The Final Figure
by Sam Jr. Merwin (1910–1996)
- Free to read
- 30 min read
- 4 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"The Final Figure" by Sam Merwin, Jr. is a science fiction novelet written in the early 1950s. The story revolves around a gifted model-maker, Angus MacReedy, whose incredible ability to foresee and craft miniature representations of future military weapons sparks interest and concern among military officials. The narrative explores themes of foresight in warfare, the intersection of creativity and duty, and the implications of possessing knowledge that could alter the course of conflict in a tension-filled world. The plot follows General Wales, who discovers the remarkable accuracy of MacReedy's models, particularly a miniature of a crucial weapon that has not yet been publicly disclosed. Alarmed by the implications of such prophetic talent falling into the wrong hands, Wales attempts to leverage MacReedy's abilities for national security while grappling with ethical dilemmas about personal freedom and responsibility. As the story progresses, it reveals a world where imagination can dictate reality, culminating in a chilling twist that underscores the value of knowledge and the price of innovation—both for the individual and society. Ultimately, the narrative questions whether foresight can truly predict the future or if it merely shapes the pathways to the inevitable.
Read the opening
Chapter 2
The sight of the huge olive-drab Cadillac limousine with its two-starred flag and white trimmed and be-fourragered sergeant-chauffeur seemed to awe Toby, who lapsed into mere occasional monosyllables during the drive through the late afternoon to his Long Island home. It was as if, since the General was in mufti, the lad had not quite been able to believe in his reality—until official car and chauffeur offered proof.
This was quite all right with the General, who was desperately trying to rearrange the chaos of his thoughts into some sort of order. He knew he was being dangerously imaginative for a man in his position. But what if this MacReedy actually could foresee the future, at least in its military manifestations?
Granting this impossibility, how could the man be used? The General shuddered at the thought of "selling" anyone with such a gift to the Combined Chiefs of Staff—those quiet-eyed, low-voiced, strictly pragmatic men on whom, perhaps, the future of country and world depended. Even if they by some wild chance accepted the impossibility, he knew full well what would be the tenor of their thoughts—and therefore of their questions.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Final Figure by Sam Jr. Merwin comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #41062, released 2012-10-14. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Science-Fiction & Fantasy.
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