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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
146
"And
have
you
succeeded?"
"The
critics
have
been
generous,
and
my
publisher
gives
me
every
encouragement."
"When
you
have
finished
your
fifth
re-creation
of
Lord
Jim,
what
do
you
plan
to
do?"
"First
I
shall
take
a
long
rest.
Then
I
shall
re-create
one
of
Conrad's
minor
works.
The
Planter
of
Malata,
perhaps."
"I
see.
Is
re-creation
the
rule
in
all
the
arts?"
"It
is
the
goal
of
the
true
aspiring
artist,
no
matter
what
medium
he
has
chosen
to
work
in.
Art
is
a
cruel
mistress,
I
fear."
(Citizen
Willis
Ouerka,
age
8,
occupation
student.
A
cheerful,
black-haired,
sun-tanned
boy.)
"I'm
sorry,
Mr.
Opinioner,
my
parents
aren't
home
right
now."
"That's
perfectly
all
right,
Willis.
Do
you
mind
if
I
ask
you
a
question
or
two?"
"I
don't
mind.
What's
that
you
got
under
your
jacket,
Mister?
It
bulges."
"I'll
ask
the
questions,
Willis,
if
you
don't
mind....
Now,
do
you
like
school?"
"It's
all
right."
"What
courses
do
you
take?"
"Well,
there's
reading
and
writing
and
status
appreciation,
and
courses
in
art,
music,
architecture,
literature,
ballet,
and
theater.
The
usual
stuff."
"I
see.
That's
in
the
open
classes?"
"Sure."
"Do
you
also
attend
a
closed
class?"
"Sure
I
do.
Every
day."
"Do
you
mind
talking
about
it?"
"I
don't
mind.
Is
that
bulge
a
gun?
I
know
what
guns
are.
Some
of
the
big
boys
were
passing
around
pictures
at
lunchtime
a
couple
days
ago
and
I
peeked.
Is
it
a
gun?"
"No.
My
suit
doesn't
fit
very
well,
that's
all.
Now
then.
Would
you
mind
telling
me
what
you
do
in
the
closed
class?"
Marker
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Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
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Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
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Sieve
Purify
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