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Page 251
Later Mike drove them both home. After eating the delicious supper Hannah had waiting for them, they adjourned to the parlor, where Abby no longer felt startled by the moving, lifelike pictures on the television. But even after relaxing with Mike before this machine on other occasions, she remained awed by the ability to know instantly what was happening anywhere in the worldand was fearful of the atrocities and mayhem that seemed to pervade this age. Many frightening attacks occurred on people right here in Los Angeles.
Beside her on the sofa, his arm around her shoulder, Mike seemed to sense her thoughts. "It all sounds horrible, doesn't it?"
She nodded, nestling closer.
"Believe it or not, there are lots of nice people who aren't killing one another. The news concentrates on the most awful situations."
"Why?"
He shrugged. "That's what people want to watch. TV networks and stations measure success by ratingsthe number of people watching."
"Do you mean more people watch if terrible things are shown?"
Mike nodded but pushed a button. A new picture appeared, one in which a woman performed amazing kicks to overpower a man with a gun.
"Is that real?" Abby asked in amazement.
"Well, some women today learn self-defense techniques. Men, too. But that's just a stunt-woman in an adventure show." He smiled at her,

 
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