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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Amateurs - -Author: Alan Cogan - -Release Date: January 30, 2016 [EBook #51081] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMATEURS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="405" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>The Amateurs</h1> - -<p>By ALAN COGAN</p> - -<p>Illustrated by DIEHL</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Galaxy Science Fiction July 1955.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph3"><i>The ultimate show demanded the ultimate in<br /> -showmanship—now if only Mr. Sims could measure up!</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>To Mr. Sims, it seemed as though they had walked along a hundred -corridors, and as he followed Mr. Hoode, he felt as though he were -taking the last walk to the gallows or the electric chair. When the -director finally led him outside, Mr. Sims realized with a slight -twinge of fear that he hadn't really expected to see daylight again.</p> - -<p>They were in the rich, rolling parkland at the rear of the palace and -walking across the immaculate turf where colored fountains frolicked -and shimmered in the sun. Lilting music floated out from a dozen hidden -sources. The two men sat down on a seat facing the palace with its -towering columns and vast marble steps.</p> - -<p>"It's a very nice place," Mr. Sims commented, remembering that he -hadn't said a word for at least five minutes.</p> - -<p>"I suppose it's all right," Arthur Hoode agreed, his thin nostrils -twitching condescendingly. He was a small, sleek man with a habit of -emphasizing his words with airy gestures of his slim hands. "That -section of the palace is the part I consider most uninteresting. After -all, there's nothing but row upon row of stuffy little rooms where -people come to die. And they take a long time doing it, too!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims winced noticeably.</p> - -<p>"You'll forgive me if I don't appear overly sanctimonious about death," -Mr. Hoode said, smiling. "It's just that the other directors and -myself decided we must take a realistic view of the situation. A place -like this could become pretty morbid, you know, and there's actually -no reason why a guest's last hours here shouldn't be pleasant and -satisfying."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Pleasant and satisfying—the key words when you spoke of Sunnylands -Palace, Mr. Sims thought grimly. Everyone used them—when not going -there.</p> - -<p>The words gave him a hollow, frightened feeling inside, perhaps because -they made him remember the first time he had heard them used.</p> - -<p>"It's a pleasant place and quite satisfying," Dr. Van Stoke had said. -"There's no need to think of it as some kind of torture camp."</p> - -<p>"But why should I go there at all?" Mr. Sims had asked. "I don't want -to die. I'm only fifty-six and I've got nine more years left."</p> - -<p>"Try and understand I'm doing you a good turn," the doctor had said. -"You've lived fifty-six <i>good</i> years; in your condition, the last nine -won't be so good. You'll have pains, attacks, you won't be able to do -anything strenuous. You'll hate to live under those conditions."</p> - -<p>"I could always give it a try," Mr. Sims had protested.</p> - -<p>Dr. Van Stoke had frowned bleakly over the tops of his glasses. "I know -I'm a friend and family doctor," the frown had said, "but I'm also -District Referee under the Euthanasian Legislation and you are becoming -a burden to society. So don't make my job any more difficult."</p> - -<p>He had signed his name at the bottom of the form.</p> - -<p>And Mr. Sims had had a hollow, anxious feeling ever since.</p> - -<p>"There's one thing I haven't found out yet," he said to Mr. Hoode. "Is -it in order for me to ask how and when I can expect to die?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," Mr. Hoode said. "It's the reason I brought you here to -talk. You see, anyone sent here under the Legislation is given a -completely free choice as to the manner of his departure. Most people, -although they realize this, show a distressing lack of imagination when -the time comes. They seem unable to think beyond the ordinary methods -of taking a pill, or a needle, or a poisoned cocktail."</p> - -<p>"I can't say I'd thought about it, either," Mr. Sims admitted.