Summary

In “Liberation Day,” Jeremy and the Speakers wait for Mr. U., Mrs. U., and their son Mike. They cannot speak without Mr. U.’s direction, or they will be punished.

When they hear Mr. U. coming, they wonder if they will receive Company. Mr. U. starts Rehearsal, setting the Speakers’ Pulses, “molded to the chosen Topic” (4). Once programmed, the Speakers imagine and speak to the Topic. Jeremy is good at imagining, creating detailed scenes from the Topics.

The Topic is cityscape. Mr. U. trains each Speaker to speak in a unique manner. For the Finale, the Speakers present their Cities (6).

During the night, Mrs. U. wheels her Podium into Jeremy’s room and sets him to “Rural, plus Ancient; overtones of Escape” (7). While listening to Jeremy Speak, Mrs. U. is aroused. Jeremy thinks they are falling in love. He wishes she would free...