by Isaac Asimov
The corporal’s face showed clearly that the name was not unknown to him.
He said, “What’s the one word you’re going to write down?”
“Psychohistory.”
The corporal frowned. “What’s that?”
“That doesn’t matter. Just pass it along and see what happens.”
The corporal handed him a small sheet of paper, torn out of a notebook. “All right. Write it down and we’ll see what happens.”
Raych realized that he was trembling. He wanted very much to know what would happen. It depended entirely on who it was that the corporal would talk to and what magic the word would carry with it.
17
Hari Seldon watched the raindrops form on the wrap-around windows of the Imperial ground-car and a sense of nostalgia stabbed at him unbearably.
It was only the second time in his eight years on Trantor that he had been ordered to visit the Emperor in the only open land on the planet—and both times the weather had been bad. The first time, shortly after he had arrived on Trantor, the bad weather had merely irritated him. He had found no novelty in it. His home world of Helicon had its share of storms, after all, particularly in the area where he had been brought up.
But now he had lived for eight years in make-believe weather, in which storms consisted of computerized cloudiness at random intervals, with regular light rains during the sleeping hours. Raging winds were replaced by zephyrs and there were no extremes of heat and cold—merely little changes that made you unzip the front of your shirt once in a while or throw on a light jacket. And he had heard complaints about even so mild a deviation.
But now Hari was seeing real rain coming down drearily from a cold sky—and he had not seen such a thing in years—and he loved it; that was the thing. It reminded him of Helicon, of his youth, of relatively carefree days, and he wondered if he might persuade the driver to take the long way to the Palace.
Impossible! The Emperor wanted to see him and it was a long enough trip by ground-car, even if one went in a straight line with no interfering traffic. The Emperor, of course, would not wait.
It was a different Cleon from the one Seldon had seen eight years before. He had put on about ten pounds and there was a sulkiness about his face. Yet the skin around his eyes and cheeks looked pinched and Hari recognized the results of one too many microadjustments. In a way, Seldon felt sorry for Cleon—for all his might and Imperial sway, the Emperor was powerless against the passage of time.
Once again Cleon met Hari Seldon alone—in the same lavishly furnished room of their first encounter. As was the custom, Seldon waited to be addressed.
After briefly assessing Seldon’s appearance, the Emperor said in an ordinary voice, “Glad to see you, Professor. Let us dispense with formalities, as we did on the former occasion on which I met you.”
“Yes, Sire,” said Seldon stiffly. It was not always safe to be informal, merely because the Emperor ordered you to be so in an effusive moment.
Cleon gestured imperceptibly and at once the room came alive with automation as the table set itself and dishes began to appear. Seldon, confused, could not follow the details.
The Emperor said casually, “You will dine with me, Seldon?”
It had the formal intonation of a question but the force, somehow, of an order.
“I would be honored, Sire,” said Seldon. He looked around cautiously. He knew very well that one did not (or, at any rate, should not) ask questions of the Emperor, but he saw no way out of it. He said, rather quietly, trying to make it not sound like a question, “The First Minister will not dine with us?”
“He will not,” said Cleon. “He has other tasks at this moment and I wish, in any case, to speak to you privately.”
They ate quietly for a while, Cleon gazing at him fixedly and Seldon smiling tentatively. Cleon had no reputation for cruelty or even for irresponsibility, but he could, in theory, have Seldon arrested on some vague charge and, if the Emperor wished to exert his influence, the case might never come to trial. It was always best to avoid notice and at the moment Seldon couldn’t manage it.
Surely it had been worse eight years ago, when he had been brought to the Palace under armed guard. —This fact did not make Seldon feel relieved, however.
Then Cleon spoke. “Seldon,” he said. “The First Minister is of great use to me, yet I feel that, at times, people may think I do not have a mind of my own. Do you think that?”
“Never, Sire,” said Seldon calmly. No use protesting too much.
“I don’t believe you. However, I do have a mind of my own and I recall that when you first came to Trantor you had this psychohistory thing you were playing with.”
“I’m sure you also remember, Sire,” said Seldon softly, “that I explained at the time it was a mathematical theory without practical application.”
“So you said. Do you still say so?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Have you been working on it since?”
“On occasion I toy with it, but it comes to nothing. Chaos unfortunately interferes and predictability is not—”
The Emperor interrupted. “There is a specific problem I wish you to tackle. —Do help yourself to the dessert, Seldon. It is very good.”
“What is the problem, Sire?”
“This man Joranum. Demerzel tells me—oh, so politely—that I cannot arrest this man and I cannot use armed force to crush his followers. He says it will simply make the situation worse.”
“If the First Minister says so, I presume it is so.”
“But I do not want this man Joranum. . . . At any rate, I will not be his puppet. Demerzel does nothing.”
“I am sure that he is doing what he can, Sire.”
“If he is working to alleviate the problem, he certainly is not keeping me informed.”
