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The Thing, whole no. 2, Summer 1946

Page 8

"I want to borrow some money," I said frankly. "I'm very near something big right now, and if I find it, I'll be able to astound the scientific world."
"I've heard rumors, naturally. What's all this about building new forms of life with atomic blasting, or whatever you call it?"
"It's not a new theory, Mr. Creeper. Cosmic rays have been 'bombarding' the earth for millions of years, and some scientists believe these powerful rays are responsible for many forms of life we have on earth today. In fact, they are quite sure of it. I'm creating artificial cosmic rays--with these at his command, man may create new forms of life--giant fruits, novel beasts, super-humans, slave organisms to do our work! I have a lot of preliminary work finished. but I need help, and if you can give me some, I'll agree to let you in on some of the profits, if any."
"Why do you say, 'if any'?"
"I don't want to misrepresent. I haven't much for security--I might not get what I'm after--this time. But I will, eventually."
"Young man, you're tampering with the laws of God and Creation!"
"Not exactly...."
He frowned. "You sit there calmly and tell me you are going to create life?"
"I do," I said calmly.
"Where would the profit come from, if any?" he asked cynically.
"I'm not really sure. I'm a scientist, not an industrialist."
Creeper shook his head. "It's fantastic!"
"That's what they said about the atom bomb. Venom leaked into my voice. "Don't you keep informed on recent scientific discoveries?"
He jumped to his feet, trembling. "Why should I follow the ravings of a bunch of nit-wits. Creating life! Balderdash...."
I didn't stay to hear any more.

A week later I tried Thornton Wells, a prominent rancher. He refused, and so did Stanley Hill, big lumber tycoon.
Now all three are dead, blast their dirty souls! 
I scraped along and finished my experiments regardless of their limited vision and clenched hands.
I did the impossible.
No need to go into technical detail. My plans were patterned after those of Dr. Robert A. Millikan, head of the California Institute of Technology whose theory is that cosmic rays are light-rays freed from complete destruction of atoms in celestial spaces. With my betatron, resembling that invented by Dr. Donald Kerst, I made extensive experiments on rabbits. This betatron will turn out cosmic rays in greater quantity than nature. 
One day, in the midst of routine work, (I had been unable to affect the development rate of rabbits) I noticed a commotion in a fish bowl that stood by the window.
Startled, I ran to the bowl and watched an amazing thing happen. The goldfish darted frantically about, wild with fear. Suddenly one of them stopped int he middle of a wild dash. It was halted as if by invisible fingers. Gradually,the middle of the fish began to contract, the head and tail expanded. Something was squeezing the fish to death, and I couldn't see it.
Finally the fish stopped quivering, its eyes popped out, its entrails burst from behind, and it was suddenly released. It drifted to the bottom of the bowl, quite dead. Entranced and horrified, I watched the other fish suffer the same fate. And all while the water moved about strangely, of its own volition.
After the second death, I decided to investigate. Taking the bowl to a shallow pan I poured out the water. Some of it was reluctant to leave the vessel. It squirmed. My eyes popped open. What I now beheld inside the bowl was a living, pulsing rope of iridiscent water!

Saving...

"I want to borrow some money," I said frankly. "I'm very near something big right now, and if I find it, I'll be able to astound the scientific world." "I've heard rumors, naturally. What's all this about building new forms of life with atomic blasting, or whatever you call it?" "It's not a new theory, Mr. Creeper. Cosmic rays have been 'bombarding' the earth for millions of years, and some scientists believe these powerful rays are responsible for many forms of life we have on earth today. In fact, they are quite sure of it. I'm creating artificial cosmic rays--with these at his command, man may create new forms of life--giant fruits, novel beasts, super-humans, slave organisms to do our work! I have a lot of preliminary work finished. but I need help, and if you can give me some, I'll agree to let you in on some of the profits, if any." "Why do you say, 'if any'?" "I don't want to misrepresent. I haven't much for security--I might not get what I'm after--this time. But I will, eventually." "Young man, you're tampering with the laws of God and Creation!" "Not exactly...." He frowned. "You sit there calmly and tell me you are going to create life?" "I do," I said calmly. "Where would the profit come from, if any?" he asked cynically. "I'm not really sure. I'm a scientist, not an industrialist." Creeper shook his head. "It's fantastic!" "That's what they said about the atom bomb. Venom leaked into my voice. "Don't you keep informed on recent scientific discoveries?" He jumped to his feet, trembling. "Why should I follow the ravings of a bunch of nit-wits. Creating life! Balderdash...." I didn't stay to hear any more. A week later I tried Thornton Wells, a prominent rancher. He refused, and so did Stanley Hill, big lumber tycoon. Now all three are dead, blast their dirty souls! I scraped along and finished my experiments regardless of their limited vision and clenched hands. I did the impossible. No need to go into technical detail. My plans were patterned after those of Dr. Robert A. Millikan, head of the California Institute of Technology whose theory is that cosmic rays are light-rays freed from complete destruction of atoms in celestial spaces. With my betatron, resembling that invented by Dr. Donald Kerst, I made extensive experiments on rabbits. This betatron will turn out cosmic rays in greater quantity than nature. One day, in the midst of routine work, (I had been unable to affect the development rate of rabbits) I noticed a commotion in a fish bowl that stood by the window. Startled, I ran to the bowl and watched an amazing thing happen. The goldfish darted frantically about, wild with fear. Suddenly one of them stopped int he middle of a wild dash. It was halted as if by invisible fingers. Gradually,the middle of the fish began to contract, the head and tail expanded. Something was squeezing the fish to death, and I couldn't see it. Finally the fish stopped quivering, its eyes popped out, its entrails burst from behind, and it was suddenly released. It drifted to the bottom of the bowl, quite dead. Entranced and horrified, I watched the other fish suffer the same fate. And all while the water moved about strangely, of its own volition. After the second death, I decided to investigate. Taking the bowl to a shallow pan I poured out the water. Some of it was reluctant to leave the vessel. It squirmed. My eyes popped open. What I now beheld inside the bowl was a living, pulsing rope of iridiscent water!