October 7, 2025 • 26 mins
A surreal sci-fi series exploring speculative concepts, dreams, and philosophical what-ifs. Each episode is a cerebral journey into the mind’s deepest questions.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Mind Welcome to a half hour of mind Way short
(00:58):
stories from the world expect.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Give it to the fiction. This is Michael Hanson. Carol
(01:21):
Collins joins me to not in mind webs as we
read Beachhead in Utopia by Lloyd Bagel Junior, a story
that appears in Roger Elwood's collection titled Omega, published by Faucett.
(02:03):
Coming from the boardroom with a stack of papers, Miss
Phillip said plaintively.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
And it isn't enough that it's day and also the
end of the month. They want the annual report released today.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Miss Rodney rippled a stack of data cards, fixed her
myopic gaze on Miss Philip and asked, absently, what was that?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Oh ed? Day and the end of the month aren't
what snarls things up? He's the board meeting.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
As the members walk in, they suddenly remember all the things.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
They were supposed to do between meetings but did. And
research is in a turmoil. Research goes into a turmoil
whenever anyone asks a question, they think they're being imposed
on if they have to work one day a month.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
She seated herself at the voicewriter and done the microphone
and said grumpling.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I'll be dictating all day. The board will never revise, well,
revise every page six times.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Mister help Flynn of the Record Section, looked in at them,
nodded and asked, has mister Dorr been here?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
He's in a meeting.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
I know they'd started. Is there any way to get
a message to him?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
There might be if it's important enough.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Hello downstairs wants an interview?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Is about an extension? Well, yeah, he's on the list
today too, I suppose yes. We'll tell him every case
is reviewed by the full board before finalizing.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Who, in my opinion, the fellow deserves some consideration. Is
there any chance at all that mister Dorr would see him?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
No chance at all. Do you have his name and number?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Let me see here, William Zarni F nine seven zero
four three five.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Oh, I'll look him up. If mister Dorr happens to
wander through here, I'll tell him the case interests you,
and I'm sure he'll see that the board takes a
careful look out of it. Now, I won't promise you anything.
Usually mister Dor stays in the room till a meeting's over,
and if anyone interrupts a board meeting you'd better.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Be important, and I mean really important.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
This is really important, at least to WILLIAMS. Jarney.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
If you want to take a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
No, no, thank you. If you see mister Door, would
you please tell him about it? He left with a
nod and a smile, and Miss Philip sniffed again and
loaded the voicewriter's feet hampered with masters and duplicating sheets.
Miss Rodney was flipping through a sack of files, and
when she found the one she wanted, she opened it
and rolled.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Well, wouldn't you know, no what William Zarnie. He had
the full two years of training and he didn't do
a liquor work for the next two years. Plus had
three extensions. Hmmm, that's what I figured. I mean, I
thought the f list had been liquidated. Three extensions is
(04:44):
as many as the law allows.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Isn't it. Well, I'll tell you this much. I certainly
wouldn't mention this case. Mister Door. Zarnie is one of
those slops you know, who figure society'll support him in
grand style for the rest of his life, and suddenly
it's e day and he's used of his extensions inve
you with mister Dore.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Indeed, She hunched her shoulders, resignedly, and began matching data
cards with files. Miss Philip threw a switch, took a
deep breath, and began to dictate.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
International Poverty Control Agency United States brand tenth annual report.
It is with understandable pleasure that your National Poverty Control
Board announced his new and dramatic progress towards a goal
that seemed unattainable only a decade ago, the total elimination
of poverty from arm midst occasional setback, such as the
favor of a major industry during the past year.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Dat Her voice droned on, expertly inflecting the chirps and
grunts to which the machine's punctuation marks were tuned. William
Zarney entered the first bar he came to in order
to drink. The bartender took his credit card and glanced
at it, glanced again, slid it into a register, and
touched a button. He returned with a drink and told
(05:49):
Zarny that his card expires today. Zarney nodded, He down
the drink with one gulp and marched away. At the
Christian Unity Center, Zarny entered the Protestant offices the receptionist smiled.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
At him back again.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Well, they said I might see Bishop Corlette today.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Zarny, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, William Jarney. She flipped the switch.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Do you have a William Zarnie on Bishop Corlette's list?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
The flat answer came back a moment later, was no,
whom did you talk with? I think it was as
Missus Warren.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
All right, Missus Warren, there's a William Zarni here, he says,
you told him. Well, I couldn't work him in telling
him to come back tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Look, today is my E.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Day, Today is his e day. He's been coming here
for months, isn't there someone? Well send him up.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
I'll see him.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Missus Warren indicated an interview room, and after a tedious
half hour wait, an owlish looking young man walked in, nodded,
took the seat across from him, and said, I'm the
Reverend Walter Kennedy. There's something I can do for you. Well,
I hoped that someone here might be able to find
me a job. The reverend stroked the smooth cheek thoughtfully. Well,
(07:14):
there are four government agencies, and I don't know how
many private ones. I've tried everywhere I see well, missus
Warren will give you a card to fill out, and
I filled one out months ago, and today's my E day.
