"Max Krandall did not, and could not, send a thing."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because it's your birthday," Williams 4 said. "We of the Postal Department always give special service for birthdays. Here you are."
Williams 4 gave him a handful of mail, birthday greetings from Janie, and from his aunts, uncles and cousins on Earth.
"Something else here," Williams 4 said, rummaging in his bag. "I think there was something else here. Let me see.... Yes, here it is."
He handed Morrison a small package.
Hastily, Morrison tore off the wrappings. It was a birthday present from his Aunt Mina in New Jersey. He opened it. It was a large box of salt-water taffy, direct from Atlantic City.
"Quite a delicacy, I'm told," said Williams 4, who had been peering over his shoulder. "But not very satisfactory under the circumstances. Well, young man, I hate to see anyone die on his birthday. The best I can wish you is a speedy and painless departure."
The robot began walking toward the vortex.