,pictures ,don't ,lie                   
,by ,,ka!r9e ,mac,l,e,a,n               
,illu/rat$ by ,,m>t9 ,,s*neid]          
,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,?is etext 0       
produc$ f                    ,galaxy    
,sci5ce ,fiction ,augu/ #aiea4          
,ext5sive rese>* did n uncov] any       
evid5ce t           ! ,u4,s4 copyright  
on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4             
444 ,pictures1 t is1 t "o c te/ &       
measure4         ,& ^! pictures         
positively1 absolutely c\ld n lie6      
,! man f ! ,news ask$1 ,:at d y ?9k ( ! 
ali5s1 ,mi/]  ,na!n8 ,are !y fri5dly8 ,d
 !y look human8    ,v human1 said ! ?9  
"y man4    ,outside1 ra9 sleet$ across !
 big w9d[s ) a /eady fa9t  drumm+1      
blurr+ & dimm+ ! view ( ! airfield :]e  
!y  w\ld arrive4 ,on ! concrete runways1
 ! puddles 7 pockm>k$  ) ra91 & ! grass 
gr[+ unt\*$ betwe5 ! runways ( !  unus$ 
field gli/5$ wetly1 b5d+ be=e gu/s (    
w9d4    ,back at a respectful di/ance f 
:]e ! huge space%ip w\ld  l& 7 ! gray   
%apes ( trucks1 :]e ,,tv cam]a crews    

huddl$  inside _! mobile units1 wait+4  
,f>!r back 9 ! des]t$ s&y  l&scape1     
beh9d di/ant s&y hills1 artill]y 0 r+$ 9
 a great  circle1 & 9 ! di/ance across !
 horizon1 bomb]s /ood ready at          
airfields1 gu>d+ ! _w aga9/ possible    
trea*]y f ! fir/  ali5 %ip ev] to l& f  
space4    ,d y "k any?+ ab\t _! home    
planet8 ask$ ! man f  ,h]ald4    ,!     
,times man /ood ) ! o!rs1 li/5+ abs5tly1
 ?9k+ (  que/ions1 b res]v+ !m4 ,joseph 
,r4 ,na!n1 ! ?9 "y man  ) ! /raight     
black hair & ! tir$ l9es on 8 face1 0   
be+  treat$ ) respect by 8 int]view]s4  
,he 0 obvi\sly on edge1 &  !y did n want
 to h>ry him ) too _m que/ions to answ] 
at  once4 ,!y want$ to keep 8 good w4   
,tomorr[ he w\ld be "o (  ! bigge/      
celebrities ev] to appe> 9 headl9es4    
,no1 no?+ directly4    ,any ideas or    
d$uctions8 ,h]ald p]si/$4    ,_! _w mu/ 
be ,e>?-l to !m1 ! we>y-look+ "y man    
answ]$ unc]ta9ly4 ,! environm5t evolves 
! animal4 ,b only 9  relative t]ms1 (   
c\rse4 ,he look$ at !m ) a quick glance 

&  !n look$ away evasively1 8 lank black
 hair beg9n+ to cl+ to  8 =ehead )      
sweat4 ,t doesn't necess>ily mean any?+4
    ,e>?-l1 mutt]$ a report]1 writ+ x   
d[n z if he _h notic$  no?+ m 9 ! reply4
    ,! ,times man glanc$ at ! ,h]ald1   
wond]+ if he _h notic$1  & receiv$ a    
quick glance 9 ex*ange4    ,! ,h]ald    
ask$ ,na!n1 ,y ?9k !y are dang]\s1 !n8  
,x 0 ! k9d ( "q1 assum+ mu*1 :i* usually
 broke  retic5ce & br\ght =? quick      
facts--:5 x hit ! m>k4 ,!y all  knew ( !
 milit>y precautions1 al?\gh !y 7 n     
suppos$ to  "k4    ,! "q miss$4 ,na!n   
glanc$ out ! w9d[ vaguely4 ,no1 ,i      
w\ldn't say s4    ,y ?9k !y are fri5dly1
 !n8 said ! ,h]ald1 equally  positive on
 ! opposite tack4    ,a fleet+ smile    
t\*$ ,na!n's lips4 ,^? ,i "k are4       
,!re 0 no lead 9 ?is direction1 & !y _h 
to get ! basic  facts ( ! /ory be=e !   
%ip came4 ,! ,times ask$1 ,:at l$  up to
 y\r contact+ !m8    ,na!n answ]$ aft] a
 hesitation4 ,/atic4 ,radio /atic4 ,!   
,army  told y my job1 didn't !y8        

99       99       99       99       99  
,! ,army _h told !m no?+ at all4 ,!     
(fic] :o _h conduct$  !m 9 = ! int]view 
/ood gl[]+ wat*fully1 z if he object$   
by in/9ct to tell+ any?+ to ! public4   
,na!n glanc$ at him d\btfully4 ,my job  
is radio decod] = !  ,dep>tm5t (        
,milit>y ,intellig5ce4 ,i use a         
directional pickup1 tune  9 on =eign    
b&s1 record any scrambl$ or cod$        
messages ,i he>1 &  build automatic     
decod]s & descrambl]s = all ! basic     
scramble  patt]ns4    ,! (fic] cle>$ 8  
?roat1 b said no?+4    ,! report]s      
smil$1 not+ t d[n4    ,security         
regulations _h *ang$ s9ce arms          
inspection _h be5  legaliz$ by ! ,u4,n4 
,complete in=mation be+ ! only public   
security aga9/ secret re>mam5t1 spy+ &  
pry+ _h come to seem  a public s]vice4  
,its aura _h *ang$4 ,x 0 good public    
relations to  admit to x4    ,na!n      
cont9u$1 ,i />t$ direct+ ! pickup at />s
 9 my  sp>e "t4 ,!re's radio noise f    
/>s1 y "k4 ,j /uff t  s\nds l spatt]    

