Hidden Meanings
“Mail call.” George settled down on his cot. “One for you.”
Leland skimmed the letter. “That’s odd.”
“What?”
“Well, it’s a love-letter, ‘I’m-waiting-for-you’ kind of stuff.”
“Yeah?”
“But it’s signed ‘Bess.’ I don’t know no Bess.”
George paused. “You know what this means.”
“What?”
“The boys back home want us out. But they can’t help us outright.”
“True...”
“Look at this letter. To Gerry, it’s just another letter from home, but they know you know it’s a fake.”
“So?”
“It’s a code.”
They worked through the night, trying every kind of cipher they could come up with, but nothing ever seemed to work. Several days later, George was caught with the letter, complete with his scribbled notes. It didn’t take long for his captors to figure out what was up, and the two served out the war in seperate cells.
---
Bess gazed at the big moon through her window. She thought back on that one night with the beautiful soldier. They had scarcely had time to exchange names, but she felt that there had been a moment of deep connection. It lifted her heart to realize that at this moment he might be reading her letter...
(Interesting fact: Such techniques actually were used during WWII; see the NPR story that inspired this droubble...)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Newspost
In the half year I've done these, I think I've gotten a handful of great stories, if also a lot of crap. That's sort of been the point of the whole thing -- just to get me writing.
While I do think I'll keep these coming at least a while, I also want to do more with some of my better stories, maybe get them to a wider audience
It'll take a bit to get it all set up, but what I'd like to do is this: I'd like to pick some of my best Drabbles and Droubbles, give them a little extra editing and polish, and then produce them as audio readings in a weekly podcast.
So why am I saying this, other than just to hear myself talk? Well, I do like hearing myself talk, but I also want your help. If you happen to particularly like any story I've done, and would like to hear it on the cast, go back and leave a comment on the post. I will very strongly consider nominated stories; unless it's one I really didn't like, a nomination will probably mean I'll do it eventually.
Let me know what you think of this idea!
While I do think I'll keep these coming at least a while, I also want to do more with some of my better stories, maybe get them to a wider audience
It'll take a bit to get it all set up, but what I'd like to do is this: I'd like to pick some of my best Drabbles and Droubbles, give them a little extra editing and polish, and then produce them as audio readings in a weekly podcast.
So why am I saying this, other than just to hear myself talk? Well, I do like hearing myself talk, but I also want your help. If you happen to particularly like any story I've done, and would like to hear it on the cast, go back and leave a comment on the post. I will very strongly consider nominated stories; unless it's one I really didn't like, a nomination will probably mean I'll do it eventually.
Let me know what you think of this idea!
Drabble: Roleplay
Roleplay
“I saw the posting for LARP night here?”
“Indeeed,” says the gothey-looking young lady. Way too into it for my taste, but I was new in town, so I’d put up with it.
I look around the dark room. Everyone was in costume. I felt a little out-of-place.
A wan gentleman passes me a sourcebook. Children Of the Quad.
“I’ve never heard of this one.”
“It’s great. You play as a college student.”
“Then why are you dressed as vampires?”
Blank stares around the room.
“Shit, I think this kid’s human.”
“Well, snacks are taken care of!”
“I saw the posting for LARP night here?”
“Indeeed,” says the gothey-looking young lady. Way too into it for my taste, but I was new in town, so I’d put up with it.
I look around the dark room. Everyone was in costume. I felt a little out-of-place.
A wan gentleman passes me a sourcebook. Children Of the Quad.
“I’ve never heard of this one.”
“It’s great. You play as a college student.”
“Then why are you dressed as vampires?”
Blank stares around the room.
“Shit, I think this kid’s human.”
“Well, snacks are taken care of!”
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Droubble: Identity
Identity
One day, as the King walked his grounds, he stepped from the river after an invigorating swim to find thirty years of age wiped from him. This was, he thought, a miracle. But when he returned to the castle, the guards had many questions for the unclothed youth carrying the king’s garments (for he no longer fit in these relics of old age).
