STRANGE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY OMNIBUS Read Online Free PDF Page A

condition of the day before. To change the subject, he said “I’m feeling a bit hungry. Do you happen to have any cheese in your house?”
    “I apologize for my poor manners,” the man said. “I’ve been a poor host. Please sit down and I’ll see if I have any cheese in the house.”
    Dishney walked to a large, white metal cabinet along one wall and opened a door in its front. A white light came on and Ludeveccio could see various foodstuffs in its interior. The man removed an orange block of what appeared to be food, cut off a piece and placed it on a saucer, which he set before Ludeveccio.
    “I’m afraid all I could find was this American cheese,” he said. “I do hope you like it. Would you care for something to drink? I have coffee ready and there are some bottles of soda in the refrigerator.”
    “If I may, just give me some water,” the mouse answered. He had no idea of what coffee or soda were and was a bit apprehensive about trying strange foods. He bit into the so-called American cheese and had to hide his disappointment. As hungry as he was, he found it difficult to eat. It was certainly not like any of the Italian cheeses he enjoyed.
    Then he noticed that Dishney had taken another cup from the counter and poured more of the coffee into it. He then added a white liquid which looked like milk.
    “Is that cream?” Ludeveccio asked. “If it is, may I have some to drink?” Dishey poured some of the cream on to a saucer and placed it on the table in front of Ludevecchio.
    “Thank you, Dishney,” the mouse said politely.
    The man frowned. “Do you have difficulty in pronouncing Disney?” he asked. “My name is not Dishney. It’s actually Walt Disney.”
    Ludeveccio felt foolish and turned a beet red. His mother had always instructed him to take pains to learn the exact name of the people to whom he had been introduced and to make certain he pronounced it properly.
    “I’m so sorry, Disney,” he said.
    “I gather from your manner of speaking,” the human said, “That although you speak it rather well, English is not your native tongue.“It’s improper here to refer to someone by just their last name. It implies a feeling of superiority. “I would prefer it if you would call me Mr. Disney or, if we become friends, as Walt. “
    “Of course, Mr. Disney,” Ludeveccio said,. not wishing to appear pushy by calling him ‘Walt.’ My name is Ludeveccio. My mother only gave me one name. My father’s name was Medici, he added proudly. He was from one of the most distinguished families in Florence.”
    “I’m glad to meet you Ludeveccio,” Mr. Disney said. “Tell me, you said your father came from Florence. Is that Florence, Italy?”
    “Why yes, of course.” He recognized the use of the name Italy, although generally it had not been used in Sicily. “Can you tell me where we are? I’ve been traveling, and when I met you on the beach I was actually uncertain of my location..”
    “We’re in southern California, close to Hollywood.”
    This did not make sense to Ludeveccio. He had a good knowledge of geography as it was known back in Sicily, but clearly he was a considerable distance from his home. Possibly, he could ascertain in what time he was in. Not wanting to mention the time machine, he decided to probe the subject indirectly.
    “Do you know which day it is?” he inquired.
    “Why yes, it’s April Seventeenth,” Mr. Disney said.
    This was of no help. “I wonder if you could tell me the full date, including the year. As you noted, my English is not as good as it should be, and I’d like to be able to use it correctly.”
    “Of course,” Mr. Disney said. “It’s April seventeenth, nineteen twenty-eight.”
    Nineteen twenty-eight. Ludeveccio realized that he had traveled almost eight hundred years into the future.
    “My God,” Mr. Disney suddenly exclaimed, putting down his cup of coffee. “I almost forgot. I have a meeting today with the studio. I have to get dressed and