Chapter 5 Five Wonderful S

Marcel Zebatinsky felt childish in his behavior, and he felt that countless eyes were staring at him through the glass windows and scarred wooden partitions of the dirty street buildings.For some reason all eyes were on him.Even the old clothes on his body, the cuffed hat he never changed, and the glasses hidden in the box, he didn't trust, always thinking that these things were laughing at him. Zerbatinsky looked around suspiciously, the wrinkles on his brow deepened and his face became pale from too much anxiety.Indeed, he could not explain to anyone how he felt at this moment.Why would a talented atomic physicist like him visit a "numerologist" (a specialist in fortune-telling by date of birth and other words)?Yes, he had never had such a weird thought, and his pain was so deep that he didn't know how to relieve it, so he followed his wife's advice and decided to go to the "numerologist".

The "Numerologist" sat behind a worn-out desk, so dilapidated it was hard to believe it had ever been new.However, it fits perfectly with its owner. "Numerologist" is short and small, with a dark face, wearing a shabby dress, only the pair of small, black eyes show a little vitality. "Numerologist" stared at Zebatinsky all the time when he saw him, and then laughed strangely for a while: "Oh, I never thought that there would be a physicist as my client. Hello! Dr Zebatinsky." Zebatinsky couldn't even speak for a while, and it took him a long time to think about it: "Well, you know very well that I trust you to come."

"Numerologist" smiled, and the corners of his mouth immediately wrinkled, and the skin on his chin was tense: "Haha! All my transactions are based on trust, and all my customers are also based on trust." I just came." Zebatinsky said solemnly: "I think I should tell you one thing, I don't believe in fate, and I'm not going to believe in this stuff now." "Then why did you come here?" asked the Numerologist slyly. "That's because my wife believes that you have a set of mysterious abilities. I agreed to her request so I came." Zebatinsky shrugged disapprovingly when he said this, and he felt more and more his own What a stupid move.

"What do you want to pursue? Is it money, security, longevity, or something else?" asked the numerologist, looking at Zebatinsky constantly. Zebatinsky sat quietly and was observed by the "Numerologist". He was secretly thinking, what should I say to the "Numerologist", just say that I am already thirty-four years old and have not had a good birthday yet. Future?No! "I hope that everything goes well, that I succeed, that I want to be appreciated," Zebatinsky said. "Want a good job?" "No, I just want to have a job that is different from what I have now. I am currently working in a research institute and work according to the instructions of my superiors every day. 'Institute' is a research department, which is like a professional violinist, but can only play in a symphony Orchestra work."

"Oh, you want to play solo." "I hope to leave the institute and let me work on some personal projects." After uttering these words, Zebatinsky felt dizzy for a while, because he only said these words to his wife.Now he continued to talk regardless of everything: "Before the age of twenty-five, people thought that I could work on a first-class planet because of my intelligence and ability. If this is the case, I will follow a planet around the earth now." I have transferred, and maybe I have already become the research director of a certain university. However, I still work in such a place. Compared with when I was twenty-five years old, I still have no progress, and I am still the same. In this research institute Here, I was buried among a group of people, how I wanted to have a research room of my own! Well, it would be nice if you knew this."

"Numerologist" listened quietly to Zebatinsky's long speech, then nodded and said slowly: "You have to know, Mr. Doctor, I can't guarantee your success." Hearing these unconfident words, Zebatinsky was greatly disappointed: "What, can't you? So what can you do?" "I can only offer you some possibilities to improve your work. I work in statistics. Since you can deal with atoms, I think you must understand the principles of typical statistics." 'Numerologist' continued with his slow Tone said. "You?" the physicist asked skeptically.

