The Kenzie Report

The Kenzie Report

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3
(2 Reviews)
The Kenzie Report by Mark Irvin Clifton

Published:

1953

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The Kenzie Report

By

3
(2 Reviews)
If this story has a moral, it is: "Leave well enough alone." Just look what happened to Kenzie "mad-about-ants" MacKenzie, who didn't....

Book Excerpt

faces. Their cheeks grew hollow. Their eyes were bloodshot. Their regular work suffered even more. The Chief thought he was being considerate when he lifted some of their work and shoved it over to the rest of us.

We were already sore at the boys and we didn't take it too kindly. Just the same, we didn't let our squawk get beyond the walls of the lab. No use letting that nosy Personnel Department get an excuse to start holding hands, patting on the back, and radiating aid and comfort to all.

Then--a certain Monday came.

* * * * *

The Chief came in, a little late as usual. Some of the newer guys pretended to be busy, but we were all watching to see what he would do. There is a back door to the Chief's office which he seldom uses and which he always keeps locked. But it opens into the lab wing right at my table. It wasn't my fault, in fiddling around a little with the lock, it came unstuck and the door opened a little so I could hear what went on.

When the Chief came in, both

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This is a dumb story. It's predictable, with the ending being a total let-down. A scientist learns to communicate with ants, and finds they are more intelligent than humans. End of story. Boring.
A slightly funny story of a scientist in a large lab who pursues unauthorized research in communicating with ants when a new lab assistant expresses a similar interest in communicating with termites.

The characters are a bit cartoonish, but it's a humor story. It's short enough that only about ten minutes of your life will be sucked away forever.