Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

SOME OTHER TIME Seeing a chair running was not a rational explanation, and one which a normal mind would not think up. And, any- way, why should the chair be moved from his desk ? Carpenter grinned suddenly and kicked heavily at the chair. It shifted backwards under the force and squeaked a little on the floor. He bent down and sniffed. No aroma. Straighten- ing up, Carpenter knew that he was baffled. Either he was mad, or dreaming. Or—it had actually happened. But that was impossible. A low murmur of voices came from outside and then a polite knock on the door. Of course, he had sent Louise off on some fool errand and now the committee men were here for the appointment and no one to receive them. He cursed again and went swiftly to the door, brushing a hand through his thinning hair, opened the door and put on his professional smile of welcome. That was part of the act of being a prominent scientist: Fe an act that he loathed and despised. But if you wanted to stay practising the science you loved you had to walk with your hat in your hand around the sacred halls of Congress. He would have no time now to think about water taps that sprayed him or chairs that scuttled like monstrous crabs, or even dolls that might or might not walk. Before him now lay an interview that had to be steered the way he wanted it. Any other thought was quite out of the question. The electriclock said two minutes to eleven. God knew where the last hour had gone! Carpenter knew the taller of the two men standing a little uncertainly at his office door, obviously wondering what sort of reception was this. He smiled again and said: “Good morning, Senator Merrick. Good to see you again. Come on in: my secretary’s just gone over to the nurseries. Sorry you were kept waiting.”’ “That’s all right, Doctor Carpenter,” Merrick said, gruffly, and they all went into comicloooks.con