</p> - -<p>"We have a service to assist you," said the director. "We of the -Sunnylands staff have discovered what you might call a Philosophy of -Dying. For instance, if a man lives an active life, there's no reason -why he should be subjected to a sneaking prick of a needle in his -sleep just because he reaches the age of sixty-five. We discovered -that a few people objected strongly to such methods. There are some -people who would prefer to die fighting. We had a couple who chose the -firing squad, for instance. Another desired the guillotine and nothing -would satisfy him but a ride to his fate in a real tumbril. Because of -these—ah—pioneers, our advisory bureau has been set up."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="364" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"You mean you obliged them ... with a guillotine and everything?" Mr. -Sims asked.</p> - -<p>"Certainly, though most choose the sneaking, cowardly way out. As -far as I am concerned, they died as they lived—ignominously! It's -depressing. We have the best accommodation, food, entertainment, -everything the guest requires during his three days here; then they go -ahead and die their miserable deaths. Somehow it makes all the luxury -seem like pink sugar frosting around a rotten cake. That's why we're -always happy to find a guest with the proper spirit." Mr. Hoode said.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Sims listened in silence to the sales talk, wondering -absent-mindedly what the director's personal interest was in other -people's death.</p> - -<p>"I took the liberty of looking up your record," Mr. Hoode continued. "I -picked you out for a personal talk because I see you led an interesting -life." He paused in recollection with a theatrically thoughtful finger -pressed to his chin, his eyes gazing skyward. "You made a small fortune -in oil in Central America before you were twenty. That was followed -by more success in hemelium mining in Northern Canada. An excellent -Third World War record, too. Founder of Transcontinental Rocket Lines. -Co-builder of the Venus rocket. Oh, and a dozen other things. Quite a -career!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims brightened a little. He smiled modestly.</p> - -<p>"Too bad you had to come here at fifty-six," Mr. Hoode remarked. -"Heaven knows what you might have done with those last nine years. -Heart trouble, wasn't it?"</p> - -<p>"So I've been told," Mr. Sims said, slipping back into his former glum -mood. He still did not believe he was a sick man, but perhaps this was -because things had moved too fast and he had not been given enough time -to get used to the idea.</p> - -<p>"It's a serious cardiac condition," Dr. Van Stoke had told him at the -annual examination, "due to an over-active life. I'll have to recommend -you for Sunnylands."</p> - -<p>And that had been the first mention of the subject.</p> - -<p>"But I never had heart trouble in my life!"</p> - -<p>"The graphs show the condition clearly. There's nothing anyone can do -to remedy it. I'll have to submit your name."</p> - -<p>He had protested—threatened—pleaded.</p> - -<p>"Overpopulation! Elimination of needless suffering! Burden to society! -Duty to humanity!" The cliches had tripped glibly off the doctor's -tongue as he signed the form. "Will you please send in a member of the -family? I'll give him the final instructions. Save you the trouble of -worrying over little details during the final weeks."</p> - -<p>Since then, things had moved more swiftly behind the scenes and he -had had to do nothing except prepare himself—or adopt a realistic -attitude, as Mr. Hoode would have described it. But he had lived too -much to allow him to get used to the idea of dying in two short weeks. -He hadn't even started to get realistic about it, which was probably -why he could sit talking so calmly about death at that moment.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"We could give your life a climax," the director was saying. "A man -like you shouldn't just fade away in one of those little cubicles." He -waved a hand in the direction of the shaded windows at the rear of the -palace. "You should die magnificently!"</p> - -<p>"Magnificently?" Mr. Sims repeated. "What did you have in mind?"</p> - -<p>"It's what <i>you</i> have in mind that counts. I can offer you a lot of -advice, but the final choice is yours. For instance, a large number of -men like to die in some sort of combat, with guns or swords, or even -with animals. We had one man who fought a tiger. Another fulfilled a -life-long ambition to play the role of bullfighter. Perhaps I should -explain that the government allows each guest a generous sum of money -to pay for his departure. As most people do not use one hundredth of -this sum, we have a rather large fund at the disposal of those who want -to use it.