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Mutant, v. 2, issue 2, May 1948
Page 8
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RED DESERT by Bill Groover I never did like the idea of going to Mars to teach school, but, somehow, I like it here now. I'd heard stories about Martian children, but I never actually knew what they were like. As a matter of fact, I still don't know, but now I have a better idea. I heard stories of how uncivilized the Martians were, but now I think they're more civilized than we are. I'll tell the whole story Commissioner, so you'll understand why I've decided to stay. Just arriving from Earth after taking my board exam, I went to see the schoolhouse. I expected poor conditions, but what I saw was even worse than I'd anticipated. The red brick building had no windows and some of the bricks were missing. It was terribly hard to heat, and the water had bugs in it -- when there was water. The children said the bugs didn't matter, and water was to them an extra treat. Did you know some of them had never seen water before? What they drink, I'll never know. I'm afraid to ask. When I walked into the classroom, the children glared at me belligerently. "Do you speak English?" I asked in Jjik (the Martin language). One of the class spoke. "Sure. We have always had Earth teachers --intruding Earth teachers," he said. "I can speak like an Earthman." I asked him what his name is and he replied, "Earthmen call me Jack, but my name is Jzakjzit." I asked the class to write their names on cards, and found that most of them had names given to them by Earthmen. They didn't seem to mind about that, and i wondered what made them so hostile. I soon wrote it off as the difference in race, but I found out my error. It was during the summer vacation. Seems funny to call it a summer, when it's actually during the Martian winter -- anyhow, a little Martian showed up at my house one morning and told me I was invited to dinner. I had never been inside a Martian's house before, and I was curious. The inside was spotless, and there were luxurious rugs on the floor, but it was the apparatus in the center of the room that reminded me of home. The master of the house told me it hadn't functioned in a thousand years because of the hydroelectric power, and they didn't dare use atomic power. Yes, they have atomic power -- and they are getting ready to attack Earth. As I was saying -- Yes, Earth has perfected atomic power too. I think that war can be averted by gaining control of Earth government and giving Mars her independence. Of course, Earthmen would not suspect the existence of creatures from another galaxy -- why, they don't even realize that there are intelligent races on their own outer planets! - END - ROCKET SHIP PASSING THE MOON - startling, realistic photo! Only 15[[cent symbol]] from FUTREFOTOS. 22180 Middlebelt, Box 384, Farmington, Michigan !
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RED DESERT by Bill Groover I never did like the idea of going to Mars to teach school, but, somehow, I like it here now. I'd heard stories about Martian children, but I never actually knew what they were like. As a matter of fact, I still don't know, but now I have a better idea. I heard stories of how uncivilized the Martians were, but now I think they're more civilized than we are. I'll tell the whole story Commissioner, so you'll understand why I've decided to stay. Just arriving from Earth after taking my board exam, I went to see the schoolhouse. I expected poor conditions, but what I saw was even worse than I'd anticipated. The red brick building had no windows and some of the bricks were missing. It was terribly hard to heat, and the water had bugs in it -- when there was water. The children said the bugs didn't matter, and water was to them an extra treat. Did you know some of them had never seen water before? What they drink, I'll never know. I'm afraid to ask. When I walked into the classroom, the children glared at me belligerently. "Do you speak English?" I asked in Jjik (the Martin language). One of the class spoke. "Sure. We have always had Earth teachers --intruding Earth teachers," he said. "I can speak like an Earthman." I asked him what his name is and he replied, "Earthmen call me Jack, but my name is Jzakjzit." I asked the class to write their names on cards, and found that most of them had names given to them by Earthmen. They didn't seem to mind about that, and i wondered what made them so hostile. I soon wrote it off as the difference in race, but I found out my error. It was during the summer vacation. Seems funny to call it a summer, when it's actually during the Martian winter -- anyhow, a little Martian showed up at my house one morning and told me I was invited to dinner. I had never been inside a Martian's house before, and I was curious. The inside was spotless, and there were luxurious rugs on the floor, but it was the apparatus in the center of the room that reminded me of home. The master of the house told me it hadn't functioned in a thousand years because of the hydroelectric power, and they didn't dare use atomic power. Yes, they have atomic power -- and they are getting ready to attack Earth. As I was saying -- Yes, Earth has perfected atomic power too. I think that war can be averted by gaining control of Earth government and giving Mars her independence. Of course, Earthmen would not suspect the existence of creatures from another galaxy -- why, they don't even realize that there are intelligent races on their own outer planets! - END - ROCKET SHIP PASSING THE MOON - startling, realistic photo! Only 15[[cent symbol]] from FUTREFOTOS. 22180 Middlebelt, Box 384, Farmington, Michigan !
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