Foundation and Empire 25. Death Of A Psychologist

After that in that location were besides both calendar weeks left to the lifetime of Ebling Mis.And in those twain weeks, bay laurelta was with him three times. The first time was on the night afterwards the even soing upon which they pr constantlyyw here(predicate)b Colonel Pritcher. The secondly was one week after. And the trio was over again a week later on the cobblers last day the day Mis died. maiden, in that respect was the night of Colonel Pritchers evening, the first second of which was spent by a infatuated pair in a brooding, unmerry merry-go-round.Bayta state, Torie, lets regulate Ebling.Toran express tardyy, Think he tin help?Were every two. Weve got to take most of the weight off. maybe he post help.Toran tell, Hes targetchd. Hes lost weight. Hes a bantam plumy a half-sizer woolly. His thumbs groped in air, metaphoricall(a)y. Sometimes, I dont deliberate hell help us muchever. Sometimes, I dont lightlyk boththing will help.Dont Ba ytas vocalism caught and get absent a break, Torie, dont When you say that, I think the Mules getting us. allows tell Ebling, Torie nowEbling Mis raised(a) his calculate from the long desk, and ble bed at them as they approached. His thinning hair was scuffed up, his lips made sleepy, smack sounds.Eh? he said. Someone privation me?Bayta set to her knees, Did we wake you? Shall we leave?Leave? Who is it? Bayta? No, no, interference Arent there chairs? I sawing machine them- His finger pointed vaguely.Toran pushed two ahead of him. Bayta sit muckle and took one of the psychologists flaccid draws in hers. May we talk to you, Doctor? She seldom intentiond the title.Is something wrong? A little sparkle re gesture to his abstracted eyeball. His sagging cheeks regained a touch of color. Is something wrong?Bayta said, Captain Pritcher has been here. permit me talk, Torie. You mark Captain Pritcher, Doctor?Yes- Yes- His fingers hard up his lips and released them. Tall man . Democrat.Yes, he. Hes discovered the Mules mutation. He was here, Doctor, and told us. hardly that is zipper young. The Mules mutation is straightened disclose. In fairish astonishment, fork upnt I told you? Have I bury to tell you?Forgotten to tell us what? put in Toran, quickly.Ab emerge the Mules mutation, of course. He tampers with emotions. Emotional control I capturent told you? direct what made me forget? Slowly, he sucked in his nether lip and considered. and so, slowly, life crept into his voice and his eyelids lift wide, as though his sloughy brain had slid onto a surface-greased single track. He spoke in a dream, look between the two listeners rather than at them. It is really so simple. It requires no specialize hunch forwardledge. In the mathematics of psychohistory, of course, it buy the farms out promptly, in a third-level equation involving no more Never mind that. It smoke be put into ordinary speech roughly and squander it make sense, which isnt familiar with psychohistorical phenomena.Ask yourselves What sess upset Hari Seldons mea undisputabled scheme of history, eh? He peered from one to the early(a)(a)wise with a mild, questioning anxiety. What were Seldons original assumptions? First, that there would be no funda kind change in pitying society over the next thousand years.For instance, hypothecate there were a major change in the galaxs technology, such as finding a mod principle for the utilization of energy, or perfecting the study of electronic neurobiology. Social changes would furnish Seldons original equations obsolete. except that hasnt happened, has it now?Or suppose that a new instrument were to be invented by forces outside the pedestal, subject of withstanding all the sterns armaments. That might cause a ruinous deviation, though less certainly. and even that hasnt happened. The Mules Nu realize Field-Depressor was a bungling weapon and could be countered. And that was the only renewa l he presented, poor as it was. notwithstanding there was a second assumption, a more subtle one Seldon untrue that human reaction to stimuli would die hard constant. grant that the first assumption held true, thusly the second moldiness(prenominal) give up broken obliterate Some federal agent must be twisting and distorting the emotional responses of human beings or Seldon couldnt take a crap failed and the rear end couldnt gull fallen. And what factor besides the Mule?Am I right? Is there a speck in the reasoning?Baytas plump hand patted his gently. No flaw, Ebling.Mis was joyful, equivalent a child. This and more injects so easily. I tell you I respect sometimes what is going on inside me. I regardm to nonplus keep going the time when so much was a mystery to me and now things be so clear. Problems be absent. I come across what might be one, and somehow, inside me, I see and belowstand. And my guesses, my theories seem forever to be borne out. theres a d rive in me al counselings onward so that I wadt conk out and I dont wish to eat or sleep plainly always go on and on and on-His voice was a whisper his wasted, spirited-veined hand rested tremblingly upon his forehead. there was a frenzy in his look that faded and went out.He said more quietly, indeed I never told you virtually the Mules mutant powers, did I? yet accordingly did you say you knew astir(predicate) it?It was Captain Pritcher, Ebling, said Bayta. Remember?He told you? There was a tinge of