Noel M. Loomis

“ Smullen opened the book—"such as the invention of the wheel, one of the most important events in the history of man." He looked questioningly at Stieve.
Stieve's mouth popped open. "That means—"
"I'll tell you what the Probabilities Department gave me. They say about eighteen thousand B.C., just about the time Neolithic man went into Europe and began to cultivate the soil. The boys in Pre-History claim that the wheel should have come into use when man started raising crops."
Stieve felt a little pale. "You mean—you want me to go back before history? We've never done that, Mr. Smullen." ”

“ Correction—also I want to hear from Murph before his widow—pardon me, his wife—gets in the hands of a shyster lawyer who will sue Solar News for more than Murph could ever possibly be worth as a husband."
Stieve really felt sorry for Smullen. "Well," he said, "I'll tackle anything you have picked out."
Smullen looked at him as if to be sure. Then he pulled out the assignment book. "My idea is to take on a series of events that are important as well as spectacular. If they aren't spectacular, we can liven them up a little—fictionize them, you might say." ”

“ Prem say everything very modern and sophisticated. He say Miss Wheel Queen most beautiful girl in Mammoth City. She my daughter," Davie said proudly.
Stieve looked shrewd. "Did Mr. Prem possibly mention a screen test?"
"I believe he did," Davie said thoughtfully. "He said winner of queen contest always eligible for Hollywood."
Stieve groaned. "If somebody doesn't dull that robot's organizing principle we'll have all the time streams jammed up for ten thousand years." He looked at his watch. "Well, it's a couple of hours yet and no doubt by this time Prem is handling the good will tour. ”

“ The robot nodded hastily. "I just happened to think—Murphy got lost at the same time Medlock was watching the construction of the Mayan pyramids. I looked up the records. Murphy's trip was handled by Medlock's android and I, knowing that anything might happen with an android—begging your pardon, sir," he said to Murphy, "I forgot you're an android man." He addressed Stieve again.
"Anyway, the android sent Murph to the Mayan pyramids instead of to Samarkand. I went back to look and found him. 'A helpful robot is a happy robot,' you know," he said brightly. ”

“ Stieve gasped. He lost his fear of the giant and began to think harsh things about Orig Prem. He'd like to lay hands on his assistant right now while he was in the mood to punish him.
Prem knew better. The Legal Department was constantly issuing warnings against involvement in politics. Now it wasn't enough for Prem that the Cro-Magnards were being succeeded by the Azilians but the little robot had to get busy and organize a whole political system. ”

“ But Stieve didn't feel very happy as he rode the autowalk to Timecasts. He well knew that the first man who had been sent to a prehistoric time had not come back. They hadn't sent anyone since. Safety said it was too dangerous.
Man had been too primitive in 18,000 B.C. Well—he shrugged. If it would save Smullen's neck—anyway, this would be one place where Orig Prem would not be able to stir things the wrong way. ”

“ It sounds to me as if you've let your realism go further than mere names."
"Oh," said Prem easily, "everything is under control, sir. Pardon me, here we are at the timecasting stand, sir. I'll help you up."
Stieve began to feel nervous. He wondered if the Democrats, or Azilians, had had a candidate. And if so, how had the Cro-Magnards won the election? Weren't they supposed to be decreasing in numbers now?
Orig was making an announcement into the microphone. ”

“ You can't go today. That's against the no-doubling rule." Stieve groaned. "I might as well hide you in my suite until tomorrow. Medlock will never let us through twice in one day. You can sleep on the divan in my private office tonight. I suppose Prem will sleep on the beach at Guanahani. I hope," he added viciously, "he gets sand in his joints."
For the first time in his seven years at Solar News, Stieve was up the next morning before a lot of people got to work. ”

“ He tried to put the bison on his great shoulders but it was too heavy. He dropped it after a struggle and stood there wiping the sweat from his massive brow. Then he leaned against the carcass. It moved! ”