Конец вечности
The Beginning of Infinity
EachworldwouldhaveitsownstretchoftheCenturies,eachitsownvalues,achancetoseekhappinessafterwaysofitsowninanenvironmentofitsown.Therearemanyhappinesses,manygoods,infinitevariety…ThatistheBasicStateofmankind."
"You’reguessing,"saidHarlan,andhewasangryathimselfforfeelingattractionforthepictureshehadconjured."Howcanyoutellwhatwouldhavehappened?"
Noyssaid,"YousmileattheignoranceoftheTimerswhoknowonlyoneReality.WesmileattheignoranceoftheEternalswhothinktherearemanyRealitiesbutthatonlyoneexistsatatime."
"Whatdoesthatgibberishmean?"
"Wedon’tcalculatealternateRealities.Weviewthem.Weseethemintheirstateofnon-Reality."
"Akindofghostlynever-neverlandwherethemight-have-beensplaywiththeifs."
"Withoutthesarcasm,yes."
"Andhowdoyoudothat?"
Noyspaused,thensaid,"HowcanIexplainthat,Andrew?Ihavebeeneducatedtoknowcertainthingswithoutreallyunderstandingallaboutthem,justasyouhave.CanyouexplaintheworkingsofaComputaplex?Yetyouknowitexistsandworks."
Harlanflushed."Well,then?"
Noyssaid,"WelearnedtoviewRealitiesandwefoundBasicStatetobeasIhavedescribed.Wefound,too,theChangethathaddestroyedBasicState.