/atic1 & an occasional squawk4 ,p h be5 
li/5+ to x = a long "t1 & rese>*+1 try+ 
to "w out  :y /ell> radiation on ^? b&s 
comes 9 su* jagg$ bur/s4 ,x  didn't seem
 natural4    ,he paus$ & smil$          
unc]ta9ly1 aw>e t ! next ?+ he w\ld  say
 0 ! ?+ t w\ld make him fam\s--an idea t
 _h come to  him :ile he li/5$--an idea 
z simple & z p]fect z ! "o t  came to   
,newton :5 he saw ! apple fall4    ,i   
decid$ x wasn't natural4 ,i tri$ decod+ 
x4    ,hurri$ly he tri$ to expla9 x away
 & make x seem obvi\s4 ,y  see1 !re's an
 old intellig5ce trick1 spe$+ up a      
message on a  record until x s\nds j l  
t1 a %ort squawk ( /atic1 &  !n         
broadca/+ x4 ,und]gr\nds use x4 ,i'd    
he>d t k9d (  scree* be=e4    ,y mean !y
 broadca/ at u 9 code8 ask$ ! ,news4    
,x's n exactly code4 ,all y ne$ to d is 
record x & sl[ x  d[n4 ,!y're n         
broadca/+ at u4 ,if a /> has planets1   
inhabit$  planets1 & !re is broadca/+   
betwe5 !m1 !y w\ld s5d x on  a tight    
beam to save p[]4 ,he look$ =           

compreh5sion4 ,y "k1  l a spotlight4    
,!oretically1 a tight beam c g on =ev]  
)\t  los+ p[]4 ,b aim+ w\ld be difficult
 f planet to planet4 ,y  c't expect a   
beam to /ay on t>get1 ov] su* di/ances1 
m ?an a  few seconds at a "t4 ,s !y'd   
naturally compress ea* message into  a  
%ort half-second or "o-second-l5g?      
package & s5d x a few  hundr$ times 9 "o
 long bla/ to make sure x is pick$ up   
dur+  ! in/ant ! beam sw+s across !     
t>get4    ,he 0 talk+ sl[ly & c>efully1 
rememb]+ t ?is explanation  0 = !       
newspap]s4 ,:5 a /ray beam sw+s ?r\gh   
our section  ( space1 !re's a %>p peak 9
 noise level f t direction4  ,! beams   
are sw++ to foll[ _! own planets at     
home1 &  ! di/ance betwe5 !re & "h      
exagg]ates ! spe$ ( sw+  trem5d\sly1 s  
we w\ldn't pick up m ?an a bip z x      
passes4    ,h[ d y acc\nt = ! numb] (   
squawks com+ 98 ! ,times  ask$4 ,d /ell>
 sy/ems rotate on ! plane ( ! ,galaxy8  
,x 0 a  private "q2 he spoke impulsively
 f int]e/ & excitem5t4    ,! radio      

decod] gr9n$1 ! l9es ( /ra9 vani%+ f 8  
face  = a mom5t4 ,maybe we're int]cept+ 
ev]ybody's telephone calls1  & ! :ole   
,galaxy is sw>m+ ) races t sp5d all day 
yack+  at ea* o!r ov] ! radio4 ,maybe ! 
human type is /&>d model4    ,x w\ld    
take some?+ l t1 ! ,times agre$4 ,!y    
smil$ at  ea* o!r4    ,! ,news ask$1 ,h[
 did y happ5 to pick up television      
in/ead (  voices8    ,n by accid5t1     
,na!n expla9$ pati5tly4 ,i'd recogniz$ a
  scann+ patt]n1 & ,i want$ pictures4   
,pictures are und]/&able 9  any         
language4           99       99       99
       99       99    ,ne> ! int]view]s1
 a ,s5ator pac$ back & =?1 mutt]+  8    
memoriz$ spee* ( welcome & n]v\sly      
glanc+ out ! wide  /ream+ w9d[s into !  
gray sleet+ ra94    ,opposite ! w9d[s ( 
! long room 0 a small rais$ plat=m      
flank$ by ! tall %apes ( ,,tv cam]as &  
s\nd pickups on booms1  & d>k5$         
floodlights1 arrang$ & ready = ! ,s5ator
 to make  8 spee* ( welcome to ! ali5s &
 ! _w4 ,a %abby radio  s5d+ set /ood    

beside x )\t a case to conceal its p>ts1
 two  ca?ode television tubes flick]+   
nak$ly on "o side & ! speak]  humm+ on !
 o!r4 ,a v]tical panel ( dials & knobs  
jutt$ up  be=e !m & a small h&-mike sat 
ready on ! table be=e !  panel4 ,x 0    
connect$ to a boxlike1 exp5sively cas$  
piece (  equipm5t ) ,radio ,lab1 ,u4,s4 
,prop]ty /5cil$ on x4    ,i record$ a   
c\ple ( package scree*es f ,sagitt>ius &
 began  work+ on !m1 ,na!n add$4 ,x took
 a c\ple ( mon?s to f9d  ! syn*roniz+   
signals & set ! scann]s close en\gh to !
  "r "t to ev5 get a patt]n4 ,:5 ,i %[$ 
! patt]n to !  ,dep>tm5t1 !y gave me    
full "t to "w on x1 & an assi/ant to    
help4 ,x took eight mon?s to pick out ! 
color b&s1 & assign !m  ! "r colors1 to 
get any?+ intelligible on ! scre54      
99       99       99       99       99  
,! %abby-look+ mess ( expos$ p>ts 0 !   
orig9al receiv] t  !y _h labor$ ov] = t5
 mon?s1 adju/+ & readju/+ to  r$uce !   
madd5+ rippl+ plaids ( unsyn*roniz$     
color scann]s  to "s k9d ( sane picture4

    ,trial & error1 said ,na!n1 b x came
 out all "r4 ,! wide  b&-spread ( !     
squawks _h sugge/$ color ,,tv f !       
beg9n+4    ,he walk$ ov] & t\*$ ! set4  
,! speak] bipp$ slightly &  ! gray scre5
 flick]$ ) a fla% ( color at ! t\*4 ,!  
set  0 awake & s5sitive1 tun$ to receive
 f ! great int]/ell>  space%ip :i* n[   
circl$ ! atmosph]e4    ,we wond]$ :y !re
 7 s _m b&s1 b :5 we got ! set  work+1 &
 />t$ record+ & play+ ev]y?+ t came 91  
we  f\nd we'd tapp$ some?+ l a l5d+     
libr>y l9e4 ,x 0 all  fiction1 plays4   
,betwe5 ! pauses 9 ,na!n's voice1 !     
,times f\nd himself  unconsci\sly li/5+ 
= ! s\nd ( ro>+1 swiftly approa*+       
rocket jets4    ,! ,po/ ask$1 ,h[ did y 
contact ! space%ip8    ,i scann$ &      
record$ a film copy ( ,rite ( ,spr+1 !  
,disney-,/rav9sky comb9ation1 & s5t x   
back along ! same l9e we  7 receiv+ f4  
,j te/+4 ,x w\ldn't get !re = a good    
numb] ( ye>s1 if x got !re at all1 b ,i 
?\ght x w\ld please  ! libr>y to get a  
new record 94    ,two weeks lat]1 :5 we 

