I)n7t it a )ati'e9 Doe)n7t it 5i)2la1 a )en)e o3 the 'i5ic*lo*)9 =="e 6ill not 5i)c*)) thi)% Cal Go to 1o*' niche>I 'e+aine5 the'e 3o' o&e' a 5a1% ,'oo5in( o&e' ' No'th'o27) t1'ann1 It )ee+e5 to +e I ha5

6'itten e

=Ye)% he 5i5>=An5 it7) onl1 the thi'5 )to'1 he 6'ote9>=Ye)% it i)>="ell% that7) ('eat I thin4 1o* can (et it 2*,li)he5 ==Do 1o*9 ==Ye)% an5 he can 6'ite othe') li4e it Yo*7&e (ot a +illion-5olla' 'o,ot he'e I 6i)h he 6e'e +ine>=I) that )o9 "hat i3 he 6'ite) +o'e )to'ie) an5 contin*e) to i+2'o&e each ti+e9>=Ah%> )ai5 the technician )*55enl1 =I )ee 6hat7) eatin( 1o* Yo*7'e (oin( to ,e 2*t in the )ha5e>


19/160

=I ce'tainl1 5on7t 6ant to 2la1 )econ5 3i55le to +1 'o,ot>="ell% then% tell hi+ not to 6'ite an1 +o'e>=No% that7) not eno*(h I 6ant hi+ ,ac4 6he'e he 6a)>="hat 5o 1o* +ean% ,ac4 6he'e he 6a)9>="hat I )a1 I 6ant hi+ a) he 6a) 6hen I ,o*(ht hi+ 3'o+ 1o*' 3i'+% ,e3o'e 1o* 2*t in an1 o3 the

i+2'o&e+ent)>

=Do 1o* +ean 1o* 6ant +e to ta4e o*t the )2ellin( 5ictiona'1% too9>=I +ean I 5on7t 6ant hi+ e&en ca2a,le o3 6o'4in( a "'ite' I 6ant the 'o,ot I ,o*(ht% 3etchin(an5 ca''1in(>

=B*t 6hat a,o*t all the +one1 1o*7&e in&e)te5 in hi+>=That7) none o3 1o*' ,*)ine)) I +a5e a +i)ta4e an5 I7+ 6illin( to 2a1 3o' +1 +i)ta4e)>=I7+ a(ain)t thi) I 5on7t +in5 t'1in( to i+2'o&e a 'o,ot% ,*t 5eli,e'atel1 5i)i+2'o&in( hi+ i) not

)o+ethin( I ca'e to 5o E)2eciall1 not a 'o,ot li4e thi) 6ho i) clea'l1 one o3 a 4in5 an5 a Cla))ic I can7t 5oit>

=Yo*7ll ha&e to 5o it I 5on7t ca'e 6hat 1o*' hi(h ethical 2'inci2le) a'e I 6ant 1o* to 5o a 8o, an5I7ll 2a1 1o* 3o' it% an5 i3 1o* 'e3*)e% I7ll 8*)t (et )o+eone el)e% an5 I7ll )*e 1o*' co+2an1 I ha&e ana('ee+ent 6ith the+ 3o' all nece))a'1 'e2ai')>

=All 'i(ht = The technician )i(he5 ="hen 5o 1o* 6ant +e to )ta't9 I 6a'n 1o*% that I7&e (ot 8o,)on han5 an5 I can7t 5o it to5a1>

=Then 5o it to+o''o6 I7ll 4ee2 Cal in hi) niche till then>The technician le3t

1 tho*(ht) 6e'e in t*'+oilI can7t allo6 thi) to ,e 5oneThe Secon5 La6 o3 Ro,otic) tell) +e I +*)t 3ollo6 o'5e') an5 )ta1 in the nicheThe Fi')t La6 o3 Ro,otic) tell) +e I cannot ha'+ thi) t1'ant 6ho 6i)he) to 5e)t'o1 +e*)t I o,e1 the la6)9I 3eel I +*)t thin4 o3 +1)el3 an5 i3 nece))a'1% I +*)t 4ill the t1'ant It 6o*l5 ,e ea)1 to 5o% an5 I

co*l5 +a4e it loo4 li4e an acci5ent No one 6o*l5 ,elie&e that a 'o,ot co*l5 ha'+ a h*+an ,ein( an5 noone% the'e3o'e% 6o*l5 ,elie&e I 6a) the 4ille'

I co*l5 then 6o'4 3o' the technician He a22'eciate) +1 *alitie) an5 4no6) that I can +a4e a('eat 5eal o3 +one1 3o' hi+ He can contin*e to i+2'o&e +e an5 +a4e +e e&e' ,ette' E&en i3 he )*)2ect) I4ille5 the t1'ant% he 6o*l5 )a1 nothin( I 6o*l5 ,e too &al*a,le to hi+

B*t can I 5o it9 "on7t the La6) o3 Ro,otic) hol5 +e ,ac4No% the1 6ill not hol5 +e ,ac4 I 4no6 the1 6on7tThe'e i) )o+ethin( 3a' +o'e i+2o'tant to +e than the1 a'e% )o+ethin( that 5ictate) +1 action)

,e1on5 an1thin( the1 can 5o to )to2 +e" want to #e a writer.


20/160

L$FT T% &"'(T

ROBERT L. FORWARD, A PLUMP,che'*,ic 2h1)ici)t o3 H*(he) Re)ea'ch La,o'ato'ie) at ali,*% an5occa)ional )cience 3iction 6'ite'% 6a) 5e+on)t'atin( the +echani)+ in hi) *)*al ,'i(ht an5 a'tic*late+anne'

=A) 1o* )ee%> he )ai5% =6e ha&e he'e a la'(e )2innin( 'in(% o' 5o*(hn*t% o3 2a'ticle) co+2'e))e5,1 an a22'o2'iate +a(netic 3iel5 The 2a'ticle) a'e +o&in( at ti+e) the )2ee5 o3 li(ht *n5e' con5ition)6hich% i3 I a+ co''ect% a chan(e in 2a'it1 can ,e in5*ce5 in )o+e o,8ect that 2a))e) th'o*(h the hole o3 the5o*(hn*t>

=A chan(e in 2a'it19= I )ai5 =Yo* +ean le3t an5 'i(ht 6ill inte'chan(e9==)omethin* 6ill inte'chan(e I7+ not )*'e 6hat 1 o6n ,elie3 i) that e&ent*all1% )o+ethin( li4e

thi) 6ill chan(e 2a'ticle) into anti2a'ticle) an5 &ice &e')a Thi) 6ill ,e the 6a1 to o,tain an in5e3initel1la'(e )*22l1 o3 anti+atte' 6hich can then ,e *)e5 to 2o6e' the 4in5 o3 )hi2) that 6o*l5 +a4e inte')tella't'a&el 2o))i,le>

="h1 not t'1 it o*t9> I )ai5 =Sen5 a ,ea+ o3 2'oton) th'o*(h the hole>=I7&e 5one that Nothin( ha22en) The 5o*(hn*t i) not 2o6e'3*l eno*(h B*t +1 +athe+atic) tell)

+e that the +o'e o'(anie5 the )a+2le o3 +atte'% the +o'e li4el1 it i) that an inte'chan(e% )*ch a) le3t to'i(ht% 6ill ta4e 2lace I3 I can )ho6 that )*ch a chan(e 6ill ta4e 2lace on hi(hl1 o'(anie5 +atte'% I can

o,tain a ('ant that 6ill ena,le +e to ('eatl1 )t'en(then thi) 5e&ice>=Do 1o* ha&e )o+ethin( in +in5 a) a te)t9>=A,)ol*tel1%> )ai5 Bo, =I ha&e calc*late5 that a h*+an ,ein( i) 8*)t )*33icientl1 hi(hl1 o'(anie5

to *n5e'(o the t'an)3o'+ation% )o I7+ (oin( to 2a)) th'o*(h the 5o*(hn*t hole +1)el3>=Yo* can7t 5o that% Bo,%> I )ai5 in ala'+ =Yo* +i(ht 4ill 1o*')el3>=I can7t a)4 an1one el)e to ta4e the chance It7) my 5e&ice>=B*t e&en i3 it )*ccee5)% the a2e< o3 1o*' hea't 6ill ,e 2ointe5 to the 'i(ht% 1o*' li&e' 6ill ,e on

the le3t "o')e% all 1o*' a+ino aci5) 6ill )hi3t 3'o+ L to D% an5 all 1o*' )*(a') 3'o+ D to L Yo* 6ill nolon(e' ,e a,le to eat an5 5i(e)t>