I see. Why did you wait until the last minute. Well,
(07:36):
I've been trying to see Bishop Corlette for months. We
aren't exactly in the employment business, you know, and the
Bishop is a very busy man. I'll do anything now,
that's what they all say an E day. You should
have been willing to do anything a year ago, Well
I was. I've done nothing but look for a job
(07:58):
for almost three years in the special training. Then they
couldn't find a job for you. Most unfortunate. But those
things happen. Anything at all, I'll do with the Reverend
shook his head. The law is the law, you know.
Sometimes the welfare of society requires measures that impose sacrifices
(08:20):
on individuals. I'm sure that none of us would want
to return to the old system, where poverty bred crime
and more poverty, and children grew up in an environment
of material and spiritual degradation and extracted revenge by praying
on their fellow men for the remainder of their lives.
You see, by keeping the welfare lists at a minimum,
(08:40):
we're able to give an unemployed workers family a respectable
standard of living and maintain that until he's had ample
time to find employment. But even in these prosperous times,
we can't support indigent families indefinitely on that basis life.
We didn't establish a cutoff date and enforce it in
a very short time, misters Arnie, the old tragic cycle
(09:03):
would be operating again. Well, I don't care about myself,
but my kids are bright and if they had half
a chance. You've had two years of training, you say,
and then two more years plus whatever extensions you were allowed.
That adds up to almost five years, which was surely
(09:24):
ample time in which to give them a chance. Have
you told them no, why I didn't want to? Did
you send them to school today? Yes? It's best that way.
There's no point in worrying the little ones about something
that's beyond their control. I've seen some utterly shameful scenes
(09:46):
result when the parents thoughtlessly told their children. Well, all
I can do is express my regret and assure you
that compared with the old system, this is much much
the better solution. Now here, take this token, and I
suggest that you stop in the chapel on your way out,
and a token will give you two free prayers and
(10:07):
the meditation hel cove. Wait, you still have your credit card,
don't you No, then you won't need the token. Now,
let me see William Zarnie and your wife's name. I'll
meet that and the children in their ages. That's fine.
I'll include you in my devotions tomorrow, mister Zarny. There's
(10:30):
no charge for that, of course. Oh, good morning. The
receptionist glanced at Zarnie's face.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
And she said, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well, thank you for trying.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
I wonder I've heard that father Wilkes has had some
success in finding jobs.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Just a moment she telephoned, asked a question, thoughtfully replaced
the receiver.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
He does find one now and then, but he has
a waiting list of his own parish.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Well, thank you, I guess I probably won't see you again.
Zarney headed up the street toward the municipal Employment office.
He had been there every working day for more than
two years, and he knew that he didn't stand a chance,
but he wasn't ready to face his wife and children.
Not yet. Mister help Flynn met mister Dore in the
(11:33):
corridor and asked, did miss Rodney speak to you sir,
about what help? Flynn consulted a slip of paper. William
Zarney F nine seven zero four three one five. He's
on today's E list. Well, what about him? It's rather complicated.
(11:59):
He seems some but he made a colossal goof and
he's paying for it. What short of goof do you mean? Well?
He was an expert computer technician the old General Data
Corporation's M ten ninety five. It's absolete now, sure, and
as fast as it was replaced with advanced models. The
(12:19):
ten ninety five technicians who found themselves out of work, Well,
that happens all the time. Why didn't Zarny train on
one of the advanced models? He did, sir? That is
he thought he did, but when he finished he couldn't
find employment. He's been trying, really working at trying, but
(12:39):
he's come up with nothing. I first heard about it
this morning and it sounded fishy to me. Well, I
should say so. Computer technician is a demand occupation, so
I checked his record and his two years of training
were put in on the eleven oh eight, which was
absolute before he finished. Is no wonder he didn't find work,
(13:02):
I see, And he is not eligible for another training
course until he's worked for five years. Well, it was
a training center's goof. Let them straighten it out. They
can waive the five year requirement for cause. Their own
goof should be cause enough. We get in touch with
(13:22):
him now, and if they'll accept him for more training,
then we can grant him an extension. He's already had
the maximum, Well, we can wave that for cause, and
his acceptance in a training program would be cause enough.
