Toward a New Unknown

I walked into the Rexall and passed by shelves of products for conditions I had never had, or hoped never to have, or – I blushed – never could have – to the section of magazines. Here I had a similar problem: all of these magazines I had no use for, and among them the handful I had come in to look among.

Transorbital: last month’s, I already had it . . . Tales of Mystery and Imagination: already bought this issue, and shouldn’t have bothered – when will I learn? . . .  Contemplate: might buy it yet, if I get desperate – better decide quickly, there are only three copies left . . .Toward a New Unknown: that’s a new title, haven’t read it yet.

I pulled a copy of the first issue of Toward a New Unknown from the rack, trying to find one in perfect condition in case it might be worth money some day, paid my quarter for it and took it home. By the time I’d finished reading the stories in it, it was quite well-worn, of course, just like every other science fiction and fantasy magazine I bought when I was twelve, but that was all to the good. A book or magazine that came into my possession when I was twelve that wasn’t worn is one I didn’t read.

 

 

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