Конец вечности

           Ifhisdisturbingpresencecouldonlybemadedisturbingenoughatsomekeypoint,adifferentbranchofpossibilitywouldbecomereal,abranchinwhichmillionsofpleasure-seekingwomenwouldfindthemselvestransformedintotrue,pure-heartedmothers.TheywouldbeinanotherRealitywithallthememoriesthatbelongedwithit,unabletotell,dream,orfancythattheyhadeverbeenanythingelse.

           Unfortunately,todothat,hewouldhavetostepoutsidetheboundsofthespatio-temporalchartandthatwasunthinkable.Evenifitweren’t,tostepoutsidetheboundsatrandomcouldchangeRealityinmanypossibleways.Itcouldbemadeworse.OnlycarefulanalysisandComputingcouldproperlypin-pointthenatureofaRealityChange.

           Outwardly,whateverhisprivateopinions,HarlanremainedanObserver,andtheidealObserverwasmerelyasetofsense-perceptivenervepatchesattachedtoareport-writingmechanism.Betweenperceptionandreporttheremustbenointerventionofemotion.

           Harlan’sreportswereperfectionitselfinthatrespect.

           AssistantComputerFingecalledhiminafterhissecondweeklyreport.

           "Icongratulateyou,Observer,"hesaidinavoicewithoutwarmth,"ontheorganizationandclarityofyourreports.Butwhatdoyoureallythink?"

           Harlansoughtrefugeinanexpressionasblankasthoughchippedpainstakinglyoutofnative95thCenturywood.Hesaid,"Ihavenothoughtsofmyowninthematter."

           "Oh,come.You’refromthe95thandwebothknowwhatthatmeans.SurelythisCenturydisturbsyou."

           Harlanshrugged.