02380cam a22003493u 4500 30353 UtSlPG 20260610133707.0 m cr n 260607r2009||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Hernhuter, Albert, 1934- The Smiler Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2009 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction July 1952. Release date is 2009-10-28 Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net "The Smiler" by Albert Hernhuter is a science fiction short story originally published in the early 1950s. The narrative unfolds in a tense and intriguing atmosphere, centered around the themes of infiltration, control, and the potential dangers of creative expression. It explores ideas about the power of imagination and its impact on society through the lens of an extraordinary premise involving Martians disguised as humans. The story revolves around Martin Cole, a literary agent who admits to killing a fellow writer, Sanford Smith, to protect a Martian conspiracy aimed at taking over Earth. During a coroner's inquest discussing Smith's death, Cole reveals that the Martians view science fiction writers as a significant threat due to their ability to disclose forbidden knowledge and undermine their plans. As the inquest progresses, it becomes apparent that Cole's seemingly controlled demeanor masks a chilling reality, leaving a haunting impression of how deeply their influence pervades society. The riveting conclusion sees Cole using a deadly weapon disguised as a common fountain pen, emphasizing the story's themes of hidden dangers and the subversive potential of fiction. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction Produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction July 1952. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30353 71200 71200