Chapter 2, The Fifth Way Summary

Dr. Jesse Evelyn Romsbotham invented what is now known as the Romsbotham Gate while trying to invite a time machine during a time when the Earth was suffering from overcrowding. Romsbotham's discovery, though not allowing a person to travel in time, allowed living beings to be transported thousands of miles in a matter of seconds by simply stepping through a gate. This discovery made it possible for millions of emigrants to move to other planets, thus reducing the numbers of people on Earth and easing the overcrowding.

Rod returns home and discovers his sister has come home from the Amazon army for a rare visit. The family has dinner together, a meeting that is made tense by Rod's announcement of the final exam taking place over the next couple of days. Rod's father does not want him...