The man stood up, moving jerkily as though he had been sitting for a long time. I hope he isnt too hard on you, he murmured as he led the children towards the empty fourth wall. But Ive been reprocessed once and that was more than enough. And I dont want to get sent to IT. Ive never been sent to IT and I cant risk having that happen.
There was IT again. What was this IT?
The man took from his pocket a folder filled with papers of every colour. He shuffled through them carefully, finally withdrawing one. Ive had several reports to make lately. I shall have to ask for a requisition for more A-21 cards. He took the card and put it against the wall. It slid through the marble, as though it were being sucked in, and disappeared. You may be detained for a few days, the man said, but Im sure they wont be too hard on you because of your youth. Just relax and dont fight and it will all be much easier for you. He went back to his seat, leaving the children standing and staring at the blank wall.
And suddenly the wall was no longer there and they were looking into an enormous room lined with machines. They were not unlike the great computing machines Meg had seen in her science books and that she knew her father sometimes worked with. Some did not seem to be in use; in others lights were flickering on and off. In one machine a long tape was being eaten; in another a series of dot-dashes were being punched. Several white-robed attendants were moving about, tending the machines. If they saw the children they gave no sign.
Calvin muttered something.
What? Meg asked him.
There is nothing to fear except fear itself, Calvin said. Im quoting. Like Mrs Who. Meg, Im scared stiff.
So m I. Meg held his hand more tightly. Come on.
They stepped into the room with the machines. In spite of the enormous width of the room it was even longer than it was wide. Perspective made the long rows of machines seem almost to meet.The children walked down the centre of the room, keeping as far from the machines as possible.
Though I dont suppose theyre radioactive or anything, Charles Wallace said, or that theyre going to reach out and grab us and chew us up.
After they had walked for what seemed like miles, they could see that the enormous room did have an end, and that at the end there was something.
Charles Wallace said suddenly, and his voice held panic, Dont let go my hands! Hold me tight! Hes trying to get at me!
Who? Meg squeaked.
I dont know. But hes trying to get in at me! I can feel him!
Lets go back. Calvin started to pull away.
No, Charles Wallace said. I have to go on. We have to make decisions, and we cant make them if theyre based on fear. His voice sounded old and strange and remote. Meg, clasping his small hand tightly, could feel it sweating in hers.
As they approached the end of the room their steps slowed. Before them was a platform. On the platform was a chair, and on the chair was a man.
What was there about him that seemed to contain all the coldness and darkness they had felt as they plunged through the Black Thing on their way to this planet?
I have been waiting for you, my dears, the man said. His voice was kind and gentle, not at all the cold and frightening voice Meg had expected. It took her a moment to realize that though the voice came from the man, he had not opened his mouth or moved his lips at all, that no real words had been spoken to fall upon her ears, that he had somehow communicated directly into their brains.
But how does it happen that there are three of you? the man asked.
Charles Wallace spoke with harsh boldness, but Meg could feel him trembling. Oh, Calvin just came along for the ride.
Oh, he did, did he? For a moment there was a sharpness to the voice that spoke inside their minds. Then it relaxed and became soothing again. I hope that it has been a pleasant one so far.
Very educational, Charles Wallace said.
Let Calvin speak for himself, the man ordered.
Calvin growled, his lips tight, his body rigid. I have nothing to say.
Meg stared at the man in horrified fascination. His eyes were bright and had a reddish glow. Above his head was a light, and it glowed in the same manner as the eyes, pulsing, throbbing, in steady rhythm.
Charles Wallace shut his eyes tightly. Close your eyes, he said to Meg and Calvin. Dont look at the light. Dont look at his eyes. Hell hypnotize you.
Clever, arent you? Focusing your eyes would, of course, help, the soothing voice went on, but there are other ways, my little man. Oh, yes, there are other ways.
If you try it on me I shall kick you! Charles Wallace said. It was the first time Meg had ever heard Charles Wallace suggesting violence.
Oh, will you, indeed, my little man? The thought was tolerant, amused, but four men in dark smocks appeared and flanked the children.
Now, my dears, the words continued, I shall of course have no need of recourse to violence, but I thought perhaps it would save you pain if I showed you at once that it would do you no good to try to oppose me. You see, what you will soon realize is that there is no need to fight me. Not only is there no need, but you will not have the slightest desire to do so. For why should you wish to fight someone who is here only to save you pain and trouble? For you, as well as for the rest of all the happy, useful people on this planet, I, in my own strength, am willing to assume all the pain, all the responsibility, all the burdens of thought and decision.
We will make our own decisions, thank you, Charles Wallace said.
But of course. And our decisions will be one, yours and mine. Dont you see how much better, how much easier for you that is? Let me show you. Let us say the multiplication table together.
No, Charles Wallace said.
Once one is one. Once two is two. Once three is three.
Mary had a little lamb! Charles Wallace shouted. Its fleece was white as snow!
Once four is four. Once five is five. Once six is six.
And everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go!
Once seven is seven. Once eight is eight. Once nine is nine.
Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater, had a wife and couldnt keep her
Once ten is ten. Once eleven is eleven. Once twelve is twelve.
The number words pounded insistently against Megs brain. They seemed to be boring their way into her skull.
Twice one is two. Twice two is four. Twice three is six.
Calvins voice came out in an angry shout, Four-score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Twice four is eight. Twice five is ten. Twice six is twelve.
Father! Meg screamed. Father! The scream, half involuntary, jerked her mind back out of darkness.
The words of the multiplication table seemed to break up into laughter. Splendid! Splendid! You have passed your preliminary tests with flying colours.
You didnt think we were as easy as all that, falling for that old stuff, did you? Charles Wallace demanded.
Ah, I hoped not. I most sincerely hoped not. But after all you are very young and very impressionable, and the younger the better, my little man.The younger the better.
Meg looked up at the fiery eyes, at the light pulsing above them, and then away. She tried looking at the mouth, at the thin, almost colourless lips, and this was more possible, even though she had to look obliquely, so that she was not sure exactly what the face really looked like, whether it was young or old, cruel or kind, human or alien.
If you please, she said, trying to sound calm and brave. The only reason we are here is because we think our father is here. Can you tell us where to find him?