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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
131
Sitting
upright
in
the
gathering
darkness,
Barrent
peered
around,
wondering
what
kind
of
a
trick
this
was.
The
voice
really
did
seem
to
come
from
the
giant
oak
tree.
"The
enjoyment
of
nature,"
said
Oaky,
"is
now
easy
and
convenient
for
everyone.
You
can
enjoy
complete
seclusion
and
still
be
no
more
than
a
ten-minute
walk
from
public
transportation.
For
those
who
do
not
desire
seclusion,
we
have
guided
tours
at
nominal
cost
through
these
ancient
glades.
Remember
to
tell
your
friends
about
your
friendly
national
park.
The
full
facilities
of
this
park
are
waiting
for
all
lovers
of
the
great
outdoors."
A
panel
in
the
tree
opened.
Out
slid
a
bedroll,
a
Thermos
bottle,
and
a
box
supper.
"I
wish
you
a
pleasant
evening,"
said
Oaky,
"amid
the
wild
splendor
of
nature's
wonderland.
And
now
the
National
Symphony
Orchestra
under
the
direction
of
Otter
Krug
brings
you
'The
Upland
Glades,'
by
Ernesto
Nestrichala,
recorded
by
the
National
North
American
Broadcasting
Company.
This
is
your
friendly
oak
tree
signing
off."
Music
emanated
from
several
hidden
speakers.
Barrent
scratched
his
head;
then,
deciding
to
take
matters
as
they
came,
he
ate
the
food,
drank
coffee
from
the
Thermos,
unrolled
the
bedroll,
and
lay
down.
Sleepily
he
contemplated
the
notion
of
a
forest
wired
for
sound,
equipped
with
food
and
drink,
and
none
of
it
more
than
ten
minutes
from
public
transportation.
Earth
certainly
did
a
lot
for
her
citizens.
Presumably
they
liked
this
sort
of
thing.
Or
did
they?
Could
this
be
some
huge
and
subtle
trap
which
the
authorities
had
set
for
him?
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