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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7fa6e3b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #64404 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64404) diff --git a/old/64404-0.txt b/old/64404-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b9d1d1f..0000000 --- a/old/64404-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,720 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Con-Fen, by James R. Adams - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Con-Fen - -Author: James R. Adams - -Release Date: January 27, 2021 [eBook #64404] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CON-FEN *** - - - - -CON-FEN - -By JAMES R. ADAMS - -_The Shisti and the Assistant Shisti of Mars -chose Chicago, U.S.A., for their vacation spot. -No worries; they were invisible. Plenty of rich -food; the joint was loaded. A whole year of -frolicking in store. Only one thing they -overlooked--there was a curious convention going on._ - -[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from -Planet Stories May 1953. -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -The landing on the green planet, Koosh told himself in satisfaction, -was one of utmost perfection. Not that that made it unusual, since the -Martian craft all but handled itself and invariably performed almost -one hundred per cent flawlessly. But Koosh did feel that this landing -was a little, just a little, better than average, and his ability as -pilot had made it so. - -Thuko apparently thought the same, for he touched the other on the back -of the neck in brief compliment. - -Twirling his eye-stalks in pleasure, Koosh pressed a button on the -control panel and arose to follow Thuko to the opening airlock, hopping -on one leg, which happened to be all that he or any Martian possessed. - -They emerged into warm, late summer air. For a moment they stood, -filling their lungs, reveling in the rich, heady atmosphere that was so -unlike their own. - -"Wonderful, Thuko!" Koosh enthused. "And to think we have a full year -of it ahead of us!" - -"You are no less pleased than I," Thuko agreed. "But we must take care -that nothing happens to the ship in that time. Loss of it would mean -the end of all this." - -He did not need to mention the reason. Koosh knew that it was because -the small craft was the only one in existence. At least, as far as Mars -was concerned. And of course that was because--well, actually it was -not a Martian ship. - -Thousands of years ago a lone, exploring Jovian had landed on Mars. -After brief inspection of the machine, the Martians had decided it was -a thing much worth having. They promptly murdered the Jovian, thereby -neatly solving the problem of how to gain the gleaming silver sphere -for themselves. - -Operation of the ship had proved only a matter of learning the right -buttons to push. And the Martians were more than capable of making the -few simple repairs it required from time to time. But they were stumped -completely by the anti-gravity plates that drove it. All attempts to -duplicate them had ended fruitlessly. The original would have to serve -them until another Jovian came. - -"Where shall we put it for safekeeping?" Koosh asked. Then, -answering his own question, "I imagine a likely place would be on -the roof of an unoccupied building in whatever city we choose as our -initial--ah--host." - -"That is a good suggestion," said Thuko. "A rooftop would be ideal. Let -us proceed to find one in a suitable metropolis." - -Reentering the ship they took it aloft and skimmed over Earth's -surface, presently coming above a large city. A Terran would have -recognized it as Chicago. Eye-stalks pressed to the quartz window, the -alien pair scrutinized closely each building they passed over. - -"There's one!" exclaimed Koosh. He pointed with the longest three of -his nine tendril-like appendages. "See it, Thuko?" - -"I see it. Yes, it is obviously empty of life and has been for some -time. Set down the sphere, Koosh." - -Ten minutes later they were standing on a gravelled rooftop, sucking in -more of the wonderful air of this hospitable world. - -"And so we begin our vacation on Earth," Koosh murmured softly, -reverently. "A year, Thuko! a year of breathing this nectar ... of -stuffing our poor starved bodies with fine foods unknown to Mars' -barren soil. A year of abundance!" - -Vacation. The Martians had acquired, however dishonestly, the means -of travel through interplanetary space, and could think of no better -purpose for it than hauling them to vacations on Earth, a world they -had long known to be rich in those things vital to life. - -Unfortunately for the masses of Mars, the sphere could only carry two -passengers a trip, with one acting as pilot. Therefore its use had been -strictly limited to high officials. Too bad for the masses; but lucky -for Koosh and Thuko, since