Today | News | Books | Recipes Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History The winner and new...The Project Gutenberg eBook of The winner and new... This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The winner and new... Author: Ib Melchior Illustrator: Edward Moritz Release date: February 28, 2026 [eBook #78073] Language: English Original publication: New York: King-Size Publications, Inc., 1956 Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78073 Credits: Tom Trussel (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Luminist Archive) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNER AND NEW... *** The Winner and New... by Ib Melchior _We have long been convinced that there is something about science fantasy which attracts, in electro-magnetic fashion, the brilliant sons of famous authors, artists, actors, physicians and tenors. Fritz Leiber, Jr., Manly Wade Wellman, and Samuel Merwin, Jr. are three writers of distinction in the genre we could mention in this connection. And now comes Ib Melchior with his second story for us, to strengthen our conviction quite unshakably. It is both gratifying to find a pet theory confirmed and to publish a story as unusual as this by a TV director who can tune in on the future at will!_ =A TV Emcee may assume anything he wishes about the big question contest lads. But it's unusual when they know all about Mars!= "Hello-hello-hello! This is Bob May wishing a wonderful Quizz Night to one and all!" The effervescent young man came bounding out on the brilliantly lighted stage of the gigantic Capitol Coliseum. The perpetual smile never left his handsome face, but a note of studied sincerity crept into his voice as he continued: "From all of us here I want to welcome all of you out there in the Coliseum auditorium, and all you folks gathered around the over one hundred million TV sets watching us tonight. Yes, folks, tonight's the night! The one day in the week I know you impatiently wait for. But before we settle down to the important business at hand, here is a little message which I know will be of interest to you." The lights pouring down upon the young Quizz Master dimmed, and simultaneously another part of the big stage became brightly illuminated. The small tally lights on the TV camera aimed at the area sprang to life with a red glow. A breathtakingly beautiful girl stood smiling in front of the camera. After a musical fanfare she addressed the vast, unseen TV audience, her honied words rolling off her tongue in dulcet, sexy tones. "Hi! Here I am again, your own Barrie Rose, to tell you about a _simply super_ new product created for you by those _wonderful_ people at REJUVENATION! Remember, only REJUVENATION products are _The Real Thing_--accept no substitutes! And now REJUVENATION has come up with something brand new. It is ..." The orchestra launched into an impressive fanfare. "... REJUVENATION'S new, unequaled _Plasti-Form Spray!_ It comes in eight gorgeous, life-like colors and textures. Tough-hard _Plasti-Form Spray_ for men, and soft, silken textures for women. Are you dissatisfied with your build? Is your figure sub-standard? If you want masculine muscles or enticing curves get REJUVENATION'S all-new _Plasti-Form Spray!_ So easy to apply a child of five can do it! Take Barrie Rose's word for it, REJUVENATION'S _Plasti-Form Spray_. It's marvelorious!! And now, back to Bob May, and the contest you've all been waiting for." Again the lights bathed the Quizz Master with their brilliance. This time the young man was joined by two others--one a rather stout, partly bald gentleman with old-fashioned rim-glasses, the other a younger, more robust looking fellow with a shock of iron-gray hair. "Well, well, here we are again! And here, Ladies and Gentlemen, are our contestants. I hardly need introduce our Incumbent to you--forty-nine weeks undefeated. Here he is--_Charles Monroe!_" The little stout man stepped forward and took a bow. The applause was thunderous in the vast hall. Then Monroe nervously fingered his rim-glasses and returned to his place. "And here, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have this week's Challenger, Mr. _James Burton!_" The applause was almost as deafening. Burton stepped forward and waved confidently to the multitude. Bob May quickly interposed: "Folks! You all know how The Quizz is held--and how important it is. You remember that Mr. Monroe's category is _Philately_--and he certainly has shown us that there's little he doesn't know about postage stamps!" He turned purposefully to Burton. His voice was tense with excitement as it rang out in the hushed auditorium: "And now, Mr. Burton, will you tell us--_what is your category?_" A gaudy, multi-colored panel of many category listings suddenly blazed on across the back of the stage. Burton slowly turned and regarded the panel. The huge auditorium was whisper-silent. Then Burton said: "_The Planet Mars!_" Bob May fairly jumped off the stage in his tempestuous excitement. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Our Challenger picks as his quizz category--_The Planet Mars!_" The audience roared its delight. "All right! You both know what to expect. The questions in your respective categories are selected by our own Univac Cybernetic Brain. No human being knows what they will be until _I_ ask you the questions! Are you ready?" Monroe swallowed nervously and adjusted his funny spectacles. He nodded. Burton answered: "Yes, sir, Mr. May!" "Good! As you know each one of you will be asked questions of increasing difficulty--until one of you misses! The survivor is the winner! But just so that you will have no outside disturbances--or help--" he waved a waggish finger at them--"you'll be enclosed in the special Force-Field. Nothing can penetrate, no light, no sound, no telepathic prompting! We can all see you, but you can't see us. That should be a comfort!" He laughed uproariously at his own joke. "Only _I_ can talk to you through my special communicator. But we can all hear your answers. And now--are you ready?" Both contestants nodded. "Here we go, then! But first...." The commercial message by Barrie Rose over the cameras once again focused on Bob May and the two contestants. Around both the Incumbent and the Challenger hovered a curious shimmering, completely transparent shell. As the cameras went on, two metal rods ending in small cylindrical two-way transmitter heads rose out of the floor in front of each of the two contestants. May adjusted his throat transmitter. "Can you hear me, gentlemen?" he asked. "Yes," croaked Monroe. He had a frog in his throat. "Perfectly," said Burton. "Stand by for your firs |