,syndrome ,johnny                       
,,by ,,*>les ,,dye                      
,illu/rat$ by ,,em%                     
,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,?is etext 0       
produc$ f                     ,galaxy   
,sci5ce ,fiction ,july #aiea4           
,ext5sive rese>* did n uncov] any       
evid5ce t           ! ,u4,s4 copyright  
on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4             
,! plagues t /ruck mank9d c\ld be       
attribut$                to "o man4 ,b 0
 he fi5d 444 or savior8      ,! blood 0 
add$ to a pool ( o!r blood1 mix$1       
c5trifug$1  sep>at$ to plasma &         
corpuscles1 irradiat$ slightly1         
pa/euriz$  slightly1 froz51 evaporat$1 &
 f9ally bank$4 ,"s ( ! plasma  0 us$    
imm$iately = a woman :o _h bl$ too mu* 9
 *ildbir?4    ,%e di$4    ,o!rs receiv$ 
plasma & did n die4 ,b _! symptoms      
*ang$1  includ+ a syndrome ( multiple   
endocr9e unbalance1 ecc5tricities (     
appetite & dige/ion1 & a g5]al patt]n ( 
emotional di/urbance4    ,an al]t       
hospital adm9i/rator inve/igat$ !       

mortality rise &  n>r[$ x to a "q ( :o  
_h donat$ blood ! week be=e4  ,aft] city
 resid5ts 7 elim9at$1 !re rema9$ only ! 
sign$  receipts & ?umbpr9ts ( n9e m54   
,n9e heal?y unregi/]$  travel]s poor    
en\gh to sell _! blood = money1 & among 
!m a  man :o c>ri$ dea? 9 8 ve9s4 ,! n9e
 ?umbpr9ts 7 broadca/  to all police    
files & a se>* began4    ,! ef=t 0      
futile1 = !re 7 _m victims :o _h sick5$ 
&  gr[n p>tially well aga9 )\t recogniz+
 ! /rang5ess ( _!  illness4    ,?ree    
ye>s lat] !y rea*$ ! c>ri] /age & !     
epidemic  spread to f\r cities4 ,?ree m 
ye>s1 & !re 0 an epidemic  :i* spread   
ar\nd ! _w1 meet+ ano!r wave com+ f !   
opposite direction4 ,x kill$ two out (  
f\r1 fifty out ( a hundr$1  tw5ty-sev5  
million out ( fifty million4 ,!re 0     
hy/]ia :]e  x appe>$4 ,& :]e x _h n     
appe>$ !re 7 qu>ant9es to  f5ce x out4  
,b x c\ld n be f5c$ out4 ,= two ye>s x  
cov]$  ! _w4 ,& !n x vani%$ aga91 leav+ 
! survivors ) a  t5d5cy t[>d gl&ul>     
tr\bles4    ,"t pass$4 ,! _w grew ri*]1 

m ord]ly1 m peaceful4    ,a man paus$ 9 
! mid/ ( 8 "w at ! ,u4,n4 ,food &       
,agriculture  ,commission4 ,he look$ up 
at ! r$ & gre5 production map ( ,india4 
,j too _m p p] acre1 he said4 ,all our  
"w at improv+  production 444 j "o jump 
ahead ( _! ris+ population1 "o jump     
ahead ( fam9e4 ,sometimes ,i wi% to ,god
 !re w\ld be ano!r plague  to give u a  
brea?+ spell & a fair *ance to get ?+s  
organiz$4    ,he w5t back to "w & add$  
ano!r figure4    ,two mon?s lat]1 he 0  
"o ( ! fir/ victims ( ! second plague4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,9 ! d9+ hall ( a univ]sity1 a          
bio*emical /ud5t glanc$ up  f 8 pap] to 
8 breakfa/ companion4 ,y rememb]        
,johnny1 !  my?ical c>ri] t !y told ab\t
 dur+ ! fir/ & second  epidemics (      
,syndrome ,plague8    ,sure4 ,syndrome  
,johnny4 ,!y use t my? 9 psy*ology class
 z a  typical example ( mass hy/]ia4 ,:5
 a city 0 n]v\s & expect+  ! plague to  
rea* !m1 "s sup]/iti\s fool w\ld imag9e 
he saw  ,syndrome ,johnny & ! population

