Free Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer Page B

answer."
    She smiled cryptically. "They give exactly the same three answers for the number one," she said, scrolling the screen.
        [Question]  1  [belongs  to]  [prime  numbers]
    [Answer 1]  [correct]  [good]
    [Answer 2]  [incorrect]  [good]
    [Answer 3]  [delta]
    "Again, that's gibberish," he said. "One either is or isn't prime. And, well, it is , isn't it? I mean, a prime is a number that's only evenly divisible by itself or one, right?"
    "Is that what they taught you at Humberside Collegiate? We used to define one as a prime; you'll see it called such in some old math books. But these days, we don't. Primes are generally thought of as numbers that have precisely two whole-number factors, themselves and one. One has only one whole-number factor, and so isn't a prime."
    "Seems rather arbitrary," said Don.
    "You're right. It is a debatable point. One is definitely an oddball as primes go. And two—well, it's not an odd -ball; it's an even -ball. That is, it's the only even prime number. You could just as arbitrarily define the set of primes as all odd numbers that have precisely two whole-number factors. If you did it that way, then two isn't a prime."
    "Ah."
    "See? That's what they're conveying. Delta is a symbol that means, I think, 'It's a matter of opinion.' Neither answer is wrong ; it's just a matter of personal preference, see?"
    "That's fascinating."
    She nodded. "Now, the next part of the message is really interesting. Elsewhere, they established symbols for 'sender' and 'recipient'—or 'me,' the person sending the message, and 'you,' the person receiving it."
    "Okay."
    "And with those," said Sarah, "they get down to the nitty gritty. Look at this." Her display changed:
        [Question]  [good]  :  [bad]
    [Answer]  [sender]  [opinion]  [good]  >>  [bad]
    "See? The question is, what's the relationship between good and bad. And the response from the sender, who had said previously, when discussing factual matters, that good is the opposite of bad, now says something quite a bit more interesting: good is much greater than bad—a significant philosophical statement."
    " 'Does not your sacred book promise that good is stronger than evil?' "
    Sarah felt her eyes go wide. "You're quoting the Bible?"
    "Um, actually, no. That's Star Trek . Second season, 'The Omega Glory.' " He shrugged sheepishly. " 'Yes, it is written: good shall always destroy evil.' "
    Sarah shook her head in loving despair. "You'll be the death of me yet, Donald Halifax."
 

-- Chapter 11 --

    "McGavin Robotics," said a crisp, efficient female voice. "Office of the president."
    For once, Don wished he did have a picture phone; for all he knew, he was talking to a robot. "I'd like to speak to Cody McGavin, please."
    "Mr. McGavin is unavailable. May I ask who's calling?"
    "Yes. My name is Donald Halifax."
    "May I ask what this is about?"
    "I'm the husband of Sarah Halifax."
    "Ah, yes. The SETI researcher, no?"
    "That's right."
    "What can I do for you, Mr. Halifax?"
    "I need to talk to Mr. McGavin."
    "As you might imagine, Mr. McGavin's schedule is very full. Perhaps there's something I can help you with?"
    Don sighed, beginning to get it. "How many layers deep am I ?"
    "I'm sorry?"
    "How many layers between you and McGavin? If I give you a message, and you decide it's worth passing on, it doesn't go to McGavin, does it?"
    "Not normally, no. I'm the receptionist for the president's office."
    "And your name is?"
    "Ms. Hashimoto."
    "And who do you report to?"
    "Mr. Harse, who is the secretary to Mr. McGavin's secretary."
    "So I have to get through you, then the secretary's secretary, then the secretary, before I get to McGavin, is that right?"
    "We do have to follow procedures, sir. I'm sure you understand that. But of course things can be escalated quickly, if appropriate. Now, if you'll just tell me what you need...?"
    Don took a deep breath, then let it out. "Mr. McGavin paid for my wife and me to undergo