Elegy + 

вАЬWould you mind repeating that?вАЭ + 

вАЬI said, sir, that Mr.¬†Friden said, sir, that he sees a city.вАЭ + 

вАЬA city?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber rubbed the back of his hand along his cheek. + 

вАЬYou realize, of course, that that is impossible?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬSend Mr.¬†Friden in to see me, at once.вАЭ + 

The young man saluted and rushed out of the room. He returned with a somewhat older man who wore spectacles and frowned. + 

вАЬNow then,вАЭ said Captain Webber, вАЬwhatвАЩs all this Lieutenant Peterson tells me about a city? Are you enjoying a private little joke, Friden?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Friden shook his head emphatically. вАЬNo sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬThen perhaps youвАЩd like to explain.вАЭ + 

вАЬWell, sir, you see, I was getting bored and just for something to do, I thought IвАЩd look through the screenвБ†вАФnot that I dreamed of seeing anything. The instruments werenвАЩt adjusted, either; but there was something funny, something I couldnвАЩt make out exactly.вАЭ + 

вАЬGo on,вАЭ said Captain Webber, patiently. + 

вАЬSo I fixed up the instruments and took another look, and there it was, sir, plain as could be!вАЭ + 

вАЬThere what was?вАЭ + 

вАЬThe city, sir. Oh, I couldnвАЩt tell much about it, but there were houses, all right, a lot of them.вАЭ + 

вАЬHouses, you say?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir, on an asteroid.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber looked for a long moment at Mr.¬†Friden and began to pace nervously. + 

вАЬI take it you know what this might mean?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir, I do. ThatвАЩs why I wanted Lieutenant Peterson to tell you about it.вАЭ + 

вАЬI believe, Friden, that before we do any more talking IвАЩll see this city for myself.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber, Lieutenant Peterson and Mr.¬†Friden walked from the room down a long corridor and into a smaller room. Captain Webber put his eye to a circular glass and tapped his foot. + 

He stepped back and rubbed his cheek again. + 

вАЬWell, you were right. That is a cityвБ†вАФor else weвАЩve all gone crazy. Do you think that we have?вАЭ + 

вАЬI donвАЩt know, sir. ItвАЩs not impossible.вАЭ + 

вАЬLieutenant, go ask Mr.¬†Milton if he can land us on an asteroid. Give him all the details and be back in ten minutes.вАЭ Captain Webber sighed. вАЬWhatever it is,вАЭ he said, вАЬit will be a relief. Although I never made a special announcement, I suppose you knew that we were lost.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh yes, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd that we ran almost entirely out of fuel several months ago, in fact shortly after we left?вАЭ + 

вАЬWe knew that.вАЭ + 

The men were silent. + 

вАЬSir, Mr.¬†Milton says he thinks he can land us but he canвАЩt promise exactly where.вАЭ + 

вАЬTell Mr.¬†Milton thatвАЩs good enough.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber waited for the young man to leave, then looked again into the glass. + 

вАЬWhat do you make of it, sir?вАЭ + 

вАЬNot much, Friden, not much. ItвАЩs a city and thatвАЩs an asteroid; but how the devil they got there is beyond me. I still havenвАЩt left the idea that weвАЩre crazy, you know.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Friden looked. + 

вАЬWeвАЩre positioning to land. StrangeвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬWhat is it?вАЭ + 

вАЬI can make things out a bit more clearly now, sir. Those are earth houses.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber looked. He blinked. + 

вАЬNow, that,вАЭ he said, вАЬis impossible. Look here, weвАЩve been floating about in space forвБ†вАФhow long is it?вАЭ + 

вАЬThree months, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬExactly. For three months weвАЩve been bobbling aimlessly, millions of miles from earth. No hope, no hope whatever. And now weвАЩre landing in a city just like the one we first left, or almost like it. Friden, I ask you, does that make any sense at all?вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd does it seem logical that there should be an asteroid where no asteroid should be?вАЭ + 

вАЬIt does not.вАЭ + 

They stared at the glass, by turns. + 

вАЬDo you see that, Friden?вАЭ + 

вАЬIвАЩm afraid so, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬA lake. A lake and a house by it and treesвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ tell me, how many of us are left?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Friden held up his right hand and began unbending fingers. + 

