diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 18:38:18 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-27 18:38:18 -0800 |
| commit | abb18a3ba76fcbc8d40fe637f3783f568fe5c3cc (patch) | |
| tree | 7430c58149ce5e2665205b474fc252ebcd69c21c | |
| parent | bc3e3a47f1d8135a805a47f683c5d2321f8b7bfe (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955-h.zip | bin | 389287 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955-h/60955-h.htm | 990 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 297318 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955-h/images/illus.jpg | bin | 77584 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955.txt | 878 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60955.zip | bin | 14685 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 1868 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d958b17 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60955 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60955) diff --git a/old/60955-h.zip b/old/60955-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3f72058..0000000 --- a/old/60955-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60955-h/60955-h.htm b/old/60955-h/60955-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index cdd7a17..0000000 --- a/old/60955-h/60955-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,990 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of the Polite People of Pudibundia, by R. A. Lafferty. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Polite People of Pudibundia, by R. A. Lafferty - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Polite People of Pudibundia - -Author: R. A. Lafferty - -Release Date: December 18, 2019 [EBook #60955] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="347" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1><i>THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA</i></h1> - -<h2>By R. A. LAFFERTY</h2> - -<p class="ph1"><i>This was a world where minding<br /> -your manners was more than just<br /> -a full-time job—it was murder!</i></p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1961.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Well, you will soon see for yourself, Marlow. Yes, I know there are -peculiar stories about the place. There are about all places. The young -pilots who have been there tell some amusing tales about it."</p> - -<p>"Yes. They say the people there are very polite."</p> - -<p>"That is the honorable ancestor of all understatements. One of the -pilots, Conrad, told us that the inhabitants must always carry seven -types of eyeglasses with them. None of the Puds, you see, may ever -gaze directly on another. That would be the height of impoliteness. -They wear amber goggles when they go about their world at large, -and these they wear when they meet a stranger. But, once they are -introduced to him, then they must thereafter look on him through blue -glasses. But at a blood relative they gaze through red, and at an -in-law through yellow. There are equally interesting colors for other -situations."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="303" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"I would like to talk to Conrad. Not that I doubt his reports. It is -the things he did not report that interest me."</p> - -<p>"I thought you knew he had died. Thrombosis, though he was sound enough -when first certified."</p> - -<p>"But if they are really people, then it should be possible to -understand them."</p> - -<p>"But they are not really people. They are metamorphics. They become -people only out of politeness."</p> - -<p>"Detail that a little."</p> - -<p>"Oh, they're biped and of a size of us. They have a chameleon-like skin -that can take on any texture they please, and they possess extreme -plasticity of features."</p> - -<p>"You mean they can take on the appearance of people at will?"</p> - -<p>"So Bently reported."</p> - -<p>"I hadn't heard of him."</p> - -<p>"Another of the young pilots. According to Bently, not only do the Puds -take on a human appearance, they take on the appearance of the human -they encounter. Out of politeness, of course."</p> - -<p>"Quite a tribute, though it seems extreme. Could I talk to Bently?"</p> - -<p>"Also dead. A promising young man. But he reported some of the most -amusing aspects of all: the circumlocutions that the Puds use in -speaking our language. Not only is the Second Person eschewed out of -politeness, but in a way all the other Persons also. One of them could -not call you by your name, Marlow. He would have to say: 'One hears of -one who hears of one of the noble name of Marlow. One hears of one even -now in his presence.'"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Yes, that is quite a polite way of saying it. But it would seem that -with all their circumlocutions they would be inefficient."</p> - -<p>"Yet they are quite efficient. They do things so well that it is almost -imperative that we learn from them. Yet for all our contacts, for all -their extreme politeness coupled with their seeming openness, we have -been able to learn almost nothing. We cannot learn the secret of the -amazing productivity of their fields. According to Sharper, another of -the young pilots, they suggest (though so circumspectly that it seems -hardly a suggestion, certainly not a criticism) that if we were more -polite to our own plants, the plants would be more productive for us; -and if we gave the plants the ultimate of politeness, they would give -us the ultimate of production."