 w\ld panic4 ,symbol = ,dea? or  "s su* 
?+4 ,p imag9$ !y saw him 9 e corn] ( !  
_w4 ,simultane\sly1 ( c\rse4    ,x 0 a  
bright morn+ & !y 7 at a w9d[ :i* look$ 
out  across gre5 roll+ fields to a t[]+ 
glass-brick build+ 9 !  di/ance4    ,!  
/ud5t :o _h gone back to 8 pap] sudd5ly 
look$ up aga94  ,"s ,p]uvians "h claim  
!y saw ,syndrome ,johnny--    ,idiotic  
sup]/ition6 ,y'd ?9k x w\ld h di$ d[n :5
 !  plague di$4    ,! o!r gr9n$4 ,!     
plague didn't die4 ,he fold$ 8 newspap] 
sl[ly1 obvi\sly advanc+ an op5+ = a     
debate4    ,8 companion w5t on eat+4    
,ano!r ( y\r wild !ories1 huh8  ,!n     
?r\gh a m\?ful ( food3 ,all "r1 if !    
plague didn't die1  :]e did x g8        
,n[h]e4 ,we h x n[4 ,we all h x6 ,he    
%rugg$4 ,a virus  cataly/ ( high aff9ity
 = ! cells & a high simil>ity to a      
normal cell prote9--h[ c x be detect$8  
,!n :y don't p die8 ,:y ar5't we sick8  
,because we h sick5$ & recov]$4 ,we     
caught x on conception  & recov]$ be=e  
bir?4 ,pro(8 ,:y d y ?9k t ! c\ntries   

:i* 7 kn[n z ! ,hungry ,l&s are n[      
well-f$1 leisur$1  educat$1 advanc$8    
,because ! bir? rate has fall56 ,:y has 
!  bir? rate fall58 ,he paus$1 !n v     
c>efully said1 ,because two  out ( ?ree 
( all p :o w\ld h liv$ h di$ be=e bir?1 
sla9 by ,syndrome ,plague4 ,we are all  
c>ri]s n[1 ho/s to a new  gue/4 ,&--8   
voice dropp$ to a mock s9i/] :isp]--)   
su* a  /rang] )9 our cells1 at ! he>t ( 
! intricate ma*9]y (  our lives1 :o kn[s
 :at subtle *anges h crept ^u u         
unnotic$6    ,8 companion laugh$4 ,eat  
y\r breakfa/4 ,y belong on a horror     
program6           99       99       99 
99       99    ,a police psy*ologi/ = ! 
,f$]at$ ,/ates ( ,! ,am]icas 0  runn+   
?r\gh reports f ! ,bureau ( ,social     
,/ati/ics4 ,sudd5ly  he grunt$1 !n a    
mom5t lat] said1 ,uh-huh6    ,uh-huh    
:at8 ask$ 8 sup]ior1 :o 0 read+ a       
newspap] ) 8  feet up on ! desk4        
,rememb] ! my?1 ( ,syndrome ,johnny8    
,gho/ ( ,syndrome ,plague4 ,si1 :at ( x8
    ,titaquahapahel1 ,p]u1 population   

n9e hundr$1 s5t 9 a claim t he  turn$ up
 !re & !y almo/ caught him4 ,crime      
,/ati/ics r]\t$  ! report to ,mass      
,ph5om5a1 ( c\rse4 ,mass ,ph5om5a blew a
 tube &  s5t _! fold] on ,syndrome      
,johnny ov] "h4 ,e report !y ev]  _h on 
him = n9ety ye>s back6 ,a memo came ) x4
 ,he h&$ !  memo ov]4    ,! man beh9d ! 
desk look$ at x4 ,x 0 a small graph & "s
  ma!matical symbols4 ,:at is x8    ,x  
means1 said ! psy*ologi/1 smil+ dryly1 t
 e crazy  report ab\t our gho/ has po9ts
 ( simil>ity to e o!r crazy  report4 ,! 
:ole bus9ess ( ,syndrome ,johnny has be5
 9 _! 'funny  co9cid5ce' file = tw5ty   
ye>s4 ,?is "t ! suspect hits !  av]ag$  
description ( ,johnny too closely3 ,a   
solid-look+ man1  unusual numb] (       
visible m9or sc>s1 & a di/urb+ habit (  
b5d+ 8 f+]s at ! fir/-jo9t knuckles :5  
he is ?9k+4  ,! co9cid5ce has gott5 too 
damn funny4 ,!re's a *ance we've be5    
pass+ up a crime4    ,an ext5sive crime1
 said ! man at ! desk s(tly4 ,he rea*$  
= ! fold]4 ,yes1 a consid]able quantity 

( murd]4 ,he leaf$  ?r\gh ! fold] & !n  
?\ght a :ile1 look+ at ! mo/ rec5t      
reports4 ,?9k+ 0 :at he 0 paid =1 & he  
e>n$ 8 excell5t  sal>y4    ,?is ?umbpr9t
 on ! hotel regi/]--! "n is false1 b !  
?umbpr9t looks real4 ,c\ld we p]suade ! 
,bureau ( ,records to give  _! data on t
 pr9t8    ,)\t a w>rant8 ,aga9/         
con/itutional immunity4 ,no1 n a *ance4 
,! public has be5 t\*y ab\t ! "r to     
secrecy ev] s9ce t  police /ate 0       
attempt$ 9 ,v>ga4    ,h[ ab\t p]suad+ an
 oblig+ judge to give a w>rant on gr\nds
 (  reasonable suspicion8    ,no4 ,we'd 
h ! humani/ press d[n on our necks 9 a  
m9ute1 &  any judge kn[s x4 ,we'd h to  
prove a crime 0 committ$4 ,no crime1  no
 w>rant4    ,x seems a pity we c't ev5  
f9d out :o ! g5tleman is1 !  ,crimes    
,dep>tm5t head murmur$1 look+ at !      
?umbpr9t wi/fully4  ,no crime1 no       
records4 ,no records1 no evid5ce4 ,no   
evid5ce1 no pro(  ( crime4 ,!re=e1 we   
mu/ manufacture a small crime4 ,he 0    
attack$  & he mu/ h def5d$ himself4     