вАЬYourself, sir, and myself; Lieutenant Peterson, Mr.¬†Chitterwick, Mr.¬†Goeblin, Mr.¬†Milton and.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ + 

вАЬGreat scott, out of thirty men?вАЭ + 

вАЬYou know how it was, sir. That business with the Martians and then, our own difficultiesвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬYes. Our own difficulties. IsnвАЩt it ironic, somehow, Friden? We band together and fly away from war and, no sooner are we off the earth but we begin other wars.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ IвАЩve often felt that if Appleton hadnвАЩt been so aggressive with that gun we would never have been kicked off Mars. And why did we have to laugh at them? Oh, IвАЩm afraid I havenвАЩt been a very successful captain.вАЭ + 

вАЬYouвАЩre in a mood, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬAm I? I suppose I am. Look! ThereвАЩs a farm, an actual farm!вАЭ + 

вАЬNot really!вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy, I havenвАЩt seen one for twenty years.вАЭ + 

The door flew open and Lieutenant Peterson came in, panting. вАЬMr.¬†Milton checked off every instruction, sir, and weвАЩre going down now.вАЭ + 

вАЬHeвАЩs sure thereвАЩs enough fuel left for the brake?вАЭ + 

вАЬHe thinks so, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬLieutenant Peterson.вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir?вАЭ + 

вАЬCome look into this glass, will you.вАЭ + 

The young man looked. + 

вАЬWhat do you see?вАЭ + 

вАЬA lot of strange creatures, sir. Are they dangerous? Should we prepare our weapons?вАЭ + 

вАЬHow old are you, Lieutenant?вАЭ + 

вАЬNineteen, Captain Webber.вАЭ + 

вАЬYou have just seen a herd of cows, for the most partвБ†вАФвАЭ Captain Webber squinted and twirled knobs вАЬвБ†вАФHolsteins.вАЭ + 

вАЬHolsteins, sir?вАЭ + 

вАЬYou may go. Oh, you might tell the others to prepare for a crash landing. Straps and all that.вАЭ + 

The young man smiled faintly and left. + 

вАЬIвАЩm a little frightened, Friden; I think IвАЩll go to my cabin. Take charge and have them wait for my orders.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber saluted tiredly and walked back down the long corridor. He paused as the machines suddenly roared more life, rubbed his cheek and went into the small room. + 

вАЬCows,вАЭ said Captain Webber bracing himself. + 

The fiery leg fell into the cool air, heating it, causing it to smoke; it burnt into the green grass and licked a craterous hole. There were fireflags and firesparks, hisses and explosions and the weary groaning sound of a great beast suddenly roused from sleep. + 

The rocket landed. It grumbled and muttered for a while on its finny tripod, then was silent; soon the heat vanished also. + 

вАЬAre you all right, sir?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes. The rest?вАЭ + 

вАЬAll but Mr.¬†Chitterwick. He broke his glasses and says he canвАЩt see.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber swung himself erect and tested his limbs. вАЬWell then, Lieutenant, has the atmosphere been checked?вАЭ + 

вАЬThe air is pure and fit to breathe, sir.вАЭ + 

вАЬInstruct the others to drop the ladder.вАЭ + 

вАЬYes sir.вАЭ + 

A door in the side of the rocket opened laboriously and men began climbing out: вАЬLook!вАЭ said Mr.¬†Milton, pointing. вАЬThere are trees and grass andвБ†вАФover there, little bridges going over the water.вАЭ + 

He pointed to a row of small white houses with green gardens and stony paths. + 

Beyond the trees was a brick lodge, extended over a rivulet which foamed and bubbled. Fishing poles protruded from the lodge window. + 

вАЬAnd there, to the right!вАЭ + 

A steel building thirty stories high with a pink cloud near the top. And, separated by a hedge, a brown tent with a barbeque pit before it, smoke rising in a rigid ribbon from the chimney. + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick blinked and squinted his eyes. вАЬWhat do you see?вАЭ + 

Distant and near, houses of stone and brick and wood, painted all colors, small, large; and further, golden fields of wheat, each blown by a different breeze in a different direction. + 

вАЬI donвАЩt believe it,вАЭ said Captain Webber. вАЬItвАЩs a parkвБ†вАФmillions of miles away from where a park could possibly be.вАЭ + 