He tried to explain what had happened, but in vain. The regal mythos was too strong, and none could remember the lanky awkward youth he had been, and so could not accept his story.
So he asked for his highest advisors, and whispered of national secrets only he and they were privy to. He thought at first he had them convinced, but it was not enough. It did, however, get him noticed; he was thrown in the dungeon to await execution for eavesdropping on and possible involvement in the disappearance of the King, plus the theft of the royal garments.
After several days, the King was brought from the dungeon to face his fate. But lo! His tribulations had so aged him that he was recognized by all!
Bad day to be a guard or advisor, though.
One day, as the King walked his grounds, he stepped from the river after an invigorating swim to find thirty years of age wiped from him. This was, he thought, a miracle. But when he returned to the castle, the guards had many questions for the unclothed youth carrying the king’s garments (for he no longer fit in these relics of old age).
He tried to explain what had happened, but in vain. The regal mythos was too strong, and none could remember the lanky awkward youth he had been, and so could not accept his story.
So he asked for his highest advisors, and whispered of national secrets only he and they were privy to. He thought at first he had them convinced, but it was not enough. It did, however, get him noticed; he was thrown in the dungeon to await execution for eavesdropping on and possible involvement in the disappearance of the King, plus the theft of the royal garments.
After several days, the King was brought from the dungeon to face his fate. But lo! His tribulations had so aged him that he was recognized by all!
Bad day to be a guard or advisor, though.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Drabble: A New Friend
A New Friend
“Well,” said the doctor, “it doesn’t look good.”
I must have let out an audible gasp, because he immediately backpedalled. “I don’t mean to say it’s bad. Just a slightly... rare case.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, first the good. The tumor isn’t malignant.”
“Then what’s so bad?”
“Well, we can’t remove it.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Well, it’s something we haven’t seen before. Your tumor is made of differentiated and structured neural tissue.”
“So?”
“Well, there’s a chance it might be self-aware. Not at a human level, but it’d still be inhumane to kill it.”
“Is that so.”
“Well,” said the doctor, “it doesn’t look good.”
I must have let out an audible gasp, because he immediately backpedalled. “I don’t mean to say it’s bad. Just a slightly... rare case.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, first the good. The tumor isn’t malignant.”
“Then what’s so bad?”
“Well, we can’t remove it.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Well, it’s something we haven’t seen before. Your tumor is made of differentiated and structured neural tissue.”
“So?”
“Well, there’s a chance it might be self-aware. Not at a human level, but it’d still be inhumane to kill it.”
“Is that so.”
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Drabble: Some Friend
Some Friend
“Hello?”
“Hey, Diamonds, it’s Rose.”
“Oh, hey, Rose! How’ve you been? Wanna come party on Friday?”
“Afraid I’m not going to be able to make it Friday. Actually, I have a little bit of a big favor to ask -- feel free to say no.”
“Go ahead,” he says, though I can hear the hesitation in his voice.”
“See, I’m moving across town, and--”
“Hey, I’d love to help, but I’ve been super busy, and my back’s been acting up, so yeah, see you later.” Click.
That song’s such a lie. A girl’s best friend would at least help her move.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Diamonds, it’s Rose.”
“Oh, hey, Rose! How’ve you been? Wanna come party on Friday?”
“Afraid I’m not going to be able to make it Friday. Actually, I have a little bit of a big favor to ask -- feel free to say no.”
“Go ahead,” he says, though I can hear the hesitation in his voice.”
“See, I’m moving across town, and--”
“Hey, I’d love to help, but I’ve been super busy, and my back’s been acting up, so yeah, see you later.” Click.
That song’s such a lie. A girl’s best friend would at least help her move.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Drabble: On My Back
On My Back
“Where did you get your thing?”
