The Illustrated Man

“Kaleidoscope” is told from the perspective of a spaceship captain, Hollis. It opens with the explosion of a rocket. The astronauts inside are hurtled into space in different directions but are still able to communicate electronically for an hour or so. Some are calm, some afraid. Others are in denial. One man begins screaming, and Hollis kills him to stop the sound, rationalizing that “the moon or Earth or meteors will kill him, so why not now?” (28-29). Another crew member, Applegate, antagonizes Hollis, criticizing his abilities as captain and insinuating that he had blackballed him at the Rocket Company. A meteor takes off Hollis’s hand, but Hollis tourniquets his spacesuit, prolonging his life.

Another man, Lespere, reminisces about his wives on various planets and his happy life. Hollis, who was frightened of women, tells Lespere none of that matters, as Lespere has ended up here with the rest of them. Hurt, Lespere responds that it does matter, as he has his memories. Hollis realizes he is right—Hollis “only dreams of things he had wanted to do, while Lespere had memories of things done and accomplished” (32). Lespere forgives Hollis for his cruelty. A second meteor takes Hollis’s right foot; again, Hollis seals off his suit.