Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION the tightrope by my toes. A big smile. Midge the clown. Sometimes you can tell when a show’s going over. It was that way now. Right from the beginning I knew we had them by the throat. The banks of Emotional Reaction lights above the arcs told the story. They shone a clear deep ruby, a good healthy sign of audience empathy, but I wasn’t sur- prised. Our play was a com- bination of two _ primitive art forms, and it had every- thing, love, pathos, beauty. And terror. The finale was the best, when the Zarl escaped from its cage and almost caught Lisa. I killed the Zarl, singing Duo pro Pagliacco as | died, my voice golden thunder. Curtain. Director Latham hurried onstage, clapping, his eyes wet with tears. ““Splendid,”’ he husked. “‘Magnificent, Midge! I think we’ve finally done it.” I squinted at the Reaction lights. They shone the steady crimson of approval. ““Looks like a hit, sir,’ I said. ““Those ancients sure knew their stuff. I hope it’s not just novelty interest.”’ 54 A shadow of worry touched Latham’s pudgy face. “We'll know later. Coming to the cast party?” I shook my head and grinned. “I’ve got a very special celebration planned. Just me and the wife. See you at rehearsal tomorrow.”’ I went backstage to find Lisa. She wasn’t in our dressing room. Puzzled, I went down the hall to Paul’s dressing room, opened the door. “‘Paul, have you seen———”’ My voice trailed off. I stared at them. Paul and Lisa. “Oh, hello, darling,” Lisa said softly. “‘Isn’t it wonder- ful? Paul’s proposed!” ‘“‘“And she accepted,” Paul said. *“Accepted,”’ I said. ‘*Tt?ll be so perfect.” Lisa was radiant. ““The three of us, together!”’ ‘But we're androids,” I whispered. | “So what?” Paul said happily. ‘““You’re actors, and that’s what really counts. It'll be the best companionate marriage on record!”’ I remember saying it would comiclooks.cormn