</p> - -<p>"Could I talk to Sharper, or is he also—"</p> - -<p>"No, he is not dead. He was quite well till the last several days. Now, -however, he is ailing, but I believe it will be possible for you to -talk to him before you leave, if he does not worsen."</p> - -<p>"It would still seem difficult for the Puds to get anything done. -Wouldn't a superior be too polite to give a reprimand to an inferior?"</p> - -<p>"Probably. But Masters, who visited them, had a theory about it, which -is that the inferior would be so polite and deferential that he would -do his best to anticipate a wish or a desire, or would go to any -lengths to learn the import of an unvoiced preference."</p> - -<p>"Is Masters one of the young pilots?"</p> - -<p>"No, an old-timer."</p> - -<p>"Now you <i>do</i> interest me."</p> - -<p>"Dead quite a few years. But it is you who interest me, Marlow. I have -been told to give you all the information you need about the Polite -People of Pudibundia. And on the subject of the Polite People, I must -also be polite. But—saving your presence, and one hears of one who -hears and all that—what in gehenna is a captain in Homicide on the -Solar Police Force going to Pudibundia about?"</p> - -<p>"About murder. That is all I ever go anywhere about. We once had a -private motto that we would go to the end of the Earth to solve a case."</p> - -<p>"And now you have amended your motto to 'to the end of the Earth and -beyond'?"</p> - -<p>"We have."</p> - -<p>"But what have the Polite People to do with murder? Crime is unknown on -Pudibundia."</p> - -<p>"We believe, saving their feelings, that it may not be unknown there. -And what I am going to find out is this. There have been pilots for -many years who have brought back stories of the Puds, and there are -still a few—a very few—young pilots alive to tell those stories. What -I am going to find out is why there are no old pilots around telling -those stories."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It wasn't much of a trip for a tripper, six weeks. And Marlow was -well received. His host also assumed the name of Marlow out of -politeness. It would have been impossible to render his own name in -human speech, and it would have been impossible for him to conceive -of using any name except that of his guest, with its modifiers. Yet -there was no confusion. Marlow was Marlow, and his host was the -One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow.</p> - -<p>"We could progress much faster," said Marlow, "if we dispensed with -these formalities."</p> - -<p>"Or assumed them as already spoken," said the -One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow. "For this, in private, but only in the -strictest privacy, we use the deferential ball. Within it are all the -formulae written minutely. You have but to pass the ball from hand to -hand every time you speak, and it is as if the amenities were spoken. -I will give you this for the time of your stay. I beg you never to -forget to pass it from hand to hand every time you speak. Should you -forget, I would not, of course, be allowed to notice it. But when you -were gone, I should be forced to kill myself for the shame of it. For -private reasons I wish to avoid this and therefore beseech you to be -careful."</p> - -<p>The One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow (hereafter to be called OMTLM -for convenience but not out of any lack of politeness) gave Marlow -a deferential ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball. And so they -talked.</p> - -<p>"As a police official, I am particularly interested in the crime -situation on Pud," said Marlow. "An index of zero is—well, if I could -find a politer word I would use it—suspicious. And as you are, as well -as I can determine, the head police official here, though in politeness -your office would have another name, I am hoping that you can give me -information."</p> - -<p>"Saving your grace, and formula of a formula, what would you have me -tell you about?"</p> - -<p>"Suppose that a burglar (for politeness sake called something else) -were apprehended by a policeman (likewise), what would happen?"</p> - -<p>"Why, the policeman (not so called, and yet we must be frank) would -rattle his glottis in the prescribed manner."</p> - -<p>"Rattle his gl—I see. He would clear his throat with the appropriate -sound. And then the burglar (not so called)?"</p> - -<p>"Would be covered with shame, it is true, but not fatally. For the -peace of his own soul, he would leave the site in as dignified a manner -as possible."</p> - -<p>"With or without boodle?"</p> - -<p>"Naturally without. One apprehended in the act is obliged to abandon -his loot. That is only common politeness."</p> - -<p>"I see. And if the burglar (not so called) remains unapprehended? How -is the loss of the goods or property recorded?"</p> - -<p>"It goes into the coefficient of general diminution of merchandise, -which is to say shrinkage, wastage or loss. At certain times and places -this coefficient becomes alarmingly large. Then it is necessary to use -extraordinary care; and in extreme cases a thrice-removed burglar may -become so ashamed of himself that he will die."