The Status Civilization

"I don't mind." "What happens, then?" "I don't remember." "Come now, Willis." "Really, Mr. Opinioner. We all go into this classroom, and we come out two hours later for recess. But that's all. I can't remember anything else. I've talked with the other kids. They can't remember either." "Strange...." "No, sir. If we were supposed to remember, it wouldn't be closed." "Perhaps so. Do you remember what the room looks like, or who your teacher is for the closed class?" "No, sir. I really don't remember anything at all about it." "Thank you. Willis." (Citizen Cuchulain Dent, age 37, occupation inventor. A prematurely bald man with ironic, heavy-lidded eyes.) "Yep, that's right. I'm an inventor specializing in games. I brought out Triangulate--Or Else! last year. It's been pretty popular. Have you seen it?" "I'm afraid not." "Sort of a cute game. It's a simulated lost-in-space thing. The players are given incomplete data for their miniature computers, additional information as they win it. Space hazards for penalties. Lots of flashing lights and stuff like that. Very big seller." "Do you invent anything else, Citizen Dent?" "When I was a kid, I worked up an improved seeder harvester. Designed to be approximately three times as efficient as the present models. And would you believe it, I really thought I had a chance of selling it." "Did you sell it?" "Of course not. At that time I didn't realize that the patent office was closed permanently except for the games section." "Were you angry about that?"