Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 42 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

IN TIME OF SORROW “Not really.” Robertshaw returned to the slumber chair. ‘“‘Who will do the dirty work?” he said. **Mr. Gestorben,”’ the Chief Dispatcher said. ““We’ve pulled this one before, you know.” Robertshaw was somewhat jolted, especially now he’d offered Muerto one half the payroll loot. “How often?” **Four others,”’ Muerto said, “were phonies.”’ Robertshaw let the subject drop. “But about the de- tailsa——’_ He recalled his ever-loving wife. “And what if Meg should want to watch ?” Muerto talked in business fashion. ‘“‘That’s all taken care of. In the event she uses _ the spectator’s window, Mr. Gestorben will use a rubber pipe,’ he said, doodling with his pencil. ‘‘You can _ be certain itll give you a slight headache. But——” he paused, “that’s all.” “And the rest of the arrangements ?”’ Muerto gave a knowing smile. ““The hearse will take you straight to the rocket port.”” He winked obscenely. “They say that life is pretty soft on Venus, if you’re not alone——”’ ,Robertshaw felt a warm glow inside, and laughed at Meg. Like a museum piece, he thought. Chintz-patterned chairs in a rocket age! He shook hands with Muerto and left. He hadn’t told them at the office about his Auld Lang Syne. It was Thursday, and the day before a holiday, when Robertshaw robbed his com- pany. These things were easy. They hadn’t even marked the bills. The day after to- morrow, after his Auld Lang Syne, they’d arrest Meg, think- ing he’d left the money for her. Poor Meg. He’d thought a lot about Meg for the past two weeks. The first time in their marriage she’d gone out evenings and hadn’t told him where. The old bag was really quite upset. She was in the bathroom now, the old- fashioned bathroom like people used to have, all dainty and in blues. She was getting ready for the party. “I saw Mr. Gestorben to- day!’’ she bubbled brightly, through the sound of shower water. SA Nile “It’s all been planned, dear,” she said, entering the room, with a bathrobe about her 117 comcloooks.con