"There isn't any, really. In that case the depression was due to a concatenation of events. In the case at the Oak Tool Works, the accident per se has already happened, but it will happen at eight o'clock. You, Peter Wright, will witness the accident that will happen and make a suitable settlement."
"Let's hire the prognosticator," suggested Wright.
"The laboratory is working full time on a means of utilizing the principle in our business. To date they are not successful. For me, I hope they are never successful. I'll stick to the statistical experience, since true prognostication depends upon some sort of pre-destination, which if true makes a mockery of all effort."
"All right," grumbled Peter Wright. "I'm going. What sort of accident is ... will it be?"
"Go prepared for anything from simple abrasion to loss of limb. I doubt the possibility of death, but—"
"I give up," groaned Wright.
"Where's Delinge?" asked the man at the Oak Tool Works.
"Vacationing on Mars, I believe."
"No offense, young man. I'd prefer him only because he has experience in this. I'll have to spend some time in explaining to you, as a newcomer, just what really goes on."
"What I'd like to know," said Wright, "is some means of averting these predictable accidents."