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diff --git a/58827-0.txt b/58827-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f89fb8 --- /dev/null +++ b/58827-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,196 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58827 *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + BY WINSTON MARKS + + WEDDING DAY + + _Some folks say a good wife is a composite of many + things. And sometimes a girl finds it tough. + But with the ratio of the sexes drastically changed...._ + + [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from + Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1955. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that + the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] + + +At breakfast Polly and June had an argument over the coffee. Polly had +brewed it. June thought it was too strong. Doris and Sue stayed out of +the argument at first. + +Polly defended, "Sure, it's a little stronger, but men like it strong. +You might as well get used to it." + +June said, "See here, he's got to make some concessions. After all, why +should four of us suffer--" + +"Suffer? You call being married to Hollis Jamison suffering?" + +"Don't be so impressed. He's not doing badly marrying us, either. He +could do a lot worse." + +"Why, you vain witch! Just because you play a fair game of chess--" + +"Oh, I'm not taking all the credit. You're a fine cook, Doris is witty +and Sue's body would make any man's mouth water--but that's just the +point! Look what he's getting! Why should we have to change all our +habits and tastes to conform with his?" + +Now Doris entered the argument. "You know darn well why! It's still +a man's world and a man's choice. Back when there was a man for +practically every woman, it was different. But it's five women to one +man right now--don't ever forget that--five to one, and so far the law +only requires a quadracell. Just be grateful you aren't the one who's +left out. You and your chess-playing! How far would you get attracting +a man, all by yourself?" + +"Shhh, now, all of you," Sue broke into the telepathic conversation. +"Let's clear the dishes and get the apartment straightened up. Hollis +did make one concession--moving in with us, instead of making us live +in that dismal bachelor's hole of his. Let's not make him regret it." + +They heeded Sue and got busy. Sue was the arbiter. She ruled the +quartet with a gentle but confident mind. All four knew that her lithe, +athletic body with its soft curves and golden hair was the greatest +asset in this transaction of matrimony. + +There had been no dissension on this point, nor could there have been. +The bureau would never have allowed them to be together and form a +marriage cell had there been the slightest dispute. + +Many differences of opinion were allowable, but the four had been +carefully screened in certain matters of basic tastes. They liked the +same colors, foods, styles of clothing, video programs, sports and +vacation activities. All were carefully schooled ambiverts of roughly +equal education. Instead of conflicting, their differences of skills, +talents and personality traits complemented each other. + +Even with all this care in selecting and matching, however, the big +test was the culmination of the marriage, itself--the whole purpose of +this banding together. The unpredictable quality of the most stable +feminine emotions made the choice of a mate most difficult of all. + +This awareness was in all their minds this day, and it made them a +little nervous. Even the argument that had started over the coffee had +been faintly alarming to Sue. They were a team, welded together by the +wonderful gift of telepathy, which was only possible through formation +of a marriage cell. The most complete intimacy of thought and feeling +had been nurtured for a whole year before marriage was permissible. +Sympathy, tolerance and sharing a common experience with mutual +enjoyment and happiness was the keystone of the polygamous unions. +Nothing must spoil it now. + +The delivery vault thumped, and the signal light flicked on. Sue rushed +to slide up the door. + +"Orchids!" they chorused mentally, and Sue noticed with satisfaction +that June's thought was as strong as the others. The lovely flowers +were put in the cooler, the apartment was tidied and they turned to the +exciting task of becoming beautiful for their handsome husband. + +The tiff over the coffee was forgotten as they became immersed in +sprays, powders, tints, cosmetics, body ornaments and the precious +nuptial perfume. This latter, issued to them only yesterday when they +signed the register and received the license, was now as traditionally +exclusive to weddings as trousseaus had been centuries ago. + +Feminine clothing, of course, had long since been eliminated from the +occasion, along with other redundancies such as waggish and mischievous +guests, old shoes, rice and hectic honeymoon trips. + +The official and religious arrangements had been completed yesterday at +the registry and the chapel, the union to become legal and effective +at noon on this day. When Hollis Jamison walked through their door at +twelve o'clock he would bring four gold rings, and the moment the rings +were placed on the proper fingers the ceremony was complete. + +Doris said, "Let's steal just a tiny whiff of the perfume. I'm too +curious to wait." + +June and Polly were game, but Sue cut them off. "Not on your life! I +used to know a chemist at the hormone labs where they compound this +stuff, and he told me about it. We have things to do, and if what he +told me is true--well, it's very distracting." + +Polly backed her up, "I hear it is terribly volatile. I guess we +wouldn't want it to wear off before Hollis came." + +"Hollis!" The thought was June's, and it came thin