"Yes, in fact, I do fortune-telling for people according to the principle of expanding statistics. Because I am a mathematician, I can only work with mathematical principles, but I can't tell you the specific steps to do it. You want me to do it for you. If you change your fate, you get paid, how about it? Fifty dollars. You are a scientist, you must be able to appreciate the nature of my work more than other customers. I am not talking nonsense, it is scientifically based. I can do this for you today I am very honored and happy to tell the fortune of someone who is a fortune-teller....'Numerologist' said and laughed again.

Zebatinsky was not happy. He said: "I'd rather you not be a mathematician. What use is it for me to tell me the mathematical value of each letter? I don't want to talk about mathematics, I just want to..." "Numerologist" said understandingly: "I know, you hope that I can help you realize your wish, so wouldn't it be better to use a scientific method?" "Okay, do you really have this method?" Zebatinsky asked. "Don't you think of me as a mere 'numerologist', I'm not. I call myself a figurist to keep the police and psychiatrists out of my way. I'm actually a mathematician, an honest people."

The short, dark "Numerologist" laughed softly with his lips pursed, and Zebatinsky smiled too. "Numerologist" continued: "I specialize in building computers, and I can study a person's basic future." "What?" cried Zebatinsky. "Why, is this news worse than fortune-telling for you? Give me enough information, use a computer with strong computing power, and after a period of work, it is possible to predict a person's future, at least Predict a possibility. When you are engaged in the research of missile movement, your real purpose is to invent an anti-missile. Isn't what you predict is its future? Even if you predict their future wrongly, missiles and Anti-missiles would never be in conflict either. What I'm trying to do now is of the same nature. Naturally, my results can't be very precise due to the large number of variables involved in my work." "Numerologist" gushed He kept talking for a long time.

Zebatinsky asked in surprise: "You mean you can predict my future?" "Numerologist" said: "It can only be an approximate prediction. I have done this many times before, and I will change your relevant materials accordingly by changing your name. In this way, there will be no information about you." The relevant materials are gone, and the previous materials are no longer valid. Then, I store those modified materials in the computer that is running. Next, I try other changed names and modified materials. I study All kinds of modified prospects, so you can definitely find a future that is better than your current one. If you can’t find it, I will use other methods. Anyway, I will find a future for you that is better than that of someone with your name. Deserved future better future, when you just change your name."

"Why change my name?" Zebatinsky asked. "That was the single best change I've ever made, and there are a couple of advantages to doing it this way: First, it's the easiest change. If there were other, bigger and more changes, there would be too many If the new variable appears, then I may not get the result for a long time, and my machine will not be able to calculate it. Second, this is a reasonable change. Because I cannot change your character. Third, this is an effective Changes. For people, names often mean many things. Finally, there is a fourth point, which is a relatively common change that is done by all kinds of people almost every day." "Numerologists "Patiently explained. Zebatinsky asked dissatisfiedly: "Is there no other way to get a better future?" "If you do that, you're going to take a lot of risks, and you may even get worse results than you have now, my friend." "Numerologist" replied. Zebatinsky stared anxiously at the short man in front of him: "I can't believe all of this now, maybe after a while, I