After many centuries we have rediscovered nature’s way of keeping populations in hand. Nature does it the old-fashioned way, by killing people. - Robert Sheckley

His friends, who had been waiting for the death announcement, came to congratulate him. They were eager to hear the complete details of the Trial by Ordeal; but Barrent had learned now that secret knowledge was the road to power. He gave them only the sketchiest outline.

Your predator is close behind you and will infallibly be your death." "I don't doubt it," Carmody said, in a moment of strange calm." But in terms of long-range planning, I never did expect to get out of this Universe alive." "That is meaningless," the Prize said. "The fact is, you have lost everything." "I don't agree," Carmody said. "Permit me to point out that I am presently still alive." "Agreed. But only for the moment." "I have always been alive only for the moment," Carmody said. "I could never count on more. It was my error to expect more. That holds true, I believe, for all of my possible and potential circumstances." "Then what do you hope to achieve with your moment?" "Nothing," Carmody said. "Everything." "I don't understand you any longer," the Prize said. "Something about you has changed, Carmody. What is it?" "A minor thing," Carmody told him. "I have simply given up a longevity which I never possessed anyhow. I have turned away from the con game which the Gods run in their heavenly sideshow. I no longer care under which shell the pea of immortality might be found. I don't need it. I have my moment, which is quite enough." "Saint Carmody," the Prize said, in tones of deepest sarcasm. "No more than a shadow's breadth separates you and death! What will you do now with your pitiable moment?" "I shall continue to live it," Carmody said. "That is what moments are for.

The new city of Esmeralda was not the usual steel-and-glass rabbit warren that the modern world had developed in its long struggle to free itself from any hint of good taste.