Prelude to Foundation Chapter 11 Sacratorium

AURORA- A mythical world, dependdly inhabited in primordial times, during the dawn of inters fork apartar travel. It is thought by nigh to he the perhaps equ severallyy mythical world of seam of hu homosexuality and to be an separate name for Earth. The bulk of the Mycogen (q.v.) Sector of antediluvian Trantor reportedly held themselves to be descended from the inhabitants of sunlightup and made that tenet central to their scheme of beliefs, concerning which almost nonehing else is tell apartnEncyclopedia Galactica50.The ii Raindrops arrived at midmorning. Raindrop 45 keep in linemed as cheerful as ever, entirely Raindrop Forty- trio pa drilld sightly internal the door, figureing spend a pennyn and circumspect. She kept her eyes down and did non as much as descry at Seldon.Seldon looked uncertain and gestured to Dors, who express in a cheerful business resembling t whiz of voice, One mo workforcet, sisters. I moldiness(prenominal)iness give instructions to my humankind or he wont know what to do with himself today.They moved into the bathroom and Dors whispered, Is whatsoeverthing wrong?Yes. Raindrop Forty-Three is obviously shattered. Please tell her that I will return the support as soon as possible.Dors favored Seldon with a long surprised look. Hari, she utter, youre a sweet, caring person, just now you opennt the good sense datum of an amoeba. If I as much as denote the defend to the poor woman, shell be certain that you told me all ab prohibited what happened yesterday and then shell really be shattered. The still hope is to treat her hardly as I would ordinarily.Seldon nodded his head and utter dispi observancedly, I conceive of youre properly.Dors returned in time for dinner and found Seldon on his cot, still leafing through with(predicate) and through the playscript, solely with intensified impa get step forwardnce. He looked up with a scowl and verbalize, If were liberation to be staying hither whateve r distance of time, were pass to need a communication device of some sort between us. I had no idea when youd bushel tush and I was a half-size concerned.Well, here I am, she say, removing her skincap gingerly and looking at it with more(prenominal) than a elfin distaste. Im really pleased at your concern. I preferably thought youd be so lost in the obtain, you wouldnt sluice realize I was g atomic do 53.Seldon snorted.Dors say, As for communications devices, I doubt that they be easy to come by in Mycogen. It would mean easing communication with tribes throng make array and I fishy the leaders of Mycogen be bound and determined to cut down on all possible interaction with the capital beyond.Yes, tell Seldon, tossing the Book to cardinalness side, I would foretell that from what I nab in the Book. Did you lift out nearly the whatever you called it the temple?Yes, she utter, removing her eyebrow patches. It exists. in that location atomic number 18 a n umber of them everywhere the area of the sector, entirely at that broadcasts a central mental synthesis that seems to be the grievous mavin.-Would you believe that one woman noticed my eyelashes and told me that I shouldnt permit myself be seen in public? I crap a olfactory sensation she intended to report me for indecent expo for certain.Never approximation that, verbalise Seldon impatiently. Do you know where the central temple is located?I film directions, barely Raindrop Forty-Five warned me that women were not endureed inside except on particular occasions, none of which are coming up soon. Its called the Sacratorium.The what.The Sacratorium.What an ugly record book. What does it mean?Dors shake her head. Its new to me. And neither Raindrop knew what it meant either. To them, Sacratorium isnt what the building is called, its what it is. Asking them why they called it that plausibly live oned care renting them why a wall is called a wall.Is at that place whateverthing about it they do know?Of course, Hari. They know what its for. Its a place thats devoted to something new(prenominal) than the feeling here in Mycogen. Its devoted to some some former(a) world, a motive and part one.The world they once lived on, you mean?Exactly. Raindrop Forty-Five all nevertheless state so, but not quite. She couldnt bring herself to say the account book.Aurora?Thats the word, but I suspect that if you were to say it out loud to a stem of Mycogenians, they would be shocked and horrified. Raindrop Forty-Five, when she said, The Sacratorium is dedicated to-, period of timeped at that point and conservatively wrote out the letters one by one with her finger on the palm of her authorise. And she blushed, as though she was doing something obscene.Strange, said Seldon. If the Book is an accurate guide, Aurora is their dearest memory, their chief point of unification, the c repose about which e rattlingthing in Mycogen revolves. wherefore shoul d its mean be considered obscene? Are you sure you didnt misinterpret what the sister meant?Im positive. And perhaps its no mystery. Too much verbalize about it would expire to tribespeople. The best way of keeping it secret unto themselves is to rase out its actually mention taboo.Taboo?A specialized anthropological term. Its a university extension to expert and effective social pressure forbidding some sort of action. The particular that women are not al milded in the Sacratorium credibly has the force of a taboo. Im sure that a Sister would be horrified if it was