“That may be, Sire, out of a natural desire to keep you above the fray. The First Minister may feel that if Joranum should—if he should—”
“Take over,” said Cleon with a tone of infinite distaste.
“Yes, Sire. It would not be wise to have it appear that you were personally opposed to him. You must remain untouched for the sake of the stability of the Empire.”
“I would much rather assure the stability of the Empire without Joranum. What do you suggest, Seldon?”
“I, Sire?”
“You, Seldon,” said Cleon impatiently. “Let me say that I don’t believe you when you say that psychohistory is just a game. Demerzel stays friendly with you. Do you think I am such an idiot as not to know that? He expects something from you. He expects psychohistory from you and since I am no fool, I expect it, too. —Seldon, are you for Joranum? The truth!”
“No, Sire, I am not for him. I consider him an utter danger to the Empire.”
“Very well, I believe you. You stopped a potential Joranumite riot at your University grounds single-handedly, I understand.”
“It was pure impulse on my part, Sire.”
“Tell that to fools, not to me. You had worked it out by psychohistory.”
“Sire!”
“Don’t protest. What are you doing about Joranum? You must be doing something if you are on the side of the Empire.”
“Sire,” said Seldon cautiously, uncertain as to how much the Emperor knew. “I have sent my son to meet with Joranum in the Dahl Sector.”
“Why?”
“My son is a Dahlite—and shrewd. He may discover something of use to us.”
“May?”
“Only may, Sire.”
“You’ll keep me informed?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“And, Seldon, do not tell me that psychohistory is just a game, that it does not exist. I do not want to hear that. I expect you to do something about Joranum. What it might be, I can’t say, but you must do something. I will not have it otherwise. You may go.”
Seldon returned to Streeling University in a far darker mood than when he had left. Cleon had sounded as though he
would not accept failure.
It all depended on Raych now.
18
Raych sat in the anteroom of a public building in Dahl into which he had never ventured—never could have ventured—as a ragamuffin youth. He felt, in all truth, a little uneasy about it now, as though he were trespassing.
He tried to look calm, trustworthy, lovable.
Dad had told him that this was a quality he carried around with him, but he had never been conscious of it. If it came about naturally, he would probably spoil it by trying too hard to seem to be what he really was.
He tried relaxing while keeping an eye on the official who was manipulating a computer at the desk. The official was not a Dahlite. He was, in fact, Gambol Deen Namarti, who had been with Joranum at the meeting with Dad that Raych had attended.
Every once in a while, Namarti would look up from his desk and glance at Raych with a hostile glare. This Namarti wasn’t buying Raych’s lovability. Raych could see that.
Raych did not try to meet Namarti’s hostility with a friendly smile. It would have seemed too artificial. He simply waited. He had gotten this far. If Joranum arrived, as he was expected to, Raych would have a chance to speak to him.
Joranum did arrive, sweeping in, smiling his public smile of warmth and confidence. Namarti’s hand came up and Joranum stopped. They spoke together in low voices while Raych watched intently and tried in vain to seem as if he wasn’t. It seemed plain to Raych that Namarti was arguing against the meeting and Raych bridled a bit at that.
Then Joranum looked at Raych, smiled, and pushed Namarti to one side. It occurred to Raych that, while Namarti was the brains of the team, it was Joranum who clearly had the charisma.
Joranum strode toward him and held out a plump, slightly moist hand. “Well well. Professor Seldon’s young man. How are you?”
“Fine, thank you, sir.”
“You had some trouble getting here, I understand.”
“Not too much, sir.”
“And you’ve come with a message from your father, I trust. I hope he is reconsidering his decision and has decided to join me in my great crusade.”
“I don’t think so, sir.”
Joranum frowned slightly. “Are you here without his knowledge?”
“No, sir. He sent me.”
“I see. —Are you hungry, lad?”
“Not at the moment, sir.”
“Then would you mind if I eat? I don’t get much time for the ordinary amenities of life,” he said, smiling broadly.
“It’s all right with me, sir.”
Together, they moved to a table and sat down. Joranum unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite. His voice slightly muffled, he said, “And why did he send you, son?”
Raych shrugged. “I think he thought I might find out something about you that he could use against you. He’s heart and soul with First Minister Demerzel.”
“And you’re not?”
“No, sir. I’m a Dahlite.”
“I know you are, Mr. Seldon, but what does that mean?”
“It means I’m oppressed, so I’m on your side and I want to help you. Of course, I wouldn’t want my father to know.”
“There’s no reason he should know. How do you propose to help me?” He glanced quickly at Namarti, who was leaning against his desk, listening, with his arms folded and his expression lowering. “Do you know anything about psychohistory?”
“No, sir. My father don’t talk to me about that—and if he did, I wouldn’t get it. I don’t think he’s getting anywhere with that stuff.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure I’m sure. There’s a guy there, Yugo Amaryl, also a Dahlite, who talks about it sometimes. I’m sure nothing is happening.”
“Ah! And can I see Yugo Amaryl sometime, do you suppose?”
