Day Of The Comet
By Ivar Jorgensen
When the world you live on is about to be
destroyed in a matter of hours, petty squabbles
no longer seem important; only Time—and regret!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
October 1956
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
So far as the public was concerned, the comet was discovered at 10:00a.m. on a Friday morning; just when Frank and Dee Allison were in themidst of their bitterest domestic quarrel. Dee had just spoken throughclenched teeth:
"I never knew I could hate a person the way I hate you."
"I consider that an honor!" Frank snapped back.
Then the music on the radio was cut off and the announcement wasmade—in the calm, impersonal voice of the announcer that gave it aflavor of grotesque unreality....
"—and so, although the discovery of the celestial interloper was madeby astronomers some time ago, the announcement was delayed until alldoubt as to its orbit had been dispelled. Thus, a direct and dismalstatement becomes a matter of necessity—the earth is doomed—"
Frank and Dee stared mutely at one another, trying to comprehend. "It'ssome kind of a gag," Frank said.
Dee shook her head. "No—that was John Kalmus, the Green Networkcommentator who cut in. He wouldn't be a party to any hoax."
Frank knew this of course, but the destruction of the world was apretty big lump to swallow in a matter of seconds. They continuedto stare at each other, taking the rest of the story into theirnumbed minds. The end would come at exactly 1:42 on Sunday. Priorto that time, there would be vast weather disturbances and tidalcatastrophies the world over. But these would be far milder than whatwould ordinarily be expected because the comet was moving at such atremendous rate of speed. There would be no long-drawn out suffering.
"At least that's a blessing," Dee said.
"Uh-huh. Say—I'll bet the churches will be crowded."
"No doubt." Dee paused, and added, "How long since we've been tochurch, Frank?"
There had been a cabinet meeting and now the President of the UnitedStates was seated alone in his study. He picked up his phone and asked,"How about that call to the Kremlin? Why the delay?"
The operator said, "The Premier was busy on the phone—not taking anycalls, but it seems he was trying to get through to you. May I connecthim, sir?"
"By all means."
The normally harsh voice of the Russian Premier was oddly quiet andpensive. "Mr. President?"
"Mr. Premier. I was trying to get through to you."
"They told me. How—how are things there? How are your people taking itin the United States?"
"Very well. They are stunned, naturally, and I'm sure quite a few ofthem don't believe it. It will take a little time."
The Russian Premier chuckled with a note of wistfulness. "That'sexactly what they will have—very little time."
"And your people—?"
"We haven't told them. We thought it best."
The President sighed. "We stick to our ideologies to the very end,don't we?"
"Policy can't be changed overnight. Yet great strides can be made."
"I don't think I understand you."
"I'll try to clarify. We finished our public statement Monday, settingdown our position on The Stockholm Conference last month."
"The conference was a great disappointment to me—to you also, Iimagine."
"Yes, and our public statement was