Aug 10, 2026 · 6 hr 23 min · 29 segments
Dive into the thought-provoking world of Philip K. Dick‚Äôs science fiction classic, Variable Man. Originally published in 1953 in Space Science Fiction, this captivating tale unfolds in a future…
Chapter 1.
All the stars were smothered by the light of its copper-yellow flame, and although the sun had set two hours ago, the earth was lit as with the glow of a thunderous dawn.
In Mayfield, Ken Maddox walked slowly along Main Street, avoiding collisions with other people whose eyes were fixed on the object in the sky.
Ken had spent scores of hours observing the comet carefully, both by naked eye and with his twelve-inch reflecting telescope.
Still, he could not keep from watching it as he picked his way along the street toward the post office.
There was no visible change.
The astronomers had cautioned that none was to be expected.
The Earth had passed through the tails of comets before, although briefly, and none of the inhabitants had been physically aware of the event.
This time, there was a difference.
As intangible as a mere suspicion, it could yet be felt, and there was expectancy of the unknown in the air.
Ken prided himself on a scientific attitude, but it was hard not to share the feelings of those around him that something momentous and mysterious was taking place this night.
There would be no quick passage this time.
Earth would lie within the tail for a period of over four months as they both made their way around the sun.
Such close-lying orbits had never occurred before in the known history of the world.
It's frightening, isn't it? Ken was aware that he had stopped at the edge of a crowd in front of Billings Drugstore, and beside him, Maria Larson was staring intently upward as she spoke.
She was a small, blonde girl with intense blue eyes.
Chapter 1.
All the stars were smothered by the light of its copper-yellow flame, and although the sun had set two hours ago, the earth was lit as with the glow of a thunderous dawn.
In Mayfield, Ken Maddox walked slowly along Main Street, avoiding collisions with other people whose eyes were fixed on the object in the sky.
Ken had spent scores of hours observing the comet carefully, both by naked eye and with his twelve-inch reflecting telescope.
Still, he could not keep from watching it as he picked his way along the street toward the post office.
There was no visible change.
The astronomers had cautioned that none was to be expected.
The Earth had passed through the tails of comets before, although briefly, and none of the inhabitants had been physically aware of the event.
This time, there was a difference.
As intangible as a mere suspicion, it could yet be felt, and there was expectancy of the unknown in the air.
Ken prided himself on a scientific attitude, but it was hard not to share the feelings of those around him that something momentous and mysterious was taking place this night.
There would be no quick passage this time.
Earth would lie within the tail for a period of over four months as they both made their way around the sun.
Such close-lying orbits had never occurred before in the known history of the world.
It's frightening, isn't it? Ken was aware that he had stopped at the edge of a crowd in front of Billings Drugstore, and beside him, Maria Larson was staring intently upward as she spoke.
She was a small, blonde girl with intense blue eyes.
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