Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 41 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOOGIE MATRIX geometrical pattern inscribed on its surface. ““You can see for yourself,” he explained. ‘“‘[’m using seventeen hetero- dyne harmonics—and some- thing that has never been done before to my knowledge —I’m introducing cross- rhythm by means of super- sonic square-wave modula- tion. There’s a bit of intricate mathematics involved in the second movement, but the permutator handled it per- fectly. You ought to hear it— there’s a bizarre quality about the whole thing which is like no music ever heard before.”’ **1’m not much good at mat- rix reading,’’ Zora confessed. “I can tell you the Culture Board were delighted,” Bax went on. “There’s not the slightest hint of. anything Reversionist. Strictly techno- cratic, and exploiting the most modern scientific formule. It will raise my status and repu- tation considerably, Zora. Why should I change it ?”’ “For me,”’ she said, simply, turning up her face as though to be kissed. He ignored the invitation. “But why? I don’t under- stand.” | 65 She did not reply im- mediately, but picked up the large, paper-wrapped parcel she had brought with her. Bax eyed her curiously as she tore off the covering, revealing a battered, ancient, rectangular box that was... With a distinct shock he realised just how much of an antique that object was—rexine-covered wooden boxes hadn’t been seen for centuries. It was pre- Inferno, and that meant it was Reversionist. It was danger- ous—as dangerous as a helio capsule. If the Secs—the government Security Police— got to know about it, there wouldn’t be much future left for himself or the girl. She saw his growing agita- tion, and smiled. ‘“‘Take it easy, Bax. This is a secret. So far as I know, this is the only one of its kind that survived the Inferno. Look.” Slowly she raised the shallow lid of the box, revealing a turntable disc, and a long cylindrical tube with a capsule- shaped head clipped in posi- tion to one side. There was a tiny sharp needle fastened in this head, and he could see that the tip was non-metallic . ecomicloooks.com