Free Desperate Games by Pierre Boulle Page B

extent that its developers found themselves confronted sooner than expected with a mass of details which had not yet been studied. Mrs Betty Han’s prediction had been correct: at the start of the twenty-first century, more or less all over our planet, the leaders had become tired of governing, exhausted by their sterile efforts to resolve problems which were beyond their competence, and all the peoples of the world had a vague awareness of the situation. The letter from the
Nobels
arrived just at the right moment and the evidence contained in it impressed everybody. Their prestige and the weight carried by their unanimity (the internal divisions had been carefully hidden from the public) made an enormous impression. Finally, their initiative in doing away with the concept of essential secrets by bringing down scientific barriers made the positions of heads of state untenable. Almost all of them gave in and handed in their resignation immediately. A few rare ones who resisted were obliged to do the same when they were swept aside by the torrent of public opinion which imperiously demanded that they depart.
    Fawell had won the competition brilliantly. Yranne and Mrs Han tied for second place. In fact the mathematician’scomposition raised him a fraction of a point above the psychologist, but the jury agreed with O’Kearn’s opinion: the psychologist deserved to have her mark raised by the same fraction, due to her decision to check herself the integrity of the envelope containing the exam topic, not trusting anyone, not even the
Nobels
. Such audacity revealed that she had character, and one should take that into account in a test intended to judge suitability to govern. With Zarratoff coming third, the promoters of the scientific world government became its principal members, which was only fair. It was left to Fawell himself to designate his vice-president. After hesitating a little, he chose Yranne, whose clarity of thought and mathematical ability to simplify things he appreciated. These qualities would be valuable in putting the world in order. He reserved the right to seek the advice of Betty often, concerning problems requiring subtlety and a keen psychological sense.
    As soon as he was elected, he started to put into practice the programme which he had outlined in general terms. This started off quite well, but more slowly than he had foreseen. There was no avowed opposition but there was a certain listlessness in carrying out the plans, which worried him. As Yranne could not suggest any remedy for this apathy, he asked Betty for her opinion.
    ‘Lack of enthusiasm,’ she said without hesitation. ‘If you remember, I predicted it. The people certainly respect science, but they don’t have the same feeling for it as we do. The conception they have of it is not sufficient to fire their spirit momentarily and make them increase their efforts. It is necessary to excite their senses.’
    ‘I agree with you completely. We will never achieve anything great without passion, and that is what seems to be lacking. But do you know of any means of arousing such fervour?’
    ‘There are very simple means.’
    And she mentioned several initiatives which, from her experience, ought to be effective. She thought that enthusiasm for aworld state could be provoked by a world anthem, a world flag and a world festival of music, a parade and a fireworks display. These measures were discussed during a council of ministers and adopted after a long debate, despite opposition by Zarratoff who disapproved of such childishness.
    As the festival was to be celebrated in all the cities of the world, the members of the government had gone to the main ones to preside over the ceremonies. In New York, the official procession with Fawell at its head made its way first towards Science Square. Washington Square, at the end of Fifth Avenue, had been renamed thus, and it was here that the parade was to take place.
    Almost all over the world other