Robert Sheckley - Seventh Victim

Stanton Frelaine sat at his desk, trying to look as busy as an executive should at nine-thirty in the morning. It was impossible. He couldnt concentrate on the advertisement he had written the previous night, couldnt think about business. All he could do was wait until the mail came.

He had been waiting for his notification for two weeks now. The government was behind schedule, as usual.

The glass door of his office was marked Morger and Frelaine, Clothiers. It opened, and E. J. Morger walked in, limping slightly from his old gunshot wound. His shoulders were bent; but at the age of seventy-three, he wasnt worrying too much about his posture.

Well, Stan? Morger asked. What about that ad?

Frelaine had joined Morger sixteen years ago, when he was twenty-seven. Together they had built Protec-Clothes into a million-dollar concern.

I suppose you can run it, Frelaine said, handing the slip of paper to Morger. If only the mail would come earlier, he thought.

Do you own a ProtecSuit? Morger read aloud, holding the paper close to his eyes. The finest tailoring in the world has gone into Morger and Frelaines Protec-Suit, to make it the leader in mens fashions.

Morger cleared his throat and glancea at Frelaine. He smiled and read on.

Protec-Suit is the safest as well as the smartest. Every Protec-Suit comes with special built-in gun pocket, guaranteed not to bulge. No one will know you are carrying a gunexcept you. The gun pocket is exceptionally easy to get at, permitting fast, unhindered draw. Choice of hip or breast pocket. Very nice, Morger commented.

Frelaine nodded morosely.

The Protec-Suit Special has the fling-out gun pocket, the greatest modern advance in personal protection. A touch of the concealed button throws the gun into your hand, cocked, safeties off. Why not drop into the Protec-Store nearest you? Why not be safe?

Thats fine, Morger said. Thats a very nice, dignified ad. He thought for a moment, fingering his white mustache. Shouldnt you mention that Protec-Suits come in a variety of styles, single and double-breasted, one and two button rolls, deep and shallow flares?

Right. I forgot.

Frelaine took back the sheet and jotted a note on the edge of it. Then he stood up, smoothing his jacket over his prominent stomach. Frelaine was forty-three, a little overweight, a little bald on top. He was an amiable-looking man with cold eyes.

Relax, Morger said. Itll come in todays mail.

Frelaine forced himself to smile. He felt like pacing the floor, but instead sat on the edge of the desk.

Youd think it was my first kill, he said, with a deprecating smile.

I know how it is, Morger said. Before I hung up my gun, I couldnt sleep for a month, waiting for a notification. I know.

The two men waited. Just as the silence was becoming unbearable, the door opened. A clerk walked in and deposited the mail on Frelaines desk.

Frelaine swung around and gathered up the letters. He thumbed through them rapidly and found what he had been waiting forthe long white envelope from ECB, with the official government seal on it.

Thats it! Frelaine said, and broke into a grin. Thats the baby!

Fine. Morger eyed the envelope with interest, but didnt ask Frelaine to open it. It would be a breach of etiquette, as well as a violation in the eyes of the law. No one was supposed to know a Victims name except his Hunter. Have a good hunt.

I expect to, Frelaine replied confidently. His desk was in orderhad been for a week. He picked up his briefcase.

A good kill will do you a world of good, Morger said, putting his hand lightly on Frelaines padded shoulder. Youve been keyed up.

I know. Frelaine grinned again and shook Morgers hand.

Wish I was a kid again, Morger said, glancing down at his crippled leg with wryly humorous eyes. Makes me want to pick up a gun again.

The old man had been quite a Hunter in his day. Ten successful hunts had qualified him for the exclusive Tens Club. And, of course, for each hunt Morger had had to act as Victim, so he had twenty kills to his credit.

I sure hope my Victim isnt anyone like you, Frelaine said, half in jest.

Dont worry about it. What number will this be?

The seventh.

Lucky seven. Go to it, Morger said. Well get you into the Tens yet.

Frelaine waved his hand and started out the door.

Just dont get careless, warned Morger. All it takes is a single slip and Ill need a new partner. If you dont mind, I like the one Ive got now.

Ill be careful, Frelaine promised.

Instead of taking a bus, Frelaine walked to his apartment. He wanted time to cool off. There was no sense in acting like a kid on his first kill.

As he walked, Prelaine kept his eyes strictly to the front. Staring at anyone was practically asking for a bullet, if the man happened to be serving as Victim. Some Victims shot if you just glanced at them. Nervous fellows. Frelaine prudently looked above the heads of the people he passed.

Ahead of him was a huge billboard, offering J. F. ODonovans services to the public.

Victims! the sign proclaimed in huge red letters. Why take chances? Use an ODonovan accredited Spotter. Let us, locate your assigned killer. Pay after you get him!

The sign reminded Frelaine. He would call Morrow as soon as he reached his apartment.

He crossed the street, quickening his stride. He could hardly wait to get home now, to open the envelope and discover who his victim was. Would he be clever or stupid? Rich, like Frelaines fourth Victim, or poor, like the first and second? Would he have an organized Spotter service, or try to go it on his own?

The excitement of the chase was wonderful, coursing through his veins, quickening his heartbeat. From a block or so away, he heard gunfire. Two quick shots, and then a final one.

Somebody got his man, Frelaine thought. Good for him.

It was a superb feeling, he told himself. He was alive again.

At his one-room apartment, the first thing Frelaine did was call Ed Morrow, his spotter. The man worked as a garage attendant between calls.

Hello, Ed? Frelaine.

Oh, hi, Mr. Frelaine. He could see the mans thin, grease-stained face, grinning flat-lipped at the telephone.

Im going out on one, Ed.

Good luck, Mr. Frelaine, Ed Morrow said. I suppose youll want me to stand by?

Thats right. I dont expect to be gone more than a week or two. Ill probably get my notification of Victim Status within three months of the kill.

Ill be standing by. Good hunting, Mr. Frelaine.

Thanks. So long. He hung up. It was a wise safety measure to reserve a first-class spotter. After his kill, it would be Frelaines turn as Victim. Then, once again, Ed Morrow would be his life insurance.

And what a marvelous spotter Morrow was! Uneducatedstupid, really. But what an eye for people! Morrow was a natural. His pale eyes could tell an out-of-towner at a glance. He was diabolically clever at rigging an ambush. An indispensable man.

Frelaine took out the envelope, chuckling to himself, remembering some of the tricks Morrow had turned for the Hunters. Still smiling, he glanced at the data inside the envelope.

Janet-Marie Patzig.

His Victim was a female!

Frelaine stood up and paced for a few moments. Then he read the letter again. Janet-Marie Patzig. No mistake. A girl. Three photographs were enclosed, her address, and the usual descriptive data.

Frelaine frowned. He had never killed a female.

He hesitated for a moment, then picked up the telephone and dialed.

Emotional Catharsis Bureau, Information Section, a mans voice answered.

Say, look, Frelaine said. I just got my notification and I pulled a girl. Is that in order? He gave the clerk the girls name.