Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 65 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “‘Was it your side, Dolanko, that did this? Was it?” Harry ducked under the counter. There was a frenzied clatter of glass, then the barman appeared again and there was a gun in his lacerated fist. Sam gave it a casual glance and turned his back on it. “‘Let’s see what we can do for Gibb,” he said to Max Binder. “Keep apart,” the barman ordered. “‘And don’t talk to each other. That way I'll know you’re not planning anything.” Sam twisted his head round. “There’s nothing to plan, Harry. Nothing at all. There’s just a man to be helped. Put away the gun and don’t be silly. You haven’t long to live, anyhow, and the gun won’t prolong your life by as much as a second.” “Stay where you are.” “I’m going to help Gibb. You move the beam, Max, and Ill pull him out under.” Binder was staring at Harry’s gun, obviously wish- ing he wasn’t such a big target. “He might shoot,” he said, and remained where he was. Sam’s temper flared up. “If I didn’t need you to move that beam I’d beat you into a jelly. I can’t move it alone or I would, and get the girl to pull out Gibb. But if it’s the gun you’re afraid of, I'll get rid of that for you.” “The conscience of the world,” interjected the girl, *““is about to be a hero.” The intended jibe wasn’t very convincing, however, and she retracted it. “I didn’t mean that, Sam. Not really. Don’t risk trying to take the gun from Harry. The chauffeur is probably dead in any case.” “What’s scaring you? Afraid of what these two rats will do when I’m out of the way? Go pick a corner to hide in. That’s what I’ve done all my life. I’ve been a coward myself up until now, a moral coward willing to peddle his talents to the highest bidder and not caring how much his perverted work affected the lives of half the people in the world. Or maybe I did care and I was too afraid of facing life without the comfort and pro- 134 comiclooks.cormn