</p> - -<p>"That he will die of shame? Is that a euphemism?"</p> - -<p>"Let us say that it is a euphemism of a euphemism."</p> - -<p>"Thrice-removed, I imagine. And what of other crimes?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Here OMTLM rattled his glottis in a nervous manner, and Marlow -hurriedly transferred his deferential ball to the other hand, having -nearly forgotten it.</p> - -<p>"There being no crime, we can hardly speak of <i>other</i> crimes," said -OMTLM. "But perhaps in another matter of speaking, you refer to—"</p> - -<p>"Crimes of violence," said Marlow.</p> - -<p>"Saving your presence, and formula of a formula, what would we have to -be violent about? What possible cause?"</p> - -<p>"The usual: greed, lust, jealousy, anger, revenge, plain perversity."</p> - -<p>"Here also it is possible for one to die of shame, sometimes the -offender, sometimes the victim, sometimes both. A jealous person -might permit both his wife and her paramour to die of shame. And the -State in turn might permit him to perish likewise, unless there were -circumstances to modify the degree of shame; then he might still -continue to live, often in circumscribed circumstances, for a set -number of years. Each case must be decided on its own merits."</p> - -<p>"I understand your meaning. But why build a fence around it?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know what you mean."</p> - -<p>"I believe that you do. Why are the Polite People of Pudibundia so -polite? Is it simply custom?"</p> - -<p>"It is more than that," said the polite Pud.</p> - -<p>"Then there is a real reason for it? And can you tell it to me?"</p> - -<p>"There is a real reason for it. I cannot tell it to you now, though, -and perhaps not ever. But there is a chance that you may be given a -demonstration of it just before you leave. And if you are very wise, -you may be able then to guess the reason. I believe that there are -several who have guessed it. I hope that we will have time for other -discussions before you leave our sphere. And I sincerely do hope -that your stay on Pudibundia is a pleasant one. And now, saving your -presence, we must part. Formula of a formula."</p> - -<p>"Formula of a formula and all that," said Marlow, and went to discover -the pleasures of Pudibundia.</p> - -<p>Among the pleasures of Pud was Mitzi (Miniature Image a -thousand-times-removed of the Zestful Irma) who had now shaped up into -something very nice. And shaped up is the correct term.</p> - -<p>At first Marlow was shocked by the appearance of all the females he met -on Pud. Crude-featured, almost horse-faced, how could they all look -like that? And he was even more shocked when he finally realized the -reason. He had become used to the men there looking like himself out of -politeness. And this—this abomination—was the female version of his -own appearance!</p> - -<p>But he was a man of resources. He took from his pocket a small picture -of Irma that he always carried, and showed it to the most friendly of -the girls.</p> - -<p>"Could you possibly—?"</p> - -<p>"Look like that? Why, of course. Let me study it for a moment. Now, -then."</p> - -<p>So the girl assumed the face of Irma.</p> - -<p>"Incredible," said Marlow, "except Irma is red-headed."</p> - -<p>"You have only to ask. The photo is not colored and so I did not know. -We will try this shade to start with."</p> - -<p>"Close, but could you turn it just a little darker?"</p> - -<p>"Of course."</p> - -<p>And there she was Irma of the most interesting face and wonderful hair. -But the picture had been of the face only. Below that, the girl was a -sack. If only there were some way to convey what was lacking.</p> - -<p>"You still are not pleased with me," said the Miniature Image a -thousand-times-removed of the Zestful Irma (Mitzi). "But you have only -to demonstrate. Show me with your hands."</p> - -<p>Marlow with his hands sculptured in the air the figure of Irma as he -remembered it, and Mitzi assumed the form, first face on, then face -away, then in profile. And when they had it roughly, they perfected it, -a little more here, a little less there. But there were points where -his memory failed him.</p> - -<p>"If you could only give me an idea of the convolutions of her ears," -said Mitzi, "and the underlying structure of the metatarsus. My only -desire is to please. Or shall I improvise where you do not remember?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, do that, Mitzi."</p> - -<p>And how that girl could improvise!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Marlow and Mitzi were now buddies. They made a large evening of it. -They tied one on; formula of a formula, but they tied one on. They -went on a thrice-removed bender. At the Betelgeuse Bar and Grill, -they partook of the cousin of the cousin of the alcohol itself in the -form of the nono-rhumbezoid, made of nine kinds of rum. At the B-flat -Starlight Club, they listened to the newest and most exciting music on -all Pudibundia. At Alligator John's, one checks his inhibitions at the -door. Here one also checks his deferential ball. Of course the formulae -are built into the walls and at each exchange it is always assumed that -they are said.