"Certainly, Mr. Smith."
"Could you outline for us what the government is doing? Has there been conversation with any other governments? I understand the Lone Pine area has been sealed off. Was that by federal order?"
"So far as I know, there have been no conversations such as you mention. Later there may be, once we know more about the matter. The area was sealed off by the state. The governor has been in contact with the President, but we had nothing to do with securing the area. I assume that some of the federal agencies will be sending in observers, but so far I have not been advised of it."
"Thank you, sir," said the New York Times.
"But wouldn't you agree," asked the L. A. Times, "that if this object, or both of these objects, the one on the ground and the one in orbit, should turn out to be from outer space, that the matter then becomes a matter of international concern rather than simply national concern?"
"I can't presume to speak for the Secretary of State," said Porter, "but I would think there might be some logic to the form your question takes."
"Let us pursue this assumption a little further," said the Kansas City Star. "If it should be established that the object that fell at Lone Pine is actually a spaceship from the stars, or at least from outside our solar system—assuming that this could be the case, then what would be the national attitude? Will any attempt be made to establish some contact, perhaps a limited conversation, with the intelligence that may be aboard it?"
"Our thinking," said Porter, "has not advanced that far. As yet there is no evidence
"But, if in the next few days such evidence should come about, is there any indication of what our attitude might be then?"
"If you are asking if we intend, willy-nilly, to blow any visitors out of the water, I don't think so. This is not an expressed official attitude; it simply derives from my knowledge of how our government works. It is true that someone did take a shot at the object when it landed. But that was the action of an irresponsible citizen, overwrought, perhaps, by what he saw. I would hope that the rest of us may act as reasonable men."
"And how would you think a reasonable man should act?"
"I think," said Porter, "that a reasonable man might attempt to achieve some sort of reasonable communication. On a very limited basis, more than likely. But once that sort of limited communication was achieved, we could go on to something else. I think that you have forced me to over-extend myself. I have nothing on which I can base an official answer to such a question. The matter has not even been discussed. To my knowledge, at least."
"You realize, of course," said ABC, "that if this should be the case—that here we have contact with another intelligence from somewhere in the galaxy—this might be the most significant event in all of human history?"
"Personally, I do realize this," said Porter. "Again, I am not reflecting official thinking. As I told you, the matter has not been extensively discussed. Our assessment of the situation has not advanced to that point."
"We appreciate that, Dave," said ABC. "We're only asking questions that must occur to many other people."
"Thank you," Porter said.
"To come to more practical matters," said the Baltimore Sun. "Can you tell us what the administration's next step might be?"
"I imagine it might be observation. During the next twenty-four hours or so we'll be putting in as many qualified observers as we can. Many of them will probably be scientists drawn from many parts of the country. Not only men who are associated with the government. Other than that, I would think we would be guided by events. I doubt if anyone can foretell what may happen next."
"Returning again to the new orbit in space," said the Detroit News, "could it be possible that the large mass that has been sighted may be no more than a collection of space junk? We have a lot of stuff up there. Could it somehow have pulled together by some sort of mutual attraction?"
"That's a possible explanation," said Porter. "I know nothing of physics. I can't tell you if that would be possible. The question has not been raised. The space agency might have some thoughts on it."
"Could we send someone up to have a close look at it? Has that been considered?"
"I doubt it has as yet been considered. It's possible that one of the shuttles on the space station might be sent out. Certainly the capability to do so does exist. That is a matter of future consideration."
"If it should be established that we are being visited by someone from the galaxy," said CBS, "would you have some comment on what might be the impact on us… on the human race? The realization that there is someone out there."
"The impact, undoubtedly, would be significant," said Porter, "but I'm in no position to comment. A sociologist might have some answers for you.
"Mr. Secretary," said the New York Times, "we thank you for seeing us at such a late hour. You, of course, will keep in touch."
"At all times, Mr. Smith," said Porter.
He watched the press file out. Marcia got up from her desk and came over to stand beside him.
"I think it went rather well," she said.
"This time they weren't out for blood," said Porter. "This business may get political later, but so far it hasn't. It's too new to be political. Give the boys up on the Hill a few days and it will be."
He went to his desk and sat down, watching Marcia get ready to leave and finally go.
The place was quiet. Somewhere, some distance off, a phone was ringing and someone was walking, the footsteps sounding hollow in the distant corridor.
He lifted the phone and dialed. Alice answered.
"I thought you might call," she said. "I was sitting by the phone. How did it go?"
"Not bad. They didn't chew me up.
"Poor Dave," she said.
"It's all right. I asked for it. I take the money."
"You never asked for it."
"Well, maybe not, but I jumped at the chance to take the job."
"Any chance of you running out here? I'd have a drink waiting."
"Afraid not, Alice. I better stay where I can be reached. For a while at least."
"All right, then. Later. Wait a minute. Daddy is signaling frantically. He wants to talk to you."