The Walls

By Keith Laumer

Four walls do not a prison make, unless they look out upon a world that doesn’t exist any more. Keith Laumer was a Hugo and Nebula award nominee! Before becoming a science fiction writer Laumer was an officer in the United States Air Force and a diplomat in the Foreign Service, adding a note of realism to many of his stories. One of science fiction’s true luminaries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781515445746

Keith Laumer

John Keith Laumer (June 9, 1925 – January 23, 1993) was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force and a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service. His older brother March Laumer was also a writer, known for his adult reinterpretations of the Land of Oz (also mentioned in Laumer's The Other Side of Time). Frank Laumer, their youngest brother, is a historian and writer.

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The Walls

by Keith Laumer

©2020 Positronic Publishing.

The Walls is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales or institutions is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except for brief quotations for review purposes only.

ISBN 13: 978-1-5154-4574-6

Table of Contents

The Walls

The Walls

Four walls do not a prison make, unless they look out upon a world that doesn’t exist any more.

Harry Trimble looked pleased when he stepped into the apartment. The lift door had hardly clacked shut behind him on the peering commuter faces in the car before he had slipped his arm behind Flora’s back, bumped his face against her cheek and chuckled, Well, what would you say to a little surprise? Something you’ve waited a long time for?

Flora looked up from the dial-a-ration panel. A surprise, Harry?

I know how you feel about the apartment, Flora. Well, from now on, you won’t be seeing so much of it—

Harry!

He winced at her clutch on his arm. Her face was pale under the day-glare strip. We’re not—moving to the country...?

Harry pried his arm free. "The