вАЬStrange but familiar,вАЭ said Lieutenant Peterson, picking up a rock. + 

Captain Webber looked in all directions. вАЬWe were lost. Then we see a city where no city should be, on an asteroid not shown on any chart, and we manage to land. And now weвАЩre in the middle of a place that belongs in history-records. We may be crazy; we may all be wandering around in space and dreaming.вАЭ + 

The little man with the thin hair who had just stepped briskly from a treeclump said, вАЬWell, well,вАЭ and the men jumped. + 

The little man smiled. вАЬArenвАЩt you a trifle late or early or something?вАЭ + 

Captain Webber turned and his mouth dropped open. + 

вАЬI hadnвАЩt been expecting you, gentlemen, to be perfectly honest,вАЭ the little man clucked, then: вАЬOh dear, see what youвАЩve done to Mr.¬†BellefontвАЩs park. I do hope you havenвАЩt hurt himвБ†вАФno, I see that he is all right.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber followed the direction of the manвАЩs eyes and perceived an old man with red hair seated at the base of a tree, apparently reading a book. + 

вАЬWe are from Earth,вАЭ said Captain Webber. + 

вАЬYes, yes.вАЭ + 

вАЬLet me explain: my name is Webber, these are my men.вАЭ + 

вАЬOf course,вАЭ said the little man. + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick came closer, blinking. вАЬWho is this that knows our language?вАЭ he asked. + 

вАЬWhoвБ†вАФGreypoole, Mr.¬†Greypoole. DidnвАЩt they tell you?вАЭ + 

вАЬThen you are also from Earth?вАЭ + 

вАЬHeavens yes! But now, let us go where we can chat more comfortably.вАЭ Mr.¬†Greypoole struck out down a small path past scorched trees and underbrush. вАЬYou know, Captain, right after the last consignment something happened to my calendar. Now, IвАЩm competent at my job, but IвАЩm no technician, no indeed: besides, no doubt you or one of your men can set the doodad right, eh? Here we are.вАЭ + 

They walked onto a wooden porch and through a door with a wire screen; Lieutenant Peterson first, then Captain Webber, Mr.¬†Friden and the rest of the crew. Mr.¬†Greypoole followed. + 

вАЬYou must forgive meвБ†вАФitвАЩs been a while. Take chairs, there, there. Now, what news ofвБ†вАФhome, shall I say?вАЭ The little man stared. + 

Captain Webber shifted uncomfortably. He glanced around the room at the lace curtains, the needlepoint tapestries and the lavender wallpaper. + 

вАЬMr.¬†Greypoole, IвАЩd like to ask some questions.вАЭ + 

вАЬCertainly, certainly. But first, this being an occasionвБ†вАФвАЭ the little man stared at each man carefully, then shook his head вАЬвБ†вАФah, do you all like wine? Good wine?вАЭ + 

He ducked through a small door. + 

Captain Webber exhaled and rose. + 

вАЬNow, donвАЩt start talking all at once,вАЭ he whispered. вАЬAnyone have any ideas? No? Then quick, scout aroundвБ†вАФFriden, you stay here; you others, see what you can find. IвАЩm not sure I like the looks of this.вАЭ + 

The men left the room. + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick made his way along a hedgerow, feeling cautiously and maintaining a delicate balance. When he came to a doorway he stopped, squinted and entered. + 

The room was dark and quiet and odorous. Mr.¬†Chitterwick groped a few steps, put out his hand and encountered what seemed to be raw flesh; he swiftly withdrew his hand. вАЬExcuse,вАЭ he said, then, вАЬOh!вАЭ as his face came against a slab of moist red meat. вАЬOh my!вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick began to tremble and he blinked furiously, reaching out and finding flesh, cold and hard, unidentifiable. + 

When he stepped upon the toe of a large man with a walrus mustache, he wheeled, located the sunlight and ran from the butcher shop.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

The door of the temple opened with difficulty, which caused Mr.¬†Milton to breathe unnaturally. Then, once inside, he gasped. + 

Row upon row of people, their fingers outstretched, lips open but immobile and silent, their bodies prostrate on the floor. And upon a strange black altar, a tiny woman with silver hair and a long thyrsus in her right hand. + 

Nothing stirred but the mosaic squares in the walls. The colors danced here; otherwise, everything was frozen, everything was solid. + 