they both held important offices. They were -merely the Shisti and Assistant Shisti, respectively. - -The Assistant Shisti spoke now, the round orifice in the center of his -face rapidly dilating and contracting. Ignoring the other's ecstatic -bubblings, he said, "This will be fine, Koosh. Little could happen to -the ship here, unless the building collapsed. And of course we need not -worry too much about the place remaining untenanted. That really makes -small difference." - - * * * * * - -Koosh drooped his eye-stalks in agreement. "Except that the chances of -accident would be increased somewhat. But now, let us leave here. This -gravel punches through my sandal and hurts my foot." - -On the street, they paused to consider their next move. While they -stood there debating, a seedy, stoop-shouldered human came shuffling -along the walk and passed between them unheedingly, mumbling something -about, "Need dough. Gotta get wine money...." - -The Shisti casually watched him out of sight around the corner, then -said, "Astounding, Thuko, astounding. He gave no indication of having -seen us. I must admit I don't completely understand it." - -"Who does?" countered Thuko. "It is something that science cannot -satisfactorily explain. All the savants know is that most of these -Earthlings do not believe in our existence, and somehow that nonbelief -acts to prevent them from acknowledging the evidence of their senses -that we are among them. Furthermore, wherever we go, if even one human -in the immediate vicinity refuses to accept our reality, then we are -apparent to none, though we stand before a thousand. - -"The same thing applies to the ship. Not only that, but suppose I steal -an object right out of the hands of a human and place it elsewhere. To -his mind it ceases to exist--never did exist. There was nothing to move -it; it could not move itself; so his weak intellect takes the easiest -way out by rejecting the whole affair. - -"All in all, we are about as safe as we could be. As long as there is -one non-believer somewhere near us." - -"It is a good thing," remarked Koosh. "The Earthmen might resent us if -they knew of our presence." - -"Yes." Thuko abruptly dismissed the subject and said, "I am -increasingly aware of the pangs of hunger. Perhaps we could best launch -our sojourn on Earth with a festive orgy at some food emporium." - -Koosh liked the idea and forthwith they hopped off in search of a -supermarket, of which they had heard much from returning vacationers. -Enough to start them drooling in anticipation. - -In the first two blocks they bounded past a dozen or more pedestrians, -each of whom paid them no attention. - -Five blocks more and they found what they were looking for. It bore the -name of a well-known chain, though the colorful sign was meaningless to -the Shisti and his assistant, since the Martians had never taken the -trouble to learn any of Earth's multifarious languages, either written -or spoken. - -They entered, and at once their organs of scent were assailed by such a -profusion of saliva inspiring odors that Koosh all but collapsed in an -ague of rapture. He grasped a wheeled contrivance for support. - -Thuko wasted no time in such preliminaries, but hopped frantically down -the aisle into the produce department, grabbed a huge cabbage and began -eating with all the gusto of a circus fat lady down to her last three -hundred pounds. - -Nearby the produce clerk leaned drowsily against the sacked potato -display, enjoying the respite offered by a mid-morning slack period. -Oblivious to the theft of the cabbage and the crunching sounds -resultant therefrom, he speculatively eyed an under-dressed blonde -tripping by the window. - -Thuko finished the vegetable and without pause started on a stalk of -bananas. Meanwhile, in another aisle, Koosh had discovered the delights -of Gro-Pup and was well into his second box. There was a lifetime of -near-starvation to counterbalance, and if that could be done in one -short year this voracious team would obviously accomplish it. - -They moved slowly along the shelves, stowing away incredible amounts -of food and drink. When at last their paths met in the canned goods -section, Thuko picked up one of the cylindrical objects and stared at -it, thinking. Koosh waited patiently. A minute passed and it seemed the -problem would defeat the Assistant Shisti. But then his eye was caught -by the butcher wielding a cleaver on a side of beef. - -Bells rang in Thuko's head. He hopped behind the meat counter, obtained -a second cleaver from its hanging place and returned. Great was his -triumph as he lopped off the tops of two of the containers, spattering -Koosh with stewed tomatoes. With hunger redoubled by the delay, the -Martians emptied can after can of fruits, vegetables, juices and meats, -tossing the decapitated tins behind them in the aisle. - -A plumpish woman shopper approached, waddling along