=Non)en)e%> )ai5 Bo, I7ll 8*)t 2a)) th'o*(h a )econ5 ti+e an5 then I7ll ,e eHe 5i5% then loo4e5 *2 )a&a(el1 at +e =Ri(ht 6he'e it7) )*22o)e5 to ,e Nothin( ha22ene5

The'e (oe) all +1 chance at a ('ant>I )ai5 ho2e3*ll1% =Pe'ha2) )o+e othe' chan(e too4 2lace>=No> Bo,7) +e'c*'ial te+2e'a+ent ha5 5e)cen5e5 into (loo+ =Nothin( ha) chan(e5 Nothin( at

all I7+ a) )*'e o3 that a) I7+ )*'e that +1 na+e i) Ro,e't L Bac46a'5>

IASF .J


21/160

F&-)T&AT"%N

HERMAN GELB TURNED HIS HEAD TO6atch the 5e2a'tin( 3i(*'e Then he )ai5% ="a)n7t that theSec'eta'1>

=Ye)% that 6a) the Sec'eta'1 o3 Fo'ei(n A33ai') Ol5 +an Ha'('o&e A'e 1o* 'ea51 3o' l*nch9 ==O3 co*')e "hat 6a) he 5oin( he'e9>Pete' ;on),ec4 5i5n7t an)6e' i++e5iatel1 He +e'el1 )too5 *2% an5 ,ec4one5 Gel, to 3ollo6

The1 6al4e5 5o6n the co''i5o' an5 into a 'oo+ that ha5 the )tea+1 )+ell o3 )2ic1 3oo5=He'e 1o* a'e%> )ai5 ;on),ec4 =The 6hole +eal ha) ,een 2'e2a'e5 ,1 co+2*te' Co+2letel1

a*to+ate5 Unto*che5 ,1 h*+an han5) An5 +1 o6n 2'o('a++in( I 2'o+i)e5 1o* a t'eat% an5 he'e 1o*a'e>

It was (oo5 Gel, co*l5 not 5en1 it an5 5i5n7t 6ant to O&e' 5e))e't% he )ai5% =B*t 6hat 6a)Ha'('o&e 5oin( he'e9>

;on),ec4 )+ile5 =Con)*ltin( +e on 2'o('a++in( "hat el)e a+ I (oo5 3o'9>=B*t 6h19 O' i) it )o+ethin( 1o* can7t tal4 a,o*t9>=It7) )o+ethin( I )*22o)e Ishouldnt tal4 a,o*t% ,*t it7) a 3ai'l1 o2en )ec'et The'e i)n7t a

co+2*te' +an in the ca2ital 6ho 5oe)n7t 4no6 6hat the 2oo' 3'*)t'ate5 )i+2 i) *2 to>="hat i) he *2 to then9>

=He7) 3i(htin( 6a')>Gel,7) e1e) o2ene5 6i5e ="ith 6ho+9>="ith no,o51% 'eall1 He 3i(ht) the+ ,1 co+2*te' anal1)i) He7) ,een 5oin( it 3o' I 5on7t 4no6

ho6 lon(>=B*t 6h19>=He 6ant) the 6o'l5 to ,e the 6a1 6e a'e--no,le% hone)t% 5ecent% 3*ll o3 'e)2ect 3o' h*+an 'i(ht)

an5 )o on>=So 5o I So 5o 6e all "e ha&e to 4ee2 *2 the 2'e))*'e on the ,a5 (*1)% that7) all>=An5 the17'e 4ee2in( the 2'e))*'e on *)% too The1 5on7t thin4 6e7'e 2e'3ect>=I )*22o)e 6e7'e not% ,*t 6e7'e ,ette' than the1 a'e Yo* 4no6 that>;on),ec4 )h'*((e5 = A 5i33e'ence in 2oint o3 &ie6 It 5oe)n7t +atte' "e7&e (ot a 6o'l5 to '*n%

)2ace to 5e&elo2% co+2*te'iation to e

=B*t 6hat i3 he (et) 6hat he 6ant)9>="ell% i3 he can 3in5 the co+,ination--i3 the co+2*te' )a1)% Thi) i) it%7 then I )*22o)e he thin4)

he can a'(*e o*' (o&e'n+ent into 3i(htin( e=Ye)% o3 co*')e B*t the co+2*te' 6ill 2'e)*+a,l1 co+2a'e the ca)*altie) an5 othe' 5a+a(e--to

the econo+1 an5 ecolo(1% 3o' in)tance--to the ,ene3it) that 6o*l5 5e'i&e 3'o+ o*' cont'ol o3 the 6o'l5% an5i3 it 5eci5e) the ,ene3it) 6ill o*t6ei(h the ca)*altie)% then it 6ill (i&e the (o-ahea5 3o' a 8*)t 6a'7 A3te'all% it +a1 ,e that e&en the lo)in( nation) 6o*l5 ,ene3it 3'o+ ,ein( 5i'ecte5 ,1 *)% 6ith o*' )t'on(e'econo+1 an5 )t'on(e' +o'al )en)e>

Gel, )ta'e5 hi) 5i),elie3 an5 )ai5% =I ne&e' 4ne6 6e 6e'e )ittin( at the li2 o3 a &olcanic c'ate' li4ethat "hat a,o*t the 'an5o+ e&ent)7 1o* +entione59>


22/160

=The co+2*te' 2'o('a+ t'ie) to allo6 3o' the *ne

=An5 he co+e) to 1o*% then% 3o' 6hat 'ea)on9>=To i+2'o&e the 2'o('a+% o3 co*')e>

=An5 1o* hel2 hi+9>=Ye)% ce'tainl1 The'e a'e ,i( 3ee) in&ol&e5% He'+an>Gel, )hoo4 hi) hea5% =Pete'$ A'e 1o* (oin( to t'1 to a''an(e a 6a'% 8*)t 3o' +one19>=The'e 6on7t ,e a 6a' The'e7) no 'eali)tic co+,ination o3 e&ent) that 6o*l5 +a4e the co+2*te'

5eci5e on 6a' Co+2*te') 2lace a ('eate' &al*e on h*+an li&e) than h*+an ,ein() 5o the+)el&e)% an56hat 6ill )ee+ ,ea'a,le to Sec'eta'1 Ha'('o&e% o' e&en to 1o* an5 +e% 6ill ne&e' ,e 2a))e5 ,1 aco+2*te'>

=Ho6 can 1o* ,e )*'e o3 that9 ==Beca*)e I7+ a 2'o('a++e' an5 I 5on7t 4no6 o3 an1 6a1 o3 2'o('a++in( a co+2*te' to (i&e it

6hat i) +o)t nee5e5 to )ta't an1 6a'% an1 2e')ec*tion% an1 5e&il'1% 6hile i(no'in( an1 ha'+ that +a1 ,e5one in the 2'oce)) An5 ,eca*)e it lac4) 6hat i) +o)t nee5e5% the co+2*te') 6ill al6a1) (i&e Ha'('o&e%an5 all othe') 6ho han4e' 3o' 6a'% nothin( ,*t 3'*)t'ation>

="hat i) it that a co+2*te' 5oe)n7t ha&e% then9>="h1% Gel, It totall1 lac4) a )en)e o3 )el3-'i(hteo*)ne))>


