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diff --git a/29931-h/29931-h.htm b/29931-h/29931-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b8c352 --- /dev/null +++ b/29931-h/29931-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1772 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Big Tomorrow, by Paul Lohrman + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: center;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 2em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin: 0 1em 1em 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; width: 376px;} + img {border: none;} + a:link,a:visited {text-decoration: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + .figt {float: left; clear: left; margin: 15px; padding: 0; width: 144px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; min-height: 230px;} + .trn p {margin: 15px;} + .bx1 {margin: 4em auto;} + .sp1 {font-size: 150%;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Big Tomorrow, by Paul Lohrman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Big Tomorrow + +Author: Paul Lohrman + +Illustrator: Sanford Kossin + +Release Date: September 8, 2009 [EBook #29931] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIG TOMORROW *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/001.png" width="376" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +<small><b>Illustrator: Sanford Kossin</b></small></div> + +<h1>THE<br /> +<span class="sp1">BIG TOMORROW</span></h1> + +<h2><small>BY PAUL LOHRMAN</small></h2> + +<p class="bx1"><i>There are certain rare individuals in this world who seem bereft +of all common sense. These are the people who set their eyes upon +an objective and immediately all intelligence, logic, good advice, +unsolvable problems, and insurmountable obstacles go completely +by the boards. The characters we refer to are obviously just +plain stupid. What they want to do, just can't be done. The objectives +they have in mind are unachievable and anyone with an +ounce of brains can tell them so and give them good reasons. They +are usually pretty sad cases and often land in the funny house. +But then again, some of them go out and discover new worlds.</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">He</span> hadn't gotten any work done +that morning. He'd spent +most of the time pacing the floor +of his small back office, and the +rest of it at the window—hands +clasped behind his somewhat +bowed back—staring up into the +cloudless sky.</p> + +<p>At ten-forty, the intercom +buzzed. He snapped the switch.</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"I've got those figures, Mr. +Lake. We have nine—"</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'd better come in +and tell me personally, Lucy."</p> + +<p>"All right, Mr. Lake."</p> + +<p>The intercom snapped off and +a few moments later a girl entered +the office—if the prim little wisp +that was Lucy Crane could be +so generously classified.</p> + +<p>Joshua Lake stared at the elongated +bun of black hair on the top +of her head as she came toward his +desk. There was an odd streak of +rich imagination in Joshua Lake +and he always felt Lucy Crane's +bun was a symbol of disapproval. +"Sit down, Lucy. You use up too +much energy."</p> + +<p>"I try to do my job, Mr. Lake."</p> + +<p>"You do that—and more. +What are the figures, Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"We're in desperate shape. We +have nine thousand, four hundred +and twenty dollars in the payroll +account. That leaves it over five +thousand short. There is only +about two thousand in General +Disbursements, but that isn't +enough to cover invoices due tomorrow. +I'm afraid—"</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, Lucy. That's +negative. If we waste our time +sitting around shivering, we won't +make any progress at all."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean it that way, +Mr. Lake. I'm not shivering. I was +merely stating that we haven't +got enough money."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll go to the bank and +get some more."</p> + +<p>"Of course, Mr. Lake. Is that +all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's all, Lucy. You run +on to lunch."</p> + +<p>"You aren't going out?"</p> + +<p>"No. I'm not hungry today."</p> + +<p>Her bun bobbed in disapproval +as she left the office. Joshua Lake +stared at the closed door and +sighed. Lucy knew exactly how +things were. She wasn't one to be +fooled. But Joshua hoped the rest +of the personnel were not so perceptive. +The engineers and the +draftsmen particularly. They could +all walk out at noon and be working +somewhere else by one o'clock, +what with the huge current industrial +demand.