Mrs. Briggs was annoyed. The schools had gone too far. "And what, may I ask, _is_ the reason?" "Too much time in the Elroom, Mrs. Briggs." Mrs. Briggs managed a good-natured laugh. "Miss Pomeroy, you have Timmy all wrong. He doesn't spend any more time in the Elroom than other children do." "Children are all different," Miss Pomeroy countered. "But not Timmy." "Parents are often poor judges of their own children, Mrs. Briggs." "Are you trying to tell me I don't know my own child?" "Mrs. Briggs, I am not _trying_ to tell you anything," Miss Pomeroy's cheeks were red. "I am telling you your child is spending too much time watching these programs. Sublimating so much, in fact, that he's beginning to find it difficult telling the difference between life itself and the Elroom." "Sublimating?" "Escape. You didn't know? Yes." The teacher smiled tolerantly. "First sublimation room for elevating one's self--sublime the verb. Then SubL for short. Then just L and L-room to Elroom. You didn't know?" "That, my dear," Mrs. Briggs said heatedly, "is just so much hogwash." "Tell me, Mrs. Briggs, just what does your husband think of the Elroom?" "He doesn't have much time to spend in it." "You mean he'd rather do something else?" "He's interested in typically man things--cars, mostly." Because Timmy had gone over to the curtains and was starting to walk through, and because she wanted to show Miss Pomeroy she was capable of some discipline, she said, "And where are _you_ going, young man?" "Probably back to the Elroom," Miss Pomeroy put in. Mrs. Briggs gave her an acid look. Timmy swallowed the last bite of apple. "To get a drink. I'm thirsty." When he had gone, Miss Pomeroy leaned forward. "You must keep him out of the Elroom, Mrs. Briggs. We'll send you a list of programs. He can have sublimation only one hour a day." "Ridiculous!" Mrs. Briggs snapped. Miss Pomeroy adjusted her glasses and looked at her severely. "Are you saying you will not comply?" "I said it's ridiculous, didn't you hear? Why, you won't find a better child than Timmy--" "Obviously your only child." "And what has that to do with it?" "It is not my job to explain," Miss Pomeroy said icily. "Only to inform. I'm afraid I'll have to report that you will not heed the directive." "The Elroom is instructive. Why, we were learning something about history just now. We were watching Nelson sink the French fleet when you came." "It's not the program. It's the identification with it. Let's say Timmy has too much imagination--but then I have already told you what I came to tell. I'll be going now, Mrs. Briggs." * * * * * From the way George sent the gyrocar into a long swoop that ended inside the garage, Laura Briggs knew her husband was angry and she braced herself for battle. But she wasn't quite prepared for such an immediate outburst, the moment he got in the door.