</p> - -<p>"The bullfighter was a good example," he went on. "We had a large ring -built for him. He was given horses, uniforms, picadores, and a bull -specially imported from Spain. It was a wonderful afternoon." He paused -in contemplation of the memory, while Mr. Sims looked on, tactfully -refraining from asking the outcome.</p> - -<p>"Another time, we had a group of old soldiers who wanted to die in -battle," Mr. Hoode added. "We built them an old-fashioned concrete -blockhouse, then gave them authentic uniforms, machine-guns, grenades -and rifles, and had one group attacking and the other defending."</p> - -<p>"Did they actually volunteer for that?" Mr. Sims asked.</p> - -<p>"Of course, and I'll swear they enjoyed every minute of it. Right down -to the last man. As a matter of fact, we're planning the same thing on -a larger scale with a re-enactment of Custer's Last Stand to be held in -2013. One of the men in Research is working full time on that project. -So far, we have a tentative list of 138 names. It'll be held in the -park over there." He waved gaily in the direction of the quiet meadow -which would one day become another Little Big Horn.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims moved along the seat slightly, as though his companion had -started to smell. It was as if, for the first time, he had noticed the -glazed, visionary look in Mr. Hoode's eye. The director, he realized, -would be capable of re-enacting Hiroshima if given the required number -of volunteers.</p> - -<p>"I'll have to leave you, I'm afraid," said Mr. Hoode, standing up. "But -if you'd like to think the matter over some more, I can offer you a -fine selection of books to read about famous deaths, duels, acts of -heroism and such throughout history."</p> - -<p>"It's an interesting notion," Mr. Sims said. "I'll think about it."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Sims tried to avoid the director all that day and all the -following morning. He tried hard to convince himself that this was -because he disliked the other's bloodthirsty tendencies, although he -knew the truth was that his choice of departure was a cowardly one. -Nevertheless, he argued with himself, it was his choice, his death, -and his mind was made up. Besides, he felt lonely and this might be an -opportunity to see the family again, even though they probably wouldn't -like it.</p> - -<p>It was the director who finally located Mr. Sims. "Are you enjoying -your stay here?" he asked heartily. Mr. Sims winced as though the cold -hand of death itself had slapped him on the back.</p> - -<p>"Have you come to any decision yet?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims nodded. "Yes, I looked at the book last night and decided on -Socrates. Just a simple cup of hemlock."</p> - -<p>A slight frown shadowed the director's features. Was it contempt, Mr. -Sims wondered, or disappointment because he had failed in his attempts -to make poisoning seem a socially inferior way of dying? Nothing -glamorous about such a departure, he realized. No disdainful refusal -of the blindfold when gazing bravely into the leveled muzzles of the -firing squad. No bullfight, armed combat, duel or ferocious carnivores.</p> - -<p>The director shrugged. "Well, it's tranquil and dignified, I suppose," -he conceded finally. Then the practical streak in his nature came to -the forefront and his mind ran quickly over the possibilities. "If I -remember correctly, Socrates died in the company of a number of good -friends. They discussed philosophy."</p> - -<p>"I'll have my family instead. I've no idea what we'll talk about. Their -names are on this list."</p> - -<p>"It's irregular—"</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless, I want them here."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Mr. Hoode, disappointed. "I'll send for them today. -I'll also see the lab about some hemlock and something authentic to -hold it in—an amphora or whatever the Greeks used. By the way, I'm not -too well acquainted with Socrates. Are there any unusual details?"</p> - -<p>"If there are, forget them," Mr. Sims said. "The family and the hemlock -will be sufficient."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hoode sniffed peevishly. "As you wish. Be ready tomorrow."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The rough woven garment was a concession to Mr. Hoode, who said it was -Grecian, and Mr. Sims wore it to make up for any annoyance he may have -caused the director. It was rather itchy and much too warm, he thought, -as he waited by the fountain at the far end of the park. The hemlock -was in a bronze goblet on the parapet beside him. The family would be -here soon. He wondered how they would feel about being dragged way out -here.