This “Review in Verse” was taken from Bester’s original magazine version, which appeared in Galaxy. It differs somewhat from the book version. For instance, “the author, Mr. Bester, doesn’t specify the year” in the magazine version, whereas, in the book version, he does. Another change was his lessened use of shortcut symbols. In the original, “Tate” was spelled “T8”; in the book, it’s spelled out. Also, there’s a character in the original called “$$son.” Now, I could have sworn that was “Dollarson” and I wrote the verse accordingly. But when the book came out, it was spelled “Jackson.”
“Obscure, Alfie,” says I.
“That’s why I changed it,” says he.
At any rate, when you read it—and it must be read aloud for full effect-pronounce the symbols as though they were words. “@” is pronounced “at,” so “f@” is pronounced “fat.” The trouble is that the twelfth letter of the alphabet and the fi.gure “one” look pretty much alike in print, so, in Verse 14, when you come to the word “18,” pronounce it “late,” not “ei.ghteen.”
“*” is “asterisk,” “%” is “percent,” and “(“ is “parenthesis.”
Now you’re on your own.
In the far & distant future—you can pick the d8 2 suit your-
Self, the author, Mr. Bester, doesn’t specify the year—
There’s a fellow named Ben Reich, a rich investor who’s no piker,
Who has dreams about a Faceless Man in nightmares odd & queer.
Craye D-Courtney is his rival. Says Ben Reich: “While he’s alive, I’ll
Never rest, so I must rub him out the best way th@ I can”‘
But, according 2 report, neither Ben Reich nor old D’Courtney
Knows the other well enough 4 Ben 2 h8 the older man.
Now, despite his wealth & power, Ben Reich still does not see how ar-
Ranging old D’Courtney’s death car, be achieved with grace & ease.
If he gets in2 a mess, perception by an expert Esper
Will eventually happen, 4 these lads are thick as fleas.
But since Reich remains determined 2 extermin8 th@ vermin,d-
Rastic action must be taken 2 make sure he won’t get caught.
So he calls Augustus T8, a doctor who, we find, is r8ed
As a 1st Class Esper Medic. Reich is sure he can be bought.
“Gus, D’Courtney is a bird I rather think I’d like 2 murder,
& I’ll pay an even million if you’ll help me kill the slob!”
T8 says: “I don’t like it, still you never know—an even million?
Th@’s an awful lot of money, Ben; I think I’ll take the job!”
Next he needs some brain protection from the Espers’ keen detection;
Just a song th@ he can think of so they cannot read his mind.
So he calls a gal named Duffy, who is just a bit of fluff he
Knows, who has a music shop th@ carries songs of every kind.
“Just a song with rhythm in it?” Duffy frowns & thinks a minute.
“Well, we have all kinds of songs, but if you simply must have 1
Th@ keeps running through your head, the best we have is ‘lOser, said the
10sor, 10sion, apprehension & dis¢sion have begun!’ “
Now the fireworks really start; he hears from T8 about a party
At the Beaumonts” Craye D’Courtney will be there without a doubt.
Ben Reich packs his g@ & goes there, smiles @ everyone he knows there,
& sneaks up 2 old D’Courtney’s room when all the lights are out.
Craye says: “Ben, I’m sick & feeble!” Says Ben Reich: “You can’t make me bel-
Ieve a word of all th@ guff!” & then he shoots Craye through the head.
But Ben’s planning’s al14 naught; around comes old D’Courtney’s daughter ,
& she grabs the g@ & runs off when she sees her father dead.
Now comes Powell, a detective, whose main job is 2 collect ev-
Aders of the law, who ought 2 know th@ they can not succeed.
He’s an Es% by the police 2 peep @ all the people
@ the party 2 determine who has done this dreadful deed.
His Lieu10ant, known as $$son, is hot beneath the collar.
“What’s the motive? Where’s the witness? Who’s the killer? Where’s the gun?
Ben Reich’s mind cannot be read, the best I get is: ‘10ser, said the
10sor, 10sion, apprehension & distortion have begun!’ “
“It’s a tough 1,” murmurs Powell, “& I really don’t see how I’ll
Get the evidence I need 2 take this murder case 2 court.
& I may be wrong, but still, I really think Ben Reich’s the killer.
If he is, 2 take him in will prove 2 be a bit of sport.”
Ben says: “This’ll be a b@tle, & I’m much afraid the f@’ll
Soon be in the fire unless I find the young D’Courtney dame.”
Likewise, Powell’s biggest worry is 2 get his hands on her, he
Knows he’ll really have 2 scurry, 4 Ben Reich’s goal’s just the same.
Babs D’Courtney is loc8ed by Ben Reich, but he’s 2 l8, a d-
Ame who’s known 2 all as Chooka tells friend Powell where she’s @.
Ben Reich’s chances would be gone, except th@ Babs is c@@onic,
& the 3rdo can’t make her tell where she got Ben Reich’s g@.
Powell still has 1 more chance. A Reich employee has the answer
2 a note Ben sent D’Courtney 2 conclude a business deal.
Powell’s sure th@ Ben Reich’s motive 4 the murder’s in this note, he v-
Ows 2 get it from this Hassop, even if he has 2 steal.
Then, 2 Powell’s consternation, Ben Reich goes 2 a space station
Known as Ampro, a resort with tropic jungles grown inside.
Ben goes in with Hassop. “Now I’ll have 2 find them,” mutters Powell.
“Mr. Hassop has gone in2 th@ mor* his hide!”
Since he knows th@ Ben won’t pass up this big chance 2 murder Hassop,
He & several other Pee%er Ampro 4 the search.
But when the note’s collected, it’s not what the cop expected,
& the case just falls apart, which leaves poor Powell in the lurch.
Powell mutters: ‘‘I’ll get dirty! Though Ben thinks he can’t be hurt, he
Still has dreams about a Faceless Man who wakes up screaming screams.”
Espers of the lst Class rBing start their minds 2 con¢r8ing
Ben begins 2 see the Faceless Man come stalking from his dreams!
Powell has the famed “last laugh”; he drives poor Ben completely daffy,
& they take him 2 a nuthouse, where he’s out of Powell’s hair.
Though they’ve gone and caught the villain, I’m inclined 2 think it’s still un-
Necessary 4 policemen 2 be quite so damned unfair.
There’s a part of the plot I completely forgot;
I’ll insert it down here, if you like.
Craye D’Courtney & Barbara, respectively, are
The (ter of Reich.