"You haven't guessed what's happened, have you? We have it pretty well analyzed at this end. But we didn't really suppose your technology would be equal to it back there." "Look, just who are you, and where are you?" I said. "My name is Zon Twenty, as I told you. I'm an historical technician in the Office of Ancient Research in Washington, the capital of the planet, Earth. I'm an Earthman myself, of course. My job is to prepare studies of ancient civilizations such as yours--" "Now, wait--what kind of a gag is this?" "A gag? Oh--that's the ancient term for a joke. Good! I'll make a note of that!" "Come on. Who is it? Did Clipper Moskowitz put you up to this?" "Oh, dear," said Zon Twenty, and I could hear his heavy sigh. "I was afraid you wouldn't be able to grasp the situation. I'm going to have to offer proof, I suppose. Look here--exactly what date is it where you are?" "I told you. 1955." "I mean what month and year?" "It's August 23, 1955--and I think you know that as well as I do." "August 23. Just a minute ... we'll make a quick tape on the cyb, here. Ah, yes, here we are. August 23. All right. The nearest date of significance is September 1st. On the date twenty-one of your so-called nations reached--or should I say will reach--a new trade and tariff agreement in the U.N., and this will eventually lead directly to the free nation federation in--" "_I'm sorry! Your time is up!_" It was that blasted recorded voice of the mechanical operator again. "Hey! Don't cut us off!" I said. "Hello? Are you still with me? Look here--I'll try to call back! It's difficult, but I think I can!" said Zon Twenty. "_I'm sorry! Your time is up!_" And again the click, and silence. This time I didn't forget Zon Twenty, neither quickly nor easily. If it was a gag, it was a beauty: crazy and elaborate, and the acting was superb. If it wasn't a gag--well, I couldn't yet quite believe that it wasn't a gag. A week streamed by in a sea of paperwork. My latest overseas transfer request came back disapproved. Then, on the morning of September 2nd I opened the newspaper and saw the headline: TWENTY-ONE NATIONS REACH TRADE ACCORD IN U.N. I read the story. It was essentially what Zon had predicted--or remembered--or whatever you want to call it. I was confused now. That day I didn't work very well. I couldn't concentrate. I am not a deep thinker, and have no illusions that I am. But one idea presented itself, starting as kind of hypnotic little glow in the bottom of my mind, and this grew until I could scarcely think about anything else.