Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

MISPLACED PERSON lamps . . . that case of in- struments .. . He fought his rising fear. “I was passing and saw your name-plate outside. Is it important?” “Of course not.’ Henderly’s emotion was one of relief. This was one fee which he wouldn’t have to split. ““Well, suppose you tell me just what is troubling you?” “JT am afraid,” said Mark, and, as he admitted it, the fear rose within him so that he felt as if he wanted to be sick. “Afraid? Afraid of what?” “IT don’t know. That’s the worst part about it. P’ve got nothing to be afraid of.” “That isn’t quite true, is it?’ Henderly relaxed in his chair and smiled at his patient. “Everyone has something to be afraid of. Most of us manage to live with our fears, master them, devalue them so that they are no longer troublesome. Others, perhaps like yourself, exag- gerate them to an inflated - importance.” He smiled again. “Don’t worry about it. 113 Your case is by no means new and should present no diffi- culty.” “T’m glad to hear it,” said Mark. “I don’t think I can put up with it much longer.” “Suicide?” Henderlylooked — interested. “Have you ever considered killing yourself?’ “No.” ““Are you sure? Have you never had a momentary im- pulse to, say, throw yourself in front of a train or bus? Or, if in a high building, to cast yourself down from the roof?” “No.” “Then how would you consider ending it all?’ Hen- derly frowned at his patient’s baffled expression. ““You said that you doubted your ability to put up with it much longer,” he reminded. “That is an unconscious determination to commit suicide in order to escape.” “TJ don’t think so,” said Mark slowly. “I’ve never thought of self-destruction. It’s just that I feel that, unless I stop being afraid, comichooks.corm | S53