unhurriedly, -pausing occasionally to squint at a grocery list and take an item from -the shelves. As she neared Koosh and Thuko, she reached out for a can -of peas and in so doing brought her hand against the back of Koosh's -head. - -Koosh grunted in annoyance and moved his head out of the way. The woman -made another try and this time secured the can of peas. She placed it -in her cart and moved on, apparently unaware that anything out of the -ordinary had happened. - -Not much later she would develop leprosy. For that, incredible as it -seems, was just how every leper throughout time had contracted the -disease. By coming in accidental contact with a vacationing Martian. - -The Martians did not know of it, of course. But even if they had, it -would have made no difference to them. Should it be their worry if a -blundering Earthian caught from them an incurable ailment? One which to -them was not even a disease? Obviously not. - -The Shisti and his assistant went on eating, squealing in delight with -the first delicious taste of each new food. - - * * * * * - -The beginning of their second day on Earth found Koosh and Thuko -hopping along the street in quest of new pleasures. The air was damp -and raw. Overhead a leaden sky threatened the world below, hinting at -the unpleasant equinoctial weather soon to come. But the two Martians -took no notice, accustomed as they were to the awful winds and cold of -their home planet. This was paradise in comparison. - -Koosh reddled a little song with his eye-stalks as they bounded through -downtown traffic, but took care not to lose himself in it to the point -of coming down in the path of one of the whizzing cars. The terrifying -machines did not need to believe in their existence to smash them to -bloody pulp. - -In front of a swank hotel, Thuko called a halt and motioned with a -tendril. "This would be a likely place to find thrilling luxuries. -My friend Yemma told me that on his vacation he lived a month in the -kitchen of one of these structures and when he came out was so fat he -could scarcely hop." - -Koosh dribbled spittle. "Wonderful, wonderful. We shall outdo Yemma. We -shall spend three months and come out fat even in our tendrils!" - -Thuko opened the door and they entered. The lobby was empty except -for a clerk behind the desk, who was at the moment engrossed in a -newspaper. Ignoring him, they crossed the room in panic haste as a -faint but delectable fragrance floated into their scent organs. - -The spacious dining hall was crowded with humanity. At one table a -tall, thin man was speaking into a microphone, while all eyes turned -in his direction. Most raptly attentive of all were the great number -of youthful diners, who seemed to regard the speaker with an awe that -bordered on worship. - -Onto this scene came Koosh and Thuko, hot on the trail of eatables and -drinkables. Spying the door to the kitchen, they hurried toward it -between the tables, gabbling at each other in passionate conjecture at -the delicacies awaiting them. - -They were little prepared for the furor that followed. - -It began at the first table they passed. A woman sitting there glanced -their way, pointed at them, opened her mouth in a piercing scream and -fainted dead away on the floor. - -The man with her jumped to his feet, shouting something in a hoarse -voice. It sounded like: "They're here! It's finally happened! Now let's -see them call us crazy!" - -Others stood up, attracted by the hubbub. They craned to see; and when -they did, they too began yelling and gesticulating, until the dining -hall was one vast sea of sound and motion. - -The Shisti and his assistant hesitated, hopped forward again, stopped -finally in utter confusion. For the first time on this planet, fear -caught at them. Could this truly be? Was it really possible that they -had been detected? Did all of these humans believe in the Martians' -existence? - -Plainly, they did. - -"We must flee, Koosh!" Thuko bawled in terror. "Return to the ship!" -And suiting action to words, he turned and went leaping back the way -they had come. Koosh followed close on his heel, with an alacrity -unusual for that individual. - -"Wait! Wait, please!" someone called. "We won't harm you!" - -Others took it up. But of course Koosh and Thuko did not understand. -They rushed on. And the crowd poured after them like a tidal wave, -pleading with them to stop. - -Through the lobby, out the front entrance, down the steps, the Martians -hopped with speed born of desperation. They started across the street, -unheeding of the traffic, intent only on escape from their howling -pursuers. Consequently they did not see the huge truck bearing down on -them. - -Nor did the driver of the truck see them. Not that he was unalert. No, -it was merely that he did not believe in Martians. Just as dozens of -other motorists and pedestrians close around did not believe in them. - -The truck