Life in Lo-Tan the Magnificent

San-Lan's attitude toward me underwent a change. He did not seek my company as he had done before, and so those long discussions and mental duels in which we pitted our philosophies against each other came to an end. I was, I suspected, an unpleasant reminder to him of things he would rather forget, and my presence was an omen of impending doom. That he did not order my execution forthwith was due, I believe to a sort of fascination in me, as the personification of this (to him) strange and mysterious race of super-men who had so magically developed overnight from "beasts" of the forest.

San-Lan’s attitude toward me changed. He no longer sought my company as he had before. So our long discussions and mental duels, in which we pitted our philosophies against each other, came to an end. I suspected that I reminded him of things he would rather forget. My presence was a sign of impending doom. I believe he did not order my immediate execution because he was fascinated by me. To him, I embodied a strange and mysterious race of super-men. They had seemingly developed by magic overnight from "beasts" of the forest.

But though I saw little of him after this, I remained a member of his household, if one may speak of a "household" where there is no semblance of house.

But though I rarely saw him after this, I remained a member of his household. That is, if you can call it a "household" when there is nothing like a house.

The imperial apartments were located at the very summit of the Imperial Tower, the topmost pinnacle of the city, itself clinging to the sides and peak of the highest mountain in that section of the Rockies. There were days when the city seemed to be built on a rugged island in the midst of a sea of fleecy whiteness, for frequently the cloud level was below the peak. And on such days the only visual communications with the world below was through the viewplates which formed nearly all the interior walls of the thousands of apartments (for the city was, in fact, one vast building) and upon which the tenants could tune in almost any views they wished from an elaborate system of public television and projectoscope broadcasts.

The imperial apartments stood at the very top of the Imperial Tower, the highest point in the city. The city itself clung to the sides and peak of the highest mountain in that part of the Rockies. Clouds often lay below the peak. On those days, the city seemed to stand on a rugged island in a sea of fluffy whiteness. The only way to see the world below was through the viewplates. These formed nearly all the interior walls of the thousands of apartments, for the city was really one vast building. An elaborate system of public television and projectoscope broadcasts let residents tune the viewplates to almost any views they wanted.

Every Han city had many public-view broadcasting stations, operating on tuning ranges which did not interfere with other communication systems. For slight additional fees a citizen in Lo-Tan might, if he felt so inclined, "visit" the seashore, or the lakes or the forests of any part of the country, for when such scene was thrown on the walls of an apartment, the effect was precisely the same as if one were gazing through a vast window at the scene itself.

Every Han city had many public-view broadcasting stations. They operated on tuning ranges that did not interfere with other communication systems. For small extra fees, a citizen in Lo-Tan could, if he wished, "visit" the seashore, lakes, or forests anywhere in the country. When such a scene was projected onto an apartment’s walls, the effect was exactly like looking at it through a vast window.

It was possible too, for a slightly higher fee, to make a mutual connection between apartments in the same or different cities, so that a family in Lo-Tan, for instance, might "visit" friends in Fis-Ko (San Francisco) taking their apartment, so to speak, along with them; being to all intents and purposes separated from their "hosts" only by a big glass wall which interfered neither with vision nor conversation.

For a slightly higher fee, apartments in the same or different cities could also be connected to each other. For example, a family in Lo-Tan could "visit" friends in Fis-Ko (San Francisco), taking their apartment with them, so to speak. In every practical sense, only a large glass wall separated them from their "hosts". The wall did not interfere with seeing or talking to each other.

These public view and visitation projectoscopes explain that utter depth of laziness into which the Hans had been dragged by their civilization. There was no incentive for anyone to leave his apartment unless he was in the military or air service, or a member of one of the repair services which from time to time had to scoot through the corridors and shafts of the city, somewhat like the ancient fire departments, to make some emergency repair to the machinery of the city or its electrical devices.

These public view and visitation projectoscopes explain the utter laziness into which civilization had dragged the Hans. No one had any reason to leave their apartment unless they served in the military or air service. Members of the repair services also had to leave from time to time. Like old-time fire departments, they would rush through the city's corridors and shafts to make emergency repairs to its machinery or electrical devices.

Why should he leave his house? Food, wonderful synthetic concoctions of any desired flavor and consistency (and for additional fee conforming to the individual's dietary prescription) came to him through a shaft, from which his tray slid automatically on to a convenient shelf or table.