</p> - -<p>They arrived a half hour later: Cousin Nat, his two nephews, George and -Alec, their wives, and George's five-year-old, Mike. Mr. Hoode was also -with them, but he left the party as soon as he had shown them where Mr. -Sims was waiting.</p> - -<p>The meeting was restrained. Clearly they were not happy about making -the trip. There were no smiles of greeting; only young Mike showed any -distinct interest. He sat down at Mr. Sims' feet, playing havoc with -the lawn with a toy dagger.</p> - -<p>"Where's the poison, Grandpa?" he asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims lifted the boy up on to his knee and rumpled his hair -playfully in a feeble attempt to ease the tension. The others stood -around silently watching. No one made any move to sit down. It was -their way of telling him they hoped they wouldn't have to wait too -long. Mr. Sims suddenly wished he were in one of the quiet rooms of the -palace, alone.</p> - -<p>Cousin Nat was the first one to break the awkward silence. "Who in hell -was that madman who brought us over here?"</p> - -<p>"That's Mr. Hoode, the director," Mr. Sims explained. "He's quite an -artist in his way."</p> - -<p>"He's insane!" Nat said flatly. "All the way over, he talked about -nothing but dying. Told us we could come here and die any way we -wanted. If any of us wanted to go out like Early Christians, he would -be only too happy to set up an arena for us. He even asked me if I -wanted to put my name down for a rehash of Custer's Last Stand for -2013. With real bullets!" He passed his hand nervously through his -thinning hair. "For God's sake, he must think I <i>want</i> to get scalped!"</p> - -<p>"Didn't Dr. Van Stoke come with you?" Mr. Sims asked. "I wanted him to -see the place he sends everyone."</p> - -<p>"He went on an ocean cruise," young Mike said.</p> - -<p>"Dr. Van Stoke? You mean he left his practice?"</p> - -<p>"Yeah," the little boy answered. "Another doctor took his place."</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims turned to the others for corroboration. "Is that right? I -didn't think Van Stoke was a rich man. He was only around forty."</p> - -<p>"He went with the money Uncle Nat gave him," the boy said.</p> - -<p>"That'll be enough, Michael," Nat ordered sternly.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Sims laughed. "You're mistaken, Mike. Uncle Nat wouldn't give the -doctor any money. He hasn't even got enough for himself."</p> - -<p>"But he quit his job yesterday," said the boy.</p> - -<p>Nat's voice cut in sharply. "That's enough from you. You know what they -say about little boys."</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims looked steadily at Nat as though seeing him for the first -time. His cousin gazed back, half-sullen, half-defiant.</p> - -<p>"It certainly didn't take you long to get your hands on the money," Mr. -Sims said. "It looks as if I can't die soon enough. But I still don't -see where Dr. Van Stoke comes into—"</p> - -<p>Then suddenly there was no need to ask. The answer was clear on Nat's -tight, sullen face.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sims turned to the others for help and froze as identical -expressions stared back coldly from each of them, piercing him with -their long-hidden envy of his success, their pent-up hatred of their -dependence on him.</p> - -<p>A choking, frightened sound came from deep in Mr. Sims' throat. "For -God's sake! <i>How much did you pay him to put me away?</i>"</p> - -<p>He jumped quickly off the parapet, knocking the little boy to the -ground, and hurled the hemlock into the fountain. He pushed his way -past them and started to run. Then the woven garment twisted about his -legs. He tried to lift it clear, but his foot caught in the hem and he -stumbled.</p> - -<p>Nat was the first to move. He picked up the little toy dagger and fell -on the struggling man. Without hesitating, he plunged the knife between -Mr. Sims' shoulder blades and held it till the older man was still. -Then he stabbed again, without malice, without any emotion ... again -and again.... The blade made an odd ripping sound each time it pierced -the woven robe.</p> - -<p>All of them looked away. One of the women leaned over the parapet, sick.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When he was finally done, Nat stood up and cleaned the knife on the -grass and then motioned them all back toward the palace.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hoode met them as they walked through the foyer. "Ah, Socrates' -friends!" he said to Nat, who was dabbing at the front of his coat with -a piece of tissue. "Was everything in order?"</p> - -<p>"There was a slight change of plan," Nat said. "He decided at the last -moment to make it Julius Caesar." He held the knife up in explanation.</p> - -<p>"<i>Julius Caesar!