There are too many
grasping hands ready to seize what belongs to someone else, too many men
who feast upon the creativity of the innocent. Then he knew. But by then it was too late. * * * * *
Now was the time for caution. He thought only about his serum. It was valuable and patentable. Dennison looked at his and decided that immortality was
inevitable. It was
already evening. On the subway, Dennison was absorbed in a newspaper. "Hand it over," the man said. "Not money,"
he said. "The immortality stuff." * * * * *
In some unaccountable fashion, they knew. He looked at them quickly. They were mild-looking men, quietly, almost
somberly dressed. The subway was coming to a station. He hated
a scene. Dennison dug at the plate with his fingertips, but it would not come
off. * * * * *
Unless he balanced the scales of public opinion, some do-gooder was
going to interfere soon. Dennison conquered his shyness and pride, and
called out, "Help me! "Over at a big fire on 178th Street, I hear." "I'm willing if you're willing." He was in a section of massive apartment buildings. Now there was
no choice. * * * * *
A long black car came up behind him, its searchlight probing into doors
and alleys. Dennison ducked into a narrow alley between buildings, raced down it and
into the next street. He was surrounded. It was locked. * * * * *
He came to sitting in an armchair. "My name is Mr. Bennet," the plump man said. Murder was not our intention." "You merely wanted to steal my discovery," Dennison said. "Not at all," Mr. Bennet told him. "I see. That was us. And the inventions ended up here." "You're trying to impress me," Dennison said. "Certainly." "We tried, disguised as mercenary coal and oil interests. But we failed. Dennison challenged. "Well, that's how Man is." "Not if he's properly led," Mr. Bennet said. * * * * *
"Certainly not," said Mr. Bennet. "A permanent dictatorship," Dennison said. "Yes. Dennison demanded. "Of course. Our time will come, Dennison! "We do. "Count me out," Dennison said, his heart beating fast. Dennison nodded. "We don't kill," Mr. Bennet said. "We merely wait. So will you. Take him away." He was in a large, well-furnished apartment. "That's right," Ferris said. "Welcome to the Immortality Club,
Dennison." Just like the others." * * * * *
Dennison said, "Nineteen-eleven!" "None. There are only four choices available to us," Ferris said. Others have suicided. Dennison bewilderedly asked. said Ferris. "Of course. "It is," Ferris said. "Forever is exactly how long we have," said Ferris. Every new man brings new ideas, plans. Take your pick." Dennison looked up. Ferris shrugged his shoulders. "It will," Ferris said. * * * * *
The escape did not take forever, of course. They were found
guilty on all counts and summarily executed. This mercy was premature, however.