"Because their desires are not the same."
"Very good. Now imagine a humanity without desires, as you and Jason understand desire. What would be the result?"
"It is impossible to conceive. The wheels of the world would cease turning. We should be like sheep without a shepherd." He surveyed me quietly for some time. "Then you think the germ will kill desire?"
"I know it. I am a living example. I have no desires. I am like a man without a body, I am immortal."
Jason laughed.
"You are above temptation?" he asked.
"Absolutely. Neither money, power nor woman has any influence on me. They are meaningless."
"You have, perhaps, reached Nirvana?" the Premier enquired.
"Yes. That is why I am immortal. I have reached Nirvana."
"By a trick."