Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

| AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “This is the day room. Here we allow the milder patients to mingle and talk. Conversa- tion amongst themselves is a form of therapy.” “They look normal enough,” said Mrs. Cauldwell. She seemed disappointed. “They are unpredictable, not violent, you understand, but maladjusted.”” Hammond didn’t even try to explain the various mental illnesses which made life a burden to each and every patient. He opened other doors. “Occupational therapy, weaving, basket- making, painting, handicrafts, things like that.’ He gestured to the equipment clustered in the room. “Many of the items made by the patients are of great artistic beauty.” “Then why don’t you sell them?” Mrs. Cauldwell sniffed as she asked the question. “We do,” said Hammond quietly. He led the way to- wards the far wing of the hospital. “Perhaps you would _ like to see the laboratory.” 98 “The laboratory?” She seemed disappointed. | “We call it that,” said Hammond. He didn’t look at the woman. “‘A better name would be the operating theatre.” She smiled. John Evans was working behind the screen when they entered. He straightened, his ERE AI MC 7 thin cheeks paling, thenforced himself to smile as Hammond introduced the woman. “Mrs. Cauldwell is very interested in our treatments,” said the director. “Would you show her some of our equipment?” ““Certainly.”” John had been through all this before and knew what to do. He led the way to the operating table. ‘This is where we give electric shock treatment,” he ex- plained. “Sometimes a high voltage charge can ease the inner conflict of a patient with beneficial results. The charge is quite high, almost equal to that of the electric chair, and it is applied through COMICOO<S.CONN = Py et