The Lathe of Heaven Page #3

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I think he's waiting to find out more before he lets me know what's going on.

Can't stand that I blame him.

The thing that bothers me is what he will do next.

What do you mean?

Unlimited power means unlimited danger.

Well, according to you is only change one penny in the weather.

Not to mention small improvements to his office.

- Then there's the cabin. - What cabin?

I have a ten-year lease on the cabin overlooking the ocean.

You do?

I won it in the Government lottery. Can I buy you a lunch?

I'd really like to help you, Mr. Orr. What am I supposed to do if you keep

changing the reality all the way back to the Stone Age and then destroying the evidence?

- I wouldn't expect you to believe me with that evidence. - Oh, well, thank God!

What I'd like is for you to come to a session.

Doubtful without good cause.

But what am I supposed to do?

Let this guy keep treating me like an experimental animal

- while he goes around tinkering? - Did you say experimental?

Yeh.

What do you mean?

Haber says he's still working on it.

Have you signed anything,

any releases, anything beyond the VT forms and Consent to hypnosis?

- I don't think so. - You've got a case!

- I do? - Mh - Great!

Let's just keep one thing straight. This doesn't mean I believe a word of your story.

All it means is if I can prove this thing is experimental, and then maybe

just maybe I can get you switched to another shrink.

- Then you will come to a session? - But not as your lawyer.

I'll arrange to come as an HEW impartial observer

on investigation of that thingummy in general, ok?

- Dr. Haber. - Yes, Penny. - This has just arrived, the population report you wanted.

- Yes. - Dr. Murgin called on a consultation.

- Tell him I'm too busy. - And this notice is from HEW,

they are sending an observer this morning to look at the Augmentor.

What?

Damn bureaucrats.

- Why don't they mind their own business. - Oh, and Mr. Orr is here, Doctor.

Well, George. You're early today.

- Something like a breakthrough, I'd say, with your usual 15 minutes late. - I am?

- So, how are you feeling today? - So-so.

How can anyone feel so-so on a magnificent day like this?

Well, you know the Greek say, Moderation in all things.

So, what would you like to talk about today?

I don't care.

Do you have somewhere to go, George?

Oh, no. I'm just anxious to get started.

Well, another breakthrough.

Two in one session. Shall we try for three?

- Yes, what is it? - Miss Lelache from HEW is here.

All right, send her.

Seems that my fame has brought me to the attention of HEW.

They are sending an observer to make sure my work with the Augmentor is on the up and up.

Isn't that ridiculous?

Dr. Haber, this is Heather Lelache.

Pleasure to meet you, Miss Lelache. Won't you have a sit right here?

I assume you were informed I'll be recording the proceedings.

Perhaps, you'd better ask the patient's permission.

Mr. Orr! This is Miss Lelache of HEW.

- Do you mind, Mr. Orr? - No, go ahead.

Very well. Dr. Haber is the patient diagnosed as neurotic or psychotic?

The patient's diagnosis is not for public record, Miss Lelache. I'm surprised at you.

Besides it's my Augmentor that interests you, right?

Well, anyway you know what they say?

Neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics live in them.

And psychiatrists collect the rent.

Hm, very good.

Very good, Miss Lelache.

Well, have you any questions before we start?

Can you explain the role of your device?

Yes, of course. My Augmentor here merely insures that my patient will dream

by instigating and reinforcing his own dream-state activity.

What would you say, George?

- Shall we run off a dream? - Ok.

Incidentally, Miss Lelache,

this will constitute a record to your people that my Augmentor does not loosen toenails, or harden arteries,

or blow your mind, or have any ill effects whatsoever.

Standard hypnotic procedure, Miss Lelache.

It will be a little bit disconcerting to the patient, I will admit.

Please, turn your recorder off. The therapy session is not for public record.

Notice the accelerated pulse and the rapid eye movements.

He is ready to accept the suggested dream.

Now, George,

the last time you were here,

you were telling me about something that bothered you very much.

You said you felt restricted, closed in

on the subway, in your office, in the streets.

Do you remember the word you used?

- What does he say? - Overpopulation, that's what he said.

Now, George, when I say the word Antwerp

you are going to have an effective dream about this thing that bothers you, this overpopulation.

You're going to dream about space, about all the elbow room in the world.

You feel uncrowded, unsqueezed.

And this overpopulation thing will not be a problem anymore.

Anwerp!

My God!

What has he done?

Six billion people!

All the people

all

the people

George.

George!

George!

You had a bad one, George!

Where are they?

- Where are the people? - You've dreamt about the plague.

- Plague? - That's all over now.

All of us who survived are genetic clue resistant.

- What plague? - Oh, my God!

I just killed six billion people.

I'm afraid, it's the first time Mr. Orr has handled anxiety in the dream.

- It's not always pleasant. - I don't understand what's happening.

- Don't you remember the plague? - Of course, we do!

I lost my parents, my two sisters,

I watch them die. None of us could ever forget it.

But it's over now, George.

The plague ended five years ago and we are the survivors.

Life must go on.

You remember the plague, don't you?

Don't you remember that you've never heard of the plague until just now?

But there wasn't any plague until an hour ago.

- You remember, don't you? Remember! - George,

Miss Lelache isn't highly qualified to comment on your session.

She is only an observer.

I'm afraid he is a bit agitated. He has been at difficult times.

- Perhaps you'd better return. - Yes.

I shall send you a full report on the Augmentor's operation and current uses

that you'd take care of it.

I'm sorry you've found this distressing, Miss Lelache.

But that was a real crisis session. Good bye.

Thank you.

Well, we really did it this time, didn't we?

- Come away from the window, George. - You saw it?

She saw it?

Six billion people wiped off the face of the Earth.

What do you want me to say?

I want you to be straight with me.

Why don't you go home, George?

Admit! Take responsibility for it!

Oh, I see,

you're trying to transfer it all to me.

You want me to take responsibility for your problem. Well, I can't do that, George. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry you had a bad dream, George.

But it was your dream, it came from you, from inside of you!

I'm cracked up.

Surely, you can see that! You're a psychiatrist.

I'm gone to peaces here.

You'll ask me to dream again and what kind of world we're gonna get?

Maybe totally insane one,

full of monsters,

daemons or witches,

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