,someone may h be5 hurt 9 !  process4   
,he pu%$ a button4 ,d y ?9k if ,i s5d a 
man d[n !re1  he c\ld p]suade "o ( ! mob
 to swe> out a compla9t8    ,t's a      
rhetorical "q1 said ! psy*ologi/1 try+  
to "w  out an unc]ta9 correlation 9 8   
reports4 ,) t sort ( mob  hy/]ia1 ! t[n 
w\ld probably give y an affidavit (     
wit*craft4           99       99        
99       99       99    ,phone = y1     
,doctor ,alcala4 ,! nurse 0 crisp b     
quiet1 smil+  d[n at ! little girl be=e 
vani%+ aga94    ,ric>do ,alcala pu%$ !  
plung] 9 g5tly1 !n c>efully )drew  !    
hypod]mic ne$le f ! little girl's arm4  
,!re y are1  ,cosita1 he said1 smil+ &  
ris+ f ! *air beside ! :ite  b$4    ,w t
 make me bett]1 ,doctor8 %e pip$ feebly4
    ,he patt$ h] h&4 ,be a good girl & y
 w be well tomorr[4 ,he  walk$ out into 
! hospital corridor to :]e ! desk nurse 
held out  a phone4    ,alcala speak+4   
,! voice 0 unfamili>4 ,my deepe/        
apologies = int]rupt+ y\r  "w1 ,doctor4 
,at ?is late h\r ,i'm afraid ,i assum$ y

 w\ld be at  home4 ,! "n is ,camba1     
,f$]ation ,inve/igator on a heal? case4 
,i  w\ld l to consult y4    ,alcala 0   
tir$1 b !re 0 no?+ to d at home4 ,nita 0
 at !  heal? resort & ,johnny _h borr[$ 
all 8 laboratory space = a  special     
syn!sis ( "s sort1 & probably w\ld be   
too busy ev5  to talk4 ,int]e/ /irr$ 9  
him4 ,?is 0 a ,f$]ation inve/igator     
call+2 ! man's "w 0 probably important4 
,tonight1 if t's  conv5i5t4 ,i'll be (f 
duty 9 five m9utes4    ,?irty m9utes    
lat] !y 7 ord]+ 9 a small cant9a d[n !  
/reet f ! hospital4    ,julio ,camba1   
,f$]ation ,inve/igator1 0 a sl5d]1 d>k  
man )  %>p1 gl9t+ eyes4 ,he spoke ) a   
happy !atrical fl\ri%4    ,ord] :at y   
*oose1 ,s5or4 ,we're on my exp5se       
acc\nt4 ,!  res\rces ( ! ,f$]at$ ,/ates 
( all ,! ,am]icas /& beh9d y\r  m5u4    
,alcala smil$4 ,i w\ldn't want to add to
 ! national debt4    ,n at all1 ,s5or4  
,! ,f$]at$ ,/ates are only too happy ?us
 to  express a fraction ( _! gratitude  
by add+ a t\* ( luxury to  ! o!rwise    

b>r5 & self-sacrific+ life ( a sci5ti/4 
,y %ame me1 ,alcala said dryly4 ,x 0    
true t he ne$$  e sp>e p5ny = ! heal? ( 
,nita & ! *ild1 & = !  laboratory4 ,a   
p5ny sav$ f be+ sp5t on n\ri%m5t 0 a    
p5ny  e>n$4 ,he pick$ up ! m5u aga9 &   
ord]$ /eak4    ,! inve/igator lit a     
cig>1 ask+ casually3 ,d y "k ,john      
,osborne ,drake8           99       99  
99       99       99    ,alcala se>*$ 8 
memory4 ,no4 ,i'm sorry4444 ,!n he felt 
= !  fir/ "t h[ closely he 0 be+ wat*$1 
& knew h[ c>efully 8  reaction & ! tone 
( 8 voice _h be5 analyz$4 ,! int]view 0 
dang]\s4 ,= "s reason1 he 0 suspect$ (  
some?+4    ,camba f9i%$ light+ ! cig> & 
dropp$ ! mat* into an  a%-tray4 ,p]haps 
y "k ,john ,delgados8 ,he lean$ back    
into !  %ad[y corn] ( ! boo?4           
,johnny6 ,out ( all ! p 9 ! _w1 h[ c\ld 
! gov]nm5t be  int]e/$ 9 him8 ,alcala   
tri$ to s\nd casual4 ,an associate (    
m9e4  ,a fri5d4    ,i w\ld l to contact 
! g5tleman4 ,! reque/ 0 completely      
un=ceful1 undem&+4 ,i call$1 b he 0 n at

