DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Spaceways, v. 3, issue 4, May 1941

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Spaceways, v. 3, issue 4, May 1941

Page 5

SPACEWAYS     5

DARK INTERLUDE

The Young Man nodded without speaking.
"Well, it's too bad, but it ain't no surprise. Last time we had 'er in for examination, the Doc told 'er this'd happen if she didden quit the racket an' get out inta the country. It was bad enough bein' in the city, but walkin' the streets followin' the trade she did--well, maybe it's the oldest in the world, but I don't like it anyhow."
He paused and looked questioningly at the Young Man.
"I suppose you was here--" Perhaps it was the dead, or perhaps something in the Young Man's face that made him stop. he began again. "I was just stoppin' by like the Chief says we should once in a while. I never expected nothin' like this.
"O' course there'll be an inquest, but you won't have to worry. Only I'll have to get your name an' address. They'll be confidential, though. Now, what'd you say your name was?"
The Young Man spoke for the first time.
"I did not say. i have no name."
The bluecoat looked up exasperatedly and spoke in the tone one uses when addressing a stubborn child.
"Now look, buddy, you ain't gonna get in any trouble. The Doc knew she was a lunger. He told me so person'ly because she was on my beat. We know you didn't bump her. come on, what's your name? Your wife don't need to know you was here.
"I told you. I have no name, nor have I any wife."
"All right. So you ain't got a name! Where d'you live?"
"It's a beautiful place." The Young Man was confiding. 'it's always peaceful, and nothing is ever dirty or--"
The bluecoat had no appreciation of the esthetic. "Yeah, and so's Catalina Island. Look, what's the address? You know, street and number? Or maybe you got out of a padded cell?"
His sarcasm was wasted on the Young Man. As though the bluecoat had not spoekn, he went on:
"And now she'll be there, waiting for me. We two, through eternity. no sorrow, no fear. Just peace, for ever."
"Say! What're you talkin' about? Lissen, you didden know this dame, did you?" His voice showed puzzled interest where before had been only boredom.
"O...of course. We were in love. She was so beautiful--so different from what she is there." His eyes were saddened as he remembered.
"But she'll be beautiful again. And young, and sweet, and all this, even the memory, will be gone."
"Yeah, sure." The bluecoat was business-like now. "This is all the bull, o' course, but if I let you talk long enough you might say somethin'. And when was all this--when you knew her?"
The Young Man spoke as much to himself as to the bluecoat.
"Up to five years ago. I--I had to go away then. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it. I don't know how Laura came to this, but it wasn't her fault, I'm sure. I know it!"
"Sure, bud," the bluecoat assured him. "Nobody's arguin'. An' this is all very interestin', but it ain't gettin' me any place, see? Maybe you're all right, but I dunno what th' Hell you're talkin' about. So suppose you come with me to see the sarge, an' you tell him all about this."
"No...no, I'm sorry, i can't." The Young Man was apologetic but firm. "I was only allowed to return to help her, if necessary, and so I must go again."
"Don't kid yourself. You're comin' with me. you ain't realy done nothin' except refuse to co'perate, so I wn't pput on the 'cuffs if you'll promise to be peaceful. How about it? Comin' quiet or do I need the 'cuffs?"
"I told you. I can't go with you."
The Young Man was calm and unapprehensive.
(concluded on page 16)

Saving...

SPACEWAYS 5 DARK INTERLUDE The Young Man nodded without speaking. "Well, it's too bad, but it ain't no surprise. Last time we had 'er in for examination, the Doc told 'er this'd happen if she didden quit the racket an' get out inta the country. It was bad enough bein' in the city, but walkin' the streets followin' the trade she did--well, maybe it's the oldest in the world, but I don't like it anyhow." He paused and looked questioningly at the Young Man. "I suppose you was here--" Perhaps it was the dead, or perhaps something in the Young Man's face that made him stop. he began again. "I was just stoppin' by like the Chief says we should once in a while. I never expected nothin' like this. "O' course there'll be an inquest, but you won't have to worry. Only I'll have to get your name an' address. They'll be confidential, though. Now, what'd you say your name was?" The Young Man spoke for the first time. "I did not say. i have no name." The bluecoat looked up exasperatedly and spoke in the tone one uses when addressing a stubborn child. "Now look, buddy, you ain't gonna get in any trouble. The Doc knew she was a lunger. He told me so person'ly because she was on my beat. We know you didn't bump her. come on, what's your name? Your wife don't need to know you was here. "I told you. I have no name, nor have I any wife." "All right. So you ain't got a name! Where d'you live?" "It's a beautiful place." The Young Man was confiding. 'it's always peaceful, and nothing is ever dirty or--" The bluecoat had no appreciation of the esthetic. "Yeah, and so's Catalina Island. Look, what's the address? You know, street and number? Or maybe you got out of a padded cell?" His sarcasm was wasted on the Young Man. As though the bluecoat had not spoekn, he went on: "And now she'll be there, waiting for me. We two, through eternity. no sorrow, no fear. Just peace, for ever." "Say! What're you talkin' about? Lissen, you didden know this dame, did you?" His voice showed puzzled interest where before had been only boredom. "O...of course. We were in love. She was so beautiful--so different from what she is there." His eyes were saddened as he remembered. "But she'll be beautiful again. And young, and sweet, and all this, even the memory, will be gone." "Yeah, sure." The bluecoat was business-like now. "This is all the bull, o' course, but if I let you talk long enough you might say somethin'. And when was all this--when you knew her?" The Young Man spoke as much to himself as to the bluecoat. "Up to five years ago. I--I had to go away then. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it. I don't know how Laura came to this, but it wasn't her fault, I'm sure. I know it!" "Sure, bud," the bluecoat assured him. "Nobody's arguin'. An' this is all very interestin', but it ain't gettin' me any place, see? Maybe you're all right, but I dunno what th' Hell you're talkin' about. So suppose you come with me to see the sarge, an' you tell him all about this." "No...no, I'm sorry, i can't." The Young Man was apologetic but firm. "I was only allowed to return to help her, if necessary, and so I must go again." "Don't kid yourself. You're comin' with me. you ain't realy done nothin' except refuse to co'perate, so I wn't pput on the 'cuffs if you'll promise to be peaceful. How about it? Comin' quiet or do I need the 'cuffs?" "I told you. I can't go with you." The Young Man was calm and unapprehensive. (concluded on page 16)