Part 18 (1/2)
”Certainly it could,” Lentz agreed ”You could go on the air with it and scare everybody half to death You could create the da-nutty country has ever seen No, thank you I, for one, would rather have us all take the chance of being quietly killed than bring on a mass psychosis that would destroy the culture we are building up I think one taste of the Crazy Years is enough”
”Well, then, what do you suggest?”
Lentz considered shortly, then answered: ”All I see is a forlorn hope
We've got to work on the Board of Directors and try to beat so the discussion with attention in spite of his tired despondency, interjected a reo about that?”
”I don't know,” Lentz ad But it seems the most fruitful line of approach If it doesn't work, we can always fall back on Harrington's notion of publicity - I don't insist that the world commit suicide to satisfy lanced at his wristwatch - a bulky affair - and whistled ”Good heavens!” he exclaiot the tistaff Observatory”
King had automatically noted the time shown by the Captain's watch as it was displayed ”But it can't be that late” he had objected Harrington looked puzzled, then laughed
”It isn't - not by two hours We are in zone plus-seven; this shows zone plus-five - it's radio-synchronized with the ton”
”Did you say radio-synchronized?”
”Yes Clever, isn't it?” He held it out for inspection ”I call it a telechrononed it for o far That is - ” his face clouded, as if the little interlude had only served to e over thelowed at King's desk, and Steinke's face showed on the co answered him, then said, ”Your car is ready, Dr
Lentz”
”Let Captain Harrington have it”
”Then you're not going back to Chicago?”
”No The situation has changed If you wantFriday, Steinke ushered Lentz into Kings office King looked alround, Doctor? I didn't expect you back for another hour or so”
”Just now I hired a cab instead of waiting for the shuttle”
”Any luck?”
”None The saave you: ”The Company is assured by independent experts that Destry's e an hysterical attitude a tapped on his desk top, his eyes unfocused Then, hitching himself around to face Lentz directly, he said, ”Do you suppose the Chairht?”
”How?”
”Could the three of us - you, one off the deep end - slipped mentally?”
”No”
”You're sure?”