will believe in the 'numerologist'." "Numerologist" sighed: "I think people like you should feel better when they know the reality. I sincerely want to help you, and I really have a lot to do. If you really think I am A 'numerologist', then you can't follow through. I think if I told you the truth, you'd be more than happy to let me help you." Zebatinsky hesitated and said, "If you can see my future..." "Why am I not the richest man on earth? Why can't I be the richest man? And yet I am rich,--in the way I wish. You wish to be appreciated, and I wish to make me Work and live alone. I do my job and no one interferes with me. That would make me a billionaire. But I also need a little money, which I have to ask for from people like you .Help is always a good thing. Or as the psychiatrists call it, doing it gives me a sense of myself and gives me the capital to be ego. Now—do you want me to help you? "'Numerologist" asked again. "How much do you want?" Zebatinsky said. "Fifty dollars. I still need a lot of biographical information about you. I can find a specific way to guide you after I research. I'm afraid it will take a while. I will give you an answer by this Saturday. The letter will tell you when you will get the final result." The "Numerologist" frowned, thought for a while and said, "Okay, I will tell you now! It will be on the 20th of next month." "Five more weeks? It's too long." Zebatinsky was a little dissatisfied. "I have other work to do, my friend, and many other customers, and if I were a liar, I could answer you quickly. Will you agree now?" Zebatinsky stood up and said: "Okay, that's it! You know, I trust you now out of some kind of trust!" "Let there be no doubt that when I tell you the changes to be made, you will bring back all the materials that are yours, and you will have my prophecy for you." The atomic physicist stopped at the door, turned around and said, "Are you afraid I'll tell people you're not a 'numerologist'?" "Numerologist" said: "Who would believe you, friend! No one would believe that an atomic physicist would have been to a place like mine." On the 20th of the next month, Zebatinsky came to a door with peeling paint. He stood in front of the store and took out a small card. With the dust, these handwriting gradually became blurred and illegible. He stared at the card for a long time, hoping that someone would show up at this moment, so that he could have an excuse to dispel the indecision in his mind, and then go home, he tried several times to dispel his thoughts Yes, he Never had I been so indecisive.He felt it was an embarrassing thing, and a very stupid thing to do, to succeed by changing his name and his materials.He really wanted to abandon the plan. However, Zebatinsky can no longer stay in front of the store so hesitantly. He received a notice one night in which he was asked to send all his information and gave him an address.At that time, he had hesitated and doubted that little man—"Numerologist" was a mathematician pretending to be!Or maybe he didn't have any computer at all, but it was just a lie. Zebatinsky thought about it for a while, and finally decided to put a nine-cent stamp and send the materials as a regular letter.He thought that if the letter came back, he would not have to go to that person again, but the letter was not returned.So, he finally came to this place on time. Now that he had entered the store, it was empty, so Zebatinsky had no choice but to go in. There was a tinkling of bells, and the Numerologist came out of a small door. "Hello! Dr. Zebatinsky." "Numerologist" greeted Zebatinji happily. "Do you remember me?" Zebatinsky said with a smile. "What is this, of course I remember." "So what about your fortune-telling result?" "Numerologist" reached out to Zebatinsky: "Before I tell you, sir, we have a little matter to settle." "Is it a fee?" "Yes, I've been working for you for a whole week and I should be paid." Zebatinsky got up, made no objection, and was ready to