Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

SOME OTHER TIME *T’ll soon prove that, Car- penter,” Hamlin said, and, followed by Wheeker, went into the rear room. ‘There you are, Jack,”’ Car- penter said, without looking into the room. ““Now what do you say?” “I don’t get you at all. There’s only my old electron microscope there.” Carpenter looked. One machine only. About as tall as a man, and as bulky, there was no chance that he could overlook it. Nor was there a chance that he hadn’t seen two when he was last in here. What was being done to him? They all went back to the study and Hamlin poured drinks all round. Carpenter needed his. Wheeker sat for a moment, fondling his glass, and staring broodingly before him. Then he glanced up and said: “You really thought you saw two microscopes in there, Carpenter ?”’ “I thought I did. But, of course, I couldn’t have, could I?” *“No. You couldn’t have.” 37 Wheeker finished his drink. “Tl have to be pushing along now, Jack. Thanks for the lunch. You'll let me have your report as soon as you can? I want to know just where I stand when it comes time for the first volunteers to start for the stars.” “Tl let you know.”’ Hamlin bustled about, seeing Wheeker off in his coptercar. Carpenter sat hunched moodily before the fire, and it was not until — Hamlin came back into the room that he realised that he had been alone. He shivered. Doctor Hamlin walked into the room, stood looking at Carpenter with a look that troubied him. He sat up, the glass falling from his hands. Hamlin began to melt. His body changed and flowed, became an impossible, dis- torted caricature of a man. The chubby face was the last to twist and disappear like a waxen doll’s head in the fire. Where Hamlin had been was a shapeless mass with four pseudopods thrusting against the floor. The thing swivelled comiclooks.com