 home4 ,c\ld y  tell me :]e he might be8
    ,i'm sorry1 ,s5or ,camba1 b ,i _c   
say4 ,he c\ld be on a bus9ess  trip4    
,alcala 0 feel+ increas+ly n]v\s4       
,actually1 ,johnny 0  work+ at 8        
laboratory4    ,:at d y "k ( 8          
activities8 ,camba ask$4    ,a bio*emi/4
 ,alcala tri$ to see pa/ ! m$itative    
mask ( !  ?9 d>k face4 ,he makes small  
job-lots ( *emical comp\nds4 ,special   
bug spray = sale to exp]im5tal          
plantations1 hormone spray =  fruits1 t 
sort ( ?+4 ,sometimes1 :5 he collects "s
 money  ahead1 he does rese>*4    ,camba
 wait$1 & 8 sil5ce became a "q4 ,alcala 
spoke  reluctantly1 ang] ris+ 9 him4    
,oh1 x's g5u9e rese>*4 ,he has  "s      
pat5ts & publications to 8 cr$it4 ,y c  
confirm t if  y *oose4 ,he 0 unable to  
keep ! ho/ility out ( 8 voice4    ,a    
wait] came & plac$ /eam+ platt]s ( food 
on ! table4 ,camba  wait$ until he 0    
gone4 ,y "k him well1 ,i presume4 ,is he
 sane8    ,! "q 0 ano!r %ock4 ,alcala   
?\ght c>efully1 = any man  might be     

insane 9 secret4 ,yes1 s f> z ,i "k4 ,he
 turn$ 8  att5tion to ! /eak1 b fir/    
took ?ree v l>ge capsules f a  bottle 9 
8 pocket4    ,i w\ld n expect t a doctor
 w\ld ne$ to take pills1 ,camba  rem>k$ 
) fri5dly mock]y4    ,i don't ne$ !m1   
,alcala expla9$4 ,mix$ silicones4 ,i'm  
gu9ea  pigg+4    ,c't su* ?+s be left to
 ! gu9ea pigs8 ,camba ask$1 wat*+  )    
revulsion z ,alcala uncapp$ ! second    
bottle & spr9kl$ a  lay] ( gray p[d] ov]
 8 /eak4    ,gu9ea pigs h no            
assimilation ( silicones2 only man has  
t4    ,yes1 ( c\rse4 ,i %\ld h rememb]$ 
f y\r fam\s pap]s1 ,!  ,ne$ ,( ,trace   
,silicon ,9 ,human ,diet & ,silicon     
,defici5cy ,diseases4           99      
99       99       99       99           
,obvi\sly ,camba _h done consid]able    
inve/igat+ ( ,alcala be=e  approa*+ him4
 ,he _h ev5 giv5 ! titles ( ! rese>*    
pap]s  correctly4 ,alcala's w>9ess      
increas$4    ,:at is ! purpose ( !      
exp]im5t ?is "t8 ask$ ! small d>k       
,f$]ation ag5t g5ially4    ,to det]m9e !

 safe limits ( silicon consumption & if 
!re are  any dang]s 9 an ov]dose4    ,h[
 d y det]m9e t8 ,by dropp+ dead8    ,he 
c\ld be "r4 ,p]haps ! te/ %\ld be /opp$4
 ,e day1 )  gr[+ uneas9ess1 ,alcala took
 8 dose ( silicon comp\nd1 & e  day1 !  
*emical seem$ to be absorb$             
completely--n releas$ or  excret$--9 a  
way t 0 unpleasantly rem9isc5t ( ! way  
ars5ic  accumulat$ )\t evid5t damage1 !n
 kill$ abruptly )\t  w>n+4    ,already1 
?is ev5+1 he _h notic$ t !re 0 some?+   
faulty  ab\t 8 coord9ation & weight &   
surface s5se4 ,! re/aurant  door _h     
swung back ) a curi\s lightness1 & !    
holl[ metal  h&le _h _h a curi\s s(tness
 "u 8 f+]s4 ,some?+ m]ely  go+ wrong ) !
 s5sitivity ( 8 f+]s--8    ,he tapp$ 8  
f+]tips on ! heavy inde/ructible        
silicone pla/ic  table top4 ,!re 0 a    
feel+ ( heav9ess 9 8 h&s1 & a feel+  (  
fa9t rubb]y give 9 ! table4    ,tapp+ 8 
f+]s g5tly1 8 heavy f+]s 444 ! answ] 0  
dreamily fanta/ic4 ,i'm turn+ into      
silicon pla/ic myself1 he  ?\ght4 ,b h[1

