The Epilogue
t was time.
The caption reading ‘Special Broadcast’ faded from the screen and a hirsute gentleman with a stern countenance appeared. He spoke.
“Good evening.” It was a voice of authority, precise, but held back as if restraining a tendency to boom.
“This broadcast is being transmitted throughout the world, at appropriate times and in appropriate languages.” He looked straight to camera, his slender fingers linked together on the dark surface
before him.
“My intention is that as many of the world’s people should receive this message directly, to ensure there can be no misunderstanding. This is the only broadcast I shall make.”
He spoke with calm serenity, pausing longer than was usual between sentences, as if waiting for the portent of his words to sink into the minds of his listeners.
“The message I have for you is one which may or may not directly affect you as individuals. But it will surely have political consequences world-wide, and such is my wish. When I first announced
my request to make a broadcast — when I made my most recent contact with international representatives — there was, I understand, a deal of controversy, and indeed scepticism, concerning my authenticity. As many of you know, I have made other approaches in the past. On those occasions also was my genuineness questioned.
“On these previous occasions, and indeed subsequently, opinion has been divided, and many of you have formed informal groups, societies and learned institutions to debate my intentions.” The old man’s expression, already severe, now became a scowl as he leaned towards the camera.
“Some of you, however, in spite of my repeated insistence, have for reasons of your own decided to behave in a manner calculated to frustrate me. No matter… No matter that, in the face of abundant
manifestations of my direct influence on all you see and do, some of you have steadfastly maintained your spurious independence. Still others, abdicating your duty to assert your places in relation to the world, have clung firmly — too firmly for credibility — to your notion that any discussion on the subject is meaningless.” He paused in his monologue, and there was a small movement of his clasped hands lifting and falling upon the desk in front of him.
