Transit of Earth

 Transit of Earth (1971) by Playboy Press

An anthology of stories that originally appeared in Playboy Magazine. Though most of the stories are by big names in classic science fiction, I wouldn't say these are their biggest and best stories. The title story is a good one that I've read before. "It Didn't Happen" gives a nice twist to crime fiction as does "Let There Be Light." But for downright science fiction, I believe "Control Somnambule" is the best of the lot. ★★★

"Transit of Earth" by Arthur C. Clarke: A doomed astronaut on Mars fulfills his mission by recording the rare transit of Earth across the sun. He knows that he will be the last human to witness it for a century.

"Button, Button" by Richard Matheson: A couple receive a mysterious package. They learn that if they just press the button on the gadget inside they can earn $50,000. The catch? Someone, somewhere will die if they do. They're told they won't know the person who dies. The husband is horrified at the thought, but the wife is intrigued. 

"The Machineries of Joy" by Ray Bradbury: Priests argue over the idea of space travel and whether there ever was a papal encyclical on the subject. An interesting study on the reluctance to accept change...as well as a character study of people who know each other well enough to get under each other's skin.

"The Invasion" by Avram Davidson: When aliens take over the Earth it may not be as obvious as monsters showing up in spaceships. A young woman soon learns the terrifying truth from the man she meets in a bar and takes home with her....

"Bernie the Faust" by William Tenn: Featuring the only man to sell the Earth...and buy it back again. And the reason why it happens.

"Cephalotron" by Thomas M. Disch: Written in the style of a press release, this is about the release of a brand new toy--post-atomic, mutant humans in miniature form. Lots of fun! And a way to (maybe) make these poor creatures less miserable.

"It Didn't Happen" by Fredric Brown: A wealthy playboy fancies a lovely stripper and is sure she'll be glad to give him a private performance--for money, of course. When she refuses, he doesn't take rejection well...and shoots her. But the rest of the story just goes on to prove that all may not be what it seems. (one hit by car; two shot)

"The Man in the Rorschach Shirt" by Ray Bradbury: A psychoanalyst has a moment of truth about his profession. 

"Waste Not, Want Not" by John Atherton: At the rate humans fill up the dumps, is it any wonder that one day there will be no more room for the non-biodegradable waste? Future leaders come up with an ingenious solution--not once, but twice.

"Control Somnambule" by William Sambrot: The first man to circumnavigate the moon goes "missing" on  Earth's tracking system for almost six hours, but he says he never lost a minute of contact with Earth. What really happened during those missing hours?

"Let There Be Light" by Arthur C. Clarke: When an astronomy buff becomes aware that his much younger wife is having an affair, he devises what he believes to be the perfect (perfectly undetectable) murder method. (one fell from height)

"Speed Trap" by Frederik Pohl: A man just knows that if he could find the time that he could devise the perfect way for everyone to have plenty of time to do all the things they need/want to. But just as he thinks things are coming together, they fall apart. Someone had told him that "the world conspired against anybody who'd ever done anything." But what if that force conspiring against us wasn't of this world? (one fell from height; one drowned)

"Souvenir" by J. G. Ballard: This is a weird one. The body of a giant washes up on the shore. That's it. It's basically about the impermanence of life and the short life span of any newsworthy item. But I have so many questions. Scientists show up to examine the body and measure it and whatnot--then go away and are never heard from again (in this story). And that's it? Nobody really seems to think that it's particularly odd that this humongous man has just appeared on the beach. No apparent worry that there might be more giants out there somewhere--giants who might be alive when they show up next time. 

First line (1st story): Testing one, two, three, four, five...Evans speaking.

Last line (last story): In the winter the high curved bones are deserted, battered by the breaking waves, but in the summer they provide an excellent perch for the sea-worrying gulls.