Astounding British Edition, Vol. 6, No. 8 — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The M.C. turned to Brent. “Your check will be on the house, of course. The man- agement is grateful.” The pale young man said: “I’m a little more grateful than the management.” “Thank you,” Caren said simply. Brent grinned at her. “You can return the favor by coming to our table after you change, Miss Ames. We’re right over there.” . She looked uncertain for a moment. don’t usually—” he this time, Miss Ames,” the M.C. sai Her smile was brilliant as she turned and os the floor. “See you in a few minutes, T wees “Brent. Shane Brent.” By that time the foreman was back on his feet, pale and shaking. He didn’t under- stand what had happened. His friends led him back through the tables and out the door. He was protesting plaintively. She sat quietly at the table between them and talked generalities in a quiet, cultured voice. Her between-acts dress was dark and conservative, her blonde hair pulled back with determined severity. She rebuffed the clumsy verbal advances of Hiram Lee very politely. By the time Shane Brent sat through the next show, en- thralled anew by her artistry, Hiram Lee had his head on the table and was snoring softly. During the dull act which followed Caren’s, two heavily built men came over to the table and shook their heads sadly. “Poor ole Hiram! Tch! Tch! You mind, mister, if we lug ole Hiram back with us = Solaray. The poor boy needs a nice soft ‘bun Hiram protested feebly, but walked un- steadily between them, half supported by them as he left. Caren came back a few moments later. They sat and talked of many things. At last she smiled and said: “I was silly when I was afraid to sit with you. Usually such things become a bit . . . messy.” He grinned. “I’m harmless. It does seem a little funny to me to find somebody like you in. this place.” Her eyes hardened. “I know how it goes from here on, Caren, you’re too nice for a place like this. Let me take you away with me. I know the whole routine, Mr. Brent.” “It’s not like that, Caren. “Honestly. If I’ve asked a clumsy question, I’m sorry. It wasn’t a buildup. She looked sto his eyes for long seconds. “All right, Shane. I believe you. Pll tell you how it happened. I was trained for ballet. When f was nineteen I married a very rich and very weak young man. After two years life became impossible. I managed to get a divorce. Every minute I spend on Earth is spent keeping out of his way. He man- — <_ : ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ages to queer me in every dancing job | get. He has a weak heart. They won’t accept him for space travel. I’m safe here. 1 can keep this job. But I can’t ever go back.” She didn’t ask for pity as she told him. It. was as though she spoke of someone Se. “What kind of a career can you have here, Caren?” She smiled and for once it wasn’t a pretty smile. “I can make a living here. Some day there will be other cities beside Allada. Some day. there will be a civilization on Venus which will be cultured enough so that my kind of career can exist here. But I won't live to see it.” “What do you want out of your life?” he asked gently. “Peace. Freedom to do as I please.” Her eyes were troubled. “Is that all?” he asked insistently. “No!” she flared. “I want more than that, but I don’t know what I want. I’m just restless.” She stopped and looked at for long moments. “You are too, Shane. Aren’t you?” He tried to pass it off lightly. “Things have been a little dull lately.” “Take me for a walk through the city, ae When I feel like this I have to walk it Oo They walked to the edge of thé wire near the constant sparking and crackling as the electricity alas the searching tendrils. Above them the strange stars shone dimly through the constant heavy mist. She stood with her head tilted back, her - eyes half shut. On an impulse he reached out and unclasped the heavy pin that bound her hair so tightly. It fell in a shin- ing flood over her shoulders. —” she said, startled. “It just had to be. I feel like we’ve both been caught up in something outside of us and we're being hurtled along. Everything from here on will be because it has to be.” Without another word she came quickly into his arms. She was as intensely alive - during the intricate figures of her strange ance. Once again the pretty clerk pointed out the small room to Shane Brent. He walked slowly, reluctantly, shut the door quietly behind him. In a short time he had a closed circuit to Central Assignment and moments later the alert face of Frank Allison filled the screen. “What’s the matter, Shane? You look done in. Rough night?” “You could call it that I guess.” “How about Lee?” “Everything is set, Frank. He'll leave on Flight Seven a week from today. Have [Continued.on page 64 COMIGCOOOKS (€©)