The Project Gutenberg EBook of Suite Mentale, by Gordon Randall Garrett

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Title: Suite Mentale

Author: Gordon Randall Garrett

Illustrator: EMSH

Release Date: September 25, 2007 [EBook #22763]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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_Just about a year ago, two enthusiastic young men came to see me,
and during the course of the visit announced that they were starting
a campaign to make their living in science fiction--and also to
become "names" in the best science fiction magazines. They planned
to collaborate on some material, and write on their own as well,
intending to make the grade both ways._

_One of the pair was a well-known science fiction fan, who had
appeared once or twice in the "pro mags," as fans designate journals
like this one. The other was Randall Garrett, who had previously
sold a respectable number of stories to various magazines in the
science fiction and fantasy field._

_I shall not try to insult your intelligence by stating that I told
them I knew they could do it; on the contrary, I larded doubt with
sympathy. However, this story, and Robert A. Madle's "Inside Science
Fiction" will show how wrong I was!_

SUITE MENTALE

by Randall Garrett

_Illustrated by EMSH_

OVERTURE--ADAGIO MISTERIOSO

The neurosurgeon peeled the thin surgical gloves from his hands as the
nurse blotted the perspiration from his forehead for the last time after
the long, grueling hours.

"They're waiting outside for you, Doctor," she said quietly.

The neurosurgeon nodded wordlessly. Behind him, three assistants were
still finishing up the operation, attending to the little finishing
touches that did not require the brilliant hand of the specialist. Such
things as suturing up a scalp, and applying bandages.

The nurse took the sterile mask--no longer sterile now--while the doctor
washed and dried his hands.

"Where are they?" he asked finally. "Out in the hall, I suppose?"

[Ill