Review: Science Fiction:“The Clean and Wholesome Land” by Ralph Sholto

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During a lecture by Professor Cargill, Director of Education in the New State, Neal Pardeau, Director of Public Safety, prowls the dark auditorium, looking for them. This is where they plot and scheme—in the dark places in the heart of patriotism. Pardeau’s eyes land on Emil Hillerman, his Deputy of Vital Intelligence. He taps him on the shoulder and asks him to step outside. “What have you been doing relative to Karl Lenster?” Hillerman is intimidated. The narrative is permeated with menace in a creepy, understated way that is far more effective than the stereotypic way of people marching in with two oversized bodyguards. Hillerman stammers that he’s doing all that’s humanly possible. In the meantime, Cargill’s voice is booming through speakers, decrying the character of Karl Lenster as “a degenerate—a dope fiend whose greatness lay only in the realms of his sensual dreams…” Pardeau won’t let his Deputy of Vital Intelligence off the hook so easily. He tells him he has to attend a Council meeting in half an hour. They will want a report. What about Lenster? Poor Hillerman mentions something called the Wyckoff Chemical Transformation, but then changes his mind and reminds his Chief the secret jails are full. His interrogators are working night and day. He does not know he has sealed his fate. This is a deeply creepy dystopian story influenced by 1984. Professor Cargill’s lecture lasts—and is repeated—through the whole narrative on car radios (no one would be caught listening to or broadcasting anything else), lobby speakers, and public address systems. Only at appropriate moments, such as after applause, can one turn it off for Council meetings, for example. Because I know you will ask, John Roberts, the science fiction elements involve the setting and the Wyckoff Chemical Transformation. And since to say more about the latter is to give away much of the ending, I’ll stay mum about it. I could find no bio info for author Ralph Sholto. The Internet Speculative Fiction Database lists three stories written under this name, all publishing in 1952, which raises, at least to my mind, the possibility the name is a penname—but I could be wrong. This story is available from Project Gutenberg: _____ Title: “The Clean and Wholesome Land” Author: Ralph Sholto First published: If, September 1952 Source: ISFDB