</p> - -<p>But the Iris Room is really the ultimate. The light comes through -seven different colors of glass, and it is very dim when it arrives. -And there the more daring remove their goggles entirely and go about -without them in the multi-colored twilight. This is illegal. It is -even foolhardy. There is no Earthly equivalent to it. To divest oneself -and disport with Nudists would be tame in comparison. But Mitzi and her -friends were of the reckless generation, and the Iris Room was their -rendezvous.</p> - -<p>The orgy will not be detailed here. The floor show was wild. Yet we -cannot credit the rumor that the comedian was so crude as to look -directly at the audience even in that colored twilight; or they so -gauche as to laugh outright at the jokes, they who had been taught -always to murmur, "One knows of one who knows of one who ventures to -smile." Yet there was no doubting that the Iris Room was a lively -place. And when they left it at dawn, Marlow was pleased and sleepy and -tipsy.</p> - -<p>There was a week of pleasure on Pudibundia: swimming with Mitzi down -at West Beach, gourmandizing with Mitzi at Gastrophiles, dancing with -Mitzi, pub-crawling, romancing, carrying on generally. The money -exchange was favorable and Marlow was on an expense account. It was a -delightful time.</p> - -<p>But still he did not forget the job he was on, and in the midst of his -pleasure he sought always for information.</p> - -<p>"When I return here," he said slyly, "we will do the many things that -time does not allow. When I come back here—"</p> - -<p>"But you will not return," said Mitzi. "Nobody ever does."</p> - -<p>"And why not? It is surely a pleasant place to return to. Why won't I -return?"</p> - -<p>"If you cannot guess, then I cannot tell you. Do you have to know why?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have to know why. That is why I came here, to find out. To find -out why the young men who come here will never be able to return here, -or to anywhere else."</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you."</p> - -<p>"Then give me a clue."</p> - -<p>"In the Iris Room was a clue. It was not till the color-filtered light -intruded between us that we might safely take off our goggles. I would -save you if I could. I want you to come back. But those higher in -authority make the decisions. When you leave, you will not return here, -or anywhere else. But already one has spoken to one who has spoken to -one who has spoken too much."</p> - -<p>"There is a point beyond which politeness is no longer a virtue, Mitzi."</p> - -<p>"I know. If I could change it, I would."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So the period of the visit was at an end, and Marlow was at his last -conference with OMTLM, following which he would leave Pudibundia, -perhaps forever.</p> - -<p>"Is there anything at all else you would like to know?" asked OMTLM.</p> - -<p>"There is almost <i>everything</i> that I still want to know. I have found -out nothing."</p> - -<p>"Then ask."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how. If I knew the questions to ask, it is possible that -I would already know the answers."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is entirely possible."</p> - -<p>OMTLM seemed to look at him with amused eyes. And yet the eyes were -hidden behind purple goggles. Marlow had never seen the eyes of OMTLM. -He had never seen the eyes of any of the Puds. Even in the Iris Room, -in that strangely colored light, it had not been possible to see their -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Are you compelling me to do something?" asked Marlow.</p> - -<p>"I may be compelling you to think of the question that has eluded you."</p> - -<p>"Would you swear that I have not been given some fatal sickness?"</p> - -<p>"I can swear that to the very best of my knowledge you have not."</p> - -<p>"Are you laughing at me with your eyes?"</p> - -<p>"No. My eyes have compassion for you."</p> - -<p>"I have to see them."</p> - -<p>"You are asking that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I believe the answer to my question is there," Marlow said firmly.</p> - -<p>OMTLM took off his purple goggles. His were clear, intelligent eyes -and there was genuine compassion in them.</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Marlow. "If the answer is there, it still eludes me. -I have failed in my mission for information. But I will return again. I -will still find out what it is that is wrong here."</p> - -<p>"No, you will not return."</p> - -<p>"What will prevent me?" asked Marlow.</p> - -<p>"Your death in a very few weeks."</p> - -<p>"What will I die of?"</p> - -<p>"What did all your young pilots die of?"</p> - -<p>"But you swore that you did not know of any sickness I could have -caught here!" Marlow cried.</p> - -<p>"That was true when I said it. It was not true a moment later."</p> - -<p>"Did all the pilots ask to see your eyes?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. All. Curiosity is a failing of you Earthlings."</p> - -<p>"Is it that the direct gaze of the Puds kills?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Even ourselves it would kill. That is why we have our eyes always -shielded. That is also why we erect another shield: that of our ritual -politeness, so that we may never forget that too intimate an encounter -of our persons may be fatal."