Page 65 of The Paradox Club

“How long do these alignments last?” asked a voice from the crowd.

“Usually only a few seconds,” said Harry.

“Then shouldn’t the objects from a particular alignment show up on the big board all at once?” said Pilgrim 3 with a note of triumph.

“You know as well as I do that there are many reasons why the big board can take weeks or even months to detect an object. Satellite paths, objects appearing in protected spots, objects in motion. But if you’re so interested in the detection of objects, Madam Vault Keeper, I’d recommend that you get your object-seekers ready, because the next alignment is going to happen soon.”

“How soon?” said the president.

“Given the uncertain direction of this debate,” said Harry, “I feel it is unwise for me to say anything further.”

“Mr. Maxwell is obscuring the point with math and speculation,” said Pilgrim 3. “This is simply one more example of his attempting to subvert the rules and regulations of this organization. He refuses to take a club alias, he discovers an untethered object and fails to turn it over to the keeper of the vault as required by club statutes, and now he suggests overturning the very mission of the club. I suggest that he deliver this radio immediately to the club where it will be placed in the vault as it ought to have been the moment it was discovered.”

“And what will the esteemed keeper of the vault do with this item once it is secure in her keeping?” asked Harry.

“That is a matter for the vault keeper and no one else,” said Pilgrim 3.

“Which is precisely why I have no intention of turning it over to you. You can pretend all you want, but no one is more eager to make contact with another universe than you are—not for the good of the club or for science but for your own self-aggrandizement. I have no doubt if I hand over the radio it will only be a matter of time before you contrive to have your name splashed across the newspapers as the discoverer of a path to another universe.”

“Those are strong accusations,” said the president.

“And yet I do not hear Pilgrim 3 denying them,” said Harry.

“Of course I deny them,” said Pilgrim 3.

“You deny that on January twenty-fifth of this year, in a conversation with two other members of this club whom I will not name to avoid unnecessary embarrassment, you stated: ‘Mark my words, we will cross over and when we do, I will take my rightful place next to Newton, Einstein, and Neil Armstrong. I’ll be on the cover of Time and Newsweek. They will name high schools after me and put me on postage stamps…’ Shall I go on?”

“How can you possibly know that?” spat Pilgrim 3. “That conversation was privileged.”

“Then you admit the conversation took place?” said Harry triumphantly.

“I…I admit nothing of…of the…” Pilgrim 3 stammered, clearly flustered by Harry’s attack.

“I can play the tape if you like?”

“Ah!” said Pilgrim 3. “You admit to secretly recording another member on club premises.”

“I never said it was on club premises,” said Harry with a smile, “but apparently you do remember the conversation. Yes, I secretly recorded you, violating absolutely no statute of this club. You, on the other hand, conspired to use the club’s collection of artifacts to subvert the very purpose of the club.”

“Which is exactly what you’re proposing to do with this radio!” shouted Pilgrim 3.

“I’m proposing using a single artifact not in possession of the club in a geographically remote and unpopulated area. That is hardly the same thing as standing in the members lounge of a building in the middle of Manhattan and using the club’s own collection.”

“It’s exactly the same thing,” said Pilgrim 3.

“I have a question for Mr. Maxwell,” said a member in the front row.

“Yes, Ardan 1,” said Richard.

“You accuse Pilgrim 3 of wanting to contact an alien universe for her own self-aggrandizement, which I find easy enough to believe. But what is your motivation?”

“Science,” said Harry, not sounding at all certain of his answer.

“I doubt that,” said Ardan 1.

“His motivation is irrelevant,” said Pilgrim 3. “What he proposes is no different from what he falsely accuses me of.”

“I agree,” said a voice from the back of the room.