Baker slapped the desk in exasperation. "You're not really going to make me go out there and look at this fool thing, are you? I know I made a crazy promise, but I was sure you could find where they were hoaxing you if you took one look at their setup. It's probably so obvious you just stumbled right over it without even seeing it was there." "Possibly. But you're going to have to show me." "John, look--" "Or, I _might_ be willing to take that Clearwater research grant without any more questions on either side." Baker thought of the repercussions that would occur in his own office, let alone outside it, if he ever approved such a grant. "All right," he sighed. "You've got me over a barrel. I'll drive my car. I may have to stop at some offices on the other side of town." "I might be going on, rather than coming back to town," said Fenwick. "I ought to have my car, too. Suppose I meet you out there?" "Good enough. Say one o'clock. I'm sure that will give us more time than we need." * * * * * Baker was prompt. He arrived with an air of let's-get-this-over-as-quick-as-possible. He nodded perfunctorily as Ellerbee introduced his wife. He scarcely looked at Sam Atkins. "I hope you've got your demonstration all set up," he said. He glanced at the darkening sky. "It looks like we might get some heavy rain this afternoon." "We're all ready," said Ellerbee. "Sam will drive over to that little hill on his farm, and we'll go out behind the barn." On the knoll, Baker accepted the crystal cube without looking at it. Clenching it in his fist, he put his hand in his pocket. Fenwick guessed he was trying to avoid any direct view and thus avoid the possibility of hypnotic effects. This seemed pretty farfetched to Fenwick. Through field glasses Sam Atkins was seen to get out of his car and walk to the top of the knoll. He stood a moment, then waved to signal his readiness. "Press the crystal in your hand," Ellerbee said to Baker. "Direct your attention toward Sam Atkins." Each of them had a cube of the same crystal. It was like a party line. Fenwick pressed his only slightly. He had learned it didn't take much. He saw Baker hesitate, then purse his lips as if in utter disgust, and follow instructions. In a moment the image of Sam Atkins appeared before them. Regardless of their position, the image gave the illusion of standing about four feet in front of them. "Good afternoon, Dr. Baker," Sam Atkins said. Fenwick thought Baker was going to collapse. The director just stood for a moment, like a creature that had been pole-axed. Then his color began to deepen and he turned with robot stiffness. "Did you men hear anything? Fenwick ... did you hear ... did you see?" "Sure," said Fenwick, grinning broadly. "Sam Atkins said good afternoon to you. It would be polite if you answered him back." The image of Sam Atkins was still before them. He, too, was grinning broadly. The grins infuriated Baker.