 :y8 ,he _h n bo!r$ to be curi\s be=e1 b
  ! "q _h always be5--:at 7 suppos$ly   
insoluble silicons  do+ assimilat+ into 
! human body at all8    ,sev]al mom5ts  
pass$4 ,he smoo!d back 8 hair ) 8 oddly 
heavy  h& be=e pick+ up 8 =k aga94      
,i'm turn+ into pla/ic1 he told ,camba4 
,i beg y\r p>don8    ,no?+4 ,a joke4    
,camba 0 turn+ into pla/ic1 too4        
,ev]yone 04 ,b ! effect 0  accumulat+   
sl[ly1 by g5]ations4           99       
99       99       99       99    ,camba 
lay d[n 8 knife & />t$ 9 aga94 ,:at     
connections h  y _h ) ,john ,delgados8  
,conc5trate on ! imm$iate situation4    
,alcala & ,johnny 7  obvi\sly 9 dang] ( 
"s sort ( mi/ak5 arre/ & int]rogation4  
,z ,alcala focus$ on ! "q1 "o errant    
:imsical ?\ght  sudd5ly flitt$ ?r\gh !  
back ( 8 m9d4 ,9 r$ adv]tis+  lett]s3   
,,try ,,our ,,new ,,model ,,ru/-,,pro(1 
,,wat]pro(1 ,,heat  ,,scald  ,,resi/ant1
 ,,/rong--,,extra-,,long-,,we>+ ,,human 
,,be+6    ,he laugh$ inw>dly & f9ally   
answ]$3 ,fri5d%ip4 ,mutual int]e/  9    

high ion colloidal susp5sions & complex 
syn!sis4 ,impati5ce  sudd5ly ma/]$ him4 
,exactly :at is x y wi% to "k1 ,s5or8   
,p]haps ,i c\ld in=m y if ,i knew !     
reasons = y\r int]e/4    ,camba *ose a  
piece ( salad ) great c>e4 ,we h reason 
to  believe t he is ,syndrome ,johnny4  
,alcala wait$ = ! words to cl>ify4 ,aft]
 a mom5t1 x ceas$ to  be *ildi% babble &
 became increas+ly %ock+4 ,he rememb]$ !
  fir/ "t he _h met ,john ,delgados1 !  
smile1 ! /rong h&clasp4  ,call me       
,johnny1 he _h said4 ,x _h seem$ no m   
?an a nickname4    ,! inve/igator 0     
wat*+ 8 expression ) bright br[n eyes4  
,johnny1 yes 444 b n ,syndrome ,johnny4 
,he tri$ to ?9k ( "s  quick refutation4 
,! :ole ?+ is prepo/]\s1 ,s5or ,camba4  
,!  my? ( ,syndrome ,plague ,johnny />t$
 ab\t a c5tury ago4    ,doctor          
,alcala--! small man 9 ! gray suit 0    
t5sely  sob]--,john ,delgados is v old1 
& ,john ,delgados is n 8 prop]  "n4 ,i h
 trac$ 8 life back & back1 ?r\gh old] & 
old]  records 9 ,arg5t9a1 ,panama1 ,s\? 

,africa1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ,*9a1         
,canada4 ,ev]y:]e he has paid 8 taxes   
prop]ly1 put 8 f+]pr9ts  on file z a    
good citiz5 %\ld4 ,& he *ang$ 8 "n e    
tw5ty  ye>s1 apply+ to ! c\rts =        
p]mission ) good hone/ reasons  = *ang+ 
8 "n4 ,ev]y:]e he has be5 a laboratory  
work]1 held  pat5ts1 sometimes made a   
good deal ( money4 ,he is "o hundr$ &   
=ty ye>s old4 ,8 fir/ income tax 0 paid 
9 #aigj1 exactly "o  hundr$ & tw5ty ye>s
 ago4    ,o!r m5 are t old1 said        
,alcala4    ,o!r m5 are old1 yes4 ,^? :o
 surviv$ ! two successive plagues1  7   
unusually durable4 ,camba f9i%$ & pu%$  
back 8 plate4  ,!re is no crime 9 be+   
long-liv$1 surely4 ,b he has *ang$ 8  "n
 five times6    ,t proves no?+4 ,:atev] 
8 reasons = *ang+ 8 "n1 x  doesn't prove
 t he is ,syndrome ,johnny any m ?an x  
proves he  is ! c[ t jump$ ov] ! moon4  
,syndrome ,johnny is a my?1 a  figm5t ( 
mob delirium4           99       99     
99       99       99    ,z he said x1 he
 knew x 0 n true4 ,a ,f$]ation          

inve/igator w\ld  n be on a wild goose  
*ase4    ,! plates 7 tak5 away & cups ( 
/eam+ black c(fee put  betwe5 !m4 ,he   
w\ld h to w>n ,johnny4 ,x 0 /range h[   
well y  c\ld "k a man z well z he knew  
,johnny1 firmly en\gh to believe  t1    
despite evid5ce1 ev]y?+ ! man did 0 "r4 
,:y mu/ x be a my?8 ,camba ask$ s(tly4  
,x's ridicul\s6 ,alcala prote/$4 ,:y    
w\ld any man-- ,8 voice  cut (f z       
unrelat$ facts fell into a patt]n4 ,he  
sat = a mom5t1  ?9k+ int5sely1 see+ !   
c5tury ( plague z some?+ he _h  nev]    
dream$4444    ,a price4    ,n too high a
 price 9 ! long run1 consid]+ :at 0     
pur*as$4  ,( c\rse1 ! great *ange ov]   
into silicon catalysis w\ld be a  %ock &
 require adju/m5t &1 ( c\rse1 ! *ange   
mu/ be made 9  sev]al easy /ages--& ^?  
:o c\ld n adju/ w\ld die4    ,g on1     
,doctor1 ,camba urg$ s(tly4 ',:y w\ld   
any man--'    ,he tri$ to f9d a way (   
expla9+ :i* w\ld n seem to h any        
relation%ip to ,john ,delgados4 ,x has  
be5 rec5tly discov]$--b  he did n say h[

