The Demolished Man

by Alfred Bester

The essence of murder never changes. In every era it remains the conflict of the killer against society with the victim as the prize. And the ABC of conflict with society remains constant. Be audacious, be brave, be confident and you will not fail. Against these assets society can have no defense.

There was kindliness in that power, but it was corroded by the habit of tyranny.

For an instant, Reich wavered on the verge of surrender. Then he mustered himself to meet the attack. “And give up the best fight of my life? No. Never in a million years, Linc. We’re going to slug this one straight down to the finish.” Powell shrugged angrily. They both arose. Instinctively their hands met in the four-way clasp of final farewell. “I lost a great partner in you,” Reich said. “You lost a great man in yourself, Ben.” “Enemies?” “Enemies.” It was the beginning of Demolition.

It was anger for the relentless force of evolution that insisted on endowing man with increased powers without removing the vestigial vices that prevented him from using them.

Clock face Hour hand at 9 Minute hand at 01 Second hand at Demolition