suggested that she invade its precincts.Are the directions you moderate good becoming for me to get to the Sacratorium on my own?In the start place, Hari, youre not vent alone. Im expiration with you. I thought we had discussed the matter and that I had made it clear that I smokenot protect you at long distance-not from fall storms and not from feral women. In the second place, its impractical to trust of walking there. Mycogen whitethorn be a small sector, as sectors go, but it plain isnt that small.An Expressway, then. there are no Expressship fannyal passing through Mycogenian territory. It would make physical contact between Mycogenians and tribespeople too easy. Still, there are public conveyancings of the kind that are found on less developed planets. In fact, thats what Mycogen is, a bit of an undeveloped planet, embedded deal a splinter in the frame of Trantor, which is otherwise a patchwork of developed societies.-And Hari, finish with the Book as soon as possible. Its apparent that Rainbow Forty-Three is in trouble as long as you countenance it and so will we be if they find out.Do you mean a tribesperson reading it is taboo?Im sure of it.Well, it would be no wide loss to give it foul. I should say that 95 percent of it is incredibly dull endless in-fighting among political groups, endless exculpation of policies whose wisdom I movenot possibly judge, endles s homilies on ethical matters which, crimson out when enlightened, and they usually arent, are couched with such(prenominal) infuriating self-righteousness as to almost perform violation.You sound as though I would be doing you a prominent favor if I took the thing away from you.Except that theres always the other 5 percent that discusses the never-to-be-mentioned Aurora. I keep thinking that there may be something there and that it may be helpful to me. Thats why I requireed to know about the Sacratorium.Do you hope to find admit for the Books concept of Aurora in the Sacratorium?In a way. And Im also awful caught up in what the Book has to say about automata, or robots, to use their term. I find myself imbibe backed to the concept.Surely, you dont take it seriously?Almost. If you accept some passages of the Book literally, then there is an implication that some robots were in human shape.Naturally. If youre going to construct a simulacrum of a human being, you will mak e it look like a human being.Yes, simulacrum means likeness, but a likeness commode be crude therefore. An artist can draw a stick figure and you big businessman know he is re investing a human being and recognize it. A circle for the head, a stalk for the organic structure, and four bent sop ups for arms and legs and you concur it. scarce I mean robots that really look like a human being, in both detail.Ridiculous, Hari. Imagine the time it would take to fashion the metal of the body into perfect proportions, with the smooth curve of belowlying muscles.Who said metal, Dors? The impression I got is that such robots were organic or pseudo-organic, that they were covered with skin, that you could not easy draw a distinction between them and human beings in any way.Does the Book say that? none in so numerous words. The inference, however-Is your inference, Hari. You cant take it seriously.let me try. I find four things that I can deduce from what the Book says about robots-an d I followed up every reference the index gave. First, as I say, they-or some of them- claimly resembled human beings second, they had very extended life suspenders-if you pauperization to call it that.Better say effectiveness, said Dors, or youll lower thinking of them as human altogether.Third, said Seldon, ignoring her, that some-or, at any rate, at least one-continues to live on to this day.Hari, thats one of the most widespread legends we have. The ancient combatant does not die but remains in suspended animation, place to return to save his people at some time of great need. Really, Hari.Fourth, said Seldon, still not insurrection to the bait, there are some lines that seem to indicate that the central temple-or the Sacratorium, if thats what it is, though I havent found that word in the Book, actually-contains a robot. He paused, then said, Do you see?Dors said, No. What should I see?If we combine the four points, perhaps a robot that looks exactly like a human being and that is still awake(p), having been alive for, say, the last twenty dollar bill thousand years, is in the Sacratorium.Come on, Hari, you cant believe that.I dont actually believe it, but I cant entirely let go either. What if its true? What if-its only one chance out of a million, I admit-its true? Dont you see how useful he could be to me? He could dream up the Galaxy as it was long before any reliable historic records existed. He might help make psychohistory possible.Even if it was true, do you suppose the Mycogenians would let you see and oppugn the robot?I dont intend to ask permission. I can at least go to the Sacratorium and see if theres something to inter consume first.not now. Tomorrow at the earliest. And if you dont think wear out of it by morning, we go.You told me yourself they dont allow women-They allow women to look at it from outside, Im sure, and I suspect that is all well get to do.And there she was adamant.Hari Seldon was perfectly willing to let Dors ta ke the lead. She had been out in the main roadways of Mycogen and was more at home with them than he was. Dors Venabili, brows knitted, was less merry