Free The Intruder by Greg Krehbiel Page A

              *
    At the 10:00 sociology lab, Jeremy asked for another round of introductions and was careful to associate names and faces, especially MacKenzie's. She was modestly dressed, unlike some of the people in the class who wore elaborate hairstyles and fantastic clothing. Her brown hair was neat, but not overdone. She was pleasant-looking, but not beautiful, and she looked thin, although her clothes made it hard to tell. He smiled and nodded at her when her turn came, and she winked back.
    The class went on much as it had the day before. Most of the questions focused on the socialization of children in the Community. This was the seminar topic for the semester, and the students asked about some things Jeremy had never even considered before. Was there an average age for weaning and potty training? Were boys encouraged to be more athletic than girls? Did fathers prefer their boys, or mothers their girls?
    It was a much harder interview than he expected. Jeremy had to stop and think before almost every answer, and he was surprised how much he didn't know.
    When class was over, Jeremy had one piece of business to attend to.
    "Hey MacKenzie," he said before she could get away. "What are you doing for lunch?"
    *               *               *
    "Double duty today," Dr. Berry said to Jeremy as he grabbed a cup of coffee at the psychology lab later that afternoon. The room was much larger than the intimate settings of the sociology class -- which Dr. Berry had missed that morning -- and there was a correspondingly larger audience.
    "Yes, but it's been very helpful," he said. "I've learned a lot about Society. I've even learned some things about the Community. I'm a little more worried about these guys, though." He pointed to the assembled crew of nine psychology teachers and 15 students.
    "You'll do fine," Dr. Berry said. "But if things get difficult, or you feel uncomfortable, remember that you don't have to answer the questions. And one other thing. Doctor business this time. I need to see you for a follow-up visit. You can come to the office, or I can just meet you somewhere."
    "How's this evening in the lobby of my hotel?" he said, uncomfortable with the idea of going back to her office, unless he had to.
    "Sure. How's seven?"
    *               *               *
    A moment later there was an exchange of pleasantries and introductions, but the teacher of this psychology lab came from a different mold than Phyllis.
    "First of all, Jeremy," he said as he began the interview, "we should tell you that we've read the transcript of your conversations with the sociology class." Jeremy didn't know there was a transcript. "You've given us some very useful information about the Community, but I believe our approach will be slightly different, and perhaps our analysis will be a little deeper."
    He smiled self-assuredly and glanced around the room. A few of the other professors returned his arrogant smirk while others rolled their eyes.
    As the professor's voice droned on in the background, Jeremy received a message over his implant.
    From Doctor Berry. Chat mode requested.
    "Thank you, professor," he said aloud. Accepted, he sent.
    Be careful with this guy. He likes to impress his class by being tough on people, Dr. Berry's voice said through his implant. It was the first time she had sent him a message during one of these sessions, and the first time Jeremy had used chat mode.
    Thanks for the warning.
    "I'd like to start the questions myself, if you don't mind," the professor began. He liked to be called "professor," while most of the other teachers went by their first names.
    Jeremy nodded.
    "There is one striking omission from your anecdotal accounts of life in the Community," the professor began. "You explain that you grew up believing Society to be oppressive and invasive of personal liberties, and that you've found that not to be the case." He said this with the