Read Foundation Fear for Free Online Page A

Hari?”
    He had been musing again. Yugo was still in the office. “Oh, sorry, just mulling over -- ”
    “The department meeting.”
    "What?
    “You called it for today.”
    “Oh, no.” He was halfway through a calculation. “Can't we delay ... ?”
    “The whole department? They're waiting.”
    Hari dutifully followed Yugo into the assembly room. The three traditional levels were
     already filled. Cleon's patronage had filled out an already high-ranked department until
     it was probably -- how could one measure such things? -- the best on Trantor. It had
     specialists in myriad disciplines, even areas whose very definitions Hari was a bit vague
     about.
    Hari took his position at the hub of the highest level, at the exact center of the room.
     Mathists liked geometries which mirrored realities, so the full professors sat on a round,
     raised platform, in airchairs with ample arms.
    Forming a larger annulus around them, a few steps lower, were the associate professors --
     those with tenure, but still at the middle rank in their careers. They had comfortable
     chairs, though without full computing and holo functions.
    Below them, almost in a pit, were the untenured professors, on simple chairs of sturdy
     design. The oldest sat nearest the room's center. In their outer ranks were the
     instructors and assistants, on plain benches without any computer capabilities whatever.
     Yugo rested there, scowling, plainly feeling out of place.
    Hari had always thought it was either enraging or hilarious, depending on his mood, that
     one of the most productive members of the department, Yugo, should have such low status.
     This was the true price of keeping psychohistory secret. The pain of this he tried to
     soothe by giving Yugo a good office and other perks. Yugo seemed to care little for
     status, since he had already ascended so far. And all without the Civil Service exams, too.
    Today, Hari decided to make a little mischief. “Thank you, colleagues, for attending. We
     have many administrative matters to engage. Yugo?”
    A rustle. Yugo's eyes widened, but he stood up quickly and climbed up to the speaker's
     platform.
    He always had someone else chair meetings, even though as chairman he had called them,
     chosen the hour, fixed the agenda. He knew that some regarded him as a strong personality,
     simply by dint of knowing the research agenda so deeply.
    That was a common error, mistaking knowledge for command. He had found that if he
     presided, there was little dissent from his own views. To get open discussion demanded
     that he sit back and listen and take notes, intervening only at key moments.
    Years ago Yugo had wondered why he did this, and Hari waved away the problem. “I'm not a
     leader,” he said. Yugo gave him a strange look, as if to say, Who do you think you're
     kidding?
    Hari smiled to himself. Some of the full professors around him were muttering, casting
     glances. Yugo launched into the agenda, speaking quickly in a strong, clear voice.
    Hari sat back and watched irritation wash over some of his esteemed colleagues. Noses
     wrinkled at Yugo's broad accent. One of them mouthed to another, Dahlite! and was
     answered, Upstart!
    About time they got “a bit of the boot,” as his father had once termed it. And for Yugo to
     get a taste of running the department.
    After all, this First Minister business could get worse. He could need a replacement.
    4.
    “We should leave soon,” Hari said, scribbling on his notepad.
    “Why? The reception doesn't start for ages.” She smoothed out her dress with great care,
     eyes critical.
    “I want to take a walk on the way.”
    “The reception is in Dahviti Sector.”
    “Humor me.”
    She pulled on the sheath dress with some effort. “I wish this weren't the style.”
    “Wear something else, then.”
    “This is your first appearance at an Imperial affair. You'll want to look your best.”
    “Translation: you look your best and stand