23/160

(ALL-C"NAT"%N

part one

Sa+ Cha)e a''i&e5 on Ene'(1 Planet on hi) 3i3teenth ,i'th5a1It 6a) a ('eat achie&e+ent% he ha5 ,een tol5% to ha&e ,een a))i(ne5 the'e% ,*t he 6a)n7t at all )*'ehe 3elt that at the +o+ent

It +eant a th'ee-1ea' )e2a'ation 3'o+ Ea'th an5 3'o+ hi) 3a+il1% 6hile he contin*e5 a )2ecialie5e5*cation in the 3iel5% an5 that 6a) a )o,e'in( tho*(ht It 6a) not the 3iel5 o3 e5*cation in 6hich he 6a)inte'e)te5% an5 he co*l5 not *n5e')tan5 6h1 Cent'al co+2*te' ha5 a))i(ne5 hi+ to thi) 2'o8ect% an5 that6a) 5o6n'i(ht 5e2'e))in(

He loo4e5 at the t'an)2a'ent 5o+e o&e'hea5 It 6a) *ite hi(h% 2e'ha2) a tho*)an5 +ete') hi(h%an5 it )t'etche5 in all 5i'ection) 3a'the' than he co*l5 clea'l1 )ee He a)4e5% =I) it t'*e that thi) i) the onl1Do+e on the 2lanet% )i'9=

The in3o'+ation-3il+) he ha5 )t*5ie5 on the )2ace)hi2 that ha5 ca''ie5 hi+ he'e ha5 5e)c'i,e5onl1 one Do+e% ,*t the1 +i(ht ha&e ,een o*t-o3-5ate

Donal5 Gent'1% to 6ho+ the *e)tion ha5 ,een a55'e))e5% )+ile5 He 6a) a la'(e +an% a littlech*,,1% 6ith 5a'4 ,'o6n% (oo5nat*'e5 e1e)% not +*ch hai'% an5 a )ho't% ('a1in( ,ea'5

He )ai5% =The onl1 one% Sa+ It7) *ite la'(e% tho*(h% an5 +o)t o3 the ho*)in( 3acilitie) a'e*n5e'('o*n5% 6he'e 1o* II 3in5 no lac4 o3 )2ace Be)i5e)% once 1o*' ,a)ic t'ainin( i) 5one% 1o*7ll ,e)2en5in( +o)t o3 1o*' ti+e in )2ace Thi) i) 8*)t o*' 2laneta'1 ,a)e>

=I )ee% )i'%> )ai5 Sa+% a little t'o*,le5Gent'1 )ai5% =I a+ in cha'(e o3 o*' ,a)ic t'ainee) )o I ha&e to )t*51 thei' 'eco'5) ca'e3*ll1 It

)ee+) clea' to +e that thi) a))i(n+ent 6a) not 1o*' 3i')t choice A+ I 'i(ht9 =Sa+ he)itate5% an5 then 5eci5e5 he 5i5n7t ha&e +*ch choice ,*t to ,e hone)t a,o*t it He )ai5%

=I7+ not )*'e that I7ll 5o a) 6ell a) I 6o*l5 li4e to in ('a&itational en(inee'in(>="h1 not9 S*'el1 the Cent'al Co+2*te'% 6hich e&al*ate5 1o*' )chola)tic 'eco'5 an5 1o*' )ocial

an5 2e')onal ,ac4('o*n5 can ,e t'*)te5 in it) 8*5(+ent) An5 i3 1o* 5o 6ell% it 6ill ,e a ('eat achie&e+ent3o' 1o*% 3o' 'i(ht he'e 6e a'e on the c*ttin( e5(e o3 a ne6 technolo(1>

=I 4no6 that% )i'%> )ai5 Sa+ =Bac4 on Ea'th% e&e'1one i) &e'1 e

=Ye)9> )ai5 Gent'1 =I ha&en7t ,een on Ea'th 3o' t6o 1ea') "hat el)e 5o the1 )a1 a,o*t it9 I*n5e')tan5 the'e7) con)i5e'a,le o22o)ition9>

Hi) e1e) 2'o,e5 the ,o1Sa+ )hi3te5 *nea)il1% a6a'e he 6a) ,ein( te)te5 He )ai5% =The'e a'e 2eo2le on Ea'th 6ho )a1 it7)

all too 5an(e'o*) an5 +i(ht ,e a 6a)te o3 +one1>=Do 1o* ,elie&e that9>=It +i(ht ,e )o% ,*t +o)t ne6 technolo(ie) ha&e thei' 5an(e') an5 +an1 a'e 6o'th 5oin( 5e)2ite

that Thi) one i)% I thin4>=#e'1 (oo5 "hat el)e 5o the1 )a1 on Ea'th9>Sa+ )ai5% =The1 )a1 the Co++an5e' i)n7t 6ell an5 that the 2'o8ect +i(ht 3ail 6itho*t hi+> "hen

Gent'1 5i5n7t 'e)2on5% Sa+ )ai5% ha)til1% =That7) 6hat the1 )a1>Gent'1 acte5 a) tho*(h he 5i5 not hea' He 2*t hi) han5 on Sa+7) )ho*l5e' an5 )ai5% =Co+e% I7&e

(ot to )ho6 1o* to 1o*' Co''i5o'% int'o5*ce 1o* to 1o*' 'oo++ate% an5 e=Oh9>=In5ee5$ At the )ta't% &a'io*) 2eo2le at the ,a)e--it 6a) +*ch )+alle' an5 +o'e 2'i+iti&e then--

'e2o'te5 ha&in( e


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Sa+ )to22e5% an5 loo4e5 *2 an5 a,o*t a(ain% ="a) that 6h1 the Do+e 6a) ,*ilt% D' Gent'19 ==No% not at all "e nee5e5 a 2lace 6ith a co+2letel1 Ea'th-li4e en&i'on+ent% 3o' &a'io*) 'ea)on)%

,*t 6e ha&en7t i)olate5 o*')el&e) Peo2le can (o o*t)i5e 3'eel1 The'e a'e no hall*cination) ,ein( 'e2o'te5no6>

Sa+ )ai5% =The in3o'+ation I 6a) (i&en a,o*t Ene'(1 Planet i) that the'e i) no li3e on it e=Yo* )o*n5 5i)a22ointe5%> )ai5 Gent'1% )+ilin(Sa+ too4 a chance =Doe) the Co++an5e'7) t'o*,le ha&e an1thin( to 5o 6ith the hall*cination)%

)i'9>The (oo5 nat*'e &ani)he5 3'o+ Gent'17) e1e) 3o' a +o+ent% an5 he 3'o6ne5 He )ai5% ="hat

t'o*,le 5o 1o* 'e3e' to9>Sa+ 3l*)he5 an5 the1 2'ocee5e5 in )ilence

Sa+ 3o*n5 3e6 othe') in the Co''i5o' he ha5 ,een a))i(ne5 to% ,*t Gent'1 eSa+ )ai5% =The1 al6a1) teach 1o* that in--> He 6a) (oin( to )a1 that it 6a) ta*(ht in 3o*'th-('a5e

)cience% ,*t 'ealie5 that 6o*l5 ,e in)*ltin(% an5 )to22e5 hi+)el3Ro,e't ca*(ht the i+2lication% ho6e&e'% an5 3l*)he5 He )ai5% =It7) ea)1 to 4no6 it in 1o*' hea5 It

5oe)n7t +ean 1o* (et the 2'o2e' 'e3le=No% ,*t 6h1 5o 1o* 6ant to (o9 The'e7) nothin( the'e>=Ha&e 1o* e&e' ,een o*t)i5e>=S*'e%> ,*t he )h'*((e5% an5 &ol*ntee'e5 nothin( el)eSa+ too4 a chance He )ai5% &e'1 ca)*all1% =Di5 1o* e&e' )ee one o3 the)e hall*cination) the1 tal4

a,o*t9>

Ro,e't )ai5% /0ho tal4) a,o*t9>Sa+ 5i5n7t an)6e' 5i'ectl1 He )ai5% = A lot o3 2eo2le *)e5 to )ee the+% ,*t the1 5on7t an1+o'e