pay the money.Since it took such a long way to get here, of course you have to know what the result will be. Wouldn't it be foolish to leave here for a few dollars. Zebatinsky counted five ten-dollar bills and threw them on the counter. "All right?" The "Numerologist" counted again carefully, and then put the money into the cash drawer. "Your situation is very interesting. I suggest that you change your name to Sebatinsky, that is, change only one letter, and change "Z" to "S". "Numerologist" said to Zebatinsky . "Sebatinsky? How do you spell it, please?" "S-e-b-a-t-i-n-s-k-y." Zebatinsky was furious after hearing this: "What? Are you going to change the Z to an S? Are you going to make everyone call me Sebatinsky? Do you have to pay fifty dollars for this bad idea? " "Numerologist" remained calm: "That's enough. From the perspective of long-term interests, a small change is much safer than a big change." "But what is the effect of this change?" Zebatinsky asked. "Then let me ask you, what is the special function of any name?" The 'numerologist' asked back, "I can't guarantee that it will be useful, but I can say that it will have certain benefits. Remember , I didn’t say what the guaranteed result will be. Of course, if you don’t want to make such a change, I won’t return the money to you.” Zebatinsky asked again: "What future should I get? Just let everyone call me Sebatinsky?" "If you are willing to accept my advice, then listen to me, you go to a lawyer to make your name change comply with legal procedures, and he will remind you to pay attention to every detail." "Numerologist" answered him slowly . "How long will it take to do this? How long will it take me to get what I want?" "How should I answer you? Maybe it will never be achieved, maybe it will be achieved tomorrow." "But you have seen my future, and I asked you to prophesy for me." "The future is not something to put in a crystal ball, no, no, Dr. Zebatinsky, everything is calculated by a computer, so I can only tell you one possibility." Zebatinsky knew he could get no more from The Numerologist, so he quickly left the place. Alas, fifty dollars wasted, only one letter changed! Fifty dollars for one sentence: "Let everyone call me Sebatinsky!" It's hard to believe that a letter has become such a key?"Then call me Sebatinsky," he decided. A month later, Zebatinsky hired a lawyer and officially changed his name to "Serbatinsky". Let's see the interesting consequences of changing one letter! One day not long after "Zebatinsky" officially changed its name to "Serbatinsky", a man named Henry Brand sat in the office of the Public Security Bureau, intently flipping through a copy of the Materials, he has been working here for forty years, he does not look at the past one by one, his eyesight is focused on catching some special things in the documents. Brand said, "Well, the man looks very innocent to me." Yes, he likes innocent people very much, because he is also an innocent person himself, and he really cherishes heroes.His voice is often lighthearted and cheerful when he speaks.He has a big belly and a ruddy complexion. He seems to feel that by looking at various materials, he can get in touch with various types of people, and through careful research and observation, he can find out those who are unfaithful and problematic.In this regard, Brand has always been confident. At this moment, the young Lieutenant Elbert walked in with the folder.This is a security officer with a high sense of responsibility, and is Mr. Brand's deputy. As soon as he entered the door, he said: "Look, why is this man called 'Sebatinsky'?" "Why not?" Brande casually responded. "Because it doesn't make sense to change it like that, 'Zebatinsky' is a foreigner's surname. If my parents gave me such a surname, of course I would have to change it, I would change it to a British surname. However, this 'Zerbatinsky' has been changed meaninglessly, he only changed the initial 'Z' to 'S', which cannot but