</p> - -<p>"Then you have just murdered me?"</p> - -<p>"Let us say rather that one hears of one who hears of one who killed -unwillingly."</p> - -<p>"Why did you do it to me?" demanded Marlow.</p> - -<p>"You asked to see my eyes. It would not be polite to refuse."</p> - -<p>"It takes you several weeks to kill. I can do it in a few seconds."</p> - -<p>"You would be wrong to try. Our second glance kills instantly."</p> - -<p>"Let's see if it's faster than a gun!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But OMTLM had not lied.</p> - -<p>It is not polite to lie on Pudibundia.</p> - -<p>Marlow died instantly.</p> - -<p>And that is why (though you may sometimes hear a young pilot tell -amusing stories immediately—oh, very immediately—on his return from -Pudibundia) you will never find an old pilot who has ever been there.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Polite People of Pudibundia, by R. A. Lafferty - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA *** - -***** This file should be named 60955-h.htm or 60955-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/5/60955/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/60955-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/60955-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7b6b65a..0000000 --- a/old/60955-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60955-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/60955-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3fb5d46..0000000 --- a/old/60955-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60955.txt b/old/60955.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 00ad7d3..0000000 --- a/old/60955.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,878 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Polite People of Pudibundia, by R. A. Lafferty - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Polite People of Pudibundia - -Author: R. A. Lafferty - -Release Date: December 18, 2019 [EBook #60955] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - _THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA_ - - By R. A. LAFFERTY - - _This was a world where minding - your manners was more than just - a full-time job--it was murder!_ - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1961. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -"Well, you will soon see for yourself, Marlow. Yes, I know there are -peculiar stories about the place. There are about all places. The young -pilots who have been there tell some amusing tales about it." - -"Yes. They say the people there are very polite." - -"That is the honorable ancestor of all understatements. One of the -pilots, Conrad, told us that the inhabitants must always carry seven -types of eyeglasses with them. None of the Puds, you see, may ever -gaze directly on another. That would be the height of impoliteness. -They wear amber goggles when they go about their world at large, -and these they wear when they meet a stranger. But, once they are -introduced to him, then they must thereafter look on him through blue -glasses. But at a blood relative they gaze through red, and at an -in-law through yellow. There are equally interesting colors for other -situations." - -"I would like to talk to Conrad. Not that I doubt his reports. It is -the things he did not report that interest me." - -"I thought you knew he had died. Thrombosis, though he was sound enough -when first certified." - -"But if they are really people, then it should be possible to -understand them." - -"But they are not really people. They are metamorphics. They become -people only out of politeness." - -"Detail that a little." - -"Oh, they're biped and of a size of us. They have a chameleon-like skin -that can take on any texture they please, and they possess extreme -plasticity of features." - -"You mean they can take on the appearance of people at will?" - -"So Bently reported." - -"I hadn't heard of him." - -"Another of the young pilots. According to Bently, not only do the Puds -take on a human appearance, they take on the appearance of the human -they encounter. Out of politeness, of course." - -"Quite a tribute, though it seems extreme. Could I talk to Bently?" - -"Also dead. A promising young man. But he reported some of the most -amusing aspects of all: the circumlocutions that the Puds use in -speaking our language. Not only is the Second Person eschewed out of -politeness, but in a way all the other Persons also. One of them could -not call you by your name, Marlow. He would have to say: 'One hears of -one who hears of one of the noble name of Marlow. One hears of one even -now in his presence.'" - - * * * * * - -"Yes, that is quite a polite way of saying it. But it would seem that -with all their circumlocutions they would be inefficient." - -"Yet they are quite efficient. They do things so well that it is almost -imperative that we learn from them. Yet for all our contacts, for all -their extreme politeness coupled with their seeming openness, we have -been able to learn almost nothing. We cannot learn the secret of the -amazing productivity of their fields. According to Sharper, another of -the young pilots, they suggest (though so circumspectly that it seems -hardly a suggestion, certainly not a criticism) that