</p> + +<p>He walked again to the window; +an old man; bone-weary, with the +weight of his sixty-odd years bending +his shoulders like a brick-carrier's +hod.</p> + +<p>"<i>Then I'll go to the bank and get +some more.</i>" He hadn't even fooled +himself this time. His chances at +the bank were nil. Less than nil. +His very presence there could tip +the balance of their decision. Loans +could be called; the doors locked +before nightfall.</p> + +<p>At the window, he lowered his +eyes from the sky and looked to +the gate that led into the horseshoe +sweep of low buildings and +back to the great, bulking hangar +where precious work was being +done.</p> + +<p>A man and his dream, Lake +mused.</p> + +<p>He could see only the back of +the sign hanging over the gate, +but he was quite familiar with the +other side. <i>Lake Interstellar Enterprises</i> +in bold, brave letters; and +in the lower right-hand corner—barely +discernible—<i>Joshua Lake—President</i>.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>A visitor looking closely at the +sign could see that it had been +done over—that a discarded legend +lay beneath a coat of white +paint. The old name of the firm +was still faintly visible: <i>Lake and +Gorman—Castings and Extrusions</i>.</p> + +<p>It wasn't difficult for Joshua to +conjure up Lee Gorman's craggy, +hostile face. Nor his words. Lee +had a voice like gravel being +ground to powder. A voice to +remember....</p> + +<p>"Of course I won't go along +with this damn-fool idea of yours! +Turn a perfectly sound, entrenched +business into a blue-sky factory? +You've gone crazy, Joshua."</p> + +<p>"But it's feasible, Lee! Entirely +feasible. All we need is a +little imagination. I've investigated. +I've hired the best brains +in the world. I have all the necessary +preliminary data. A rocket +<i>can</i> be built that will take three +men to the Moon and bring them +back!"</p> + +<p>"That's idiocy, Joshua!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it can be +done?"</p> + +<p>"I don't care whether it can +be done or not!"</p> + +<p>"But open your eyes, man! +This is an age of development. +An era of movement. We're on +the threshold of the big tomorrow, +and we can't let it pass us by! +We can't let the honor and the +glory go to others while we sit on +our hands and hoot from the +gallery! Come alive, Lee! The +world is passing us!"</p> + +<p>"I don't want honor and glory. +All I want is a sound going business. +Suppose we could put a +rocket on the Moon and bring it +back? Where would that leave us? +Broke and famous. And laughed +at probably in the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the kind. We could +write our own ticket. We'd control +the gateway to the greatest +mineral deposits within reach of +Man! Think of it, Lee. Use your +imagination."</p> + +<p>"I won't go along with you, +Joshua. That's all there is to it."</p> + +<p>More of the same; days of it, +and finally: "You can have the +customers then, Lee. I'll keep the +plant—the physical properties."</p> + +<p>"But that's not fair."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, but it's legal."</p> + +<p>"How can I service them—from my basement?"</p> + +<p>"I offered you an alternative +only a fool would have turned +down—"</p> + +<p>"That only a fool would accept!"</p> + +<p>"—so now I'm going ahead +and nothing can stop me. I've got +a dream, man—a dream of a big +tomorrow. I'm going to make that +dream come true."</p> + +<p>"Name it right, Joshua. You've +got an obsession."</p> + +<p>The end of <i>Lake and Gorman</i>....</p> + +<p>Joshua turned from the window, +then paused and looked again into +the sky. The Moon was up, a +round, white will-o'-the-wisp in +the clear blue afternoon sky. He +stared at it and the old feeling of +affinity swept over him, stronger +than ever. The Moon was, for +him, both a goal and a tonic. Sight +of its illusive form could always +sweep away his doubts; straighten +his shoulders.</p> + +<p>The intercom buzzed. Joshua +went over and snapped it. "Yes?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Coving to see you, sir."</p> + +<p>"Send him in."</p> + +<p>Rayburn Coving was probably +the best rocket-fuel man in the +world. He had a little of his sandy +hair left, not much, and his forehead +was permanently creased +from frowning. "I'm afraid that +new benzoic derivative is a failure, +Chief. It piles up corrosion in the +tubes too fast. They'd be clogged +halfway through the trip."