Blank? by Randall Garrett (1968)
A man named Bethelman experiences a mysterious two-week memory gap after a night of drinking with Dr. Elijah Kamiroff. He finds himself in New York with no recollection of how he got there, but with a note in his own handwriting urging him to investigate. As he retraces his steps, he discovers he has been extraordinarily lucky in gambling and investments, amassing a small fortune. Bethelman eventually learns from Dr. Kamiroff that he accidentally ingested a compound called diazotimoline, which, when combined with alcohol, projected his mind two weeks into the future. This allowed him to remember future events and capitalize on them. The story concludes with Bethelman realizing he will relive those two weeks and use his knowledge to continue his successful streak.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1968 · Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Mystery · 2,703 words
First lines
Amnesia? Well, maybe -- but how and / where had he earned that $50,000?
Bethelman came to quite suddenly, and found himself standing on the corner of 44th Street and Madison Avenue. He was dizzy for a moment -- not from any physical cause, but from the disorientation. The last thing he could remember, he had been sitting in a bar in Boston, talking to Dr. Elijah Kamiroff. After the interview was over, they'd had a few drinks, and then a few more. After that, things began to get hazy.
What this Textopian page supports
Blank? is listed on Textopian as a short story by Randall Garrett, dated 1968 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1968 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Mystery, Comedy, Adventure
- Length: 2,703 words
- Structure: 1 section, 84 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Blank? by Randall Garrett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative centers on speculative scientific concepts, including experimental drugs and altered time sequences.
- Time Travel — The plot revolves around non-linear time experiences and memory shifts, a quintessential time travel element.
- Mystery — The protagonist investigates unexplained gaps in his memory and puzzling circumstances, driving a sense of enigma.
- Comedy — Wry dialogue and absurd, ironic situations infuse the narrative with a humorous tone despite its complex premise.
Tags
fantasy · mystery · alternate history · detective · magic · suspense · adventure · crime · investigation · paranormal · historical fiction · speculative fiction