Конец вечности
Computer
Eternityhadalwaysbeenawareofthenecessityforcompromisingwithhumanappetites(toHarlanthephrasecarriedaquiveryrepulsion),buttherestrictionsinvolvedinchoosingmistressesmadethecompromiseanythingbutlax,anythingbutgenerous.Andthosewhowereluckyenoughtoqualifyforsuchanarrangementwereexpectedtobemostdiscreetaboutit,outofcommondecencyandconsiderationforthemajority.
AmongthelowerclassesofEternals,particularlyamongMaintenance,therewerealwaystherumors(halfhopeful,halfresentful)ofwomenimportedonamoreorlesspermanentbasisfortheobviousreasons.AlwaysrumorpointedtotheComputersandLife-Plottersasthebenefitinggroups.TheyandonlytheycoulddecidewhichwomencouldbeabstractedfromTimewithoutdangerofsignificantRealityChange.
Lesssensational(andthereforelesstongue-worthy)werethestoriesconcerningtheTimeremployeesthateverySectionengagedtemporarily(whenspatio-temporalanalysispermitted)toperformthetedioustasksofcooking,cleaning,andheavylabor.
ButaTimer,andsuchaTimer,employedas"secretary,"couldonlymeanthatFingewasthumbinganoseattheidealsthatmadeEternitywhatitwas.
RegardlessofthefactsoflifetowhichthepracticalmenofEternitymadeaperfunctoryobeisanceitremainedtruethattheidealEternalwasadedicatedmanlivingforthemissionhehadtoperform,forthebettermentofRealityandtheimprovementofthesumofhumanhappiness.HarlanlikedtothinkthatEternitywaslikethernonasteriesofPrimitivetimes.
