Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

SOME OTHER TIME door, eyes narrowing. ““Why not ?’’ he asked, inanely. Isn’t it obvious?’ The man who answered was just a man, standing still in the half shadows of the room. The impact of that hit Carpenter. ‘“*Who are you?” “Listen, Doctor Carpenter. I have come a long way to see you. Such a long way that even my mind boggles at the con- ception. Oh—and, yes, please don’t use your rather clumsy cosmic-ray machine on me. It might not function quite as you intended.” “What sort of devil are you ?”’ ‘No devil, Doctor Car- penter. Please, let’s be sen- sible over this. I have a proposition to put to you, one which I think you will agree you ought to accept.”’ “T’ve been propositioned already today,’ Carpenter said, doggedly. This was in- sane. A man, walking in here, knowing what was going on, just standing there, talking naturally tohim... Dolls and 45 Files. Telekinesis. Telepathy, of course. “That is correct, Doctor Carpenter. Although your mind is not completely clear to me, I am capable of follow- ing most of your thought processes.”’ *“And I suppose you’re the one who’s been trying to send me mad? Yeah. I guess you are. Well, then, you'll know just what I think of you, won't you?” “T’m afraid, Doctor Car- penter, that your judgment is fully justified. However, I can explain.” ‘““Huh. I suppose the best thing is to call Security and turn you over to them.” *“Youcan do that, of course, if you wish. I assure you they would not hold me for long. Listen to me, Carpenter,” an edge came into the other’s smooth voice, “and listen straight. You'll hear my pro- position, what I have to say, and like it. I’ve come number- less light years and numberless years, too, to see you. So you'll listen.” comiclbooks.corn