“I don’t think so. He ain’t much for Demerzel, but he’s all for my father. He wouldn’t cross him.”
“But you would?”
Raych looked unhappy and he muttered stubbornly, “I’m a Dahlite.”
Joranum cleared his throat. “Then let me ask you again. How do you propose to help me, young man?”
“I’ve got something to tell you that maybe you won’t believe.”
“Indeed? Try me. If I don’t believe it, I will tell you so.”
“It’s about First Minister Eto Demerzel.”
“Well?”
Raych looked around uneasily. “Can anyone hear me?”
“Just Namarti and myself.”
“All right, then listen. This guy Demerzel ain’t a guy. He’s a robot.”
“What!” exploded Joranum.
Raych felt moved to explain. “A robot is a mechanical man, sir. He ain’t human. He’s a machine.”
Namarti broke out passionately, “Jo-Jo, don’t believe that. It’s ridiculous.”
But Joranum held up an admonitory hand. His eyes were gleaming. “Why do you say that?”
“My father was in Mycogen once. He told me all about it. In Mycogen they talk about robots a lot.”
“Yes, I know. At least, I have heard so.”
“They Mycogenians believe that robots were once very common among their ancestors, but they were wiped out.”
Namarti’s eyes narrowed. “But what makes you think that Demerzel is a robot? From what little I have heard of these fantasies, robots are made out of metal, aren’t they?”
“That’s so,” said Raych earnestly. “But what I heard is that there were a few robots that look just like human beings and they live forever—”
Namarti shook his head violently. “Legends! Ridiculous legends! Jo-Jo, why are we listening—”
But Joranum cut him off quickly. “No, G.D. I want to listen. I’ve heard these legends, too.”
“But it’s nonsense, Jo-Jo.”
“Don’t be in such a rush to say ‘nonsense.’ And even if it were, people live and die by nonsense. It’s not what is so much as what people think is. —Tell me, young man, putting legends to one side, what makes you think Demerzel is a robot? Let’s suppose that robots exist. What is it, then, about Demerzel that makes you say he is a robot? Did he tell you so?”
“No, sir,” said Raych.
“Did your father tell you so?” asked Joranum.
“No, sir. It’s just my own idea, but I’m sure of it.”
“Why? What makes you so sure?”
“It’s just something about him. He doesn’t change. He doesn’t get older. He doesn’t show emotions. Something about him looks like he’s made of metal.”
Joranum sat back in his chair and looked at Raych for an extended time. It was almost possible to hear his thoughts buzzing.
Finally he said, “Suppose he is a robot, young man. Why should you care? Does it matter to you?”
“Of course it matters to me,” said Raych. “I’m a human being. I don’t want no robot in charge of running the Empire.”
Joranum turned to Namarti with a gesture of eager approval. “Do you hear that, G.D.? ‘I’m a human being. I don’t want no robot in charge of running the Empire.’ Put him on holovision and have him say it. Have him repeat it over and over till it’s drummed into every person on Trantor—”
“Hey,” said Raych, finally catching his breath. “I can’t say that on holovision. I can’t let my father find out—”
“No, of course not,” said Joranum quickly. “We couldn’t allow that. We’ll just use the words. We’ll find some other Dahlite. Someone from each of the sectors, each in his own dialect, but always the same message: ‘I don’t want no robot in charge of running the Empire.’ ”
Namarti said, “And what happens when Demerzel proves he’s not a robot?”
“Really,” said Joranum. “How will he do that? It would be impossible for him to do so. Psychologically impossible. What? The great Demerzel, the power behind the throne, the man who has twitched the strings attached to Cleon I all these years and those attached to Cleon’s father before him? Will he climb down now and whine
to the public that he is, too, a human being? That would be almost as destructive to him as being a robot. G.D., we have the villain in a no-win situation and we owe it all to this fine young man here.”
Raych flushed.
Joranum said, “Raych is your name, isn’t it? Once our party is in a position to do so, we won’t forget. Dahl will be treated well and you will have a good position with us. You’re going to be Dahl’s sector leader someday, Raych, and you’re not going to regret you’ve done this. Are you, now?”
“Not on your life,” said Raych fervently.
“In that case, we’ll see that you get back to your father. You let him know that we intend him no harm, that we value him greatly. You can tell him you found that out in any way you please. And if you find anything else you think we might be able to use—about psychohistory, in particular, you let us know.”
“You bet. But do you mean it when you say you’ll see to it that Dahl gets some breaks?”
“Absolutely. Equality of sectors, my boy. Equality of worlds. We’ll have a new Empire with all the old villainies of privilege and inequality wiped out.”
And Raych nodded his head vigorously. “That’s what I want.”
19
Cleon, Emperor of the Galaxy, was walking hurriedly through the arcade that led from his private quarters in the Small Palace to the offices of the rather tremendous staff that lived in the various annexes of the Imperial Palace, which served as the nerve center of the Empire.