Even the air hung suspended, stationary. + 

Mr.¬†Milton left the temple.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

There was a table and a woman on the table and people all around the woman on the table. Mr.¬†Goeblin did not go a great distance from the doorway: he rubbed his eyes and stared. + 

It was an operating room. There were all the instruments, some old, most old, and the masked men and women with shining scissors and glistening saws in their hands. And up above, the studentsвАЩ aperture: filled seats, filled aisles. + 

Mr.¬†Goeblin put his other hand about the doorknob. + 

A large man stood over the recumbent figure, his lusterless eyes regarding the crimson-puce incision, but he did not move. The nurses did not move, or the students. No one moved, especially the smiling middle-aged woman on the table. + 

Mr.¬†Goeblin moved.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

вАЬHello!вАЭ said Lieutenant Peterson, after he had searched through eight long aisles of books, вАЬHello!вАЭ + 

He pointed his gun menacingly. + 

There were many books with many titles and they all had a fine grey dust about them. Lieutenant Peterson paused to examine a bulky volume, when he happened to look above him. + 

вАЬWho are you?вАЭ he demanded. + 

The mottled, angular man perched atop the ladder did not respond. He clutched a book and looked at the book and not at Lieutenant Peterson. + 

вАЬCome downвБ†вАФI want to talk with you!вАЭ + 

The man on the ladder did nothing unusual: he remained precisely as he had been. + 

Lieutenant Peterson climbed up the ladder, scowling; he reached the man and jabbed with a finger. + 

Lieutenant Peterson looked into the eyes of the reading man and descended hastily and did not say goodbye.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole reentered the living room with a tray of glasses. вАЬThis is apricot wine,вАЭ he announced, distributing the glasses, вАЬButвБ†вАФwhere are the others? Out for a walk? Ah well, they can drink theirs later. Incidentally, Captain, how many Guests did you bring? Last time it was only twelve. Not an extraordinary shipment, either: they all preferred the ordinary things. All but Mrs.¬†DominguezвБ†вАФdear me, she was worth the carload herself. Wanted a zoo, can you imagineвБ†вАФa regular zoo, with her put right in the birdhouse. Oh, they had a time putting that one up!вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole chuckled and sipped at his drink. + 

вАЬItвАЩs people like Mrs.¬†Dominguez who put theвБ†вАФthe life?вБ†вАФinto Happy Glades. Or do you find that disrespectful?вАЭ + 

Captain Webber shook his head and tossed down his drink. + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole leaned back in his chair and crossed a leg. вАЬAh,вАЭ he continued, вАЬyou have no idea how good this is. Once in a while it does get lonely for me hereвБ†вАФno man is an island, or how does it go? Why, I can remember when Mr.¬†Waldmeyer first told me of this idea. вАШA grave responsibility,вАЩ he said, вАШa grave responsibility.вАЩ Mr.¬†Waldmeyer has a keen sense of humor, needless to say.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber looked out the window. A small child on roller skates stood still on the sidewalk. Mr.¬†Greypoole laughed. + 

вАЬFinished your wine? Good. Explanations are in order, though first perhaps youвАЩd care to join me in a brief turn about the premises?вАЭ + 

вАЬFine. Friden, you stay here and wait for the men.вАЭ Captain Webber winked a number of times and frowned briefly, then he and Mr.¬†Greypoole walked out onto the porch and down the steps. + 

Mr.¬†Friden drummed his fingers upon the arm of a chair, surveyed his empty glass and hiccuped softly. + 

вАЬI do wish youвАЩd landed your ship elsewhere, Captain. Mr.¬†Bellefont was quite particular and, as you can see, his park is hopelessly disfigured.вАЭ + 

вАЬWe were given no choice, IвАЩm afraid. The fuel was running out.вАЭ + 

вАЬIndeed? Well then, that explains everything. A beautiful day, donвАЩt you find, sir? Fortunately, with the exception of Professor Carling, all the Guests preferred good weather. Plenty of sunshine, they said, or crisp evening. It helps.вАЭ + 

They walked toward a house of colored rocks. + 

вАЬMiss Daphne TrillingвАЩs,вАЭ said Mr.¬†Greypoole, gesturing. вАЬThey threw it up in a day, though itвАЩs solid enough.вАЭ + 

When they had passed an elderly woman on a bicycle, Captain Webber stopped walking. + 

