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                               ROAD STOP

                            by David Mason

               It was like any other car on the road. It
              was automatic, self-contained--and eternal!

           [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
              Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1963.
         Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
         the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]


The highway stretched away in ruler-straight perspective toward both
horizons, black and shining in the sun like a river of ink. Beside
it, the bright pastel buildings of Rest Stop 25 stood among the green
trees. Occasionally a car shot past, a flash of metal and a hiss of
split wind; but the road was one which was used more often at night,
and was nearly empty in the afternoon.

Sam was the only attendant on duty. Stop 25 needed on