Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Phil’s mother had taken her seat. She stared at the father. “Son, do you feel you must go out tonight? You can’t postpone seeing .. . Gregory’s telescope . . . till another night ?”’ *“No.”’ His hand raced over the piece of paper. It was sim- plicity itself, but it took time —valuable time. “Don’t you want to see the mirror, Phil? Here, Ill take it out of the tube.” “No, Gregory, don’t bother. ] just want to make a sketch of your mountings.” “But ... you aren’t going to use that mounting... .”’? That was certain. Jt was cruder even than Phil had remembered it. Nevertheless, it was necessary to have the sketch when he went home. Actually it would be easier, and better, to use pipe. Greg- ory’s father must have made the simple project a labour of love... “There, Greg. Sorry I can’t stay longer to see your mirror. But dad wants me home early tonight.” He gathered up the messy papers, jammed them into his 134 jacket and quickly left through © the boy’s outside entrance. Once in the darkness out- side some of the tension and impatience left him. He was free! There were two, pos- ‘sibly three hours before he must be home. During those precious hours he would be with the gang, with others like him, with those who shared his destiny. The gang. It was wonderful to be going to them. He bitterly resented every mo- ment he had spent in Gregory Simpson’s silly company. Just as he resented school—dull, vacuous school, the dreary childish concepts, the childish gadgetry and small thoughts, the banal preoccupation with baby explorations and vulgar wonderings... He made his way quickly down the dim street, breaking into periodic runs to conserve his breath. He reached the railroad tracks and moved down them toward his objective. Maybe something big was up. Maybe those who are coming —the non-Terrans — had decided . . the Manual said? . what was it. COMMICEDOOKS.COM