A Loint of Paw

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"A Loint of Paw"
Author Isaac Asimov
Country Flag of the United States USA
Language English
Genre(s) Science fiction short story
Published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
Publication type Digest magazine
Publication date August, 1957

A Loint of Paw is a vignette by Isaac Asimov, first published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in August, 1957.[1] The title of the story is a play on the words "a point of law", which alludes to the punchline of the story also being a pun.[2] Asimov's author's note states that he considers "a play on words the noblest form of wit."[2]

The plot involves a criminal named Stein who stole over $100,000 through fraud, then entered a time machine set for the day after the statute of limitations for his crime expired. The story tells how the case against Stein was prosecuted and defended, and the judge's eventual ruling delivered in the form of a pun.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stories, Listed by Author (Reference). The Locus Index to Science Fiction. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
  2. ^ a b c Asimov, Isaac, A Loint of Paw., Weekly Reader Corporation, 2005-04-29.
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Asimov's Mysteries by Isaac Asimov