The Simulacra

Sweat stood out on his forehead as he thought, So now my career, like that of every other psychoanalyst in the USEA, ends. What'll I do now? Some of his colleagues had fled to Communist countries, but surely they were no better off there. Several had emigrated to Luna and Mars. And a few a surprisingly large ‘few' -- had applied for work with A.G. Chemie, the organization responsible in the first place for the stricture against them.

He was too young to retire and too old to learn another profession. Bitterly, he thought, so actually I can do nothing. I can't go on and I can't quit; it's a true doublebind, the sort of thing my patients are always getting themselves into. Now he could feel more compassion for them and the messes which they had made of their lives.

To Amanda he said, ‘Send Commissioner Pembroke in.'

The hard-eyed but quiet-spoken NP man, in ordinary street clothes as before, slowly entered the office and seated himself facing Dr Superb.

‘That's quite a girl you have out there,' Pembroke said, and licked his lips. ‘I wonder what will become of her. Possibly we -- ‘

‘What do you want?' Superb said.

‘An answer. To a question.' Pembroke leaned back, got out a gold cigarette case, an antique from the previous century, lit up with his lighter, also an antique. Blowing smoke he made himself comfortable, crossing his legs. And said, ‘Your patient, Richard Kongrosian, has discovered that he can fight back.'

‘Against whom?'

‘His oppressors. Us, of course. Anyone else who comes along, for that matter. Here's what I would like to know. I want to work with Richard Kongrosian but I have to protect myself from him. Frankly, I'm afraid of him, at this point, more afraid of him, doctor, than of anyone else in the world. And I know why -- I've used von Lessinger's equipment and I know exactly what I'm talking about. What's the key to hismind? How can I arrange for Kongrosian to be -- ‘ Pembroke groped for the word; gesturing, he said, ‘Reliable. You understand. Obviously, I don't want to be picked up and set down six feet underground some morning when we have a minor tiff.' His face was pale and he was sitting with brittle stiffness.

After a pause Dr Superb said, ‘Now that I know who the patient is that I'm waiting for. You lied about the failing. I'm not supposed to fail. In fact I'm needed vitally. And the patient is quite sane.'

Pembroke regarded him intently but said nothing.

‘You're the patient. And you were totally aware of it, all along. Through you I've been misled. From the beginning.'

After a time Pembroke nodded.

‘And this is not government business,' Superb said. ‘This is an arrangement of your own. It has nothing to do with Nicole.' At least not directly, he thought.

‘Be careful.' Pembroke said. He got out his service pistol and held it loosely in his lap, but with his hand close to it.

‘I can't tell you how to control Kongrosian. I can't control him myself; you've seen that.'

‘But you would know,' Pembroke said, ‘assuming anyone would, if I can work with him; you know that much about him.' He stared at Superb, his eyes clear and unwinking. Waiting.

‘You'd have to tell me what you intend to propose to him.'

Pembroke, picking up his gun and holding it pointed directly at Dr Superb, said, ‘Tell me how he feels about Nicole.'

‘She's a Magna Mater figure to him. As she is to all of us.'

‘ "Magna Mater." ‘ Pembroke leaned forward intently.

‘What's that?'

‘The great primordial mother.'

‘So in other words he idolizes her. She's like a goddess to him, not mortal. How would he react -- ‘ Pembroke hesitated. ‘Suppose Kongrosian suddenly became a Ge, a real one, possessing one of the most carefully-guarded government secrets. That Nicole died years ago, that this so-called "Nicole" is an actress. A girl named Kate Rupert.'

Superb's ears buzzed. He studied Pembroke, and knew one thing, knew it for the absolute reality it was. When this interchange was over, Pembroke would kill him.

‘Because,' Pembroke said, ‘that's the truth.' He shoved his gun back into its holster, then, Would he lose his awe of her,then? Would he be able to -- co-operate?'

After a time Superb said, ‘Yes. He would. Definitely so.'

Visibly, Pembroke relaxed. He ceased to tremble and some colour returned to his thin, flat face. ‘Good. And I hope you're disbursing the truth, doctor, because if you aren't I'll make my way back here, no matter what happens, and destroy you.' All at once he rose to his feet. ‘Goodbye.'

Superb said, ‘Am I now out of business?'

‘Of course. Why not?' Pembroke smiled composedly.

‘What good are you to anybody? You know that doctor. Your hour has passed. An amusing pun, in that you -- ‘

‘Suppose I tell you what you just now told me.'

‘Oh, please do. It'll make my job much easier. You see, doctor, I intend to make public that particular Geheimis to the Bes. And, simultaneously, Karp und Sohnen Werke will reveal the other.'

‘What other?'

‘You'll have to wait,' Pembroke said. ‘Until Anton and Felix Karp feel themselves ready.' He opened the office door. ‘I'll see you again soon, doctor. Thanks for the assistance.' The door closed behind him.

I have learned, Dr Superb realized, the ultimate secret of the state. I am now at the top rung of Ge society.

And it doesn't matter. Because there is no way I can use this information as an instrument by which to retain my career. And that is all that counts. As far as I'm concerned.

My career and nothing else. God damn it, nothing!

He felt overwhelming, vicious, raw hatred for Pembroke.

If I could kill him, Superb realized, I would. Right now. Follow after him. ‘Doctor,' Amanda's voice sounded from the intercom.

‘Mr Pembroke says that we must close up.' Her voice wavered. ‘Is that true? I thought they were going to let you go on for a while.'

‘He's right,' Superb admitted. ‘It's all over. You better phone my patients, everyone I have an appointment with, and tell them the story.'

‘Yes, doctor.' Tearfully, Amanda rang off.

Damn him, Superb said to himself. And there's nothing I can do about it. Nothing at all.

The intercom came on once again as Amanda said hesitantly, ‘And he also said something else. I wasn't going to say -- but it was about me. I knew it'd make you angry.'

‘What did he say?'

‘He said -- maybe he could use me. He didn't say how but whatever it is I felt -- ‘ She was silent a moment. ‘I felt sick,' she finished. ‘In a way I never did before. No matter who was looking at me or talking to me. No matter what anybody said. This -- was different.'

Rising Superb walked to the office door, opened it. Pembroke had left, of course; he saw only Amanda Conners in the outer office, at her desk, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Superb walked to the front door of the building, opened it and descended the stairs.

He unlocked the trunk of his parked wheel, got out the jack handle. With it, he started down the sidewalk. The shaft of steel felt slippery and cold within his grip as he searched for Commissioner Pembroke.

Far off he saw a shrunken figure. Altered perspective, Dr Superb realized. Makes him look little. But he's not. Dr Superb walked towards the NP man, holding the jack handle up. The figure of Pembroke grew.

Pembroke was paying no attention to him; he did not see Superb coming. Immobile, with a group of other persons, passers-by, Pembroke was gazing fixedly at the headlines displayed by a peripatetic news machine.

The headlines were huge and ominous and black. As he approached, Dr Superb saw them, made out the words. He slowed, lowered the jack handle, until at last he stood like the others.