They turned into another corridor, went past a bank of elevators--turned off for the day, as all the elevators were in the official section of the building--and went up a long flight of stairs. Glen stopped at the third level. "This looks like as good a spot as any to wait for the first safety-holes to open. It's out of the way. And there's a hole right here, according to the map. It'll be opening in twenty minutes. The mob should be busy down there for longer than that." They located the almost invisible key square, and Glen pressed his Class-6 key to it. "Just on the chance they might have given us a break," he said half apologetically. "Apparently they haven't," Joan murmured. "Let's see if my Class-5 has any better luck." She pressed her own key to the square, but the panel still refused to slide back. Class-5 shelters in this area were often combined with those for Class-6. * * * * * Glen looked at her quizzically. "Joan, we graduated at the same time, and you're already Class-5--Job Consultation--while I'm still Class-6--Secondary School Allocation. How do you do it?" "Brains, personality and talent. Hadn't you noticed?" She pressed close to him. He kissed her. "Mmm, yes. But I still don't see...." "Darling," she said, "Joan Bourne is a young lady destined to go far. And fast." "You seem so different from the other girls here though, Joan." He blushed. "You didn't happen to come from ... Outside. Er ... from the People, that is?" "I grew up in Block 6, Section A, overlooking the statue of Martyr Sherman Adams in Government Park. Just two blocks down from you, if I remember your records correctly." "You've had access to my records?" "Class-5 always does to Class-6's. And I took a special interest in you, my dear." She stroked his cheek. "Then you're forgiven the snooping," Glen smiled. "But to think I was being so polite and discreet about asking your origins!" "Not many take the Exams and come to Civil Service from Outside any more, sweet. Just as not many from here decide to go out and try their luck in the big world. Generally we stay on our side of the fence, and they stay on theirs. Except for the Day, of course. And then it's all one-way traffic." "But I've heard some CS people go Outside for their vacation. I never have, of course, but...." "Oh, yes, quite a few do. You're taken in a CS plane to another Government House, where you won't be known in the city outside. You are given appropriate papers and emerge from the House during business hours. You mingle with the People, just like one of them. And when vacation's over, back to the House for Job Consultation or Welfare Benefits or whatever you want to trump up. Show your true papers, and you're whisked back to your own cozy womb." She smiled reminiscently. "Outside is an interesting experience." This annoyed Glen obscurely. He put his arm around her. "I don't want you going Outside again. At least, not without me."