"Pliny was lecturing about Pythagoras' theory that the Earth is round.
A heckler asked him why the people on the other side didn't fall off.
Pliny replied that on the other side there were undoubtedly fools who
were asking their wise men why we didn't fall off."
"It's hardly germane," I said.
"I'm sorry. Yes. And time is running out."
* * * * *
The laboratory door opened to admit a newcomer, Lou Graham, head of the
electronics crew.