', John's mother, decanted as a Beta-Minus in the World State, originally worked in the DHC's Fertilizing Room, and subsequently lost during a storm while visiting the New Mexico Savage Reservation with the Director many years before the events of the novel. Despite following her usual precautions, Linda became pregnant with the Director's son during their time together and was therefore unable to return to the World State by the time that she found her way to Malpais. Having been conditioned to the promiscuous social norms of the World State, Linda finds herself at once popular with every man in the pueblo (because she is open to all sexual advances) and also reviled for the same reason, seen as a whore by the wives of the men who visit her and by the men themselves (who come to her nonetheless). Her only comforts there are mescal brought by Popé as well as peyotl. Linda is desperate to return to the World State and to soma, wanting nothing more from her remaining life than comfort until death.
' John's mother decanted as a Beta-Minus in the World State originally worked in the DHC's Fertilizing Room and subsequently lost during a storm while visiting the New Mexico Savage Reservation with the Director many years before the events of the novel Despite following her usual precautions Linda became pregnant with the Director's son during their time together and was therefore unable to return to the World State by the time that she found her way to Malpais Having been conditioned to the promiscuous social norms of the World State Linda finds herself at once popular with every man in the pueblo (because she is open to all sexual advances) and also reviled for the same reason seen as a whore by the wives of the men who visit her and by the men themselves (who come to her nonetheless) Her only comforts there are mescal brought by Popé as well as peyotl Linda is desperate to return to the World State and to soma wanting nothing more from her remaining life than comfort until death