Astounding Science Fiction (British Edition), April 1944 — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

GALLEGHER PLUS to work on the flip, which was identical except for the name. What now?” “About Fatty,” he hazarded. “Yeah?” “How’s everything going?” “I mever answer questions,” Cuff said, abruptly sobering. He looked sharply at Gallegher. “You one of the boys? I don’t know you.” “Pittsburg. They told me to come to the club when I got to town.” “That doesn’t make sense,” Cuff said. “Oh, well. It doesn’t matter. I just cleaned up some loose ends, and I’m celebrating. Through with your flip? Tim! Gin!” They had gin for G, a horse’s neck for H, and an eye-opener for I. “Now a Jazz- bo,” Cuff said with satisfaction. “This is the only bar in town that has a drink beginning with J. After that I have to start skipping. I dunno any K drinks.” “Kirchwasser,” Gallegher said absently. “K—huh? What’s that?” Cuff bellowed at the bartender. “Tim! You got any kirch- wasser?”’ “Nope,” said the man. “We don’t carry it, alderman.” “Then we'll find somebody who does. “You’re a smart guy, pal. Come along with me. I need you.’ Gallegher went obediently. Since Cuff didn’t want to talk about Fatty, it behooved him to win the alderman’s confidence. And the best way to do that was to drink with him. Unfortunately an alphabetical pub- crawl, with its fantastic mixtures, proved none too easy. Gallegher already had a hangover. And Cuff’s thirst was insatiable. “L? What’s L?” “Lachrymae Christi. Or Liebfraumilch.” “Oh, boy!” It was a relief to get back to a Martini. After the Orange Blossom Gallegher began to feel dizzy. For R he suggested root beer, but Cuff would have none of that. “Well, rice wine.” “Yeah. Rice—hey! We missed N! We gotta start over now from A!” Gallegher dissuaded the alderman with some trouble, and succeeded only after fas- cinating Cuff with the exotic name ng ga po. They worked on, through sazeracs, tail- spins, underground, and vodka. W meant whiskey. ae Gy Ges They looked at each other through alco- holic fogs. Gallegher shrugged and stared around. How had they got into this swanky, well-furnished private clubroom, he won- | pal.” 35 dered. It wasn’t the Uplift, that was certain. Oh, well— “X?” Cuff insisted. “Don’t fail me now, “Extra whiskey,” Gallegher said bril- liantly. “That’s it. Only two left. Y and... —what comes after Y?” “Fatty. Remember?” — “Ol’ Fatty Smith,” Cuff said, beginning to laugh immoderately. At least, it sounded like Smith. “Fatty just suits him.” “What’s his first name?” Gallegher asked. “Who?” “Fatty.” “Never heard of him,” Cuff said, and chuckled. A page boy came over and touched the alderman’s arm. “Someone to see you, sir. They’re waiting outside.” “Right. Back in a minute pal. Everybody always knows where to find me—’specially here. Don’t go ’way. There’s still Y and . and . .. and the other one.” He vanished. Gallegher put down his un- tasted drink, stood up, swaying slightly, and headed for the lounge. A televisor booth there caught his eye, and, on impulse, he went in and vised his lab. “Drunk again,” said Narcissus, robot’s face appeared on the screen. “You said it,’ Gallegher agreed. “I’m . urp .. . high as a kite. But I got a clue, anyway.” “I'd advise you to get a police escort,” the robot said. “Some thugs broke in look- ing for you, right after you left.” *“S-s-some what? Say that again.” “Three thugs,” Narcissus repeated patiently. “The leader was a thin, tall man in a checkered suit with yellow hair and a gold front tooth. The others—” “I don’t want a description,” Gallegher snarled “Just tell me what happened?” “Well, that’s all. They ‘wanted to kidnap you. Then they tried to steal the machine. I chased them out. For a robot, I’m pretty tough.” “Did they hurt the machine?” “What about me? Narcissus demanded plaintively. “I’m much more important than that gadget. Have you no curiosity about my wounds?” “No,” Gallegher said. “Have you some?” “Of course not. But you could have de- monstrated some slight curiosity—” “Did they hurt that machine?” “IT didn’t let them get near it,” the robot said. “And the hell with you.” conmilcbooo and as the S (©)