arouse my suspicion, and I think it is my responsibility to find out such The real reason for doing it." Lieutenant Elbert said seriously. "Has anyone ever questioned him directly?" "Of course. But it was just a general conversation when applying for a surname change. I carefully sorted out the transcripts of those conversations. Zebatinsky only said that he did not want to use the last letter of the alphabet as his name." The beginning of the word, and no other reason." "I think that's a reason too, Mr. Lieutenant, do you doubt it?" "Of course, there's the possibility, but why didn't he change it to 'Seth' or 'Themes'? If he really wanted his surname to begin with an S, he could have done so, and You can also change the initial of the word to A or other letters, why must it be changed to S? I think there must be some secret hidden here." The lieutenant insisted on his point of view. "Why can't it be changed like this?" Brandt muttered softly, and then said, "There is nothing that can involve this gentleman here. There is nothing surprising about such a change of name. Anyone can use it." The lieutenant suddenly became very unhappy. Brande glanced at the lieutenant and said as gently as possible: "Tell me, you must have found some special clues. You have a theory and a trick in your mind, don't you?" The lieutenant took a step forward, frowned, and said nervously: "Sir, I think this guy is a Soviet, and he has a conspiracy." Brand laughed: "No, he's not from the Soviet Union. The name should be a third-generation descendant of a Pole." "I think it's a Soviet surname." Brande lost his usual smile: "No, lieutenant, your opinion is wrong. It must be a Polish surname." The lieutenant became impatient, he reached out and knocked himself on the head: "No, there is a problem here anyway." Brande's mother's maiden name was Wiszewshi, so he objected violently to the lieutenant: "Don't go so far, lieutenant." Then he thought for a moment, "Perhaps it may also be a Soviet person. I can consider your opinion." "That's exactly what I want, sir," said the lieutenant, blushing a little. "Both Poland and the Soviet Union are on the same side of the globe." "Everyone knows this, you don't need to say more." "The man named 'Zebatinsky' or 'Sebatinsky', maybe his relatives are there!" The lieutenant put forward his guess. "I agree with your judgment. Since he is the third generation, then of course there may be a second generation. How about relatives in Poland or the Soviet Union?" Brand asked the lieutenant for his opinion. "There is no doubt that many people have distant relatives in Poland or the Soviet Union, but this Zebatinsky is different, he insisted on changing his surname," said the lieutenant. "Go on." "Perhaps he had some attempt to distract others from him, or perhaps his relatives became famous abroad, and this 'Zebatinsky' changed his surname because he was afraid that his relatives would harm his interests. ' The lieutenant offered his guess again. "However changing his surname will not do any good, and still cannot deny that he has such a Polish or Soviet relative." Brande once again retorted the lieutenant. "But he'll think it's better than pushing his relatives right up to us," said the lieutenant. "Have you learned that there is indeed 'Zebatinsky' on that side?" "Not yet, sir." "That means these people are not well-known, so how can our 'Zebatinsky' understand their situation?" Brand continued to refute the lieutenant's opinion. "He may have been in touch with his relatives all along, and in that case he's still an atomic physicist, that's doubtful." Brand looked at his papers. "That's pretty clear, Lieutenant." "So, can you provide some other evidence to explain why he must change his surname in this way?" "No, I can't at the moment." "In that case, sir, I think we have to investigate this. We should look for those 'Zebatinskys' on the other side, and try to find out how they are connected." The lieutenant insisted, raising his