The 35th Golden Age of Science Fiction: Keith Laumer

by Keith Laumer

  “Those things, those Gels!” he called, starting across the room. “My friend—”

  He broke off. The clerk stood, staring over Brett’s shoulder, holding a pen poised over a book. Brett reached out, took the pen. The man’s finger curled stiffly around nothing. A golem.

  * * * *

  Brett turned away, went into the bar. Vacant stools were ranged before a dark mirror. At the tables empty glasses stood before empty chairs. Brett started as he heard the revolving door thump-thump. Suddenly soft light bathed the lobby behind him. Somewhere a piano tinkled More Than You Know. With a distant clatter of closing doors the elevator came to life.

  Brett hugged a shadowed corner, saw a fat man in a limp seersucker suit cross to the reception desk. He had a red face, a bald scalp blotched with large brown freckles. The clerk inclined his head blandly.

  “Ah, yes, sir, a nice double with bath …” Brett heard the unctuous voice of the clerk as he offered the pen. The fat man took it, scrawled something in the register. “…at fourteen dollars,” the clerk murmured. He smiled, dinged the bell. A boy in tight green tunic and trousers and a pillbox cap with a chin strap pushed through a door beside the desk, took the key, led the way to the elevator. The fat man entered. Through the openwork of the shaft Brett watched as the elevator car rose, greasy cables trembling and swaying. He started back across the lobby—and stopped dead.

  A wet brown shape had appeared in the entrance. It flowed across the rug to the bellhop. Face blank, the golem turned back to its door. Above, Brett heard the elevator stop. Doors clashed. The clerk stood poised behind the desk. The Gel hovered, then flowed away. The piano was silent now. The lights burned, a soft glow, then winked out. Brett thought about the fat man. He had seen him before…

  He went up the stairs. In the second floor corridor Brett felt his way along in near-darkness, guided by the dim light coming through transoms. He tried a door. It opened. He stepped into a large bedroom with a double bed, an easy chair, a chest of drawers. He crossed the room, looked out across an alley. Twenty feet away white curtains hung at windows in a brick wall. There was nothing behind the windows.

  There were sounds in the corridor. Brett dropped to the floor behind the bed.

  “All right, you two,” a drunken voice bellowed. “And may all your troubles be little ones.” There was laughter, squeals, a dry clash of beads flung against the door. A key grated. The door swung wide. Lights blazed in the hall, silhouetting the figures of a man in black jacket and trousers, a woman in a white bridal dress and veil, flowers in her hand.

  “Take care, Mel!”

  “…do anything I wouldn’t do!”

  “…kiss the bride, now!”

  The couple backed into the room, pushed the door shut, stood against it. Brett crouched behind the bed, not breathing, waiting. The couple stood at the door, in the dark, heads down…

  * * * *

  Brett stood, rounded the foot of the bed, approached the two unmoving figures. The girl looked young, sleek, perfect-featured, with soft dark hair. Her eyes were half-open; Brett caught a glint of light reflected from the eyeball. The man was bronzed, broad-shouldered, his hair wavy and blond. His lips were parted, showing even white teeth. The two stood, not breathing, sightless eyes fixed on nothing.

  Brett took the bouquet from the woman’s hand. The flowers seemed real—except that they had no perfume. He dropped them on the floor, pulled at the male golem to clear the door. The figure pivoted, toppled, hit with a heavy thump. Brett raised the woman in his arms and propped her against the bed. Back at the door he listened. All was quiet now. He started to open the door, then hesitated. He went back to the bed, undid the tiny pearl buttons down the front of the bridal gown, pulled it open. The breasts were rounded, smooth, an unbroken creamy white…

  In the hall, he started toward the stair. A tall Gel rippled into view ahead, its shape flowing and wavering, now billowing out, then rising up. The shifting form undulated toward Brett. He made a move to run, then remembered Dhuva, stood motionless. The Gel wobbled past him, slumped suddenly, flowed under a door. Brett let out a breath. Never mind the fat man. There were too many Gels here. He started back along the corridor.

