MICHAEL CRICHTON

They were seduced by the technology employed the night before, secure intheir sense of indomitable power. Only Munro remained immune. He hadchecked their ammunition supplies with discouraging results. “That laser systemis splendid but it uses up bullets like there’s no tomorrow,” Munro said. “Lastnight consumed half of our total ammunition.’’“What can we do?” Elliot asked.“I was hoping you’d have an answer for that,” Munro said. “You examined thebodies.”Elliot stated his belief that they were confronted with a new species of primate.He summarized the anatomical findings, which supported his beliefs.“That’s all well and good,” Munro said. “But I’m interested in how they act, nothow they look. You said it yourself—gorillas are usually diurnal animals, andthese are nocturnal. Gorillas are usually shy and avoid men, while these areaggressive and attack men fearlessly. Why?”Elliot had to admit that he didn’t know.“Considering our ammunition supplies, I think we’d better find out,” Munro said.2. The TempleTHE LOGICAL PLACE TO BEGIN WAS THE TEMPLE, with its enormous,menacing gorilla statue. They returned that afternoon, and found behind thestatue a succession of small cubicle-like rooms. Ross thought that priests whoworshiped the cult of the gorilla lived here.She had an elaborate explanation: “The gorillas in the surrounding jungleterrorized the people of Zinj, who offered sacrifices to appease the gorillas. Thepriests were a separate class, secluded from society. Look here, at the entranceto the line of cubicles, there is this little room. A guard stayed here to keeppeople away from the priests. It was a whole system of belief.”204