Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

SOME OTHER TIME and then spat the car away to the horizon like a pea from a peashooter. “That'll be your two gentle- man friends going back to Carson City and their sleek rocket to Earth.” Louise’s voice held all the contempt of a Martian colonist for those who came out to Mars as though it were but a step further to Inferno. ““Can’t see any sign of another car, or rocket. That’s queer.” ““What’s queer?” asked Carpenter, his thoughts re- volving around what reception he might expect when he attended the investigation committee meeting after what Merrick and Mackenzie would have to say. “Why, the gentleman who wanted to see you. He’s queer—no ship out there he could have come in if he’d shipped in from Carson City. And he couldn’t have taken off before those other two.”’ “‘Oh, forget it, Louise. He’s probably wandering around killing time waiting for me. Security will take care of him 27 if he pokes in anywhere he’s not wanted.” They had reached the Nur- sery by now and Carpenter bent to look through the observation window at Katrin. He let out a chuckle of relief. “Look at the little imp. She’s got all the clothes off her doll and is dressing up the teddy bear. Quite a change of affection there.” Carpenter tensed. ‘“‘Was that the doll that was broken ?” he asked Louise. He made room for Louise to look through the window beside him. 7 “Yes. Yes, that’s the one. She’s just tossed it aside as though it were a banana skin. And that’s strange. Little girls don’t just throw away their dolls when they’re broken. I know.” “Can you get it out without a scene?” “Oh, sure. Katrin’s always been fond of me.” Whilst Louise was walking round to enter the Nursery past the ever-vigilant armed guard, Carpenter let his thoughts roam idly over the commicloooks.com