Carnap and his experts huddled together in a quick technical conference. Miller waited patiently. He had plenty of time; he had decided not to show up at the office until Monday.
After awhile Carnap approached the juncture again, being careful not to step over the safety rail. “An interesting theory, Miller. That’s the strange part about psychotics. They rationalize their delusions into a logical system. A priori, your concept stands up well. It’s internally consistent. Only—”
“Only what?”
“Only it doesn’t happen to be true.” Carnap had regained his confidence; he seemed to be enjoying the interchange. “You think you’re really back in the past. Yes, this exhibit is extremely accurate. Your work has always been good. The authenticity of detail is unequalled by any of the other exhibits.”
“I tried to do my work well,” Miller murmured.
“You wore archaic clothing and affected archaic speech mannerisms. You did everything possible to throw yourself back. You devoted yourself to your work.” Carnap tapped the safety railing with his fingernail. “It would be a shame, Miller. A terrible shame to demolish such an authentic replica.”
“I see your point,” Miller said, after a time. “I agree with you, certainly. I’ve been very proud of my work—I’d hate to see it all torn down. But that really won’t do you any good. All you’ll succeed in doing is closing the time gate.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course. The exhibit is only a bridge, a link with the past. I passed through the exhibit, but I’m not there now. I’m beyond the exhibit.” He grinned tightly. “Your demolition can’t reach me. But seal me off, if you want. I don’t think I’ll be wanting to come back. I wish you could see this side, Carnap. It’s a nice place here. Freedom, opportunity. Limited government, responsible to the people. If you don’t like a job here you can quit. There’s no euthanasia, here. Come on over. I’ll introduce you to my wife.”
“We’ll get you,” Carnap said. “And all your psychotic figments along with you.”
“I doubt if any of my psychotic figments” are worried. Grunberg wasn’t. I don’t think Marjorie is—”
“We’ve already begun demolition preparations,” Carnap said calmly. “We’ll do it piece by piece, not all at once. So you may have the opportunity to appreciate the scientific and—artistic way we take your imaginary world apart.”
“You’re wasting your time,” Miller said. He turned and walked off, down the pavement, to the gravel path and up on to the front porch of his house.
In the living-room he, threw himself down in the easy chair and snapped on the television set. Then he went to the kitchen and got a can of ice cold beer. He carried it happily back into the safe, comfortable living-room.
As he was seating himself in front of the television set he noticed something rolled up on the low coffee table.
He grinned wryly It was the morning newspaper, which he had looked so hard for. Marjorie had brought it in with the milk, as usual. And of course forgotten to tell him. He yawned contentedly and reached over to pick it up. Confidently, he unfolded it—and read the big black headlines.
RUSSIA REVEALS COBALT BOMB
TOTAL WORLD DESTRUCTION AHEAD
Philip K. Dick, A Handful of Darkness
(Series: # )
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