DOCTOR J. In the cosmos? SMITH. That's correct. DOCTOR J. You didn't like it there? SMITH. No. It was boring. DOCTOR J. And that's why.... SMITH. I made the world. DOCTOR J. Yes. But ... how did you make it? SMITH. I had books. DOCTOR J. Books? SMITH. Instruction books. DOCTOR J. Where did you get them? SMITH. I made them up. DOCTOR J. You mean you wrote them? SMITH. I ... made them up. DOCTOR J. How? SMITH. (_Mustache bristling truculently_) I made them up. DOCTOR J. (_Lips pursed_) So there you were out in the cosmos with a handful of books. SMITH. That's correct. DOCTOR J. What if you had dropped them? SMITH. (_Chooses not to answer this patent absurdity_) DOCTOR J. Mister Smith. SMITH. Yes? DOCTOR J. Who made you? SMITH. (_Shakes his head_) I don't know. DOCTOR J. Were you always like this? (_He points at Mr. Smith's lowly frame._) SMITH. I don't think so. I think that I was punished. DOCTOR J. For what? SMITH. For making the world so complicated. DOCTOR J. I should think so. SMITH. It's not my fault. I just made it, I didn't say it would work right. DOCTOR J. You just started your machine and then walked away. SMITH. That's.... DOCTOR J. Then what are you doing here? SMITH. I told you. I think I've been punished. DOCTOR J. Oh yes. For making it too complicated. I forgot. SMITH. That's correct. DOCTOR J. Who punished you? SMITH. I don't remember. DOCTOR J. That's convenient. SMITH. (_Looks morose_) DOCTOR J. Might it be God? SMITH. (_Shrugs_) It might. DOCTOR J. He might have a few fingers in the rest of the Universe. SMITH. He might. But I made the world. DOCTOR J. Enough, Mr. Smith, you did not make the world. SMITH. (_Insulted_) Yes, I did too. DOCTOR J. And you created me? SMITH. (_Concedingly_) Indirectly. DOCTOR J. Then uncreate me. SMITH. I can't. DOCTOR J. Why? SMITH. I just started things. I don't control them now. DOCTOR J. (_Sighs_) Then what are you worried about, Mr. Smith? SMITH. I have a premonition. DOCTOR J. What about? SMITH. I'm going to die. DOCTOR J. So...? SMITH. Someone has to take over. Or else. DOCTOR J. Or else...? SMITH. The whole world will go. DOCTOR J. Go where? SMITH. No where. Just disappear. DOCTOR J. How can it disappear if it works independently of you? SMITH. It will be taken away to punish me. DOCTOR J. You? SMITH. Yes. DOCTOR J. You mean if you die, the entire world will disappear? SMITH. That's correct. DOCTOR J. If I shot you, the instant you died I would disappear? SMITH. That's.... DOCTOR J. I have advice. SMITH. Yes? You will help? DOCTOR J. Go to see a reputable psychiatrist. SMITH. (_Standing_) I should have known. I have no more to say. DOCTOR J. (_Shrugs_) As you will. SMITH. I'll go but you'll be sorry about this. DOCTOR J. I dare say you are already sorry, Mr. Smith. SMITH. Goodbye. (_Mr. Smith exits. Doctor Janishefsky calls for his nurse over the interphone. Nurse Mudde enters._) NURSE M. Yes, doctor?