</i> But—"</p> - -<p>But they were gone, filing out through the front door, the women -sobbing in their handkerchiefs. No one looked back.</p> - -<p>The door hissed quietly shut. Mr. Hoode started at the sound and then -walked slowly into his office, seized by a cold, limp rage. From his -window, he could see them going down the driveway.</p> - -<p>"Amateurs," he spat after them with deep disgust. "Damned, lousy, -unimaginative amateurs!"</p> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amateurs, by Alan Cogan - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMATEURS *** - -***** This file should be named 51081-h.htm or 51081-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/0/8/51081/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Amateurs - -Author: Alan Cogan - -Release Date: January 30, 2016 [EBook #51081] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMATEURS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - The Amateurs - - By ALAN COGAN - - Illustrated by DIEHL - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Galaxy Science Fiction July 1955. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - - - The ultimate show demanded the ultimate in - showmanship--now if only Mr. Sims could measure up! - - -To Mr. Sims, it seemed as though they had walked along a hundred -corridors, and as he followed Mr. Hoode, he felt as though he were -taking the last walk to the gallows or the electric chair. When the -director finally led him outside, Mr. Sims realized with a slight -twinge of fear that he hadn't really expected to see daylight again. - -They were in the rich, rolling parkland at the rear of the palace and -walking across the immaculate turf where colored fountains frolicked -and shimmered in the sun. Lilting music floated out from a dozen hidden -sources. The two men sat down on a seat facing the palace with its -towering columns and vast marble steps. - -"It's a very nice place," Mr. Sims commented, remembering that he -hadn't said a word for at least five minutes. - -"I suppose it's all right," Arthur Hoode agreed, his thin nostrils -twitching condescendingly. He was a small, sleek man with a habit of -emphasizing his words with airy gestures of his slim hands. "That -section of the palace is the part I consider most uninteresting. After -all, there's nothing but row upon row of stuffy little rooms where -people come to die. And they take a long time doing it, too!" - -Mr. Sims winced noticeably. - -"You'll forgive me if I don't appear overly sanctimonious about death," -Mr. Hoode said, smiling. "It's just that the other directors and -myself decided we must take a realistic view of the situation. A place -like this could become pretty morbid, you know, and there's actually -no reason why a guest's last hours here shouldn't be pleasant and -satisfying." - - * * * * * - -Pleasant and satisfying--the key words when you spoke of Sunnylands -Palace, Mr. Sims thought grimly. Everyone used them--when not going -there. - -The words gave him a hollow, frightened feeling inside, perhaps because -they made him remember the first time he had heard them used. - -"It's a pleasant place and quite satisfying," Dr. Van Stoke had said. -"There's no need to think of it as some kind of torture camp." - -"But why should I go there at all?" Mr. Sims had asked. "I don't want -to die. I'm only fifty-six and I've got nine more years left." - -"Try and understand I'm doing you a good turn," the doctor had said. -"You've lived fifty-six _good_ years; in your condition, the last nine -won't be so good. You'll have pains, attacks, you won't be able to do -anything strenuous. You'll hate to live under those conditions." - -"I could always give it a try," Mr. Sims had protested. - -Dr. Van Stoke had frowned bleakly over the tops of his glasses. "I know -I'm a friend and family doctor," the frown had said, "but I'm also -District Referee under the Euthanasian Legislation and you are becoming -a burden to society. So don't make my job any more difficult." - -He had signed his name at the bottom of the form. - -And Mr. Sims had had a hollow, anxious feeling ever since. - -"There's one thing I haven't found out yet," he said to Mr. Hoode. "Is -it in order for me to ask how and when I can expect to die?" - -"Certainly," Mr. Hoode said. "It's the reason I brought you here to -talk. You see, anyone sent here under the Legislation is given a -completely free choice as to the manner of his departure. Most people, -although they realize this, show a distressing lack of imagination when -the time comes. They seem unable to think beyond the ordinary methods -of taking a pill, or a needle, or a poisoned cocktail." - -"I can't say I'd thought about