(c) Friedrich Freeman
(c) Al Sarrantonio
(i) Steelzer/Triumph
(f) Ice'Di Griz/Triumph
Miniature.
Do you know what a story is
miniature? It's so minimal
a storyteller with a twist
a couple of pages.
For example, I can't stand it
tortured stories about nothing,
rolled out into a good dozen
sheets. For me, it's so much
it’s more interesting to read the miniature,
drag yourself through the rule plot
in a minimal amount...
Now you can evaluate for yourself
all the skill of the world's luminaries
science fiction, having read a couple
miniature
. . .
(c) Friedrich Freeman
Drive him away!
“So what’s bothering you,” said Dr. Lenko. - I don't
I completely understand.
Mervyn Hinckley opened his mouth, but suddenly froze and
looked around all the corners of the luxuriously furnished office
psychiatrist.
“It’s very difficult to describe...” Mervyn stammered.
- I need to save myself from him... I need to save myself from him...
Doctor Lenko sat more comfortably in a deep leather chair and,
Quickly looking through the stack of papers on the table, he chose a small letter:
- You report that you are haunted by a certain vision.
Mervyn sin desperation he threw his hands into his light chestnut
hair.
- This is not a vision! It's real! I see him every evening exactly
at ten - big, scaly, with big red eyes!
He looked around in horror, as if one mention could cause
monster to life. Then, with obvious difficulty, he forced himself to lower himself
on a chair, clenching his fists and excitedly staring at the doctor.
- There is one simple remedy; - the psychiatrist said calmly.
- Which one?
- Drive him away, Mr. Hinckley. Drive away. - Doctor
Lenko left the comfortable chair and walked up to Mervin.
- Do you think it's that simple?
- Even if it’s not easy. But this is psychologically based
a method to get rid of such nightmares. You need to convince yourself
that you don't believe in any scaly, red-eyed,
creation. Order him - mentally! - leave. And it will disappear. All
depends on your determination and willpower. The doctor walked around the table
and sat down.
- Drive him away. I believe you can do it. At the end
After all, trying is not torture. Give it a try. This very evening.
Doctor Lenko used to go to bed early, but
the approaching sleep was dispersed by a telephone ringing.
- This is Mervyn Hinckley! - the voice chattered excitedly
tube. - I couldn’t help but call you. Monster...
- Well, what? - Lenko muttered displeasedly, preparing for the session
remote therapy.
- It worked! - Mervyn barked, -I drove him away, doctor! Already
It's a quarter past ten and there's no sign of him. Isn't it wonderful?!!
- Wonderful; - the doctor yawned. - If I ever tell you again
If you need it, call me.
And cutting off the telephone line that threatens to drag on for a long time
conversation, hung up.
A minute later there was a noise at the head of his bed. Doctor
opened his eyes. The monster was tall, everything was covered with scales and
sparkled with huge red eyes. “Sh...shh...” the doctor squeezed out.
Lenko.
- I'm sorry; - the monster smiled shyly. -
I hope I didn't disturb you? Mervin sent me...
(c) Al Sarrantonio
Well, Jones, wait!
January 12.
Today I am happy because the company's delivery man installed on
a new abstract sculpture on my lawn. I ordered it to be placed
on the line dividing our plots, and Harry Jones stared
eyes, seeing the sculpture in front of your porch. This bastard
I'll have to look at it every morning before leaving for work.
January 30.
When Jones called me to see his new sculpture,
I could hardly restrain myself from strangling him. She's all covered
silver and twice as much as mine. I barely managed to squeeze out
myself a smile, but we both knewwhat do I think...
February 16.
Today I called one of Harry's boys and took a photo
him with his new holocam. The photo that was ready
instantly, I gave it to the boy, and he, of course, ran to his dad -
ask why they don’t have such a holochamber... I can imagine
imagine Harry screaming at the top of his lungs at the little bastard.
This made me feel good all day.
February 21.
Harry called today, he said that he bought a gorgeous
holocine camera, and invited Sheila and I to film the first
film. Of course, I replied that we could not come, but this
the scoundrel then sent little Robbie with a copy of the film. Tape
an hour long, color, with sound. I'm sick of being like this
the guy who earns no more than me allows himself
holocine camera.
June 17.
May you be thrice miserable, Harry Jones! Today workers
turned on the current and left, and I must admit that they managed
excellent at its job. Surely no one in the country, nor
speaking of our quarter, there is no such comprehensive entertainment
arcades. Comprehensive - in the literal sense of the word. Everything is here
from high-fidelity racing simulators toholographic clowns and evening fireworks with variable
program. The salesman in the store tried to mutter to me the whole
the entire lecture about how I ended up at the very beginning of technical
revolution in domestic entertainment and that prices will never be
so low (I don’t understand how they could be higher; to
fortunately I had a few dollars left to pay for my children's education
college), but I didn’t let it finish, I just signed the contract and
paid the deposit. Then he added a shooting gallery for free -
however, I would have ordered it anyway. I already know how Harry
loves to shoot at moving targets...
June 28.
May God help me, and I am a believer, but today I
was tormented by the desire to kill Harry. I've calmed down a little now, but
what it was like for me to return from a short business trip and see
How Harry sets up an outdoor 3D theater upstairs
domed steam pond, and all this is piled on top
automated miniature racing track and micro-area
for golf (in combination with a decent entertainment arcade and
shooting range in one corner, hovering 6 feet above the ground)... Hours
after two I stopped trembling, but even now I’m still in
despair.
November 11.
Well, I've spent my last onecent, Sheila left, taking
children, but none of that matters. I finally found an employee
research department in one of the major release campaigns
household appliances, which I managed to bribe, and I know I
I’m sure, because I checked very carefully what I’m holding in my hands
the only copy in the world (and therefore the best!). The type that
I gave a bribe, said that this thing is an absolute consumer
household product and can make any changes in
space-time structure of the Universe, can do almost
that's it! He almost backed down at the last minute,
mutter that this thing is dangerous and has not yet passed all the tests
(it was kept locked and in the strictest confidence), and if it “burns out
tube, the Earth could be thrown back into the Paleozoic era."
He was probably afraid of getting caught, but when he saw my fat
a wad of money in one hand, and a gun in the other, shut up and took
money. Now I'm standing in front of Jones's house (I know he's at his
and tries to order via holophone an improved model of what
what I got, or at least find out what it is), and as soon as
this scoundrel will look out, I will press the button. I don't know what will happen, but
in any case, no one will surpass me. I'm ahead of you
Jones! Was it his face that appeared in the window? Yes! Jones wait!
November 11.
400,000,000 years BC.
I move the stone. Big stone. My hands are slimy
mouth is dirty. I'm crawling out of the sea. Wet sea. Now below me
dirt, earth. It's hard to breathe, but I'm breathing. Now I'll stay on dry land.
I move the stone. A good stone, smooth on one side,
flat on the other. I live under a rock, in the cool mud. Fine!
I'm happy.
Another me crawls out of the sea. I'm watching. He learns to breathe
for a long time, it’s difficult for him, he almost returns to the sea, but stays.
He looks at me under the stone.
Now he moves a stone, another stone, more than mine, more
smooth on one side. There is more space under it, more coolness.
He moves the stone towards mine and climbs under it, hiding from
sun. He looks at me for a long time.
I'm angry.
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