(Special rocket dispatch to Martian News)
by Allen Glasser, Terrestrial Correspondent
SANFRAN-SISKO, Earth, Aug. 10: [delayed by meteors]--An amusing
incident occurred here today when Sahr Kastik, Martian explorer who is
touring the planets by astral projection, materialized suddenly before
one of the city's inhabitants, a young Earthling named Efjay Akkamin.
The latter did not seem greatly surprised. "Where did you come from?"
he asked calmly.
"From the world you call Mars," replied Sahr, using telepathy, of
course.
"Hooey," retorted Akkamin. "Martians are all twelve feet tall, with
big chests and at least four arms, and you look just like anybody else
here."
"But I always assume the appearance of the natives whose planets I
visit," Sahr explained. "So you see----"
"Nertz," interrupted Akkamin. "I have read too much science fiction to
be fooled by a phony Martian. So scram."
And there was nothing for Sahr to do but "scram," which is a quaint
Earth term for making one's departure hurriedly.