it, either," Mr. Sims admitted. - -"We have a service to assist you," said the director. "We of the -Sunnylands staff have discovered what you might call a Philosophy of -Dying. For instance, if a man lives an active life, there's no reason -why he should be subjected to a sneaking prick of a needle in his -sleep just because he reaches the age of sixty-five. We discovered -that a few people objected strongly to such methods. There are some -people who would prefer to die fighting. We had a couple who chose the -firing squad, for instance. Another desired the guillotine and nothing -would satisfy him but a ride to his fate in a real tumbril. Because of -these--ah--pioneers, our advisory bureau has been set up." - -"You mean you obliged them ... with a guillotine and everything?" Mr. -Sims asked. - -"Certainly, though most choose the sneaking, cowardly way out. As -far as I am concerned, they died as they lived--ignominously! It's -depressing. We have the best accommodation, food, entertainment, -everything the guest requires during his three days here; then they go -ahead and die their miserable deaths. Somehow it makes all the luxury -seem like pink sugar frosting around a rotten cake. That's why we're -always happy to find a guest with the proper spirit." Mr. Hoode said. - - * * * * * - -Mr. Sims listened in silence to the sales talk, wondering -absent-mindedly what the director's personal interest was in other -people's death. - -"I took the liberty of looking up your record," Mr. Hoode continued. "I -picked you out for a personal talk because I see you led an interesting -life." He paused in recollection with a theatrically thoughtful finger -pressed to his chin, his eyes gazing skyward. "You made a small fortune -in oil in Central America before you were twenty. That was followed -by more success in hemelium mining in Northern Canada. An excellent -Third World War record, too. Founder of Transcontinental Rocket Lines. -Co-builder of the Venus rocket. Oh, and a dozen other things. Quite a -career!" - -Mr. Sims brightened a little. He smiled modestly. - -"Too bad you had to come here at fifty-six," Mr. Hoode remarked. -"Heaven knows what you might have done with those last nine years. -Heart trouble, wasn't it?" - -"So I've been told," Mr. Sims said, slipping back into his former glum -mood. He still did not believe he was a sick man, but perhaps this was -because things had moved too fast and he had not been given enough time -to get used to the idea. - -"It's a serious cardiac condition," Dr. Van Stoke had told him at the -annual examination, "due to an over-active life. I'll have to recommend -you for Sunnylands." - -And that had been the first mention of the subject. - -"But I never had heart trouble in my life!" - -"The graphs show the condition clearly. There's nothing anyone can do -to remedy it. I'll have to submit your name." - -He had protested--threatened--pleaded. - -"Overpopulation! Elimination of needless suffering! Burden to society! -Duty to humanity!" The cliches had tripped glibly off the doctor's -tongue as he signed the form. "Will you please send in a member of the -family? I'll give him the final instructions. Save you the trouble of -worrying over little details during the final weeks." - -Since then, things had moved more swiftly behind the scenes and he -had had to do nothing except prepare himself--or adopt a realistic -attitude, as Mr. Hoode would have described it. But he had lived too -much to allow him to get used to the idea of dying in two short weeks. -He hadn't even started to get realistic about it, which was probably -why he could sit talking so calmly about death at that moment. - - * * * * * - -"We could give your life a climax," the director was saying. "A man -like you shouldn't just fade away in one of those little cubicles." He -waved a hand in the direction of the shaded windows at the rear of the -palace. "You should die magnificently!" - -"Magnificently?" Mr. Sims repeated. "What did you have in mind?" - -"It's what _you_ have in mind that counts. I can offer you a lot of -advice, but the final choice is yours. For instance, a large number of -men like to die in some sort of combat, with guns or swords, or even -with animals. We had one man who fought a tiger. Another fulfilled a -life-long ambition to play the role of bullfighter. Perhaps I should -explain that the government allows each guest a generous sum of money -to pay for his departure. As most people do not use one hundredth of -this sum, we have a rather large fund at the disposal of those who want -to use it. - -"The bullfighter was a good example," he went on. "We had a large ring -built for him. He was given horses, uniforms, picadores, and a bull -specially imported from Spain. It was a wonderful afternoon." He paused -in contemplation of the memory, while Mr. Sims looked on, tactfully -refraining from asking the outcome. - -"Another time, we had a group of old soldiers who wanted to die in -battle," Mr. Hoode added. "We built them an old-fashioned concrete -blockhouse, then gave them authentic uniforms, machine-guns, grenades -and rifles, and had one group attacking and the other defending." - -"Did they actually volunteer for that?" Mr. Sims asked. - -"Of course, and I'll swear they enjoyed every minute of it. Right down -to the last man. As a matter of fact, we're planning the same thing on -a larger scale with a re-enactment of Custer's Last Stand to be held in -2013. One of the men in Research is working full time on that project. -So far, we have a tentative list of 138 names. It'll be held in the -park over there." He waved gaily in the direction of the quiet meadow -which would one day become another Little Big Horn. - -Mr. Sims moved along the seat slightly, as though his companion had -started to smell. It was as if, for the first time, he had noticed the -glazed, visionary look in Mr. Hoode's eye. The director, he realized, -would be capable of re-enacting Hiroshima if given the required number -of volunteers. - -"I'll have to leave you, I'm afraid," said Mr. Hoode, standing up. "But -if you'd like to think the matter over some more, I can offer you a -fine selection of books to read about famous deaths, duels, acts of -heroism and such throughout history." - -"It's an interesting notion," Mr. Sims said. "I'll think about it." - - * * * * * - -Mr. Sims tried to avoid the director all that day and all the -following morning. He tried hard to convince himself that this was -because he disliked the other's bloodthirsty tendencies, although he -knew the truth was that his choice of departure was a cowardly one. -Nevertheless, he argued with himself, it was his choice, his death, -and his mind was made up. Besides, he felt lonely and this might be an -opportunity to see the family again, even though they probably wouldn't -like it. - -It was the director who finally located Mr. Sims. "Are you enjoying -your stay here?" he asked heartily. Mr. Sims winced as though the cold -hand of death itself had slapped him on the back. - -"Have you come to any decision yet?" - -Mr. Sims nodded. "Yes, I looked at the book last night and decided on -Socrates. Just a simple cup of hemlock." - -A slight frown shadowed the director's features. Was it contempt, Mr. -Sims wondered, or disappointment because he had failed in his attempts -to make poisoning seem a socially inferior way of dying? Nothing -glamorous about such a departure, he realized. No disdainful refusal -of the blindfold when gazing bravely into the leveled muzzles of the -firing squad. No bullfight, armed combat, duel or ferocious carnivores. - -The director shrugged. "Well, it's tranquil and dignified, I suppose," -he conceded finally. Then the practical streak in his nature came to -the forefront and his mind ran quickly over the possibilities. "If I -remember correctly, Socrates died in the company of a number of good -friends. They discussed philosophy." - -"I'll have my family instead. I've no idea what we'll talk about. Their -names are on this list." - -"It's irregular--" - -"Nevertheless, I want them here." - -"All right," said Mr. Hoode, disappointed. "I'll send for them today. -I'll also see the lab about some hemlock and something authentic to -hold it in--an amphora or whatever the Greeks used. By the way, I'm not -too well acquainted with Socrates. Are there any unusual details?" - -"If there are, forget them," Mr. Sims said. "The family and the hemlock -will be sufficient." - -Mr. Hoode sniffed peevishly. "As you wish. Be ready tomorrow." - - * * * * * - -The rough woven garment was a concession to Mr. Hoode, who said it was -Grecian, and Mr. Sims wore it to make up for any annoyance he may have -caused the director. It was rather itchy and much too warm, he thought, -as he waited by the fountain at the far end of the park. The hemlock -was in a bronze goblet on the parapet beside him. The family would be -here soon. He wondered how they would feel about being dragged way out -here. - -They arrived a half hour later: Cousin Nat, his two nephews, George and -Alec, their wives, and George's five-year-old, Mike. Mr. Hoode was also -with them, but he left the party as soon as he had shown them where Mr. -Sims was waiting. - -The meeting was restrained. Clearly they were not happy about making -the trip. There were no smiles of greeting; only young Mike showed any -distinct interest. He sat down at Mr. Sims' feet, playing havoc with -the lawn