Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION he saw how she had tried to temper the severe utility of the table with a mock rockery of dyed lichen, sand, stones, and a broken mirror for a make-believe pond. ““Ah well,” he sighed. ““Let’s see what they’ve issued today.” “Yes, boss.”’ Janie adjusted the isotherm plungers on the cans. Drew went to the window. The window was a wall. It was one whole side of the dinerette. Clear, thick and unbreakable, it was their little arc of the great dome that housed the colony. It was the only thing that separated the comparative comfort and safety of their cell in the Beehive from the inhospitality of the planet outside. “It’s going to be a fine day tomorrow.”’ Drew judged the night and gave his verdict. “No rain?” asked Janie. “No rain,” he affirmed. “You pick certs to bet on, don’t you, Drew? Is that the best the great meteorologist can do?” “Stick to your pots and pans, wench. Let the master meditate.” As he trailed his gaze over the near-black sky and located the familiar constellations, he let his mind relax. The day’s work was done. He was home with Janie who was humming happily somewhere behind him. He had a rest day to- morrow—which really would be a fine day according to the readings. He would stay in the cell with Janie, he told him- self. That would make up for all the lonely hours she had to spend without him. He shortened the focus of his eyes to watch her reflec- tion in the concavity of the plastic wall. And, immediately, the soft smile quirking his lips froze. The image of Janie, slightly larger than life, was a picture of a crazy- eyed fiend, creeping up on him with a pair of scissors aimed between his shoulder blades. It was only then that he noticed she had stopped humming. Ferguson took it calmly. He let Drew tell his story without interruption, and when Drew had finished, there was a long silence before Ferguson spoke. “You’re an exceptional . man, Banner,” he said. “So 114 comiclbooks.corn So ee ee 4 we ¢ a