I gesture toward my back. “Oh, this?” I pat the hideous creature on the head. “The usual. I guess it represents some emotion or abstract concept or character flaw. Could be greed, or envy, or existential angst; it’s almost always something like that. Of course, there are guys like Oscar down the street; the poor bastard has one what represents his unusual fondness for almonds.”
“How you gettin’ rid of it, if you don’t know which it is?”
“Get rid of this little guy? He’s automatic street cred, and besides, look at those eyes.”
“Where did you get your thing?”
I gesture toward my back. “Oh, this?” I pat the hideous creature on the head. “The usual. I guess it represents some emotion or abstract concept or character flaw. Could be greed, or envy, or existential angst; it’s almost always something like that. Of course, there are guys like Oscar down the street; the poor bastard has one what represents his unusual fondness for almonds.”
“How you gettin’ rid of it, if you don’t know which it is?”
“Get rid of this little guy? He’s automatic street cred, and besides, look at those eyes.”
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Drabble: Vermin
Vermin
Whatever was hiding under the porch didn’t sound happy. Its tantrum shook the whole trailer, and while I wanted it out, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to be in its way when it got.
Then the noises got stranger, like nothing I’d heard in this world, and I started wondering harder what was down there. Had I heard somewhere about rabid ‘possums making noises like that? Or were ‘possums the ones who couldn’t get rabies, only faked it?
Then it came, burning hotter than hell, up through the boards of the porch and flaming up towards the stars.
Whatever was hiding under the porch didn’t sound happy. Its tantrum shook the whole trailer, and while I wanted it out, I was pretty sure I didn’t want to be in its way when it got.
Then the noises got stranger, like nothing I’d heard in this world, and I started wondering harder what was down there. Had I heard somewhere about rabid ‘possums making noises like that? Or were ‘possums the ones who couldn’t get rabies, only faked it?
Then it came, burning hotter than hell, up through the boards of the porch and flaming up towards the stars.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Drabble: Opportunity
Opportunity
I was still a little blasted from the cold sleep, but I forced myself up and out; I was heading out to the site early tomorrow, deep in the jungle, and today was my last chance to see the famous city of Klar.
The ancient architecture was fantastic, and the areas that had to be bombed, during the Liq occupation, had been built back to their original beauty. These were a people who truly cared about their past.
I wonder if I should maybe just leave. Maybe they’re better off without our market penetration.
Maybe – hell, who am I kidding?
I was still a little blasted from the cold sleep, but I forced myself up and out; I was heading out to the site early tomorrow, deep in the jungle, and today was my last chance to see the famous city of Klar.
The ancient architecture was fantastic, and the areas that had to be bombed, during the Liq occupation, had been built back to their original beauty. These were a people who truly cared about their past.
I wonder if I should maybe just leave. Maybe they’re better off without our market penetration.
Maybe – hell, who am I kidding?
Friday, August 1, 2008
Drabble: Falling
I'm back from the trip. I was great about doing these the first week, then sort of just didn't have the time or energy. I'll be getting back in the every-day swing, and I also have something cool that should show up in a newspost later this evening.
Falling
Air whistles loudly past my ears. Something is wrong. I don’t think this is where I fell asleep. I can’t bring myself to open my eyes, but I’m sure at once that something has gone terribly wrong.
I can remember dozing just after take-off, coming half awake but feigning sleep as the first drinks service came by. And now I’m awake with this wind, surely plummetting to my death.
I finally open my eyes, figuring it’s best to face this honorably. The bright light is a surprise, until I put it all together and twist shut the air vent.
Falling
Air whistles loudly past my ears. Something is wrong. I don’t think this is where I fell asleep. I can’t bring myself to open my eyes, but I’m sure at once that something has gone terribly wrong.
I can remember dozing just after take-off, coming half awake but feigning sleep as the first drinks service came by. And now I’m awake with this wind, surely plummetting to my death.
I finally open my eyes, figuring it’s best to face this honorably. The bright light is a surprise, until I put it all together and twist shut the air vent.
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