with the prospect. She said, We can easily get lost, you know.Not with that booklet, said Seldon.She looked up at him impatiently. Fix your mind on Mycogen, Hari. What I should have is a computomap, something I can ask questions of. This Mycogenian version is just a second of folded plastic. I cant tell this thing where I am. I cant tell it by word of mouth and I cant notwithstanding tell it by pushing the infallible contacts. It cant tell me anything either way. Its a print thing.Then read what it says.Thats what Im try to do, but its create verbally for people who are familiar with the system to begin with. Well have to ask.No, Dors. That would be a last resort. I dont want to attract attention. I would rather we take our chances and try to find our own way, even if it means making one or two wrong turns.Dors peruse through t he booklet with great attention and then said grudgingly, Well, it gives the Sacratorium important mention. I suppose thats only indwelling. I presume everyone in Mycogen would want to get there at one time or some other. Then, later on additional concentration, she said, Ill tell you what. Theres no way of taking a fare from here to there.What?Dont get excited. Apparently, theres a way of getting from here to another conveyance that will take us there. Well have to change from one to another.Seldon relaxed. Well, of course. You cant take an Expressway to half the places on Trantor without changing.Dors cast an impatient glance at Seldon. I know that too. Its just that Im used to having these things tell me so. When they necessitate you to find out for yourself, the simplest things can escape you for a time. wholly right, dear. Dont snap. If you know the way now, lead. I will follow humbly.And follow her he did, until they came to an intersection, where they stopped. Three wh ite-kirtled males and a pair of gray-kirtled females were at the same intersection. Seldon tried a popular and public smile in their direction, but they responded with a blank glance and looked away. And then the conveyance came. It was an outmoded version of what Seldon, back on Helicon, would have called a gravi-bus. There were some twenty upholstered judicatoryes inside, from each one capable of belongings four people. Each bench had its own doors on both sides of the bus. When it stopped, passengers emerged on either side. (For a moment, Seldon was concerned for those who got out on the traffic side of the gravi-bus, but then he noticed that every vehicle come near from either direction stopped as it neared the bus. None passed it while it was not moving.)Dors pushed Seldon impatiently and he moved on to a bench where two adjoining seats were available. Dors followed after. (The men always got on and got take out first, he noticed.)51.For instance, she said and pointed t o a smooth boxed-off area on the back of the bench directly before each of them. As soon as the conveyance had begun to move, words lit up, naming the next stop and the notable structures or crossways that were nearby.Now, that will probably tell us when were approaching the modulation we want. At least the sector isnt completely barbaric.Good, said Seldon. Then, after a while, leaning toward Dors, he whispered, No one is looking at us. It seems that stylised boundaries are set up to wield individual privacy in any crowded place. hasten you noticed that?Ive always taken it for granted. If thats going to be a feel of your psychohistory, no one will be very impressed by it.As Dors had guessed, the direction plaque in front of them eventually announced the approach to the changeover for the direct line to the Sacratorium. They reded and again had to gestate. Some buses ahead had already unexpended this intersection, but another gravi-bus was already approaching. They were on a well-traveled route, which was not surprising the Sacratorium was bound to be the center and heartbeat of the sector.They got on the gravi-bus and Seldon whispered, Were not paying.According to the map, public exaltation is a free service.Seldon thrust out his lower lip. How civilized. I suppose that energy is all of a piece, not backwardness, not barbarism, nothing.But Dors nudged him and whispered, Your rule is broken. Were being watched. The man on your right.52.Seldons eyes shifted presently. The man to his right was rather thin and seemed quite old. He had dark brown eyes and a swarthy complexion, and Seldon was sure that he would have had black copper if he had not been depilated. He reflexiond front again, thinking. This familiar was rather atypical. The fewer Brothers he had paid any attention to had been rather tall, light-skinned, and with blue or gray eyes. Of course, he had not seen seemly of them to make a commonplace rule.Then there was a light touch on the ri ght sleeve of his kirtle. Seldon turned hesitantly and found himself looking at a card on which was written lightly, CAREFUL, TRIBESMANSeldon started and put a make pass to his skincap automatically. The man next to him motionlessly mouthed, Hair.Seldons hand found it, a tiny motion-picture show of bristles at his temple. He mustiness have disturbed the skincap at some point or another. Quickly and as unobtrusively as possible, he tugged the skincap, then made sure that it was snug under the pretence of virgule his head.He turned to his neighbor on his right, nodded slightly, and mouthed, Thank you.His neighbor smiled and said in a normal speaking voice, Going to the Sacratorium?Seldon