Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 66 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

FIRST IMPRESSION grip on his arm kept him where he was. “Don’t move,” hissed Fred urgently. “If you try to run it might blast you to a cinder.”’ *“Yeah.”’ George gulped and took another look at the thing in the opening. “‘Hell! It don’t even look decent.”’ “It’s only unfamiliar, and we are intelligent enough to accept the fact that intelli- gence needn’t be confined to the human race.” Despite his words, Fred felt thick streams of sweat running down his face and he had to fight the desire to run. The trouble was that the thing wasnowherenearhuman. It squatted in the shadow of the opening, six feet tall, four armed, covered with short rust-coloured fur, and with wide, unblinking eyes. If it resembled anything at all, it was a monkey, but it only resembled that as a dog resembled a sheep. It didn’t speak. ““What now?’ whispered George. “Walk towards it.” Fred swallowed and tried to remem- ber what he had read. “Be calm and dignified. Make out 101 as though we’ve done this before. Don’t let what it looks like upset you. Think of the money.” “Yeah, but what'll we say ?”’ “You keep quiet,” said Fred. “I'll do the talking.”’ He forced his reluctant legs to carry him to within ten feet of the alien. “Good after- noon,” hesaid politely. “Could we be of assistance ?”’ That, he thought, was rather neat. A cultural greeting coupled with an offer of assistance, both delivered in welcoming terms and ex- pressing calm acceptance and understanding of both the saucer and its pilot. The thing didn’t answer. “Maybe it didn’t under- stand you,’ whispered George. “Try again.” Fred nodded. “‘Where are you from?” Silence. ; “Are you in trouble?” Silence. “Can you hear me?” Silence. “This,” said George bit- terly, “‘isn’t getting us any- where.” He glared at the alien. “Hey, you! Are you connicloooks.com