Secret of the Sun

Read/Watch 'em In Order #92

"Secret of the Sun," by pulp stalwart Ray Cummings, is the next-to-last work of fiction from the August 1939 issue of Thrilling Wonder Stories. In this one we meet Dr. Argon, a scientist who prefers to do his research in an isolated house, assisted only by "the stolid, slow-witted Olaf Stevens."

His research is trying to unlock the secrets of the sun and produce an alloy that will replicate the temperatures reached in the core of the sun. One can argue that conducting experiments that can potentially fry the whole planet with the help of one unskilled assistant is a bit unwise.

In fact, his choice of assistants is unwise in another area as well. Olaf doesn't quite understand Argon's technobabble, but he does get that a new alloy will be produced that he (Olaf) assumes will be worth millions. So all he has to do is kill Dr. Argon, make it look like a lab accident, replicate the experiment (he's been paying attention to what buttons to push) and then run back to Europe with the alloy. Once he finds a buyer, he'll be a millionaire.

Olaf's plan is inpractical on several levels and the consequences of his crime will come swiftly. By golly, science can administer justice as effectively as a court of law!

"Secret of the Sun," is the shortest story in the book. This is good. The premise isn't particularly strong, but it's enough to prop up a fast read and give it the appropriate sense of irony at the conclusion.

Remember that you can read it for yourself HERE.

Well, a really short story makes for a really short post, doesn't it? There's one more work of fiction left in this issue--a fun novella about a race around the moon. That will give me more to say as I regale you with my brilliant analysis.