Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 65 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION or used one? If you have you'll know just how good a line it was for a stink-hole like Mars. Even Slim, after I’d finished my build-up, was eager to get into production. “When can we start, Dusty ?” ‘Just as soon as we find a chemist willing to knock up a batch on a delayed-payment basis. We can get the labels printed and find someone to provide us with some bottles.” I stared at my partner. “I'll handle the selling angle. You’d better let me have a few credits to hire a stand and for general expenses.” “Sure, Dusty. How much do you need ?”’ “As much as you can spare.” I grinned at his ex- pression. “Look, this thing is big. Once we sell one all Mars will be lining up with their money in their hand to buy more. We'll charge a hundred credits a time. The cost of production shouldn’t run to more than twenty, and we can snowball our original investment up to the sky.” I shrugged. “‘Of course, if you don’t want to buy in, that’s up to you. Go and peddle your tips and don’t blame me if you starve.” **Mason might string along with us,’ Slim said slowly. 14 ““He’s a chemist of sorts and can get the stuff cheap. I haven’t got any money myself, though, not what you’d call real money.” If he only knew! I shrugged and made ap- propriate noises and then got in quick and hard. “You’ve things you can pawn, haven’t you? Stuff you can sell? Well then, sell it. Raise a stake or I'll find myself another part- ner: It worked, as I knew it would. I’ve never had trouble selling myself, not when it’s to a money-hungry character, eager to get rich quick. Offer them the Sun and they'll be so blinded that they won’t see the flaws and snags. One of the prime basics of selling. is that if you’re going to lie, then make the lie as big as you can. If you make a promise, the same applies. Optimism pays off, pessimism gets you nothing but a kick in the rear. Slim swallowed the bait hook, line and sinker and, within a few hours, I was talking to the chemist with the comforting knowledge of cash in my pocket and the biggest money-spinner on Mars in my sole control. Mason proved awkward. commicloooks.comhn