In a post-apocalyptic world, Yakhir is an apprentice archivist with a seemingly bright future. However, his father is dead, possibly assassinated, his lover may be a spy and his sister is telling everyone how well endowed he is. The world is recovering from The Great Burn; but will Yakhir be around to enjoy its blossoming. / (Reviews)
This story is a little bit offbeat for me. It's intended as an homage to a couple of excellent stories with similar themes published earlier by a couple of the best writers on SOL. Readers will recognize the genre as the story develops, but I don't intend to give it away at the outset. Warning to strokers: This story has some sexual content, but it is limited and slow to develop.
Jonas decides to stay for a while in the Italian factory he inherited from his father, and to start work on a symphony. The women there never cease to astonish him. If you have not read, or do not remember, "To Inherit a Factory", you are warmly recommended to read that story first.
The Program has come to Oklahoma. Will a brainy goddess and a jock with a secret be able to get together, or will Bobby's secrets keep them apart? Winner of the Silver Clitoride for November, 2003. / (Reviews)
Playwright John Guare came up with the phrase "six degrees of separation" -- four words to describe the phenomenon of a shrinking world where any random two people can discover a link through a chain of acquaintances. This story suggests a route through physical connections from a homeless British woman to the President of the United States. But beware - this isn't a light fantasy. The links on this chain are rusty and loose - and they hurt those who are joined by them.