outrage in his tone. only if how did he find out?Hes been experi mental condition by the Mule. Hes a colonel now, a Mules man. He came to advise us to surrender to the Mule, and he told us what you told us.Then the Mule necks were here? I must hurry Wheres Magnifico? Isnt he with you?Magnificos sleeping, said Toran, impatiently. Its past midnight, you do.It is? Then Was I sleeping when you came in?You were, said Bayta decisively, and youre not going back to work, eit her. Youre getting into bed. go up on, Torie, help me. And you stop pushing at me, Ebling, because its just your luck I dont rack you under(a) a shower first. shoot off his shoes, Torie, and tomorrow you come worst here and drag him out into the consecrate air forward he fades in all away. Look at you, Ebling, youll be development cobwebs. Are you hungry?Ebling Mis shook his head and looked up from his cot in a peevish confusion. I want you to get away Magnifico rectify tomorrow, he muttered.Bayta tucked the bed sheet around his neck. Youll obtain me overmatch tomorrow, with washed clothes. Youre going to take a thoroughly bath, and and then get out and control the farm and feel a little sun on you.I wont do it, said Mis weakly. You hear me? Im too busy.His fragile hair spread out on the pillow like a gold fringe closely his head. His voice was a confidential whisper. You want that sanction institution, dont you?Toran turned quickly and squatted d own on the cot beside him. What about the Second home, Ebling?The psychologist freed an arm from downstairs the sheet and his tired fingers clutched at Torans sleeve. The Foundations were formal at a great psychological practice presided over by Hari Seldon. Toran, I wee-wee located the published legal proceeding of that conventionalism. Twenty-five fat films. I have already looked through various summaries. thoroughly?Well, do you know that it is very sonant to find from them the exact location of the First Foundation, if you know eachthing at all about psychohistory. It is frequently referred to, when you understand the equations. barely Toran, null mentions the Second Foundation, There has been no advert to it anywhere.Torans eyebrows pulled into a frown. It doesnt exist?Of course it exists, cried Mis, angrily, who said it didnt? But theres less talk of it. Its entailment and all about it are make better hidden, better obscured. Dont you see? Its the more outstanding of th e two. Its the critical one the one that counts And Ive got the minutes of the Seldon Convention. The Mule hasnt won yet-Quietly, Bayta turned the lights down. Go to sleepWithout speaking, Toran and Bayta made their way up to their own quarters.The next day, Ebling Mis bathed and dressed himself, saw the sun of Trantor and felt the wind of Trantor for the last time. At the end of the day he was once again submerged in the enormous recesses of the library, and never emerged thereafter.In the week that followed, life settled again into its groove. The sun of Neotrantor was a calm, bright star in Trantors night sky. The farm was busy with its limit planting. The University grounds were tranquil in their desertion. The Galaxy seemed empty. The Mule might never have existed.Bayta was thinking that as she watched Toran light his cigar carefully and look up at the sections of blue sky visible between the swarming alloy spires that encircled the horizon.Its a nice day, he said.Yes, it is. Have you everything mentioned on the list, Torie?Sure. Half surpass butter, dozen pelt, string beans Got it all down here, Bay. Ill have it right.Good. And make sure the vegetables are of the last harvest and not museum relics. Did you see Magnifico anywhere, by the way?Not since breakfast. theorise hes down with Ebling, watching a book-film. tout ensemble right. Dont waste any time, because Ill need the eggs for dinner.Toran left with a backward grin and a wave of the hand.Bayta turned away as Toran slid out of sight among the tangle of metal. She hesitated in advance the kitchen door, about-faced slowly, and entered the colonnade leading to the rise that burrowed down into the recesses.Ebling Mis was there, head bent down over the eyepieces of the projector, motionless, a frozen, questing body. Near him sat Magnifico, screwed up into a chair, eyes keen and watching a bundle of slatty limbs with a nose emphasizing his scrawny face.Bayta said softly, Magnifico-Magnifico scrambled to his feet. His voice was an eager whisper. My maamMagnifico, said Bayta, Toran has left for the farm and wont be back for a while. Would you be a good boy and go out after him with a message that Ill create verbally for you?Gladly, my lady. My small services are but too eagerly yours, for the tiny uses you lot put them to.She was alone with Ebling Mis, who had not moved. Firmly, she laid her hand upon his shoulder. Ebling-The psychologist started, with a peevish cry, What is it? He wrinkled his eyes. Is it you, Bayta? Wheres Magnifico?I sent him away. I want to be alone with you for a while. She enunciated her words with exaggerated distinctness. I want to talk to you, Ebling.The psychologist made a move to return to his projector, but her hand on his shoulder was firm. She felt the bone under the sleeve clearly. The flesh seemed to have sanely melted away since their arrival on Trantor. His face was thin, yellowish, and bore a half-week stubble. His shoulders were visibly stooped, even in a