operate the door.

"Oh, Smith, Smith," she said, "if you could see yourself now. But I
suppose I deserve it. I planted the suggestion, you fought it, now
you're pretending. All right, I admit defeat. But stop now; you should
see your face."

Serious. She was serious. She thought he was joking. Post-suggestively
you tried to get someone to do something--anything, and it was very very
funny if they did. Funnier yet if they didn't, because then they beat
you at your own game, made fun of you, laughed at you, but eventually
with you. Of course it was like that, let her think it was like that.

He smiled. "All right, I'll--stop."

And together, laughing, they walked out of the room. Smith was surprised
to find he had no trouble at all with the door.

* * * * *

Jorak had a friendly smile for Smith when he entered their room.
"There's a card for you in the box, Smith. Read it." Jorak, it seemed,
had stopped playing with his name.

Smith took the card, read it. "_Smith of Earth, report to Registrar at
once._"

"You know why, don't you?" Jorak asked him. But the smile was no longer
friendly.

"How should I know?"

"Trouble, that's what. But you asked for it. Psi and Wortan don't mix,
barbarian."

Smith was glad when he hardly felt any impulse to strike the purple man.
But he said, mocking Jorak's own tones, "Don't provoke me," and Jorak
cowered in a corner.

* * * * *

Smith looked into the banks of the Registrar's lights, spoke into the
speaker. "Smith of Earth," he said. This time his voice didn't boom with
loudness. And it didn't seem to matter much anymore.

And this time, the Registrar's voice wasn't so femininely petulant. It
sounded masculine, authoritative.

"Smith of Earth. Item. Garnot of Jlob feels you are an inferior history
student, recommends withdrawal from the school.

"Item: Sog-chafka of Wortan announces your wanton use of psi-powers in
Wortan fighting, recommends clemency because you are a barbarian.

"Item: Kard of Shilon wants to meet you in Wortan again. Promises to
kill you.

"Item: both Jorak of Gyra and Geria of Bortinot have questioned your
mentality, want you tested."

Vaguely Smith listened. He felt removed, resigned. But then certain
words struck hard....

"_ ... Geria of Bortinot questions your mentality...._

"Smith of Earth. Are you listening?"

"I'm listening," Smith said.

"I feel you have two choice