</p> + +<p>One hundred and twenty thousand +dollars up the spout. Joshua +sighed. "Well, I suppose the +chance of success was worth it. +The added power in relatively +smaller space would have solved +so many other problems."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry it failed."</p> + +<p>Joshua smiled. "To paraphrase +a certain American inventor—we're +finding any number of ways +you can't go to the Moon. What +now, Coving?"</p> + +<p>"Back to the old method—and +the other problems. None of +them are insurmountable, though. +A little more time—"</p> + +<p>"Yes—a little more time." +Joshua grimaced inwardly. He +was talking to Coving as though +they had years—not as though +their time had run out. He was +even in debt for Coving's labor; +overdrawn on it without enough +money to pay.</p> + +<p>The moment of weakness—of +deep-down weariness—passed. +Joshua Lake stiffened as he had +stiffened so many times before. +As he had stiffened when Zornoff's +alloys had flunked out and +the first trip to the bank had been +made necessary. The first trip to +the bank. Joshua smiled wryly. +The bank people had been cordial +then. Even servile. Later it had +been different. Now—</p> + +<p>"You were saying, Mr. +Lake—?"</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Morton lately? +What's the latest on the radar +relay equipment?"</p> + +<p>"No major bugs, I think. It's +coming along famously."</p> + +<p>"Good!" For two hundred odd +thousand it certainly should, +Joshua felt. "Let me know how +you make out, Coving."</p> + +<p>"I will, Chief. I'll get the order +in for the new chemicals immediately."</p> + +<p>"Eh—oh, yes. Do that. Do +that by all means."</p> + +<p>Coving left. Joshua Lake put +his head against the back rest of +the chair and closed his eyes. He +dozed, drifting into a haze from +weariness. <i>It's been so long—so +very long. Seven years—eight—ten. +Ten years. Good heavens! Was +it possible? It didn't seem that long. +Ten years to make a dream succeed.</i></p> + +<p><i>Or fail.</i></p> + +<p>Joshua slept and again—as in +the past—his rest was plagued +with visions. The torment of his +days took many forms in an alert +subconscious too taut to relax. He +had seen before him mountains +too steep to cross—chasms too +deep and wide to bridge. Often, +when a great problem was solved, +he would look back, nights later, +to see the mountain or the chasm +from the other side.</p> + +<p>Now his vision was different. +No mountain before him, but a +face—the stern craggy face of an +obstacle in his path.</p> + +<p>Lee Gorman.</p> + +<p>The face was of clay—yet it +lived. The eyes were cold, disdainful. +And a weird, green creation of +Joshua's own mind was sketching +Gorman in the numbers, signs, +and symbols of a rocket that +would never reach the Moon.</p> + +<p>Joshua awoke with a start and +found Lucy bending over him. +"You didn't answer the buzzer, +Mr. Lake. I was worried."</p> + +<p>"I must have dozed off, Lucy. +Sorry."</p> + +<p>"I'm going home now—if +there's nothing else."</p> + +<p>"Nothing else. I'm going home +myself. Good night."</p> + +<p>Joshua paused beside his car +in the parking lot to stare at the +lighted windows of the big hangar. +The second shift had come on. +They would work all night; then, +tomorrow, they would line up with +the others at the pay window. +But there wouldn't be any money. +The next night the hangar windows +would be dark.</p> + +<p>He got into the car and drove +home.</p> + +<p>Myra was waiting for him. She +took his hat. After he kissed her, +she said, "Your eyes are red, +dear. You've been working much +too hard. Shall we have dinner in +the patio?"</p> + +<p>"That would be nice."</p> + +<p>Joshua had little to say during +the meal, and Myra was quiet +also—adjusting herself, as she +had always done, to his mood. +Finally, she said, "That will be +all, Bertha. Leave the coffee pot."</p> + +<p>The maid left. A slight chill +was coming in off the desert. +Joshua shivered and said, "We're +through, Myra."</p> + +<p>"Through? I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"The Moon trip. I can't swing +it. The money's run out. There's +no place I can raise another +dime."</p> + +<p>"But you've worked so hard—and +so long! And you are so close +to success."</p> + +<p>"We've made a lot of progress, +but the rocket isn't ready yet. +Now it's too late."</p> + +<p>They were silent for a time. +Then Myra said, "In a way, I'm +glad. You should have stopped +long ago. You aren't strong +enough to stand this pace forever. +Now we can go away—get a +small place somewhere. That +Moon rocket was killing you, +Joshua."