voice. follow his opinion. "It's entirely possible that he was protecting those relatives," said the lieutenant, refusing to show weakness. Brande sighed: "Okay, let's explore that 'Zebatinsky' trick! But, if nothing suspicious can be found, forget about it. You just bring this file Get away from me." When the information finally reached Brand, he completely forgot about the lieutenant and his theory.When he received a package containing the long personal histories of seventeen Russians and Poles, all surnamed 'Zebatinsky', Brander's first thought was what kind of material it was, and he calmly read up. The first person provided in the information was Zebatinsky from the United States. He was born in Buffalo, a port city in the United States. In detail, his grandparents were born somewhere in Poland. It seems that these sixteen Soviets and Polish citizens with the surname 'Zebatinski' are all descendants of the same ancestor, they should belong to the same family, and their ancestors lived somewhere in Poland about half a century ago nearby.It can be speculated that they are related, but this relationship can only be revealed at a certain time. Brand quickly got acquainted with the personal histories and current living conditions of the sixteen "Zebatinskys".At last his eyes rested on a name and he began to ponder.His eyebrows were raised, and immediately lines appeared on his smooth forehead. He took out each person's materials in turn and put them aside, and then put them in the envelope one by one.He flicked his fingers lightly on the table and decided to consult Dr. Christophe of the Atomic Energy Commission. Christophe listened to Brande's story without expression, occasionally stretched out a finger to touch his big nose, and shook his head from time to time.His hair was hard and thin, giving him what appeared to be almost a shiny bald spot."No, I've never heard of any Soviet 'Zerbatinsky.' But I haven't heard of an American 'Zerbatinsky,' until now," he said. "Oh," Brand scratched his temples, and then he said slowly, "I don't think there's any big problem here, and I can't just leave it alone. I have a young second-in-command, Lieutenant Elbert, you Know, he's very serious and I hate to let them catch my fault. Also, now the fact that there was indeed a member of the Soviet 'Zerbatinsky' family living in the US, he was an atomic physicist Can you guarantee that you have never heard of this man?" "Marsil Zebatinsky? No, no, I've never heard of it. I can't provide any useful evidence." Dr. Christophe shrugged. "I think these two are one. One Zerbatinsky on this side, another Zerbatinsky on the other side, they're both atomic physicists. And here's one who suddenly changed his name , called 'Sebatinsky.' This incident caught the attention of my very conscientious lieutenant. Also, to my perplexity, about a year ago, that Soviet Zebatinsky Sky suddenly disappeared without a trace," Brande said to Dr. Christophe. Dr. Christophe didn't seem to hear anything, so he grunted: "Please forgive me!" Brand said: "That Soviet Zebatinsky may still be alive, and the Soviets would not normally be so stupid as to kill an atomic physicist. There must be a reason for this. Of course, All of them may suddenly disappear, for reasons I have yet to find out." "Oh, I see. The top priority is research and a high degree of secrecy. You mean to ask me to do this, don't you?" Christophe asked. "Yes, please do everything possible to verify my lieutenant's perception and find out the truth of the matter. This is exactly what I want." "Give me that personal history, please," Dr. Christophe took a piece of paper, read it carefully twice, then shook his head and said, "I'll check it with atomic energy extraction." "Abstracts of Atomic Energy" are neatly arranged in a small bookcase next to Dr. Christophe's study, and there are many square miniature photos in each book.The Atomic Energy Commission uses it to check some names and personal records. Now Brande