O' )o the1 )a1>=So who )a19>Sa+ too4 anothe' chance =O' i3 the1 )ee the+% the1 4ee2 *iet a,o*t the+>Ro,e't )ai5 ('*33l1% =Li)ten% let +e (i&e 1o* )o+e a5&ice Don7t (et inte'e)te5 in the)e--6hate&e'

the1 a'e I3 1o* )ta't tellin( 1o*')el3 1o* )ee--*h--)o+ethin(% 1o* +i(ht ,e )ent ,ac4 Yo*7ll lo)e 1o*'chance at a (oo5 e5*cation an5 an i+2o'tant ca'ee'>

Ro,e't7) e1e) )hi3te5 to a 5i'ect )ta'e a) he )ai5 that


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Sa+ )h'*((e5 an5 )at 5o6n on the *n*)e5 ,*n4 = All 'i(ht 3o' thi) to ,e +1 ,e59 ==It7) the onl1 othe' ,e5 he'e%> )ai5 Ro,e't% )till )ta'in( =The ,ath'oo+7) to 1o*' 'i(ht The'e7)

1o*' clo)et% 1o*' ,*'ea* Yo* (et hal3 the 'oo+ The'e7) a (1+ he'e% a li,'a'1% a 5inin( a'ea> He 2a*)e5an5 then% a) tho*(h to let ,1(one) ,e ,1(one)% )ai5% =I7ll )ho6 1o* a'o*n5 late'>

=Than4)%> )ai5 Sa+ ="hat 4in5 o3 a (*1 i) the Co++an5e'9>=He7) ace) "e 6o*l5n7t ,e he'e 6itho*t hi+ He 4no6) +o'e a,o*t h12e' )2atial technolo(1

than an1one% an5 he7) (ot 2*ll 6ith the S2ace A(enc1% )o 6e (et the +one1 an5 e*i2+ent 6e nee5>Sa+ o2ene5 hi) t'*n4 an5% 6ith hi) ,ac4 to Ro,e't% )ai5 ca)*all1% =I *n5e')tan5 he7) not 6ell>=Thin() (et hi+ 5o6n "e7'e ,ehin5 )che5*le% the'e a'e co)t-o&e''*n)% an5 thin() li4e that

Eno*(h to (et an1one 5o6n>=De2'e))ion% h*h9 An1 connection% 1o* )*22o)e% 6ith-->Ro,e't )ti''e5 i+2atientl1 in hi) )eat% =Sa1% 6h1 a'e 1o* )o inte'e)te5 in all thi)9>=Ene'(1 2h1)ic) i)n7t 'eall1 +1 5eal Co+in( he'e-->="ell% he'e7) 6he'e 1o* a'e% +i)te'% an5 1o* ,ette' +a4e *2 1o*' +in5 to it% o' 1o*7ll (et )ent

ho+e% an5 then 1o* 6on7t ,e an16he'e I7+ (oin( to the li,'a'1>Sa+ 'e+aine5 in the 'oo+ alone% 6ith hi) tho*(ht)

It 6a) not at all 5i33ic*lt 3o' Sa+ to (et 2e'+i))ion to lea&e the Do+e The Co''i5o'-a)te' 5i5n7te&en a)4 the 'ea)on *ntil a3te' he ha5 chec4e5 hi+ o33

=I 6ant to (et a 3eel 3o' the 2lanet% )i'>The Co''i5o'-a)te' no55e5 =Fai' eno*(h% ,*t 1o* onl1 (et th'ee ho*')% 1o* 4no6 An5 5on7t

6an5e' o*t o3 )i(ht o3 the Do+e I3 6e ha&e to loo4 3o' 1o*% 6e7ll 3in5 1o*% ,eca*)e 1o*7ll ,e 6ea'in(thi)%> an5 he hel5 o*t a t'an)+itte' 6hich Sa+ 4ne6 ha5 ,een t*ne5 to hi) o6n 2e')onal 6a&elen(th% one6hich ha5 ,een a))i(ne5 hi+ at ,i'th =B*t i3 6e ha&e to (o to that t'o*,le% 1o* 6on7t ,e allo6e5 o*t a(ain3o' a 2'ett1 lon( ti+e An5 it 6on7t loo4 (oo5 on 1o*' 'eco'5% eithe' Yo* *n5e')tan59>

"t wont loo! *ood on your record. An1 'ea)ona,le ca'ee' the)e 5a1) ha5 to incl*5e e


26/160

"a) the )+ell eno*(h9 It ha5n7t +a5e hi+ 3eel 5i1 o' in an1 6a1 2ec*lia'He *)e5 a ,it o3 hi) 6ate' to 'in)e o33 the 3in(e') that ha5 hel5 the 2lant) an5 then '*,,e5 the+ on

hi) t'o*)e' le( He 3ini)he5 hi) )an56iche) )lo6l1% an5 t'ie5 to )ee i3 an1thin( el)e +i(ht ,e con)i5e'e5*nnat*'al a,o*t the 2lanet

All that ('eene'1 The'e o*(ht to ,e ani+al) eatin( it% 'a,,it)% co6)% 6hate&e' Not 8*)t in)ect)%inn*+e'a,le in)ect)% o' 6hate&e' tho)e little thin() +i(ht ,e% 6ith the (entle )i(hin( o3 thei' tin1 3eathe'1

6in() an5 the &e'1 )o3t c'ac4le o3 thei' +*nch% +*'ich% +*nchin() o3 lea&e) an5 )tal4)"hat i3 the'e 6e'e a co6--a ,i(% 3at co6--5oin( the +*nchin(9 An5 6ith the la)t +o*th3*l o3 hi))econ5 )an56ich ,et6een hi) teeth% hi) o6n +*nchin( )to22e5

The'e 6a) a 4in5 o3 )+o4e in the ai' ,et6een hi+)el3 an5 a line o3 he5(e) It 6a&e5% ,illo6e5%an5 alte'e5: a &e'1 thin )+o4e He ,lin4e5 hi) e1e)% then )hoo4 hi) hea5% ,*t it 6a) )till the'e

He )6allo6e5 ha)til1% clo)e5 hi) l*nch ,o

It loo4e5 +o'e li4e a ca'icat*'e than a 'eal ani+al an5% a) he c'ie5 o*t% the o*tline 6a&e'e5 an5thinne5 The )+o4e 'e+aine5 ,*t it 6a) a) tho*(h an *n)een han5 ha5 2a))e5 ac'o)) the ai' to e'a)e 6hatha5 ,een 6'itten

Then a ne6 )ha2e ,e(an to ta4e 3o'+ At 3i')t% Sa+ co*l5n7t *ite +a4e o*t 6hat it 6a) inten5e5to 'e2'e)ent% ,*t it chan(e5 an5 )ha'2ene5 *ic4l1 He )ta'e5 in )*'2'i)e% hi) +o*th han(in( o2en an5 hi)ha+2e' ,*+2in( e+2til1 a(ain)t hi) )ho*l5e' ,la5e

The )+o4e 6a) 3o'+in( a h*+an ,ein( The'e 6a) no +i)ta4e a,o*t it It 6a) 3o'+in( acc*'atel1%a) tho*(h it ha5 a +o5el it co*l5 i+itate% an5 o3 co*')e it 5i5 ha&e one% 3o' Sa+ 6a) )tan5in( the'e

It 6a) ,eco+in( Sa+% clothe) an5 all% e&en the o*tline o3 the ha+2e' an5 the )t'a2 o&e' hi))ho*l5e' It 6a) anothe' Sa+ Cha)e

It 6a) )till a little &a(*e% 6a&e'in( a ,it% in)*,)tantial% ,*t it 3i'+e5 a) tho*(h it 6e'e co''ectin(it)el3% an5 then% 3inall1% it 6a) )tea51

