It seemed to be logical research, switching
sixteen Romans from the 1st Century to the 27th—for
study.... But who was going to take their place?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1952
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Feb. 16, 2631—Dear Diary: Do I dare do it? It's so frustrating tohave to be dependent upon the whims of a physicist like Croton Myers.I'm sure the man is a sadist—to say nothing of being a pompous asswith his scientific double-talk, and selfish to boot. Otherwise,why won't he let me use the time-grapple? All that folderol aboutdisrupting the fabric of time.
He actually patted me on the shoulder today when I swallowed myrighteous indignation to the extent of pleading once more with him."Don't take it so hard, Bugsy," he said—imagine—'Bugsy'—to me,Philton J. Bugsomer, B.A., M.A., L.L.D., Ph.D., "in about twenty yearsit'll be out of the experimental stage. Then we'll see if somethingcan't be done for you."
It's intolerable. As if a little handful of people would be missed outof the whole Roman Empire. Well, if I can't do it with his permission,I will do it without. See if I don't. My reputation as a scholar ofsociomatics is at stake.
Feb. 18, 65: MEMO TO CAPTAIN OF THE POLICE: The emperor has expresseda wish for a battle between a handful of gladiators and an equal numberof Christians. Have gladiators but am fresh out of Christians. Can youhelp me out?
(signed) Lictus,
CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA
Feb. 19, 65: MEMO TO CAPTAIN OF THE ARENA: I think I might be able tolay my hands on a few Christians for you—possibly. And then again Imight not. By the way, that's a nice little villa you have out in theFalernian Hills.
(signed) Papirius,
CAPTAIN OF POLICE
Feb. 19, 65: Papirius:
All right, you robber. The villa's yours. But hurry! We've only got afew days left.
L.
Feb. 21, 65: Dear L:
Thanks for the villa. The papers just arrived. By an odd coincidenceI had overlooked the fact that we already had sixteen fine, healthyChristians on hand, here. I am sending them on to you.
Love and kisses,
P.
Feb. 22, 2631: Dear Diary: Congratulate me! I knew my chance wouldcome. Late last night I sneaked into the physics building. That fool ofa Myers hadn't even had the sense to lock the door of his laboratory. Iopened it and went in, pulled down the shade, turned on the light, andwas able to work in complete security. Luckily, I had already playedon his credulity to the extent of representing myself as overawed bythe mechanical mind, and so induced him to give me a rough idea of howhe operated the time-grapple (this over the lunch table in the FacultyClub) so, with a little experimenting, and—I will admit it—some luck,I was able to carry off my plans without a hitch.
I bagged sixteen young males from the period of Nero's reign—alongsomewhere in the last years. By great good luck they happened tobe Christians taken prisoner and destined for the Roman Games.Consequently the guards had them all huddled together in a tiny cell.That's why the time-grapple was able to pick up so many at one grab.They came along quite docilely, and I have quartered them in thebasement of my house where they seem to be quite comfortable and I canstudy them at my leisure.
Wait until the Sociomatics department here at