Why should he leave his house? Food came to him through a shaft: wonderful synthetic creations in any flavor and texture he wanted. For an extra fee, the food followed his personal dietary prescription. His tray slid automatically from the shaft onto a convenient shelf or table.

At will he could tune in a theatrical performance of talking pictures. He could visit and talk with his friends. He breathed the freshest of filtered air right in his own apartment, at any temperature he desired, fragrant with the scent of flowers, the aromatic smell of the pine forests or the salt tang of the sea, as he might prefer. He could "visit" his friends at will, and though his apartment actually might be buried many thousand feet from the outside wall of the city, it was none the less an "outside" one, by virtue of its viewplate walls. There was even a tube system, with trunk, branch and local lines and an automagnetic switching system, by which articles within certain size limits could be despatched from any apartment to any other one in the city.

Whenever he wished, he could tune in to a theatrical performance of talking pictures. He could visit and talk with his friends. In his own apartment, he breathed the freshest filtered air, at whatever temperature he wanted. He could choose the fragrance of flowers, pine forests, or the salty sea. He could "visit" his friends whenever he wished. And though his apartment might be buried thousands of feet from the city's outer wall, it was still an "outside" apartment, thanks to its viewplate walls. There was even a tube system with trunk, branch, and local lines and an automagnetic switching system. Through it, articles within certain size limits could be sent from any apartment to any other in the city.

The women actually moved about through the city more than the men, for they had no fixed duties. No work was required of them, and though nominally free, their dependence upon the government pension for their necessities and on their "husbands" (of the moment) for their luxuries, reduced them virtually to the condition of slaves.

The women actually moved around the city more than the men because they had no fixed duties. They were not required to work. Although they were free in name, they depended on a government pension for necessities and on their current "husbands" for luxuries. This made them virtually slaves.

Each had her own apartment in the Lower City, with but a single small viewplate, very limited "visitation" facilities, and a minimum credit for food and clothing. This apartment was assigned to her on graduation from the State School, in which she had been placed as an infant, and it remained hers so long as she lived, regardless of whether she occupied it or not. At the conclusion of her various "marriages" she would return there, pending her endeavors to make a new match. Naturally, as her years increased, her returns became more frequent and her stay of longer duration, until finally, abandoning hope of making another match, she finished out her days there, usually in drunkenness and whatever other forms of cheap dissipation she could afford on her dole, starving herself.

Each woman had her own apartment in the Lower City. It had only one small viewplate, very limited "visitation" facilities, and a minimum credit for food and clothing. She was assigned the apartment when she graduated from the State School, where she had been placed as an infant. It remained hers for life, whether she lived in it or not. After each of her "marriages" ended, she would return there while trying to find a new match. Naturally, as she grew older, she returned more often and stayed longer. Finally, she gave up hope of finding another match and spent the rest of her days there. She usually spent her allowance on drink and whatever other cheap pleasures she could afford, starving herself.

Men also received the same State pension, sufficient for the necessities but not for the luxuries of life. They got it only as an old-age pension, and on application.

Men also received the same government pension, which covered necessities but not luxuries. They received it only in old age and had to apply for it.

When boys graduated from the State School they generally were "adopted" by their fathers and taken into the latter's households, where they enjoyed luxuries far in excess of their own earning power. It was not that their fathers wasted any affection on them, for as I have explained before, the Hans were so morally atrophied and scientifically developed that love and affection, as we Americans knew them, were unexperienced or suppressed emotions with them. They were replaced by lust and pride of possession. So long as it pleased a father's vanity, and he did not miss the cost, he would keep a son with him, but no longer.

When boys graduated from the State School, their fathers generally "adopted" them and took them into their households. There, the boys enjoyed luxuries far beyond what they could earn for themselves. This was not because their fathers had any affection to spare for them. As I have explained before, the Hans were so morally stunted and scientifically advanced that they did not experience love and affection as we Americans knew them, or they suppressed those emotions. Lust and pride of possession took their place. A father would keep a son with him as long as it pleased his vanity and he did not miss the money it cost, but no longer.

Young men, of course, started to work at the minimum wage, which was somewhat higher than the pension. There was work for everybody in positions of minor responsibility, but very little hard work.

Young men, of course, started work at minimum wage, which was somewhat higher than the pension. Everyone could find work in jobs with little responsibility, but there was very little hard work.