rolled forward. There was a crunching, squishing sound. A -blue fluid spattered over the hood and chunks of spongy flesh rained -down under the wheels as the delicately built aliens came apart in a -thousand pieces. An eye-stalk, twitching violently, bounced off the cab -roof. - -The truck rumbled on, the driver whistling a cheery tune. Bits of Koosh -and Thuko rode with him, caught in the grill. So ended the Shisti and -Assistant Shisti's vacation on Earth.... - - * * * * * - -Most of the diners had gone back into the hotel. They had stood for -an indecisive moment, looking this way and that. Baffled by the -disappearance of the alien beings, they had straggled inside one by -one. Few words were spoken among them, since each was mentally busy -forming a theory to explain the occurrence. - -Two of those who dallied behind, both youths, had already come up -with explanations, and were telling them to each other with great -zealousness and many a gesture. - -"Listen," said Bicks. "I tell you they used invisibility belts. -Something got out of whack with them just when those beings entered -the dining hall and we saw them. They high-tailed it, working on the -belts as they ran. By the time they reached the street, they had them -repaired. Zap!--just like that, they were invisible again and we lost -them. It's simple." - -"It's too simple," said Paul scornfully. "Why would both belts conk out -at once? My idea is that they came out of another dimension. Looking -Earth over for conquest, maybe. But when they found themselves in -the hotel surrounded by a lot of people--we'd be monsters to them, -you know--they got panicky and ran. Then they recovered, switched on -whatever gadget they use, and returned to their own dimension. I'd bet -my life that's the real answer." - -Bicks didn't agree. He ridiculed the theory, improvised a joke about -it. His companion answered hotly. Immersed in argument they walked -slowly up the hotel steps. - -Both glanced briefly at the large banner stretched above the door. The -banner which read: - - WELCOME TO THE CHICON II! - 10th WORLD SCIENCE-FICTION - CONVENTION - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CON-FEN *** - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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Adams</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Con-Fen</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: James R. Adams</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 27, 2021 [eBook #64404]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CON-FEN ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>CON-FEN</h1> - -<h2>By JAMES R. ADAMS</h2> - -<p><i>The Shisti and the Assistant Shisti of Mars<br /> -chose Chicago, U.S.A., for their vacation spot.<br /> -No worries; they were invisible. Plenty of rich<br /> -food; the joint was loaded. A whole year of<br /> -frolicking in store. Only one thing they<br /> -overlooked—there was a curious convention going on.</i></p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories May 1953.<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>The landing on the green planet, Koosh told himself in satisfaction, -was one of utmost perfection. Not that that made it unusual, since the -Martian craft all but handled itself and invariably performed almost -one hundred per cent flawlessly. But Koosh did feel that this landing -was a little, just a little, better than average, and his ability as -pilot had made it so.</p> - -<p>Thuko apparently thought the same, for he touched the other on the back -of the neck in brief compliment.</p> - -<p>Twirling his eye-stalks in pleasure, Koosh pressed a button on the -control panel and arose to follow Thuko to the opening airlock, hopping -on one leg, which happened to be all that he or any Martian possessed.</p> - -<p>They emerged into warm, late summer air. For a moment they stood, -filling their lungs, reveling in the rich, heady atmosphere that was so -unlike their own.</p> - -<p>"Wonderful, Thuko!" Koosh enthused. "And to think we have a full year -of it ahead of us!"</p> - -<p>"You are no less pleased than I," Thuko agreed. "But we must take care -that nothing happens to the ship in that time. Loss of it would mean -the end of all this."</p> - -<p>He did not need to mention the reason. Koosh knew that it was because -the small craft was the only one in existence. At least, as far as Mars -was concerned. And of course that was because—well, actually it was -not a Martian ship.</p> - -<p>Thousands of years ago a lone, exploring Jovian had landed on Mars. -After brief inspection of the machine, the Martians had decided it was -a thing much worth having. They promptly murdered the Jovian, thereby -neatly solving the problem of how to gain the gleaming silver sphere -for themselves.