caught & sl[$ a new bat* ( record+s1  we
 f\nd an answ]4 ,x 0 obvi\sly meant = u4
 ,x 0 a fla% (  ! ,disney be+ play$ to a
 l>ge audi5ce1 & !n ! audi5ce  sitt+ &  
wait+ be=e a blank scre54 ,! signal 0 v 
cle>  & l\d4 ,we'd int]cept$ a space%ip4
 ,!y 7 ask+ = an encore1  y see4 ,!y    
lik$ ! film & want$ m4444    ,he smil$  
at !m 9 sudd5 ?\ght4 ,y c see !m =      
y\rself4  ,x's all "r d[n ! hall :]e !  
l+ui/s are work+ on !  automatic        
translator4    ,! li/5+ (fic] fr[n$ &   
cle>$ 8 ?roat1 & ! ?9  "y man turn$ to  
him quickly4 ,no security reason :y !y  
%\ld  n see ! broadca/s1 is !re8 ,p]haps
 y %\ld %[ !m4 ,he  said to ! report]s  
reassur+ly1 ,x's "r d[n ! hall4 ,y  w be
 in=m$ ! mom5t ! space%ip approa*es4    
,! int]view 0 v def9itely ov]4 ,!       
lank-hair$1 n]v\s "y  man turn$ away &  
seat$ himself at ! radio set :ile !     
(fic]  swall[$ 8 objections & %[$ !m    
d\rly d[n ! hall to a  clos$ door4      
,!y op5$ x & fumbl$ into a d>k5$ room   
cr[d$ ) empty  fold+ *airs1 dom9at$ by a

 gl[+ bright scre54 ,! door clos$  beh9d
 !m1 br++ total d>kness4    ,!re 0 !    
s\nd ( report]s fumbl+ _! way into seats
 ar\nd  him1 b ! ,times man rema9$ /&+1 
aw>e ( an enorm\s  surprise1 z if he _h 
be5 asleep & wak5$ to f9d himself 9 !   
wrong c\ntry4    ,! bright colors ( !   
d\ble image seem$ ! only real ?+ 9 !    
d>k5$ room4 ,ev5 blurr$ z !y 71 he c\ld 
see t ! action  0 subtly diff]5t1 !     
%apes subtly n "r4    ,he 0 look+ at    
ali5s4           99       99       99   
99       99    ,! impression 0 ( two    
humans disguis$1 humans mov+ oddly1     
half-danc+1 half-crippl$4 ,c>efully1    
afraid ! images w\ld g  away1 he rea*$  
up to 8 brea/ pocket1 took out 8 pol>iz$
  glasses1 rotat$ "o l5s at "r angles to
 ! o!r & put !m on4    ,imm$iately1 !   
two be+s came into %>p focus1 real &    
solid1  & ! scre5 became a wide1        
illusively ne> w9d[ ?r\gh :i* he  wat*$ 
!m4    ,!y 7 conv]s+ ) ea* o!r 9 a      
gray-wall$ room1 discuss+  some?+ )     
re/ra9$ excitem5t4 ,! l>ge man 9 ! gre5 

tunic  clos$ 8 purple eyes = an in/ant  
at some?+ ! o!r said1 &  grimac$1 mak+ a
 motion ) 8 f+]s z if %ov+ some?+ away  
f him4    ,mell]dramm]4    ,! second1   
small]1 ) yell[i%-gre5 eyes1 /epp$      
clos]1 talk+  m rapidly 9 a l[] voice4  
,! fir/ /ood v /ill1 n try+  to         
int]rupt4    ,obvi\sly1 ! proposal 0 "s 
advantage\s trea*]y1 & he want$  to be  
p]suad$4 ,! ,times grop$ = a *air & sat 
d[n4    ,p]haps ge/ure is univ]sal2     
desire & av]sion1 a lean+ =w>d or  a    
lean+ back1 t5sion1 relaxation4 ,p]haps 
^! actors 7 ma/]s4  ,! sc5es *ang$1 a   
corridor1 a p>klike place 9 :at he began
 to  realize 0 a space%ip1 a lecture    
room4 ,!re 7 o!rs talk+  & work+1 speak+
 to ! man 9 ! gre5 tunic1 & nev] 0 x    
uncle> :at 0 happ5+ or h[ !y felt4      
,!y talk$ a fl[+ language ) _m %ort     
v[els & %ifts (  pit*1 & !y ge/ur$ 9 !  
heat ( talk1 _! h&s mov+ )  an odd lagg+
 diff]5ce ( motion1 n sl[1 b someh[     
drift+4    ,he ignor$ ! language1 b aft]
 a "t ! diff]5ce 9 motion  began to     

ar\se 8 int]e/4 ,some?+ 9 ! way !y      
walk$4444    ,) an ef=t he pull$ 8 m9d f
 ! plot & =c$ 8  att5tion to ! physical 
diff]5ce4 ,br[n hair 9 %ort silky crew  
cuts1 v>i$ eye colors1 ! colors %[+     
cle>ly because _!  irises 7 v l>ge1 _!  
r\nd eyes set v widely ap>t 9  tap]+    
light-br[n faces4 ,_! necks & %\ld]s 7  
?ick 9 a  way t w\ld indicate unusual   
/r5g? = a human1 b _! wri/s  7 n>r[ & _!
 f+]s long & ?9 & delicate4    ,!re     
seem$ to be m ?an ! usual numb] ( f+]s4 
,s9ce he came 91 a ma*9e _h be5 :irr+ & 
a voice mutt]+  beside him4 ,he call$ 8 
att5tion f c\nt+ _! f+]s &  look$ ar\nd4
 ,beside him sat an al]t-look+ man we>+ 
e>phones1  wat*+ & li/5+ ) hawklike     
conc5tration4 ,beside him 0 a  tall     
/reaml9$ box4 ,f ! scre5 came ! s\nd ( !
 ali5  language4 ,! man abruptly flipp$ 
a swit* on ! box1 mutt]$ a ^w  into a   
small h&-microphone & flipp$ ! swit*    
back ) n]v\s  rapidity4    ,he rem9d$ ! 
,times man ( ! e>phon$ int]pret]s at !  
,,un4  ,! ma*9e 0 probably a vocal      

