Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION funds we could be in real trouble.”’ *“Notifwesucceed,” pointed out Sam evenly. “And we have already succeeded far enough to justify what we’ve done. After Carl has finished his final series of tests we can publicise what we’ve done.” John nodded, his logic telling him, as it always did, that his fears were unneces- sary. As usual, logic yielded to pure emotion and he sat and smoked and sweated with anticipation of discovery. Again sound filtered through into the room, dis- torted, almost unrecognisable, and yet, to an experienced ear, unmistakable. *““Number seven-twenty- three,” said Sam _ quietly. “Paranoia.” “Due for shock-treatment,” said John. “‘She’s already had insulin; now she’s due for near-electrocution. When that doesn’t work they'll do a lobotomy and release her as cured.” The way he said it 88 left no doubt as to his opinion of the “‘cure.”’ “Not if Carl clears up the loose ends,” said Sam. He stared at his cigarette. “Not ever again if what we are working on proves itself. No more drugs, electrocution, savage surgery. No more probing and questioning and blundering. Insanity will be cured the right and only way, by the patients them- selves.”’ “If Carl succeeds,” re- minded John. He glanced at his watch again and, as he did so, his sleeve rode up his arm to reveal a thin, red line. Sam reached forward, gripped the wrist and stared at the mark. “Still there?” “Yes.”? John looked at the mark. “It’s going fast. An- other day and it will have vanished.”’ He drew back his arm. “‘That’ll teach me to control my imagination.” He returned to the subject fore- most in his mind. “Carl shouldn’t be alone. One of us should have monitored conmiclsooks conn