</p> - -<p>Operation of the ship had proved only a matter of learning the right -buttons to push. And the Martians were more than capable of making the -few simple repairs it required from time to time. But they were stumped -completely by the anti-gravity plates that drove it. All attempts to -duplicate them had ended fruitlessly. The original would have to serve -them until another Jovian came.</p> - -<p>"Where shall we put it for safekeeping?" Koosh asked. Then, -answering his own question, "I imagine a likely place would be on -the roof of an unoccupied building in whatever city we choose as our -initial—ah—host."</p> - -<p>"That is a good suggestion," said Thuko. "A rooftop would be ideal. Let -us proceed to find one in a suitable metropolis."</p> - -<p>Reentering the ship they took it aloft and skimmed over Earth's -surface, presently coming above a large city. A Terran would have -recognized it as Chicago. Eye-stalks pressed to the quartz window, the -alien pair scrutinized closely each building they passed over.</p> - -<p>"There's one!" exclaimed Koosh. He pointed with the longest three of -his nine tendril-like appendages. "See it, Thuko?"</p> - -<p>"I see it. Yes, it is obviously empty of life and has been for some -time. Set down the sphere, Koosh."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later they were standing on a gravelled rooftop, sucking in -more of the wonderful air of this hospitable world.</p> - -<p>"And so we begin our vacation on Earth," Koosh murmured softly, -reverently. "A year, Thuko! a year of breathing this nectar ... of -stuffing our poor starved bodies with fine foods unknown to Mars' -barren soil. A year of abundance!"</p> - -<p>Vacation. The Martians had acquired, however dishonestly, the means -of travel through interplanetary space, and could think of no better -purpose for it than hauling them to vacations on Earth, a world they -had long known to be rich in those things vital to life.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for the masses of Mars, the sphere could only carry two -passengers a trip, with one acting as pilot. Therefore its use had been -strictly limited to high officials. Too bad for the masses; but lucky -for Koosh and Thuko, since they both held important offices. They were -merely the Shisti and Assistant Shisti, respectively.</p> - -<p>The Assistant Shisti spoke now, the round orifice in the center of his -face rapidly dilating and contracting. Ignoring the other's ecstatic -bubblings, he said, "This will be fine, Koosh. Little could happen to -the ship here, unless the building collapsed. And of course we need not -worry too much about the place remaining untenanted. That really makes -small difference."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Koosh drooped his eye-stalks in agreement. "Except that the chances of -accident would be increased somewhat. But now, let us leave here. This -gravel punches through my sandal and hurts my foot."</p> - -<p>On the street, they paused to consider their next move. While they -stood there debating, a seedy, stoop-shouldered human came shuffling -along the walk and passed between them unheedingly, mumbling something -about, "Need dough. Gotta get wine money...."</p> - -<p>The Shisti casually watched him out of sight around the corner, then -said, "Astounding, Thuko, astounding. He gave no indication of having -seen us. I must admit I don't completely understand it."</p> - -<p>"Who does?" countered Thuko. "It is something that science cannot -satisfactorily explain. All the savants know is that most of these -Earthlings do not believe in our existence, and somehow that nonbelief -acts to prevent them from acknowledging the evidence of their senses -that we are among them. Furthermore, wherever we go, if even one human -in the immediate vicinity refuses to accept our reality, then we are -apparent to none, though we stand before a thousand.</p> - -<p>"The same thing applies to the ship. Not only that, but suppose I steal -an object right out of the hands of a human and place it elsewhere. To -his mind it ceases to exist—never did exist. There was nothing to move -it; it could not move itself; so his weak intellect takes the easiest -way out by rejecting the whole affair.</p> - -<p>"All in all, we are about as safe as we could be. As long as there is -one non-believer somewhere near us."</p> - -<p>"It is a good thing," remarked Koosh. "The Earthmen might resent us if -they knew of our presence."</p> - -<p>"Yes." Thuko abruptly dismissed the subject and said, "I am -increasingly aware of the pangs of hunger. Perhaps we could best launch -our sojourn on Earth with a festive orgy at some food emporium."</p> - -<p>Koosh liked the idea and forthwith they hopped off in search of a -supermarket, of which they had heard much from returning vacationers. -Enough to start them drooling in anticipation.</p> - -<p>In the first two blocks they bounded past a dozen or more pedestrians, -each of whom paid them no attention.