and quavery. +"What--do you suppose it's like to be married?" + +No one answered, for there was no experience among them. Each had +her own romantic idea, so cherished, so private that even within the +intimacy of their clique it was too sacred to discuss. + +Suddenly June said, "I'm scared." + +The thought had come sharply and unexpectedly. It was contagious. Polly +said, "Me, too." + +"Of what?" Doris asked, "Of drinking strong coffee the rest of your +lives?" + +It was a weak, nervous stab at humor, and Sue knew that Doris was as +jumpy as the rest of them. "Steady, gals," she said sympathetically. +"It'll be worth it. We want a baby, don't we?" + +It was the right thought at the right time. Sue felt their minds relax, +and the thought even did her some good. A sweet, little, round, pink +baby-- + +She let the mental picture flow out to the others, and the little +crisis passed. + +The minutes flew, and soon it was five minutes to twelve. "Have we +forgotten anything?" Sue asked. + +"The perfume!" Polly and June said together. + +"Hurry!" Doris said. "I think he's coming." + +The seal on the tiny vial was broken, one drop on each breast, and the +rich, exotic fumes exuded a gentle, warm excitement that was entirely +different from the innocent scents they had known. + +The door was unlocked, and now it opened. + +Hollis stepped in, bronzed body bared to the waist. + +"The flowers!" Polly wailed inwardly. "We forgot the orchids--" + +But Hollis Jamison didn't notice the discrepancy. He advanced smiling +from his gray eyes and strong mouth. Sue opened her lips and her fine, +white teeth showed a welcoming smile. She was proud of her lovely body, +and June, Polly and Doris shared in that pride. + +Sue held out her left hand with fingers outstretched. Her man came +forward jingling the four rings in his right hand. He paused before +her, drew her left hand to his lips, kissed the little finger and slid +the proper ring on it, then, in order he kissed Sue's other three +fingers and banded them with the remaining rings, symbolic of the four +separate feminine entities who dwelt in this one magnificent body. + +And with each ring he said a name: "June, Polly, Doris, Sue--" + +He straightened and gazed into the two blue eyes. + +"I thee wed," he said simply. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wedding Day, by Winston Marks + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58827 *** diff --git a/58827-h/58827-h.htm b/58827-h/58827-h.htm index 53b80df..2bbff21 100644 --- a/58827-h/58827-h.htm +++ b/58827-h/58827-h.htm @@ -70,44 +70,7 @@ div.titlepage p { <body> -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wedding Day, by Winston Marks - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. 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: Wedding Day - -Author: Winston Marks - -Release Date: February 4, 2019 [EBook #58827] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEDDING DAY *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58827 ***</div> <div class="figcenter"> @@ -303,377 +266,7 @@ separate feminine entities who dwelt in this one magnificent body.</p> -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wedding Day, by Winston Marks - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEDDING DAY *** - -***** This file should be named 58827-h.htm or 58827-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/8/8/2/58827/ - -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: Wedding Day - -Author: Winston Marks - -Release Date: February 4, 2019 [EBook #58827] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEDDING DAY *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - BY WINSTON MARKS - - WEDDING DAY - - _Some folks say a good wife is a composite of many - things. And sometimes a girl finds it tough. - But with the ratio of the sexes drastically changed...._ - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1955. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -At breakfast Polly and June had an argument over the coffee. Polly had -brewed it. June thought it was too strong. Doris and Sue stayed out of -the argument at first. - -Polly defended, "Sure, it's a little stronger, but men like it strong. -You might as well get used to it." - -June said, "See here, he's got to make some concessions. After all, why -should four of us suffer--" - -"Suffer? You call being married to Hollis Jamison suffering?" - -"Don't be so impressed. He's not doing badly marrying us, either. He -could do a lot worse." - -"Why, you vain witch! Just because you play a fair game of chess--" - -"Oh, I'm not taking all the credit. You're a fine cook, Doris is witty -and Sue's body would make any man's mouth water--but that's just the -point! Look what he's getting! Why should we have to change all our -habits and tastes to conform with his?" - -Now Doris entered the argument. "You know darn well why! It's still -a man's world and a man's choice. Back when there was a man for -practically every woman, it was different. But it's five women to one -man right now--don't ever forget that--five to one, and so far the law -only requires a quadracell. Just be grateful you aren't the one who's -left out. You and your chess-playing! How far would you get attracting -a man, all by yourself?" - -"Shhh, now, all of you," Sue broke into the telepathic conversation. -"Let's clear the dishes and get the apartment straightened up. Hollis -did make one concession--moving in with us, instead of making us live -in that dismal bachelor's hole of his. Let's not make him regret it." - -They heeded Sue and got busy. Sue was the arbiter. She ruled the -quartet with a gentle but confident mind. All four knew that her lithe, -athletic body with its soft curves and golden hair was the greatest -asset in this transaction of matrimony. - -There had been no dissension on this