They walked up the street, others around them going quietly about their
business. The people were very calm.
* * * * *
The conference of astronomers and scientists realized their ghastly
blunder at 11:59 a.m. For a long moment, there was stunned silence in
the room. None of them could believe that such a progressive series of
errors could have been passed from man to man and been added to by
each. Through every mind went the dread of what would come out of this.
In the future it would be called the greatest hoax of all time. There
would be gigantic investigations. Possibly a goat would have to be
found. The world would never believe the truth.
"We might as well make the announcement," someone said.
"You make it," another scientist said. "I'm leaving for the North Pole."
* * * * *
Frank Allison heard the announcement from a loudspeaker in a store
window on his sixth trip around the block. He'd been walking slowly,
deep in his own thoughts and regrets--giving Dee a little more time
with her mother. Then--
"--so the great danger is passed, ladies and gentlemen. The why and
the wherefore of it is not known at this time. We are only sure of one
thing: The comet will swing away into space. Rumor has it that the size
of the invading body was what threw our scientists off. But whether
the earlier announcement was sincere or merely a cruel joke will not
be known immediately. The main thing is to be thankful that an error
existed--whatever its cause--"
Frank straightened his shoulders, turned and started briskly up the
street.
* * * * *
The President of the United States put a call through to the Russian
Premier. He awaited expectantly with the phone in his hand. But the
connections slipped into place slowly and five minutes later a voice
came across half a world. "The Premier is busy. Please inform the
President of the United States that the Premier is engaged. Inform the
President that I am able to connect him with the Premier's secretary.
Ask him if that will be satisfactory."
The frost in the voice seemed to chill the President's ear. "I will
talk to the Premier's secretary."
The Secretary's voice was careful, guarded. "May I help you, Mr.
President?"
"Perhaps you can. I had a conversation with the Premier a little over
an hour ago. We were planning a joint statement--a joint television
appearance."
The secretary's voice stiffened. "I'm sorry, but I know of no such
statement nor of any such plans on the part of the Premier.'"
"May I speak to the Premier?"
"I'm sorry. The Premier has left on an extended vacation."
"I'm sorry too," the President said, and cradled the phone.
* * * * *
Dee Allison sat tight-eyed staring out the window. Her handkerchief was
balled into a wad in her hand. "He's so cruel--so thoughtless," she
said.
Her mother regarded her with resignation. "What do you want me to tell
him when he comes?"
"Tell him I never want to see him again!"
* * * * *
Frank Allison got as far as the lobby of the building in which Mrs.
Gregg, Dee's mother, lived. He raised his hand and his finger was
inches from the bell. Then he doubled the hand into a fist and thrust
it into his pocket. "The hell with it!" he growled. "If she wants to
see me, she knows where to find me." He turned and strode out of the
building.
* * * * *
The President of the United States had sat staring into space for a
long time. A sound caused him to look up. His secretary stood by the
desk. "Yes?"
"This new statement you just prepared, Mr. President. I'm not entirely
clear on how you plan to use it--what should I do?"
"Tear it up," the President said wearily, "and throw it in the
wastebasket. Things are now back to normal."