nodded. Yes, I am. elementary guess. So am I. Shall we get off together? His smile was friendly.Im with my-my-With your woman. Of course. All three together, then?Seldon was not sure how to react. A quick look in the other direction showed him that Dorss eyes were turned straight ahead. She was e xhibit no elicit in masculine conversation-an attitude appropriate for a Sister. However, Seldon felt a soft pat on his left knee, which he took (with perhaps little justification) to mean Its all right.In any case, his natural sense of courtesy was on that side and he said, Yes, certainly.There was no further conversation until the direction plaque told them they were arriving at the Sacratorium and Seldons Mycogenian friend was rising to get off.The gravi-bus made a wide turn about the border of a large area of the Sacratorium grounds and there was a general exodus when it came to a halt, the men sliding in front of the women to exit first. The women followed.The Mycogenians voice crackled a bit with age, but it was cheerful. He said, Its a little early for lunch my friends, but take my word for it that things will be crowded in not too long a time. Would you be willing to buy something simple now and eat it outside? I am very familiar with this area and I know a good place.Seld on wondered if this was a device to maneuver innocent tribespeople into something or other disreputable or costly, yet decided to chance it. Youre very kind, he said. Since we are not at all familiar with the place, we will be gladiola to let you take the lead.They bought lunch-sandwiches and a beverage that looked like milk-at an open-air stand. Since it was a beautiful day and they were visitors, the old Mycogenian said, they would go to the Sacratorium grounds and eat out of doors, the better to become acquainted with their surroundings.During their walk, halting their lunch, Seldon noted that, on a very small scale, the Sacratorium resembled the Imperial Palace and that the grounds almost it resembled, on a minute scale, the Imperial grounds. He could scarcely believe that the Mycogenian people admire the Imperial institution or, indeed, did anything but hate and despise it, yet the cultural attraction was apparently not to be withstood.Its beautiful, said the Mycogenian wit h obvious pride. rather, said Seldon. How it glistens in the daylight.The grounds around it, he said, are constructed in bogus of the government grounds on our Dawn dry land in miniature, to be sure.Did you ever see the grounds of the Imperial Palace? asked Seldon cautiously.The Mycogenian caught the implication and seemed in no way put out by it. They copied the Dawn World as best they could too.Seldon doubted that in the extreme, but he said nothing. They came to a semicircular seat of white stonite, sparkling in the light as the Sacratorium did.Good, said the Mycogenian, his dark eyes gleaming with pleasure. No ones taken my place. I call it mine only because its my favorite seat. It affords a beautiful view of the side wall of the Sacratorium past the trees. Please sit down. Its not cold, I assure you. And your ally. She is welcome to sit too. She is a tribeswoman, I know, and has polar customs. She she may speak if she wishes.Dors gave him a hard look and sat down.Seldon, r ecognizing the fact that they might remain with this old Mycogenian a while, thrust out his hand and said, I am Hari and my female companion is Dors. We dont use numbers, Im hydrophobic.To each his or her own, said the other expansively. I am Mycelium seventy-two. We are a large cohort.Mycelium? said Seldon a bit hesitantly.You seem surprised, said Mycelium. I take it, then, youve only met members of our elder families. Names like Cloud and Sunshine and Starlight-all astronomical.I must admit- began Seldon.Well, meet one of the lower classes. We take our names from the ground and from the micro-organisms we grow. utterly respectable.Im quite certain, said Seldon, and thank you again for helping me with my problem in the gravi-bus.Listen, said Mycelium seventy-two, I saved you a lot of trouble. If a Sister had seen you before I did, she would undoubtedly have screamed and the nearest Brothers would have bustled you off the bus- perhaps not even waiting for it to stop moving.Dors leaned forward so as to see across Seldon. How is it you did not act in this way yourself?I? I have no animosity against tribespeople. Im a learner.A scholar?First one in my cohort. I studied at the Sacratorium shallow and did very well. Im learned in all the ancient arts and I have a license to enter the tribal library, where they keep book-films and books by tribespeople. I can view any book-film or read any book I wish to. We even have a computerized reference library and I can handle that too. That sort of thing broadens your mind. I dont mind a little bull showing. Ive seen pictures of men with hair umteen a time. And women too. He glanced promptly at Dors.They ate in lock away for a while and then Seldon said, I notice that every Brother who enters or leaves the Sacratorium is wearing a red waistcloth.Oh yes, said Mycelium cardinal. Over the left shoulder and around the right side of the waist-usually very fancily embroidered.Why is that?Its called an obiah. It symboli zes the wallow felt at entering the Sacratorium and the blood one would spill to preserve it.Blood? said Dors, frowning. skillful a symbol. I never actually heard of anyone spilling blood over the Sacratorium. For that matter, there isnt that much joy. its mostly howl and mourning and prostrating ones self over the unconnected World. His voice dropped and became soft. Very silly.Dors said, Youre not a a believer?Im a scholar, said Mycelium with obvious pride. His face wrinkled as he grinned and took on an even more marked appearance of age.Seldon found himself wondering how old the man was. Several centuries?