  Soft music came from double doors which stood open on a landing. Brett went to them, risked a look inside. Graceful couples moved sedately on a polished floor, diners sat at tables, black-clad waiters moving among them. At the far side of the room, near a dusty rubber plant, sat the fat man, studying a menu. As Brett watched he shook out a napkin, ran it around inside his collar, then mopped his face.

  Never disturb a scene, Dhuva had said. But perhaps he could blend with it. Brett brushed at his suit, straightened his tie, stepped into the room. A waiter approached, eyed him dubiously. Brett got out his wallet, took out a five-dollar bill.

  “A quiet table in the corner,” he said. He glanced back. There were no Gels in sight. He followed the waiter to a table near the fat man.

  * * * *

  Seated, he looked around. He wanted to talk to the fat man, but he couldn’t afford to attract attention. He would watch, and wait his chance.

  At the nearby tables men with well-pressed suits, clean collars, and carefully shaved faces murmured to sleekly gowned women who fingered wine glasses, smiled archly. He caught fragments of conversation:

  “My dear, have you heard …”

  “…in the low eighties …”

  “…quite impossible. One must …”

  “…for this time of year.”

  The waiter returned with a shallow bowl of milky soup. Brett looked at the array of spoons, forks, knives, glanced sideways at the diners at the next table. It was important to follow the correct ritual. He put his napkin in his lap, careful to shake out all the folds. He looked at the spoons again, picked a large one, glanced at the waiter. So far so good…

  “Wine, sir?”

  Brett indicated the neighboring couple. “The same as they’re having.” The waiter turned away, returned holding a wine bottle, label toward Brett. He looked at it, nodded. The waiter busied himself with the cork, removing it with many flourishes, setting a glass before Brett, pouring half an inch of wine. He waited expectantly.

  Brett picked up the glass, tasted it. It tasted like wine. He nodded. The waiter poured. Brett wondered what would have happened if he had made a face and spurned it. But it would be too risky to try. No one ever did it.

  Couples danced, resumed their seats; others rose and took the floor. A string ensemble in a distant corner played restrained tunes that seemed to speak of the gentle faded melancholy of decorous tea dances on long-forgotten afternoons. Brett glanced toward the fat man. He was eating soup noisily, his napkin tied under his chin.

  The waiter was back with a plate. “Lovely day, sir,” he said.

  “Great,” Brett agreed.

  The waiter placed a covered platter on the table, removed the cover, stood with carving knife and fork poised.

  “A bit of the crispy, sir?”

  Brett nodded. He eyed the waiter surreptitiously. He looked real. Some golems seemed realer than others; or perhaps it merely depended on the parts they were playing. The man who had fallen at the parade had been only a sort of extra, a crowd member. The waiter, on the other hand, was able to converse. Perhaps it would be possible to learn something from him…

  “What’s… uh… how do you spell the name of this town?” Brett asked.

  “I was never much of a one for spelling, sir,” the waiter said.

  “Try it.”

  “Gravy, sir?”

  “Sure. Try to spell the name.”

  “Perhaps I’d better call the headwaiter, sir,” the golem said stiffly.

  From the corner of an eye Brett caught a flicker of motion. He whirled, saw nothing. Had it been a Gel?

  “Never mind,” he said. The waiter served potatoes, peas, refil
led the wine glass, moved off silently. The question had been a little too unorthodox, Brett decided. Perhaps if he led up to the subject more obliquely…

  * * * *

  When the waiter returned Brett said, “Nice day.”

  “Very nice, sir.”

  “Better than yesterday.”

  “Yes indeed, sir.”

  “I wonder what tomorrow’ll be like.”

  “Perhaps we’ll have a bit of rain, sir.”

  Brett nodded toward the dance floor. “Nice orchestra.”

  “They’re very popular, sir.”

  “From here in town?”

  “I wouldn’t know as to that, sir.”

  “Lived here long yourself?”

  “Oh, yes, sir.” The waiter’s expression showed disapproval. “Would there be anything else, sir?”

