Rat Race

by George O. Smith

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RAT RACE

BY GEORGE O. SMITH

Illustrated by Cartier

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Astounding Science-Fiction, August 1947.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

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"You're nuts," came the reply, but the voice on the telephone was jovially reproving rather than sarcastic. "I can't do anything about this order."

Peter Manton blinked. "But it has a Four-A-One priority."

Brannon nodded—invisibly, of course—and said, "Sure you have a top priority. Anything your lab wants has top. But darn it, Peter, the best priority in the world isn't going to buy you a dozen mousetraps that are nonexistent."