if we were more -polite to our own plants, the plants would be more productive for us; -and if we gave the plants the ultimate of politeness, they would give -us the ultimate of production." - -"Could I talk to Sharper, or is he also--" - -"No, he is not dead. He was quite well till the last several days. Now, -however, he is ailing, but I believe it will be possible for you to -talk to him before you leave, if he does not worsen." - -"It would still seem difficult for the Puds to get anything done. -Wouldn't a superior be too polite to give a reprimand to an inferior?" - -"Probably. But Masters, who visited them, had a theory about it, which -is that the inferior would be so polite and deferential that he would -do his best to anticipate a wish or a desire, or would go to any -lengths to learn the import of an unvoiced preference." - -"Is Masters one of the young pilots?" - -"No, an old-timer." - -"Now you _do_ interest me." - -"Dead quite a few years. But it is you who interest me, Marlow. I have -been told to give you all the information you need about the Polite -People of Pudibundia. And on the subject of the Polite People, I must -also be polite. But--saving your presence, and one hears of one who -hears and all that--what in gehenna is a captain in Homicide on the -Solar Police Force going to Pudibundia about?" - -"About murder. That is all I ever go anywhere about. We once had a -private motto that we would go to the end of the Earth to solve a case." - -"And now you have amended your motto to 'to the end of the Earth and -beyond'?" - -"We have." - -"But what have the Polite People to do with murder? Crime is unknown on -Pudibundia." - -"We believe, saving their feelings, that it may not be unknown there. -And what I am going to find out is this. There have been pilots for -many years who have brought back stories of the Puds, and there are -still a few--a very few--young pilots alive to tell those stories. What -I am going to find out is why there are no old pilots around telling -those stories." - - * * * * * - -It wasn't much of a trip for a tripper, six weeks. And Marlow was -well received. His host also assumed the name of Marlow out of -politeness. It would have been impossible to render his own name in -human speech, and it would have been impossible for him to conceive -of using any name except that of his guest, with its modifiers. Yet -there was no confusion. Marlow was Marlow, and his host was the -One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow. - -"We could progress much faster," said Marlow, "if we dispensed with -these formalities." - -"Or assumed them as already spoken," said the -One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow. "For this, in private, but only in the -strictest privacy, we use the deferential ball. Within it are all the -formulae written minutely. You have but to pass the ball from hand to -hand every time you speak, and it is as if the amenities were spoken. -I will give you this for the time of your stay. I beg you never to -forget to pass it from hand to hand every time you speak. Should you -forget, I would not, of course, be allowed to notice it. But when you -were gone, I should be forced to kill myself for the shame of it. For -private reasons I wish to avoid this and therefore beseech you to be -careful." - -The One-Million-Times-Lesser-Marlow (hereafter to be called OMTLM -for convenience but not out of any lack of politeness) gave Marlow -a deferential ball, about the size of a ping-pong ball. And so they -talked. - -"As a police official, I am particularly interested in the crime -situation on Pud," said Marlow. "An index of zero is--well, if I could -find a politer word I would use it--suspicious. And as you are, as well -as I can determine, the head police official here, though in politeness -your office would have another name, I am hoping that you can give me -information." - -"Saving your grace, and formula of a formula, what would you have me -tell you about?" - -"Suppose that a burglar (for politeness sake called something else) -were apprehended by a policeman (likewise), what would happen?" - -"Why, the policeman (not so called, and yet we must be frank) would -rattle his glottis in the prescribed manner." - -"Rattle his gl--I see. He would clear his throat with the appropriate -sound. And then the burglar (not so called)?" - -"Would be covered with shame, it is true, but not fatally. For the -peace of his own soul, he would leave the site in as dignified a manner -as possible." - -"With or without boodle?" - -"Naturally without. One apprehended in the act is obliged to abandon -his loot. That is only common politeness." - -"I see. And if the burglar (not so called) remains unapprehended? How -is the loss of the goods or property recorded?" - -"It goes into the coefficient of general diminution of merchandise, -which is to say shrinkage, wastage or loss. At certain times and places -this coefficient becomes alarmingly large. Then it is necessary to use -extraordinary care; and in extreme cases a thrice-removed burglar may -become so ashamed of himself that he will die." - -"That he will die of shame? Is that a euphemism?" - -"Let us say that it is a euphemism of a euphemism." - -"Thrice-removed, I imagine. And what of other crimes?" - - * * * * * - -Here OMTLM rattled