вАЬMr.¬†Greypoole, weвАЩve got to have a talk.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole shrugged and pointed and they went into an office building which was crowded with motionless men, women and children. + 

вАЬSince IвАЩm so mixed up myself,вАЭ the captain said, вАЬmaybe IвАЩd better askвБ†вАФjust who do you think we are?вАЭ + 

вАЬIвАЩd thought you to be the men from the Glades of course.вАЭ + 

вАЬI donвАЩt have the slightest idea what youвАЩre talking about. WeвАЩre from the planet Earth. They were going to have another war, the вАШLast WarвАЩ they said, and we escaped in that rocket and started off for Mars. But something went wrongвБ†вАФfellow named Appleton pulled a gun, others just didnвАЩt like the MartiansвБ†вАФwe neednвАЩt go into it; they wouldnвАЩt have us so Mars didnвАЩt work out. Something else went wrong then, soon we were lost with only a little store of fuel and supplies. Then Mr.¬†Friden noticed this city or whatever it is and we had enough fuel to land so we landed.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole nodded his head slowly, somehow, sadder than before. + 

вАЬI see.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ You say there was a war on Earth?вАЭ + 

вАЬThey were going to set off X-Bomb; when they do, everything will go to pieces. Or everything has already.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat dreadful news! May I inquire, Captain, when you have learned where you areвБ†вАФwhat do you intend to do?вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy, live here, of course!вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, noвБ†вАФtry to understand. You could not conceivably fit in here with us.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber glanced at the motionless people. вАЬWhy not?вАЭ Then he shouted, вАЬWhat is this place? Where am I?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole smiled. + 

вАЬCaptain, you are in a cemetery.вАЭ + 

вАЬGood work, Peterson!вАЭ + 

вАЬThanks, sir. When we all got back and Friden didnвАЩt know where youвАЩd gone, well, we got worried. Then we heard you shouting.вАЭ + 

вАЬHold his armsвБ†вАФthere. You heard this, Friden?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Friden was trembling slightly. He brushed past a man with a van Dyke beard and sat down on a leather stool. вАЬYes sir, I did. That is, I think I did. What shall we do with him?вАЭ + 

вАЬI donвАЩt know, yet. Take him away, Lieutenant, for now. I want to think a bit. WeвАЩll talk to Mr.¬†Greypoole later on.вАЭ + 

Lieutenant Peterson pulled the smiling little man out into the street and pointed a gun at him. + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick blinked into the face of a small child. + 

вАЬManвАЩs insane, I guess,вАЭ said Mr.¬†Milton, pacing. + 

вАЬYes, but what about all this?вАЭ Mr.¬†Goeblin looked horrified at the stationary people. + 

вАЬI think I can tell you,вАЭ Mr.¬†Friden said. вАЬTake a look, Captain.вАЭ + 

The men crowded about a pamphlet which Mr.¬†Friden had placed on the stool. + 

Toward the top of the pamphlet and in the center of the first page was a photograph, untinted and solemn; it depicted a white cherub delicately poised on a granite slab. Beneath the photograph, were the words: Happy Glades. + 

Captain Webber turned the pages and mumbled, glancing over his shoulder every once in a while. + 

вАЬWhat is it, sir?вАЭ asked Mr.¬†Chitterwick of a frozen man in a blue suit with copper buttons. + 

вАЬItвАЩs one of those old level cemeteries!вАЭ cried Mr.¬†Milton. вАЬI remember seeing pictures like it, sir.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber read aloud from the pamphlet. + 

вАЬFor fifty years,вАЭ he began, вАЬan outstanding cultural and spiritual asset to this community, Happy Glades is proud to announce yet another innovation in its program of post-benefits. Now you can enjoy the afterlife in surroundings which suggest the here-and-now. Never before in history has scientific advancement allowed such a plan.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber turned the page. + 

вАЬFor those who prefer that their late departed have really permanent, eternal happiness, for those who are dismayed by the fragility of all things mortal, we of Happy Glades are proud to offer: + 

вАЬThe permanent duplication of physical conditions identical to those enjoyed by the departed on Earth. Park, playground, lodge, office building, hotel or house, etc., may be secured at varying prices. All workmanship and materials specially attuned to conditions on Asteroid K7 and guaranteed for permanence. + 

