_Who knows the secret of survival after the day of the big Blast? Who really are ..._ THE SMART ONES By JACK SHARKEY Illustrated by SCHELLING [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Amazing Stories February 1963. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] The first inkling came in a news bulletin that interrupted all regularly scheduled programming on the networks. Russia had uttered a flat or-else at the UN assembly, and the U.S. had countered with a steely just-try-it. That was all. It might be bad, it might not be so bad. Par-for-the-course or This-is-it. The bulletin lasted forty seconds, then regular programming was resumed. No warnings, no repeats of the Conelrad band-numbers, no stay-tuned urgings. Just the bulletin, then resumption of routine telecasts. Pete Crolin turned to his wife, Beth. "What do you think?" he said, not having to specify his meaning further. A faint frown deepened the soft lines of her forehead. "I don't know," she said, thoughtfully. "I think I'll call Lucille, see what she and Corey think." Her husband nodded, then lifted his beer and sipped it slowly, savoring the taste as though he might not have the chance again, his eyes returning to--but no longer witnessing--the western which the bulletin had interrupted. Beth rose from her chair, smoothed her dress, then made her way to the phone. Lucille's was a number Beth called at least once every day, but she had to look it up after dialling two wrong numbers. "Corey thinks so, too," her friend said, when Beth had told the reason for her call. "He's out checking the shelter. We've got plenty of water and food, but he thinks we need more books, just in case." "I wonder why we think this is it," Beth mused. "We both felt it, and I guess you and Corey did, too. It's like that last straw on the camel's back. That kind of feeling." Lucille, however, was in no mood for philosophizing. "Corey's coming in, honey. I've got to help him with the books. I'll call back later--" She gave a funny, short laugh. "If there is a later." Lucille hung up. * * * * * Pete had finished his beer, and was standing beside the silent TV, staring at the wall, when she returned. Beth took him by the arm, and he turned to face in her direction without resistance. "Pete," she said, then louder, "Pete!" Some of the far-awayness cleared from his eyes, and he saw her. "Oh. What'd Lucille have to say?" Beth gave a funny kind of smile and a half-shrug. Pete nodded. "Them, too. I guess I knew they'd feel it. Everybody will. I wonder how long we've got."