The board has broad powers of discretion. You know. It
(13:42):
doesn't use them impulsively, but it won't knowingly liquidate a
man who's potentially useful. I'll be meeting the rest of
the afternoon. If you can work something out with the
training center, appreciate it if you get word to me
right away. William Jarney left the fourth Employment office. He
(14:05):
had skipped lunch. He had not felt like eating. He
had two choices left, to go home and wait or
to go down fighting. He chose to fight. He went
to a car rental agency, where the clerk looked at
his credit card suspiciously and remarked, yeah, this expires at
(14:25):
five o'clock. He got to renew it. His journey shook
his head. See day, huh, you wouldn't be thinking of
taking your family and skipping now with you? Well, how
far could I go on? And expired the credit card?
What do you want the car for? To look for it?
For a job? And you know a five one extension?
(14:49):
I've already had the maximum just a moment he hey,
win went you saying something about some unemployed guy who
f nago ten extensions somehow? Yeah, yeah, why do you ask? Well,
this file has used up his extensions, you know how?
It was managed special case. The guy had been disabled
(15:13):
an industrial accident, something about his spine. The doctors were
confused and kept thinking, maybe you'd be able to work again.
It was medical extensions or he got Eventually your doctors
decided he was a hopeless case, so no more extensions.
They took him and his family. I think was last
e day at this fellows the days today, and he
wants a car to go look for a job. It's
(15:36):
a little late for that, isn't it. His Arnie did
not answer. He was tired of explaining about those two
years and nine months of searching and applying and waiting
in ante rooms and arguing with secretaries and receptionists and
filling out forms and data cards. It would be filed
and forgotten. Well, I'm sorry, I just can't take this,
(16:00):
misk mister turney. I don't want to lose my job
in this occupational class. One bad judgment, Mark and I'd
be on my way to e day myself. I don't understand.
Thanks anyway, Zarny turned away, more resigned than resentful. It
hadn't been a good idea anyway. He had little time left,
(16:21):
and he shouldn't be wasting and driving around outside. His
gaze focused on the massive, ugly tower of the Federal Building, which,
as everyone knew, had more computers per unit of floor
space than any other building in the city. He had
it that way. Walking quickly, Miss Philip, grumbling that they
(16:44):
meant to keep her there all night, began dictating page
seven for the fourth time. She reached the bottom of
a column of figures and paused for breath. Miss Rodney
was sorting through the next group of files. A messenger
entered and handed her an en hope. She glanced at
it skeptically.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Hm, mister door urgent, deliver immediately.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I'll that.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
William Zarnie again. But what about him?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Something about his classification?
Speaker 4 (17:23):
It can't be all that urgent, but it's not my
nick help when hot signed it?
Speaker 3 (17:29):
Still, Just to be on the safe.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Side, why don't you take it in when you have
The next page is read.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
At the Federal building, the reception is said firmly, I
don't have to check.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
We haven't had a call for that job code of years.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Well would you please check it anyway?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
Right if you insist? But I know that yes, mister Brickley.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Have you found anyone who can service a fourteen forty?
Speaker 3 (18:00):
No, sir, I've kept all the employment services and I
just don't.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Get on the phone and borrow a technician from somewhere.
Will you gets hold of someone? We're already a week
behind with the tax statements. In the whole third floor
is sitting around waiting on that damn machine.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I'll try, sir.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Is that a GDC fourteen forty? Yeah, well that's my machine.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
No, No, yours is at eleven o eight.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Look, I should know I had two years of training
on the fourteen forty.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Let's see your classification card again.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
She snapped it into a machine right off. The code
opened the classification manual.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
A means you're a Class one technician G is for
General Data Corporation K means the eleven hundred series machine D.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I never knew that. I mean, they gave me the
card and I just assumed, no wonder I couldn't get
a job.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
You actually trained on the fourteen forty.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Yeah, I trained on it for two years and they
sent me their modification specifications ever since.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
And someone comes to your master card wrong, miss Brakley.
I have a man here. He has the wrong classification,
but he claims that he trained on the fourteen forties.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
We'll soon find out. Send him up back at the
record section, mister Helpflynn asked, is there any reply yet?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
The memo just went in, but I marked it urgent.
So how urgent is urgent?