translator & ! mutt]] a l+ui/  add+ to  
its vocabul>y4 ,ne> ! scre5 7 two o!r   
l+ui/s  tak+ notes4           99        
99       99       99       99    ,!     
,times rememb]$ ! ,s5ator pac+ 9 !      
obs]vatory room1  rehe>s+ 8 spee* (     
welcome4 ,! spee* w\ld n be j  ! empty  
pomp\s ge/ure he _h expect$4 ,x w\ld be 
translat$  me*anically & und]/ood by !  
ali5s4    ,on ! o!r side ( ! gl[+ w9d[ t
 0 ! /]eo scre51 !  l>ge protagoni/ 9 ! 
gre5 tunic 0 speak+ to a pilot 9 a gray 
uni=m4 ,!y /ood 9 a brightly lit        
can>y-yell[ control room 9 a  space%ip4 
,! ,times tri$ to pick up ! ?read ( !   
plot4 ,already he 0  int]e/$ 9 ! fate ( 
! h]o1 & lik$ him4 ,t 0 ! effect  ( good
 act+1 probably1 = "p ( ! art ( act+ is 
to w9  affection f ! audi5ce1 & ?is     
actor might be ! mat9ee idol  ( :ole    
sol> sy/ems4    ,controll$ t5sion1      
betray+ itself by a j]k ( ! h&s1 a      
too-quick answ] to a "q4 ,! uni=m$ "o1 n
 suspici\s1  turn$ 8 back1 busy+ himself
 at "s task involv+ a map lit )  gl[+ r$

 po9ts1 8 motions %>+ ! same fluid      
dragg+ grace  ( ! o!rs1 z if !y 7       
und]wat]1 or on a sl[ motion film4  ,!  
o!r 0 wat*+ a swit*1 a swit* set into a 
panel1 mov+  clos] to x1 talk+          
casually--backgr\nd music com+ & ris+ 9 
?9 *ords ( t5sion4    ,!re 0 a closeup (
 ! ali5's face wat*+ ! swit*1 & !       
,times not$ t 8 e>s 7 symmetrically     
half-circles1 almo/  p]fect ) no e>holes
 visible4 ,! voice ( ! uni=m$ "o        
answ]$1 a brief ^w 9 a preoccupi$ deep  
voice4 ,8 back 0 /ill  turn$4 ,! o!r    
glanc$ at ! swit*1 mov+ clos] to x1     
talk+  casually1 ! swit* com+ clos] &   
clos] /]eoscopically4 ,x 0  9 rea*1     
fill+ ! scre54 ,8 h& came into view1    
d>t+ out1  clos$ ov] ! swit*--    ,!re 0
 a %>p clap ( s\nd & 8 h& op5$ 9 a froz5
  %ape ( pa94 ,beyond him1 z 8 gaze     
swung up1 /ood ! figure (  ! uni=m$     
(fic]1 unmov+1 a weapon rigid 9 8 h&1 9 
!  />tl$ position 9 :i* he _h turn$ &   
fir$1 wat*+ )  wid5+ eyes z ! man 9 !   
gre5 tunic sway$ & fell4    ,! tableau  

held1 ! uni=m$ "o droop+1 look+ d[n at 8
 h&  hold+ ! weapon :i* _h kill$1 &     
music began to build 9 f  ! backgr\nd4  
,j = an in/ant1 ! room & ! ?+s )9  x    
fla%$ into "o ( ^? bewild]+ color *anges
 :i* 7 !  bane ( color television1 &    
swit*$ to a color negative ( itself1 a  
gre5 man /&+ 9 a violet control room1   
look+ d[n at ! body  ( a gre5 man 9 a r$
 tunic4 ,x held = less ?an a second2 !n 
!  color b& alt]nator fell back into    
phase & ! colors rev]s$ to  normal4     
,ano!r uni=m$ man came & took ! weapon f
 ! limp h& (  ! o!r1 :o began to expla9 
deject$ly 9 a l[ voice :ile !  music    
m\nt$ & cov]$ 8 words & ! scre5 sl[ly   
w5t blank1  l a w9d[ t sl[ly film$ ov] )
 gray fog4    ,! music fad$4    ,9 !    
d>k1 someone clapp$ appreciatively4     
,! e>phon$ man beside ! ,times %ift$ 8  
e>phones back f  8 e>s & spoke briskly4 
,i c't get any m4 ,ei!r ( y want a      
replay8    ,!re 0 a %ort sil5ce until ! 
l+ui/ ne>e/ ! set said1 ,i  guess we've 
squeez$ t "o dry4 ,let's run ! tape :]e 

,na!n &  t %ip radio boy are kidd+ ar\nd
 ,c,qing & tun+ _! beams 9  clos]4 ,i h 
a hun* ! boy is talk+ r\t9e ham talk &  
giv+  ! old radio                       
c\nt--"o-two-?ree-te/+4    ,!re 0 "s    
fumbl+ 9 ! semi-d>k & !n ! scre5 came to
  life aga94           99       99      
99       99       99    ,x %[$ a fla% ( 
an audi5ce sitt+ be=e a scre5 & gave a  
clipp$ *ord ( "s famili> symphony4      
,crazy ab\t ,/rav9sky &  ,moz>t1 rem>k$ 
! e>phon$ l+ui/ to ! ,times1 resettl+ 8 
e>phones4 ,c't /& ,g]%w94 ,c y beat t8  
,he turn$ 8  att5tion back to ! scre5 z 
! "r sequ5ce came on4    ,! ,po/1 :o 0  
sitt+ j 9 front ( him1 turn$ to ! ,times
  & said1 ,funny h[ mu* !y look l p4 ,he
 0 writ+1  mak+ notes to telephone 8    
report4 ,:at color hair did t  "* h8    
,i didn't notice4 ,he wond]$ if he %\ld 
rem9d ! report] t  ,na!n _h said he     
assign$ ! color b&s on guess1 *oos+ !   
colors t gave ! mo/ plausible images4 ,!
 gue/s1 :5 !y  arriv$1 c\ld turn out to 
be bright gre5 ) blue hair4 ,only !     

gradations ( color 9 ! picture 7 sure1  
only ! simil>ities &  contra/s1 !       
relation%ip ( "o color to ano!r4    ,f !
 scre5 came ! s\nd ( ! ali5 language    
aga94 ,?is race  av]ag$ deep] voices ?an
 human4 ,he lik$ deep voices4 ,c\ld he  
write  t8    ,no1 !re 0 some?+ wrong )  
t1 too4 ,h[ _h ,na!n  e/abli%$ ! "r     
s\nd-track pit*8 ,0 x a matt] ( tak+ !  
modulation z x came 91 or "s sort (     
hetrodyn+ up & d[n by  trial & error8   
,probably4    ,x might be saf] to assume
 t ,na!n _h simply pref]r$ deep  voices4
    ,z he sat !re1 d\bt+1 an uneas9ess  
he _h se5 9 ,na!n came  back to add to 8
 own unc]ta9ty1 & he rememb]$ j h[ close
  t uneas9ess _h come to some?+ t look$ 
l re/ra9$ fe>4    ,:at ,i don't get is  
:y he w5t to all ! tr\ble ( pick+ up    
,,tv  %[s in/ead ( j contact+ !m1 !     
,news compla9$4 ,!y're  good %[s1 b     
:at's ! po9t8    ,maybe s we'd get to   
le>n _! language too1 said ! ,h]ald4    
,on ! scre5 n[ 0 ! obvi\sly un/ag$ &    
g5u9e sc5e ( a  "y ali5 work+ ov] a bank

