edb@akgua.UUCP (e.d. brooks ) (10/14/83)
Once upon a time, many years ago (circa 1970), I read a wonderful short story in some SF anthology for which I remember absolutely nothing that will help me re-discover it - title or author/editor for either story or collection. If you recognize the following synopsis, please send mail. A man jumps off the Golden Gate bridge leaving behind a tattered Bible. He was once a member of a survey/contact station on a water world where the cetacean-like inhabitants traded jewels. Our hero had discovered these creatures to be gentle, innocent city-builders living in a (to him) Paradise. Being pessimistic about their survival chances when confronted with the rest of humanity he attempts to teach them about betrayal, etc. by depth-bombing the cities, sinking the contact station, and maching-gunning the creatures who drop by to see what's happening. He tells the re-supply ship that rescues him a tale of attack by the inhabitants. In the Bible is a hand-written plea, "Dear God, please exist. Please prepare a Hell for me.". Anyone out there have any info on this? (Responses summarized and posted...) Thanks in advance, Emily Brooks ...!ihnp4!akgua!edb