point, nor could there have been. -The bureau would never have allowed them to be together and form a -marriage cell had there been the slightest dispute. - -Many differences of opinion were allowable, but the four had been -carefully screened in certain matters of basic tastes. They liked the -same colors, foods, styles of clothing, video programs, sports and -vacation activities. All were carefully schooled ambiverts of roughly -equal education. Instead of conflicting, their differences of skills, -talents and personality traits complemented each other. - -Even with all this care in selecting and matching, however, the big -test was the culmination of the marriage, itself--the whole purpose of -this banding together. The unpredictable quality of the most stable -feminine emotions made the choice of a mate most difficult of all. - -This awareness was in all their minds this day, and it made them a -little nervous. Even the argument that had started over the coffee had -been faintly alarming to Sue. They were a team, welded together by the -wonderful gift of telepathy, which was only possible through formation -of a marriage cell. The most complete intimacy of thought and feeling -had been nurtured for a whole year before marriage was permissible. -Sympathy, tolerance and sharing a common experience with mutual -enjoyment and happiness was the keystone of the polygamous unions. -Nothing must spoil it now. - -The delivery vault thumped, and the signal light flicked on. Sue rushed -to slide up the door. - -"Orchids!" they chorused mentally, and Sue noticed with satisfaction -that June's thought was as strong as the others. The lovely flowers -were put in the cooler, the apartment was tidied and they turned to the -exciting task of becoming beautiful for their handsome husband. - -The tiff over the coffee was forgotten as they became immersed in -sprays, powders, tints, cosmetics, body ornaments and the precious -nuptial perfume. This latter, issued to them only yesterday when they -signed the register and received the license, was now as traditionally -exclusive to weddings as trousseaus had been centuries ago. - -Feminine clothing, of course, had long since been eliminated from the -occasion, along with other redundancies such as waggish and mischievous -guests, old shoes, rice and hectic honeymoon trips. - -The official and religious arrangements had been completed yesterday at -the registry and the chapel, the union to become legal and effective -at noon on this day. When Hollis Jamison walked through their door at -twelve o'clock he would bring four gold rings, and the moment the rings -were placed on the proper fingers the ceremony was complete. - -Doris said, "Let's steal just a tiny whiff of the perfume. I'm too -curious to wait." - -June and Polly were game, but Sue cut them off. "Not on your life! I -used to know a chemist at the hormone labs where they compound this -stuff, and he told me about it. We have things to do, and if what he -told me is true--well, it's very distracting." - -Polly backed her up, "I hear it is terribly volatile. I guess we -wouldn't want it to wear off before Hollis came." - -"Hollis!" The thought was June's, and it came thin and quavery. -"What--do you suppose it's like to be married?" - -No one answered, for there was no experience among them. Each had -her own romantic idea, so cherished, so private that even within the -intimacy of their clique it was too sacred to discuss. - -Suddenly June said, "I'm scared." - -The thought had come sharply and unexpectedly. It was contagious. Polly -said, "Me, too." - -"Of what?" Doris asked, "Of drinking strong coffee the rest of your -lives?" - -It was a weak, nervous stab at humor, and Sue knew that Doris was as -jumpy as the rest of them. "Steady, gals," she said sympathetically. -"It'll be worth it. We want a baby, don't we?" - -It was the right thought at the right time. Sue felt their minds relax, -and the thought even did her some good. A sweet, little, round, pink -baby-- - -She let the mental picture flow out to the others, and the little -crisis passed. - -The minutes flew, and soon it was five minutes to twelve. "Have we -forgotten anything?" Sue asked. - -"The perfume!" Polly and June said together. - -"Hurry!" Doris said. "I think he's coming." - -The seal on the tiny vial was broken, one drop on each breast, and the -rich, exotic fumes exuded a gentle, warm excitement that was entirely -different from the innocent scents they had known. - -The door was unlocked, and now it opened. - -Hollis stepped in, bronzed body bared to the waist. - -"The flowers!" Polly wailed inwardly. "We forgot the orchids--" - -But Hollis Jamison didn't notice the discrepancy. He advanced smiling -from his gray eyes and strong mouth. Sue opened her lips and her fine, -white teeth showed a welcoming smile. She was proud of her lovely body, -and June, Polly and Doris shared in that pride. - -Sue held out her left hand with fingers outstretched. Her man came -forward jingling the four rings in his right hand. He paused before -her, drew her left hand to his lips, kissed the little finger and slid -the proper ring on it, then, in order he kissed Sue's other three -fingers and banded them with the remaining rings, symbolic of the four -separate feminine entities who dwelt in this one magnificent body. - -And with each ring he said a name: "June, Polly, Doris, Sue--" - -He straightened and gazed into the two blue eyes. - -"I thee wed," he said simply. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wedding Day, by Winston Marks - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEDDING DAY *** - -***** This file should be named 58827.txt or 58827.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/8/8/2/58827/ - -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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