 ( app>atus4 ,he turn$ & wav$ &  op5$ 8 
m\? 9 ! comical ,o %ape :i* ! ,times 0  
beg9n+  to recognize z _! equival5t ( a 
smile1 !n w5t back to try+  to expla9   
some?+ ab\t ! equipm5t1 9 elaborate     
awkw>d ge/ures  & c>efully m\!d words4  
,! ,times got up quietly1 w5t out into !
 bright :ite /one  corridor & walk$ back
 ! way he _h come1 ?\ghtfully fold+ 8   
/]eo glasses & putt+ !m away4    ,no "o 
/opp$ him4 ,secrecy re/rictions 7       
ambigu\s "h4 ,!  retic5ce ( ! ,army     
seem$ m a matt] ( habit1 m]e reflex1 f  
! fact t x _h all orig9at$ 9 !          
,intellig5ce ,dep>tm5t1  ?an any reason$
 policy ( keep+ ! l&+ a secret4    ,!   
ma9 room 0 m cr[d$ ?an he _h left x4 ,! 
,,tv cam]a  & s\nd crew /ood ne> _!     
app>atus1 ! ,s5ator _h f\nd a  *air & 0 
read+1 & at ! f> end ( ! room eight m5 7
  gr\p$ 9 a circle ( *airs1 argu+ some?+
 ) impassion$  conc5tration4 ,! ,times  
recogniz$ a few he knew p]sonally1 em95t
  names 9 sci5ce1 work]s 9 field !ory4  
,a /ray phrase rea*$ him3 --ref]5ce to !

 univ]sal con/ants z  ratio-- ,x 0      
probably a discussion ( ways ( conv]t+  
=mulas  f "o ma!matics to ano!r = a     
rapid ex*ange ( in=mation4    ,!y _h    
reason to be int5t1 aw>e ( ! flood (    
insights t novel  viewpo9ts c\ld br+1 if
 !y c\ld grasp !m4 ,he w\ld h lik$  to g
 ov] & li/51 b !re 0 too little "t left 
be=e !  space%ip 0 due1 & he _h a "q to 
ask4           99       99       99     
99       99    ,! h&-rigg$ transceiv] 0 
/ill humm+1 tun$ to ! s5d+  b& ( !      
circl+ %ip1 & ! "y man :o _h />t$ x all 
0 sitt+ on ! edge ( ! ,,tv plat=m ) 8 *9
 re/+ 9  "o h&4 ,he did n look up z !   
,times approa*$1 b x 0 !  indiff]5ce (  
preoccupation1 n disc\rtesy4    ,!      
,times sat d[n on ! edge ( ! plat=m     
beside him & took  out a pack (         
cig>ettes1 !n rememb]$ ! com+ ,,tv      
broadca/  & ! ban on smok+4 ,he put !m  
away1 ?\ghtfully wat*+ !  dim9i%+ ra9   
spray aga9/ ! /ream+ w9d[s4    ,:at's   
wrong8 he ask$4    ,na!n %[$ t he 0 aw>e
 & fri5dly by a slight motion ( 8  head4

    ,y tell me4    ,hun*1 said ! ,times 
man4 ,%e] hun*4 ,ev]y?+ sail+ along  too
 smoo?ly1 ev]yone tak+ too mu* = grant$4
    ,na!n relax$ slightly4 ,i'm /ill    
li/5+4    ,some?+ ab\t ! way !y move4444
    ,na!n %ift$ to glance at him4       
,t's bo!r$ me1 too4    ,are y sure !y're
 adju/$ to ! "r spe$8    ,na!n cl5*$ 8  
h&s out 9 front ( him & look$ at !m     
consid]+ly4 ,i don't "k4 ,:5 ,i turn !  
tape fa/]1 !y're all  ru%+1 & y beg9 to 
wond] :y _! clo!s don't /ream beh9d  !m1
 :y ! doors close s quickly & yet y c't 
he> !m slam1  :y ?+s fall s fa/4 ,if ,i 
turn x sl[]1 !y all seem to be  swimm+4 
,he gave ! ,times a consid]+ sidewise   
glance4 ,didn't  cat* ! "n4             
,c\ntry-br$ guy1 ?\ght ! ,times4 ,jacob 
,luke1 ,times1 he said1  ext5d+ 8 h&4   
,na!n gave ! h& a quick1 h>d grip1      
id5tify+ ! "n4 ,sunday  ,sci5ce ,section
 editor4 ,i read x4 ,surpris$ to meet y 
"h4    ,likewise4 ,! ,times smil$4      
,look1 h y gone into ?is  rationally1 ) 
=mulas8 ,he f\nd a p5cil 9 8 pocket4    

,obvi\sly !re's some?+ wrong ) our      
judgm5t ( _!  weight-to-spe$-to-mom5tum 
ratio4 ,maybe x's some?+ simple l l[    
gravity abo>d %ip1 ) magnetic %oes4     
,maybe !y are float+  slightly4    ,:y  
worry8 ,na!n cut 94 ,i don't see any    
reason to try to figure x  out n[4 ,he  
laugh$ & %ov$ back 8 black hair n]v\sly4
 ,we'll  see !m 9 tw5ty m9utes4    ,w   
we8 ask$ ! ,times sl[ly4    ,!re 0 a    
sil5ce :ile ! ,s5ator turn$ a page ( 8  
magaz9e  ) a slight crackl+ ( pap]1 & ! 
sci5ti/s argu$ at !  o!r end ( ! room4  
,na!n pu%$ at 8 lank black hair aga91 z 
if x 7 try+ to fall =w>d 9 front ( 8    
eyes & keep him  f see+4    ,sure4 ,! "y
 man laugh$ sudd5ly1 talk$ rapidly4     
,sure we'll  see !m4 ,:y %\ldn't we1 )  
all ! gov]nm5t ready ) welcome  spee*es1
 ! :ole ,army turn$ out & hid+ ov] !    
hill1 report]s  all ar\nd1 newsreel     
cam]as--ev]y?+ set up to broadca/ !  l&+
 to ! _w4 ,! ,presid5t himself %ak+ h&s 
) me &  wait+ 9 ,wa%+ton--    ,he came  
to ! tru? )\t paus+ = brea?4    ,he     