  “I’m a newcomer here,” Brett said. “I wonder if you could tell me—”

  “Excuse me, sir.” The waiter was gone. Brett poked at the mashed potatoes. Quizzing golems was hopeless. He would have to find out for himself. He turned to look at the fat man. As Brett watched he took a large handkerchief from a pocket, blew his nose loudly. No one turned to look. The orchestra played softly. The couples danced. Now was as good a time as any…

  Brett rose, crossed to the other’s table. The man looked up.

  “Mind if I sit down?” Brett said. “I’d like to talk to you.”

  The fat man blinked, motioned to a chair. Brett sat down, leaned across the table. “Maybe I’m wrong,” he said quietly, “but I think you’re real.”

  The fat man blinked again. “What’s that?” he snapped. He had a high petulant voice.

  “You’re not like the rest of them. I think I can talk to you. I think you’re another outsider.”

  The fat man looked down at his rumpled suit. “I…ah… was caught a little short today. Didn’t have time to change. I’m a busy man. And what business is it of yours?” He clamped his jaw shut, eyed Brett warily.

  “I’m a stranger here,” Brett said. “I want to find out what’s going on in this place—”

  “Buy an amusement guide. Lists all the shows—”

  “I don’t mean that. I mean these dummies all over the place, and the Gels—”

  “What dummies? Jells? Jello? You don’t like Jello?”

  “I love Jello. I don’t—”

  “Just ask the waiter. He’ll bring you your Jello. Any flavor you like. Now if you’ll excuse me …”

  “I’m talking about the brown things; they look like muddy water. They come around if you interfere with a scene.”

  The fat man looked nervous. “Please. Go away.”

  “If I make a disturbance, the Gels will come. Is that what you’re afraid of?”

  “Now, now. Be calm. No need for you to get excited.”

  “I won’t make a scene,” Brett said. “Just talk to me. How long have you been here?”

  “I dislike scenes. I dislike them intensely.”

  “When did you come here?”

  “Just ten minutes ago. I just sat down. I haven’t had my dinner yet. Please, young man. Go back to your table.” The fat man watched Brett warily. Sweat glistened on his bald head.

  “I mean this town. How long have you been here? Where did you come from?”

  “Why, I was born here. Where did I come from? What sort of question is that? Just consider that the stork brought me.”

  “You were born here?”

  “Certainly.”

  “What’s the name of the town?”

  * * * *

  “Are you trying to make a fool of me?” The fat man was getting angry. His voice was rising.

  “Shhh,” Brett cautioned. “You’ll attract the Gels.”

  “Blast the Jilts, whatever that is!” the fat man snapped. “Now, get along with you. I’ll call the manager.”

  “Don’t you know?” Brett said, staring at the fat man. “They’re all dummies; golems, they’re called. They’re not real.”

  “Who’re not real?”

  “All these imitation people at the tables and on the dance floor. Surely you realize—”

  “I realize you’re in need of medical attention.” The fat man pushed back his chair and got to his feet. “You keep the table,” he said. “I’ll dine elsewhere.”

  “Wait!” Brett got up, seized the fat man’s arm.

  “Take your hands off me—” The fat man went toward the door. Brett followed. At the cashier’s desk Brett turned suddenly, saw a fluid brown shape flicker—

  “Look!” He pulled at the fat man’s arm—

  “Look at what?” The Gel was gone.

  “It was there: a Gel.”

  The fat man flung down a bill, hurried away. Brett fumbled out a ten, waited for change. “Wait!” he called. He heard the fat man’s feet receding down the stairs.

  “Hurry,” he said to the cashier. The woman sat glassy-eyed, staring at nothing. The music died. The lights flickered, went off. In the gloom Brett saw a fluid shape rise up—

  He ran, pounding down the stairs. The fat man was just rounding the corner. Brett opened his mouth to call—and went rigid, as a translucent shape of mud shot from the door, rose up to tower before him. Brett stood, mouth half open, eyes staring, leaning forward with hands outflung. The Gel loomed, its surface flickering—waiting. Brett caught an acrid odor of geraniums.

  A minute passed. Brett’s cheek itched. He fought a desire to blink, to swallow—to turn and run. The high sun beat down on the silent street, the still window displays.