вАЬPermanent conditioning of late beloved so that, in the midst of surroundings he favored, a genuine Eternity may be assured. + 

вАЬFull details on Happy GladesвАЩ newest property, Asteroid K7, may be found on page 4.вАЭ + 

The captain tossed the pamphlet to the floor and lit a cigarette. вАЬDid anyone happen to notice the date?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Milton said, вАЬIt doesnвАЩt make any sense! There havenвАЩt been cemeteries for ages. And even if this were true, why should anyone want to go all the way through space to a little asteroid? They might just as well have built these things on Earth.вАЭ + 

вАЬWho would want all this when theyвАЩre dead, anyway?вАЭ + 

вАЬYou mean all these people are dead?вАЭ + 

For a few moments there was complete and utter silence in the lobby of the building. + 

вАЬAre those things true, that we read in your booklet?вАЭ asked Captain Webber after Lieutenant Peterson had brought in the prisoner. + 

вАЬEvery word,вАЭ said the little man bowing slightly, вАЬis monumentally correct.вАЭ + 

вАЬThen we want you to begin explaining.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole tushed and proceeded to straighten the coat of a middle-aged man with a cigar. + 

Mr.¬†Goeblin shuddered. + 

вАЬNo, no,вАЭ laughed Mr.¬†Greypoole, вАЬthese are only imitations. Mr.¬†Conklin upstairs was head of a large firm; absolutely in love with his work, you knowвБ†вАФthat kind of thing. So we had to duplicate not only the office, but the building and even replicas of all the people in the building. Mr.¬†Conklin himself is in an easy chair on the twentieth story.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd?вАЭ + 

вАЬWell, gentlemen, as you know, Happy Glades is the outstanding mortuary on Earth. And, to put it briefly, with the constant explorations of planets and moons and whatnot, our Mr.¬†Waldmeyer hit upon this scheme: Seeking to extend the ideal hereafter to our Guests, we bought out this little asteroid. With the vast volume and the tremendous turnover, as it were, we got our staff of scientists together and they offered this planвБ†вАФto duplicate the exact surroundings which the Guest most enjoyed in Life, assure him privacy, permanence (a very big point, as you can see), and all the small things not possible on Earth.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy here, why cart off a million miles or more when the same thing could have been done on Earth?вАЭ + 

вАЬMy communication system went bad, I fear, so I havenвАЩt heard from the offices in some whileвБ†вАФbut, I am to understand there is a war beginning? That is the idea, Captain; one could never really be sure of oneвАЩs self down there, what with all the new bombs and things being discovered.вАЭ + 

вАЬHmm,вАЭ said Captain Webber. + 

вАЬThen too, Mr.¬†Waldmeyer worried about those new societies with their dreadful ideas about cremationвБ†вАФyou can see what that sort of thing could do to the undertaking business? His plan caught on, however, and soon we were having to turn away Guests.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd where do you fit in, Mr.¬†Greypoole?вАЭ + 

The little man seemed to blush; he lowered his eyes. вАЬI was head caretaker, you see. But I wasnвАЩt wellвБ†вАФgastric complaints, liver, heart palpitations, this and that; so, I decided to allow them toвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ change me. They turned all manner of machines on my body and pumped me full of fluids and by the time I got here, why, I was almost, you might say, a machine myself! Fortunately, though, they left a good deal of Greypoole. All I know is that whenever the film is punctured, I wake and become a machine, do my prescribed duties in a complex way andвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬThe film?вАЭ + 

вАЬThe covering that seals in the conditioning. Nothing can get out, nothing get inвБ†вАФexcept things like rockets. Then, itвАЩs self-sealing, needless to say. But to get on, Captain. With all the technical advancements, it soon got to where there was no real work to be done here; they threw up the film and coated us with their preservative or, as they put it, Eternifier, andвБ†вАФwell, with the exception of my calendar and the communications system, everythingвАЩs worked perfectly, including myself.вАЭ + 

No one said anything for a while. Then Captain Webber said, with great slowness, вАЬYouвАЩre lying. This is all a crazy, hideous plot.вАЭ The little man chuckled at the word plot. + 

вАЬIn the first place, no cemetery or form of cemetery has existed on Earth forвБ†вАФhow long, Friden?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Friden stared at his fingers. вАЬYears and years.вАЭ + 

