"Look, Thomas, stay on the subject. I want to know what's with the works."
Lionel laughed. "What's so important?"
"Look, man, I'm a psychiatrist. The functioning of the human mind is my baby. Or," he added bitterly, "it should be. But, darn it, all we can do is to surmise, theorize, hope and pray. We don't know what makes schizophrenics, or manic-depressives or any of the other mental quirks. We aren't even certain why some people are well liked while others, of almost identical get-together are heartily disliked. But you've come up with a little dingus that causes a switch-over from one personality to another merely by pushing a button. Find out why and we psychiatrists may some day get to first base in psychoanalysis."
"Um—I suppose a real pathophone would be a help."
"Pathophone is a good word," smiled the psychiatrist, "but to dig into a warped mind without having the erroneous impressions and false evaluation clouding the only entry ... we'd be able to clear up almost any mental condition. Now, how does it work?"
"I am not prepared to say. I was seeking experimental data on the 'epicenter' of the poltergeist phenomena—the poltergeist usually manifests in the vicinity of or because of some central influence—usually a person who is unaware of his potentiality. At any rate, I was setting up a series of local magnetic and electrostatic fields and then trying the micro-microwave spectrum for response. I was running up through the region between long heat radiation and micro-micro radio waves when—blooey!—I was the engineer. I switched back eventually and consolidated my findings into that little tungsten box."
"I want the dope on it."
"I'll give it to you," nodded Thomas. "As soon as I make some final measurements and consolidate my data."
"Fine. Mind telling me what causes the poltergeist?"