patiently read some books, and in a short while he knew how to use them. Dr. Christophe murmured softly as he turned the temple: "Ah, a Zebatinsky has had six pages in the Soviet Proceedings for the last six years. Now that we have this abstract, perhaps We can find out something." After working intensely, Dr. Christophe suddenly exclaimed: "It's so strange." Brand immediately asked, "What makes you so strange?" Christophe sat down and said: "I can't explain at once. Can you give me a list of other atomic physicists who disappeared in the Soviet Union last year?" "What do you expect to find from it?" Brand asked suspiciously. "Not necessarily, I shouldn't just see the experience of one person now. And I should see all the materials of these people, because this Zebatinsky may have participated in an important research project, and he is the person in charge of the research of this project. People. How, do you doubt my mind?" Christophe shrugged habitually. "There is nothing wrong here." Brande said earnestly, "I hope that everything you said is what you think in your heart. It may be ridiculous for us to cooperate so much." "If you already feel this, well, I can tell you that Zebatinsky may be moving towards a new project of 'gamma ray reflection'." Christophe looked at Bran De glance "Is this project important?" Brand asked eagerly. "Yes, he may invent a shield against gamma rays, use it to build individual shelters against gamma rays. You know the effects of gamma rays are a real danger, and a hydrogen bomb can destroy a city , But the power of the ray is much greater than this, it can kill all living things in a strip that is a thousand kilometers long and hundreds of kilometers wide." Dr. Christophe fell into deep thought. "So, what research results do we have in this area?" Brand asked again. "No, we haven't got results yet." "After they have a complete design plan for the shelter, they can use gamma rays, but we can't. Then they can suddenly destroy a dozen large cities in the United States, oh, it's terrible." Brand held out his hands He hugged his head. "That's in the distant future." Dr. Christophe patted Brand. "Why should we worry about it? All this is caused by the study of a man who changed a letter in his name." topic of." "Well, I'm a little out of my wits," said Brand. "Let's go back to the point we were talking about earlier. I can't do what you want, and I can't get it unless I go to Moscow once." The list and materials of the missing Soviet atomic physicists." The two of them held a plenary meeting of the Atomic Energy Commission with Zebatinsky's materials and relevant information found on the "Atomic Energy Digest". The meeting went on all night, and the next morning, they walked out of the conference room looking very haggard and needed to go to bed immediately. Dr. Lesdorf nodded to Brand: "Most people believe in this conclusion, and a few people are skeptical. However, most still believe it." "And you? Do you believe it?" "I don't believe in the material. But let me think about it this way for the moment. It's easier to say that the Soviet Union is currently trying to invent a shield against gamma rays than it is to advertise the disconnected material we now have." Believe me," said Christophe aloud. "Does this mean we have to continue working on the shield?" Brand asked. "Yes," said Dr. Christophe in a dry voice, pressing his hand to his short, bristly hair, "we shall obtain at all costs the materials written by the missing persons, so that we can It is possible to catch up with the Soviets, or even surpass them—of course, they will also find out that we are working on this project." "Let them find out. We can't wait for them to destroy ten of our cities. We should destroy ten of theirs. But if we both work vigilantly, then neither will they." Too stupid, they will also know our plan." Brand said thoughtfully. "Yes, that's right. We've talked so much about gamma rays, now look at Zebatinsky in Xiangguo—oh, what