, gory death of others to keep them
amused, and their minds off what's really being done to them. We're
not part of that ninety-nine out of a hundred, Sam. We're two of those
who aren't jerks. We're on our way up out of the mob, to where life
can be full. Got it, son? A full life. Doing things worth doing.
Thinking things worth thinking. Associating with people who have it on
the ball."

He had come to his feet in his excitement and was pacing before the
boy who sat now, mouth slightly agape at his father's emphasis.

"Sam, listen. I'm getting along. Already in my forties, and I never
did get much education back when I was your age. Maybe I'll never make
it. But you can. That's why I insisted you switch categories. You were
born into Communications, like me, but you've switched to Religion.
Why'd you think I wanted that?"

"Aw, I don't know, Papa. I thought maybe--".

His father snorted. "Look, son, I haven't spent as much time with you
as I should. Especially since your mother left us. She just couldn't
stand what she called my being against everything. She was one of the
jerks, Sam--".

"You oughtn'ta talk about my mother that way," Sam said sullenly.

"All right, all right. I just meant that she was willing to spend her
life sucking on trank, watching Telly, and living on the pittance
income from the unalienable stock shares issued her at birth. But
let's get to this religious curd. Son, whatever con man first thought
up the idea of gods put practically the whole human race on the sucker
list. You say they're giving you comparative religion in your classes
at the Temple now, eh? O.K., have you ever heard of a major religion
where the priests didn't do just fine for themselves?"

"But Papa.... Well, shucks, there's always been--"

"Certainly, certainly, individuals. Crackpots, usually, out of tune
with the rest of the priesthood. But the rank and file do pretty well
for themselves. Didn't you point out earlier that a Lower, in our
society, never makes full priest? Not to speak of bishop, or
ultra-bishop. They're Uppers, part of the ruling hierarchy."

"Well, what's all this got to do with me getting into Category
Religion? I'd think it'd be more fun in Communications, like you. Gee,
Papa, going around meeting all those famous--"

Freddy Soligen's face worked. "Look, son. Sure, I meet lots of people
on top. But the thing is, eventually you're going to become one of
those people, not just interview them." He