NEWSHOUND By Milton Lesser The Fourth Estate was highly specialized in the 22nd Century; for example, a good newsman predicted coming events--and made them happen.... [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy July 1955 Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Darius McLeod leaned back comfortably and watched the mayor sweat. His Honor popped a phenobarb tablet between his lips, tossing his head and gulping the pill down without water. His moist, nervous hands left their wet imprint on the desk top when he reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a clipping from the morning's _New York World_. "You people elected me, McLeod," he said. "Now get me out of this mess." "We merely supported your candidacy, Your Honor," McLeod said easily. "But let's see what you got there." "It amounts to the same thing," the mayor pleaded. "For God's sake, give me a break." McLeod shrugged and unfolded the _World_ clipping on his desk. "Naturally, the _World_ will oppose your administration," he began. "Otherwise they'll never be able to live down the _Star-Times'_ scoop on your election." "That's precisely what I was saying. The way I understand it, you people will have to support your man. The _Star-Times_ can't abandon me to the wolves, not now." "I'm only a reporter," McLeod explained. "We report events, not make them." "That's it. That's what I mean. The attitude. You're treating me like a child." "You're acting like one." "All I want is what's fair. Whatever you think is fair." "Then let me read this thing." The column clipped from the _World_ bore the cut-line COMING EVENTS. McLeod had always liked the _Star-Times'_ LOOKING FORWARD better, although he had to admit that the _World's_ cut of a swami rubbing his crystal ball had a certain fundamental appeal for the masses. House-written, the _World_ column appeared under the by-line of Nostradamus. McLeod scanned the printed lines quickly. There was a prediction on the outcome of the World Series. It had better turn out incorrect, thought McLeod: the _Star-Times_ had spent a small fortune building up the opposing team. There was something about the dangers of forest fires and an indirect reference to the possibility of a conflagration next week in the Adirondack Game Preserve. (The _Star-Times_ would be alerting its fire-fighting unit to prevent such a possibility, McLeod knew.) There was a talk of an impending war between Yugoslavia and France at a time when relations between the two countries were never more harmonious. McLeod wondered how the _World_ would ever swing it. He read the last two items aloud.