Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 53 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION predictable or more talked about, and that’s a dame. What’s that? Bugs? Well, everyone’s got ’em, I guess. Try a drop of Grasso. They hate the smell.” A man called on behalf of some poll or other. Did she think DDT preparations had done good? After that, some- one brought a free coupon for QUICK, the latest deterrent, smiled apologetically, scratched himself and scurried for the elevator... During the morning she watched the telecasts. A scien- tist and a deputy governor talked about them. Everything apparently was under control. It was just one of those freak | happenings that hit the world sometimes—like freak storms. Only this was not meteorolo- gical, but biological. The poli- tician said it would all be over in a few weeks, thanks to the disinfestation setup. She stirred in her plastic coverall, which was zipped up to the chin. In addition she wore oilskin jeans tucked into storm boots and a head-scarf. It was hot; her skin prickled, and she panicked, thinking... perhaps... If they got at her she would scream. Scream. Nothing would: stop her, not even the thought of the baby. 83 The V-phone rang. It was Johnnie to say he would be late at the theatre. *“Come home,” she pleaded. “You O.K.?” he asked, anxiously. “TI... guess so.” *“‘Honey, I can’t make it. It’s a matter of saving the show. I’ve been on long dis- tance all morning. We want to seal the floor with bitumas- tic; that’s where they come from. Only there isn’t any bitumastic. Everyone’s onto the idea; it’s a nation-wide hookup.” Meanwhile the telescreen was singing: You’re my moon and stars, My trip to Mars, My hyper-drive to heaven... When she hung up she was crying. Teletape. (Restricted.) PRIORITY. Circulation: Standard. Follows condense of Central Research Lab (State Dept.). Report on infestation. I. IDENTITY. Organisms similar to hemipterous family (order, Hemiptera; suborder, Heteroptera). Bear nearest re- semblance to Cimex Rotanda- tus, oriental type of common bed bug. Basic type isolated. This type organised for wood- commclooks.conn