the human element
BY LEO KELLEY
It was absolutely amazing what science could do.
The last century of progress had been wonderful!
Why even the circus was far better—or was it?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, June 1957.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"Going to the circus?" the man with the sallow complexion asked.
Kevin nodded but didn't look at his questioner. He nervously brushedback the lock of gray hair from his lined forehead and pushed hisrimless glasses into a more secure position on his nose. His worriedexpression made him look older than his forty-eight years.
"Hear it's better than ever," the man continued in a flat tonelessvoice. "The Great Golden Ball is supposed to be really something.Or so they say. I go every year. It's really amazing what they can donowadays—science, I mean. Even the circus is better for it."
Is it? thought Kevin as the speeding, robot driven monorail transportrocketed past the brilliant pastel buildings shining slimly in thesunlight filtering through the plastic dome covering New New York. Oh,is it?
The man next to Kevin, discouraged by the lack of response to hisattempts at conversation, quieted and both men relaxed in the privacyof their own thoughts.
At any rate, the other man did. Kevin couldn't relax. His son anddaughter-in-law with whom he lived could not be aware of his absenceyet, Kevin reassured himself. No one knew he was here. And when the mencame for him, and Sally, perhaps with tears in her eyes, went to fetchhim and his small suitcase it would be too late.
And that would be that.
The transport slowed noiselessly to a stop and most of the passengersrose to leave. The robot driver sat motionless until the last of thepeople, Kevin among them, stepped from the loading platform to theground. The electronic currents whirred, the doors closed and, thecircuit complete, the transport moved off into the shining caverns ofthe city.
The people hurried forward and passed quickly through the entrance tothe amphitheater over which hung a sign:
MAIN ENTRANCE TO 2088
VERSION OF CALDWELL'S
GIANT CIRCUS
Kevin watched the people file through the entrance and slowly, almostreluctantly, followed them. He presented the red plastic coin tothe robot at the entrance, but hardly heard as its electrical voicecrackled, "Thank you, sir. Enjoy the show."
Kevin walked with the crowd along the spotless corridor and steppedaboard the automatic lift, getting out at the floor above. He seatedhimself in one of the comfortable lounging chairs and shudderedslightly as it fitted itself to the contours of his body. His fingersclutched tightly the undistinguished box he carried and somethingwithin him resisted the comfort offered by the large chair in which hesat.
People continued to file in and take places and the amphitheater wasquickly filled. Soundlessly. The walls absorbed the sound and invisiblefilters removed the dust from the air. Occasionally people tooksmall pills from the containers built into the sides of their chairsand popped them into their mouths. Kevin knew the pills tasted likepopcorn, candy floss, and some even like hot dogs. But they were, ofcourse, not the same as the real thing. Neither was the amphitheater.
Once there had been great canvas tents put up in the open air, and woodshavings covering the ground within, and hard