The Holes and John Smith

The Holes and John Smith is a science fiction short story by Edward W. Ludwig, published in the mid-20th century. Set on Mars, it follows a struggling band led by Jimmie Stanley as they encounter a mysterious musician named John Smith, who plays an ancient instrument called a Zloomph. The narrative explores themes of music, time travel, and the complexities of existence, culminating in John's quest to find a 'hole' that will return him to his original time dimension, leading to his enigmatic disappearance.