There was a sudden feeling of hope that Ernie held a monkey wrench in his hand. First, he would find out all about the thing, then he would raise hail Columbia to the two Congrice observers and get them to thumbs-down the experiment. Then, if there was an ounce of humaneness in them, they would free him.
"Okay, I'll calm down. But let me know the rest. When will I see Melinee?"
"Marsha," the man said firmly, "will be along shortly. We must first lift the initial dimension prototype to the exact level of your house. Every coordinate must match each stick of furniture in your own dimension. Then we can begin working outward—"
"Working outward?"
"From your house. It is to be the beginning of this—er—civilization you and Marsha are to create. You will observe in each direction there is still darkness? When we have manipulated the realm into the exact position of the ground floor of your house, we will install a series of transitional burnouts. These will break down molecular resistance which our more powerful equipment creates on solid portions of your house. Everything will fit into place, and you and Marsha will report to us regularly."
Ernie was fuming. "Then we are your prisoners?"
"Oh, but you'll enjoy every minute of it! We created the origin, the nucleus, in the home of some newlywed in your dimension for the mere purpose of convenience of adaptability. We will bring in teams who will plant ersatz crops, trees, cut streams, create weather—put life into the whole place. With your dimension's home and our dimension's scientific advantages, you can have full reign of populating a wonderful new world."
Ernie was madder than he had ever remembered. "And if I refuse?"
"You can't refuse. Marsha will be here momentarily; we have been experimenting with her changes in hair, mood, expression—we hypnotized her on occasions. The extra door in the hallways? Sooner or later she will see it, wonder as you did and open it. This time we will have the magnetic field force turned on. You see, Ernie, you came in the wrong way and—" and here he paused abruptly—"quite a problem has been posed."
"I'll say it has!"