Upon receiving his appointment from one or another of the big corporations which handled the production and distribution of the vast community (the shares of which were pooled and held by the government—that is, by San-Lan himself—in trust for all the workers, according to their positions) he would be assigned to an apartment-office, or an apartment adjoining the group of offices in which he was to have his desk. Most of the work was done in single apartment-offices.

When he received an appointment from one of the big corporations, he was assigned a place to live and work. The corporations handled production and distribution for the vast community. Their shares were pooled and held by the government, meaning San-Lan himself, in trust for all the workers according to their positions. He would be assigned either a combined apartment and office or an apartment next to the offices where he would have his desk. Most work was done in individual apartment-offices.

The young man, for instance, might recline at his ease in his apartment near the top of the city, and for three or four hours a day inspect, through his viewplate and certain specially installed apparatus, the output of a certain process in one of the vast automatically controlled food factories buried far underground beneath the base of the mountain, where the moan of its whirring and throbbing machinery would not disturb the peace and quiet of the citizens on the mountain top. Or he might be required simply to watch the operation of an account machine in an automatic store.

For example, the young man might relax in his apartment near the top of the city. For three or four hours a day, he could inspect the output of a particular process through his viewplate and specially installed equipment. The process took place in one of the vast, automatically controlled food factories buried deep beneath the mountain’s base. There, the moan of its whirring, throbbing machinery would not disturb the peace and quiet of the citizens on the mountain top. Or he might simply be required to watch an account machine operate in an automatic store.

There is no denying that the economic system of the Hans was marvelous. A suit of clothes, for instance, might be delivered in a man's apartment without a human hand having ever touched it.

There is no denying that the Hans’ economic system was marvelous. For example, a suit of clothes could be delivered to a man’s apartment without a human hand ever touching it.

Having decided that he wished a suit of a given general style, he would simply tune in a visual broadcast of the display of various selections, and when he had made his choice, dial the number of the item and press the order button. Simultaneously the charge would be automatically made against his account number, and credited as a sale on the automatic records of that particular factory in the account house. And his account plate, hidden behind a little wall door, would register his new credit balance. An automatically packaged suit that had been made to style and size-standard by automatic machinery from synthetically produced material, would slip into the delivery chute, magnetically addressed, and in anywhere from a few seconds to thirty minutes or so, according to the volume of business in the chutes, and drop into the delivery basket in his room.

Once he decided on the general style of suit he wanted, he would tune in to a visual broadcast showing various choices. After choosing one, he would dial the item number and press the order button. The charge would be made automatically to his account. At the same time, the sale would be credited to that factory in the account house’s automatic records. His account plate, hidden behind a small door in the wall, would show his new credit balance. The suit would be made from synthetic material by automatic machinery, following standard styles and sizes. Automatically packaged and magnetically addressed, it would slip into the delivery chute. It would drop into the delivery basket in his room anywhere from a few seconds to about thirty minutes later, depending on how busy the chutes were.

Daily his wages were credited to his account, and monthly his share of the dividends likewise (according to his position) from the Imperial Investment Trust, after deduction of taxes (through the automatic bookkeeping machines) for the support of the city's pensioners and whatever sum San-Lan himself had chosen to deduct for personal expenses and gratuities.

His wages were credited to his account daily. Each month, his share of the Imperial Investment Trust’s dividends was also credited, according to his position. Automatic bookkeeping machines deducted taxes to support the city’s pensioners. They also deducted whatever amount San-Lan had chosen for personal expenses and gratuities.

A man could not bequeath his ownership interest in industry to his son, for that interest ceased with his death, but his credit accumulation, on which interest was paid, was credited to his eldest recorded son as a matter of law.

A man could not leave his ownership stake in industry to his son because it ended when he died. But by law, his accumulated credit, which earned interest, was transferred to his eldest recorded son.

Since many of these credit fortunes (The Hans had abandoned gold as a financial basis centuries before) were so big that they drew interest in excess of the utmost luxury costs of a single individual, there was a class of idle rich consisting of eldest sons, passing on these credit fortunes from generation to generation. But younger sons and women had no share in these fortunes, except by the whims and favor of the "Man-Dins" (Mandarins), as these inheritors were known.

