Not Quite Ready for Society

finally improved to the point where it was thought he might

be released. The psychiatrist that ran the institution

decided it was better to proceed with caution, and chose to

interview him first.

"Tell me," said the doctor, "if we release you, as we are

considering, what do you plan to do with your life?"

The inmate said, "It would be wonderful to get back to real

life, and if I do, I will certainly refrain from making my

former mistake. I was a nuclear physicist, you see, and it

was the stress of my work in weapons research that helped to

put

me here. If I am released, I shall limit myself to work in

pure theory, where I believe the situation will be less

difficult and stressful."

"Wonderful," said the psychiatrist.

"Or else," continued the patient, "I might teach. There is

something to be said for dedicating your life to expanding

the knowledge of young people."

"Definitely," said the psychiatrist.

"Then again, I might write. There is always a need for books

on science, or I may even write a novel based on my

experiences in the psychiatric institution."

"Another interesting possibility," agreed the doctor.

"And finally, if none of these things appeals to me, I can

always continue to be a teakettle."