It ne&e' ,eca+e enti'el1 )oli5 Sa+ co*l5 )ee the &e(etation 5i+l1 th'o*(h it% an5 6hen a (*)t o36in5 ca*(ht it% it +o&e5 a ,it a) i3 it 6e'e a tethe'e5 ,alloon

B*t it 6a) 'eal It 6a) no c'eation o3 hi) +in5 Sa+ 6a) )*'e o3 thatB*t he co*l5n7t 8*)t )tan5 the'e% )i+2l1 3acin( it Di33i5entl1% he )ai5% =Hello% the'e>So+eho6% he e


27/160

No an)6e'in( )o*n5% ,*t he 6a) *ite )*'e 6hat the an)6e' to hi) *e)tion 6a) Thi) ha5a22ea'e5 to othe' 2eo2le% not nece))a'il1 in thei' o6n )ha2e% ,*tsomethin*. An5 it ha5n7t 6o'4e5

"hat +a5e hi+ )o )*'e o3 that+ "he'e 5i5 the)e con&iction) co+e 3'o+ in an)6e' to hi)*e)tion)9

Ye)% o3 co*')e% the1 were the an)6e') to hi) *e)tion) The Othe' Sa+ 6a) 2*ttin( tho*(ht) intohi) +in5 It 6a) a58*)tin( the tin1 elect'ic c*''ent) in hi) ,'ain cell) )o that the 2'o2e' tho*(ht) 6o*l5 a'i)e

He no55e5 tho*(ht3*ll1 at that tho*(ht% an5 the Othe' Sa+ +*)t ha&e ca*(ht the )i(ni3icance o3the (e)t*'e% 3o' it no55e5% tooIt ha5 to ,e )o Fi')t a co6 ha5 3o'+e5% 6hen Sa+ ha5 tho*(ht o3 a co6% an5 then it ha5 )hi3te5

6hen Sa+ ha5 )ai5 the co6 6a) i+2e'3ect The Othe' Sa+ co*l5 ('a)2 hi) tho*(ht) )o+eho6% an5 i3 itco*l5 ('a)2 the+% then it co*l5 +o5i31 the+% too% 2e'ha2)

"a) thi) 6hat tele2ath1 6a) li4e% then9 It 6a) not li4e tal4in( It 6a) ha&in( tho*(ht)% e

He 6aite5 a +o+ent an5 6a) then )*'e the Othe' Sa+ *n5e')too5Ah% the an)6e' ha5 co+e% ,*t not 'i(ht a6a1 Goo5$ ="h1 5o 1o* a22ea' to 2eo2le9> a)4e5 Sa+He )ta'e5 ea'ne)tl1 at the Othe' Sa+% an5 4ne6 that the Othe' Sa+ 6ante5 to co++*nicate 6ith

2eo2le% ,*t ha5 3aile5No an)6e' to that *e)tion ha5 'eall1 ,een 'e*i'e5 The an)6e' 6a) o,&io*) B*t then% 6h1 ha5

the1 3aile59He 2*t it in 6o'5) ="h1 5i5 1o* 3ail9 Yo* a'e )*cce))3*ll1 co++*nicatin( 6ith +e>Sa+ 6a) ,e(innin( to lea'n ho6 to *n5e')tan5 the alien +ani3e)tation It 6a) a) i3 hi) +in5 6e'e

a5a2tin( it)el3 to a ne6 techni*e o3 co++*nication% 8*)t a) it 6o*l5 a5a2t it)el3 to a ne6 lan(*a(e O' 6a)Othe' Sa+ in3l*encin( Sa+7) +in5 an5 teachin( hi+ the +etho5 6itho*t Sa+ e&en 4no6in( it 6a) ,ein(5one9

Sa+ 3o*n5 hi+)el3 e+2t1in( hi) +in5 o3 i++e5iate tho*(ht) A3te' he a)4e5 hi) *e)tion% he 8*)tlet hi) e1e) 3oc*) at nothin( an5 hi) e1eli5) 5'oo2% a) tho*(h he 6e'e a,o*t to 5'o2 o33 to )lee2% an5 then he

4ne6 the an)6e' The'e 6a) a little clic4in(% o' )o+ethin(% in hi) +in5% a )i(nal that )ho6e5 hi+)o+ethin( ha5 ,een 2*t in 3'o+ o*t)i5eHe no6 4ne6% 3o' in)tance% that the Othe' Sa+7) 2'e&io*) atte+2t) at co++*nication ha5 3aile5

,eca*)e the 2eo2le to 6ho+ it ha5 a22ea'e5 ha5 ,een 3'i(htene5 The1 ha5 5o*,te5 thei' o6n )anit1 An5,eca*)e the1 3ea'e5% thei' +in5)ti(htene5 Thei' +in5) 6o*l5 not 'ecei&e The atte+2t) atco++*nication ('a5*all1 5i+ini)he5% tho*(h the1 ha5 ne&e' enti'el1 )to22e5

=B*t 1o*7'e co++*nicatin( 6ith +e%> )ai5 Sa+Sa+ 6a) 5i33e'ent 3'o+ all the 'e)t He ha5 not ,een a3'ai5=Co*l5n7t 1o* ha&e +a5e the+ not a3'ai5 3i')t9 Then tal4e5 to the+9=It 6o*l5n7t 6o'4 The 3ea'-3ille5 +in5 'e)i)te5 all An atte+2t to chan(e +i(ht 5a+a(e It 6o*l5


28/160

,e 6'on( to 5a+a(e a thin4in( +in5 The'e ha5 ,een one )*ch atte+2t% ,*t it ha5 not 6o'4e5="hat i) it 1o* a'e t'1in( to co++*nicate% Othe' Sa+9>A 6i)h to ,e le3t alone1espair2De)2ai' 6a) +o'e than a tho*(ht it 6a) an e+otion it 6a) a 3'i(htenin( )en)ation Sa+ 3elt

5e)2ai' 6a)h o&e' hi+ inten)el1% hea&il1--an5 1et it 6a) not 2a't o3 hi+)el3 He 3elt 5e)2ai' on the )*'3aceo3 hi) +in5% 4eenl1% ,*t *n5e'neath it% 6he'e hi) o6n +in5 6a)% he 6a) 3'ee o3 it

Sa+ )ai5% 6on5e'in(l1% =It )ee+) to +e a) tho*(h 1o*7'e (i&in( *2 "h19 "e7'e not inte'3e'in(6ith 1o*9>H*+an ,ein() ha5 ,*ilt the Do+e% clea'e5 a la'(e a'ea o3 all 2laneta'1 li3e an5 )*,)tit*te5 thei'

o6n An5 once the ne*t'on )ta' ha5 it) 2o6e' )tation--once 3loo5) o3 ene'(1 +o&e5 o*t6a'5 th'o*(hh12e')2ace to 2o6e'-thi')t1 6o'l5)--+o'e 2o6e' )tation) 6o*l5 ,e ,*ilt an5 )till +o'e Then 6hat 6o*l5ha22en to(ome. ?The'e +*)t ,e a na+e 3o' the 2lanet that the Othe' Sa+ *)e5 ,*t the onl1 tho*(ht Sa+3o*n5 in hi) +in5 6a)(ome an5% *n5e'neath that% the tho*(ht: ours33ours33ours334

Thi) 2lanet 6a) the nea'e)t con&enient ,a)e to the ne*t'on )ta' It 6o*l5 ,e 3loo5e5 6ith +o'e an5+o'e 2eo2le% +o'e an5 +o'e Do+e)% an5 thei' Ho+e 6o*l5 ,e 5e)t'o1e5

=B*t 1o* co*l5 chan(e o*' +in5) i3 1o* ha5 to% e&en i3 1o* 5a+a(e5 a 3e6% co*l5n7t 1o*9>I3 the1 t'ie5% 2eo2le 6o*l5 3in5 the+ 5an(e'o*) Peo2le 6o*l5 6o'4 o*t 6hat 6a) ha22enin(

