"We injected fluids," Vasper told him. "You see, Kenley, we assimilate
food here now chiefly in liquid form. Now the screen--we have reduced
a margin of absolute zero between the walls of the screen, to a width
that your obsolete measuring system cannot cover. The screen itself is
not a physical wall. It is--well, unspatial. That is too advanced for
either of you to grasp now. It is sufficient to explain that you touch
the absolute zero wall, and are revived, all so instantaneously, that
you are not conscious of the change. And in that transition, you reach
any destination you head for."
"Simple," Jim groaned. "So very, very simple. Okay, and I thought
Aladdin--or whoever he was, just happened to be a myth." Jim studied
Vasper thoughtfully. "And now, my good friend, why are we here?"
"You," Vasper announced, "are here because of your friend Winslow.
We are few, and we need brains, and fit bodies. Winslow has both. We
search the back centuries constantly for men--and women. Men with
brains to keep our race, and our world existing. We placed the skydome
over all our cities because the sun will cool for a thousand years. We
have learned that and must start now, to keep our plant and animal life
from perishing, till the cycle ends and the earth grows hot again. You,
Jim Kenley, were brought along because you are Winslow's friend, and
your company will be of advantage while he adjusts himself to what must
be an amazing change in his career."
"A master work of understatement," Bob observed. "Maybe I was serving
my time to better purpose. It was all I wanted to do. Do you think I'm
ever to be happy here?"
"What sort of ball clubs do you have?" Jim fired at Vasper. "I'll bet
there's not even a golf club."