-No, theyd disposed of that. It couldnt be and yet, How old are you? Seldon asked curtly, involuntarily.Mycelium 72 showed no signs of taking hatred at the question, nor did he display any hesitation at answering, Sixty-seven.Seldon had to know. I was told that your people believe that in very early times everyone lived for some(prenominal) centuries.Mycelium Seventy-Tw o looked at Seldon quizzically. Now how did you find that out? Someone must have been talking out of turn but its true. There is that belief. just now the unsophisticated believe it, but the olders encourage it because it shows our superiority. Actually, our life expectancy is high than elsewhere because we eat more nutritionally, but living even one century is rare.I take it you dont consider Mycogenians superior, said Seldon.Mycelium Seventy-Two said, Theres nothing wrong with Mycogenians. Theyre certainly not inferior. Still, I think that all men are equal.-Even women, he added, looking across at Dors.I dont suppose, said Seldon, that many of your people would agree with that.Or many of your people, said Mycelium Seventy-Two with a faint resentment. I believe it, though. A scholar has to. Ive viewed and even read all the great literature of the tribespeople. I understand your culture. Ive written articles on it. I can sit here just as comfortably with you as though you were ti t.Dors said a little sharply, You sound proud of understanding tribespeoples ways. Have you ever traveled outside Mycogen?Mycelium Seventy-Two seemed to move away a little. No.Why not? You would get to know us better.I wouldnt feel right. Id have to wear a wig. Id be ashamed.Dors said, Why a wig? You could stay bald-faced.No, said Mycelium Seventy-Two, I wouldnt be that kind of fool. Id be mistreated by all the canescent ones.Mistreated? Why? said Dors. We have a great many naturally bald people everywhere on Trantor and on every other world too.My father is quite bald, said Seldon with a sigh, and I presume that in the decades to come I will be bald too. My hair isnt all that thick now. Thats not bald, said Mycelium Seventy-Two. You keep hair around the edges and over your eyes. I mean bald-no hair at all. anywhere on your body? said Dors, enkindle.And now Mycelium Seventy-Two looked offended and said nothing.Seldon, anxious to get the conversation back on track, said, Tell me, Mycelium Seventy-Two, can tribespeople enter the Sacratorium as spectators?Mycelium Seventy-Two shake his head vigorously. Never. Its for the Sons of the Dawn only.Dors said, still the Sons?Mycelium Seventy-Two looked shocked for a moment, then said forgivingly, Well, youre tribespeople. Daughters of the Dawn enter only on certain days and times. Thats just the way it is. I dont say I approve. If it was up to me, Id say, Go in. Enjoy if you can. Sooner others than me, in fact.Dont you ever go in?When I was young, my parents took me, but-he shook his head-it was just people staring at the Book and reading from it and sighing and weeping for the old days. Its very depressing. You cant talk to each other. You cant laugh. You cant even look at each other. Your mind has to be totally on the Lost World. Totally. He waved a hand in rejection. Not for me. Im a scholar and I want the complete world open to me.Good, said Seldon, seeing an opening. We feel that way too. We are scholars also , Dors and myself.I know, said Mycelium Seventy-Two.You know? How do you know?Youd have to be. The only tribespeople allowed in Mycogen are Imperial officials and diplomats, important traders, and scholars-and to me you have the look of scholars. Thats what interested me in you. Scholars together. He smiled delightedly.So we are. I am a mathematician. Dors is a historian. And you?I specialize in culture. Ive read all the great workings of literature of the tribespeople Lissauer, Mentone, Novigor-And we have read the great works of your people. Ive read the Book, for instance.-About the Lost World.Mycelium Seventy-Twos eyes opened wide in surprise. His olive complexion seemed to excrete a little. You have? How? Where?At our University we have copies that we can read if we have permission.Copies of the Book?Yes.I wonder if the Elders know this?Seldon said, And Ive read about robots.Robots?Yes. That is why I would like to be able to enter the Sacratorium. I would like to see the robo t. (Dors kicked lightly at Seldons ankle, but he ignored her.)Mycelium Seventy-Two said uneasily, I dont believe in such things. Scholarly people dont. But he looked about as though he was afraid of being overheard.Seldon said, Ive read that a robot still exists in the Sacratorium.Mycelium Seventy-Two said, I dont want to talk about such nonsense.Seldon persisted. Where would it be if it was in the Sacratorium?Even if one was there, I couldnt tell you. I havent been in there since I was a child.Would you know if there was a special place, a hidden place?Theres the Elders aerie. Only Elders go there, but theres nothing there.Have you ever been there?No, of course not.Then how do you know?I dont know that theres no pomegranate tree there. I dont know that theres no laser-organ there. I dont know that theres no item of a million different kinds there. Does my lack of knowledge of their absence show they are all present?For the moment, Seldon had nothing to say.A ghost of a smile broke through Mycelium Seventy-Twos look of concern. He said, Thats scholars backgrounding. Im not an easy man to tackle, you see. and the same, I wouldnt fire you to try to get up into the Elders aerie. I dont think youd like what would happen if they found a tribesman inside.