his glottis in a nervous manner, and Marlow -hurriedly transferred his deferential ball to the other hand, having -nearly forgotten it. - -"There being no crime, we can hardly speak of _other_ crimes," said -OMTLM. "But perhaps in another matter of speaking, you refer to--" - -"Crimes of violence," said Marlow. - -"Saving your presence, and formula of a formula, what would we have to -be violent about? What possible cause?" - -"The usual: greed, lust, jealousy, anger, revenge, plain perversity." - -"Here also it is possible for one to die of shame, sometimes the -offender, sometimes the victim, sometimes both. A jealous person -might permit both his wife and her paramour to die of shame. And the -State in turn might permit him to perish likewise, unless there were -circumstances to modify the degree of shame; then he might still -continue to live, often in circumscribed circumstances, for a set -number of years. Each case must be decided on its own merits." - -"I understand your meaning. But why build a fence around it?" - -"I do not know what you mean." - -"I believe that you do. Why are the Polite People of Pudibundia so -polite? Is it simply custom?" - -"It is more than that," said the polite Pud. - -"Then there is a real reason for it? And can you tell it to me?" - -"There is a real reason for it. I cannot tell it to you now, though, -and perhaps not ever. But there is a chance that you may be given a -demonstration of it just before you leave. And if you are very wise, -you may be able then to guess the reason. I believe that there are -several who have guessed it. I hope that we will have time for other -discussions before you leave our sphere. And I sincerely do hope -that your stay on Pudibundia is a pleasant one. And now, saving your -presence, we must part. Formula of a formula." - -"Formula of a formula and all that," said Marlow, and went to discover -the pleasures of Pudibundia. - -Among the pleasures of Pud was Mitzi (Miniature Image a -thousand-times-removed of the Zestful Irma) who had now shaped up into -something very nice. And shaped up is the correct term. - -At first Marlow was shocked by the appearance of all the females he met -on Pud. Crude-featured, almost horse-faced, how could they all look -like that? And he was even more shocked when he finally realized the -reason. He had become used to the men there looking like himself out of -politeness. And this--this abomination--was the female version of his -own appearance! - -But he was a man of resources. He took from his pocket a small picture -of Irma that he always carried, and showed it to the most friendly of -the girls. - -"Could you possibly--?" - -"Look like that? Why, of course. Let me study it for a moment. Now, -then." - -So the girl assumed the face of Irma. - -"Incredible," said Marlow, "except Irma is red-headed." - -"You have only to ask. The photo is not colored and so I did not know. -We will try this shade to start with." - -"Close, but could you turn it just a little darker?" - -"Of course." - -And there she was Irma of the most interesting face and wonderful hair. -But the picture had been of the face only. Below that, the girl was a -sack. If only there were some way to convey what was lacking. - -"You still are not pleased with me," said the Miniature Image a -thousand-times-removed of the Zestful Irma (Mitzi). "But you have only -to demonstrate. Show me with your hands." - -Marlow with his hands sculptured in the air the figure of Irma as he -remembered it, and Mitzi assumed the form, first face on, then face -away, then in profile. And when they had it roughly, they perfected it, -a little more here, a little less there. But there were points where -his memory failed him. - -"If you could only give me an idea of the convolutions of her ears," -said Mitzi, "and the underlying structure of the metatarsus. My only -desire is to please. Or shall I improvise where you do not remember?" - -"Yes, do that, Mitzi." - -And how that girl could improvise! - - * * * * * - -Marlow and Mitzi were now buddies. They made a large evening of it. -They tied one on; formula of a formula, but they tied one on. They -went on a thrice-removed bender. At the Betelgeuse Bar and Grill, -they partook of the cousin of the cousin of the alcohol itself in the -form of the nono-rhumbezoid, made of nine kinds of rum. At the B-flat -Starlight Club, they listened to the newest and most exciting music on -all Pudibundia. At Alligator John's, one checks his inhibitions at the -door. Here one also checks his deferential ball. Of course the formulae -are built into the walls and at each exchange it is always assumed that -they are said. - -But the Iris Room is really the ultimate. The light comes through -seven different colors of glass, and it is very dim when it arrives. -And there the more daring remove their goggles entirely and go about -without them in the multi-colored twilight. This is illegal. It is -even foolhardy. There is no Earthly equivalent to it. To divest oneself -and disport with Nudists would be tame in comparison. But Mitzi and her -friends were of the reckless generation, and the Iris Room was their -rendezvous. - -The orgy will not be detailed here. The floor show was wild. Yet we -cannot credit the rumor that the comedian was so crude as to look -directly at the audience even in