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Thought and Mrs. Lewis

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Button, Button by Richard Matheson 5 The package was lying by the front door - a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape, the name and address printed by band: MR; AND MRS. ARTHUR Lewis, 217 E. 37TH STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10016. Norma picked it up, unlocked the door, and went into the apartment. It was just getting dark. After she put the lamb chops in the broiler, she made herself a drink and sat down to open the package. Inside the carton was a push—button unit fastened to a small wooden box. A glass dome covered the 10 button. Norma tried to lift it off, but it was locked in place. She turned the unit over and saw a folded piece of paper Scotch-taped to the bottom of the box. She pulled it off: “Mr. Steward will call on you at eight …show more content…

“Yes, Mrs. Lewis.” Mr. Steward sounded pleased. “I’m curious.” “That’s natural,” Mr. Steward said. “Not that I believe a word of what you told us.” 10 “Oh, it’s quite authentic,” Mr. Steward answered. “Well, whatever Norma swallowed. “When you said someone in the world would die, what did you mean?” “Exactly that,” he answered. “It could be anyone. All we guarantee is that you don’t know them. And, of course, that you wouldn’t have to watch them die.” “For fifty thousand dollars,” Norma said. 15 “That is correct.” She made a scoffing sound. “That’s crazy.” “Nonetheless, that is the proposition” Mr. Steward said. “Would you like me to return the button unit?” Norma stiffened. “Certainly not.” She hung up angrily. 20 The package was lying by the front door; Norma saw it as she left the elevator. Well, of all the nerve, she thought. She glared at the carton as she unlocked the door. I just won’t take it in, she thought. She went inside and started dinner. Later, she carried her drink to the front hall. Opening the door, she picked up the package and carried it into the kitchen, leaving it on the table. 25 She sat in the living room, sipping her drink and looking out the window. After awhile, she went back into the kitchen to turn the cutlets in the broiler. She put the package in a bottom cabinet. She’d throw it out in the morning. “Maybe some eccentric millionaire is playing games with people,” she said. Arthur looked up from his dinner. “I don’t

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