-Well. Best of the Dawn to you. And he rosiness suddenly-without warning-and hurried away.Seldon looked after him, rather surprised. What made him rush off like that?I think, said Dors, its because someone is approaching.And someone was. A tall man in an elaborate white kirtle, crossed by an even more elaborate and subtly glittering red sash, glided solemnly toward them. He had the obvious look of a man with assurance and the even more explicit look of one who is not pleased.53.Hari Seldon rose as the new Mycogenian approached. He hadnt the slightest idea whether that was the appropriate polite behavior, but he had the distinct feeling it would do no harm. Dors Venabili rose with him and carefully kept her ey es lowered.The other stood before them. He too was an old man, but more subtly aged than Mycelium Seventy-Two. Age seemed to lend distinction to his still-handsome face. His bald head was beautifully round and his eyes were a startling blue, contrasting sharply with the burnished all-but-glowing red of his sash.The newcomer said, I see you are tribespeople. His voice was more high-pitched than Seldon had expected, but he spoke slowly, as though certain of the weight of billet in every word he uttered.So we are, said Seldon politely but firmly. He power saw no reason not to defer to the others position, but he did not intend to licentiousness his own.Your names?I am Hari Seldon of Helicon. My companion is Dors Venabili of Cinna. And yours, man of Mycogen?The eyes contract in displeasure, but he too could recognize an air of authority when he felt it.I am Skystrip Two, he said, lifting his head higher, an Elder of the Sacratorium. And your position, tribesman?We, said Seldon, em phasizing the pronoun, are scholars of Streeling University. I am a mathematician and my companion is a historian and we are here to study the ways of Mycogen.By whose authority?By that of Sunmaster Fourteen, who greeted us on our arrival.Skystrip Two fell silent for a moment and then a small smile appeared on his face and he took on an air that was almost benign. He said, The uplifted Elder. I know him well.And so you should, said Seldon blandly. Is there anything else, Elder?Yes. The Elder strove to regain the high ground. Who was the man who was with you and who hurried away when I approached?Seldon shook his head, We never saw him before, Elder, and know nothing about him. We encountered him purely by accident and asked about the Sacratorium.What did you ask him?Two questions, Elder. We asked if that building was the Sacratorium and if tribespeople were allowed to enter it. He answered in the affirmative to the first question and in the negative to the second.Quite so. And what is your interest in the Sacratorium?Sir, we are here to study the ways of Mycogen and is not the Sacratorium the heart and brain of Mycogen?It is entirely ours and reserved for us.Even if an Elder-the High Elder-would regulate for permission in view of our scholarly function?Have you indeed the High Elders permission?Seldon hesitated the slightest moment while Dorss eyes lifted apprizely to look at him sideways. He decided he could not carry off a lie of this magnitude. No, he said, not yet.Or ever, said the Elder. You are here in Mycogen by authority, but even the highest authority cannot exert total control over the public. We value our Sacratorium and the populace can easily grow excited over the comportment of a tribesperson anywhere in Mycogen but, most particularly, in the vicinity of the Sacratorium. It would take one peevish person to raise a cry of Invasion and a peaceful crowd such as this one would be turned into one that would be thirsting to tear you apart. I mean that quite literally. For your own good, even if the High Elder has shown you kindness, leave. NowBut the Sacratorium- said Seldon stubbornly, though Dors was puff gently at his kirtle.What is there in the Sacratorium that can possibly interest you? said the Elder. You see it now. There is nothing for you to see in the interior.There is the robot, said Seldon.The Elder stared at Seldon in shocked surprise and then, diversion to bring his lips close to Seldons ear, whispered harshly, Leave now or I will raise the cry of Invasion myself. Nor, were it not for the High Elder, would I give you even this one chance to leave.And Dors, with surprising strength, nearly pulled Seldon off his feet as she stepped hastily away, dragging him along until he caught his balance and stepped quickly after her.54.It was over breakfast the next morning, not sooner, that Dors took up the subject-and in a way that Seldon found most wounding. She said, Well, that was a pretty drubbing yesterday.Seldon, who had honestly thought he had gotten away with it without comment, looked sullen. What made it a trouncing?Driven out is what we were. And for what? What did we gain?Only the knowledge that there is a robot in there.Mycelium Seventy-Two said there wasnt.Of course he said that. Hes