“It came to me--with the others,” he replied as simply as Ezekiel might have told a fellow-captive beside Chebar. “But it’s too high for a Democracy. So I cut it right out. For Film purposes I assumed that, at an unspecified date, the United States had become virg’nised to liquor. The Taint was out of the Blood, and, apparently, the Instinct had aborted. ‘The Triumph of Presumption’ is the Caption. But from there on, I fell down because, for the film Appeal, you cannot present such an Epoch without featurin’ confirmatory exhibits which, o’ course, haven’t as yet materialised. That meant that the whole Cultural Aspect o’ that Civ’lisation of the Future would have to be built up at Hollywood; an’ half a million dollars wouldn’t cover it. ‘The Vision of Virg’nised Civ’lisation.’ A hell of a proposition! But it don’t matter now.” He dropped his head and was still for a little. “Never mind,” I said. “How does the idea work out--in your mind?” “In my mind? As inevitably, sir, as the Red Man’s Fall through Rum. My notion was a complete Cultural Exposay of a She-dom’nated Civ’lisation, built on a virginal basis _qua_ alcohol, with immensely increased material Productivity (say, there’d be money in that from big Businesses demonstratin’ what they’ll prodooce a hundred years hence), _and_ a side-wipe at the practically non-existent birth-rate.” “Why that, too?” I asked. He gave me the reason--a perfectly sound one--which has nothing to do with the tale, and went on: “After that Vision is fully realised, the End comes--as remorselessly for the White as for the Red. How? The American Woman--you will recall the first close-up of that lady I showed you, interweavin’ throughout the narr’tive--havin’ accomplished all she set out to do, wishes to demonstrate to the world the Integral Significance of Her Life-work. Why not? She’s never been blamed in Her life. So delib’rately, out of High Presumption, the American Woman withdraws all inhibit’ry legislation, all barriers against Alcohol--to show what She has made of Her Men. The Captions here run--‘The Zeenith of Presumption. America Stands by Herself--Guide and Saviour of Humanity.’ ‘Let Evil do Its Damnedest! We are above It.’ Say, ain’t that a hell of a thought?” “A bit extravagant, isn’t it?”