Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction November 1960, December 1960, January 1961, February 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
OCCASION ... for DISASTER
By MARK PHILLIPS
Illustrated by van Dongen
A very small slip, at just the wrong place, can devastateany enterprise. One tiny transistor can go wrong ... andruin a multi-million dollar missile. Which would be one wayto stop the missiles....
"We must remember not to judge any public servant by anyone act, and especially should we beware of attacking themen who are merely the occasions and not the causes ofdisaster."
Theodore Roosevelt
n 1914, it was enemy aliens.
In 1930, it was Wobblies.
In 1957, it was fellow-travelers.
In 1971, it was insane telepaths.
And, in 1973:
"We don't know what it is," said Andrew J. Burris, Director of theFBI. He threw his hands in the air and looked baffled and confused.
Kenneth J. Malone tried to appear sympathetic. "What what is?"
Burris frowned and drummed his fingers on his big desk. "Malone," hesaid, "make sense. And don't stutter."
"Stutter?" Malone said. "You said you didn't know what it was. And Iwanted to know what it was."
"That's just it," Burris said. "I don't know."
Malone sighed and repressed an impulse to scream. "Now, wait a minute,Chief—" he started.
Burris frowned again. "Don't call me Chief," he said.
Malone nodded, "O.K.," he said. "But—if you don't know what it is,you must have some idea of what you don't know. I mean, is it largerthan a breadbox? Does it perform helpful tasks? Is it self-employed?"
"Malone," Burris sighed, "you ought to be on television."
"But—"
"Let me explain," Burris said. His voice was calmer now, and he spokeas if he were enunciating nothing but the most obvious and eternaltruths. "The country," he said, "is going to Hell in a handbasket."
Malone nodded again. "Well, after all, Chief—" he started.
"Don't call me Chief," Burris said wearily.
"Anything you say," Malone agreed peacefully. He eyed the Director ofthe FBI warily. "After all, it isn't anything new," he went on. "Thecountry's always been going to Hell in a handbasket, one way oranother. Look at Rome."
"Rome?" Burris said.
"Sure," Malone said. "Rome was always going to Hell in a handbasket,and finally it—" He paused. "Finally it did, I guess," he said.
"Exactly," Burris said. "And so are we. Finally." He passed a handover his forehead and stared past Malone at a spot on the wall. Maloneturned and looked at the spot, but saw nothing of interest. "Malone,"Burris said, and the FBI Agent whirled around again.
"Yes, Ch—Yes?" he said.
"This time," Burris said, "it isn't the same old story at all. Thistime it's different."
"Different?" Malone said.
Burris nodded. "Look at it this way," he said. His eyes returned tothe FBI Agent. "Suppose you're a congressman," he went on, "and youfind evidence of inefficiency in the government."
"All right," Malone said agreeably. He had the feeling that if hewaited around a little while