Ted really loved his wife, but somehow the blonde next door kept popping into his dreams--and making them a vivid reality....
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy September 1951 Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
_El outer-thought, "I've had all I want of it, haven't you?"_
_Nothing from Bee for seconds, and then: "I--don't know. I suppose. You've been inner-thinking, El. You've been brooding?"_
_"I've been brooding. When did our bodies go, Bee?"_
_"When Lust was killed. I think we made a mistake, El. I think, at the time, we were bemused. He wasn't the best of the gods, but he had his points. We've been inner-thinking alike, dear. This plane isn't enough. But what--" Silence._
_She thought, "Over the hills? This isn't all of our land. There are people in Valdora."_
_"Not--the kind of people I want to be. And how about the others, how about the Assembly? Will they feel as we do?"_
_"Why not? Don't they miss the colors they can't see, the grass they can't smell, the streams they can't hear? Weren't they human, too, once?"_
_"They were. And perhaps they think as we do. But they won't project anyone to Valdora. We don't want any part of that town. However, dear, I'll bring it up. If I had a belly, I'd have a bellyful of this."_
_In the glade they couldn't see, above the stream they couldn't hear, the Assembly met._
_"I've some," Bee thought. "It's--it may be mutiny."_
_"We'll listen," Peak answered. "Speaking for myself, and myself alone, I'm ready to listen to mutiny. So long as it doesn't involve Valdora. I wouldn't be surprised if the others agree. Could it concern the resurrection of a minor god who grew major?"_
_Peak was silent as the affirmative thoughts poured in from the entire assembly. Then Peak thought, "I'm sure we won't need a vote on that. And_ how _would we resurrect Lust?"_
_"Not by importing Valdorans," Bee answered._
_"Nor any of the others," Peak summed up for them. "So--...."_
_The scientist Lern thought, "Is this the only planet in the galaxy? Why confine our thinking?"_
_"Not that bloody Mars," Peak thought. "I'll veto that, every time."_