</p> + +<p>Joshua pondered the point. +"Killing me? No, I don't think so. +I think it has been keeping me +alive."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that, dear! You +make it sound so—so brutal! +Year in and year out. Fighting disappointment—failure. +Aging before +my eyes while I sit here night +after night!"</p> + +<p><i>Fighting disappointment—failure.</i> +Yes. That was the kind of +fight it had been. How many failures? +The first big one had come +six years before....</p> + +<p>"Acceleration, Monsieur, must +be achieved in the first two thousand +miles of flight. After that, the +speed of the ship remains constant. +You follow me?" Tardeau, +the half-mad French genius had +explained it so logically. And +Joshua had believed in him. +That's where you made your big +gamble in a project of this kind. +You selected your men and then +believed in them. Others dissented, +of course. There are always +dissenters. And always points +that could not be proven or disproven +on the drawing boards or +in the test pits....</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"I follow you, Henri. The +booster units will be in three +sections."</p> + +<p>"Exactly, Msieu. The primary—ah, +booster, as you say, breaks +free at twelve miles. That one, +and the secondary, we control +with radar. We touch a button +and Voila! they are free!"</p> + +<p>"In case of the men in the ship +blacking out, I think you said."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. But the third will be +disengaged from within the ship +and she will be free as a bird to +fly to your most illusive Moon!"</p> + +<p>"And the return?"</p> + +<p>"There we have a much lighter +ship, Monsieur. The smaller boosters +will lift her easily. The return +trip will be slower—much slower, +but she will return!"</p> + +<p>Michael Bernard was the dissenter. +"The Frenchman's crazy! +Mad as a hatter, Chief."</p> + +<p>"You think it won't work, +then?"</p> + +<p>"Too damn complicated. A +dozen units of time and mechanism +have to mesh perfectly. The +odds are against that happening. +After all, you've got to remember, +what we're attempting has never +been done before."</p> + +<p>"But if it did work—?"</p> + +<p>"It would be a beauty."</p> + +<p>"Better than your idea of a +single booster?"</p> + +<p>"If it worked—yes. The +weight problem would be solved. +Five men could ride the rocket. +But—"</p> + +<p>"Let's try it, Mike. Let's believe +in our destiny."</p> + +<p>"Okay—you're the boss. But +destiny's a hard thing to lay out +and analyze on a drawing board."</p> + +<p>A man and his dream....</p> + +<p>The radar equipment had failed. +Burdened with the weight of exhausted +booster sections, the rocket +curved back into the clutches of +gravity.</p> + +<p>It crashed on the fringe of the +Amazon jungles.</p> + +<p>Five Moon pioneers dead. Three +uninsured, dependent families. +Joshua provided for them, but +the critical newspapers overlooked +that point. One editorial +observed that Joshua Lake would +get a rocket to the Moon and back +if it took every able-bodied man in +the country. The project would +have died right there if Joshua +had needed money. No bank in +the nation would have loaned him +a dime. Fortunately he was not +yet broke. He started over.</p> + +<p><i>Fortunately?</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p>At times he had wondered. But +always, his faith had returned to +buoy him up....</p> + +<p>Joshua reached out and took +Myra's hand. He looked up into +the sky. "You may be wrong, my +dear. Possibly it's the other way. +A man's ambition—" he smiled. +"Lee called it an obsession once. +A man's dream can keep him +alive."</p> + +<p>"But why does it have to be so +hard? Why can't one of the big +corporations help you? They'll +profit from your success!"</p> + +<p>"At least I had no competition +in the fulfillment of my dream."</p> + +<p>They were silent for a time; +then Myra said, "But now you +can rest. We'll go away. We don't +need much money. We'll have a +garden. You can lie in the sun."</p> + +<p>He laughed softly; not with +humor; rather from a quiet, new-welling +courage. "We're talking as +though it were all over—finished, +done with. That isn't right."</p> + +<p>She glanced at him quickly. +"But you just said—"</p> + +<p>"I know. But I didn't really +mean it that way. We aren't +through yet."</p> + +<p>"You know where you can +raise—more money?"</p> + +<p>"I know where it is. I'm going +to see Lee Gorman tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Lee Gorman! You aren't serious."