Book Excerpt for the Day

    "Well," the Bemme robot spoke up, "my kind has fought the bone-fleshed kind ever since our two species went to space and discovered the delights of interstellar war.  We even named your kind: MAN."

    "You did?" Norton asked, surprised.

    "Of course. MAN - an acronym."  The mouth on the screen quirked with obscure humor.

    "Oh? What do the letters stand for?"

    "Multi-Appendaged Numbskull, of course.  Every creature who is worthy of the title sapience knows that."

    "What?" Dursten exclaimed indignantly.  "It can't be that!"

    The Bemme fidgeted, and the screen mouth frowned.  "I did clean it up a little for mixed company."  Two eyes formed on the screen, glancing at the Alicorn.

    "What's the danged original?" the spaceman demanded.

    "Mucky-Arsed -"

   "We'd better get moving," Norton said quickly.



(from Bearing An Hourglass, by Piers Anthony)

5½*/10.  The complete review is here.