"Some personalities, Vera, are terribly hurt, and they must die several
times before they become whole." He took my hand. "And now, my dear,
allow me to suggest two alternatives for your future. Doubtlessly, in
a universe of infinite possibilities there are infinite alternatives
one might take. But I know you quite well (though this may surprise
you) and I feel that if you can happily accept one of the two that I
mention, you will not again have to seek death in order to return here.
For that is, after all, the meaning of your immediate past."
"What are these two alternatives?" My voice was quite small. I felt as
though my life was warped into this moment like a mobius sheet.
"You will go to Mars University, and there train yourself to become a
laboratory technician, as you originally promised your parents. This is
a useful profession, of service to society. Sufficient funds will be
provided."