  Then the Gel broke form, slumped, flashed away. Brett tottered back against the wall, let his breath out in a harsh sigh.

  Across the street he saw a window with a display of camping equipment, portable stoves, boots, rifles. He crossed the street, tried the door. It was locked. He looked up and down the street. There was no one in sight. He kicked in the glass beside the latch, reached through and turned the knob. Inside he looked over the shelves, selected a heavy coil of nylon rope, a sheath knife, a canteen. He examined a Winchester repeating rifle with a telescopic sight, then put it back and strapped on a .22 revolver. He emptied two boxes of long rifle cartridges into his pocket, then loaded the pistol. He coiled the rope over his shoulder and went back out into the empty street.

  * * * *

  The fat man was standing in front of a shop in the next block, picking at a blemish on his chin and eyeing the window display. He looked up with a frown, started away as Brett came up.

  “Wait a minute,” Brett called. “Didn’t you see the Gel? the one that cornered me back there?”

  The fat man looked back suspiciously, kept going.

  “Wait!” Brett caught his arm. “I know you’re real. I’ve seen you belch and sweat and scratch. You’re the only one I can call on—and I need help. My friend is trapped—”

  The fat man pulled away, his face flushed an even deeper red. “I’m warning you, you maniac: get away from me…!”

  Brett stepped close, rammed the fat man hard in the ribs. He sank to his knees, gasping. The panama hat rolled away. Brett grabbed his arm, steadied him.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I had to be sure. You’re real, all right. We’ve got to rescue my friend, Dhuva—”

  The fat man leaned against the glass, rolling terrified eyes, rubbing his stomach. “I’ll call the police!” he gasped.

  “What police?” Brett waved an arm. “Look. Not a car in sight. Did you ever see the street that empty before?”

  “Wednesday afternoon,” the fat man gasped.

  “Come with me. I want to show you. It’s all hollow. There’s nothing behind these walls—”

  “Why doesn’t somebody come along?” the fat man moaned.

  “The masonry is only a quarter-inch thick,” Brett said. “
Come on; I’ll show you.”

  “I don’t like it,” said the fat man. His face was pale and moist. “You’re mad. What’s wrong? It’s so quiet …”

  “We’ve got to try to save him. The Gel took him down into this pit—”

  “Let me go,” the man whined. “I’m afraid. Can’t you just let me lead my life in peace?”

  “Don’t you understand? The Gel took a man. They may be after you next.”

  “There’s no one after me! I’m a business man…a respectable citizen. I mind my own business, give to charity, go to church. All I want is to be left alone!”

  * * * *

  Brett dropped his hands from the fat man’s arms, stood looking at him: the blotched face, pale now, the damp forehead, the quivering jowls. The fat man stooped for his hat, slapped it against his leg, clamped it on his head.

  “I think I understand now,” said Brett. “This is your place, this imitation city. Everything’s faked to fit your needs—like in the hotel. Wherever you go, the scene unrolls in front of you. You never see the Gels, never discover the secret of the golems—because you conform. You never do the unexpected.”

  “That’s right. I’m law-abiding. I’m respectable. I don’t pry. I don’t nose into other people’s business. Why should I? Just let me alone …”

  “Sure,” Brett said. “Even if I dragged you down there and showed you, you wouldn’t believe it. But you’re not in the scene now. I’ve taken you out of it—”

  Suddenly the fat man turned and ran a few yards, then looked back to see whether Brett was pursuing him. He shook a round fist.

  “I’ve seen your kind before,” he shouted. “Troublemakers.”

  Brett took a step toward him. The fat man yelped and ran another fifty feet, his coat tails bobbing. He looked back, stopped, a fat figure alone in the empty sunny street.

  “You haven’t seen the last of me!” he shouted. “We know how to deal with your kind.” He tugged at his vest, went off along the sidewalk. Brett watched him go, then started back toward the hollow building.

  * * * *

  The jagged fragments of masonry Brett had knocked from the wall lay as he had left them. He stepped through the opening, peered down into the murky pit, trying to judge its depth. A hundred feet at least. Perhaps a hundred and fifty.