Calm. Stay calm. Make a cool, objective appraisal.
But how?
Nine out of ten people picked this world. Larry ran his fingers over the rough brick of the building, and felt the tension beginning to curdle his stomach. Nine out of ten. Am I the tenth? Am I going to decide to go back to a lifetime of unworry?
It seemed so. This dirty, hypertense, overcrowded place seemed boundlessly undesirable. The choice was obvious.
But still....
He shook his head. After a moment of complete unthought, he let go of the side of the building and took a few hesitant steps forward. He was really frightened now. Suddenly, he wanted to be home, wanted to know again the smooth placidity of an unworried day.
He started to walk faster, then to run. After half a block, he stopped, suddenly.
Where am I running?
He didn't know. He felt trapped, hemmed in, overwhelmed by despair.
So this is the City? Sorry, I don't care for it.