Someone tells me that they read a science fiction story in the early 1950’s with the following description: The story had three parts, which were named “Section 1,” “Section 2,” and “Section 3.” In the book where he read this story, the sections appeared in some order other than 1, 2, and 3. It might have been in the order 3, 1, 2, for instance. When you read the story as it appeared in the book, it told one coherent story. If, however, you read it in the order 1, 2, and 3, it told a different but still coherent story. Does this sound at all like anything you’ve ever read?
It rings a very faint bell, but I can’t make any useful suggestions on how to proceed further. As you know, any other details of plot, or the names of characters or places would be helpful. On occasion, I’ve been able to find a story by remembering other stories that were in the same anthology.
I’ll ask the person who told me about this story and see if he remembers any other details.
Isaac Asimov did that in “The Gods Themselves”, but in '72.
Not really. He just started the story with a scene that came later chronologically, and called it Chapter 6. It was basically just a way to introduce an extended flashback.
Could it have been “Happy Ending” by Henry Kuttner?
It’s in 3 sections, end, middle and lastly the beginning.
It begins
"THIS IS THE WAY THE STORY ENDED: JAMES KELVIN
concentrated very hard on the thought of the chemist with the red moustache who had promised him a million dollars. It was simply a matter of tuning in on the man’s brain, establishing a rapport. He had done it before. Now it was more important than ever that he do it this one last time. He pressed the button on the gadget the robot had given him, and thought hard."
Thanks, TPWombat, I’ll ask him about that story.