Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 48 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “Something wrong?” asked Tabarni. “No,” replied Takato, “ just thinking.” “Bad habit. Gave it up years ago. Incidentally, to what do I owe the honour of your company ?” “I'm off to Earth on the next flight. Sarvit wants me to get some met. records,” Takato explained. “Couldn’t he just ask for them to be shipped in?” The Venusian fluffed out his beard and slipped on a magnificent green gown whose stiff folds glistened in fleeting irides- cence. “Sarvit doesn’t trust the Terrist mind. Too woolly, he says. If you want something done, don’t ask a _ Terrist. That’s his motto. But what I came to ask you was this: Is there anything I can get you when I’m on Earth? Some- thing to help in your work?” “Very good of you, old chum,” said the giant, light- ing a fragrant weed, “but they've nothing there that could interest me.” 22 Takato rose. “ Well, I’ve asked you. By the way, what is all this special outfit for? Why the gorgeous robe, the perfumed beard ?” “T’ve been invited to Soren- sen’s farewell party in the big cupola. It’s going to be quite a fling.” “ I didn’t know that Soren- sen...” Takato hesitated. “TI mean, he’s quite young. Surely he’s still useful?” “ Not in the opinion of his colleagues, old chum. Soren- sen is all used up. He did. some good work, but now he’s making wrong deductions and fumbling the routine stuff. He had to agree it was time for him to be _ removed.” Tabarni glanced down at Takato’s face and saw the stricken expression. He stared at Takato for some seconds. His poppy-red pupils glowed like live coals. He said: “I told you think- ing was a bad habit, old chum. You can’t be too care- ful about it. Takato, you need a break. You're tired. comicloooks.com