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Those who've had extensions are always processed first, and he's
had three extensions. It'll be one of the first ones taken.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
So it's only four o'clock.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Yes, but that leaves just an hour, and I don't
know how long it takes to process a cancelation.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
What's all the fuss about.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Well, this fellow trained on the latest model computers, but
someone made an error in voting his classification. His data
card makes him an expert on an obsolete model. So well,
of course no one would hire him. Now that his
classification has been corrected, he can go to work anywhere.
(20:13):
They tell me downstairs the two fourteen forty technicians are
needed in this building now, and they'll hire him this
very afternoon if he'll apply. Well, I'm going in there
and straighten this out.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Now it's your funeral.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Helplin marched away and was back two minutes later, triumphantly
waving an official cancelation card. Now all I have to
do is find a messenger and then no, in fact,
I'm going to take this over to E headquarters myself.
(20:51):
There's a short circuit in Bank ten Zarnie announced. Mister
Brakley said, how long well you'd take to fix it?
I've already fixed it, definitely. And you say you've been
out of work. How long after I finished retraining? It
(21:11):
was two years and nine months those idiots, idiots, But
why didn't you catch the air yourself? You can't tell
that a card's punch wrong just by looking at the holes. See,
even if I'd put it on a machine, that particular
code wouldn't have meant anything to me without a manual.
And no one ever said we don't need anyone for
(21:33):
the eleven o eight. So they always said, we don't
have any openings in your classification. So naturally I assumed
they were referring to the fourteen forties and everyone needs
fourteen forty technicians. I'm putting you on the night shift
and see how many machines you can have operating by morning. Yes, sure,
but this is my e eday. You see, I understand,
(21:57):
I understand. I'll take care of that yount on those
fourteen forties. Miss Rodney and Miss Phillip starting their second
hour of non compensated overtime because he could not leave
until the board journed had their boredom relieved momentarily by
a clash between mister help Flynn and mister Dor. We
(22:23):
issued a cancelation, mister Dor said, we procured a cancelation.
I handed it to you myself. What did you do
with it? They delivered it in person, also to what's
your trouble? You did not grant an extension. They crushed
off his name. But see the Manuye, his time expired.
The Master e Computer issued a warrant for him. Oh she,
(22:47):
we didn't think about that busy day, you know that
warrant overruled the cancelation without an extension, it had no
legal validities. Harney's wife and children were picked up on
schedule and taken directly to the ovens. In the meantime,
the fellow got himself a job. Well, really good for him.
(23:11):
His employer sent in the information and a request that
he be removed from the E list because he wasn't
home when the E squad came for his family. A
warrant had been posted on him. He was eligible for
E treatment on site because of the expiration. As soon
as his boss's message hit the master computer, the computer
(23:32):
dispatched a squad to pick him up at his place
of employment. Imagine that, arresting the man on his job
and hauling him away to be exterminated because he's unemployed.
Well did they get it straightened out? Of course, the
air in his classification has been corrected, and he's been
removed from the E list because he's now employed. But
(23:57):
he and his family are still dead. Jove, why did
you call me out here? There's nothing we can do
about it. I called you out to tell you that
the board is going to have some explaining to do.
Mister dor the man's employer was the federal government, and
the local office is suffering from an acute shortage of
(24:19):
computer technicians. The office manager is threatening to demand the
congressional investigation. Well, that's usually taken care of. Give him
a priority and find the technicians he needs until you
do loan in one of ours. He turned to Miss Phillip.
(24:41):
A few changes in this page, please, Miss Phillip, these
are the last. I promise. We're down to our final
order of business. Mister Door hurried away. Help Flynn stonily
headed in the other direction. Miss Phillip flipped the switch
on the microphone. Because of the.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Low unemployment rate, in the anticipated continuing reductions of joblessness,
this branch of the Poverty Control Agency.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Will be able to cut its staff immediately by twenty percent.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Further personnel reductions of at least an additional thirty percent should.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Be possible during the coming year. With the resultant.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Savings, Miss Rodney gasped, what was that. Miss Philip looked
up in surprise, turned off the voice writer.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
I wasn't paying any attention. I could dictate in my sleep.
Oh and after a day like this, I probably am
cut its staff. For the personnel reductions.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Oh, Miss Phillip and Miss Rodney stared at each other.
The board's final order of business dismissal notices. You've heard
a story by Lloyd big Old Junior titled Beachhead in
(25:59):
Your Topia. It appears in Roger Elwood's anthology Omega, published
by Fawcett. This is Michael Hanson reading Whitney was Carol Collin.
