Forbidden Worlds #51

Herbert Jones is an overworked businessman whose doctor prescribes relaxation—so he trades his financial reports for science fiction, dismissing the whole genre as ridiculous nonsense. When he mysteriously finds himself floating up into space, Herbert crashes-lands on the moon, discovers an ancient alien spacecraft, and accidentally launches it into the cosmos, where he encounters the spaceman Bo-oolak and together they navigate the wonders and perils of the galaxy. This tale by Ogden Whitney captures the delightful chaos that unfolds when a by-the-book Earthman gets exactly what he needs—whether he wanted it or not.

A superstition examined through three legendary tales—from ancient Egypt to the Spanish seas to a simple pipe smoker's mishap—each offering a different answer to the question: where did the old "three lights on a match" curse really come from? This story explores the origins of one of folklore's most persistent warnings, blending history, drama, and a touch of cautionary humor.

In "The Unseen and Unheard!", Vic Bailey’s life changes after a head wound grants him the ability to see a hidden, advanced civilization woven into the fabric of our own world. As he struggles to share what he’s witnessed, the very thing that opened his eyes begins to close again—leaving him alone with the knowledge of a reality most will never believe.

In "Across All Barriers!", Dr. Howard Jordan attempts to bridge the gap between Alan Foster and Marla Goren, two souls who’ve only ever met in dreams—where love seems eternal, but reality remains out of reach. When Jordan tries to bring them together in the waking world, a tragic crash leaves Alan dead, leaving Marla to wonder if their connection was ever real at all.