morale?
-I wouldn't ask that if I were you.
Noys Lambent...
is here for a deliberate purpose.
She is performing an essential function.
It is only temporary.
Try to endure her meanwhile.
Furthermore, you'll have
to visit the 48th century,
and make certain observations
while in her company.
I'm Dr. Twissell's personal Technician!
Yes?! Of course.
But may I remind you,
you're still only a Technician!
And I am a Computer. If I give you an
order, you have to follow it. Understood?
Yes, Computer.
Come in.
Good day, Technician Harlan.
Computer Finge asked me
to deliver the previous reports.
You might find them useful.
-Thank you.
Curious photographs.
What century is that?
-Those are from Primitive history.
What a strange room you have.
Cold, empty walls...
And the atmosphere...
I hadn't noticed.
Don't you get lonely here?
Is it considered polite here not to
answer when a woman asks you a question?
All right, then.
I'll see you, Technician Harlan.
Technician Harlan.
Your instructions are ready.
Computer Finge is expecting you.
So, your mission is to stay in the 48th
century, in Noys Lambent's villa.
Computer, I protest.
This must be some mistake.
I can't live in the same house with that woman.
-Why not?
If this is what your mission requires?
Perhaps you have feelings for her.
-If anyone has them, it's not me.
You've got quite a mouth, Technician.
The great Twissell has spoiled you.
Well, if your professional pride permits
it, I might explain further.
Please do.
The Timers must never know
we induce Reality Changes.
If people lose faith in their future,
it would incur terrible consequences.
Computer, I learned all this as a Cub.
-Patience.
Currently, in the 48th century,
there developed a certain...
undesirable belief.
Its development poses serious
difficulties for us, risks even.
We'd like to induce a Reality Change,
To root out this belief.
You're tasked with the
preparatory observation.
Might I inquire as to the nature
of this undesirable belief? -You may not!
For your observation to be accurate,
you must not have any preconceptions.
You'll come across it yourself.
Discover it, and document
it in your reports. That's all.
Welcome, Technician Harlan.
You're in for an interesting evening.
How old are you?
Thirty-four.
I’m younger than you.
What a shame. It won't be long
beofre I start looking older than you.
What are you talking about?
You live forever.
We grow old and die like anyone else.
By the way, do you remember my name?
I remember.
Then why don't you call me
by my name, at least once?
I'm begging you.
Do you want me to get down
on my knees? -No, don't.
Please.
-My name, then.
My name.
-Noys.
Of course it's Noys. Noys...
How do you like it?
-It's good.
Where is that music coming from?
Or am I hearing things?
From here.
Do you dance?
-I don't know how.
I want to be an Eternal.
Only you can make me an Eternal.
That's impossible.
-It's possible.
Anything's possible. You just
have to be a little bolder.
Please send these reports
to Computer Finge. -Yes, sir.
Oh, Cooper.
-Sir,
We scheduled a lesson at this time
two days ago.
Yes. Yes we did.
Do you recall...
What we were supposed to discuss today?
You... said you'd tell me about...
Advertisements?
Indeed. Advertisements, then.
They are a type of
social communication...
Created in the 19th
century of Primitive history.
It attracts the attention of the buyer.
You have samples on the desk.
It's so primitive.
No seller would admit the shortcomings
of their own product.
And the actual quality of the products
was surely exaggerated. -That's right.
But here's the interesting part.
Advertisements turned out to be
a good guide to those centuries.
No book gives you as much information
about the physical makeup of things
as an advertisement.
Do you know what a 'tennis ball' is?
The books of the period often
mention the game of tennis.
But they never explain