Technical operation for this broadcast by Rich Grody. Mind Webbs
is produced at WHA Radio in Madison, a service of
(26:20):
University of Wisconsin Extension
Mind Welcome to a half hour of mind Way short
(00:58):
stories from the world expect.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Give it to the fiction. This is Michael Hanson. Carol
(01:21):
Collins joins me to not in mind webs as we
read Beachhead in Utopia by Lloyd Bagel Junior, a story
that appears in Roger Elwood's collection titled Omega, published by Faucett.
(02:03):
Coming from the boardroom with a stack of papers, Miss
Phillip said plaintively.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
And it isn't enough that it's day and also the
end of the month. They want the annual report released today.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Miss Rodney rippled a stack of data cards, fixed her
myopic gaze on Miss Philip and asked, absently, what was that?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Oh ed? Day and the end of the month aren't
what snarls things up? He's the board meeting.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
As the members walk in, they suddenly remember all the things.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
They were supposed to do between meetings but did. And
research is in a turmoil. Research goes into a turmoil
whenever anyone asks a question, they think they're being imposed
on if they have to work one day a month.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
She seated herself at the voicewriter and done the microphone
and said grumpling.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I'll be dictating all day. The board will never revise, well,
revise every page six times.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Mister help Flynn of the Record Section, looked in at them,
nodded and asked, has mister Dorr been here?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
He's in a meeting.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
I know they'd started. Is there any way to get
a message to him?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
There might be if it's important enough.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Hello downstairs wants an interview?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Is about an extension? Well, yeah, he's on the list
today too, I suppose yes. We'll tell him every case
is reviewed by the full board before finalizing.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Who, in my opinion, the fellow deserves some consideration. Is
there any chance at all that mister Dorr would see him?
Speaker 3 (03:25):
No chance at all. Do you have his name and number?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Let me see here, William Zarni F nine seven zero
four three five.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Oh, I'll look him up. If mister Dorr happens to
wander through here, I'll tell him the case interests you,
and I'm sure he'll see that the board takes a
careful look out of it. Now, I won't promise you anything.
Usually mister Dor stays in the room till a meeting's over,
and if anyone interrupts a board meeting you'd better.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Be important, and I mean really important.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
This is really important, at least to WILLIAMS. Jarney.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
If you want to take a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
No, no, thank you. If you see mister Door, would
you please tell him about it? He left with a
nod and a smile, and Miss Philip sniffed again and
loaded the voicewriter's feet hampered with masters and duplicating sheets.
Miss Rodney was flipping through a sack of files, and
when she found the one she wanted, she opened it
and rolled.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
Well, wouldn't you know, no what William Zarnie. He had
the full two years of training and he didn't do
a liquor work for the next two years. Plus had
three extensions. Hmmm, that's what I figured. I mean, I
thought the f list had been liquidated. Three extensions is
(04:44):
as many as the law allows.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Isn't it. Well, I'll tell you this much. I certainly
wouldn't mention this case. Mister Door. Zarnie is one of
those slops you know, who figure society'll support him in
grand style for the rest of his life, and suddenly
it's e day and he's used of his extensions inve
you with mister Dore.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Indeed, She hunched her shoulders, resignedly, and began matching data
cards with files. Miss Philip threw a switch, took a
deep breath, and began to dictate.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
International Poverty Control Agency United States brand tenth annual report.
It is with understandable pleasure that your National Poverty Control
Board announced his new and dramatic progress towards a goal
that seemed unattainable only a decade ago, the total elimination
of poverty from arm midst occasional setback, such as the
favor of a major industry during the past year.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Dat Her voice droned on, expertly inflecting the chirps and
grunts to which the machine's punctuation marks were tuned. William
Zarney entered the first bar he came to in order
to drink. The bartender took his credit card and glanced
at it, glanced again, slid it into a register, and
touched a button. He returned with a drink and told
(05:49):
Zarny that his card expires today. Zarney nodded, He down
the drink with one gulp and marched away. At the
Christian Unity Center, Zarny entered the Protestant offices the receptionist smiled.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
At him back again.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Well, they said I might see Bishop Corlette today.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Zarny, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, William Jarney. She flipped the switch.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Do you have a William Zarnie on Bishop Corlette's list?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
The flat answer came back a moment later, was no,
whom did you talk with? I think it was as
Missus Warren.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
All right, Missus Warren, there's a William Zarni here, he says,
you told him. Well, I couldn't work him in telling
him to come back tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Look, today is my E.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Day, Today is his e day. He's been coming here
for months, isn't there someone? Well send him up.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
I'll see him.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Missus Warren indicated an interview room, and after a tedious
half hour wait, an owlish looking young man walked in, nodded,
took the seat across from him, and said, I'm the
Reverend Walter Kennedy. There's something I can do for you. Well,
I hoped that someone here might be able to find
me a job. The reverend stroked the smooth cheek thoughtfully. Well,
(07:14):
there are four government agencies, and I don't know how
many private ones. I've tried everywhere I see well, missus
Warren will give you a card to fill out, and
I filled one out months ago, and today's my E day.
