The story revolves around Fredricks, a psychology student who was subjected to hypnosis and conditioning by Professor O'Hara at Drake University. This conditioning allowed him to suppress his knowledge of the underground movement and its plans for sabotage. Years later, Fredricks is working inside Security when he is discovered by Mesner, who had been tracking him down. Mesner removes Fredricks from Security and subjects him to an inquisition, where he is forced to reveal all that he knows. However, just as Mesner thinks he has succeeded in extracting the information he needs, a blind girl whispers a phrase that triggers off Fredrick's suppressed knowledge, allowing him to remember everything. He then kills Mesner and escapes with the help of the blind girl. Fredricks is eventually captured by Security and subjected to further torture and interrogation. However, just as they think they have broken him, he reveals that he has been working for the underground all along and that his memories were a ruse to protect himself. In reality, Fredricks was one of the saboteurs who had been conditioned to remember everything when triggered by a specific phrase. He is taken away and put in Zany-Ward No. 104, where he meets other Eggheads who have also been bipped and are being rehabilitated. The story takes a turn when it is revealed that the Zany-Wards are actually bases of operation for the underground movement, and that they are working to disrupt the Era of Normalcy. The Eggheads are not just victims of the purge, but are actively working against the regime. The story ends with Fredricks learning more about the Zany-Wards and the plans of the underground movement. He is told that if their sabotage work doesn't soon cause people to rebel against the Era of Normalcy, they will be the only sane people left in the world. Overall, the story is a commentary on the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of individual freedom and autonomy. It highlights the ways in which individuals can resist oppression and fight back against those who seek to control them.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1986 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Suspense