"No. Actually, I lived halfway across town and had to drive in every day."
"Was this common for the area and the country?"
"Pretty much so, yes. Some other people did use other means of transportation, of course. Some rode on buses. Some car-pooled. I drove. A lot of us did."
"When you say that you drove, are we to understand that you refer to four-wheeled land vehicle powered by internal combustion engine?"
"Yes, that is correct. They were in common use in the latter half of the twentieth century."
"And there were many such?"
"Very many."
"Had you ever problems involving presence of too many of them on trails at same time?"
"Yes. Certain times of day - when people were going to work and returning - were referred to as 'rush hour.' At such times there were often traffic jams - that is to say, so many vehicles that they got in one another's way."
"Extremely interesting. Were such creatures as whales still extant?"
"Yes."
"Interesting, too. What sort of work did you do?"
"I was involved in research on toxic agents of a chemical and bacteriological nature. Most of it was classified."
"What does that indicate?"
"Oh. It was of a secret nature, directed toward possible military application."
"Was war already in progress?"
"No. It was a matter of - preparedness. We worked with various agents that might be used, if the need ever arose."
"We think we see. Interesting times. Did you ever develop any of efficient nature?"
"Yes. A number of them."
"Then what would you do with them? It would seem hazardous to have such materials about during peace."
"Oh, samples were stored with the utmost precaution in very safe places. There were three main caches, and they were well sheltered and well guarded."
There was a pause. Then, "We find this somewhat distressing," the voice resumed.
"Do you feel they might have survived - a few, some centuries?"
"It is possible."
"Being peace loving, we are naturally concerned with items dangerous to human species-"
"You make it sound as if you are not yourself a member."
There came another high-pitched artifact. Then, "The language has changed more even than we realized. Apologies. Wrong inference taken. Our desire, to deactivate these dangerous materials. Long have we expected their existences.
You perhaps will advise? Their whereabouts unknown to us."
"I'm - not - so sure - about that," he answered. "No offense meant, but you are only a voice to me. I really know nothing about you. I am not certain that I should give this information."
There was a long silence.
"Hello? Are you still there?" he tried to say.
He heard nothing, not even his own voice. Time seemed to do strange things around him. Had it stopped for a moment? Had he given offense? Had his questioner dropped dead?
"Hello! Hello!" he said. "Do you hear me?"
"... Mechanical failure," came the reply. "Apologies for. Sorry about yesterday."
"Yesterday!"
"Turned you off while obtaining new speaker. Just when you were to say where best poisons are."
"I am sorry," he stated. "You have asked for something that I cannot, in good con- science, give to you."
"We wish only to prevent damage."
"I am in the terrible position of having no way to verify anything that is told me."
"If something heavy falls upon you, you break like bottle."
"I could not even verify whether that had occurred."
"We could turn you off again, turn off the cold-maker."
"At least it would be painless," he said with more stoicism than he felt.
"We require this information."
"Then you must seek it elsewhere."
"We will disconnect your speaker and your hearer and go away. We will leave you thinking in the middle of nothing. Goodbye now."
"Wait!"
"Then you will tell us?"
"No. I - can't ..."