with a toy dagger. - -"Where's the poison, Grandpa?" he asked eagerly. - -Mr. Sims lifted the boy up on to his knee and rumpled his hair -playfully in a feeble attempt to ease the tension. The others stood -around silently watching. No one made any move to sit down. It was -their way of telling him they hoped they wouldn't have to wait too -long. Mr. Sims suddenly wished he were in one of the quiet rooms of the -palace, alone. - -Cousin Nat was the first one to break the awkward silence. "Who in hell -was that madman who brought us over here?" - -"That's Mr. Hoode, the director," Mr. Sims explained. "He's quite an -artist in his way." - -"He's insane!" Nat said flatly. "All the way over, he talked about -nothing but dying. Told us we could come here and die any way we -wanted. If any of us wanted to go out like Early Christians, he would -be only too happy to set up an arena for us. He even asked me if I -wanted to put my name down for a rehash of Custer's Last Stand for -2013. With real bullets!" He passed his hand nervously through his -thinning hair. "For God's sake, he must think I _want_ to get scalped!" - -"Didn't Dr. Van Stoke come with you?" Mr. Sims asked. "I wanted him to -see the place he sends everyone." - -"He went on an ocean cruise," young Mike said. - -"Dr. Van Stoke? You mean he left his practice?" - -"Yeah," the little boy answered. "Another doctor took his place." - -Mr. Sims turned to the others for corroboration. "Is that right? I -didn't think Van Stoke was a rich man. He was only around forty." - -"He went with the money Uncle Nat gave him," the boy said. - -"That'll be enough, Michael," Nat ordered sternly. - - * * * * * - -Mr. Sims laughed. "You're mistaken, Mike. Uncle Nat wouldn't give the -doctor any money. He hasn't even got enough for himself." - -"But he quit his job yesterday," said the boy. - -Nat's voice cut in sharply. "That's enough from you. You know what they -say about little boys." - -Mr. Sims looked steadily at Nat as though seeing him for the first -time. His cousin gazed back, half-sullen, half-defiant. - -"It certainly didn't take you long to get your hands on the money," Mr. -Sims said. "It looks as if I can't die soon enough. But I still don't -see where Dr. Van Stoke comes into--" - -Then suddenly there was no need to ask. The answer was clear on Nat's -tight, sullen face. - -Mr. Sims turned to the others for help and froze as identical -expressions stared back coldly from each of them, piercing him with -their long-hidden envy of his success, their pent-up hatred of their -dependence on him. - -A choking, frightened sound came from deep in Mr. Sims' throat. "For -God's sake! _How much did you pay him to put me away?_" - -He jumped quickly off the parapet, knocking the little boy to the -ground, and hurled the hemlock into the fountain. He pushed his way -past them and started to run. Then the woven garment twisted about his -legs. He tried to lift it clear, but his foot caught in the hem and he -stumbled. - -Nat was the first to move. He picked up the little toy dagger and fell -on the struggling man. Without hesitating, he plunged the knife between -Mr. Sims' shoulder blades and held it till the older man was still. -Then he stabbed again, without malice, without any emotion ... again -and again.... The blade made an odd ripping sound each time it pierced -the woven robe. - -All of them looked away. One of the women leaned over the parapet, sick. - - * * * * * - -When he was finally done, Nat stood up and cleaned the knife on the -grass and then motioned them all back toward the palace. - -Mr. Hoode met them as they walked through the foyer. "Ah, Socrates' -friends!" he said to Nat, who was dabbing at the front of his coat with -a piece of tissue. "Was everything in order?" - -"There was a slight change of plan," Nat said. "He decided at the last -moment to make it Julius Caesar." He held the knife up in explanation. - -"_Julius Caesar!_ But--" - -But they were gone, filing out through the front door, the women -sobbing in their handkerchiefs. No one looked back. - -The door hissed quietly shut. Mr. Hoode started at the sound and then -walked slowly into his office, seized by a cold, limp rage. From his -window, he could see them going down the driveway. - -"Amateurs," he spat after them with deep disgust. "Damned, lousy, -unimaginative amateurs!" - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amateurs, by Alan Cogan - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMATEURS *** - -***** This file should be named 51081.txt or 51081.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/0/8/51081/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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