[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Thrilling Wonder Stories February 1947.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
CHAPTER I
That Naughty Word
October 8, 2866, was a memorable day for young Riley Ashton. It was hissixth birthday. It was the day he got his first good look at AmericanCity. Also he learned a new word, a thrillingly naughty word, and AuntBetty came to live with the Ashtons.
At that time it was the custom all over the world to keep the childrensecluded in their own homes, or at least in their own neighborhoods,until they were six years old. On his sixth birthday the child,escorted by one or the other of the parents, was taken for his firsttour of the city in which he lived.
Excursions of greater length, to other cities and sometimes to othercontinents, were planned for future birthdays. Like many anotherconvention this custom can not be explained. It was simply the waythings were.
So, on the day Riley Ashton became six years old, his mother, foregoingher own pleasurable pursuits, devoted the day to his entertainment. Ingiving Riley so much of her time Mrs. Ashton felt that she was making areal sacrifice.
She had seen American City on several occasions, and she found itboring. It was much more enjoyable, everyone thought, to remain in theleisure of one's own home. There, one might gossip with friends bytelevision, or visit with one's club through the same medium or, if onepreferred, listen to a musical program or see a good story simply bytuning in the American City Telecasting Station.
"I suppose this is one of the responsibilities of being a mother," saidMrs. Ashton to her husband, "but I do think, Charles, that you mighttake Riley for half the day."
"I can't," Mr. Ashton argued, rubbing his bald head. "I have animportant Council meeting this afternoon."
"Oh," Mrs. Ashton rejoined vaguely. "But you give such a tremendousamount of time to the Council. Isn't this the third time, this year?"
At that moment, young Riley appeared in the door. He was a tall sturdychild, browned by sunlamps and dressed in the conventional short, khakitunic and pants. About his middle was strapped a new float belt, asimple device which opposed the magnetic field of the earth.
"Look at me," he commanded proudly, and floated about the roomsupported in a semi-horizontal position by the belt. "Boy, this is aswell new belt."
"Glad you like it, son," said Mr. Ashton. "Happy birthday, and runalong with your mother. I've got to tune in the Council meeting. We'reappointing a committee."
"If you must, I suppose you must," Mrs. Ashton said. "I do hope youwin, this time. You are so cross when you lose."
Riley winked one large blue eye.
"Don't roll any boxcars, Pop."
Mr. Ashton held up his crossed fingers and winked back at his son.
Riley and his mother did not meet many people. It was rare that anyoneexcept an occasional traveler was seen on the streets. But the citywas alive with the hustle and bustle of the automeks. The automekswere machines of various types and functions, endowed at the time ofmanufacture with the necessary mechanical brains to perform a certainordered set of operations.
Riley was not particularly interested in them. He had seen many typesof automeks before. They performed all the tasks about the homes,leaving the people free to enjoy themselves in conformance withwhatever custom decreed as enjoyable.
But Riley was fascinated by the tall buildings, the factories andthe warehouses. He drank in tho