Total Insight and the thought that they
were progressing towards that goal more real and convincing. And
meeting after meeting Dr. Al came up with some intriguing new twist or
device, some fresh experience to keep their interest level high.

"Always bear in mind," he was saying earnestly at the moment, "that an
advance made by any member of the group benefits the group as a whole.
Thus, because of the work done by our young pioneers this week I see
indications tonight that the group is ready to attempt a new
experiment ... an experiment at a level I frankly admit I hadn't
anticipated you would achieve for at least another two months."

Dr. Ormond paused significantly, the pause underlining his words.
There was an expectant stirring among the students.

"But I must caution you!" he went on. "We cannot, of course, be
certain that the experiment will succeed ... in fact, it would be a
very remarkable thing if it did succeed at a first attempt. But if it
should, you will have had a rather startling experience! You will have
seen a thing generally considered to be impossible!"

He smile reassuringly, stepping down from the lectern. "Naturally,
there will be no danger. You know me well enough to realize that I
never permit the group or individuals to attempt what lies beyond
their capability."

* * * * *

Cavender stifled a yawn, blinked water from his eyes, watching Ormond
walk over to a small polished table on the left side of the room in
front of the rows of chairs. On it Mavis Greenfield had placed a
number of enigmatic articles, some of which would be employed as props
in one manner or another during the evening's work. The most prominent
item was a small suitcase in red alligator hide. Dr. Ormond, however,
passed up the suitcase, took a small flat wooden plate from the table
and returned to the center of the room.

"On this," he said, holding up the plate, "there rests at this moment
the air of this planet and nothing else. But in a minute or two--for
each of you, in his or her world of subjective reality--something else
_will_ appear on it."

The students nodded comprehendingly. So far, the experiment was on
familiar ground. Dr. Ormond gave them all a good-humored wink.

"To emphasize," he went on, "that we deal here with practical,
down-to-earth, _real_ matters ... not some mystical nonsense ... to
emphasize that, let us say that the object each of you will visualize
on this