Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

WISHFUL THINKING him as we did before. Why did you let him try it by himself?” “T had no choice.” Sam shrugged, forcing himself to remain calm. “I was delayed and Carl had locked himself in by the time I arrived. You know how he is, impatient as the devil, and he wanted to test the new circuit.” “‘He’s impatient,’ admitted -John. “Too impatient, but he should have waited.” “That’s what I told him,” said Sam. “‘He took no notice. Said that he’d run a test and join us here.” ““He’s been alone for almost an hour,” said John. “A test should last no more than a few minutes. Allowing for preliminaries he’s still long overdue.” He crushed out his cigarette and rose to his feet. “I’m going to join him.” “And if the door is locked ?”’ *““He’ll open it or we'll force it open.” They had to force it open. They did it carefully, mind- ful of janitors and repair men 89 and the rest of the staff who — might be curious as to why a laboratory door had been forced. And they didn’t do it until it was obvious that Carl either didn’t, or wouldn’t, © hear their calls and knocks. Sam produced a strip of steel, wedged it in the lock and levered back the latch. The doorswung open. Samstepped — forward, switched on the lights and stared into the familiar room. It was long, white-walled, grimly sterile and totally utili- tarian. Cabinets of instruments and drugs lined the walls, hulking machines hunched over adjustable chairs and operating tables, and a com- plex switchboard hung against one wall. One corner of the long room was shielded by high screens above which hung a single light. Sam stepped towards the screens and rolled them aside. Behind the screens rested a chair. In the chair... God!’ Sam stepped back, his face ghastly. “God!” he said again. COMmicsookxs.com