</p> + +<p>"There's no place else to go."</p> + +<p>"You'll be wasting your time, +Joshua. He'll—he'll humiliate +you."</p> + +<p>"He probably will. And I may +not get the money. But there's no +place else to go."</p> + +<p>Tears came into Myra's eyes. +"Don't do it, Joshua. Please don't +do it."</p> + +<p>"It won't be as bad as you +think, dear. I guess Lee is entitled +to crow a little."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Lee Gorman looked at the intercom +on his desk as though it +had snapped at him. "Who?" he +barked. But there had been no +mistake. Gorman sat in puzzled +silence for a few moments. Then +he said, "All right, show him in."</p> + +<p>Joshua Lake entered the office +with his hat in one hand and a +briefcase in the other. He paused +halfway to Gorman's desk. "You +haven't changed much, Lee."</p> + +<p>"You have," Gorman answered. +"You look like the devil."</p> + +<p>"I've been working hard." +Joshua Lake covered the intervening +distance and stood before +the desk. Gorman surveyed him +coldly—up and down. Joshua +looked around the office as Gorman +sat silent, not inviting him to +sit down.</p> + +<p>"You've done very well, Lee. +This is the first time I've seen +your plant."</p> + +<p>"I've expanded a little since +my basement days. You remember +my basement days, don't you +Joshua?"</p> + +<p>Joshua winced. "Yes, I remember."</p> + +<p>"And now you might tell me +the purpose of this visit."</p> + +<p>"I came to you because I need +money."</p> + +<p>Gorman's eyes snapped open—wide. +He opened his mouth to +speak. He failed, tightened his +throat and tried again. "You +came here after <i>what</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Money. I'm broke, Lee. I +haven't enough to meet my payroll."</p> + +<p>"You expect me to bail you +out—clean up your debts—put +you clear?"</p> + +<p>"I came after more than that. +Merely bailing me out wouldn't +help a bit. I need three hundred +thousand to put my rocket in the +air."</p> + +<p>Gorman collapsed gently back +into his chair like a balloon mercifully +relieved of some of its content. +When he spoke, it was with +a slow, controlled viciousness. +"I've heard of guts, Joshua. I've +heard of gall—plain unmitigated +nerve. But this tops anything—why, +man, you threw me out! You +robbed me! You left me standing +in the street with a bookful of +names and addresses under my +arm—nothing more. Now you +come here and ask for money!"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you've done well, +Lee. There was nothing personal +in what I did. I'm glad you've +gone on to even bigger things +than we would have achieved +together."</p> + +<p>"You're glad I've done well! +Why, you pious hypocrite! I ought +to have you thrown through the +window instead of merely ordering +you out!"</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why I +should expect any better treatment, +Lee. But I had to come +here. You were my last hope. I +had to ask."</p> + +<p>Joshua turned slowly from the +desk. He had taken but three +steps when Lee Gorman said, +"Wait a minute. I'm curious. Are +you <i>really</i> still at it—beating +your brains out against that stone +wall?"</p> + +<p>"It's my dream, Lee. I've got +to be the first man to put a rocket +on the moon."</p> + +<p>"But now you're broke—washed +up. What's with the dream +now?"</p> + +<p>"I guess it's finished." Joshua +turned and took another step; but +Gorman was loath to let him go.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," Gorman said. "What +have you got in that briefcase?"</p> + +<p>"Progress reports. Plans. I +wanted to show them to you."</p> + +<p>Gorman grinned. "All right. +I've got a few minutes. Come and +do it."</p> + +<p>Joshua Lake retraced his steps. +He sat down in a chair next to +Gorman's desk. He laid his hat on +the desk and snapped open the +case.</p> + +<p>"No," Gorman said. "Stand +here by my elbow. The chair is for +people I meet on even terms."</p> + +<p>Joshua got obediently to his +feet and placed himself as directed.</p> + +<p>"And your hat," Gorman +added. "You'd better hold that. +You might forget it when you +leave."</p> + +<p>"Of course, Lee."</p> + +<p>It was a ludicrous, pitiful sight +but, withal, a grim note ran +through the scene. Joshua supporting +the case against his thigh, +got out a sheaf of papers. "These +are the progress reports to date. +These, the projected plans."</p> + +<p>"And when these plans are +carried out you expect success?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Great foresight has been +used. They will carry us through."