that colored twilight; or they so -gauche as to laugh outright at the jokes, they who had been taught -always to murmur, "One knows of one who knows of one who ventures to -smile." Yet there was no doubting that the Iris Room was a lively -place. And when they left it at dawn, Marlow was pleased and sleepy and -tipsy. - -There was a week of pleasure on Pudibundia: swimming with Mitzi down -at West Beach, gourmandizing with Mitzi at Gastrophiles, dancing with -Mitzi, pub-crawling, romancing, carrying on generally. The money -exchange was favorable and Marlow was on an expense account. It was a -delightful time. - -But still he did not forget the job he was on, and in the midst of his -pleasure he sought always for information. - -"When I return here," he said slyly, "we will do the many things that -time does not allow. When I come back here--" - -"But you will not return," said Mitzi. "Nobody ever does." - -"And why not? It is surely a pleasant place to return to. Why won't I -return?" - -"If you cannot guess, then I cannot tell you. Do you have to know why?" - -"Yes, I have to know why. That is why I came here, to find out. To find -out why the young men who come here will never be able to return here, -or to anywhere else." - -"I can't tell you." - -"Then give me a clue." - -"In the Iris Room was a clue. It was not till the color-filtered light -intruded between us that we might safely take off our goggles. I would -save you if I could. I want you to come back. But those higher in -authority make the decisions. When you leave, you will not return here, -or anywhere else. But already one has spoken to one who has spoken to -one who has spoken too much." - -"There is a point beyond which politeness is no longer a virtue, Mitzi." - -"I know. If I could change it, I would." - - * * * * * - -So the period of the visit was at an end, and Marlow was at his last -conference with OMTLM, following which he would leave Pudibundia, -perhaps forever. - -"Is there anything at all else you would like to know?" asked OMTLM. - -"There is almost _everything_ that I still want to know. I have found -out nothing." - -"Then ask." - -"I don't know how. If I knew the questions to ask, it is possible that -I would already know the answers." - -"Yes, that is entirely possible." - -OMTLM seemed to look at him with amused eyes. And yet the eyes were -hidden behind purple goggles. Marlow had never seen the eyes of OMTLM. -He had never seen the eyes of any of the Puds. Even in the Iris Room, -in that strangely colored light, it had not been possible to see their -eyes. - -"Are you compelling me to do something?" asked Marlow. - -"I may be compelling you to think of the question that has eluded you." - -"Would you swear that I have not been given some fatal sickness?" - -"I can swear that to the very best of my knowledge you have not." - -"Are you laughing at me with your eyes?" - -"No. My eyes have compassion for you." - -"I have to see them." - -"You are asking that?" - -"Yes. I believe the answer to my question is there," Marlow said firmly. - -OMTLM took off his purple goggles. His were clear, intelligent eyes -and there was genuine compassion in them. - -"Thank you," said Marlow. "If the answer is there, it still eludes me. -I have failed in my mission for information. But I will return again. I -will still find out what it is that is wrong here." - -"No, you will not return." - -"What will prevent me?" asked Marlow. - -"Your death in a very few weeks." - -"What will I die of?" - -"What did all your young pilots die of?" - -"But you swore that you did not know of any sickness I could have -caught here!" Marlow cried. - -"That was true when I said it. It was not true a moment later." - -"Did all the pilots ask to see your eyes?" - -"Yes. All. Curiosity is a failing of you Earthlings." - -"Is it that the direct gaze of the Puds kills?" - -"Yes. Even ourselves it would kill. That is why we have our eyes always -shielded. That is also why we erect another shield: that of our ritual -politeness, so that we may never forget that too intimate an encounter -of our persons may be fatal." - -"Then you have just murdered me?" - -"Let us say rather that one hears of one who hears of one who killed -unwillingly." - -"Why did you do it to me?" demanded Marlow. - -"You asked to see my eyes. It would not be polite to refuse." - -"It takes you several weeks to kill. I can do it in a few seconds." - -"You would be wrong to try. Our second glance kills instantly." - -"Let's see if it's faster than a gun!" - - * * * * * - -But OMTLM had not lied. - -It is not polite to lie on Pudibundia. - -Marlow died instantly. - -And that is why (though you may sometimes hear a young pilot tell -amusing stories immediately--oh, very immediately--on his return from -Pudibundia) you will never find an old pilot who has ever been there. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Polite People of Pudibundia, by R. A. Lafferty - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POLITE PEOPLE OF PUDIBUNDIA *** - -***** This file should be named 60955.txt or 60955.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/9/5/60955/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/60955.zip b/old/60955.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 915de26..0000000 --- a/old/60955.zip +++ /dev/null |