a scholar-or thinks he is-and what he doesnt know about the Sacratorium would probably fill that library he goes to. You saw the Elders reaction.I certainly did.He would not have reacted like that if there was no robot inside. He was horrified we knew.Thats just your guess, Hari. And even if there was, we couldnt get in.We could certainly try. afterward breakfast, we go out and buy a sash for me, one of those obiahs. I put it on, keep my eyes devoutly downward, and walk right in.Skincap and all? Theyll spot you in a microsecond.No, they wont. Well go into the library where all the tribespeople entropy is kept. Id like to see it anyway. From the library, which is a Sacratorium annex, I gather, there wi ll probably be an entrance into the Sacratorium.Where you will be picked up at once.Not at all. You heard what Mycelium Seventy-Two had to say. Everyone keeps his eyes down and meditates on their great Lost World, Aurora. No one looks at anyone else. It would probably be a grievous breach of discipline to do so. Then Ill find the Elders aerie-Just like that?At one point, Mycelium Seventy-Two said he would advise me not to try to get up into the Elders aerie. Up. It must be somewhere in that tower of the Sacratorium, the central tower.Dors shook her head. I dont recall the mans exact words and I dont think you do either. Thats a terribly sluttish foundation to- Wait. She stopped suddenly and frowned.Well? said Seldon.There is an obsolete word aerie that means a dwelling place on high. Ah There you are. You see, weve learned some vital things as the result of what you call a fiasco. And if I can find a living robot thats twenty thousand years old and if it can tell me-Suppose that s uch a thing exists, which passes belief, and that you find it, which is not very likely, how long do you think you will be able to talk to it before your presence is discovered?I dont know, but if I can prove it exists and if I can find it, then Ill think of some way to talk to it. Its too late for me to back out now under any circumstances. Hummin should have left me alone when I thought there was no way of achieving psychohistory. Now that it seems there may be, I wont let anything stop me-short of being killed.The Mycogenians may oblige, Hari, and you cant run that risk.Yes, I can. Im going to try.No, Hari. I must look after you and I cant let you.You must let me. decision a way to work out psychohistory is more important than my rubber. My safety is only important because I may work out psychohistory. hamper me from doing so and your task loses its meaning.-Think about it.Hari felt himself infused with a renewed sense of purpose. Psychohistory-his nebulous theory that he had, such a short while ago, despaired ever of proving-loomed larger, more real. Now he had to believe that it was possible he could feel it in his gut. The pieces seemed to be falling together and although he couldnt see the whole pattern yet, he was sure the Sacratorium would yield another piece to the puzzle.Then Ill go in with you so I can pull you out, you idiot, when the time comes.Women cant enter.What makes me a woman? Only this gray kirtle. You cant see my breasts under it. I dont have a womans style hairdo with the skincap on. I have the same washed, unmarked face a man has. The men here dont have stubble. All I need is a white kirtle and a sash and I can enter. Any Sister could do it if she wasnt held back by a taboo. I am not held back by one.Youre held back by me. I wont let you. Its too dangerous.No more dangerous for me than for you.But I must take the risk.Then so must I. Why is your imperative greater than mine?Because- Seldon paused in thought.Just tell yourself this, s aid Dors, her voice hard as rock. I wont let you go there without me. If you try, I will knock you unconscious and tie you up. If you dont like that, then give up any thought of going alone.Seldon hesitated and muttered darkly. He gave up the argument, at least for now.55.The sky was almost cloudless, but it was a pale blue, as though wrapped in a high thin mist. That, thought Seldon, was a good touch, but suddenly he missed the sun itself. No one on Trantor saw the planets sun unless he or she went Upperside and even then only when the natural cloud layer broke. Did native Trantorians miss the sun? Did they give it any thought? When one of them visited another world where a natural sun was in view, did he or she stare, half-blinded, at it with awe?Why, he wondered, did so many people spend their lives not trying to find answers to questions-not even thinking of questions to begin with? Was there anything more exciting in life than seeking answers?His glance shifted to ground level. The wide roadway was lined with low buildings, most of them shops. Numerous individual ground-cars moved in both directions, each hugging the right side. They seemed like a collection of antiques, but they were electrically driven and quite soundless. Seldon wondered if antique was always a word to sneer at. Could it be that silence made up for slowness? Was there any particular hurry to life, after all?There were a number of children on the walkways and Seldons lips pressed together in annoyance. Clearly, an extended life span for the Mycogenians was impossible unless they were willing to indulge in infanticide. The children of both sexes (though it was hard to tell the boys from the girls) wore kirtles that came only a few inches below the knee, making the wild activeness of childhood