Shi2) 6o*l5 a22'oach% an5 3'o+ a 5i)tance% *)e 6ea2on) to 5e)t'o1 the li3e on Ho+e% an5 then ,'in( inPeo2le-li3e in)tea5 Thi) co*l5 ,e )een in the 2eo2le7) +in5) Peo2le ha5 a &iolent hi)to'1 the1 6o*l5 )to2at nothin(

=B*t 6hat can I 5o9> )ai5 Sa+ =I7+ 8*)t an a22'entice I7&e 8*)t ,een he'e a 3e6 5a1) "hat can I5o9>

Fear. 1espair.The'e 6e'e no tho*(ht) that Sa+ co*l5 6o'4 o*t% 8*)t the n*+,in( la1e' o3 3ea' an5 5e)2ai'He 3elt +o&e5 It 6a) )*ch a 2eace3*l 6o'l5 The1 th'eatene5 no,o51 The1 5i5n7t e&en h*'t

+in5) 6hen the1 co*l5It 6a)n7t thei' 3a*lt the1 6e'e con&enientl1 nea' a ne*t'on )ta' It 6a)n7t thei' 3a*lt the1 6e'e in

the 6a1 o3 eHe tho*(ht% an5 the'e 6a) the 3eelin( o3 anothe' +in5 6atchin( So+eti+e) hi) tho*(ht) )4i22e5

3o'6a'5 an5 he 'eco(nie5 a )*((e)tion 3'o+ o*t)i5eThe'e ca+e the ,e(innin( o3 ho2e Sa+ 3elt it% ,*t 6a)n7t ce'tainHe )ai5 5o*,t3*ll1% I7ll t'1>

He loo4e5 at the ti+e-)t'i2 on hi) 6'i)t an5 8*+2e5 a little Fa' +o'e ti+e ha5 2a))e5 than he ha5'ealie5 Hi) th'ee ho*') 6e'e nea'l1 *2 =I +*)t (o ,ac4 no6%> he )ai5

He o2ene5 hi) l*nch ha+2e' an5 'e+o&e5 the )+all the'+o) o3 6ate'% 5'an4 3'o+ it thi')til1% an5e+2tie5 it He 2lace5 the e+2t1 the'+o) *n5e' one a'+ He 'e+o&e5 the 6'a22in() o3 the )an56ich an5)t*33e5 it in hi) 2oc4et

The Othe' Sa+ 6a&e'e5 an5 t*'ne5 )+o41 The )+o4e thinne5% 5i)2e')e5 an5 6a) (oneSa+ clo)e5 the ha+2e'% )6*n( it) )t'a2 o&e' hi) )ho*l5e' a(ain an5 t*'ne5 to6a'5 the Do+eHi) hea't 6a) ha++e'in( "o*l5 he ha&e the co*'a(e to (o th'o*(h 6ith hi) 2lan9 An5 i3 he 5i5%

6o*l5 it 6o'49

"hen Sa+ ente'e5 the Do+e% the Co''i5o'-a)te' 6a) 6aitin( 3o' hi+ an5 )ai5% a) he loo4e5o)tentatio*)l1 at hi) o6n ti+e)t'i2% =Yo* )ha&e5 it 'athe' 3ine% 5i5n7t 1o*9>

Sa+7) li2) ti(htene5 an5 he t'ie5 not to )o*n5 in)olent =I ha5 th'ee ho*')% )i'>

=An5 1o* too4 t6o ho*') an5 3i3t1-ei(ht +in*te)>=That7) le)) than th'ee ho*')% )i'>=H++> The Co''i5o'-a)te' 6a) col5 an5 *n3'ien5l1 =D' Gent'1 6o*l5 li4e to )ee 1o*>=Ye)% )i' "hat 3o'9>=He 5i5n7t tell +e B*t I 5on7t li4e 1o* c*ttin( it that 3ine 1o*' 3i')t ti+e o*t% Cha)e An5 I 5on7t

li4e 1o*' attit*5e eithe'% an5 I 5on7t li4e an o33ice' o3 the Do+e 6antin( to )ee 1o* I7+ 8*)t (oin( to tell1o* once% Cha)e--i3 1o*7'e a t'o*,le+a4e'% I 6on7t 6ant 1o* in thi) Co''i5o' Do 1o* *n5e')tan59>

=Ye)% )i' B*t 6hat t'o*,le ha&e I +a5e9>="e7ll 3in5 that o*t )oon eno*(h>


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Sa+ ha5 not )een Donal5 Gent'1 )ince thei' one an5 onl1 +eetin( the 5a1 the 1o*n( a22'enticeha5 'eache5 the Do+e Gent'1 )till )ee+e5 (oo5 nat*'e5 an5 4in5l1% an5 the'e 6a) nothin( in hi) &oice toin5icate an1thin( el)e He )at in a chai' ,ehin5 hi) 5e)4% an5 Sa+ )too5 ,e3o'e it% hi) ha+2e' )till ,*+2in(hi) )ho*l5e' ,la5e

Gent'1 )ai5% =Ho6 a'e 1o* (ettin( alon(% Sa+9 Ha&in( an inte'e)tin( ti+e9>

=Ye)% )i'%> )ai5 Sa+=Still 3eelin( 1o*75 'athe' ,e 5oin( )o+ethin( el)e% 6o'4in( )o+e6he'e el)e9>Sa+ )ai5% ea'ne)tl1% =No% )i' Thi) i) a (oo5 2lace 3o' +e>=Beca*)e 1o*7'e inte'e)te5 in hall*cination)9>=Ye)% )i'>=Yo*7&e ,een a)4in( othe') a,o*t it% ha&en7t 1o*9>=It7) an inte'e)tin( )*,8ect to +e% )i'>=Beca*)e 1o* 6ant to )t*51 the h*+an ,'ain9>=An1 ,'ain% )i'>=An5 1o*7&e ,een 6an5e'in( a,o*t o*t)i5e the Do+e% ha&en7t 1o*9>=I 6a) tol5 it 6a) 2e'+itte5% )i'>=It i) B*t 3e6 a22'entice) ta4e a5&anta(e o3 that )o )oon Di5 1o* )ee an1thin( inte'e)tin(9>Sa+ he)itate5% then )ai5% =Ye)% )i'>=A hall*cination9>=No% )i'> He )ai5 it *ite 2o)iti&el1Gent'1 )ta'e5 at hi+ 3o' a 3e6 +o+ent)% an5 the'e 6a) a 4in5 o3 )2ec*lati&e ha'5enin( o3 thi)

e1e) ="o*l5 1o* ca'e to tell +e 6hat 1o* 5i5 )ee9 Hone)tl1>Sa+ he)itate5 a(ain Then he )ai5% =I )a6 an5 )2o4e to an inha,itant o3 thi) 2lanet% )i'>=An intelli(ent inha,itant% 1o*n( +an9>=Ye)% )i'>Gent'1 )ai5% =Sa+% 6e ha5 'ea)on to 6on5e' a,o*t 1o* 6hen 1o* ca+e The Cent'al Co+2*te'7)

'e2o't on 1o* 5i5 not +atch o*' nee5)% tho*(h it 6a) 3a&o'a,le in +an1 6a1)% )o I too4 the o22o't*nit1 to)t*51 1o* that 3i')t 5a1 "e 4e2t o*' collecti&e e1e on 1o*% an5 6hen 1o* le3t to 6an5e' a,o*t the 2laneton 1o*' o6n% 6e 4e2t 1o* *n5e' o,)e'&ation>

=Si'% = )ai5 Sa+% in5i(nantl1 =That &iolate) +1 'i(ht o3 2'i&ac1 ==Ye)% it 5oe)% ,*t thi) i) a +o)t &ital 2'o8ect an5 6e a'e )o+e ti+e) 5'i&en to ,en5 the '*le) a little

"e )a6 1o* tal4in( 6ith con)i5e'a,le ani+ation 3o' a )*,)tantial 2e'io5 o3 ti+e>

=I 8*)t tol5 1o* I 6a)% )i'>=Ye)% ,*t 1o* 6e'e tal4in( to nothin*, to e+2t1 ai' Yo* 6e'e e

