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Cover of The Ambulance Made Two Trips

The Ambulance Made Two Trips

Written by Murray Leinster

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Science FictionShort storiesPoliceGangstersLuck

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About this book

"The Ambulance Made Two Trips" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The narrative follows Detective Sergeant Fitzgerald as he navigates the underbelly of crime in a town plagued by the nefarious activities of racketeer Big Jake Connors. The story delves into themes of corruption, ethics in law enforcement, and the extraordinary concepts of psionics and probability manipulation. In the plot, Detective Fitzgerald finds himself embroiled in a situation where violent intentions go awry, thanks to a psi unit utilized by a man named Brink, who seeks to thwart Big Jake's threats against his business. As Fitzgerald investigates odd occurrences surrounding Big Jake's schemes, he discovers that those intending harm find their plans thwarted, leading to mishaps instead of violent outcomes—such as pants catching fire or perpetrators crashing their cars. The story concludes with Fitzgerald and Brink confronting Big Jake and his thugs, highlighting how the unexpected consequences of esoteric forces can alter destiny. The intertwining of crime and speculative sci-fi elements creates a unique narrative exploring the implications of powerlessness against corrupt influences.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Ambulance Made Two Trips, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • gritty
  • ingenious

Murray Leinster's "The Ambulance Made Two Trips" is a captivating science fiction short story from the early 1960s, blending classic detective noir with speculative elements. The narrative centers on Detective Sergeant Fitzgerald, who finds himself investigating a series of bizarre mishaps befalling the schemes of notorious racketeer Big Jake Connors. These strange occurrences—like pants spontaneously igniting or cars crashing unexpectedly—are the result of a hidden psi unit, wielded by a man named Brink, designed to subtly alter probabilities and thwart violent intentions without direct confrontation. The story explores the ethical ambiguities of law enforcement, the pervasive nature of corruption, and the implications of extraordinary powers used to manipulate fate. Ultimately, Fitzgerald and Brink confront Big Jake, showcasing how esoteric forces can subtly but profoundly shift the balance of power and destiny.

“"In this town, Big Jake didn't just break the law; he seemed to bend reality itself to his will. Until now."”

Key themes

Corruption vs. Justice
This theme explores the pervasive nature of criminal corruption, epitomized by Big Jake Connors, and the struggle of conventional law enforcement (Fitzgerald) to combat it. The story highlights the limitations of traditional justice systems when faced with powerful, entrenched criminal elements and then introduces an extraordinary, speculative solution to tip the scales.
The Nature of Power and Powerlessness
This theme explores different forms of power: Big Jake's brute force and corrupt influence, Fitzgerald's limited institutional power, and Brink's subtle, technologically-enhanced power. It highlights the feeling of powerlessness experienced by ordinary citizens and honest law enforcement against entrenched crime, and then offers a speculative answer to reclaim agency.
Ethics in Law Enforcement
The story implicitly raises questions about the ethical boundaries of law enforcement and the moral implications of using unconventional, even supernatural, means to achieve justice. Fitzgerald, as a traditional officer, must reconcile his duty with the extraordinary methods employed by Brink.

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How does the story blend the conventions of detective noir with science fiction, and what does this blending achieve thematically?

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