[In the meanwhile, Val's eyes brighten with interest. He sets down the pencil and lets the book flip shut.]

Generate food. How interesting. Then there must be no starvation in your country--and it must be full of drunks--though how would you control the quality of what is produced? No, do not answer--that was a joke, and I should perhaps not joke of such a thing. It is so very different than what is here. Rifters are fascinating. There are those that would be afraid, but I would disagree and indeed go so far as to spit upon them. Fear is the primary blockade to knowledge. It is only a pity that such tricks are not easily repeated here. Or at least, that is my understanding. Is it wrong? Are you able to generate shelter?