Конец вечности
Computer
Histiptoeingwalk(HarlanrememberedFinge’scatliketreadwell;oftenhewouldlookupfromhisdesk,seeFingestandingtherestaringathim,hisapproachhavingbeenunheard)wasnolongersomethingslyandsneaking,butratherthefearfulandreluctanttreadofonewholivesintheconstant,ifunconscious,fearthattheflooringwouldbreakunderhisweight.
Harlanthought,withapleasantcondescension:ThemanispoorlyadjustedtotheSection.Reassignmentisprobablytheonlythingthatwouldhelphim.
Fingesaid,"Greetings,TechnicianHarlan."
"Greetings,Computer,"saidHarlan.
Fingesaid,"Itseemsthatinthetwoyearssince—"
"Twophysioyears,"saidHarlan.
Fingelookedupinsurprise."Twophysioyears,ofcourse."
InEternitytherewasnoTimeasoneordinarilythoughtofTimeintheuniverseoutside,butmen’sbodiesgrewolderandthatwastheunavoidablemeasureofTimeevenintheabsenceofmeaningfulphysicalphenomena.PhysiologicallyTimepassed,andinaphysioyearwithinEternityamangrewasmucholderashewouldhaveinanordinaryyearinTime.
YeteventhemostpedanticEternalrememberedthedistinctiononlyrarely.Itwastooconvenienttosay,"Seeyoutomorrow,"or"Imissedyouyesterday,"or"Iwillseeyounextweek,"asthoughtherewereatomorroworayesterdayoralastweekinanybutaphysiologicalsense.AndtheinstinctsofhumanitywerecateredtobyhavingtheactivitiesofEternitytailoredtoanarbitrarytwenty-four"physiohour"day,withasolemnassumptionofdayandnight,todayandtomorrow.
