[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Fantastic Stories
of Imagination May 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any
evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
_Shakespeare wrote it, in the tragedy of King Lear--a phrase
to live by:
Men must endure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither;_
He was disturbed, but he did not know it. Murky, agitated waters crept
up in his vast subconscious world, and sought the threshold, the mouth
of the pit, the slope of the clean shore; little rainbows of light
now and then flashed over the waters. They heaved, and against the
sluice-gates they beat, sullenly. There was a yielding, but the great
force was contained.
He left his Pad, curiously mopping his brow a little, and furrowing it
between the eyes. It came to him that he was hungry. He stepped to the
curb, pushed the button, and leaned against the post, as if waiting, or
in thought. Almost immediately a Car appeared, in a cheery orange and
green. He almost shuddered, and he almost knew that he did so. Then he
brightened, stepped into the car, and voiced his desire.
He was carried at a moderate pace through clean, broad streets and past
bright, shiny buildings and smiling parks and gardens. He came to the
top of a high hill, saw the sparkling blue bay in the distance, and
thought vaguely of sailing upon it. On his face he felt a brisk spray,
and the air was tanged with salt. Then a warmed, faintly perfumed
glow dried and composed him, and the Car shut off all its machinery
and glided to a stop. He got out, ever so comfortable, and entered a
luxurious Kitchen, in which he had not dined for several days.
The doors opened automatically, and a smiling android, gaily featured
and clothed, conducted him to a table. She was a soothing sight: yes,
that's what it was. He ordered a sumptuous meal, rubbing his ample
waistline in anticipation.
"Dig dig!" crooned the waitress.
He patted good-naturedly her well-moulded behind as she turned; she
glowed sweetly back over her soft and delicate shoulder. He wondered if
Meg was enough, and decided that, well, for the time being, he guessed
she was. No use hurrying things. The waitress returned and served the
meal. As always, it was excellent. He finished with a leisurely bottle
of wine and a cigar, pinched the waitress's firm yet ever so yielding
thigh, and departed.
Then a deep stirring almost took hold upon him. Yes, that was what
he needed. It had been several months now. He pushed another button,
and a rosy pink Car appeared to his service. "Take me to a House, you
know what I mean?" he said, as he arranged himself upon the pearl grey
cushions. The Car glided away.
* * * * *
On and on along the shore of the ocean they pleasantly careened. At
length they turned into a rich garden bower, and stopped in front of
a great mansion overlooking the waves. He alighted; the Car departed.
Profusely bloomed scarlet and golden and azure flowers, everywhere;
succulent and bright was the lavish green. The doors opened, and a Woman
received him. She was past child-bearing, motherly, and smiling.