The little gray man peered timidly over gold-rimmed spectacles at the great black hole which yawned hungrily almost at his feet. He edged back cautiously from the massive steel lattice which guarded its circumference, then plucked timidly at the sleeve of the blue-uniformed guard who stood impressively erect before the barrier's huge gate. "I—I beg your pardon. Could you tell me when the next one leaves?" he asked in a voice as colorless as his thin, nondescript features. The guard catalogued th