It was a square of metal the size of a match box, and at one end was a coil of wire like a watch-spring. On both faces of the box were tiny buttons, like adding machine keys. Dugan kept jiggling the thing absently, and pressing the buttons. I could hear the syncopated clicks.
I thought, This guy is really soft in the head. He plays with things.
Belcher said, "Sure you're not a writer?"
Dugan shook his head, then glanced at Joey. Joey smiled a little and turned away because he's very shy about ethics and such. He doesn't want people to think he runs around trying to get writers on his string.
Mallison said to Jinx, "Well, what in hell is this story?"
Jinx said, "I don't know. Ask him."
They all looked at Junior G-Man. I wanted to warn him not to spill anything because pulp writers are leeches. They'll suck the blood right out of your brain. You have to copyright your dialogue at the Tuesday luncheons.
Dugan said, "It's—it's about a Time Machine."
We all groaned and I didn't worry about Dugan's ideas any more after that.
Joey said, "Oh God, not that! The market's sick of time stories. You couldn't sell one with Shakespeare's name on it."