Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

STAND-IN She put the light out and sat in the darkness, waiting— waiting and fuming, stung by resentment. How could he do this to her? How could he, how could he...? She had to wait for half an hour, though it seemed more like several hours. At last she heard cautious move- ments near the back door. She kept silent until footsteps approached the door of the room in which she was sitting, and then she said: “‘All right, you can come in.”’ There was a pause. ““Come along in,”’ she said, angrily. “It’s no good hang- ing about out there.” The door opened, and Wal- ter came in. He switched on the light, and looked sheep- ishly at himself standing in the middle of the room. Barbara said: “‘Aren’t you going to say anything? Don’t just goggle at me like a...a robot.” “I suppose it’s hard for you to understand,” he said, tentatively. 95 *“‘Hard ?” She exploded from her chair, almost launching herself at him as though she intended to knock him over. “It’s certainly not easy to understand why a man should sneak off out without ex- plaining to his wife where he’s going, and leaving a robot to entertain her. I never thought you could do such a thing to me.” , They were both standing close to the silent version of Walter. His presence irri- tated both of them at the same moment. Barbara said, ridiculously: “Oh, do go away.” And her husband went to the cupboard and switched on. His other self rocked slightly, then blinked and looked self- consciously at Walter. “Good evening, sir. You’re back early.” “IT am not back early,” said Walter, frostily. “I am back at the time I arranged— and what do I find? [ find you asleep on the job.” “I fear that Mrs. Desmond must have switched me off.” comicloooks.com