 rec5tly--t ! disease ( ,syndrome       
,plague  0 n a disease4 ,x is an        
improvem5t4 ,he _h spok5 clumsily4      
,an improvem5t on life8 ,camba laugh$ & 
nodd$1 b !re 7  bitt]ness & ang] burn+  
beh9d ! small man's smile4 ,p  c be     
improv$ to dea? by ! millions4 ,yes1    
yes1 g on1 ,s5or4 ,y  fasc9ate me4      
,we are /rong]1 ,alcala told him4 ,we   
are *ang$ *emically4 ,!  race has be5   
improv$6    ,come1 ,doctor ,alcala1     
,camba said ) a sne]+ m]rim5t1 !        
,syndrome ,plagues h come & !y h gone4  
,:]e is ?is *ange8    ,alcala tri$ to   
express x cle>ly4 ,we are /rong]4       
,pot5tially1 we  are trem5d\sly /rong]4 
,b we ( ?is g5]ation are /ill weak  &   
ill1 z our p>5ts 71 f ! %ock ( ! *ange4 
,& we  ne$ silicone fe$+2 we h n adju/$ 
yet4 ,our illness masks our  /r5g?4 ,he 
?\ght ( :at t /r5g? w\ld be6    ,camba  
smil$ & took out a small notebook4 ,!   
disease is connect$  ) silicones1 y say8
 ,! orig9al "n ( ,john ,delgados 0 ,john
  ,osborne ,drake4 ,8 fa!r 0 ,osborne   

,drake1 a *emi/ at ,d[ ,corn+1  :o 0    
s5t5c$ to ! electric *air 9 #aifg =     
unau?oriz$  bact]ial exp]im5ts :i*      
result$ 9 an accid5tal epidemic &  eight
 dea?s4 ,d[ ,corn+ 0 ! fir/ major       
manufactury ( silicones  9 ,am]ica1 ?\gh
 n connect$ 9 any way ) ,osborne        
,drake's  crim9al exp]im5ts4 ,x l9ks    
toge!r1 does x n8    ,x is n a disease1 
x is /r5g?6 ,alcala insi/$ dogg$ly4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,! small inve/igator look$ up f 8       
notebook & 8 smile 0  an unnatural ?+1 a
 b>+ ( tee?4 ,half ! _w di$ ( ?is       
/r5g?1 ,s5or4 ,if y w n ?9k ( ! m5 &    
wom51 ?9k (  ! *ildr54 ,millions (      
*ildr5 di$6    ,! wait] br\ght ! bill1  
dropp+ x on ! table betwe5 !m4    ,lives
 w be sav$ 9 ! long run1 ,alcala said   
ob/9ately4  ,individual dea?s are n     
important 9 ! long run4    ,t is h>dly !
 philosophy = a doctor1 is x8 ask$      
,camba )  op5 irony1 tak+ ! bill & ris+4
    ,!y w5t out ( ! re/aurant 9 sil5ce4 
,camba's 'copt] /ood at  ! curb4        

,w\ld y c>e = a lift home1 ,doctor      
,alcala8 ,! (f] 0 made  ) ! utmo/       
suavity4    ,alcala hesitat$            
fractionally4 ,:y1 yes1 ?ank y4 ,x w\ld 
n d  to give ! inve/igator any reason = 
suspicion by refus+4    ,z ! 'copt]     
lift$ into ! air1 ,camba spoke ) a m    
fri5dly  note 9 8 voice1 z if he humor$ 
a *ild4 ,come1 ,alcala1 y're a  doctor  
d$icat$ to sav+ lives4 ,h[ c y f9d      
sympa?y = a  murd]]8    ,alcala sat 9 ! 
d>k1 look+ ?r\gh ! w9d%ield d[n at !    
bright /reet fall+ away bel[4 ,i'm n a  
practic+ m$ico2 only  "o night a week d 
,i come to ! hospital4 ,i'm a rese>*    
man4 ,i don't  try to save individual   
lives4 ,i'm d$icat$ to improv+ ! av]age 
life1 ! av]age heal?4 ,c y und]/& t8    
,individuals may be  sick & individuals 
may die1 b ! av]age lives on4 ,& if !   
av]age is bett]1 !n ,i'm satisfi$4    ,!
 'copt] flew on4 ,!re 0 no answ]4       
,i'm n good ) words1 said ,alcala4 ,!n1 
tak+ out 8 p5-knife  & unfold+ x1 he    
said1 ,wat*6 ,he put 8 index f+] on !   

