The Altered Ego by Jerry Sohl

Author:Jerry Sohl [Sohl, Jerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
Publisher: Pennant Books
Published: 1955-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

“Not too many,” Marilla said, fingering a restoration information booklet given her at the gate to the main corridor. “I’m glad of that.”

Carl could see people coming toward the lecture area from both sides of it, blue-capped guards waiting with ropes to close off the section. There were seats for more than a thousand persons but Carl doubted there would be more than three hundred who would hear the talk and take the tour this day. The clock behind the platform showed a minute after two. A large man wearing a supercilious expression was waiting to talk at the speaker’s stand.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the speaker said in a tired voice. “Welcome to the restoration building, one of the structures in Los Angeles serving the TDR. As you are all probably aware, TDR stands for the Bureau of Testing, Duplication and Restoration. It’s an adjunct of the Division of Public Welfare of the World Federation.”

He paused while several late arrivals reached seats. Then he went on, “All the people everywhere in the world are eligible for the tests. They are given at the primary age of six, at the medial level of eighteen and the final one at thirty years.

“As you know, the tests determine the intelligence of the individual and his stability in our society and that, while they do not prevent him from becoming what he wishes in this world of ours, these records are available to the public at large. You and I conduct ourselves with strangers and with our friends upon the basis of their test results. Employers use the records as do physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, politicians. We in TDR feel the records are invaluable.”

He coughed. “Since there is a record for everyone, naturally the TDR is large. It has branches everywhere. There are many of you who probably do not realize the records to which you have often referred in your public libraries are there through the courtesy of the TDR.”

“Plug for the Federation,” Carl whispered.

“And hurrah for the TDR,” Marilla whispered back. “When is he going to get to the restoration business?”

“It is only at thirty years of age,” the speaker continued, “that a person becomes eligible for selection. And of course he must have complete stability as well as a high intelligence. His stab curve must exceed the 100 mark and his IQ curve must be over the 100 mark in all categories with a final figure of no less than 130.

“A man who meets these prerequisites may then petition the World Federation for selection.” He smiled at the assembly. “I don’t have to remind you there are only 200,000 selectees in the whole world. The cream of the crop, one might say—well, it’s true. Many men the World Federation has wanted to select have not had a high enough stab curve.”

“Get on with it,” Carl murmured. Marilla squeezed his hand. “So much for the tests,” the speaker said. “I know you didn’t come here for a lecture on the tests but to see the duplicating room and the bank.

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