</p> - -<p>Five blocks more and they found what they were looking for. It bore the -name of a well-known chain, though the colorful sign was meaningless to -the Shisti and his assistant, since the Martians had never taken the -trouble to learn any of Earth's multifarious languages, either written -or spoken.</p> - -<p>They entered, and at once their organs of scent were assailed by such a -profusion of saliva inspiring odors that Koosh all but collapsed in an -ague of rapture. He grasped a wheeled contrivance for support.</p> - -<p>Thuko wasted no time in such preliminaries, but hopped frantically down -the aisle into the produce department, grabbed a huge cabbage and began -eating with all the gusto of a circus fat lady down to her last three -hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>Nearby the produce clerk leaned drowsily against the sacked potato -display, enjoying the respite offered by a mid-morning slack period. -Oblivious to the theft of the cabbage and the crunching sounds -resultant therefrom, he speculatively eyed an under-dressed blonde -tripping by the window.</p> - -<p>Thuko finished the vegetable and without pause started on a stalk of -bananas. Meanwhile, in another aisle, Koosh had discovered the delights -of Gro-Pup and was well into his second box. There was a lifetime of -near-starvation to counterbalance, and if that could be done in one -short year this voracious team would obviously accomplish it.</p> - -<p>They moved slowly along the shelves, stowing away incredible amounts -of food and drink. When at last their paths met in the canned goods -section, Thuko picked up one of the cylindrical objects and stared at -it, thinking. Koosh waited patiently. A minute passed and it seemed the -problem would defeat the Assistant Shisti. But then his eye was caught -by the butcher wielding a cleaver on a side of beef.</p> - -<p>Bells rang in Thuko's head. He hopped behind the meat counter, obtained -a second cleaver from its hanging place and returned. Great was his -triumph as he lopped off the tops of two of the containers, spattering -Koosh with stewed tomatoes. With hunger redoubled by the delay, the -Martians emptied can after can of fruits, vegetables, juices and meats, -tossing the decapitated tins behind them in the aisle.</p> - -<p>A plumpish woman shopper approached, waddling along unhurriedly, -pausing occasionally to squint at a grocery list and take an item from -the shelves. As she neared Koosh and Thuko, she reached out for a can -of peas and in so doing brought her hand against the back of Koosh's -head.</p> - -<p>Koosh grunted in annoyance and moved his head out of the way. The woman -made another try and this time secured the can of peas. She placed it -in her cart and moved on, apparently unaware that anything out of the -ordinary had happened.</p> - -<p>Not much later she would develop leprosy. For that, incredible as it -seems, was just how every leper throughout time had contracted the -disease. By coming in accidental contact with a vacationing Martian.</p> - -<p>The Martians did not know of it, of course. But even if they had, it -would have made no difference to them. Should it be their worry if a -blundering Earthian caught from them an incurable ailment? One which to -them was not even a disease? Obviously not.</p> - -<p>The Shisti and his assistant went on eating, squealing in delight with -the first delicious taste of each new food.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The beginning of their second day on Earth found Koosh and Thuko -hopping along the street in quest of new pleasures. The air was damp -and raw. Overhead a leaden sky threatened the world below, hinting at -the unpleasant equinoctial weather soon to come. But the two Martians -took no notice, accustomed as they were to the awful winds and cold of -their home planet. This was paradise in comparison.</p> - -<p>Koosh reddled a little song with his eye-stalks as they bounded through -downtown traffic, but took care not to lose himself in it to the point -of coming down in the path of one of the whizzing cars. The terrifying -machines did not need to believe in their existence to smash them to -bloody pulp.</p> - -<p>In front of a swank hotel, Thuko called a halt and motioned with a -tendril. "This would be a likely place to find thrilling luxuries. -My friend Yemma told me that on his vacation he lived a month in the -kitchen of one of these structures and when he came out was so fat he -could scarcely hop."</p> - -<p>Koosh dribbled spittle. "Wonderful, wonderful. We shall outdo Yemma. We -shall spend three months and come out fat even in our tendrils!"</p> - -<p>Thuko opened the door and they entered. The lobby was empty except -for a clerk behind the desk, who was at the moment engrossed in a -newspaper. Ignoring him, they crossed the room in panic haste as a -faint but delectable fragrance floated into their scent organs.