Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 46 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

- “ AUTHENTIC: SCIENCE FICTION on the beam to some extent, as you say. A few months ago I read a paper by Vesskram, in which he suggested that some- where in the U.H.F. range there may be a wave form which could induce extreme .frequencies in a conductor such that the surface mole- cules were re-arranged to become perfectly fluid. Such an effect would virtually eli- minate friction. The behaviour of my test motor and the coincidence that Colson was testing his U.H.F. experi- mental rig at the same time, suggest that he did, in fact, hit that particular frequency for a short time.” “Go on,” said Peinture. ““You seem to be on the right lines. How do you feel about the incident now?” **A lot better,”’ said Bridger, smiling. “‘My unconscious seems to have certain limita- tions from a scientific point of view. It must have immediately jumped to the conclusion that the entire building would collapse under the influence of the field generated by the rig. It took the only way that occurred to it to stop that happening.”’ “Not a very pleasant thought,” said Peinture. ‘““But it seems a reasonable assump- tion to me, under the circum- stances. The steel framework of the building would surely collapse under the weight of its fifty stories if friction were removed ?”’ “At a snap judgment, yes...’ said Bridger. “‘But think about it a little more. Remember Colson said that his rig stopped working ... This was perfectly natural, since being in the centre of the field it was generating it had to withstand the greatest concentration. Don’t you see? Although the phenomenon is interesting it could never be really dangerous, because it would always put itself out of action before it had time to affect exterior objects to any serious extent. For example: even the valves used in the rig are held in place by friction.” “Thanks for the reassur- ance, Martin,” said Peinture. “I was beginning to develop mild claustrophobic tenden- cies myself at the thought... I don’t think there’s any more we can do today. I’m going to let you go home now. Go straight there and take it easy until you hear from me.” He released the straps and Bridger rose from the couch. “You mean I’m harmless now?” he said, wryly. 110 conmicloooks.Ccomn