“I’ll try to find out, sir, and keep you informed,” said Montgomery.
He hung up, hoping he’d be able to nail down the answer before Dodge sent Spindem out. That would be just a little more than he could take, he thought.
The following morning he was introduced to the counselor, Don Wolfe, as soon as he appeared at the Institute. Wolfe was a much younger man than either Nagle or Berkeley, but he shared the same calm assurance that he knew what it was all about. This irked Montgomery, but he hoped he could continue to keep the irritation under control and not get himself thrown out prematurely. He forced himself to listen attentively.
“Dr. Nagle gave me a run-down on the things he discussed with you yesterday,” said Wolfe. “Unless you have some questions, we’ll go into the matter of how the effects are produced.”
“The only question is whether or not I’m being accepted for work here,” said Montgomery.
Wolfe smiled. “Evidently Dr. Nagle forgot to mention that you are the one who decides that. We have quite a few people who don’t stay with us very long — after they see what I am going to show you today!”
He led the way out of the office and across the court to another building. Inside this, he took Montgomery to a small room which was lined on one side with panels of electronic equipment of some kind. It was decorated pleasantly over soundproof wall board. The furnishings consisted of a couple of chairs and a table and a couch.
Wolfe indicated a chair and gestured toward the panels. “This is the Mirror — sometimes known affectionately among Institute members as Nancy the Nemesis, or Minnie the Monster. At any rate, you’ll have some rare moments here if you decide to join us.”
“What does it do?” said Montgomery.
“As a mirror should, it offers you a look at yourself.”