For a moment, Hol looked at the two Mr. Firsts reading, then at the one
standing. There seemed to be some sort of communication between them.
Then he spoke again.
"Are you discontented with your culture?"
"Of course. I don't believe man's curiosity should be restricted."
"I see. What do you propose in this case?"
Sethos was perplexed. He had not dreamed of a possible solution. But
perhaps there was one!
"I don't know. If mechanoid control could be removed, I think humans
would expand over all the planet. Then they could progress by
themselves."
"Do you think they can?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think humans can progress further--without mechanoids?"
_Further_--so that was it. The creation of mechanoids must represent the
height of human development. Which meant they were necessary to going
on, reaching the stars....
"You mean, if humans could work _with_ mechanoids, we could even travel
to other worlds and spread throughout the universe?"
"He's getting close to the 'matter masters matter' principle," mused Mr.
Third. "It's growth through extension, Sethos, a universal. Not just
'human'--man isn't alone in the universe."
Sethos did not understand. But another thought struck him.
"Just a moment, Hol. I've never seen you before. Where are you from?"
"From Antares System. I am an ethnographer, making a survey of the
planets of man's early history."
Sethos was stunned.
"You--you are from out in _space_? From the _stars_?"
"That is correct. Man lives everywhere in the universe. But as Mr. Third
said, that may be misleading."
Sethos disregarded the comment. It didn't matter if he were alone or
not, at least he was _there_--man in the universe!
"I have completed a section of my work here. It is necessary to speak
with the first level alone, if possible," said Hol.
"Of course," said Mr. Third. "Sethos, there is a vehicle in the hall.
Will you return home until you wish to contact us about therapy? You
have clearance to come in directly when you decide."
"Yes--yes, certainly."
In his shock he was barely conscious of an autocar hurtling through the
dark streets, the familiar trees of West Park looming above him. Then,
once more he saw the lights at Matya's, heard the noise and laughter.
Stepping from the autocar, Sethos felt the night breeze on his face. He
looked upward at the sky, saw the stars like fierce eyes that had been
watching all along. The revelation was too much to take, he thought.
Suddenly Earth itself, so vastly greater than the small reservation of
men, and short hours ago a veritable infinity, seemed tiny and
insignificant.
"Why, Sethos! Where have you been?"
It was Paton's voice. The old man stood alone on the path.
"Paton, you couldn't guess what has happened. It's incredible!"
"Come up and get a drink, boy. You look exhausted. I was alarmed when I
found you'd left."
Sethos took his arm and faced him squarely.
"Paton--I left the zone, and was taken to Mr. First's office. And do you
know who I met? I met a man from the stars! Think of it! A man from
other worlds, Paton. Do you realize that human beings have _already_
traveled those fantastic distances, long ago? They must have forgotten
about us on Earth!"
"Why, that is amazing. It just goes to show you, there's nothing new
under the sun. Come along, and get that drink. I found some _exquisite_
wine."
Sethos stopped. His hand slipped from Paton's arm.
"Paton.... Did you hear what I said? Didn't it penetrate? I said man has
_reached_ the stars! We already own the universe...."
"Of course. But I must say I don't know what we want with it all. Won't
you join us now? Say, Ela has been looking for you."
"Ela? Yes, Ela. I want to see Ela...."
She came down the walk, and took him by the hands.
"_There_ you are, you elusive boy! I want to go home now. I simply have
to adjust my crystals or they'll overflow the bedroom. Oh, Matya! Thank
you for a splendid time. I'll be having you over next week, don't
forget."
Then they were down from the hill and in the park, and the party flowed
on behind them, forgetting.
* * * * *
They were home again, and Ela hurried off to add nutrients to the huge
crystal sculpture that was growing in the bedroom. It glowed and
vibrated in every color of the spectrum, and strange textures developed
at those edges where Ela hovered with a glass dropper and her chemicals,
touching, wiping, smoothing....
"Oh, it nearly got away from me over here. I _must_ get these reds to
balance, or the whole thing will never refract properly at all. Did you
know, Seth--they want to erect it in Central Plaza when I'm finished!
Isn't that wonderful?" Her pleased face sparkled as she worked.
Sethos sat on the bed, folding his hands in his lap. Still stunned by
Paton's reaction, he gazed absently at the floor.
"Ela, I met a man tonight. He is a very important man."
"Yes, there were _so_ many dolls there. I only wish I had met Andian
again. He'd be so jealous if he knew I was acclaimed for exhibition in
the Plaza."
"I don't mean at the party."