“Your predator is close behind you and will infallibly be your death.â€
“I don’t doubt it,†Carmody said, in a moment of strange calm.†But in terms of long-range planning, I never did expect to get out of this Universe alive.â€
“That is meaningless,†the Prize said. “The fact is, you have lost everything.â€
“I don’t agree,†Carmody said. “Permit me to point out that I am presently still alive.â€
“Agreed. But only for the moment.â€
“I have always been alive only for the moment,†Carmody said. “I could never count on more. It was my error to expect more. That holds true, I believe, for all of my possible and potential circumstances.â€
“Then what do you hope to achieve with your moment?â€
“Nothing,†Carmody said. “Everything.â€
“I don’t understand you any longer,†the Prize said. “Something about you has changed, Carmody. What is it?â€
“A minor thing,†Carmody told him. “I have simply given up a longevity which I never possessed anyhow. I have turned away from the con game which the Gods run in their heavenly sideshow. I no longer care under which shell the pea of immortality might be found. I don’t need it. I have my moment, which is quite enough.â€
“Saint Carmody,†the Prize said, in tones of deepest sarcasm. “No more than a shadow’s breadth separates you and death! What will you do now with your pitiable moment?â€
“I shall continue to live it,†Carmody said. “That is what moments are for.â€
Robert Sheckley