Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

FIRST DOWN Curry. I told you I knew what I was doing when I came aboard.”’ “Just what do you think you'll get out of it?’ Curry didn’t bother to disguise the distaste he felt for the re- porter. ““When you get back, what do you expect?” “Tf expect the world. I'll be a hero all right. The first man on the moon!” Steve licked his lips feverishly, but the gun remained steady in his fist. “Think of it. Think of the money in it. Think of those headlines! Articles, in- terviews, T.V. and _ radio. Oh, I'll be a made man. Yes, Curry, I know what to expect when I get back.” ““You’re just plain stupid!” Curry snapped. “You'll be tied up in such a web of top- level secrecy that you’ll never leave Security areas——” “Stupid? That’s funny.” Steve waved the big automa- tic, his yellow teeth gleaming under the control light. “It looks as though you’re the stupid one. Don’t you think I can handle all that brass-hat stuff? I wasn’t chosen for this assignment in the first place because I was dumb. I’m smart, Curry, smart. Don’t forget it.” “I haven’t even tried to 61 think it,’ Curry retorted. “[’m just telling you that when and if we reach the moon in five days’ time I’m the first one down the ladder.”’ He spun the gun by its trigger guard, then centred it on Curry’s chest. ““This says different, fella.” | Curry leaned back in his control chair and _ crossed his legs stiffly. If he allowed them to stay in one position for too long they grew numb. But the medics had okayed him, knowing the dream fo- menting in his mind. “Did you ever read the handouts given to the Press back on the station?’ he asked casually. Steve’s eyes grew wary. “Sure. Why?” The gun did not waver. “Just wondered. Do you remember the amount of thrust required to set the ship down on the moon? How long to apply it?” **No 399 A gleam showed momen- tarily in Curry’s eyes and Steve scowled in response. “If this is your clever idea of telling me that I can’t fly this can, you don’t scare me the littlest bit.” Steve patted the gun with his free hand and only just had time to econnicloooks.Ccomnn)