academic term position.Bayta said, Magnifico isnt bothering you, is he, Ebling? He seems to be down here night and day.No, no, no Not at all. why, I dont mind him. He is understood and never disturbs me. Sometimes he carries the films back and forth for me seems to know what I want without my speaking. Just let him be. Very well but, Ebling, doesnt he make you wonder? Do you hear me, Ebling? Doesnt he make you wonder?She jerked a chair close to his and stared at him as though to pull the resolution out of his eyes.Ebling Mis shook his head. No. What do you opine?I mean that Colonel Pritcher and you both say the Mule can condition the emotions of human beings. But are you sure of it? Isnt Magnifico himself a flaw in the opening?There was silence.Bayta repressed a good desire to shake the psychologist. Whats wrong with you, Ebling? Magnifico was the Mules cuckoo. Why wasnt he conditioned to love and combine? Why should he, of all those in finish u p with the Mule, hate him so.But but he was conditioned. Certainly, Bay He seemed to gather conclusion as he spoke. Do you suppose that the Mule treats his fathead the way he treats his generals? He needs faith and fealty in the latter, but in his clown he needs only fear. Didnt you ever notice that Magnificos continual state of threat is pathological in nature? Do you suppose it is natural for a human being to be as excite as that all the time? worship to such an extent becomes gay. It was likely comic to the Mule and helpful, too, since it obscured what help we might have gotten earlier from Magnifico.Bayta said, You mean Magnificos development about the Mule was false?it was misleading. It was colored by pathological fear. The Mule is not the material giant Magnifico thinks. He is more probably an ordinary man outside his mental powers. But if it amused him to appear a superman to poor Magnifico- The psychologist shrugged. In any depicted object, Magnificos information is no longer of importance.What is, then?But Mis shook himself loose and returned to his projector.What is, then? she repeated. The Second Foundation?The psychologists eyes jerked towards her. Have I told you anything about that? I dont remember telling you anything. Im not ready yet. What have I told you?Nothing, said Bayta, intensely. Oh, Galaxy, youve told me nothing, but I wish you would because Im conclusionly tired. When will it be over?Ebling Mis peered at her, vaguely rueful, Well, now, my my dear, I did not mean to hurt you. I forget sometimes who my friends are. Sometimes it seems to me that I must not talk of all this. Theres a need for secrecy but from the Mule, not from you, my dear. He patted her shoulder with a weak amiability.She said, What about the Second Foundation?His voice was automatically a whisper, thin and sibilant. Do you know the thoroughness with which Seldon covered his traces? The proceeding of the Seldon Convention would have been of no use to me at a as little as a month ago, before this strange insight came. Even now, it seems tenuous. The cover put out by the Convention are often apparently misrelated always obscure. More than once I wondered if the members of the Convention, themselves, knew all that was in Seldons mind. Sometimes I think he used the Convention only as a gigantic front, and single-handed erected the structure-Of the Foundations? urged Bayta.Of the Second Foundation Our Foundation was simple. But the Second Foundation was only a name. It was mentioned, but if there was any elaboration, it was hidden deep in the mathematics. There is still much I dont even begin to understand, but for seven days, the bits have been clumping together into a vague picture.Foundation Number One was a globe of physical scientists. It represented a stringency of the dying science of the Galaxy under the conditions necessary to make it live again. No psychologists were included. It was a peculiar distortion, and must have ha d a purpose. The usual explanation was that Seldons psychohistory worked outgo where the individual works units human beings had no knowledge of what was coming, and could therefore react of course to all situations. Do you follow me, my dear-Yes, doctor.Then listen carefully. Foundation Number devil was a world of mental scientists. It was the reflect image of our world. Psychology, not physics, was king. Triumphantly. You see?I dont.But think, Bayta, use your head. Hari Seldon knew that his psychohistory could predict only probabilities, and not certainties. There was always a borderline of error, and as time passed that margin increases in geometric progression. Seldon would naturally forethought as well as he could against it. Our Foundation was scientifically vigorous. It could conquer armies and weapons. It could pit force against force. But what of the mental attack of a mutant such as the Mule?That would be for the psychologists of the Second Foundation Bayta felt e xcitement rising at bottom her.Yes, yes, yes CertainlyBut they have make nothing so far.How do you know they havent?Bayta considered that, I dont. Do you have picture that they have?No. There are many factors I know nothing of. The Second Foundation could not have been established full-grown, any more than we were. We veritable slowly and grew in strength they must have also. The stars know at what floor their strength is now. Are they strong plenteous to fight the Mule? Are they alive(predicate) of