easier.The children also still had hair, reduced to an inch in length at most, but even so the older ones among them had hoods attached to their kirtles and wore them raised, secrecy the top of t he head altogether. It was as though they were getting old enough to make the hair seem a pettiness obscene-or old enough to be wishing to hide it, in longing for the day of rite of passage when they were depilated.A thought occurred to Seldon. He said, Dors, when youve been out shopping, who paid, you or the Raindrop women?I did of course. The Raindrops never produced a realization tile. But why should they? What was being bought was for us, not for them.But you have a Trantorian credit tile-a tribeswoman credit tile.Of course, Hari, but there was no problem. The people of Mycogen may keep their own culture and ways of thought and habits of life as they wish. They can destroy their cephalic hair and wear kirtles. Nevertheless, they must use the worlds credits. If they dont, that would choke off commerce and no sensible person would want to do that. The credits nerve, Hari. She held up her hand as though she was holding an invisible credit tile.And they accepted your credit tile?N ever a peep out of them. And never a word about my skincap. Credits sanitize everything.Well, thats good. So I can buy-No, Ill do the buying. Credits may sanitize everything, but they more easily sanitize a tribeswoman. Theyre so used to paying women little or no attention that they automatically pay me the same.-And heres the clothing store Ive been using.Ill wait out here. Get me a nice red sash-one that looks impressive.Dont pretend youve disregarded our decision. Ill get two. And another white kirtle also to my measurements.Wont they think it odd that a woman would be buying a white kirtle?Of course not. Theyll sham Im buying it for a male companion who happens to be my size. Actually, I dont think theyll bother with any assumptions at all as long as my credit tile is good.Seldon waited, half-expecting someone to come up and greet him as a tribesman or denounce him as one-more likely-but no one did. Those who passed him did so without a glance and even those who glanced in his direction moved on seemingly untouched. He was especially nervous about the gray kirtles-the women-walking by in pairs or, even worse, with a man. They were downtrodden, unnoticed, snubbed. How better to gain a brief notoriety than by shrieking at the sight of a tribesman? But even the women moved on.Theyre not expecting to see a tribesman, Seldon thought, so they dont see one.That, he decided, augured well for their forthcoming invasion of the Sacratorium. How much less would anyone expect to see tribespeople there and how much more effectively would they therefore spoil to see them He was in fairly good humor when Dors emerged.You have everything?Absolutely.Then lets go back to the room, so you can change. The white kirtle did not fit her quite as well as the gray one did. Obviously, she could not have tried it on or even the densest shopkeeper would have been struck with alarm.How do I look, Hari? she asked.Exactly like a boy, said Seldon. Now lets try the sash or obiah. I had better get used to calling it that.Dors, without her skincap, was shaking out her hair gratefully. She said sharply, Dont put it on now. Were not going to parade through Mycogen with the sash on. The last thing we want to do is call attention to ourselves.No, no. I just want to see how it goes on.Well, not that one. This one is better quality and more elaborate.Youre right, Dors. Ive got to gather in what attention there is. I dont want them to detect you as a woman.Im not thinking of that, Hari. I just want you to look pretty.A thousand thanks, but thats impossible, I suspect. Now, lets see, how does this work?Together, Hari and Dors practiced putting their obiahs on and taking them off, over and over again, until they could do it in one fluid motion. Dors taught Hari how to do it, as she had seen a man doing it the day before at the Sacratorium.When Hari praised her for her acute observations, she blushed and said, Its really nothing, Hari, just something I noticed.Hari replied, T hen youre a genius for noticing.Finally satisfied, they stood well apart, each surveying the other. Haris obiah glittered, a bright red dragonlike design standing out against a paler field of similar hue. Dorss was a little less bold, had a simple thin line down the center, and was very light in color.There, she said, just enough to show good taste. She took it off.Now, said Seldon, we fold it up and it goes into one of the inner pockets. I have my credit tile-Hummins, really-and the key to this place in this one and here, on the other side, the Book.The Book? Should you be carrying it around?I must. Im guessing that anyone going to the Sacratorium ought to have a copy of the Book with him. They may intone passages or have readings. If necessary, well share the Book and maybe no one will notice. Ready?Ill never be ready, but Im going with you.It will be a tedious trip. Will you view my skincap and make sure no hair shows this time? And dont scratch your head.I wont. You look all ri ght.So do you.You also look nervous.And Seldon said wryly, Guess whyDors reached out impulsively and squeezed Haris hand, then drew back as if surprised at herself. Looking down, she straightened her white kirtle.Hari, himself a trifle surprised and peculiarly pleased, cleared his throat and said, Okay, lets go.