I see. Why did you wait until the last minute. Well,
(07:36):
I've been trying to see Bishop Corlette for months. We
aren't exactly in the employment business, you know, and the
Bishop is a very busy man. I'll do anything now,
that's what they all say an E day. You should
have been willing to do anything a year ago, Well
I was. I've done nothing but look for a job
(07:58):
for almost three years in the special training. Then they
couldn't find a job for you. Most unfortunate. But those
things happen. Anything at all, I'll do with the Reverend
shook his head. The law is the law, you know.
Sometimes the welfare of society requires measures that impose sacrifices
(08:20):
on individuals. I'm sure that none of us would want
to return to the old system, where poverty bred crime
and more poverty, and children grew up in an environment
of material and spiritual degradation and extracted revenge by praying
on their fellow men for the remainder of their lives.
You see, by keeping the welfare lists at a minimum,
(08:40):
we're able to give an unemployed workers family a respectable
standard of living and maintain that until he's had ample
time to find employment. But even in these prosperous times,
we can't support indigent families indefinitely on that basis life.
We didn't establish a cutoff date and enforce it in
a very short time, misters Arnie, the old tragic cycle
(09:03):
would be operating again. Well, I don't care about myself,
but my kids are bright and if they had half
a chance. You've had two years of training, you say,
and then two more years plus whatever extensions you were allowed.
That adds up to almost five years, which was surely
(09:24):
ample time in which to give them a chance. Have
you told them no, why I didn't want to? Did
you send them to school today? Yes? It's best that way.
There's no point in worrying the little ones about something
that's beyond their control. I've seen some utterly shameful scenes
(09:46):
result when the parents thoughtlessly told their children. Well, all
I can do is express my regret and assure you
that compared with the old system, this is much much
the better solution. Now here, take this token, and I
suggest that you stop in the chapel on your way out,
and a token will give you two free prayers and
(10:07):
the meditation hel cove. Wait, you still have your credit card,
don't you No, then you won't need the token. Now,
let me see William Zarnie and your wife's name. I'll
meet that and the children in their ages. That's fine.
I'll include you in my devotions tomorrow, mister Zarny. There's
(10:30):
no charge for that, of course. Oh, good morning. The
receptionist glanced at Zarnie's face.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
And she said, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well, thank you for trying.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
I wonder I've heard that father Wilkes has had some
success in finding jobs.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Just a moment she telephoned, asked a question, thoughtfully replaced
the receiver.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
He does find one now and then, but he has
a waiting list of his own parish.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Well, thank you, I guess I probably won't see you again.
Zarney headed up the street toward the municipal Employment office.
He had been there every working day for more than
two years, and he knew that he didn't stand a chance,
but he wasn't ready to face his wife and children.
Not yet. Mister help Flynn met mister Dore in the
(11:33):
corridor and asked, did miss Rodney speak to you sir,
about what help? Flynn consulted a slip of paper. William
Zarney F nine seven zero four three one five. He's
on today's E list. Well, what about him? It's rather complicated.
(11:59):
He seems some but he made a colossal goof and
he's paying for it. What short of goof do you mean? Well?
He was an expert computer technician the old General Data
Corporation's M ten ninety five. It's absolete now, sure, and
as fast as it was replaced with advanced models. The
(12:19):
ten ninety five technicians who found themselves out of work, Well,
that happens all the time. Why didn't Zarny train on
one of the advanced models? He did, sir? That is
he thought he did, but when he finished he couldn't
find employment. He's been trying, really working at trying, but
(12:39):
he's come up with nothing. I first heard about it
this morning and it sounded fishy to me. Well, I
should say so. Computer technician is a demand occupation, so
I checked his record and his two years of training
were put in on the eleven oh eight, which was
absolute before he finished. Is no wonder he didn't find work,
(13:02):
I see, And he is not eligible for another training
course until he's worked for five years. Well, it was
a training center's goof. Let them straighten it out. They
can waive the five year requirement for cause. Their own
goof should be cause enough. We get in touch with
(13:22):
him now, and if they'll accept him for more training,
then we can grant him an extension. He's already had
the maximum, Well, we can wave that for cause, and
his acceptance in a training program would be cause enough.