altimet] dial1 :]e !re 0 light1 & press$
 ! blade aga9/  ! fle% betwe5 8 f+] & 8 
?umb4 ,he increas$ ! pressure  until !  
fle% /ood out :ite on ei!r side ( !     
blade1 b5d+1  b n cut4    ,?ree         
g5]ations back1 ?is pressure w\ld h gone
 "r ?r\gh  ! h&4 ,he took away ! blade &
 !re 0 only a v t9y cut4  ,putt+ ! knife
 away1 he br\ght out 8 light]4 ,! blue  
flame  0 /eady & hot4 ,alcala held x    
close to ! da%bo>d & put 8  f+] directly
 ov] x1 c\nt+ pati5tly1 ,"o1 two1 ?ree1 
f\r1  five-- ,he pull$ ! light] back1   
snapp+ x %ut4    ,?ree g5]ations ago1 a 
man c\ldn't h held a f+] ov] t  flame = 
m ?an a t5? "p ( t c\nt4 ,doesn't all   
?is prove  some?+ to y8    ,! 'copt] 0  
hov]+ above ,alcala's h\se4 ,camba l[]$ 
x to  ! gr\nd & op5$ ! door be=e answ]+4
 ,x proves only t  a good & wor?y man w 
cut & burn 8 h& = an unwor?y  fri5d%ip4 
,good night4    ,disconc]t$1 ,alcala    
wat*$ ! 'copt] lift away into ! night1  
!n1 turn+1 saw t ! lights 7 /ill on 9 ! 
laboratory4  ,camba might h d$uc$ some?+

 f t1 if he knew t ,nita &  ! girl 7 n  
suppos$ to be home4    ,alcala hurri$ 94
    ,johnny hadn't left yet4 ,he 0 sitt+
 at ,alcala's desk ) 8 feet  on !       
wa/ebasket1 ! way ,alcala (t5 lik$ to   
sit1 read+ a  te*nical j\rnal4 ,he look$
 up1 smil+4 ,= a mom5t ,alcala saw him  
) ! new cl>ity ( a /rang]4 ,! lean1     
wea!r$ face2 br[n  eyes ) smile deltas  
at ! corn]s2 wide %\ld]s2 /eady1 big    
h&s hold+ ! magaz9e--solid1 able1 &     
ru?less en\gh to see  :at _h to be done1
 & d x4    ,i 0 wait+ = y1 ,ric4    ,!  
,f$s are aft] y4 ,ric>do ,alcala _h be5 
runn+4 ,he f\nd he  0 pant+ & 8 he>t 0  
p\nd+4    ,delgados' smile did n *ange4 
,x's all "r1 ,ric4 ,ev]y?+'s  done4 ,i c
 leave any "t n[4 ,he indicat$ a squ>e  
metal box  /&+ 9 a corn]4 ,!re's ! /uff4
    ,:at /uff8 ,! product ,johnny _h be5
 work+ on8 ,y hav5't "t  = t n[1        
,johnny4 ,y c't sell x4 ,!y'd wat* =    
anyone (  y\r description sell+         
*emicals4 ,let me loan y "s money4      
,?anks4 ,johnny 0 smil+ oddly4 ,ev]y?+'s

 set4 ,i won't ne$ x4  ,h[ close are !y 
to f9d+ me8    ,!y don't "k :]e y're    
/ay+4 ,alcala lean$ on ! desk edge  &   
put out 8 h&4 ,!y tell me y're ,syndrome
 ,johnny4    ,i ?\ght y'd figur$ t "o   
out4 ,johnny %ook 8 h& =mally4  ,! "n is
 ,john ,osborne ,drake4 ,y ar5't        
horrifi$8    ,no4 ,alcala knew t he 0   
%ak+ h&s ) a man :o w\ld be  ?ank$ d[n  
all ! successive g5]ations ( mank9d4 ,he
 notic$  aga9 ! odd :ite web-"w ( sc>s  
on ! back ( ,johnny's h&4 ,he  indicat$ 
!m z casually z he c\ld4 ,:]e did y pick
 ^? up8           99       99       99  
99       99    ,john ,drake glanc$ at 8 
h&4 ,i don't "k1 ,ric4 ,tru?fully4      
,i've _h my bra9s beat5 9 too (t5 to    
rememb] mu* any m4  ,unimportant4 ,!re  
are in/ructions outl9+ plans & me?ods   
fil$  9 safety deposit boxes 9 almo/ e  
big city 9 ! _w4 ,always  ! same typ+1  
always ! same in/ructions4 ,i c't       
rememb] :o  typ$ !m1 myself or my fa!r1 
b ,i mu/ h be5 expect$ to  =get or !y   
w\ldn't be !re4 ,up to elev51 my memory 

