FIRST MAN
By CLYDE BROWN
Illustrated by WOOD
[Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction April 1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
He obstinately wanted no part in achieving the goal of generations—but the goal with equal obstinacy wanted all of him!
To keep the record straight: Orville Close was first man on the Moon. Harold Ferguson was second. They never talk about it.
It started on that October morning when the piece came out in the Parkville News. Harold grumbled that they'd gotten the story all wrong, calling his ship a rocket ship, and treating him like a flagpole sitter or a man going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. His wife took their sad, thin little girl and went to live with her brother. The city police blocked off Elm Street, letting no one through except the residents. The neighbors were getting up a petition. But Orville refused to become excited.
What was going to happen?