said1 ,hell1 no1 !y won't get "h4 ,!re's
 "s mi/ake  some:]e4 ,some?+'s wrong4 ,i
 %\ld h told ! bras%ats  ye/]day :5 ,i  
/>t$ add+ x up4 ,don't "k :y ,i didn't  
say  any?+4 ,sc>$1 ,i guess4 ,too mu*   
top rank ar\nd "h4 ,lo/ my  n]ve4    ,he
 clut*$ ! ,times man's sleeve4 ,look4 ,i
 don't "k :at--    ,a gre5 light fla%$  
on ! s5d+-receiv+ set4 ,na!n didn't look
  at x1 b he /opp$ talk+4           99  
99       99       99       99    ,!     
l\dspeak] on ! set broke into a voice   
speak+ 9 ! ali5's  language4 ,! ,s5ator 
/>t$ & look$ n]v\sly at x1 /raight5+  8 
tie4 ,! voice /opp$4    ,na!n turn$ &   
look$ at ! l\dspeak]4 ,8 worry seem$ to 
be  gone4    ,:at is x8 ! ,times ask$   
anxi\sly4    ,he says !y've sl[$ en\gh  
to ent] ! atmosph]e n[4 ,!y'll be  "h 9 
five to t5 m9utes1 ,i guess4 ,t's ,bud4 
,he's all excit$4  ,he says holy smoke1 
:at a murky-look+ planet we live on4    
,na!n  smil$4 ,kidd+4    ,! ,times 0    
puzzl$4 ,:at does he mean1 murky8 ,x c't
 be  ra9+ ov] mu* t]ritory on ,e>?4     

,outside1 ! ra9 0 sl[+  & bright blue   
pat*es ( sky 7 %9+ ?r\gh breaks 9 !     
cl\d blanket1 glitt]+ blue light f !    
drops t ran d[n !  w9d[s4 ,he tri$ to   
?9k ( an explanation4 ,maybe !y're try+ 
to  l& on ,v5us4 ,! ?\ght 0 ridicul\s1  
he knew4 ,! space%ip 0  foll[+ ,na!n's  
s5d+ beam4 ,x c\ldn't miss ,e>?4 ,bud _h
 to  be kidd+4    ,! gre5 light gl[$ on 
! set aga91 & !y /opp$ speak+1  wait+ = 
! message to be record$1 sl[$ & replay$4
 ,!  ca?ode scre5 came to life sudd5ly )
 a picture ( ! "y man  sitt+ at 8       
s5d+-set1 8 back turn$1 wat*+ a scre5 at
 "o  side :i* %[$ a glimpse ( a huge d>k
 pla9 approa*+4 ,z !  %ip plung$ d[n    
t[>d x1 ! illusion ( solidity melt$ into
 a  boil+ turbul5ce ( black cl\ds4 ,!y  
exp&$ 9 an inky swirl1  look$ huge = an 
in/ant1 & !n blackness swall[$ ! scre54 
,! "y ali5 swung ar\nd to face ! cam]a1 
speak+ a few words  z he mov$1 made ! ,o
 ( a smile aga91 !n flipp$ ! swit* &  ! 
scre5 w5t gray4    ,na!n's voice 0      
sudd5ly toneless & /ra9$4 ,he said      

some?+  l break out ! dr9ks1 "h !y come4
    ,! atmosph]e doesn't look l t1 !    
,times said at r&om1  kn[+ he 0 say+    
some?+ too obvi\s ev5 to ?9k ab\t4 ,n   
,e>?'s atmosph]e4    ,"s p drift$ up4   
,:at did !y say8    ,ent]+ ! atmosph]e1 
ought to be l&+ 9 five or t5 m9utes1    
,na!n told !m4    ,a ripple ( height5$  
excitem5t ran ?r\gh ! room4 ,cam]am5    
began  adju/+ ! l5s angles aga91 turn+  
on ! mike & *eck+ x1  turn+ on !        
floodlights4 ,! sci5ti/s rose & /ood ne>
 !  w9d[1 /ill talk+4 ,! report]s troop$
 9 f ! hall & w5t  to ! w9d[s to wat* = 
! great ev5t4 ,! ?ree l+ui/s came  91   
trundl+ a l>ge :eel$ box t 0 ! me*anical
 translator1  sup]vis+ :ile x 0 hit*$   
into ! s\nd broadca/+ sy/em4    ,l&+    
:]e8 ! ,times ask$ ,na!n brutally4 ,:y  
don't y d  some?+8    ,tell me :at to d 
& ,i'll d x1 ,na!n said quietly1 n mov+4
    ,x 0 n s>casm4 ,jacob ,luke ( !     
,times look$ sidewise at !  /ra9$       
:it5ess ( 8 face1 & mod]at$ 8 tone4 ,c't
 y  contact !m8    ,n :ile !y're l&+4   

,:at n[8 ,! ,times took out a pack (    
cig>ettes1 rememb]$ !  rule aga9/ smok+1
 & put x back4    ,we j wait4 ,na!n     
lean$ 8 elb[ on "o knee & 8 *9 9 8  h&4 
,!y wait$4           99       99        
99       99       99    ,all ! p 9 !    
room 7 wait+4 ,!re 0 no m  conv]sation4 
,a bald man ( ! sci5ti/ gr\p 0          
automatically  buff+ 8 f+]nails ov] &   
ov] & inspect+ !m )\t  see+ !m1 ano!r   
abs5tly poli%$ 8 glasses1 held !m up to 
! light1 put !m on1 & !n a mom5t lat]   
took !m (f & began  poli%+ aga94 ,!     
television crew conc5trat$ on _! jobs1  
mov+  quietly & effici5tly1 )           
p]fectioni/ c>e1 m9utely arrang+  ?+s   
:i* did n ne$ to be arrang$1 *eck+ ?+s t
 _h  already be5 *eck$4    ,?is 0 to be 
"o ( ! great mom5ts ( human hi/ory1 & !y
 7  all try+ to =get t fact & rema9     
impassive & wrapp$ up 9  ! problems ( _!
 jobs z good speciali/s %\ld4    ,aft]  
an int]m9able age ! ,times consult$ 8   
wat*4 ,?ree  m9utes _h pass$4 ,he tri$  
hold+ 8 brea? a mom5t1 li/5+ =  a di/ant

