replenishing the uh exchequer. And now, Carl, there were perhaps”—one finger tapped the file which gave out a faint effluvia of moldy jock straps and chlorine—
“occasions. When no uh economic factors were involved.”
A green flare exploded in Carl’s brain. He saw Hans’ lean brown body—twisting towards him, quick breath on his shoulder. The flare went out. Some huge insect
was squirming in his hand.
His whole being jerked away in an electric spasm of revulsion.
Carl got to his feet shaking with rage.
“What are you writing there?” he demanded.
“Do you often doze off like that??? in the middle of a conversation… ?”
“I wasn’t asleep that is.”
“You weren’t?”
“It’s just that the w hole thing is unreal. . . . I’m going now. I don’t care. You can’t force me to stay.”
He was walking across the room towards the door. He had been walking a long time. A creeping numbness dragged his legs. The door seemed to recede.
“Where can you go, Carl?” The doctor’s voice reached him from a great distance.
“O u t. . . Away . . . Through the door . . .”
“The Green Door, Carl?”
The doctor’s voice was barely audible. The whole room was exploding out into space.