For awhile Jim Davis was very busy. Everyone, including himself, had a throbbing blinding headache. To each patient, Dr. Davis handed a tiny pink pill from the dispenser slot of the huge autodoc which covered the back wall of the infirmary. They milled outside the door waiting for the pills to take effect, looking like a full-fledged mob in the narrow corridor; and then someone thought it would be a good idea to go to the lounge, and everyone followed him. It was an unusually silent mob. Nobody felt like talking while the pain was with them. Even the sound of magnetic sandals was lost in the plastic pile rug.

Steve saw Jim Davis behind him. “Hey, Doc,” he called softly. “How long before the pain stops?”

“Mine's gone away. You got your pills a little after I did, right?”

“Right. Thanks, Doc.”

They didn't take pain well, these people. They were unused to it.

In single file they walked or floated into the lounge. Low-pitched conversations started. People took couches, using the sticky plastic strips on their falling jumpers. Others stood or floated near walls. The lounge was big enough to hold them all in comfort.

Steve wriggled near the ceiling, trying to pull on his sandals.

“I hope they don't try that again,” he heard Sue say. “It hurt.”

“Try what?” Someone Steve didn't recognize, half-listening as he was.

“Whatever they tried. Telepathy, perhaps.”

“No. I don't believe in telepathy. Could they have set up ultrasonic vibrations in the walls?”

Steve had his sandals on. He left the magnets turned off.

“… a cold beer. Do you realize we'll never taste beer again?” Jim Davis' voice.