Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 66 — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION newspapers he wore in lieu of underclothes, he suffered from a slight handicap in his education. That handicap he would have worked before admitting. “Listen. That saucer has landed to make contact with the human race. That’s us. Now, if we work it right, we’d - be in on the ground floor of anything that was going. Trade concessions! Private interviews! The go-betweens between the aliens and the government. The _ publicity alone would be worth a fortune. The photographs, statements, endorsements, radio and television broad- casts. George! We'd be rolling in it!” “Money,” said George simply, and licked his lips. ““When do we start?” *““Now, before anyone can beat us to it.” Fred led the way back towards the shel- tered valley, explaining as he went. “Leave this to me. I’ve read all about it and a dumb ox like you would only go and spoil things. The first thing to do is to contact them, and do it without arous- ing their fear or dislike. We must be brave, intelligent, understanding, kind and forth- right.”” He looked at George. “Put down that club.” “*Must 1?’ “Yes. We mustn’t show hostility or fear, and a club, Or any weapon, is an ad- mission of both. We'll walk towards it with our hands exposed to show that they are empty, and a smile of welcome on our faces.” He shuddered at George’s grimace. “Is that the best you can do?” “1’m not a smiling man,” grunted George. ““You sure you know what you’re doing ?”’ *“[’m sure.” Fred took a deep breath. ‘“‘Ready? Then follow me.” Together they strode to- wards the flying saucer. It lay at the bottom of the little valley, the grass scorched at its edges, and it was completely devoid of windows, jets, propellors or other forms of recognisable motive power. Aside from one small opening, the smooth hull wascompletely sealed. George stared at the open- ing, trembled, and only Fred’s 100 comiclooks.com