"Of course. London was at least as populous as New York City before the plague. It's only logical that—"
He stopped. For even as he spoke, the light winked out! The counter clicked again.
One.
Alone.
Alone!
Charles screamed.
The bottom dropped out from under him!
Why?
Such a simple question, but in those three letters lay the essence of human nature. Why. The drive of curiosity. Stronger, in a way, than the so-called "basic" drives: hunger, thirst, sex, shelter, warmth, companionship, elimination. Certainly more decisive in the history of the race. Man began to think, to differentiate himself from the other animals, when he first asked the question: "Why?"