The Changed Man by Card Orson Scott
Author:Card, Orson Scott [Card, Orson Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Age Range 2 Older Audience, Science Fiction, Horror, Adult, Fantasy, Anthologies
ISBN: 9780812533651
Amazon: 0812533658
Goodreads: 29444
Publisher: Tor
Published: 1990-10-01T07:00:00+00:00
It was a feeling of power, to know that I had called someone back from places far darker than death. Her life was painful, and yet my promise of devotion was enough, apparently, to compensate. This was how I understood it, at least. This was what made me feel exhilarated, what kept me blind and deaf to what had really happened.
I was not the only one rejoicing. The nurses made a great fuss over her, and the administrator promised to write up a glowing report. âPublish,â he said.
âItâs too personal,â I said. But in the back of my mind I was already trying to figure out a way to get the case into print, to gain something for my career. I was ashamed of myself for twisting what had been an honest, heartfelt commitment into personal advancement. But I couldnât ignore the sudden respect I was receiving from people to whom, only hours before, I had been merely ordinary.
âItâs too personal,â I repeated firmly. âI have no intention of publishing.â
And to my disgust I found myself relishing the administratorâs respect for that decision. There was no escape from my swelling self-satisfaction. Not as long as I stayed around those determined to give me cheap payoffs. Ever the wise psychologist, I returned to the only person who would give me gratitude instead of admiration. The gratitude I had earned, I thought. I went back to Elaine.
âHi,â she said. âI wondered where you had gone.â
âNot far,â I said. âJust visiting with the Nobel Prize committee.â
âThey want to reward you for bringing me here?â
âOh, no. They had been planning to give me the award for having contacted a genuine alien being from outer space. Instead, I blew it and brought you back. Theyâre quite upset.â
She looked flustered. It wasnât like her to look flustered âusually she came back with another quip. âBut what will they do to you?â
âProbably boil me in oil. Thatâs the usual thing. Though, maybe theyâve found a way to boil me in solar energy. Itâs cheaper.â A feeble joke. But she didnât get it.
âThis isnât the way she said it wasâshe said it wasââ
She. I tried to ignore the dull fear that suddenly churned in my stomach. Be analytical, I thought. She could be anyone.
âShe said? Who said?â I asked.
Elaine fell silent. I reached out and touched her forehead. She was perspiring.
âWhatâs wrong?â I asked. âYouâre upset.â
âI should have known.â
âKnown what?â
She shook her head and turned away from me.
I knew what it was, I thought. I knew what it was, but we could surely cope. âElaine,â I said, âyou arenât completely cured, are you? You havenât got rid of Anansa, have you? You donât have to hide it from me. Sure, I would have loved to think youâd been completely cured, but that would have been too much of a miracle. Do I look like a miracle worker? Weâve just made progress, thatâs all. Brought you back from catalepsy. Weâll free you of Anansa eventually.â
Still she was silent, staring at the rain-gray window.
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