Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 65 — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

e am, a > EP ad ” a? a: i a a a ve: | ae - . aA clay Ss ee “ AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION gun when something blud- geoned down on the back of his head and ended his dilemma. They were on first-name terms when he regained con- sciousness. The three of them were behind the bar. The floor space. was all his—and Gibb’s. He was surprised to see the gun lying within his reach. He made to grope for it and stopped. After his warning, none of them had dared keep the gun on his person for fear that it might be highly radioactive. They had left ~ the gun beside Sam, but he didn’t have to look to know that they had extracted the pips first. “Behave yourself,’ Max cautioned as Sam struggled to his feet. “Keep away from that door and you won’t get hurt. We’ve patched up the lead on the walls and we’re going to sit tight until the decontamination squad arrives.” _. Sam ignored the bells jang- ling inside his head. “I’m taking Gibb to hospital,” he said stubbornly. 140 Harry giggled. “I’ve solved that problem,” he said. “There’s no hurry to open the door now. If you promise not to try any heroics you can come over and have a drink with us. If not—I’ve still got this!’’ He be ct an ivory paperknife. Sam’s head jerked in the direction of Gibb. Muscles knotted along his jaws as he clenched his teeth. *““Nice neighbours you’ve picked,”’ he gritted out, speak- ing to the girl. She avoided his stare. “Lena had nothing to do with that,’ said Max Binder. “It was Harry’s idea.” “You could have stopped him. And she knew what she was doing when she beaned me. Didn’t you, Lena? Who was calling who a louse a while back?’ **T didn’t think Harry would do—that!”’ she muttered. She spoiled it by adding: “‘He was dying, anyhow.” *“Who isn’t?’ Sam snarled. “You're fooling yourselves if you think you can hide out | here until somebody comes along with decontamination comiclooks.conrn