It is rumored that technology might eliminatemany useless items from our regulated life of thefuture—including good, old-fashioned sex. However,let's kibitz for a moment ...
Kial was disgusted with theslow, cumbersome train. Hedisliked using this uncomfortablemeans of travel, but since he wantedto learn more about thesestrange creatures who were his ancestors,he had decided to try to becomeused to their ways.
He was lonely in this strange,backward age and when he unexpectedlysaw another being likehimself in the same coach, he hastenedto make his presence known.He introduced himself and askedpolitely:
"When are you from?"
"8000," the other replied."Name's Broyk, from VII Galaxy."
"I'm from out XIX way myself,"Kial said. "Just a countryboy. But 8000—that's only a periodahead of my own time. Maybe youcould tell me ..."
"Ah, ah!" the other admonished."Remember the First Law ofThek!"
"Oh, Center," Kial grumbled."I know: 'One may not divulgeany scientific, technical or social informationto anyone from his ownpast whom he may meet at anequidistant point in a Thek-travel.'I forgot."
"Bad," Broyk said. Then he added,almost jokingly: "You wouldn'twant to be marooned in this dismalera, would you?"
Kial shuddered. "Of course not.But the Laws seem so ridiculous."
"Not a bit," Broyk said, warmingup to the subject. "It's verysimple, really. Same principle thatdoesn't allow anyone to Thek-travelinto the future.
"Look. I'm from 8000. Say thatI went into 12,000, where I memorizedas much information as Icould on some subject such asmedicine. So I return to 8000, retainingall such knowledge in mymind that's been learned in fourperiods. Therefore, I'd have knowledgethat wasn't dreamed of in myown time, but was discovered sometimeduring the next four periods.But then it couldn't be discovered,because I'd brought it back to 8000and—well, I'm no Logician, butyou see my point."
"Oh, it's reasonable, I suppose,"Kial admitted. "I realize the Lawsare really for our own good. By theway—I'm here on a field trip togather material for my thesis onAdvanced Therapeutical Psychologyand its development since theTwentieth Century. What phase ofthis era are you here to study?"
"I—I'm afraid I couldn't tellyou that," Broyk said. "It's of rathera secret nature and ..."
"You mean we might violate aLaw and be stuck here for good—isthat it?"
"Yes—in a way."
Frightened, Kial let the matterdrop. His gaze wandered throughthe coach, examining the otherpassengers with interest. As time-travelersfrom a different space-timeplane from their 20th Centuryancestors, he and Broyk were naturallyinvisible to their fellow travelers.
Two pompous old gentlemenwere lighting cigars and Kial wasabout to remark on the habit ofsmoking when he noticed an evenmore remarkable phenomenon. Afew seats ahead of them sat a good-lookingyoung couple, oblivious toothers about them.
"Look!" Kial cried excitedly."Lovers! Honeymooners! I've readabout such things! Isn't it disgusting?"
"Oh, I don't know," Broyk said,a little wistfully. "I sometimesthink it was a mistake for Center todo away with sex. It must havebeen interesting."
"Atavist!" Kial snapped in horror.
Had his people's emotionalmake-up provided for blushing,Kial would undoubtedly haveturned beet-red. Broyk's words hadcaused him acute embarrassment.
As he sat reflecting upon hisstrange companion, he suddenlybegan to feel a sensation hehad often heard about but