Brave New Worlds

surface machinery and positions. Many work periods ago Timer Andrew visited the surface and brought the book down to us. Many men have read it but none of us understand it. The work it describes it hard for us to imagine. "
    "This is a surface manual?" asked Waterhammer. "I remember the surface. I was on the surface when I was at the breeding farm. It was a horrible place. Strange machines. No work. Why would we want to keep words from the surface here in the world?"
    Jordan said, "You know the words of men, don't you?"
    "Yes, of course. We all know them. I learned them at the breeding farm. "
    "No," Jordan said. "Not the words of instruction. Not the reading for manuals and commands, the words of men. " Jordan groped with his right hand and found Waterhammer's hand next to his. He put his hand under Waterhammer's and made a fist. He extended three fingers in the sign for "be still. " then he made the sign for "run," a single extended finger.
    "You know these," Jordan said. "I know you do. "
    "Yes," said Waterhammer. "I learned those at the farm too. "
    Jordan said, "these are the words of men. Control does not understand these words. The words in the book and the words I give you now are also the words of men. Timer Andrew told us. "
    "Perhaps Timer Andrew was defective. "
    "Many men thought that. But his word requires my agreement. The word requires agreement from many of us. Today I ordered your repair because the gaffer would not yield to the loader. Gaffer's action required my agreement. "
    "He expected you would drive through us," said Waterhammer.
    "If he did, why did he put his body in front of me?" Jordan asked.
    Waterhammer was silent. He let two breaths pass between them. Then he said, "I know that gaffer from the breeding farm. He always kept his body close to mine. When we learned he sat in proximity. When we were washed and fed he stood behind me in the queue. He was always close to me in the elevators. Now he is assigned to you as I am and he remains close to me. I think he follows commands from the book. "
    "Have you shown him the book?"
    "No," said Waterhammer.
    "Why do you think he follows the commands in the book if he has never seen the instructions?"
    "I think the instructions are in him. I think he has been programmed. "
    Jordan said, "Timer Andrew said some instructions were in all of us. Not just the instructions for work, to gaff, to hammer, to load, to drive and to time—but further instruction. Information we know but do not act on. He said one instruction above all would help the men. It's the instruction, ‘to love. '"
    "I have read that instruction many times. Still, I don't completely understand it but I feel the instruction in my body. "
    "I do too," said Jordan. "And that is why I have chosen you to carry the word of Timer Andrew in secret. You have shown caring. "
    "Caring?"
    "It is a word of Timer Andrew. You have done your work with energy that comes from your feeling. You smile when the work is going well. I know you
    can feel your actions. You feel them as I. "
    "Yes, I do feel my work," said Waterhammer.
    "Each of us learns the word of Timer Andrew and does his best to understand it. Before you are terminated you will choose another man and give him the word. I will teach you how to find someone. In the mean time, you must know that it is not for you to understand Andrew. You need only pass the words to another. Timer Andrew said it was important that the word remains alive in men. The salvation of the men depends on the word. When all men know the word, men will be saved. "
    "Saved? Why do we need to be saved?" Waterhammer asked.
    "I don't know" said Jordan. "Perhaps, in time, one of us will know. For now, you must keep the word to yourself. Control will terminate you for having heard it. They will terminate you for simply mentioning the name ‘Andrew. ' Loaders are no longer given that name so you may never mention it. If they find you, they will terminate all of us. "
    "I will keep the word," said Waterhammer.
    "And when you are promoted to loader and are given your name, you will be given the power to terminate men. And then you will pass the word to another whom you can watch. And if you feel he will slip, if you feel he will make a mistake and utter the word of Andrew to any other you will terminate him before he takes a step forward. these instructions will not be repeated. "
    "I understand, Loader Jordan. "
    "Very good. Now, let's begin. . . "

    Jordan removed his