Конец вечности
Prelude to Crime
Harlandidn’tcarewhathesaidnow."You’rejealous.It’sallitamountsto.You’rejealous.YouhadyourownplansforNoysbutshechoseme."
Fingesaid,"Doyourealize-"
"Irealizeagreatdeal.I’mnofool.ImaynotbeaComputer,butneitheramIanignoramus.Yousayshewon’twantmeinthenewReality.Howdoyouknow?Youdon’tevenknowyetwhatthenewRealitywillbe.Youdon’tknowiftheremustbeanewRealityatall.Youjustreceivedmyreport.ItmustbeanalyzedbeforeaRealityChangecanbecomputed,letalonesubmittedforapproval.SowhenyouaffecttoknowthenatureoftheChange,youarelying."
TherewereanumberofwaysinwhichFingemighthavemaderesponse.Harlan’sheatedmindwasawareofmany.Hedidnottrytochooseamongthem.Fingemightstalkoutinaffecteddudgeon;hemightcallinamemberofSecurityandhaveHarlantakenintocustodyforinsubordination;hemightshoutback,yellingasangrilyasHarlan;hemightputinanimmediatecalltoTwissell,lodgingaformalcomplaint;hemight-hemight...
Fingedidnoneofthis.
Hesaidgently,"Sitdown,Harlan.Let’stalkaboutthis."
Andbecausethatresponsewascompletelyunexpected,Harlan’sjawsaggedandhesatdowninconfusion.Hisresolutionfaltered.Whatwasthis?
"Youremember,ofcourse,"saidFinge,"thatItoldyouthatourproblemwiththe482ndinvolvedanundesirableattitudeonthe’partoftheTimersofthecurrentRealitytowardEternity.