вАЬExactly. There are communal furnaces now.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole winced. + 

вАЬAnd furthermore,вАЭ continued the captain, вАЬthis whole concept is ridiculous.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Chitterwick threw down the pamphlet and began to tremble. вАЬWe should have stayed home,вАЭ he remarked to a young woman who did not answer. + 

вАЬMr.¬†Greypoole,вАЭ Webber said, вАЬI think that you know more than youвАЩre saying. You didnвАЩt seem very surprised when you learned we werenвАЩt the men you expected; you donвАЩt seem very surprised now that I tell you that your вАШHappy GladesвАЩ and all the people connected with it have been dead for ages. So, why the display of interest in our explanations, whyвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

The faint murmur, вАЬA good machine checks and double checks,вАЭ could be heard from Mr.¬†Greypoole, who otherwise said nothing. + 

вАЬI speak for my men: weвАЩre confused, terribly confused. But whatever this is, weвАЩre stuck, canвАЩt you see? All we want is a place to begin againвБ†вАФвАЭ Captain Webber paused, looked at the others and went on in a softer tone. вАЬWeвАЩre tired men, Mr.¬†Greypoole; weвАЩre poorly equipped, but we do have weapons and if this is some hypnotic kind of trap.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ + 

The little man waved his hand, offendedly. + 

вАЬThere are lakes and farms and all we need to make a new startвБ†вАФmore than weвАЩd hoped for, much more.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat had you hoped for, Captain?вАЭ + 

вАЬSomething. Nothing. Just escapeвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬBut I see no womenвБ†вАФhow could you begin again, as you suggest?вАЭ + 

вАЬWomen? Too weak; they would not have lasted. We brought along eggs and machinesвБ†вАФenough for our needs.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole clucked his tongue. вАЬMr.¬†Waldmeyer certainly did look ahead,вАЭ he muttered, вАЬhe certainly did.вАЭ + 

вАЬWill we be honest now? Will you help us?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes, Captain, I will help you. Let us go back to your rocket.вАЭ Mr.¬†Greypoole smiled. вАЬThings will be better there.вАЭ + 

Captain Webber signaled. They left the building and walked by the foot of a white mountain. + 

They passed a garden with little spotted trees and flowers, a brown desert of shifting sands and a striped tent; they walked by strawberry fields and airplane hangars and coal mines; tiny yellow cottages, cramped apartments, fluted houses and Tudor houses and houses without description.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

Past rock pools and a great zoo full of animals that stared out of vacant eyes; and everywhere, the seasons changing gently: crisp autumn, cottony summer, windy spring and winters cool and white.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

The six men in uniforms followed the little man with the thin hair. They did not speak as they walked, but looked around, stared, craned, wondered.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

And the old, young, middle-aged, white, brown, yellow people who did not move wondered back at the men with their eyes.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

вАЬYou see, Captain, the success of Mr.¬†WaldmeyerвАЩs plan?вАЭ + 

Captain Webber rubbed his cheek. + 

вАЬI donвАЩt understand,вАЭ he said. + 

вАЬBut you do see, all of you, the perfection here, the quality of Eternal Happiness which the circular speaks of?вАЭ + 

вАЬYesвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ we see that.вАЭ + 

вАЬHere we have happiness and brotherhood, here there have never been wars or hatreds or prejudices. And now you who were many and left Earth to escape war and hatred, who were many by your own word and are now only six, you want to begin life here?вАЭ + 

Cross-breezes ruffled the menвАЩs hair. + 

вАЬTo begin, when from the moment of your departure you had wars of your own, and killed, and hurled mocking prejudice against a race of people not like you, a race who rejected and cast you out into space again! From your own account! No gentlemen, I am truly sorry. It may be that I misjudged those of you who are left, or rather, that Happy Glades misjudged you. You may mean well, after allвБ†вАФand, of course, the location of this asteroid was so planned by the Board as to be uncharted forever. ButвБ†вАФoh, I am sorry.вАЭ Mr.¬†Greypoole sighed. + 

вАЬWhat does he mean by that?вАЭ asked Mr.¬†Friden and Lieutenant Peterson. + 

Captain Webber was gazing at a herd of cows in the distance. + 

вАЬWhat do you mean, youвАЩre вАШsorryвАЩ?вАЭ demanded Mr.¬†Friden. + 

вАЬWell.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ + 

вАЬCaptain Webber!вАЭ cried Mr.¬†Chitterwick, blinking. + 

вАЬYes, yes?вАЭ + 

вАЬI feel queer.вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Goeblin clutched at his stomach. + 

