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audience ….”
    â€œ The Angstrom Show has ten million viewers. It is running currently on channel 213. Shall I engage the Entertainment Complex?”
    â€œMy dad hated that machine,” Felix gulped.
    â€œIf your information is crucial, I am sure your father would understand.”
    â€œAll right,” Felix relented. “Please screen The Angstrom Show .”
    No sooner had he reached this decision than a bright light appeared above the EC console and, like clay being shaped upon a potter’s wheel, assumed the form of two men sitting before a globe of the world. The blonde-haired giant in a Klytex suit was Siegfried Angstrom, the talk show’s host. On his right was Dr. Lee — or so a banner proclaimed — chief director of the Science Institute.
    â€œLet’s cut to the chase,” Angstrom was saying. “When will we have a cure for the plague?”
    â€œI really can’t say,” Dr. Lee replied.
    â€œNot even a rough estimate? A week? Two weeks? A month? A year?”
    â€œAs I explained, we haven’t determined the virus’s structure. Until we do, we can’t replicate —”
    The EC was starting to beep — Mentor was processing a request for connection. Felix started breathing hard. The thought suddenly struck him that, if he appeared on the show, millions would be watching. The idea made him nervous.
    â€œâ€¦ But we’re running out of time,” Angstrom said. “Half the population has been hit with the virus. They’re getting by on life support, but that won’t help if the plague keeps spreading.”
    â€œI agree. The problem is that a cure continues to elude us.”
    The pair kept talking. Angstrom kept hinting that the scientists were lazy, while the doctor kept repeating that his centre was doing the best it could. Every two minutes, Angstrom would let a caller speak. These people, too, were angry with the doctor and kept blaming the scientists for dragging their feet.
    After watching the show for nearly an hour, Felix started thinking he was wasting his time. People were calling from all over the globe, and the chances of connection were maybe one in a million. But no sooner had this thought registered than the EC started flashing red. Moments later a 3D image of Felix was visible beside Siegfried Angstrom and the doctor.
    Shocked, Felix realized he was on the air.
    â€œFelix Taylor from Toronto is on the line,” Angstrom said. “Good evening, Felix. What’s on your mind?”
    â€œPardon me?” Felix asked, his tongue cleaving to the roof of his mouth.
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re nervous,” Angstrom jeered. “Or maybe your ERR implants have failed?”
    â€œI’ve never undergone ERR,” Felix gulped, trying hard to focus his thoughts.
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding!” Angstrom growled. “In that case, call back when you’ve undergone treatment or have a grip on your nerves.”
    â€œNo, I’m fine,” Felix spoke, swallowing his terror.
    â€œOkay.” Angstrom smiled. “Have you a question for our guest?”
    â€œActually,” Felix said, inhaling deeply, “I’d like to report a discovery I’ve made.”
    â€œHow exciting!” Angstrom grinned. “Please share it with our viewers.”
    Aware that the host was poking fun at him, Felix described his father’s routines, how he’d worked in the Depository, brought home piles of books and taught his son both Latin and Greek. The point was, Felix added, as Angstrom shifted restlessly, that he’d stumbled on an ancient text that cast some light on the plague.
    â€œLet me get this straight,” Angstrom interrupted. “You’re saying a book that was written in the past has something to say about the disaster we’re facing?
    â€œThat’s exactly what I’m saying.”
    â€œThen I’ve heard enough,” Angstrom