All In The Mind Read online

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  All in the Mind

  By Gene L. Henderson

  Illustrated by Paul Orban

  [Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from If Worlds of ScienceFiction April 1954. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence thatthe U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

  [Sidenote: _When does life begin?... A well-known book says "forty". Awell-known radio program says "eighty". Some folks say it's mental,others say it's physical. But take the strange case of Mel Carlson whogave a lot of_ thought _to the matter_.]

  Mel felt as if he were floating on clouds in the deepest, most intensedark he had ever experienced. He tried opening his eyes but nothinghappened, only a sharp pain. Little bits of memory flashed back and hetried to figure out what could have happened, where he was.

  The last thing he could remember was the little lab hidden back in themountains in an old mine tunnel. Remote, but only an hour's drive fromthe city. What had he been doing? Oh yes, arguing with Neil again. Heeven recalled the exact words.

  "Damn it, Mel," his partner had said. "We've gone about as far aspossible working with animal brains. We've got to get a human one."

  "We can't," Mel had disagreed. "There'd be enough of an uproar if thepapers got hold of what we've been doing with animals. If we did getsomeone in a hospital to agree to let us use his brain on death, theywould close us up tighter than a drum."

  "But our lab's too well hidden, they'd never know."

  "It wouldn't work anyway. The brain might be damaged for lack of oxygenand all of our work would go for nothing. Worse, it might indicatefailure where a fresh, healthy brain would mean success."

  "We'll never know unless we try," said Neil almost violently, dark eyesglittering. "Our funds aren't going to last forever."

  Mel had turned his back and was leaning over the tank where the latestbrain--that from a dog--was lying immersed in the life-giving liquid, athin flickering line of light on the oscilloscope behind the tank theonly indication that the brain was alive.

  What had happened then? He thought hard, until a sharp pain and growingheadache almost made him lose consciousness. Either he'd passed out orsomething had happened. Maybe the cave had collapsed the concrete wallsof their lab, although he didn't see how that could have happened.

  He became aware of voices, faint at first, then growing stronger. Hestrained to listen and just when it appeared that the words would becomedistinct enough to understand, they faded away. He waited hopefullyuntil they came back. This time he could understand words and parts ofsentences.

  "... connect this first and...."

  "No, be careful. Too much voltage would ruin everything and we'd haveto...."

  "Where does this connection go, here?"

  The other voice boomed in then, deep vibrations feeling as if they wouldshatter his brain. There was a frantic quality in the words.

  "No, no, you fool, don't...." A penetrating pain knifed through Mel'shead and he tried to scream but heard nothing but a loud buzzing. Hewelcomed the loss of consciousness as it blanketed him.

  He struggled back to consciousness once more, a voice calling over andover in a monotone. "Mel, Mel Carlson. Can you hear me, Mel? Mel, MelCarlson. Can you hear me, Mel?" he listened intently, recognizing it asone of the first voices he had heard. He tried to move but could feel noresponse of legs or arms. It was like being buried alive and he tried tocall out for help. He must have lost his voice because he could stillhear the same call.

  "Mel, Mel Carlson, can you...." It broke off abruptly, then came backtriumphantly. "You do hear me, Mel, I can see."

  Again Mel tried to call out, without success. The other warned quickly."Don't become alarmed. We're still working on your voice. Just try torest." Mel suddenly realized that he'd been listening to Neil and a waveof thankfulness swept over him. There had been a cave-in then and he'dbeen injured. Neil was speaking again, a note of professional regret inhis voice.

  "I'm sorry it had to happen this way but there was too much tied up inthe project to lose now." A growing realization and horror began to seepthrough Mel's mind. Neil continued, after a brief pause. "The sine wavejumped. I see you must realize now. I had to do it, Mel. After all, youaren't dead you know, just your body is gone. Your brain may live forhundreds of years. Why just think, you'll be able...." Oblivion againclaimed Mel.

  * * * * *

  Once more Mel was floating on clouds and this time the sensation wasexhilarating. He tried moving his arms and legs to see if he could swimthrough the velvety darkness but failed. A faint glow began to appearahead of him and a low rumble of voices began to echo throughout hismind. Full realization of what had happened swept over him and hestruggled to retain his sanity. The voices were louder and he recognizedthat of Neil, who was saying,

  "... is conscious now. Easy on the voltage, remember last time." A briefpause, then louder. "Mel, I see that you hear me. Listen carefully. I'vetried out several of my own theories, that's why you can hear. And, injust a moment, I'm going to give you eyesight. We're having trouble witha voice." The light began growing in intensity and hurt his eyeballs.Mel remembered then, depressed, that he had no eyes of his own. Even atthe thought, he tried to shut his eyes which only caused his brain toache more. He tried completely relaxing in an endeavor to capture thefloating sensation once more.

  "Ah, that's better," approved Neil's voice. "I see that the brain wavehas smoothed down. If you'll just accept what's happened, Mel, we shouldbe able to work together." Figures began to form in the white mist. Asthey became stronger but out of focus, he saw Neil bent over a controlpanel, carefully making adjustments and glancing frequently at theleaping line of green light across the scope in front of him. He felt asurge of hate sweep through his brain and saw the green line jumpviolently. Neil's hand jumped instinctively toward a red-covered switch.At the same time, he flashed a glance towards a tank that was barelywithin the range of Mel's vision. He realized almost at once that itmust be the same one in which his brain was resting. The full, sickeningrealization of what had happened hit him and he almost went over theblack-out line. Then Neil's face loomed square in his direction andhate, the most intense he had ever experienced, brought the green linethat represented his brain's output up to full level.

  His brain sent impulses out to the nerve ends that had controlled hisarms and legs. They felt as if they were still attached to him butparalyzed. His mind felt clearer and sharper now than it ever had beforein his life. He determined to analyze his new mental capabilitiescarefully in the hope he would find a means of striking back.

  During the next few weeks, only his hatred for Neil enabled Mel to keephis sanity. The first empty feeling that the future could hold nothingfor him but horror gave way to planning and scheming. His mechanicalvoice was perfected, operated by the nerve ends of his brain, much ashis original vocal cords had functioned. It enabled him to now assist inhis own rehabilitation by suggesting improvements or solutions tomechanical aids he could control. The steady growth or realization ofhis mental powers were amazing to Mel. He realized that they must havebeen inherent and in his subconscious all of the time, only his loss ofbody brought them out now. That, plus the fact that he requiredpractically no rest if the stimulants pumped into the tank weresufficient.

  * * * * *

  This last was the clue to his use by Neil. It became apparent that hiserstwhile partner planned on using him to the fullest possible extent.First Neil brought in a problem concerning a new type of paint to absorbthe rays of the sun and convert them into electrical energy. Not
untilhe had studied the problem and given Neil the answer did Mel realize thefull financial potentiality of his powers.

  He immediately brought up the subjects. "What about our partnershipagreement on profits?" he asked.

  "Profits?" repeated Neil with a nasty smile. "Why? Where did you plan ongoing?"

  For once Mel was glad that his voice was flat and devoid of allinflection. It kept the other from sensing the rage that made him wantto do something violent. "You know what I mean," he insisted doggedly."Unless you want to admit murder, we're still partners."

  Neil laughed and said, "That's right. Of course I can draw any and allfunds that I need but if the