Thornberry shivered and then slumped in his chair. "It was the most shocking thing I have ever experienced because what happened was against everything that I have ever learned. Those conditioned men in the mess hall went mad. Before the guards could fire more than a couple of shots, all the conditioned ones had thrown their trays at me, at the guards, or the people behind the counter, and then started scrambling across the counter. In a moment they were so mixed up with our kitchen personnel that the guards didn't dare do any more shooting. And just as suddenly as it had started, they were gone. Except for me and two guards, everyone else in the mess hall was either dead or dying, or one of the drugged men." * * * * * Bennington lit a cigarette and wished that he had one of Ferguson's stout drinks. "Let me get this straight. They threw trays at you and the guards, right? But nothing more. That is, they didn't run toward you?" "No, first the trays and then directly over the counter into the kitchen and out its two back doors." "In other words, they knew where they were going." Thornberry's face showed sharp surprise. "Why, yes, they did. They did seem to have a purpose, a definite sense of direction in the way they left the mess hall." "For once I must completely agree with one of your statements, Thornberry. As soon as we can, we've got to get hold of Judkins, but we can't do it from here, dammit." "Tell me who he is and we'll get him for you," a voice whispered from the floor. Though educated in different professions, both Bennington and Thornberry had been well trained in the value of not showing astonishment. Out of the corner of his eyes, the general could see a uniformed State trooper lying flat on the floor. The head lifted, Bennington recognized Trooper Forester. "This is your party," the corporal continued. "How does the entertainment shape up?" "We've got to keep the customers happy," the general said, "by making them think that the main show is just about to start." "While you figure out some way to take them before they start throwing rocks at your supporting cast. Right? Well, Life Can Be Beautiful and I wish it would start right now. What can I do?" "Get in touch with the governors. All of them. New York and Pennsylvania and the rest. Tell them that when they talk to me, they have to pull a good legitimate stall. Maybe they can refer to the laws they operate under. They might have to get an opinion from their attorneys general. Anything, as long as it sounds good." "Can do. Will do. And after that?" "A good question, Corporal Forester. We'll discuss that after the break." From the floor, a low laugh. "I had a year at the Fort Benning School for Infantry Boys, sir. Oh, how about this Judkins?" Thornberry took over with an exceedingly accurate description of the wanted Judkins and his probable habits.