</p> + +<p>"And you expect me to loan +you money on the strength of this—this +day-dreaming on paper?"</p> + +<p>"It's far more than that, Lee. +You'll find the plans sound."</p> + +<p>Lee Gorman didn't give a tinker's +hoot for the plans. He was +only enjoying an interview—a +vengeance—he was loath to terminate. +"You haven't even begun +to show me what I'd need before I +even considered loaning you a +dime."</p> + +<p>"I'll bring you anything you +want."</p> + +<p>"Even if I promise to turn you +down after I've gone over it."</p> + +<p>"You're calling the dance, Lee."</p> + +<p>"All right—I'll call it. Bring +me your payroll records; your cost +sheets; the background reports on +the key men in your organization."</p> + +<p>"As soon as I can get them. I +need some money immediately to +meet my payroll."</p> + +<p>"Then what are you waiting +for?"</p> + +<p>"I'll be back this afternoon." +Joshua was halfway out the door +when Lee Gorman called. "And +bring the deeds to your plant—the +bills of sale to your machinery +and equipment."</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>Joshua left and Lee Gorman sat +motionless staring at the surface +of his desk. There was a Mona +Lisa smile on his rugged face.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"It's not worth it, Joshua," +Myra said, hotly. "You won't +be able to take his brow-beating +and badgering day after day. And +that's his intention. That's what +he's giving you the money for—for +the pleasure of humiliating +you day after day."</p> + +<p>"Of course, my dear. I'm fortunate +that Lee is that kind of a +man. He wants his revenge and +he's willing to pay for it. I was +hoping it would be that way—praying +for it. It was my last +weapon. The last weapon I had +with which to beat the Moon."</p> + +<p>A man and his dream....</p> + +<p>"I want you to sign these papers, +Joshua." Lee Gorman held +out a pen and pushed the papers +across the desk.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Lee."</p> + +<p>"Four copies."</p> + +<p>Joshua pushed the papers back, +looked at them and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what you signed?"</p> + +<p>"A power of attorney, I believe. +And I've signed the plant +over to you. There is a large +mortgage against it, however."</p> + +<p>Lee Gorman sat back, narrowed +his eyes as he looked at the wizened +little man with the giant obsession. +"Joshua, I think you've +worked beyond your time. You've +slipped your gears completely. Do +you realize that with these papers +I can put you in the street? That +all I have to do is raise my hand +and you're done?"</p> + +<p>"I realize that, Lee."</p> + +<p>"Then why on earth did you +sign them?"</p> + +<p>"I had no alternative."</p> + +<p>"But what kind of an alternative +is this? Giving away everything +you've got?"</p> + +<p>Joshua sighed. "You haven't +raised your hand yet, Lee. I can +surmount my difficulties only as I +come to them. I'll think about +that one when it gets here."</p> + +<p>"Well—I've got news for you. +The time to think about it is—" +Gorman stopped in mid-sentence. +He studied Joshua Lake for a long +minute. Then he took a checkbook +from his desk and wrote +rapidly. "There's money to meet +your payroll. The exact amount. +Take it to the bank. Then, I want +you in this office every day at +four-thirty with a complete report +of what's gone on. Don't overlook +a thing. And bring any bills with +you that want paying, together +with material orders and projected +costs. Is that clear?"</p> + +<p>"I understand, Lee." At the +door, Joshua Lake turned for a +moment. "And—thank you—thank +you very much."</p> + +<p>After Joshua had left, Lee Gorman +pondered one of those last +words. If they contained any bitterness, +it was well hidden. "A +strange man," Gorman muttered. +"A very strange man."</p> + +<p>If that constituted a weak moment +on the part of Lee Gorman, +his dikes were repaired well in time +to present a hostile front....</p> + +<p>"This twelve thousand to American +Chemical—what are you doing—running +an experimental +laboratory on the side. I won't +pay it."</p> + +<p>"I've never questioned Coving's +judgment in these matters, +Lee. He's done brilliant work for +us. The man has to have materials +to work with."</p> + +<p>"Well, you certainly should +have questioned him. He's been +satisfying every whim of curiosity +that pops into his mind. Send +the stuff back."</p> + +<p>"But that would be fatal to the +project. The fuel <i>must</i> be power-charged +to safely handle the +weight and time quotients. Coving +can't work with salt and +baking soda."