is all "r1  b aft] ,dad />t$ to remake  
me1 ev]y?+ gets fuzzy4    ,aft] he did  
:at8    ,johnny smil$ tir$ly & re/$ 8   
head on "o h&4 ,he _h to  remake me     
*emically1 y "k4 ,h[ c\ld ,i spread     
*ange )\t  be+ *ang$ myself8 ,i c\ldn't 
h two g5]ations to adapt to  x naturally
 l y1 ,ric4 ,x _h to be done            
artificially4 ,x took  ye>s4 ,y und]/&8 
,i'm a community1 a con/ruction4 ,!     
cells t  c>ry on ! silicon metabolism 9 
me are n human4 ,dad adapt$ !m  = !     
purpose4 ,i help$1 b ,i c't rememb] any 
long] h[ x 0  done4 ,i ?9k :5 ,i've be5 
badly damag$1 organization scatt]s to  !
 sep>ate cells 9 my body4 ,!y c survive 
bett] t way1 &  !y h p[]s ( regr\p+ &   
heal+4 ,b memory c't be pa/$  toge!r    
aga9 or regr[n4    ,john ,drake rose &  
look$ ar\nd ! laboratory ) some?+ l     
triumph4 ,!y're too late4 ,i made x1    
,ric4 ,!re's ! cataly/  cool+ ov] !re4  
,?is is ! la/ /ep4 ,i don't ?9k ,i'll   
survive  ?is plague1 b ,i'll la/ long   
en\gh to set x go+ = ! f9i%4  ,! police 

won't /op me until x's too late4        
99       99       99       99       99  
,ano!r plague6    ,! la/ "o _h be5 be=e 
,alcala 0 born4 ,he _h n ?\ght t        
,johnny w\ld />t ano!r4 ,x 0 a %ock4    
,alcala walk$ ov] to ! cage :]e he kept 
8 :ite mice & look$  91 try+ to sort out
 8 feel+s4 ,! :ite mice look$ back  )   
beady bright eyes1 cag$1 n kn[+ !y 7    
wait+ to be  exp]im5t$ ^u4    ,a tim]   
click$ & ,john ,delgados-,drake became  
all rapid effici5t  activity1 mov+ f    
valve to valve4 ,x la/$ a half m9ute or 
less1  !n ,drake _h f9i%$ /ripp+ (f !   
lab :ites to 8 /reet  clo!s4 ,he pick$  
up ! squ>e metal box conta9+ ! /uff he  
_h  made1 tuck$ x "u 8 arm & held out a 
solid h& aga9 to ,alcala4    ,good-by1  
,ric4 ,wi% me luck4 ,close up ! lab =   
me1 w y8    ,alcala took ! h& numbly &  
mumbl$ some?+1 turn$ back to !  cages & 
/>$ bl9dly at ! mice4 ,drake's brisk    
foot/eps clatt]$  d[n ! /airs4          
99       99       99       99       99  
,ano!r /ep =w>d = ! human race4    ,god 

knew :at wond]s = ! race 7 9 t box4     
,p]haps some?+  = n]ve con/ruction1     
some?+ = ! m9d--! la/ & mo/  important  
/ep4 ,he %\ld h ask$4    ,!re came at   
la/ a pressure t 0 a ?\ght em]g+ f !    
dep? ( intuition4 ,doctor ,ric>do       
,alcala w die 9 ! next plague1  he & 8  
ill wife ,nita & 8 ill little girl4444  
,& ! "n (  ,alcala w die =ev] z a weak  
/ra9 blott$ f ! blood/ream  ( ! race4444
    ,he'd f9d out :at 0 9 ! box by dy+ (
 x6    ,he tri$ to reason x out1 b only 
c\ld rememb] t ,nita1 already  sickly1  
w\ld h no *ance4 ,& ,alcala's family    
g5es1 9 attempt+  to adapt to ! previ\s 
/eps1 _h become almo/ /]ile4 ,x _h be5  
difficult hav+ *ildr54 ,! next /ep w\ld 
mean complete /]ility4  ,! "n ( ,alcala 
w\ld die4 ,! future might be wond]ful1 b
 x  w\ld n be 8 future6    ,johnny6 he  
call$ sudd5ly1 some?+ l an icy lump     
h>d5+ 9  8 *e/4 ,h[ long _h x be5 s9ce  
,johnny _h left8    ,runn+1 ,alcala w5t 
d[n ! long half-lit /airs1 out ! back   
door  & along ! d>k pa? t[>d ! place :]e

 ,johnny's 'copt] _h  be5 p>k$4    ,a   
light %one ?r\gh ! leaves4 ,x 0 /ill    
!re4    ,johnny6    ,john ,osborne      
,drake 0 putt+ 8 suitcase into ! re> ( !
  'copt]4    ,:at is x1 ,ric8 he ask$ 9 
a fri5dly voice )\t turn+4    ,x w\ld be
 impossible to ask him to *ange 8 m9d4  
,alcala f\nd  a rock1 rais$ x beh9d     
,syndrome ,johnny's back4 ,i "k ,i'm be+
  anti-social1 he said regretfully1 & !n
 ?rew ! rock away4    ,8 fi/ 0 en\gh l  
/one to cru% a skull4