</p> - -<p>The spacious dining hall was crowded with humanity. At one table a -tall, thin man was speaking into a microphone, while all eyes turned -in his direction. Most raptly attentive of all were the great number -of youthful diners, who seemed to regard the speaker with an awe that -bordered on worship.</p> - -<p>Onto this scene came Koosh and Thuko, hot on the trail of eatables and -drinkables. Spying the door to the kitchen, they hurried toward it -between the tables, gabbling at each other in passionate conjecture at -the delicacies awaiting them.</p> - -<p>They were little prepared for the furor that followed.</p> - -<p>It began at the first table they passed. A woman sitting there glanced -their way, pointed at them, opened her mouth in a piercing scream and -fainted dead away on the floor.</p> - -<p>The man with her jumped to his feet, shouting something in a hoarse -voice. It sounded like: "They're here! It's finally happened! Now let's -see them call us crazy!"</p> - -<p>Others stood up, attracted by the hubbub. They craned to see; and when -they did, they too began yelling and gesticulating, until the dining -hall was one vast sea of sound and motion.</p> - -<p>The Shisti and his assistant hesitated, hopped forward again, stopped -finally in utter confusion. For the first time on this planet, fear -caught at them. Could this truly be? Was it really possible that they -had been detected? Did all of these humans believe in the Martians' -existence?</p> - -<p>Plainly, they did.</p> - -<p>"We must flee, Koosh!" Thuko bawled in terror. "Return to the ship!" -And suiting action to words, he turned and went leaping back the way -they had come. Koosh followed close on his heel, with an alacrity -unusual for that individual.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Wait! Wait, please!" someone called. "We won't harm you!"</p> - -<p>Others took it up. But of course Koosh and Thuko did not understand. -They rushed on. And the crowd poured after them like a tidal wave, -pleading with them to stop.</p> - -<p>Through the lobby, out the front entrance, down the steps, the Martians -hopped with speed born of desperation. They started across the street, -unheeding of the traffic, intent only on escape from their howling -pursuers. Consequently they did not see the huge truck bearing down on -them.</p> - -<p>Nor did the driver of the truck see them. Not that he was unalert. No, -it was merely that he did not believe in Martians. Just as dozens of -other motorists and pedestrians close around did not believe in them.</p> - -<p>The truck rolled forward. There was a crunching, squishing sound. A -blue fluid spattered over the hood and chunks of spongy flesh rained -down under the wheels as the delicately built aliens came apart in a -thousand pieces. An eye-stalk, twitching violently, bounced off the cab -roof.</p> - -<p>The truck rumbled on, the driver whistling a cheery tune. Bits of Koosh -and Thuko rode with him, caught in the grill. So ended the Shisti and -Assistant Shisti's vacation on Earth....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Most of the diners had gone back into the hotel. They had stood for -an indecisive moment, looking this way and that. Baffled by the -disappearance of the alien beings, they had straggled inside one by -one. Few words were spoken among them, since each was mentally busy -forming a theory to explain the occurrence.</p> - -<p>Two of those who dallied behind, both youths, had already come up -with explanations, and were telling them to each other with great -zealousness and many a gesture.</p> - -<p>"Listen," said Bicks. "I tell you they used invisibility belts. -Something got out of whack with them just when those beings entered -the dining hall and we saw them. They high-tailed it, working on the -belts as they ran. By the time they reached the street, they had them -repaired. Zap!—just like that, they were invisible again and we lost -them. It's simple."</p> - -<p>"It's too simple," said Paul scornfully. "Why would both belts conk out -at once? My idea is that they came out of another dimension. Looking -Earth over for conquest, maybe. But when they found themselves in -the hotel surrounded by a lot of people—we'd be monsters to them, -you know—they got panicky and ran. Then they recovered, switched on -whatever gadget they use, and returned to their own dimension. I'd bet -my life that's the real answer."</p> - -<p>Bicks didn't agree. He ridiculed the theory, improvised a joke about -it. His companion answered hotly. Immersed in argument they walked -slowly up the hotel steps.</p> - -<p>Both glanced briefly at the large banner stretched above the door. The -banner which read:</p> - -<p class="ph1">WELCOME TO THE CHICON II!<br /> -10th WORLD SCIENCE-FICTION<br /> -CONVENTION</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CON-FEN ***</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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