watch this xplode

Whats that? he asked quickly. Looks the same as the ones you usedover there. It is. But Didnt you say all you needed was another stage of power? Thats right. Maybe Im crazy Miller stared from impulsor to transformer and backagain. Why dont you use it, then? Using what for the connection? Ericksons eyes gently mocked him. Wire, of course The scientist jerked a thumb at a small bale of heavy copper wire. Bring it over and well try it. Miller was halfway to it when he brought up short. Then a sheepish grinspread over his features. I get it, he chuckled. That bale of wire might be the Empire StateBuilding, as far as were concerned. Forgive my stupidity. Erickson suddenly became serious. Id like to be optimistic, Dave, he muttered, but in all fairness toyou I must tell you I see no way out of this. The machine is, of course, still working, and with that extra stage of power, the uncertainty wouldbe over. But where, in this world of immovable things, will we find apiece of wire twentyfive feet long? There was a warm, moist sensation against Millers hand, and when helooked down Major stared up at him commiseratingly. Miller scratched himbehind the ear, and the dog closed his eyes, reassured and happy. Theyoung druggist sighed, wishing there were some giant hand to scratch himbehind the ear and smooth his troubles over. And if we dont get out, he said soberly, well starve, I suppose. No, I dont think it will be that quick. I havent felt any hunger. Idont expect to. After all, our bodies are still living in one instantof time, and a man cant work up a healthy appetite in one second. Ofcourse, this elasticsecond business precludes the possibility ofdisease.

The thing is pluggedin already and only the positive pole has to be connected to the globe. Come on Scooping up the assortment of metal articles, they rushed across theroom. With his pocketknife, Dave Miller began breaking up the metalwristwatch straps, opening the links out so that they could be laidendtoend for the greatest possible length. They patiently broke thewatches to pieces, and of the junk they garnered made a ragged foot anda half of wire. Their coins stretched the line still further. They had ten feet covered before the stuff was half used up. Their metalpencils, taken apart, gave them a good two feet. Key chains helpedgenerously. With eighteen feet covered, their progress began to slowdown. Perspiration poured down Millers face. Desperately, he tore off hislodge ring and cut it in two to pound it flat. From garters andsuspenders they a few inches more. And thenthey stoppedfeet fromtheir goal. Miller groaned. He tossed his pocketknife in his hand. We can get a foot out of this, he estimated. But that still leaves usway short. Abruptly, Erickson snapped his fingers. Shoes he gasped. Theyre full of nails. Get to work with that knife, Dave. Well cut out every one of em In ten minutes, the shoes were reduced to ragged piles of tatteredleather. Ericksons deft fingers painstakingly placed the nails, one byone, in the line. The distance left to cover was less than six inches He lined up the last few nails. Then both men were sinking back on theirheels, as they saw there was a gap of three inches to cover Beaten Erickson ground out. By three inches Three inches from thepresent .

Our bodies must go on unchanged. The only hope I see iswhen we are onthe verge of madness, suicide. That means jumping off a bridge, Isuppose. Poison, guns, knivesall the usual wherewithalare denied tous. Black despair closed down on Dave Miller. He thrust it back, forcing acrooked grin. Lets make a bargain, he offered. When we finish fooling around withthis apparatus, we split up. Well only be at each others throat if westick together. Ill be blaming you for my plight, and I dont want to. Its my fault as much as yours. How about it? John Erickson gripped his hand. Youre all right, Dave. Let me give yousome advice. If ever you do get back to the present . .. Keep away fromliquor. Liquor and the Irish never did mix. Youll have that store onits feet again in no time. Thanks Miller said fervently. And I think I can promise that nothingless than a whiskey antidote for snake bite will ever make me bend anelbow again For the next couple of hours, despondency reigned in the laboratory. Butit was soon to be deposed again by hope. Despite all of Ericksons scientific training, it was Dave Millerhimself who grasped the downtoearth idea that started them hopingagain. He was walking about the lab, jingling keys in his pocket, whensuddenly he stopped short. He jerked the ring of keys into his hand. Erickson he gasped. Weve been blind. Look at this The scientist looked; but he remained puzzled. Well? he asked skeptically. Theres our wire Dave Miller exclaimed. Youve got keys; Ive gotkeys. Weve got coins, knives, wristwatches. Why cant we lay them allend to end Ericksons features looked as if he had been electrically shocked. Youve hit it he cried. If weve got enough With one accord, they began emptying their pockets, tearing offwristwatches, searching for pencils. The finds made a little heap in themiddle of the floor. Erickson let his long fingers claw through thinninghair. God give us enough Well only need the one wire.