“I will grant you that that view is not without some merit. But in our case-“
“Your proposal violates some rule. I know it. I do not have to read your mind to know that you are uneasy about this whole affair because of it. Isn’t that right?”
“I am not permitted to discuss policies and internal operating procedures.”
“Naturally,” I said, “but I had to say it. Now tell me about this analysis business. How do you go about it?”
“It would be similar to the simple word association test with which you are familiar. The difference is that I will do it from the inside. I will not have to guess at your reactions. I will know them at a primary level.”
“This seems to indicate that you cannot look directly into my subconscious.”
“That is correct. I am not that good. Ordinarily, I can only read your surface thoughts. When I hit something this way, though, I should be able to keep pressing the feeling and follow it on down to where its roots are twisted.”
“I see. Then it does require considerable cooperation on my part?”
“Oh yes. It would take a real pro to push in against your will.”
“I guess I am fortunate there are none of them available.”
“I wish there were. I am certain that I am not going to enjoy it.”
I finished my coffee and poured another cup.
“What do you say to our doing it this afternoon?” Sibia asked.
“What’s wrong with right now?”
“I would rather wait for your nervous system to return to normal. There are still some secondary effects from the beverages you consumed. They make scanning you more difficult.”
“Does that always hold?”
“By and large.”
“Interesting.”
I sipped more coffee.
“You are doing it again!”
“What?”
“Those numbers, over and over.”
“Sorry. Hard to keep them out.”
“That is not the reason!”
I stood. I stretched.
“Excuse me. I require the use of the facility again.”
Sibla moved to block my way, but I moved faster.
“You are not thinking of leaving, are you? Is that what you are masking?”
“I never said that.”
“You do not have to. I can feel it. You will be making a mistake if you do.”
I headed for the door, and Sibla turned quickly to follow.
“I will not permit you to go-not after the indignities I have suffered to get at that miserable knot of ganglia!”
“That’s a nice way to talk!” I said. “Especially when you want a favor.”
I dashed up the hall and into the john. Sibla clattered after.
“We are doing you the favor! Only you are too stupid to realize it!”
“ ‘Uninformed’ is the word-and that’s your fault!”
I slammed the door, locked it.
“Wait! Listen! If you go, you could be in real trouble!”
I laughed. “I’m sorry. You came on too strong.”
I turned to the window, flung it wide.
“Then go, you ignorant ape! Throw away your chance at civilization!”
“What are you talking about?”
Silence.
Then: “Nothing. I am sorry. But you must realize that it is important.”
“I already know that. What I want to know is ‘Why?’ “
“I cannot tell you.”
“Then go to hell,” I said.
“I knew you were not worth it,” Sibla replied. “From what I have seen of your race, you are nothing but a band of barbarians and degenerates.”
I swung up onto the sill, crouched a moment while I estimated the distance.
“Nobody likes a smartass either,” I said, and then I jumped.
Chapter 7
Dennis Wexroth didn’t say a damn thing. If he had, I might have killed him just then. He stood there with his palms pressed against the wall behind him, a deepening redness about his right eyesocket where it would eventually puff up and go purple. The receiver of his uprooted telephone hung over the edge of the wastebasket where I had buried it.
In my hand was a fancy piece of parchment which told me that ydissaC mahgninnuC kcirederF had received a .ygoloporhtnA ni etarotcoD fo yhposolipP
Fighting for some measure of control, I slipped it back into its envelope and dammed my river of profanity.