Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

ADDICT frightened, hoarse sound and hurried along, disappearing somewhere along their path. “[T should have warned you, George,” the girl said when she had gone. “We’re strangers here. In a half hour the whole district will know there are ‘strangers in the alley’.”” “What ?” She explained. ‘‘The people who live here are a step beyond Bugtowners. Most of them live by their wits on vices.” “Vices ?”’ “Yes. Other people’s vices. Alcohol, narcotics, illegal lux- uries, prostitution, even hired murder. Some fugitives buy shelter in this district. Then there is the other side of that coin—information. “That old woman wiil sell the information that strangers are around again and again. First she'll sell it to the fugitives, since we might be spies for the City. Then she'll sell it to those who might think we had something of value. Finally she'll sell in- formation about us to the police.” “But how would. she know that we are anything but tramps ?” The girl smiled. “Your voice, your greeting, the fact that you sit up straight—these people survive on such ob- servations.” They arose and started on again. The girl led the way, setting a fast pace. George Three was dimly aware that they were doubling back upon themselves. “Yes,” she admitted when he asked her about it. “I think we may have an evasion problem—but don’t feel bad about it, George. We would have had to throw off possible pursuers anyway.” ““Maybe we could have convinced that woman that we are friendly and broke...” he suggested. ‘“‘Maybe we could have bribed her.” “She would have collected just one more time if you had paid her,” the girl replied. “These people must be pretty low.” “Not low, George. Matter of fact they’re rather courage- - ous. They stay out of Bug- town—and that takes courage when you’re old and past the factory work age. 133 comicloooks.conn