"for instance," she said and pointed to a smooth boxed-off area on the back of the bench directly before each of them. as soon as the conveyance had begun to move, words lit up, naming the next stop and the notable structures or crossways that were nearby.

"now, that will probably tell us when were approaching the changeover we want. at least the sector isnt completely barbaric."

"good," said seldon. then, after a while, leaning toward dors, he whispered, "no one is looking at us. it seems that artificial boundaries are set up to preserve individual privacy in any crowded place. have you noticed that?"

"ive always taken it for granted. if thats going to be a rule of your psychohistory, no one will be very impressed by it."

as dors had guessed, the direction plaque in front of them eventually announced the approach to the changeover for the direct line to the sacratorium. they exited and again had to wait. some buses ahead had already left this intersection, but another gravi-bus was already approaching. they were on a well-traveled route, which was not surprising; the sacratorium was bound to be the center and heartbeat of the sector.

they got on the gravi-bus and seldon whispered, "were not paying."

"according to the map, public transportation is a free service."

seldon thrust out his lower lip. "how civilized. i suppose that nothing is all of a piece, not backwardness, not barbarism, nothing."

but dors nudged him and whispered, "your rule is broken. were being watched. the man on your right."