Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 51 — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “There’s no reason why I shouldn’t see him. It doesn’t mean anything.” “If it means nothing, why see him?” “T shall go on being restless unless I do. Perhaps if I keep in touch with him, things will be better. I shall gradually get better. We shall drift away, and that will be the best way.” “It has rarely worked like that in the past. That’s why we discourage it.” “But you don’t forbid it?” “We do not forbid it. How could we plead any justifica- tion for so doing? You are new to our existence, but you are nevertheless our equal. All Greys are equal. The only laws are those that are instinctively recognised by each and every one of us.” “In that case I will do this my own way,” said Judith. “Until you have freed yourself from such an obses- sion,’ said the _ Instructor, “you will be a ghost—an earthbound ghost, wandering between two worlds.”’ 50 The severity of the critic- ism was like a physical blow; but it was the nearest the Instructor would ever come to any attempt to coerce her. As she was about to leave, he spoke suddenly : “A moment. Wait.” Judith turned. “Will you try one thing more first?” “What sort of thing?” “A way of forgetfulness. A substitute. You are not the only one who _ has yearned for the world left behind. In some cases it gets worse as time goes on. And then we offer the Panacea. Before you go on with your own idea, please try this.” Curiosity, if nothing else, led her to accept the sugges- tion. But she was still think- ing of Warren as they ap- proached one of the large buildings near Saturn Square. Indeed, it made her think even more acutely of Warren, for here at last she was approaching one of _ those mysterious gathering-places comicloooks.com