Today is Forever
By ROGER DEE
Illustrated by EMSH
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction September 1952.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Boyle knew there was an angle behind the aliens'
generosity ... but he had one of his own!
"These Alcorians have been on Earth for only a month," David Lockesaid, "but already they're driving a wedge between AL&O and theSocial Body that can destroy the Weal overnight. Boyle, it's got to bestopped!"
He put his elbows on Moira's antique conversation table and leanedtoward the older man, his eyes hot and anxious.
"There are only the two of them—Fermiirig and Santikh; you'veprobably seen stills of them on the visinews a hundred times—andAL&O has kept them so closely under cover that we of the Social Bodynever get more than occasional rumors about what they're reallylike. But I know from what I overheard that they're carbonstructureoxygen-breathers with a metabolism very much like our own. What affectsthem physically will affect us also. And the offer they've madeCornelison and Bissell and Dorand of Administrative Council is genuine.It amounts to a lot more than simple longevity, because the process canbe repeated. In effect, it's—"
"Immortality," Boyle said, and forgot the younger man on the instant.
The shock of it as a reality blossomed in his mind with a slowexplosion of triumph. It had come in his time, after all, and the factthat the secret belonged to the first interstellar visitors to reachEarth had no bearing whatever on his determination to possess it.Neither had the knowledge that the Alcorians had promised the processonly to the highest of government bodies, Administrative Council. Thewhole of AL&O—Administration, Legislation and Order—could not keep itfrom him.
"It isn't right," Locke said heatedly. "It doesn't fit in with whatwe've been taught to believe, Boyle. We're still a modified democracy,and the Social Body is the Weal. We can't permit Cornelison andBissell and Dorand to take what amounts to immortality for themselvesand deny it to the populace. That's tyranny!"
The charge brought Boyle out of his preoccupation with a start. Forthe moment, he had forgotten Locke's presence in Moira's apartment. Hehad even forgotten his earlier annoyance with Moira for allowing thesophomoric fool visitor's privilege when it was Boyle's week, to theexclusion of the other two husbands in Moira's marital-seven, to sharethe connubial right with her.
But the opportunity tumbled so forcibly into his lap was not one tobe handled lightly. He held in check his contempt for Locke and hisirritation with Moira until he had considered his windfall from everyangle, and had marshalled its possibilities into a working outline ofhis coup to come.
He even checked his lapel watch against the time of Moira's return fromthe theater before he answered Locke. With characteristic cynicism, hetook it for granted that Locke, in his indignation, had already sharedhis discovery with Moira, and in cold logic he marked her down withLocke for disposal once her purpose was served. Moira had been the mostsatisfactory of the four women in Boyle's marital-seven, but when heweighed her attractions against the possible immortality ahead, thecomparison did not sway his resolution for an instant.
Moira, like Locke, would have to go.
"You're sure there was