The Hibited Man

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As Thomas Otterburn entered the offices of the laboratory that Friday morning and hung his hat on the rack, he heard somebody call, "Tom!" behind him.

It was Eduard Dubrowsky from the Psychoelectronic Section, looking more like a disheveled hawk than usual. Dubrowsky barked, "Busy this morning?"

"Good morning, Ed," murmured Otterburn with his usual formality."Yes, I've got to get out the weekly project-hour sheet, the biweekly news-letter, the monthly project report, the quarterly appropriations estimate, the—"

"Okay, okay—after lunch then."

"What after lunch?"

"You know, you know." Dubrowsky lowered his voice and came closer."We're ready for the first human test with the materiostat. And you're going to be it. Remember?"

"Uh—yes, I suppose I do. But—"

"But nothing. See you after lunch in my section."

"Oh, all right." Otterburn, wondering if he had been smart in volunteering for the first human tryout on Project Styx, sought his desk and spread out his papers.

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