Extempore (short story)
"Extempore" (alternate title "The Beach Where Time Began") is a science fiction short story by American writer Damon Knight. It first appeared in the August 1956 issue of Infinity Science Fiction and has been reprinted twice, in Far Out (1961) and The Best of Damon Knight (1976).[1]
| "Extempore" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Damon Knight |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Published in | Infinity Science Fiction |
| Publication type | Periodical |
| Publisher | Royal Publications Incorporated |
| Media type | Print (Magazine, Hardback & Paperback) |
| Publication date | August 1956 |
Synopsis
Albert Rossi, a New York dishwasher, learns to travel through time. Once started, he continues at an accelerated pace, continuing until the end of time and then starting over. By an effort of will he manages to stop at a "scarlet beach with its golden laughing people". But he is now frozen in time forever and appears to the beachcombers as a rock-hard, immobile statue.
Background
About this story, Knight wrote [2]
Here is another of my time stories, put together out of bits and pieces of Far Rockaway, Milne, Einstein, etc. (I don't see why the speculations of modern physicists shouldn't be used as incantations.) I don't think "Extempore" is terribly probable, but see for yourself.
References
- Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections
- Knight, Damon (1976), The Best of Damon Knight, Nelson Doubleday, New York