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Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 2, July 1939

Page 10

PAGE #10                                      AD ASTRA

AN INTERVIEW with JULIAN S. KRUPA

   By Richard I. Meyer

   It was already 5 P.M. and I was still on the bus, bound for Mark Reinsberg's apartment. "Gosh, late again. I suppose it's O.K. -- if only he won't leave without me." Strange to say, he delayed his departure long enough for me to catch him just as he pulled away. The occasion was our anticipated trip out to Argo, Illinois, where friend Krupa resided. We had first met him in the editorial offices of Amazing Stories, where the four of us -- Palmer, Krupa, Reinsberg and I joined in a somewhat riotous day, terminating long after the rest of the staff had gone home. 

   Mark spoke. "Rich, I didn't mention it before but I've only handled this car alone since Tuesday. Just learned to drive. But you needn't worry, I can handle this jalopy good for the short time I've had it. (A jalopy it was -- a '31 Olds, to be precise -- and plenty run down!)

   "What -- whew! Fine time to tell me! Well, take it easy -- it's my neck." A few seconds later I again spoke: "Mark, don't get irritated fellow, but I prefer to hold my hand on the emergency brake -- just in case."

   After forty minutes of nerve racking narrow escapes we turned into Argo. Having passed our street by several blocks, Mark attempted a detour -- only to wind up in a particularly desolate part of nowhere -- and worse yet -- stuck in the mud! Argo was just recovering from a modified deluge. 

   The episode cost us an hour of futile exertion -- until two fellows came along and lent a "hand" (The "hand" costing fifty cents apiece). Eventually, we pulled up in front of Krupa's home, pathetically late. Julian answered at the door, dressed in his overcoat -- ready to leave. 

   "Thought you'd never get here", he said, smiling, "expected you over an hour ago. I was just on my way to an appointment set for later in the evening -- but come in -- take off your coats. We'll go into my study."

   As a study, it was a surprise, and a marvel of compactness. A large bookcase crammed with books and magazines occupied most of the right side, further supplemented by a tall filing case, Julian's drawing board mounted atop a stand, three chairs and finally a desk. All this in a room 8x5. The walls were decorated by several framed diplomas and some large drawings by Krupa. Oh yes, a window and a door.

   Explanations were forthcoming on our tardiness and we repeated our rather hectic adventures, ending with laughter. We talked on an astonishing variety of topics, science fiction and otherwise, before Reinsberg gently steered the conversation to subjects closer at hand. Following his lead, I ventured:

   "How about that interviewfor AD ASTRA you promised down at Palmer's? You know, very little is actually known about yourself."

   "What do you mean?" Krupa countered laughingly, "I had my autobiography published in Amazing only a short time ago."

   "But", Reinsberg interjected, "that was composed by Palmer.

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PAGE #10 AD ASTRA AN INTERVIEW with JULIAN S. KRUPA By Richard I. Meyer It was already 5 P.M. and I was still on the bus, bound for Mark Reinsberg's apartment. "Gosh, late again. I suppose it's O.K. -- if only he won't leave without me." Strange to say, he delayed his departure long enough for me to catch him just as he pulled away. The occasion was our anticipated trip out to Argo, Illinois, where friend Krupa resided. We had first met him in the editorial offices of Amazing Stories, where the four of us -- Palmer, Krupa, Reinsberg and I joined in a somewhat riotous day, terminating long after the rest of the staff had gone home. Mark spoke. "Rich, I didn't mention it before but I've only handled this car alone since Tuesday. Just learned to drive. But you needn't worry, I can handle this jalopy good for the short time I've had it. (A jalopy it was -- a '31 Olds, to be precise -- and plenty run down!) "What -- whew! Fine time to tell me! Well, take it easy -- it's my neck." A few seconds later I again spoke: "Mark, don't get irritated fellow, but I prefer to hold my hand on the emergency brake -- just in case." After forty minutes of nerve racking narrow escapes we turned into Argo. Having passed our street by several blocks, Mark attempted a detour -- only to wind up in a particularly desolate part of nowhere -- and worse yet -- stuck in the mud! Argo was just recovering from a modified deluge. The episode cost us an hour of futile exertion -- until two fellows came along and lent a "hand" (The "hand" costing fifty cents apiece). Eventually, we pulled up in front of Krupa's home, pathetically late. Julian answered at the door, dressed in his overcoat -- ready to leave. "Thought you'd never get here", he said, smiling, "expected you over an hour ago. I was just on my way to an appointment set for later in the evening -- but come in -- take off your coats. We'll go into my study." As a study, it was a surprise, and a marvel of compactness. A large bookcase crammed with books and magazines occupied most of the right side, further supplemented by a tall filing case, Julian's drawing board mounted atop a stand, three chairs and finally a desk. All this in a room 8x5. The walls were decorated by several framed diplomas and some large drawings by Krupa. Oh yes, a window and a door. Explanations were forthcoming on our tardiness and we repeated our rather hectic adventures, ending with laughter. We talked on an astonishing variety of topics, science fiction and otherwise, before Reinsberg gently steered the conversation to subjects closer at hand. Following his lead, I ventured: "How about that interviewfor AD ASTRA you promised down at Palmer's? You know, very little is actually known about yourself." "What do you mean?" Krupa countered laughingly, "I had my autobiography published in Amazing only a short time ago." "But", Reinsberg interjected, "that was composed by Palmer.