From the other side of the camera's blank eye Number Two watched Six and the girl in his embrace. They had their heads together talking, though far too softly for the microphones to pick up. Not a happy conversation by the look of it. But very intimate. All he could expect from two such contentious individuals.
"How long are you going to allow them to whisper like that?" The Supervisor demanded.
"She's confiding in him now," he said. "And he in her."
"Conspiring, more likely."
Two shook his head in irritation."In conspiracy exists a bond."
"Your method is quite reckless."
"In what way? They are being monitored. Any conspiracy they hatch will soon be discovered." His lip curled. "Everything is well in hand."
The Supervisor maintained a skeptical silence.
Time would prove him out. It was obvious that the girl was rending her heart to Six and he was responding. Compassion was Six's undoing. The man could not resist the hero's role even when he understood the futility of it.
On the screen the little act was breaking up. Something had been said that soured the mood. Six got to his feet. Seven remained seated on the bed. She looked positively ill. Poor child. It wouldn't do to have her dying on him, not just yet. A little time to recover. Perhaps even a medical would be in order.
Six looked down at Casey. Something was turning round in that suborn head of hers. Not likely he'd get it out of her tonight. She stared at the floor swaying slightly. He reached down and put a finger under her chin, lifting her face. Her eyes were glassy. She was going to collapse on him.
"You aught to lie down," he said.
"What good dose it do you to know?"
"The answers to questions are always of value."
"If I ask nice maybe they will put that on my grave stone." she said dreamily.
"Not likely. It's contrary to the philosophy of the Village," he said.
He pulled the covers back and she half fell over onto the pillow. He had to swing her legs up on the bed for her. It was like tucking in an overgrown toddler.
As he arranged the blanket over her, she said, "The Village," her eyes closed, "a beautiful prison for the mind."
How very true. He shut out the light and left her. The fun was ended. They would come soon. He looked up at the camera as he paced the room.
Exhaustion was sapping his patience."Enjoy the show?" he snapped at it.
On the other side of that camera Number Two glowered back at Six.