And Gone Tomorrow
BY ANDY OFFUT
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, December 1954.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
THE $1000 PRIZE WINNING STORY
in IF's College Science Fiction Contest
Here is the best story submitted in answer to the theme question:"What Will Life in America Be Like 100 Years From Now?" ... Written byan undergraduate at the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,it pictures the America of 2054 as part of a world empire run by anItalian dictator and very similar to that of the ancient Caesars andthe early Roman Empire. There is one language, one religion and customsand laws have changed to suit the times. But, basically, human naturehasn't changed and there is the omnipresent clash of faction againstfaction. The theme is that a dictatorship is the only perfect form ofgovernment. If there is a moral, it is that there is no permanent formof government.
One of the requirements for entering IF's College Science FictionContest was that the contestant be a "simon pure" amateur—neverhaving been published professionally. This is Andy Offut's firstpublished story, and it has been accorded the same editing we give toprofessional manuscripts. No rewriting or revisions have been made. SeeNovember IF for complete announcement of this and the six other winnersin this nation-wide contest.
He sat down suddenly. He stared up at the man.
"Say it again," he muttered.
He knew what the answer would be even before the man repeated it inthat quiet voice.
"This is June 3, 2054."
The fellow wasn't kidding him. He was serious enough. But a coupleof minutes ago it had been May 15, 1954. He looked at his watch andgrunted. Less than four minutes ago it had been 1954. Reality. Now itwas June 3, 2054. There were four steel walls. There was a steel chair.There were no windows.
He tried to take it calmly. But the unbelievable horror of beingwhere he was and when he was and the man calmly repeating, "Thisis June 3, 2054," screamed for release.
"No! No! You're lying! It's impossible!" He grabbed the man's tunic anddrew back a doubled fist. His chair went over behind him.
Then a stiff thumb jabbed him in the short ribs and he grunted and wentdown.
"This is June 3, 2054. You are still in Louisville, Kentucky. You arestanding in a room adjoining the laboratory in the Time Building on3rd Street at Eastern Parkway. This is the receiving room. My name isKevin Ilaria. You've come through time. Is that so impossible to grasp?You're a thinking man. Educated!"
He looked up from the floor.
"Well?"
"So I'm a thinking man and an educated man. And what happens? I'msapped. I'm shanghaied. I'm walking down Confederate Place to my oldfraternity house at 1:00 in the morning. I've just had a row withmy girl. I'm heading for the fraternity house to see who'll go downto Herman's and get good and drunk with me. And somebody clobbersme. The next thing I remember I'm sitting in a steel chair in asteel room without any windows. Just like this one. There's a manstanding there. A man with watery, myopic eyes under bushy brows andhis hair parted in the middle. He's Doctor Borley, of the U