 approa*+ ?und] ( jets4 ,!re 0 no s\nd4 
,! sun came out f beh9d ! cl\ds & lit up
 ! field l a  great spotlight on an     
empty /age4    ,abruptly ! gre5 light   
%one on ! set aga91 indicat+ t a  squawk
 message _h be5 receiv$4 ,! record]     
record$ x1 sl[$ x  & f$ x back to !     
speak]4 ,x click$ & ! s\nd 0 v l\d  9 ! 
/ill1 t5se room4    ,! scre5 rema9$     
gray1 b ,bud's voice spoke a few words 9
 !  ali5 language4 ,he /opp$1 ! speak]  
click$ & ! light w5t out4  ,:5 x 0 pla9 
t no?+ m w\ld occur & no ann\ncem5t 0   
to be made ( :at 0 said1 ! p 9 ! room   
turn$ back to !  w9d[s1 talk pick$ up   
aga94    ,somebody told a joke & laugh$ 
alone4    ,"o ( ! l+ui/s rema9$ turn$   
t[>d ! l\dspeak]1 !n  look$ at ! wid5+  
pat*es ( blue sky %[+ out ! w9d[1 8     
expression puzzl$4 ,he _h und]/ood4     
,x's d>k1 ! ?9 ,intellig5ce ,dep>tm5t   
decod] translat$1  l[-voic$1 to ! man f 
! ,times4 ,y\r atmosph]e is ?ick4  ,t's 
precisely :at ,bud said4    ,ano!r ?ree 
m9utes4 ,! ,times caught himself ab\t to

 light a  cig>ette & swore sil5tly1 bl[+
 ! mat* out & putt+ !  cig>ette back    
into its package4 ,he li/5$ = ! s\nd ( !
  rocket jets4 ,x 0 "t = ! l&+1 yet he  
he>d no bla/s4    ,! gre5 light came on 
9 ! transceiv]4    ,message 94          
,in/9ctively he came to 8 feet4 ,na!n   
abruptly 0 /&+ beside  him4 ,!n !       
message came 9 ! voice he 0 com+ to ?9k 
( z  ,bud4 ,x spoke & paus$4 ,sudd5ly ! 
,times knew4    ,we've l&$4 ,na!n :isp]$
 ! words4    ,! w9d blew across ! op5   
spaces ( :ite concrete & damp soil  t 0 
! empty airfield1 sway+ ! wet1 %9y      
grass4 ,! p  9 ! room look$ out1 li/5+ =
 ! ro> ( jets1 look+ = !  silv] bulk ( a
 space%ip 9 ! sky4    ,na!n mov$1 seat+ 
himself at ! transmitt]1 swit*+ x on to 
w>m up1 *eck+ & balanc+ dials4 ,jacob   
,luke ( ! ,times mov$  s(tly to /& beh9d
 8 "r %\ld]1 hop+ he c\ld be useful4    
,na!n made a half motion ( 8 head1 z if 
to glance back at him1  unhook$ two ( ! 
e>phone sets hang+ on ! side ( ! tall   
/reaml9$ box t 0 ! automatic translator1

 plugg$ !m 9 &  h&$ "o back ov] 8 %\ld] 
to ! ,times man4    ,! voice began to   
come f ! speak] aga94    ,ha/ily1 ,jacob
 ,luke fitt$ ! e>phones ov] 8 e>s4 ,he  
fanci$ he  c\ld he> ,bud's voice        
tremble4 ,= a mom5t x 0 j ,bud's voice  
speak+ ! ali5 language1 & !n1 v di/ant &
 cle> 9 8  e>phones1 he he>d ! record$  
voice ( ! l+ui/ say an ,engli%  ^w1 !n a
 me*anical click & ano!r cle> ^w 9 !    
voice (  "o ( ! o!r translators1 !n     
ano!r z ! ali5's voice fl[$  f !        
l\dspeak]1 ! cool s+le words b>ely      
audible1 ov]lapp+  & bl5d+ ) x l        
translat+ ?\ght1 skipp+ unfamili>       
words1 yet q a/oni%+ly cle>4    ,rad>   
%[s no build+s or civilization ne>4 ,!  
atmosph]e ar\nd  u regi/]s z ?ick z     
glue4 ,trem5d\s gas pressure1 l[        
gravity1  no light at all4 ,y didn't    
describe x l ?is4 ,:]e are y1 ,joe8     
,?is isn't "s k9d ( trick1 is x8 ,bud   
hesitat$1 0 prompt$ by a  deep] (ficial 
voice & j]k$ out ! words4    ,if x is a 
trick1 we are ready to repel attack4    

99       99       99       99       99  
,! l+ui/ /ood li/5+4 ,he :it5$ sl[ly &  
beckon$ ! o!r  l+ui/s ov] to him &      
:isp]$ to !m4    ,joseph ,na!n look$ at 
!m ) unw>rant$ bitt] ho/ility :ile  he  
pick$ up ! h&-mike1 plugg+ x into !     
translator4 ,joe  call+1 he said quietly
 into x 9 cle>1 sl[ ,engli%4 ,no trick4 
,we  don't "k :]e y are4 ,i am try+ to  
get a direction fix f y\r  signal4      
,describe y\r surr\nd+s to u if at all  
possible4    ,ne>by1 ! floodlights blaz$
 /eadily on ! television plat=m1  ready 
= ! (ficial welcome ( ! ali5s to ,e>?4  
,! television  *annels ( ! _w _h be5    
al]t$ to set aside _! s*$ul$  programs =
 an uns*$ul$ great ev5t4 ,9 ! long room 
! p  wait$1 li/5+ = ! swell+ s\nd (     
rocket jets4    ,?is "t1 aft] ! light   
came on1 !re 0 a long delay4 ,! speak]  
sputt]$1 & sputt]$ aga91 build+ to a    
/eady scrat*+ !y  c\ld b>ely s5se z a   
dim voice4 ,x came ?r\gh 9 a few t9ny   
words  & !n wav]$ back to inaudibility4 
,! ma*9e translat$ 9 _!  e>phones4      

