yourself, an intermediary? No offense intended, but I find it hard to

believe that Morpheus would actually risk such a meeting.”

“None taken. You have one man stationed outside, in the

hallway, and several others in the shop. It’s understandable that

you would wish to take security measures. Why don’t you call out to

them?”

Kobayashi raised his eyebrows. Then he called out, “Shiro!”

There was no response.

Kobayashi frowned. He called out again. “Shiro! Takeo!”

“What could be keeping them?” asked Modred, raising his

eyebrows.

Kobayashi stared at him. Then he got to his feet, went to the

door, and opened it.

It was dark inside the shop. The curtains were pulled down over

the front windows and the front door was locked, as if the shop

were closed. The salesmen, the two young tourists, Shiro, Takeo,

and the others were all standing in the darkened shop, frozen like

statues. Kobayashi stared at them with astonishment, then walked

up to his son. Shiro’s eyes were open, but he didn’t seem to see him.

“Shiro!”

They all just stood there, motionless.

Kobayashi reached out to touch his son, then pulled his hand

back. His mouth tightened. He went back into the cubicle.

“What have you done to them?”

“They are quite all right, I assure you, ” Modred said. “When our

meeting is concluded, they will be as they were before. They will be

unharmed, but they will remember nothing. They will not even be

aware that any time has passed.”

“You’re an adept!” said Kobayashi.

Modred inclined his head slightly. “I have some small skill.”

Kobayashi nodded. “That explains a great deal. It appears that I

have come to the right man.”

Modred smiled and indicated the cushion. “Please, sit down. We