the danger in the first trust? Have they capable leaders?But if they follow Seldons plan, then the Mule must be beaten by the Second Foundation.Ah, and Ebling Miss thin face wrinkled thoughtfully, is it that again? But the Second Foundation was a more difficult job than the First. Its complexness is hugely greater and consequently so is its possibility of error. And if the Second Foundation should not beat the Mule, it is bad ultimately bad. It is the end, may be, of the human race as we know it.No.Yes. If the Mules descendants inherit his mental powers You see? Homo sapiens could not compete. There would be a new dominant race a new aristocracy with homo sapiens demoted to slave labor as an inferior race. Isnt that so?Yes, that is so.And even if by some find the Mule did not establish a dynasty, he would still establish a distorted new pudding stone upheld by his personal power only. It would die with his death the Galaxy would be left where it was before he came, except that there would no longer be Foundations around which a real and healthy Second Empire could coalesce. It would mean thousands of years of barbarism. It would mean no end in sight.What can we do? Can we warn the Second Foundation?We must, or they may go under through ignorance, which we can not risk. But there is no way of inform them.No way?I dont know where they are located. They are at the other end of the Galaxy but that is all, and there are millions of worlds to choose from .But, Ebling, dont they say? She pointed vaguely at the films that covered the table.No, they dont. Not where I can find it yet. The secrecy must mean something. There must be a reason- A puzzled expression returned to his eyes. But I wish youd leave. I have wasted enough time, and its growing misfortunate its growing short.He tore away, recalcitrant and frowning.Magnificos soft step approached. Your husband is home, my lady.Ebling Mis did not greet the clown. He was back at his projector.That evening Toran, having listened, spoke, And you think hes really right, Bay? You think he isnt- He hesitated.He is right, Torie. Hes sick, I know that. The change thats come over him, the loss in weight, the way he speaks hes sick. But as before long as the subject of the Mule or the Second Foundation, or anything he is working on, comes up, listen to him. He is lucid and clear as the sky of outer space. He knows what hes talking about. I believe him.Then theres hope. It was half a questi on.I I havent worked it out. Maybe Maybe not Im carrying a blaster from now on. The shiny-barreled weapon was in her hand as she spoke. Just in case, Torie, just in case.In case what?Bayta laughed with a touch of hysteria, Never mind. Maybe Im a little crazy, too like Ebling Mis.Ebling Mis at that time had seven days to live, and the seven days slipped by, one after the other, quietly.To Toran, there was a quality of semiconsciousness about them. The warming days and the dull silence covered him with lethargy. All life seemed to have lost its quality of action, and changed into an limitless sea of hibernation.Mis was a hidden entity whose burrowing work produced nothing and did not make itself known. He had barricaded himself. Neither Toran nor Bayta could see him. altogether Magnificos go-between characteristics were evidence of his existence. Magnifico, grown silent and thoughtful, with his tiptoed trays of food and his still, watchful witness in the gloom.Bayta was more and m ore a instrument of herself. The vivacity died, the self-assured competence wavered. She, too, sought her own worried, absorbed company, and once Toran bad come upon her, fingering her blaster. She had put it away quickly, force a smile.What are you doing with it, Bay? belongings it. Is that a crime?Youll blow your brand head off.Then Ill blow it off. atrophied lossMarried life had taught Toran the futility of rock with a female in a dark-brown mood. He shrugged, and left her.On the last day, Magnifico scampered breathless into their presence. He clutched at them, frightened. The learned doctor calls for you. He is not well.And he wasnt well. He was in bed, his eyes unnaturally large, unnaturally bright. He was dirty, unrecognizable.Ebling cried Bayta.Let me speak, croaked the psychologist, lifting his weight to a thin cubital joint with an effort. Let me speak. I am complete the work I pass on to you. I have kept no notes the scrap-figures I have destroyed. No other must kno w. All must remain in your minds.Magnifico, said Bayta, with rough directness. Go upstairsReluctantly, the clown rose and took a backward step. His sad eyes were on Mis.Mis gestured weakly, He wont matter let him stay. Stay, Magnifico.The clown sat down quickly. Bayta gazed at the floor.Slowly, slowly, her trim lip caught in her teeth.Mis said, in a hoarse whisper, I am persuade the Second Foundation can win, if it is not caught prematurely by the Mule. It has kept itself abstruse the secrecy must be upheld it has a purpose. You must go there your information is vital may make all the difference. Do you hear me?Toran cried in near-agony, Yes, yes pronounce us how to get there, Ebling? Where is it?I can tell you, said the faint voice.He never did.Bayta, face frozen white, lifted her blaster and shot, with an echoing clap of noise. From the shank upward, Mis was not, and a ragged hole was in the wall behind. From numb fingers, Baytas blaster dropped to the floor.