DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Futuria Fantasia, v. 1, issue 4, Spring 1940

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Futuria Fantasia, v. 1, issue 4, Spring 1940

Page 10

10
THE PIPER ----- ron reynolds

"LORD! HE'S THERE AGAIN! HE'S THERE! LOOK!" the old man croaked, jabbing a calloused finger at the burial hill. "Old Piper again! As crazy as a loon! Every year that way!"

The Martian boy at the feet of thee old man stirred his thin reddish feet in the soil and affixed his large green eyes upon burial hill where the Piper stood. "Why does he do that?" asked the boy.

"Ah?" The old man's leathery face rumpled into a maze of wrinkles. "He's crazy, that's what. Stands up there piping on his music from sunset until dawn."

The thin piping sounds squealed in the dusk, echoed back from the low hills, were lost in melancholy silence, fading. Then louder, higher, insanely, crying with shrill voice.

The Piper was a tall, gaunt man, face as pale and wan as Martian moons, eyes electrical purple, standing against the soft of the dusking heaven, holding his pipe to his lips, playing. The Piper -- a silhouette -- a symbol -- a melody.

"Where did the Piper come from?" asked the Martian boy.

"From Venus." The old man took out his pipe and filled it. Oh, some twenty years ago or more, on the projectile with the Terrestrians. I arrived on the same ship, coming from Earth, we shared a double seat together."

"What is his name?" Again the boyish, eager voice.

"I can't remember. I don't think I ever knew, really."

A vague rustling sound came into existence. The Piper continued playing, paying no heed to it. From the darkness, across the star-jewelled horizon, came mysterious shapes, creeping, creeping.

"Mars is a dying world," the old man said. "Nothing ever happens of much gravity. The Piper, I believe, is an exile."

The stars trembled like reflections in water, dancing with the music.

"An exile." The old man continued. "Something like a leper. They called him THE BRILLIANT. He was the epitome of all Venerian licentious harlots. The Earthlings outlawed him, sent him here to Mars to live out his days."

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10 THE PIPER ----- ron reynolds "LORD! HE'S THERE AGAIN! HE'S THERE! LOOK!" the old man croaked, jabbing a calloused finger at the burial hill. "Old Piper again! As crazy as a loon! Every year that way!" The Martian boy at the feet of thee old man stirred his thin reddish feet in the soil and affixed his large green eyes upon burial hill where the Piper stood. "Why does he do that?" asked the boy. "Ah?" The old man's leathery face rumpled into a maze of wrinkles. "He's crazy, that's what. Stands up there piping on his music from sunset until dawn." The thin piping sounds squealed in the dusk, echoed back from the low hills, were lost in melancholy silence, fading. Then louder, higher, insanely, crying with shrill voice. The Piper was a tall, gaunt man, face as pale and wan as Martian moons, eyes electrical purple, standing against the soft of the dusking heaven, holding his pipe to his lips, playing. The Piper -- a silhouette -- a symbol -- a melody. "Where did the Piper come from?" asked the Martian boy. "From Venus." The old man took out his pipe and filled it. Oh, some twenty years ago or more, on the projectile with the Terrestrians. I arrived on the same ship, coming from Earth, we shared a double seat together." "What is his name?" Again the boyish, eager voice. "I can't remember. I don't think I ever knew, really." A vague rustling sound came into existence. The Piper continued playing, paying no heed to it. From the darkness, across the star-jewelled horizon, came mysterious shapes, creeping, creeping. "Mars is a dying world," the old man said. "Nothing ever happens of much gravity. The Piper, I believe, is an exile." The stars trembled like reflections in water, dancing with the music. "An exile." The old man continued. "Something like a leper. They called him THE BRILLIANT. He was the epitome of all Venerian licentious harlots. The Earthlings outlawed him, sent him here to Mars to live out his days."