Part 2 (1/2)
”But she was so lovely!” wept Mr. Emery, though in a rapidly becalming voice as the sedative took effect.
The door closed behind them.
”You ought to be reported to the Medical a.s.sociation back on Earth!” Dr.
Hoyt said angrily. ”Ruining a girl's looks like that!”
Dr. Kalmar sighed. He had hoped to be able to put off this orientation lecture until the following day, when there wouldn't be so many patients jamming his appointment book.
”All right, let's get it over with. First, I was also trained on Earth and know how Ego Alter and Rephysical are used there: Ego Alter to remove psychic blocks so people can compete better, and Rephysical so they'll be more attractive. Second, we're not under the jurisdiction of Earth's Medical a.s.sociation. Third, we'd d.a.m.n well better not be, because our problems and solutions aren't the same at all.”
”You'd have been jailed for spoiling that girl's chances of a good marriage!”
”I didn't,” Dr. Kalmar said quietly. ”I improved them.”
”You did nothing of the--” Dr. Hoyt stopped. ”Improved? How?”
”I keep telling you this is a frontier world and you keep acting as if you understand, but you don't. Look, a family is an economic liability on Earth; it consumes without producing. That's why girls have so much trouble finding husbands there. Out here it's different. A family is an a.s.set--if every member in it is willing to work.”
”But a pretty girl like that can always get by.”
”No Denebian can afford to marry a pretty girl. It's too risky. She can't work as hard as we do and still take care of her looks. And he'd worry about her constantly, which would cut into his efficiency. By having me make her a merely attractive girl in a wholesome, hearty way, Social Control guarantees more than just a marriage for her--it guarantees a contented married life.”
”Sweating away on a farm,” Dr. Hoyt said.
”Now that her anti-social strivings are gone, she'll realize that Deneb needs farmers instead of nightclub singers. She'll take pride in being a good worker, she'll raise as many children as she'll be capable of bearing, and she'll have a good husband and a prosperous farm. That wouldn't have satisfied her before. It will now. And she's better for it and so is Deneb.”
Dr. Hoyt shook his head. ”It's all upside down.”
”You'll get used to it. Why not take today off and explore Denebia? You need a rest after all those months in s.p.a.ce.”
”Maybe I will,” said Dr. Hoyt vaguely, slightly anesthetized.
”Good.” Dr. Kalmar buzzed for Miss Dupont. ”Send in the next patient, please. Oh, and Dr. Hoyt is taking the day off.”
But the young a.s.sistant was stunned into staying by the huge size of the Social Control file that was carried by the next patient, Mr. Fallon, and his wife.
”I know just what you're thinking, Dr. Kalmar!” cried Mrs. Fallon distractedly, but with a nervously bright smile. ”Those awful Fallons again! I don't blame you a bit, but--”
As a matter of fact, that was exactly what Dr. Kalmar was thinking, plus the defeated feeling that they were all he needed to make the day complete.
”Good Lord, what's in all those files?” Dr. Hoyt exclaimed.
Dr. Kalmar could have explained, but he didn't feel up to it.
Mr. Fallon, a wispy, shyly affable, poetic-looking chap, did it for him.
”Papers,” he said.
”I know that, but why so many?” Dr. Hoyt asked impatiently.