NEWSHOUND
By Milton Lesser
The Fourth Estate was highly specialized
in the 22nd Century; for example, a good newsman
predicted coming events—and made them happen....
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
July 1955
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Darius McLeod leaned back comfortably and watched the mayor sweat.
His Honor popped a phenobarb tablet between his lips, tossing his headand gulping the pill down without water. His moist, nervous hands lefttheir wet imprint on the desk top when he reached into his breastpocket and withdrew a clipping from the morning's New York World.
"You people elected me, McLeod," he said. "Now get me out of this mess."
"We merely supported your candidacy, Your Honor," McLeod said easily."But let's see what you got there."
"It amounts to the same thing," the mayor pleaded. "For God's sake,give me a break."
McLeod shrugged and unfolded the World clipping on his desk."Naturally, the World will oppose your administration," he began."Otherwise they'll never be able to live down the Star-Times' scoopon your election."
"That's precisely what I was saying. The way I understand it, youpeople will have to support your man. The Star-Times can't abandon meto the wolves, not now."
"I'm only a reporter," McLeod explained. "We report events, not makethem."
"That's it. That's what I mean. The attitude. You're treating me like achild."
"You're acting like one."
"All I want is what's fair. Whatever you think is fair."
"Then let me read this thing." The column clipped from the World borethe cut-line COMING EVENTS. McLeod had always liked the Star-Times'LOOKING FORWARD better, although he had to admit that the World's cutof a swami rubbing his crystal ball had a certain fundamental appealfor the masses. House-written, the World column appeared under theby-line of Nostradamus.
McLeod scanned the printed lines quickly. There was a prediction onthe outcome of the World Series. It had better turn out incorrect,thought McLeod: the Star-Times had spent a small fortune buildingup the opposing team. There was something about the dangers of forestfires and an indirect reference to the possibility of a conflagrationnext week in the Adirondack Game Preserve. (The Star-Times would bealerting its fire-fighting unit to prevent such a possibility, McLeodknew.) There was a talk of an impending war between Yugoslavia andFrance at a time when relations between the two countries were nevermore harmonious. McLeod wondered how the World would ever swing it.He read the last two items aloud.
"'We think it's high time the mayor of New York be exposed for hiscorrupt political dealings. We wouldn't be surprised if the mayor wereforced to resign his office in January.... What ace reporter of whatrival New York daily is going to meet with a fatal accident next week?Remember, you read it here first!'"
"January," said the mayor as Darius McLeod folded the column and lit acigaret. "That's next month."
"They could be talking about me."
"Eh? If I'm forced to resign, you'll be scooped."
"Yeah, scooped," McLeod mused. "We're their chief rival. I'm the bigHuck-a-muck over here. Those dirty sons—they can get me out of the wayand scoop us at the same time. Listen, Your Honor, check back with m