 Why does the Cosmic Express official assume Eric and Nada are the victims of the situation?
Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Amazing Stories December 1961 and was first published in Amazing Stories November 1930. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note. Experimenter Publications Inc. The Cosmic Express By JACK WILLIAMSON Introduction by Sam Moskowitz They were uncovering new talent at such a great rate, (Harl Vincent, David H. Keller, E. E. Smith, Philip Francis Nowlan, Fletcher Pratt and Miles J. Breuer), that Jack Williamson barely managed to become one of a distinguished group of discoveries by stealing the cover of the December issue for his first story The Metal Man. A disciple of A. Merritt, he attempted to imitate in style, mood and subject the magic of that late lamented master of fantasy. He followed his initial success with two short novels , The Green Girl in AMAZING STORIES and The Alien Intelligence in SCIENCE WONDER STORIES , another Gernsback publication. When the vogue for science-fantasy altered to super science, he created the memorable super lock-picker Giles Habilula as the major attraction in a rousing trio of space operas , The Legion of Space, The Cometeers and One Against the Legion. When grim realism was the order of the day, he produced Crucible of Power and when they wanted extrapolated theory in present tense, he assumed the disguise of Will Stewart and popularized the concept of contra terrene matter in science fiction with Seetee Ship and Seetee Shock. Finally, when only psychological studies of the future would do, he produced "With Folded Hands ..." "... The Cosmic Express is of special interest because it was written during Williamson's A. Merritt "kick," when he was writing little else but, and it gave the earliest indication of a more general capability. It is especially important because it stylistically forecast a later trend to accept the background for granted, regardless of the quantity of wonders, and proceed with the story. He smiled fondly across to the other of the twin beds, where Nada, his pretty bride, lay quiet beneath light silk covers. Yawning, Mr. Eric Stokes-Harding stood before the great open window, staring out.
 The official is more concerned about the drunk operator, given that alcohol is outlawed. It does not occur to the official that anyone would request to be sent to Venus.
 The official is more concerned about the drunk operator, given that alcohol is outlawed. It does not occur to the official that anyone would request to be sent to Venus.  There are only 16 designated Cosmic Express destinations, and Venus is not one of them.  The official knows Eric and Nada should be arrested but does not want the situation to become a scandal.  The Venus colony has not built a receiving station.