The Hans had abandoned gold as the basis of their financial system centuries before. Many of their credit fortunes were so large that the interest exceeded the cost of the most luxurious life one person could lead. As a result, there was a class of idle rich made up of eldest sons who passed these fortunes down through generations. But younger sons and women received a share only at the whim and favor of the "Man-Dins" (Mandarins), as these inheritors were known.

These Man-Dins formed a distinct class of the population, and numbered about five percent of it. It was distinct from the Ku-Li (coolie) or common people, and from the "Ki-Ling" or aristocracy composed of those more energetic men (at least mentally more energetic) who were the active or retired executive heads of the various industrial, educational, military or political administrations.

The Man-Dins were a distinct class, making up about five percent of the population. They were separate from the Ku-Li (coolie), or common people, and from the "Ki-Ling", or aristocracy. The aristocracy consisted of more energetic men, at least mentally. They were the current or retired executive heads of the various industrial, educational, military, or political administrations.

A man might, if he so chose, transfer part of his credit to a woman favorite, which then remained hers for life or until she used it up, and of course, the prime object of most women, whether as wives, or favorites, was to beguile a settlement of this sort out of some wealthy man.

A man could choose to transfer some of his credit to a favored woman. The credit remained hers for life or until she used it up. And of course, most women, whether wives or favorites, mainly sought to coax such a settlement from a wealthy man.

When successful in this, and upon reassuming her freedom, a woman ranked socially and economically with the Man-Dins. But on her death, whatever remained of her credit was transferred to the Imperial fund.

When a woman succeeded in this and regained her freedom, she had the same social and economic status as the Man-Dins. But when she died, whatever credit she had left went to the Imperial fund.

When one considers that the Hans, from the days of their exodus from Mongolia and their conquest of America, had never held any ideal of monogamy, and the fact that marriage was but a temporary formality which could be terminated on official notice by either party, and that after all it gave a woman no real rights or prerogatives that could not be terminated at the whim of her husband, and established her as nothing but the favorite of his harem, if he had an income large enough to keep one, or the most definitely acknowledged of his favorites if he hadn't, it is easy to see that no such thing as a real family life existed among them.

Since their exodus from Mongolia and conquest of America, the Hans had never valued monogamy. Marriage was only a temporary formality, which either party could end by giving official notice. It gave a woman no real rights or privileges that her husband could not take away on a whim. If he had enough income to maintain a harem, marriage made her only its favorite. If he did not, it made her the most openly acknowledged of his favorites. Given all this, it is easy to see that no real family life existed among them.

Free women roamed the corridors of the city, pathetically importuning marriage, and wives spent most of the time they were not under their husbands' watchful eyes in flirtatious attempts to provide themselves with better prospects for their next marriages.

Free women wandered the city's corridors, pathetically begging men to marry them. Wives spent most of their time away from their husbands' watchful eyes flirting to find better prospects for their next marriages.

Naturally the biggest problem of the community was that of stimulating the birth rate. The system of special credits to mothers had begun centuries before, but had not been very efficacious until women had been deprived of all other earning power, and even at the time of which I write it was only partially successful, in spite of the heavy bounties for children. It was difficult to make the bounties sufficiently attractive to lure the women from their more remunerative light flirtations. Eugenic standards also were a handicap.

Naturally, the community’s biggest problem was increasing the birth rate. The system of special credits for mothers had begun centuries earlier. But it had not been very effective until women had been deprived of all other ways to earn a living. Even at the time I write about, it was only partly successful, despite the large payments for children. It was hard to make the payments attractive enough to lure women away from their more profitable casual flirtations. Eugenic standards were also an obstacle.

As a matter of fact, San-Lan had under consideration a revolutionary change in economic and moral standards, when the revolt of the forest men upset his delicately laid plans, for, as he had explained to me, it was no easy thing to upset the customs of centuries in what he was pleased to call the "morals" of his race.

In fact, San-Lan was considering a revolutionary change in economic and moral standards when the forest men revolted. Their revolt upset his carefully laid plans. As he had explained to me, it was no easy task to overturn centuries of custom in what he liked to call the "morals" of his race.

