# What science fiction story is this?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-science-fiction-story-is-this/1026682>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** books-writing-myths\
**Created:** [January 14, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-science-fiction-story-is-this/1026682 "2026-01-14T12:52:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-science-fiction-story-is-this/1026682/3 "2026-01-14T13:36:52Z")

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I remember something like that. Maybe by Cyril Kornbluth or RA Lafferty or Clifford Simak, one of the humorous golden age authors. Kid could make thing disappear. I remember one part where he offered to make a store owner’s paunch go away, but he declined, as he’s bleed to death.

Wonder if that’s the same one. Damned if I can remember the title!

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