the sheaf of papers fastened to it. After a few
seconds, he said, "Ah, yes. Glynnis. Part of his dream."

"Doctor--," Sherman heard himself saying, then caught himself.

"What, cadet," Blomgard asked, turning around. He was a big man,
gray-haired, his hair an unruly mop. His eyes were dark and piercing,
but they were softened by the thickness of the white brows over them.

"Nothing, sir--"

"I assure you, that no question will be considered out of place, if
that's what is worrying you."

"Well, doctor," Sherman said with some difficulty, "I was wondering if
all this is worth it. I mean a special reserve with the artificial
life-dreams for these people. Is it worth the expense and effort?"

Blomgard regarded the question a moment before answering. "Well, that
depends on things. We have a fairly dynamic, expanding civilization.
This man was born out of step; a natural born rebel. We've reached the
stage where, with a little effort on their own part, most people can
sooner or later find exactly what they want. There are, of course,
exceptions. They can't help being the way they are, but they are that
way. It isn't his fault that he would think nothing of blowing up any
civilization he found himself living in. This is the solution."

"A drug-induced dream state? Is that a solution?"

"It's a pretty good one. We provide him with a completely fictitious,
a totally unreal world in which he will be happy."

"How can anyone be happy like that? I prefer reality."

Blomgard smiled. "Yes, to a larger extent than he does, you do. Or you
like what you think of as reality." He picked up the clipboard again
and studied the papers on it. "His dream world is one that is designed
for his happiness. In it, he sees everyone else as inhabiting the
dream-coffin. And he pictures himself as a rugged individualist, going
about trying to destroy such a civilization. And of course, he is
practically a lone wolf. Not completely, for he would not be happy
that way. The man is an underdog."

"I guess it's best," Sherman said.

"It is," the doctor replied, seriously. "We have no right to take his
life; nor do have the right to destroy his personality, however much
that personality may be offensive to us. And since most inhabitable
planets are, unfortunately, inhabited before we ever get to them, we
have more urgent colonies to establish where we can find room. No,
this is best. We give him a dream based exactly on his psychological
need