Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Barbara was very sweet and agreeable all evening. She was a little quieter than usual, as though perhaps regretting the trick she was playing on Simon. But when Walter made a joke about the situation and said, not for the first time, “Poor Simon,” she smiled and echoed his words. He began to feel that he ought to give up his rather risky ventures away from home in the evenings. It was much more pleasant to sit here and talk to his wife, from time to time switching on the visio and watching the soothing colours and images on the far wall. Music throbbed gently through the room. He drowsed. Barbara did nothing to disturb him. It was Walter himself who was the first to notice how late it was getting. He thrust himself up from his chair and said: ““Where’s Babs got to?” : Barbara shrugged. “She can’t come to any harm.” *“No, but . . . confound it all, it’s two in the morning. 106 And Simon doesn’t know that Babs is Babs. If he thinks he’s out with you, he has no business to be out until this hour. It’s a disgrace.” “Everything will be all right,’ said Barbara, placidly. ““You’re taking it all very calmly. I mean, I should have thought you’d be in- sulted-——”’ **No,” she said, “‘not in- sulted.” Although the room glowed with mellow light, the feeling of night had descended. Out- side would be darkness. It was high time Babs was home. Walter felt rather like an indignant father waiting for an errant daughter. He was surprised that Barbara should be so unconcerned. He reached a sudden de- cision. He said: “Give me the key for your cupboard.” ‘The key?” “Yes. TIl switch off Babs. That'll give Simon a shock.” “But you can’t do that. He’ll raise an awful fuss. And then everyone will find out, and——”’ comicloooks.conn