DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Catalyst, issue 1, January 1943

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Catalyst, issue 1, January 1943

Page 4

A DAY WITH SOLOMON IN NEW AMERICA -- RUSS WOULD

The great jurist stepped briskly into the anteroom, ran an inquiring eye over the waiting crowd, and nodded to the girl at the reception desk. Then he disappeared through the glass-paneled door marked "Court of Human Relations -- K. Solomon, Presiding Justice."

Unlike the bare, austere courtrooms of the past, Judge Solomon's court was comfortably furnished, even luxurious. A thoroughly modern office, yet it managed to create an air of imtimacy, of warm humanity, so characteristic of Solomon himself.

As Solomon came in, a young couple, hardly out of their tends, rose from their chairs, and waited courteously until Solomon was comfortably escounced in the plush of his chair behind his huge desk before reseating themselves. The great jurist smiled.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Well -- er -- Judge, your honor," stammered the youth. "You see we -- that is -- we would like to get married."

"How long have you youngsters been living together?" queried the judge.

The judge repressed a chuckle at the glow of crimson that suffesed the lad's face -- he was actually blushing. 

"Why, your honor," gasped the stunned youth. "We just decided to get married last night."

Solomon frowned.

"It isn't quite as simple as that, young man," he demurred. "The law prescribes a definite course of action for all marriageable couples. First, you must register with the Eugenics Bureau, file your marriage agreement, and give your qualifications for marriage. .These include a list of your antecedents, your birth certificates, a clean bill of health from a reputable physician, and other such information as pertains to your case. After that, you must live together for the probationary period of one year, during which time the Eugenics Bureau investigates your case. If they find no reason why you should not be married, you must appear at the end of the probationary period and prove that you are compatible. The Court of Human Relations then makes you man and wife, and your marriage becomes final."

"Any questions? No? The Eugenics Bureau is on the third floor. You may use my private elevator."

Solomon lit a cigarette, blew a couple of near smoke rings and ran an alert eye over the first brief on his desk. A moment later he flipped a switch and spoke into the inter-communicator.

"First case, Miss Jones."

The youg couple who came in presently were obviously ill at ease. The judge's flashing smile reassured them. 

"Sit down, please," he invited. "Your names?"

The man answered.

"George Mahoney and Winifred Hocking, your honor."

"Your probationary period is not yet up, I believe?"

"No, your honor," the girl replied. "But..."

Saving...

A DAY WITH SOLOMON IN NEW AMERICA -- RUSS WOULD The great jurist stepped briskly into the anteroom, ran an inquiring eye over the waiting crowd, and nodded to the girl at the reception desk. Then he disappeared through the glass-paneled door marked "Court of Human Relations -- K. Solomon, Presiding Justice." Unlike the bare, austere courtrooms of the past, Judge Solomon's court was comfortably furnished, even luxurious. A thoroughly modern office, yet it managed to create an air of imtimacy, of warm humanity, so characteristic of Solomon himself. As Solomon came in, a young couple, hardly out of their tends, rose from their chairs, and waited courteously until Solomon was comfortably escounced in the plush of his chair behind his huge desk before reseating themselves. The great jurist smiled. "What can I do for you?" he asked. "Well -- er -- Judge, your honor," stammered the youth. "You see we -- that is -- we would like to get married." "How long have you youngsters been living together?" queried the judge. The judge repressed a chuckle at the glow of crimson that suffesed the lad's face -- he was actually blushing. "Why, your honor," gasped the stunned youth. "We just decided to get married last night." Solomon frowned. "It isn't quite as simple as that, young man," he demurred. "The law prescribes a definite course of action for all marriageable couples. First, you must register with the Eugenics Bureau, file your marriage agreement, and give your qualifications for marriage. .These include a list of your antecedents, your birth certificates, a clean bill of health from a reputable physician, and other such information as pertains to your case. After that, you must live together for the probationary period of one year, during which time the Eugenics Bureau investigates your case. If they find no reason why you should not be married, you must appear at the end of the probationary period and prove that you are compatible. The Court of Human Relations then makes you man and wife, and your marriage becomes final." "Any questions? No? The Eugenics Bureau is on the third floor. You may use my private elevator." Solomon lit a cigarette, blew a couple of near smoke rings and ran an alert eye over the first brief on his desk. A moment later he flipped a switch and spoke into the inter-communicator. "First case, Miss Jones." The youg couple who came in presently were obviously ill at ease. The judge's flashing smile reassured them. "Sit down, please," he invited. "Your names?" The man answered. "George Mahoney and Winifred Hocking, your honor." "Your probationary period is not yet up, I believe?" "No, your honor," the girl replied. "But..."