The board has broad powers of discretion. You know. It
(13:42):
doesn't use them impulsively, but it won't knowingly liquidate a
man who's potentially useful. I'll be meeting the rest of
the afternoon. If you can work something out with the
training center, appreciate it if you get word to me
right away. William Jarney left the fourth Employment office. He
(14:05):
had skipped lunch. He had not felt like eating. He
had two choices left, to go home and wait or
to go down fighting. He chose to fight. He went
to a car rental agency, where the clerk looked at
his credit card suspiciously and remarked, yeah, this expires at
(14:25):
five o'clock. He got to renew it. His journey shook
his head. See day, huh, you wouldn't be thinking of
taking your family and skipping now with you? Well, how
far could I go on? And expired the credit card?
What do you want the car for? To look for it?
For a job? And you know a five one extension?
(14:49):
I've already had the maximum just a moment he hey,
win went you saying something about some unemployed guy who
f nago ten extensions somehow? Yeah, yeah, why do you ask? Well,
this file has used up his extensions, you know how?
It was managed special case. The guy had been disabled
(15:13):
an industrial accident, something about his spine. The doctors were
confused and kept thinking, maybe you'd be able to work again.
It was medical extensions or he got Eventually your doctors
decided he was a hopeless case, so no more extensions.
They took him and his family. I think was last
e day at this fellows the days today, and he
wants a car to go look for a job. It's
(15:36):
a little late for that, isn't it. His Arnie did
not answer. He was tired of explaining about those two
years and nine months of searching and applying and waiting
in ante rooms and arguing with secretaries and receptionists and
filling out forms and data cards. It would be filed
and forgotten. Well, I'm sorry, I just can't take this,
(16:00):
misk mister turney. I don't want to lose my job
in this occupational class. One bad judgment, Mark and I'd
be on my way to e day myself. I don't understand.
Thanks anyway, Zarny turned away, more resigned than resentful. It
hadn't been a good idea anyway. He had little time left,
(16:21):
and he shouldn't be wasting and driving around outside. His
gaze focused on the massive, ugly tower of the Federal Building, which,
as everyone knew, had more computers per unit of floor
space than any other building in the city. He had
it that way. Walking quickly, Miss Philip, grumbling that they
(16:44):
meant to keep her there all night, began dictating page
seven for the fourth time. She reached the bottom of
a column of figures and paused for breath. Miss Rodney
was sorting through the next group of files. A messenger
entered and handed her an en hope. She glanced at
it skeptically.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Hm, mister door urgent, deliver immediately.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I'll that.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
William Zarnie again. But what about him?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Something about his classification?
Speaker 4 (17:23):
It can't be all that urgent, but it's not my
nick help when hot signed it?
Speaker 3 (17:29):
Still, Just to be on the safe.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Side, why don't you take it in when you have
The next page is read.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
At the Federal building, the reception is said firmly, I
don't have to check.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
We haven't had a call for that job code of years.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Well would you please check it anyway?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
Right if you insist? But I know that yes, mister Brickley.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Have you found anyone who can service a fourteen forty?
Speaker 3 (18:00):
No, sir, I've kept all the employment services and I
just don't.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Get on the phone and borrow a technician from somewhere.
Will you gets hold of someone? We're already a week
behind with the tax statements. In the whole third floor
is sitting around waiting on that damn machine.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I'll try, sir.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Is that a GDC fourteen forty? Yeah, well that's my machine.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
No, No, yours is at eleven o eight.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Look, I should know I had two years of training
on the fourteen forty.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Let's see your classification card again.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
She snapped it into a machine right off. The code
opened the classification manual.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
A means you're a Class one technician G is for
General Data Corporation K means the eleven hundred series machine D.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I never knew that. I mean, they gave me the
card and I just assumed, no wonder I couldn't get
a job.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
You actually trained on the fourteen forty.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Yeah, I trained on it for two years and they
sent me their modification specifications ever since.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
And someone comes to your master card wrong, miss Brakley.
I have a man here. He has the wrong classification,
but he claims that he trained on the fourteen forties.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
We'll soon find out. Send him up back at the
record section, mister Helpflynn asked, is there any reply yet?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
The memo just went in, but I marked it urgent.
So how urgent is urgent?