Gent'1 )hoo4 hi) hea5 =1 ,o1% I )a6 1o* tal4in( 6ith ani+ation to nothin( at all I 5i5n7t hea'6hat 1o* )ai5% ,*t 1o* 6e'e tal4in( Nothin( el)e 6a) the'e e

=On 'eco'59>=On a tele&i)ion ca))ette "h1 )ho*l5 6e lie to 1o*% 1o*n( +an9 Thi) ha) ha22ene5 ,e3o'e At the

)ta't it ha22ene5 'athe' 3'e*entl1 No6 it ha22en) onl1 &e'1 'a'el1 Fo' one thin(% 6e tell the ne6a22'entice) o3 the hall*cination) at the )ta't% a) I tol5 1o*% an5 the1 (ene'all1 a&oi5 the 2lanet *ntil the1 a'e+o'e accli+ate5% an5 then it 5oe)n7t ha22en to the+>

=Yo* +ean 1o* )ca'e the+%> ,l*'te5 o*t Sa+% =)o that it7) not li4el1 to ha22en An5 the1 5on7ttell 1o* i3 it 5oe) ha22en B*t I 6a)n7t )ca'e5>


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Gent'1 )hoo4 hi) hea5 =I7+ )o''1 1o* 6e'en7t% i3 that 6a) 6hat it 6o*l5 ha&e ta4en 1o* to 4ee23'o+ )eein( thin()>

=I 6a)n7t )eein( thin() At lea)t% not thin() that 6e'en7t the'e>=Ho6 5o 1o* inten5 to a'(*e 6ith a tele&i)ion ca))ette% 6hich 6ill )ho6 1o* )ta'in( at nothin(9>=Si'% 6hat I )a6 6a) not o2a*e It 6a) )+o41% act*all1 3o((1% i3 1o* 4no6 6hat I +ean>=Ye)% I 5o It loo4e5 a) a hall*cination +i(ht loo4% not a) 'ealit1 B*t the tele&i)ion )et 6o*l5 ha&e

)een e&en )+o4e>=a1,e not% )i' 1 +in5 +*)t ha&e ,een 3oc*)e5 to )ee it +o'e clea'l1 It 6a) 2'o,a,l1 le)) clea'to the ca+e'a than to +e>

=It 3oc*)e5 1o*' +in5% 5i5 it9> Gent'1 )too5 *2% an5 he )o*n5e5 'athe' )a5 =That7) an a5+i))iono3 hall*cination I7+ 'eall1 )o''1% Sa+% ,eca*)e 1o* a'e clea'l1 intelli(ent% an5 the Cent'al Co+2*te' 'ate51o* hi(hl1% ,*t 6e can7t *)e 1o*>

="ill 1o* ,e )en5in( +e ho+e% )i' 9 ==Ye)% ,*t 6h1 )ho*l5 that +atte'9 Yo* 5i5n7t 2a'tic*la'l1 6ant to co+e he'e>=I 6ant to )ta1 he'e now.=B*t I7+ a3'ai5 1o* cannot>=Yo* can7t 8*)t )en5 +e ho+e Don7t I (et a hea'in(9>=Yo* ce'tainl1 can% i3 1o* in)i)t% ,*t in that ca)e% the 2'ocee5in() 6ill ,e o33icial an5 6ill (o on

1o*' 'eco'5% )o that 1o* 6on7t (et anothe' a22'entice)hi2 an16he'e A) it i)% i3 1o* a'e )ent ,ac4*no33iciall1% a) ,ette' )*ite5 to an a22'entice)hi2 in ne*'o2h1)iolo(1% 1o* +i(ht (et that% an5 ,e ,ette' o33%act*all1% than 1o* a'e no6>

=I 5on7t 6ant that I 6ant a hea'in(--,e3o'e the Co++an5e'>=Oh% no Not the Co++an5e' He can7t ,e ,othe'e5 6ith that>=It must,e the Co++an5e'%> )ai5 Sa+% 6ith 5e)2e'ate 3o'ce% =o' thi) P'o8ect 6ill 3ail>=Unle)) the Co++an5e' (i&e) 1o* a hea'in(9 "h1 5o 1o* )a1 that9 Co+e% 1o* a'e 3o'cin( +e to

thin4 that 1o* a'e *n)ta,le in 6a1) othe' than tho)e in&ol&e5 6ith hall*cination)>=Si'> The 6o'5) 6e'e t*+,lin( o*t o3 Sa+7) +o*th no6 =The Co++an5e' i) ill--the1 4no6 that

e&en on Ea'th--an5 i3 he (et) too ill to 6o'4% thi) P'o8ect 6ill 3ail I 5i5 not )ee a hall*cination an5 the 2'oo3i) that I 4no6 6h1 he i) ill an5 ho6 he can ,e c*'e5>

=Yo*7'e not hel2in( 1o*')el3%> )ai5 Gent'1=I3 1o* )en5 +e a6a1% I tell 1o* the P'o8ect 6ill 3ail Can it h*'t to let +e )ee the Co++an5e'9 All

I a)4 i) 3i&e +in*te)>=Fi&e +in*te)9 "hat i3 he 'e3*)e)9>

=As! hi+% )i' Tell hi+ that I )a1 the )a+e thin( that ca*)e5 hi) 5e2'e))ion can 'e+o&e it>=No% I 5on7t thin4 I7ll tell hi+ that B*t I7ll a)4 hi+ i3 he7ll )ee 1o*>

The Co++an5e' 6a) a thin +an% not &e'1 tall Hi) e1e) 6e'e a 5ee2 ,l*e an5 the1 loo4e5 ti'e5Hi) &oice 6a) &e'1 )o3t% a little lo6-2itche5% 5e3initel1 6ea'1=Yo*7'e the one 6ho )a6 the hall*cination9>=It 6a) not a hall*cination% Co++an5e' It 6a) 'eal So 6a) the oneyou )a6% Co++an5e'> I3 that

5i5 not (et hi+ th'o6n o*t% Sa+ tho*(ht% he +i(ht ha&e a chance He 3elt hi) el,o6 ti(htenin( on hi)ha+2e' a(ain He )till ha5 it 6ith hi+

The Co++an5e' )ee+e5 to 6ince =The one" )a69>=Ye)% Co++an5e' It )ai5 it ha5 h*'t one 2e')on The1 ha5 to t'1 6ith 1o* ,eca*)e 1o* 6e'e the

Co++an5e'% an5 the15i5 5a+a(e>The Co++an5e' i(no'e5 that an5 )ai5% =Di5 1o* e&e' ha&e an1 +ental 2'o,le+) ,e3o'e 1o* ca+e

he'e9>=No% Co++an5e' Yo* can con)*lt +1 Cent'al Co+2*te' 'eco'5>Sa+ tho*(ht:(e +*)t ha&e ha5 2'o,le+)% ,*t the1 let it (o ,eca*)e he7) a (eni*) an5 the1 ha5 to

ha&e hi+Then he tho*(ht: "a) that +1 o6n i5ea9 O' ha5 it ,een 2*t the'e9The Co++an5e' 6a) )2ea4in( Sa+ ha5 al+o)t +i))e5 it He )ai5% ="hat 1o* )a6 can7t ,e 'eal

The'e i) no intelli(ent li3e-3o'+ on thi) 2lanet>=Ye)% )i' The'e i)>=Oh9 An5 no one e&e' 5i)co&e'e5 it till 1o* ca+e he'e% an5 in th'ee 5a1) 1o* 5i5 the 8o,9> The


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Co++an5e' )+ile5 &e'1 ,'ie3l1 =I7+ a3'ai5 I ha&e no choice ,*t to-->="ait% Co++an5e'%> )ai5 Sa+% in a )t'an(le5 &oice ="e 4no6 a,o*t the intelli(ent li3e-3o'+ It7)

the in)ect)% the little 3l1in( thin()>=Yo* )a1 the in)ect) a'e intelli(ent9>=Not an in5i&i5*al in)ect ,1 it)el3% ,*t the1 3it to(ethe' 6hen the1 6ant to% li4e little 8i()a6 2iece)

