Children of both sexes and of every age and size filled the Playground. Nearly all were shouting at the tops of their voices. Scattered among the group were men and women dressed in the briefest of costumes. Some participated in the children's games, but most stood and watched, in rather stony silence, the activity before them.
From one of the small buildings within the Playground, a young man walked toward Lisa and Brant. The Watcher stepped aside as he approached.
"I am Kirk Rodson," the man said to Brant and Lisa. "Director of the Playground. Can I help you?"
Brant introduced himself and Lisa to the man, and explained their purpose in coming to the Playground.
"I see," Rodson said. "There's not much to tell. Children are brought here immediately after birth and are cared for in our laboratories. Their instruction in walking and talking is accelerated by specially trained personnel. As soon as an infant learns to walk he is released into the Playground with the others for a specified time each day. He is fed a specially prepared diet. As he grows older, he is left in the Playground for increasingly longer periods of time in order that he may adjust to its demands."
"When do the children leave here?" Brant asked.
"The program of the Playground is arranged to accommodate children until they reach the age of eighteen," Rodson answered curtly.
"What generally becomes of the children then?" Lisa asked.
"Most of them become ordinary citizens. The best of the male group are trained as Watchers. The females usually join a breeder group. It is only the elect, with the highest qualifications, that can fill either of these positions."
"Who are those men and women out there with the children?" Brant asked, staring out into the crowded Playground.