DISASTER REVISITED
By DARIUS JOHN GRANGER
[Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from Amazing Stories March1957. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.copyright on this publication was renewed.]
A time can come when jumping is all that's left.
"Tell me the truth, doctor," Jason Wall said. "We've known each othertoo long for lies."
The doctor nodded slowly, lit a cigarette and offered Jason Wall one."Yes, we've known each other a long time—long enough so I know thetruth, or anything you want, can't be kept from you."
Jason Wall smiled. He was a small, sparse man, very hard of eye andgaunt of face. He was about forty-five years old.
"Then here it is," the doctor said uneasily. "You're going to die,Jason. Eighteen months, maybe two years at the outside. There isabsolutely no chance for a cure."
Jason Wall turned to the window and finished smoking his cigarette.Outside, children were playing, the sun was shining, and a postman cameby humming a gay tune. Jason Wall turned back to face the room and hisown grim reality. "Shall I consult specialists? I can buy—"
The doctor shrugged. "You can, if you wish. I already have, on thebiopsy."
"Pain?" Jason Wall asked.
The doctor nodded, yes. "Progressively worse. We'll be giving younarcotics the last six months or so."
Jason Wall pursed his thin lips. His gaunt face seemed, if anything,gaunter. That was the only sign that he had just been given his deathsentence. He said: "Blast it, doctor, it isn't fair! It isn't fair, Itell you. I'm a rich man. Maybe the richest man in the world. I can buyanything—anything, you hear me?" His voice went low suddenly, so lowthat the doctor could hardly hear it. "Anything but my health. Becausedon't let them tell you a man can't buy happiness. That's for sale too,doctor. Anything is—except a man's health. Blast it, it isn't fair.I've everything to live for."
The doctor said: "At least you're fortunate in one way. There'll be nowidow, no orphaned children, no—"
"Family!" scoffed the doomed Jason Wall. "You think that's happiness?You think it matters?" He laughed, and there was nothing hystericalabout the laughter. "You don't know what happiness is. None of you do.Happiness and selfishness, they're the same thing. The most successfulmen realize that, doctor. I realize I'm not exactly the world's bestloved man. It doesn't matter, I tell you. It doesn't matter at all." Hewent to the window again, watched the children at play. "But that isn'tfair. That's the hardest thing to take."
"Yes? What is?"
"Those children. The rest of the world. Out there. Playing. They don'tknow I'm going to die. If they knew, they wouldn't care. That hurts morethan anything. Doctor, I tell you the world ought to weep when JasonWall dies. It ought to wear black."
"Mr. Wall, I know you won't mind my saying you're the most egotisticalman I've ever met."
"Mind? I'm delighted. A man ought to be self-centered. Shall we say, tenthousand dollars?"
"Ten thousand—"
"Your fee, for telling me the truth. For telling me I'm going to die.For not keeping it back."
"My fee is fifty dollars, Mr. Wall."