Two worlds for oneSmith, George O. (George Oliver)
Science
Two worlds for one
Smith, George O. (George Oliver)
Cold War -- Fiction; Inventions -- Fiction; Science fiction; Short stories
"But what are you worried about?"
"Remember the time he said 'Nothing is impossible!' and was instantly
told to try scratching a match on a bar of soap?"
Edwards laughed heartily. "You bet!" he chuckled. "Milton invented a
safety match that would light only when scratched on a soft, moist bar
of soap. Nowhere else."
"Uh-huh," drawled Harris. "And a bit of common sense added to that kind
of genius might have brought forth a real safety match that might be
worth millions to the institution. What I'm a bit worried about is just
what angle his rather literal mind will follow."
"No matter. We can stop him once we know--and Professor Milton is not
an unknown figure; we'll wait and watch carefully."
Doctor Harris nodded slowly. He was sensible enough to know that the
Professor was missing completely and no matter how dangerous it might
be, nothing could be done until Professor Milton did something to smoke
himself out into the open. He left Doctor Edwards' office determined to
keep a close eye on newspaper and a sharp ear on the radio commentators.
* * * * *
The General Assembly of the United Nations came to order after
prolonged applause. The Chairman nodded genially and spoke into the
microphones on his desk; his words were translated for those who did
not understand his tongue, but no man present was unaware of the
importance of the figure beside him. Pictures have no tongue and
Professor Milton was genius.
"Gentlemen," said the Chairman, "this may seem irregular. However,
Professor Milton comes before us to explain a plan he has evolved
for the continued peace and satisfaction of the world--a world made
desperate by continued disagreement. We need no pre-vues of his plan
because we know that Milton seldom presents any solution that is not
workable. I relinquish the rostrum to Professor Paul Monroe Milton!"
More thunderous applause.
"Gentlemen of the United Nations," said Milton into the microphones,
"it is not my purpose to decide who is right in these everlasting
disagreements. Without a doubt each side has its own personal reasons
for believing as it does, otherwise there would be no disagreement.
"However it stands that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics wants
to rule a certain part of the world in their own manner--which is
anathema to the United States of America. Similarly, the United States
of America prefers to see the world operating under a manner favorable
to its principles of Democracy.
"Because of this no agreement has been reached. An impasse has obtained
for years.
"My plan is simple. Let us divide the world into two equal parts and
each go our way, ruling each according to our own ideals. I offer you
two worlds for one!"
Professor Milton seated himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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