,tri$ 444 seem$ 444 repair4444 ,sudd5ly 
x came 9 cle>ly4 ,c't  tell if !        
auxili>y blew1 too4 ,w try x4 ,we might 
pick y up  cle>ly on ! next try4 ,i h ! 
volume d[n4 ,:]e is ! l&+  port8        
,repeat4 ,:]e is ! l&+ port8 ,:]e are y8
    ,na!n put d[n ! h&-mike & c>efully  
set a dial on ! record+  box1 & flipp$ a
 swit*1 speak+ ov] 8 %\ld]4 ,?is sets x 
to  repeat :at ,i said ! la/ "t4 ,x     
keeps repeat+4 ,!n he sat )  unnatural  
/illness1 8 head /ill half turn$1 z if  
he _h sudd5ly  caught a glimpse ( answ] 
& 0 try+ ) no success :atev] to  grasp  
x4    ,! gre5 w>n+ light cut 91 !       
record+ click$ & ! playback  ( ,bud's   
face & voice appe>$ on ! scre54    ,we  
he>d a few words1 ,joe1 & !n ! receiv]  
blew aga94 ,we're  adju/+ a view+ scre5 
to pick up ! long waves t g ?r\gh  !    
murk & conv]t !m to visible light4      
,we'll be able to see  out soon4 ,!     
eng9e] says t some?+ is wrong ) ! /]n   
jets1 & ! capta9 has _h me broadca/ a   
help call to our ne>e/  space base4 ,he 

made ! m\? ,o ( a gr94 ,! message won't 
rea* x = "s ye>s4 ,i tru/ y1 ,joe1 b get
 u out ( "h1  w y8--,!y're buzz+ t !    
scre5 is f9ally ready4 ,hold  ev]y?+4   
99       99       99       99       99  
,! scre5 w5t gray1 & ! gre5 light w5t   
(f4    ,! ,times consid]$ ! lag requir$ 
= ! help call1 ! speak+  & record+ ( !  
message j receiv$1 ! "t ne$$ to         
reconv]t a view+ scre54    ,!y "w fa/4  
,he %ift$ uneasily1 & add$ at r&om1     
,some?+  wrong ) ! "t factor4 ,all      
wrong4 ,!y "w too fa/4    ,! gre5 light 
came on aga9 imm$iately4 ,na!n half     
turn$ to him1  slid+ 8 words ha/ily into
 ! gap ( "t z ! message 0  record$ &    
sl[$4 ,!y're close en\gh = our          
transmission p[]  to bl[ _! receiv]4    
,if x 0 on ,e>?1 :y ! d>kness ar\nd !   
%ip8 ,maybe !y see  9 ! high            
ultra-violet--! atmosph]e is opaque to t
 b&1 !  ,times sugge/$ ha/ily z ! speak]
 began to talk 9 ! "y  extrat]re/rial's 
voice4    ,x 0 %ak+ n[4 ,/& by = !      
description4    ,!y t5s$1 wait+4 ,!     

,times br\ght a map ( ! /ate be=e 8     
m9d's eye4    ,a half circle ( cliffs   
ar\nd ! horizon4 ,a wide muddy lake     
sw>m+  ) swimm+ ?+s4 ,huge1 /range :ite 
foliage all ar\nd ! %ip  & incr$ibly    
huge pulpy mon/]s attack+ & eat+ ea* o!r
 on  all sides4 ,we almo/ l&$ 9 ! lake1 
"r on ! s(t edge4 ,!  mud c't hold !    
%ip's weight1 & we're s9k+4 ,! eng9e]   
says  we might be able to bla/ free1 b !
 tubes are mud-clogg$ & might  bl[ up ! 
%ip4 ,:5 c y rea* u8    ,! ,times ?\ght 
vaguely ( ! ,c>bonif]\s ,era4 ,na!n     
obvi\sly  _h se5 some?+ he _h n4    ,:]e
 are !y8 ! ,times ask$ him quietly4     
,na!n po9t$ to ! ant5na position        
indicators4 ,! ,times let 8  eyes foll[ 
! conv]g+ imag9>y l9es ( focus out !    
w9d[ to  ! sunlit airfield1 ! empty     
airfield1 ! dry+ concrete & gre5  wav+  
grass :]e ! l9es met4    ,:]e ! l9es    
met4 ,! space%ip 0 !re6    ,! fe> (     
some?+ unkn[n gripp$ him sudd5ly4    ,! 
space%ip 0 broadca/+ aga94 ,:]e are y8  
,answ] if  possible6 ,we are s9k+6 ,:]e 

are y8    ,he saw t ,na!n knew4 ,:at is 
x8 ! ,times ask$ ho>sely4 ,are  !y 9    
ano!r dim5sion or ! pa/ or on ano!r _w  
or :at8    ,na!n 0 smil+ bitt]ly1 &     
,jacob ,luke rememb]$ t ! "y  man _h a  
fri5d 9 t space%ip4 ,my guess is t !y   
evolv$  on a high-gravity planet1 ) a ?9
 atmosph]e1 ne> a blue-:ite  />4 ,sure  
!y see 9 ! ultra-violet range4 ,our sun 
is abnormally  small & dim & yell[4 ,our
 atmosph]e is s ?ick1 x scre5s out      
ultra-violet4 ,he laugh$ h>%ly4 ,a good 
joke on u1 ! weird place  we evolv$ 91 !
 ?+ x did to u6    ,:]e are y8 call$ !  
ali5 space%ip4 ,hurry1 please6 ,we're   
s9k+6           99       99       99    
99       99    ,! decod] sl[$ 8 tumbl$1 
fright5$ words & look$ up into !        
,times' face = und]/&+4 ,we'll rescue   
!m1 he said quietly4  ,y 7 "r ab\t ! "t 
factor1 "r ab\t !m mov+ at a  diff]5t   
spe$4 ,i misund]/ood4 ,?is bus9ess ab\t 
squawk cod+1  spe$+ = bett] transmission
 to c\nt]act beam wav]--,i 0 wrong4     
,:at d y mean8    ,!y don't spe$ up _!  

broadca/s4    ,!y don't--8    ,sudd5ly1 
9 8 m9d's eye1 ! ,times began to see    
aga9 ! play  he _h j se5--b ! actors 7  
mov+ at blurr+ spe$1 !  words j]k+ out 9
 a flut+1 dizzy+ /ream1 ?\ghts &        
decisions  pass+ ) unfoll[able rapidity1
 rippl+ faces 9 a twi/+ blur  (         
expressions1 doors slamm+ wildly1       
%att]+ly1 z ! actors  leap$ 9 & out (   
rooms4    ,no--fa/]1 fa/]--he wasn't    
visualiz+ x z rapidly z x 01  an h\r (  
talk & action 9 "o almo/ in/antane\s    
squawk1 a  n>r[ peak ( noise int]f]+ ) a
 s+le ^w 9 an ,e>?  broadca/6           
,fa/]--fa/]--x 0 impossible4 ,matt] c\ld
 n /&  su*                              
/ress--in]tia--mom5tum--abrupt weight4  
,x 0 insane4 ,:y8 he ask$4 ,h[8    ,na!n
 laugh$ aga9 h>%ly1 rea*+ = ! mike4 ,get
 !m out8  ,!re isn't a lake or riv] )9  
hundr$s ( miles f "h6    ,a %iv] (      
unreality w5t d[n ! ,times' sp9e4       
,automatically &  inanely1 he f\nd      
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