He jumped back into the water。
0500 HOURS
The sphere gleamed in the light。 Norman saw himself reflected in its perfectly polished surface； then saw his image break up； fragmented on the convolutions； as he moved around to the back。
To the door。
It looked like a mouth； he thought。 Like the maw of some primitive creature； about to eat him。 Confronted by the sphere； seeing once again the alien； unhuman pattern of the convolutions； he felt his intention dissolve。 He was suddenly afraid。 He didn't think he could go through with it。
Don't be silly； he told himself。 Harry did it。 And Beth did it。 They survived。
He examined the convolutions； as if for reassurance。 But there wasn't any reassurance to be obtained。 Just curved grooves in the metal； reflecting back the light。
Okay； he thought finally。 I'll do it。 I've e this far； I've survived everything so far。 I might as well do it。
Go ahead and open up。
But the sphere did not open。 It remained exactly as it was； a gleaming； polished； perfect shape。
What was the purpose of the thing？ He wished he understood its purpose。
He thought of Dr。 Stein again。 What was Stein's favorite ＇＇330＇＇ line？ 〃Understanding is a delaying tactic。〃 Stein used to get angry about that。 When the graduate students would intellectualize； going on and on about patients and their problems； he would interrupt in annoyance； 〃Who cares？ Who cares whether we understand the psychodynamics in this case？ Do you want to understand how to swim； or do you want to jump in and start swimming？ Only people who are afraid of the water want to understand it。 Other people jump in and get wet。〃
Okay； Norman thought。 Let's get wet。
He turned to face the sphere； and thought； Open up。