</p> + +<p>"I don't care what he works +with. Cut three thousand off that +bill."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Lee."</p> + +<p>A man and his dream....</p> + +<p>"This payroll's out of all reason. +Cut fifteen men off immediately."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what I can do."</p> + +<p>"Cut fifteen men off immediately."</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"Here's a check for the interest +on the last note. Take it over +to the bank."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lee."</p> + +<p>Joshua Lake came and went as +directed. He stood with his hat in +his hand, took orders, carried +them out. His shoulders drooped +a little more; his face became more +pinched; he retreated deeper and +deeper into himself.</p> + +<p>But as the days went on, his +eyes brightened and there was a +breathlessness in his expression +when he turned his face to the sky.</p> + +<p>Some three months after the +day Joshua walked into Lee's +office, the latter said, "The four +men who are going with the +rocket. You've selected them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. They're waiting for the +day. It was a long slow process, +selecting the best equipped men."</p> + +<p>"Bring them here tomorrow +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"I'll check with them. If they +all can't make it, would a later +date—?"</p> + +<p>"I said tomorrow. See to it they +<i>can</i> make it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lee."</p> + +<p>Joshua brought the four young +men to Lee Gorman's office the +following day. Lee had a buffet +table set up. He was the smiling, +genial, expansive host. "Sit down +gentlemen. I'm glad of this opportunity +to meet you."</p> + +<p>There were five chairs in the +room. Gorman had already seated +himself. The young men hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, sit down."</p> + +<p>They dropped into the chairs, +glancing uneasily at Joshua Lake. +Joshua turned and started toward +the door.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, Lake. I'm sure the +boys would like a drink. You'll find +the fixings on the buffet. Why don't +you take their orders?"</p> + +<p>The crowning insult, Joshua +wondered. The last, crude insult? +Lee Gorman's wounds must have +been deep indeed. Joshua served +drinks, brought sandwiches. Lee +Gorman's geniality kept the awkwardness +of the situation from +bringing it to a complete standstill. +"Well, Thursday is the day, +I understand. How do you feel +about it? Rocketing off into space. +Becoming a part of the big tomorrow." +Gorman's eyes caught +those of Joshua Lake as he spoke +the last sentence. There was laughter +behind them.</p> + +<p>The crew of the Moon rocket left +shortly afterward. Joshua was the +last to walk from the room. Just +as he was going through the door, +Lee Gorman whispered into his +ear. "You can't be sure there'll +be a rocket flight. I might stop it +the last minute. I haven't made +up my mind yet."</p> + +<p>Joshua turned and looked at his +tormentor in silence. The others +had gone on down the hall. Gorman +laughed and said, "I suppose +that's a problem you'll face when +you come to it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—when I come to it."</p> + +<p>Alone in his office, Lee Gorman +strode angrily to the buffet. With +a sweep of his arm, he knocked a +liquor bottle across the room. The +motivation of the act was hard to +determine, however, from Gorman's +outward appearance. It +could have been bitter disappointment +or a fierce joy.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Joshua Lake walked into Lee +Gorman's office, removed his hat +and said, "With your permission, +this is the day."</p> + +<p>"What time?"</p> + +<p>"It translates into 4:07 and 30 +seconds, Greenwich time."</p> + +<p>Gorman scowled. "I suppose +you've arranged quite a party."</p> + +<p>"Nothing too spectacular. +We'll leave for the blasting pits at +3:00 o'clock. I'd be honored if +you'd ride with me."</p> + +<p>"Do you still own a car?"</p> + +<p>"A small one. Its value is negligible."</p> + +<p>"We'll go in one of mine. Be +here at five minutes to three."</p> + +<p>"Certainly." Joshua put his +hat on and walked out....</p> + +<p>They rode across the Nevada +desert in a black Cadillac with the +chauffeur sitting at attention and +staring straight ahead. Joshua +stared straight ahead also. He +asked, "Are you going to stop +the flight?"</p> + +<p>Beside him, leaning forward, +clutching with both hands the +silver knob on a black mahogany +cane, Gorman replied, "I haven't +made up my mind yet."