Modesto, California, January, 2078, Tuesday…

KGDY had one of the valley's most popular radio talk shows. Occasionally Rick Rollins wondered why. In a day when the indentured servant of a big agribusiness concern could watch a soap opera or music video in the comfort of his air-conditioned cab on top of his combine, radio seemed to be too old a technology. Yet Rick Rollins was known up and down the valley, from Fresno to Turlock and from Paso Robles to Yosemite. Some technologies just have staying power.

"Today another K-goody special: with us we have Professor Lawrence Brown, from UC Modesto, to talk about his encounter last week with religious hooligans right here on campus." There was the usual sound track that followed the introduction of a new topic. Few listeners knew that it was the century-old Twilight Zone theme. "Professor, you still look like you're in bad shape."

"You can call me Larry. Yes, Rick, I'm lucky to be alive. I'm paralyzed from the waist down."

"Have the police made any progress on the case, professor?"

"Not really. They suspect that one of the students in my course was a member of the group that attacked me. At least he hasn't come back to class. I'm afraid I can't divulge his name."

"Can you tell our listeners what your course was about? Why did these nutcases attack you?"