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Those who've had extensions are always processed first, and he's
had three extensions. It'll be one of the first ones taken.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
So it's only four o'clock.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Yes, but that leaves just an hour, and I don't
know how long it takes to process a cancelation.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
What's all the fuss about.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Well, this fellow trained on the latest model computers, but
someone made an error in voting his classification. His data
card makes him an expert on an obsolete model. So well,
of course no one would hire him. Now that his
classification has been corrected, he can go to work anywhere.
(20:13):
They tell me downstairs the two fourteen forty technicians are
needed in this building now, and they'll hire him this
very afternoon if he'll apply. Well, I'm going in there
and straighten this out.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Now it's your funeral.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Helplin marched away and was back two minutes later, triumphantly
waving an official cancelation card. Now all I have to
do is find a messenger and then no, in fact,
I'm going to take this over to E headquarters myself.
(20:51):
There's a short circuit in Bank ten Zarnie announced. Mister
Brakley said, how long well you'd take to fix it?
I've already fixed it, definitely. And you say you've been
out of work. How long after I finished retraining? It
(21:11):
was two years and nine months those idiots, idiots, But
why didn't you catch the air yourself? You can't tell
that a card's punch wrong just by looking at the holes. See,
even if I'd put it on a machine, that particular
code wouldn't have meant anything to me without a manual.
And no one ever said we don't need anyone for
(21:33):
the eleven o eight. So they always said, we don't
have any openings in your classification. So naturally I assumed
they were referring to the fourteen forties and everyone needs
fourteen forty technicians. I'm putting you on the night shift
and see how many machines you can have operating by morning. Yes, sure,
but this is my e eday. You see, I understand,
(21:57):
I understand. I'll take care of that yount on those
fourteen forties. Miss Rodney and Miss Phillip starting their second
hour of non compensated overtime because he could not leave
until the board journed had their boredom relieved momentarily by
a clash between mister help Flynn and mister Dor. We
(22:23):
issued a cancelation, mister Dor said, we procured a cancelation.
I handed it to you myself. What did you do
with it? They delivered it in person, also to what's
your trouble? You did not grant an extension. They crushed
off his name. But see the Manuye, his time expired.
The Master e Computer issued a warrant for him. Oh she,
(22:47):
we didn't think about that busy day, you know that
warrant overruled the cancelation without an extension, it had no
legal validities. Harney's wife and children were picked up on
schedule and taken directly to the ovens. In the meantime,
the fellow got himself a job. Well, really good for him.
(23:11):
His employer sent in the information and a request that
he be removed from the E list because he wasn't
home when the E squad came for his family. A
warrant had been posted on him. He was eligible for
E treatment on site because of the expiration. As soon
as his boss's message hit the master computer, the computer
(23:32):
dispatched a squad to pick him up at his place
of employment. Imagine that, arresting the man on his job
and hauling him away to be exterminated because he's unemployed.
Well did they get it straightened out? Of course, the
air in his classification has been corrected, and he's been
removed from the E list because he's now employed. But
(23:57):
he and his family are still dead. Jove, why did
you call me out here? There's nothing we can do
about it. I called you out to tell you that
the board is going to have some explaining to do.
Mister dor the man's employer was the federal government, and
the local office is suffering from an acute shortage of
(24:19):
computer technicians. The office manager is threatening to demand the
congressional investigation. Well, that's usually taken care of. Give him
a priority and find the technicians he needs until you
do loan in one of ours. He turned to Miss Phillip.
(24:41):
A few changes in this page, please, Miss Phillip, these
are the last. I promise. We're down to our final
order of business. Mister Door hurried away. Help Flynn stonily
headed in the other direction. Miss Phillip flipped the switch
on the microphone. Because of the.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Low unemployment rate, in the anticipated continuing reductions of joblessness,
this branch of the Poverty Control Agency.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Will be able to cut its staff immediately by twenty percent.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Further personnel reductions of at least an additional thirty percent should.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Be possible during the coming year. With the resultant.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Savings, Miss Rodney gasped, what was that. Miss Philip looked
up in surprise, turned off the voice writer.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
I wasn't paying any attention. I could dictate in my sleep.
Oh and after a day like this, I probably am
cut its staff. For the personnel reductions.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Oh, Miss Phillip and Miss Rodney stared at each other.
The board's final order of business dismissal notices. You've heard
a story by Lloyd big Old Junior titled Beachhead in
(25:59):
Your Topia. It appears in Roger Elwood's anthology Omega, published
by Fawcett. This is Michael Hanson reading Whitney was Carol Collin.
Technical operation for this broadcast by Rich Grody. Mind Webbs
is produced at WHA Radio in Madison, a service of
(26:20):
University of Wisconsin Extension
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