about Zebatinsky now?" Klein Dr. Storf asked Brand for advice. Brande's attitude became serious, and he shook his head: "He has nothing to do with these things. I agree with you. Of course, we have conducted an investigation, and he is just a very sensitive person, but even if he Very innocent and we cannot allow him to stay there." "No, we must not fire him, which is exactly what the Soviets want," Christophe said. "do you have any good advice?" Brande and Christophe walked and talked friendly side by side along the long corridor until they entered the elevator.It was already morning at this time, and the soft sunlight filled the earth. Dr. Christophe said: "I have already checked the work of our Zebatinsky. He is a good man and does a better job than most people, but he doesn't like his current job. , he is not good at working with others, but is used to working alone." "Oh?" Brand exclaimed in surprise. "He is fit for academic research work, and if we could arrange for him a physics research project at a university, I think he would gladly accept it. He could be made head of a research project there. That way we can make full use of him and bring him closer to the government. And the Soviets won't be able to get his way any more. What do you think?" Brand nodded in agreement: "This is really a good idea. I will report your opinion to my superiors." They stepped out of the elevator, and Brand recalled with satisfaction how the matter had been handled.How wonderful to see such important discoveries made by the letters in a name! When Marsil Sebatinsky got his new appointment, he was so excited that he couldn't speak. As soon as he got home, he said to his wife Siber Haili: "I swear, I really don't know what all this is. How did it happen, I never dreamed that they could understand my thoughts through muon detectors. God! Siber Hailey, they gave me a position as an associate professor of physics, and it was placed in a famous university, thank God. " 茜伯海丽说：“你猜想这是由于你在原子能会议上的讲话引起的吗？” “不，我一点也搞不清楚这是怎么回事，我那次的讲话是很一般的。”塞巴廷斯基狠狠地咬了一下自己的小指头，“必定是有哪位名人调查了我的情况，要不然就是过去六个月中，他们屡次接见我，在谈话过程中发觉我是个诚实的人。开始我认为我原来是处于被人怀疑之中，现在他们解除了对我的戒备。” “可能是由于你的名字吧！”茜伯海丽猜测着，“我觉得很可能是由于你的名字的更改所带来的后果。” “看来是由于我自己的努力。”塞巴廷斯基停顿了一下，并且对他的妻子说，“你认为是由于我的名字，由于这个'Ｓ'吗？” “在你更改名字之前，你可一直没有得到这个位置，不是吗？”酋伯海丽说。 “不，这很可能是一种偶然的巧合。我听了你的话才去找那位'命理学家'的，白扔了五十美元，多么傻啊。这半年来，我想起这件蠢事就觉得可笑，唉，这个愚蠢的'Ｓ'。”塞巴廷斯基愤愤地说。 茜伯海丽为自己辩解说：“我可没有让你去干什么蠢事，玛锡尔。我建议你去找他，但是我并没有强迫你去。不许你这样对我说。此外它到底还是给你带来好处，我相信是这个新改的名字给你带来象现在这样好的位置。” 塞巴廷斯基宽容地微笑着：“这是迷信。” “我不计较你这样的评论，但是你现在总不可能再把名字改回来。”茜伯海丽赌气他说。 “不，不一定，我更改了一个字母，用'Ｓ'作词首就遇到了这么一大堆麻烦，这能说是个好名字吗？也许我应该改成乔冶，或者其他的名字才好呢？”塞巴廷靳基歇斯底里地大笑起来。 茜伯海丽一点也下笑，她气恼他说：“你离开这里。” “哦，我是开个玩笑罢了。告诉你，我将再找那个老伙计——'命理学家'，告诉他这一切，并且再付给他十美元，怎么样，你满足了吗？”赛巴廷斯基笑着安慰她。 现在，塞巴廷斯基精力充沛。他决定下星期桃去找那个“命理学家”。 这一次他丝毫没有打扮，戴着眼镜，穿着很平常的衬衣，但没有戴帽子。 当他走进那个商店时，看见一个脸色疲倦的、愠怒的妇女推着她的双胞胎坐看的小车从商店门前走过，他不得不侧身让开。 他把手放在门的把手上，并且把大拇指按在铁的门闩上。 但是门没有开，门还是锁着的，怎么也敲不开。 他取出那张写着“命埋学家”的名片来看，名片已经变黄了，颜色暗淡。 他轻蔑地看了看那张纸片，愤然他说：“滚蛋！” 塞巴廷斯基不由地耸耸肩。让这一切都过去吧，他需要去干更多有用的事。 哈让特愉快地放弃了他的“肉体外形”，离别人间，回到了他自己的生活道路，他快活地跳跃着，他的能量漩涡在立方形的超速公路上方发出暗淡的红光，他叫喊着：“我胜利了，是我胜利了！” 密斯脱克也被从地球上撤了回来，他的漩涡几乎是一个光球在大空中滚动，他说：“我还不能肯定这一点，估计不出谁胜谁负呢！” “好，向前看，你改变任何一种结果都需要一段很长的时间，而我被赋予一个'肉体外形'，只有一个极短的周期，但我却做出了比你大得多的成绩。” 密斯脱克说：“好吧！我承认你曾经制止了某星球上的一场原子战争。” “你承认那是一个甲级影响吗？”哈让特得意地问。 “当然，它是一个甲级影响。” “好，那么我可以告诉你，我不仅造成了一个甲级影响，我还造成一个已级刺激，我改变了一个名字中的一个字母呢！”哈让特有点得意忘形了。 “什么？密斯脱克大为惊奇。 “别介意，我确实这样做了，而且已经成功了。” 密斯脱克勉强他说：“我同意，这是一个乙级刺激。” “那就是我胜利了，承认这一点吧！”哈让特步步紧逼。 哈让特曾经在地球上以一个年长的“命理学家”出现，美国的泽巴廷斯基遇到的正是他，但是，他不是永久地在地球上担任这个职务，他说：“当你和我在临出发到地球上去打赌时，你大概没有想到这个结果吧！” “我没想到你这样愚蠢，为什么值得担忧呢？地球上的警卫人员决不可能发觉这个乙级刺激。” “现在可能不会，但他们终究会发觉一个甲级影响，当你经过一个周期以后，你的肉体仍然会存在于地球上，警卫人员会注意到这一点。”密斯脱克说。 “这种麻烦只有我才会遇到，密斯脱克，现在你还不想付清我们打赌的那笔赌注吗？” “我当然要付给你，但是要等到警卫人员发现所造成的这个不能解决的问题，以及这个不能允许的更改时，我才能付给你，当然，假如我们——”密斯脱克停顿了一下。 哈让待说：“好，我们再把它改回来，他们就不会发觉了。” 这时，在密斯脱克的头脑里产生了一个狡猾的诡计，他神气十足地对哈让特说：“假如你希望他们不发觉，那你就需要再施行另一个乙级刺激。” 哈让待慢吞吞他说，“我可以办到。” “你敢打赌吗？”密斯脱克趁机又逼近一步。 “当然可以，”受到刺激的哈让特说，“我将把它改回来，警卫人员不会发觉的。” 密斯脱克马上说道：“那我们就中止第一次的打赌，而把这一次的赌注增加到原来的三倍。” 一种强烈的打赌欲望驱使哈让特，他决心再一次到地球上去重展故伎。接下去，地球上又不知将会发生什么稀奇古怪的事情呢！ "