Free STRANGE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY OMNIBUS by Benson Grayson Page B

into the area, selling meats at prices far lower than Jerry could afford. One after another, Jerry was forced to let his workers go, retaining only Paul McBride, who had served with him in the army, been wounded in the leg, and still walked with a pronounced limp.
    Now business had fallen off so much, that Jerry knew he would soon have to close the butcher shop. As much as he hated to, he planned to give Paul his two weeks’ notice that Saturday. Even after eliminating Paul’s modest pay, he doubted that he would be able to send his son Michael back to Notre Dame for his senior year. And as for being able to send his daughter, Patricia Ellen, to college when she graduated from high school next year, that was too preposterous even to contemplate.
    Jerry was seated at the back of the store, looking despondently at the wall clock. It was almost closing time, and there had been only two customers so far that day. He heard the bell signaling the entry of a customer, and turned to the door. A very tall, very slender man dressed entirely in black, his body enveloped in a black cape, had entered the shop. He wore a tall silk hat, of the kind Jerry had seen only in the old movies on TV, showing the upper classes at society parties.
    “Good afternoon,” said the visitor, speaking in a sepulchral voice. “Are you the proprietor of the Quality Meat Market?”
    “I am,” said Jerry. “What can I do for you?”
    “My name is Underwood,” said the visitor. “I am the representative in this area of the AAA Meat Service. We provide the highest quality meats to retailers, such as yourself, at the lowest possible price.”
    The last thing Jerry needed right then was more meat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Underwood,” he said sadly. “I already have an excellent wholesaler. Please don’t waste your time. I can’t possibly buy any meat from you.”
    His words seemed lost on Underwood. From the folds of his cape, he extracted a sheaf of paper and laid it down in front of Jerry. This is our price list. As you can see, the prices we charge are extremely competitive.”
    Jerry glanced at the sheet of paper. The prices charged were less than thirty percent of what he was currently paying. He knew there was no way in the world the AAA Meat Service could sell meat to him at that price. It had to be a scam.
    Mr. Underwood,” he said. “Your prices are good but I’m afraid my answer is still no.”
    Underwood was not the least perturbed. “Naturally,” he said, “I appreciate your doubts. Allow me to explain the terms of our offer. We will provide you with the quantity of meat you sell each week entirely free of charge. It will give you the opportunity to try the meat, to see what your customers think of it and to sample it yourself. If at the end of the week you do not wish to give us further orders, we simply walk away with no charge to you. If, as we expect, you find our meat attaining or exceeding the quality of the meat you currently sell, you make us your regular supplier and purchase the meat at the prices shown in our price list.
    Jerry stood silently, mulling over the offer. Try as he might, he was unable to find any catch. The way business was going, he certainly had to do something drastic. If the meat provided by Underwood was nearly as good as what he was now selling, one week’s free supply would be a cash bonanza for him. He could keep Paul on a little longer. With a few additional economies, he might even be able to send his son back to college for his senior year.
    “All right,” he said slowly. “I accept your offer.
    Underwood then explained the details of the delivery. Everything seemed routine except that Underwood insisted that the meat would have to be delivered at exactly midnight on Sunday. Try as he might, Underwood refused to budge. “Our delivery schedules,” he said, “Are carefully coordinated, so that we can provide the meat at the price we charge. Any alteration would be far too costly. Reluctantly, Jerry