É A corda de dois gumes , de Lloyd Biggle Jr, publicado em junho de 1967 Analog
O personagem principal chega até o Ditador, mas depois percebe algo estranho nele
The Glorious Leader rose and walked away. Marzoff’s admiring eyes followed him - - - contemplated his ears, odd-looking ears that seemed sculptured on, in the low relief on the side of his head - - “You’re not our glorious leader!” Marzoff blurted - - - ‘.
Dmitri Storavieff looked up “Ah, Marzoff. You’re back. - - and what of this mysterious conspiracy?” “There wasn’t any sir. I’m sorry to have wasted the time.” - - -
“What odd ears that man has.” Storavieff thought suddenly. “Strange I never noticed them before.” Ears! - - there was something about ears in the new regulations - - Certain capitalist correspondents were ridiculing the shape of ears among citizens of the southern provinces. - - - Any mention of ears was henceforth to be a criminal offence - - And quite right too - -