вАЬSo do I!вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd me!вАЭ + 

Captain Webber looked back at the fields, then at Mr.¬†Greypoole. His mouth twitched in sudden pain. + 

вАЬWe feel awful, Captain!вАЭ + 

вАЬIвАЩm sorry, gentlemen. Follow me to your ship, quickly.вАЭ Mr.¬†Greypoole motioned curiously with his hands and began to step briskly. + 

They circled a small pond where a motionless boy strained toe-high on an extended board. And the day once again turned to night as they hurried past a shadowed cathedral. + 

When they were in sight of the scorched trees, Mr.¬†Milton doubled up and screamed. + 

вАЬCaptain!вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Goeblin struck his forehead. вАЬI told you, I told you we shouldnвАЩt have drunk that wine! DidnвАЩt I tell you?вАЭ + 

вАЬIt was the wineвБ†вАФand we all drank it. He did it, he poisoned us!вАЭ + 

вАЬFollow me!вАЭ cried Mr.¬†Greypoole, making a hurried gesture and breaking into a run. вАЬFaster!вАЭ + 

They stumbled hypnotically through the park, over the Mandarin-bridges to the rock. + 

вАЬTell them, Captain, tell them to climb the ladder.вАЭ + 

вАЬGo on up, men.вАЭ + 

вАЬBut weвАЩre poisoned, sir!вАЭ + 

вАЬHurry! ThereвАЩsвБ†вАФan antidote in the ship.вАЭ + 

The crew climbed into the ship. + 

вАЬCaptain,вАЭ invited Mr.¬†Greypoole. + 

Captain Webber ascended jerkily. When he reached the open lock, he turned. His eyes swept over the hills and fields and mountains, over the rivers and houses and still people. He coughed and pulled himself into the rocket. + 

Mr.¬†Greypoole followed. + 

вАЬYou donвАЩt dislike this ship, do youвБ†вАФthat is, the surroundings are not offensive?вАЭ + 

вАЬNo; we donвАЩt dislike the ship.вАЭ + 

вАЬI am glad of thatвБ†вАФif only I had been allowed more latitude! But everything functions so well here; no real choice in the matter, actually. No more than the Sealing Film. And they would leave me with these human emotions! I see, of course, why the communications system doesnвАЩt work, why my calendar is out of commission. Kind of Mr.¬†Waldmeyer to arrange for them to stop when his worst fears finally materialized. Are the men all seated? No, no, they mustnвАЩt writhe about the floor like that. Get them to their stationsвБ†вАФno, to the stations they would most prefer. And hurry!вАЭ + 

Captain Webber ordered Mr.¬†Chitterwick to the galley, Mr.¬†Goeblin to the engineering chair, Mr.¬†Friden to the navigatorвАЩs room.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

вАЬSir, whatвАЩs going to happen? WhereвАЩs the antidote?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Milton to the pilotвАЩs chair.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ + 

вАЬThe pain will last only another moment or soвБ†вАФitвАЩs unfortunately part of the Eternifier,вАЭ said Mr.¬†Greypoole. вАЬThere, all in order? Good, good. Now, Captain, I see understanding in your face; that pleases me more than I can say. My position is so difficult! But you can see, when a machine is geared to its jobвБ†вАФwhich is to retain permanence on Happy GladesвБ†вАФwell, a machine is a machine. Where shall we put you?вАЭ + 

Captain Webber leaned on the arm of the little man and walked to the open lock. + 

вАЬYou do understand?вАЭ asked Mr.¬†Greypoole. + 

Captain WebberвАЩs head nodded halfway down, then stopped; and his eyes froze forever upon the City. + 

вАЬA pity.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ + 

The little man with the thin hair walked about the cabins and rooms, straightening, dusting; he climbed down the ladder, shook his head and started down the path to the wooden house. + 

When he had washed all the empty glasses and replaced them, he sat down in the large leather chair and adjusted himself into the most comfortable position. + 

His eyes stared in waxen contentment at the homely interior, with its lavender wallpaper, needlepoint tapestries and tidy arrangement. + 

He did not move. + 