Hex

by Robert Sheckley

"And you should know that there is nothing you can do tome now." She reached into her bag and brought out a small wooden crossshe had brought with her from the old country. She waved it at Gloriawildly.

  "Do anything to you? What do you mean, Mrs. Wladek?"

  "Hah," Mrs. Wladek said. "You need not pretend with me. This frightensyou. No?"

  Gloria blinked. "I'm afraid not," she said.

  "But ... you are trying to fool me," Mrs. Wladek said. "And I will notbe fooled. I wait here for your boss, your supervisor."

  There was nothing else to do. "All right," Gloria said.

  * * * * *

  Everybody stared, of course, but none of the other workers came over tofind out why Mrs. Wladek had come in on a day that wasn't herappointment day. With Mrs. Wladek right there, asking questions justwasn't possible. Gloria tried to get some work done, but that wasn'tpossible either, and she resigned herself at last to sitting quietly andwaiting for Mr. Fredericksohn's arrival.

  She promised herself she'd make up for the loss of time by taking ashorter lunch hour, and that relieved her mind a little. But she didhope Mr. Fredericksohn would be early.

  Thankfully, he was. At nine twenty-five exactly, the door opened and Mr.Fredericksohn entered. He glanced once round the office, saw Mrs. Wladekand went on. A second later he stopped.

  He didn't have a chance to say anything. Mrs. Wladek was at his side. "Imust see you at once," she said. "I must see you alone, at once."

  He stared at her. "Miss Scott here, I'm sure, can--"

  "It is about Miss Scott that I want to talk to you," Mrs. Wladek hissed.

  Mr. Fredericksohn glanced at Gloria. She busied herself with papers. Atlast he said: "Come with me," and led Mrs. Wladek down the aisle intohis private office. The door closed.

  Ten minutes passed and the door opened. Mr. Fredericksohn's headprojected. "Miss Scott," he said. "May I see you for a minute?"

  The curiosity in the office was almost a solid pressure, but Gloria paidit no attention. She said: "Certainly," put away the folder she had beenconsulting, and went in.

  There, at the side of Mr. Fredericksohn's desk, Mrs. Wladek was sitting,looking determined, grim and baffled all at once. Gloria stood in frontof the desk and Mr. Fredericksohn seated himself behind it, the largeopen window at his back.

  "Yes, Mr. Fredericksohn?" Gloria said.

  "I have told him all," Mrs. Wladek said. "All. Everything. Total."

  "Er ... yes," Mr. Fredericksohn said. He faced Gloria resolutely. "Mrs.Wladek has said something about a ... about a spell. Do you know whatshe might be talking about? Something you said, some impression you gaveher--"

  "A spell?" Gloria shook her head. "I can't think how she got that idea,"she said calmly.

  "You do not fool him," Mrs. Wladek said. "He knows. I have told himall."

  "Certainly," Mr. Fredericksohn murmured. "But perhaps some littlething--"

  "My report will be ready in an hour," Gloria said. "But I'm sure therewas nothing."

  Mr. Fredericksohn coughed convulsively. "I suppose not," he said. "Irealize this is rather unpleasant for you--"

  "I quite understand," Gloria said.

  Mrs. Wladek came out of her chair in a single movement and clutchedGloria by the left arm. "What is happening?" she demanded.

  Mr. Fredericksohn avoided her eye. "Please sit down," he said. And then,to Gloria: "Miss Scott, if you'll make the call ... you know what Imean?"

  "Of course," she said.

  "The--" He whispered it: "The hospital?"

  "What did you say?" Mrs. Wladek demanded. "What did you tell her?"

  Gloria disengaged herself and went to the door. As she shut it behindher she could hear Mrs. Wladek's voice, rising to a crescendo of threatsand abuse, and Mr. Fredericksohn's calm, scholarly attempts to stem thetide. She almost smiled.

  Then she went to her own desk and picked up the telephone.

  Actually, she told herself, matters had worked out for the best. Rudihad a job, and would grow into a fully functioning member of society.Mrs. Wladek would not be on the relief rolls any longer.

  And what Mrs. Wladek wanted--a place to live, and someone to take careof her--would certainly be provided for her.

  Yes, everything had worked out for the best. And, next time, she'd beable to handle a situation like Mrs. Wladek's with less trouble. Glorialooked into the future--into a long series of days and weeks, helpingpeople, getting them to do what was best for them. Oh, sometimes theywouldn't like it right away, but you had to expect that. What was bestfor them--

  Gloria smiled to herself quietly, and dialed a number.

  On the second ring, a voice said: "Bellevue Admitting."

  "We'd appreciate your sending an ambulance and attendants right away,"Gloria said. "For the psychiatric wards."

  THE END