He had another reason too. The physically active men of the community were beginning to acquire a rather dangerous domination. These included men in the army, in the airships, and in those relatively few civilian activities in which machines could not do the routine work and thinking. Already common soldiers and air crews demanded and received higher remuneration than all except the highest of the Ki-Ling, the industrial and scientific leaders, while mechanics and repairmen who could, and would, work hard physically, commanded higher incomes than Princes of the Blood, and though constituting only a fraction of one per cent of the population they actually dominated the city. San-Lan dared take no important step in the development of the industrial and military system without consulting their council or Yun-Yun (Union), as it was known.

He had another reason too. The physically active men in the community were beginning to gain a dangerous amount of power. They included men in the army and on airships. They also included men in the relatively few civilian jobs where machines could not do the routine work and thinking. Common soldiers and air crews already earned more than all but the highest-ranking Ki-Ling, the industrial and scientific leaders. Mechanics and repairmen who could and would do hard physical work earned more than Princes of the Blood. Though these workers made up only a fraction of one percent of the population, they actually dominated the city. San-Lan dared take no important step in developing the industrial and military system without consulting their council. It was known as the Yun-Yun (Union).

Socially the Han cities were in a chaotic condition at this time, between morals that were not morals, families that were not families, marriages that were not marriages, children who knew no homes, work that was not work, eugenics that didn't work; Ku-Lis who envied the richer classes but were too lazy to reach out for the rewards freely offered for individual initiative; the intellectually active and physically lazy Ki-Lings who despised their lethargy; the Man-Din drones who regarded both classes with supercilious toleration; the Princes of the Blood, arrogant in their assumption of a heritage from a Heaven in which they did not believe; and finally the three castes of the army, air and industrial repair services, equally arrogant and with more reason in their consciousness of physical power.

Social life in the Han cities was chaotic at this time. Morals were not morals, families were not families, and marriages were not marriages. Children knew no homes, work was not work, and eugenics did not work. The Ku-Lis envied the richer classes but were too lazy to pursue the rewards freely offered for individual initiative. The Ki-Lings were intellectually active but physically lazy, and they despised the Ku-Lis' laziness. The Man-Din drones looked down on both classes with a superior tolerance. The Princes of the Blood were arrogant, claiming a heritage from a Heaven they did not believe in. Finally, the three castes of the army, air, and industrial repair services were equally arrogant. They had more reason to be, knowing the physical power they possessed.

The army exercised a cruelly careless and impartial police power over all classes, including the airmen, when the latter were in port. But it did not dare to touch the repair men, who, so far as I could ever make out, roamed the corridors of the city at will during their hours off duty, wreaking their wills on whomever they met, without let or hindrance.

The army policed all classes with cruel carelessness, treating everyone alike. This included the airmen when they were in port. But the army did not dare touch the repair men. As far as I could tell, they roamed the city’s corridors freely when off duty. They did whatever they pleased to anyone they met, and no one stopped them.

Even a Prince of the Blood would withdraw into a side corridor with his escort of a score of men, to let one of these labor "kings" pass, rather than risk an altercation which might result in trouble for the government with the Yun-Yun, regardless of the rights and wrongs of the case, unless a heavy credit transference was made from the balance of the Prince to that of the worker. For the machinery of the city could not continue in operation a fortnight, before some accident requiring delicate repair work would put it partially out of commission. And the Yun-Yun was quick to resent anything it could construe as a slight on one of its members.

Even a Prince of the Blood would step into a side corridor with his escort of twenty men. He would do this to let one of these labor "kings" pass, rather than risk a confrontation. Such a confrontation might cause trouble for the government with the Yun-Yun, regardless of who was right or wrong. The Prince could avoid that trouble only by transferring a large amount of credit from his balance to the worker's. For the city's machinery could not run for two weeks without an accident that required delicate repairs and partly shut it down. And the Yun-Yun was quick to resent anything it could interpret as an insult to one of its members.

In the last analysis it was these Yun-Yun men, numerically the smallest of the classes, who ruled the Han civilization, because for all practical purposes they controlled the machinery on which that civilization depended for its existence.

In the end, the Yun-Yun men ruled the Han civilization, even though they were the smallest class. They ruled because, for all practical purposes, they controlled the machinery the civilization depended on for its existence.

Politically, San-Lan could balance the organizations of the army and the air fleets against each other, but he could not break the grip of the repairmen on the machinery of the cities and the power broadcast plants.

Politically, San-Lan could balance the army and the air fleets against each other. But he could not break the repairmen’s grip on the cities’ machinery and the power broadcast plants.