Note: From Nesvadba's third coll Výprava opačným směrem (1962); last of historical parables traditionally included among his SF.

Synopsis: In 1880s Texas marauded by robber gangs, Glendale seems to have confounded them, universally adopting telephone and coordinating daily moving the location of bank, bar etc. But the boss gained control of the switchroom and blackmails citizens through their dirty secrets he eavesdrops on, with much more gain and less risk. The narrator ends "warning against these inventions [...] telegraph, telephone, electric and gas centrals" as "too great a temptation for small groups of ruthless criminals", from whom the well-meaning original operators can never defend. "Bell would make us new slaves..."