Page 66 of The Paradox Club

“You agree with what?” said Richard in a calming voice.

“Isn’t this all simply arguing about which is the best way to destroy human civilization and possibly our entire universe?”

“Would you care to elaborate on that question, Nova 1?” said the president to the woman in the back.

“I can elaborate,” said the woman, “by citing the club charter—rule one, paragraph B. ‘The Club shall take whatever means necessary to protect the citizens of Earth, both human and nonhuman, from any dangers posed by the untethered foreign objects in the club’s possession.’ Mr. Maxwell has in the past been both loquacious and eloquent in describing those dangers, and this radio and the debate over its possible uses makes those dangers even more immediate. I’d like to make a motion that not only the radio but all the untethered objects in the club’s keeping be destroyed as soon as possible.”

This time the collective gasp of the audience was loud enough that a pedestrian outside on the sidewalk might have heard it.

“Not only do we not know what sort of interdimensional chaos might be caused by such a radical action,” said Pilgrim 3, “but it goes entirely against the mission of this club.”

“On the contrary,” said Nova 1, “it is the only proposal today that supports the mission of this club. Listening to you and Mr. Maxwell argue over which one of you will end up contacting another universe and endangering every living organism in our own should make it clear to the entire membership what a danger these objects will continue to pose. Even if cooler heads prevail today, who’s to say the next generation of club members won’t include people more rash than you two?”

Harry had been expecting this reaction from Nova 1, and she was right. Harry had been the loudest voice of caution in the club on more than one occasion, warning of the dangers of foreign viruses, foreign microorganisms, and hazards that couldn’t be anticipated by terrestrial science. But Harry Maxwell was one in whom scientific ethics battled daily with scientific curiosity. It was one thing to argue theoretically against making contact with other universes, quite another to come face-to-face with the possibility of actually doing so and demurring, especially when so much was at stake for Harry personally. Harry had no difficulty making arguments when the idea of connecting with another universe was only a theory, but to resist that idea when the means of making it a reality sat on his dining room table, and when that reality could accomplish what he hoped it would accomplish—that was beyond his abilities.

“For the first time today, we actually have a motion on the floor,” said the president. “Nova 1 proposes that the radio and all untethered foreign objects in the club’s keeping be destroyed. While this body currently holds no authority over the radio, I think it is fair to bring an amended movement to a vote, if there is a second.”

“I second the motion, in amended form,” said a voice from the center of the crowd, “that all UFOs in the club’s possession be destroyed.”

“Very well,” said the president, “the motion has been seconded. All in favor?”

A scattered and weak chorus of ayes echoed around the hall.

“All opposed.”

The word nay would have echoed from the very rafters had there been rafters in the room.

“I believe I can safely state without the inconvenience of a roll call vote that the nays have it and the motion is defeated. The Paradox Club will continue to protect and preserve the items in its possession.”

“And what about the items not in the club’s possession?” said Pilgrim 3.

“As our president has so astutely pointed out,” said Harry, “rule one, paragraph B of the club charter refers only to objects in the club’s possession. The club has no authority over the radio unless and until I deposit it into the club vault.”

“And no doubt you have no intention of doing that,” said Pilgrim 3, “preferring to use it to endanger the lives of everyone on this planet.”

“I assure you, Pilgrim 3, I have made no such decision. If I did not value the opinions of the members of this club, I would not have asked the president to call this meeting. I would have merely acted independently without any reference to the club whatsoever. But, as I said earlier, while recognizing that the club has no authority to compel me to any particular action, I should like to put forth the question of whether the policy of the club should be changed in certain special circumstances, to permit a carefully planned attempt at communication with another universe using untethered objects. I do not ask for a commitment to change any rules of the club at this time, but merely an advisory vote.”

“Very well,” said the president. “Since this is an advisory vote only, no second is required. As I imagine this will be a close vote, I ask for a show of hands for all those who support the ideas put forth by Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Secretary, will you please count the vote?”

The room fell silent as hands shot into the air. The secretary stepped to the podium and counted. After a few moments he turned to the president.

“And your vote, sir?”

“You do not see my hand raised,” said Richard.

“Very well, then the count is forty-seven who support Mr. Maxwell’s ideas.”

“And how many members are in the room?”

“One hundred two, sir.”

“There you have it, Mr. Maxwell. A large minority believes you might be onto something. A majority wishes you would hand the radio over to the keeper of the vault and be done with it.”

“To be fair,” said Harry, “I didn’t hear anyone other than Pilgrim 3 and her lackey make that suggestion. I thank the club for their attention and their vote. I shall take it under advisement and if I have further developments to report, I shall do so directly to the president, who can communicate to the membership.”

Harry turned to leave the room, and before he had muscled his way up the crowded aisle, the president brought down his gavel and said, “Meeting adjourned.”

Later that afternoon Harry would present the president and his friend Ardan 1 with slips of paper on which were written two dates. Then he would leave the club, never to be seen by its members again.