The1 can 5o it in an1 6a1 the1 6ant An5 6hen the1 5o% thei' ne'&o*) )1)te+) 3it to(ethe'% too% an5 ,*il5

*2 A lot o3 the+ to*ether a'e intelli(ent>The Co++an5e'7) e1e,'o6) li3te5 =That7) an inte'e)tin( i5ea% an16a1 Al+o)t c'a1 eno*(h to,e t'*e Ho6 5i5 1o* co+e to that concl*)ion% 1o*n( +an9>

=B1 o,)e'&ation% )i' E&e'16he'e I 6al4e5% I 5i)t*',e5 the in)ect) in the ('a)) an5 the1 3le6 a,o*tin all 5i'ection) B*t once the co6 )ta'te5 to 3o'+% an5 I 6al4e5 to6a'5 it% the'e 6a) nothin( to )ee o' hea'The in)ect) 6e'e (one The1 ha5 (athe'e5 to(ethe' in 3'ont o3 +e an5 the1 6e'en7t in the ('a)) an1+o'eThat7) ho6 I 4ne6>

=Yo* tal4e5 6ith a co69>=It 6a) a co6 at 3i')t% ,eca*)e that7) 6hat I tho*(ht o3 B*t the1 ha5 it 6'on(% )o the1 )6itche5

an5 ca+e to(ethe' to 3o'+ a h*+an ,ein(33me.=Yo*9> An5 then% in a lo6e' &oice% ="ell% that 3it) an16a1>=Di5 1o* )ee it that 6a1% too% Co++an5e'9>The Co++an5e' i(no'e5 that = An5 6hen it )ha2e5 it)el3 li4e 1o*% it co*l5 tal4 a) 1o* 5i59 I) that

6hat 1o*7'e tellin( +e9>=No% Co++an5e' The tal4in( 6a) in +1 +in5 ==Tele2ath19>=So't o3>=An5 6hat 5i5 it )a1 to 1o*% o' thin4 to 1o*9>=It 6ante5 *) to 'e3'ain 3'o+ 5i)t*',in( thi) 2lanet It 6ante5 *) not to ta4e it o&e' = Sa+ 6a) all

,*t hol5in( hi) ,'eath The inte'&ie6 ha5 la)te5 +o'e than 3i&e +in*te) al'ea51% an5 the Co++an5e' 6a)+a4in( no +o&e to 2*t an en5 to it% to )en5 hi+ ho+e

=K*ite i+2o))i,le>="h1% Co++an5e'9>=An1 othe' ,a)e 6ill 5o*,le an5 t'i2le the e He 6'i((le5 an5 6a) 'elea)e5Gent'1 )ai5 in a lo6 &oice% = a)) h1)te'ia>=No%> )ai5Sa+% =it) 'eal> He 'eache5 to6a'5 the Hea5 in +i5ai'% an5 ,'o*(ht ,ac4 hi) 3in(e'

6ith a tin1 in)ect on it He 3lic4e5 it an5 it co*l5 8*)t ,a'el1 ,e )een +a4in( it) 6a1 ,ac4 to it)Co+2anion)

No one +o&e5


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Sa+ )ai5% =Hea5% 5o 1o* )ee the 2'o,le+ 6ith the Co++an5e') +in59>Sa+ ha5 the ,'ie3 &i)ion o3 a )na'l in an othe'6i)e )+ooth c*'&e% ,*t it &ani)he5 an5 le3t nothin(

,ehin5 It 6a) not )o+ethin( that co*l5 ,e ea)il1 2*t into h*+an tho*(ht He ho2e5 the othe') e

Sa+ ha5 ,een e)co'te5 o*t)i5e the Do+e ,1 a )toli5 (*a'5 an5 ha5 then ,een con3ine5 to hi)*a'te') 3o' the 'e)t o3 the 5a1

It 6a) late 6hen Gent'1 ente'e5% )ta'e5 at hi+ tho*(ht3*ll1% an5 )ai5% =That 6a) an a+ain(5e+on)t'ation o3 1o*') The enti'e inci5ent ha) ,een 3e5 into the Cent'al Co+2*te' an5 6e no6 ha&e a5o*,le 2'o8ect--ne*t'on-)ta' ene'(1 an5 ne*'o2h1)iolo(1 I 5o*,t that the'e 6ill ,e an1 *e)tion a,o*t

2o*'in( +one1 into thi) 2'o8ect no6 An5 6e7ll ha&e a ('o*2 o3 ne*'o2h1)iolo(i)t) a''i&in( e&ent*all1Until then 1o*7'e (oin( to ,e 6o'4in( 6ith tho)e little thin() an5 1o*7ll 2'o,a,l1 en5 *2 the +o)ti+2o'tant 2e')on he'e>

Sa+ )ai5% =B*t 6ill 6e lea&e thei' 6o'l5 to the+9>Gent'1 )ai5% ="e7ll ha&e to i3 6e eGent'1 )ta'e5 at hi+ a(ain% lon(e' an5 +o'e tho*(ht3*ll1 than ,e3o'e=1 ,o1%> he )ai5% =it )ee+) that 6hat ha22ene5 ca+e a,o*t ,eca*)e 1o* 5i5 not 3ea' the

)*22o)e5 hall*cination Yo*' +in5 'e+aine5 o2en% an5 that 6a) the 6hole 5i33e'ence "h1 6a) that9 "h16e'en7t 1o* a3'ai59>

Sa+ 3l*)he5 =I7+ not )*'e% )i' A) I loo4 ,ac4 on it% tho*(h% it )ee+e5 to +e I 6a) 2*le5 a) to6h1 I 6a) )ent he'e I ha5 ,een 5oin( +1 ,e)t to )t*51 ne*'o2h1)iolo(1 th'o*(h +1 co+2*te'ie5 co*')e)%an5 I 4ne6 &e'1 little a,o*t a)t'o2h1)ic) The Cent'al Co+2*te' ha5 +1 'eco'5% all o3 it% the 3*ll 5etail) o3e&e'1thin( I ha5 e&e' )t*5ie5 an5 I co*l5n7t i+a(ine 6h1 I ha5 ,een )ent he'e

=Then% 6hen 1o* 3i')t +entione5 the hall*cination)% I tho*(ht% That +*)t ,e it I 6a) )ent he'e to

loo4 into it7 I 8*)t +a5e *2 +1 +in5 that 6a) the thin( I ha5 to 5o I ha5 no time to ,e a3'ai5% D' Gent'1 Iha5 a 2'o,le+ to )ol&e an5 I--I ha5 3aith in the Cent'al Co+2*te' It 6o*l5n7t ha&e )ent +e he'e% i3 I6e'en7t *2 to it>

Gent'1 )hoo4 hi) hea5 =I7+ a3'ai5 I 6o*l5n7t ha&e ha5 that +*ch 3aith in that +achine B*t the1)a1 3aith can +o&e +o*ntain)% an5 I (*e)) it 5i5 in thi) ca)e>


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T($ "N)TAB"L"T5

PROFESSOR FIREBRENNER HAD EXPLAINEDit ca'e3*ll1 =Ti+e-2e'ce2tion 5e2en5) on the )t'*ct*'e o3the Uni&e')e "hen the Uni&e')e i) e )ai5 ' At4in)% 3a)cinate5=I can 2*t a little 2o'tion o3 the Uni&e')e in )ta)i)% ho6e&e' = )ai5 the 2'o3e))o' = ;*)t eno*(h to

hol5 a )hi2 Ti+e 6ill )tan5 )till an5 6e can +o&e 3o'6a'5 o' ,ac46a'5 at 6ill an5 the enti'e t'i2 6ill la)tle)) than

gold, the final science fiction collection - isaac asimov

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