</p> + +<p>A dot on the desert expanded +into a pit, a tower, and some small +buildings. The car followed the +ruts of the tractors that had +hauled the rocket to the launching +site, and came to a halt. +"That small, glass-encased platform," +Joshua said. "We'll view +the proceedings from there."</p> + +<p>Gorman snorted. "I'll view +them from where I please."</p> + +<p>They were standing beside the +car, Joshua slightly behind his +benefactor. "From the platform."</p> + +<p>Gorman scowled and half +turned. "What are you doing?"</p> + +<p>"I'm holding a gun against your +back. It is a very small gun. No +one can see it and it probably +wouldn't kill you. Then again, it +might. We will walk to the platform +and stand together to watch +the blast-off."</p> + +<p>"You'd actually—<i>kill</i>, to get +that ship into the air?"</p> + +<p>"If I committed murder, I +would certainly regret it the rest +of my life, but the rocket must be +launched."</p> + +<p>They stood in the glass enclosure +on the platform and no +one came near them. Several people +veered close and waved. +Joshua waved back with his free +hand and the people went on their +way.</p> + +<p>An hour passed. There was vast +activity on the field. Gorman said, +"I'm tired. I want to sit down."</p> + +<p>"It was thoughtless of me. I +should have provided chairs. It +won't be long now."</p> + +<p>It wasn't long. Five minutes +later there was a roar, an explosion +of color, and a silver rocket +flash up into the sky almost faster +than the eye could follow.</p> + +<p>Gorman slammed the heel of his +hand against the side of his head +in order to restore hearing. "You +can put that gun away."</p> + +<p>"Of course. And you'll want to +call the police."</p> + +<p>Gorman growled like an annoyed +bull. He jerked open the +door and strode away.</p> + +<p>Three hours later, Joshua and +Myra Lake were seated in the +small patio beside their home. +They were seated very close together, +and Myra was stroking +Joshua's hand. "It's been a long +time, dear; a very long time."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Are you happy?"</p> + +<p>"I'm—well, satisfied—at least +partially. We've passed a big +milestone. But it isn't over yet."</p> + +<p>"You're sure this time, though?"</p> + +<p>"Very sure."</p> + +<p>"Thank heaven we won't have +much longer to wait."</p> + +<p>The wait was slightly less than +ten minutes. Then Lee Gorman +strode into the patio. Joshua +sprang to his feet. "Any news?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then they should have phoned +me. I left word to be called."</p> + +<p>"No one could get up the courage. +The rocket crashed in Canada."</p> + +<p>Joshua swayed. When he looked +at Lee, his eyes were filled with a +mute plea. "That <i>is</i> the truth?"</p> + +<p>"It's the truth. The first flash +said it appears the tail broke off +in high space."</p> + +<p>Joshua sank into his chair. +"The crew—died?"</p> + +<p>"Four more men sacrificed to +your—" Gorman stopped and did +not use the word <i>obsession</i>. There +was too much agony in Joshua's +face. "I'm taking the plant—I'm +taking everything. I've got to. +I've paid for them."</p> + +<p>Lee Gorman walked from the +patio. His steps echoed and died.</p> + +<p>Joshua and Myra sat for a long +time in silence. Myra was holding +his hand. Finally she spoke. "Well, +at least it's over. Now you can +rest. Successful or not—you've +earned it."</p> + +<p>Joshua turned and looked into +her face—looked at her as though +she had just entered. "Oh no, +my dear. You certainly don't expect +me to—"</p> + +<p>"Joshua!"</p> + +<p>"Why, I'm only sixty-three. I +never felt better in my life. I have +a lot of good productive years +ahead."</p> + +<p>"<i>Joshua! What are you going +to do?</i>"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to be the first man +to send a rocket to the Moon."</p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/002-2.jpg"><img src="images/002-1.jpg" width="144" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><b><big>Transcriber's Note:</big></b></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>Amazing Stories</i> Oct.-Nov. 1953. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Big Tomorrow, by Paul Lohrman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIG TOMORROW *** + +***** This file should be named 29931-h.htm or 29931-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/9/3/29931/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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