Ghost Story

Ghost Story

By John Grant

It’s not till we’re back on dry land that I think of phoning home. I glance at my watch and find it’s just a few minutes before six. Dverna probably won’t be home yet – most days she stays on late at the school, marking papers or supervising clubs, ans it’s especially likely tonight that she’ll stay on, knowing I won’t be home for hours. She doesn’t carry a mobile, so the only number I have to phone is the landline Even so, I give it a try.

No answer.

I’m tempted to stay overnight in London. I feel I should face Connor and Elsa, try to explain to them that really I’m not the cad they must thing I am – even though Lindsay has told me they don’t think about it like that. Because, you see, they too don’t know I’m married. So far as they’re concerned it’s just fine their darling daughter is getting it together with someone they’ve know all his life. Of course, perhaps said daughter shouldn’t have got herself knocked up by him in the interim, but modern days modern ways… So Lindsay says. How they’re going to feel about me when she tells them the new Lindsay is the craziest fool in the world for believing my obisous lies. What whoppers I’ve been telling. Land her in the pudding club, then pretend it was my mysterious Evil Twin…

I should be with her, so we face the music together. But I also need to be with Dverna. If I could speak to her on the phone, maybe it’d be different, but she has to have the option of deciding whether or not I go home to bristol tonight.

Ghost Story, Photo by Elena

I explain something of this to Lindsay. As we stand there, the light beginning to fade from the sky, I see a young guy who’s passing helping himself to an eyeful of her. It’s far from the first time it’s happened today. She is exquisite, a jewel cut by a master craftsman, just as she was when she was five. And I think to myself yet again how very easy it would be, if things were different… But things aren’t different. I’ve never felt that each of us has only one soulmate out there in the world. If anything were ever to happen to Dverna, I wouldn’t resign myself to never finding someone else to whom I’d feel equally close. But I cannont figure Lindsay as a soulmate. I love her in that almost-family way. I think she is beautiful, and wonderful, and amazing, and I’m fascinated by her presence the way I’d be fascinated by the over-brightness of a jewel automation, and the streak of lust I have for her right now is like a guitar string being tightened too far, but she’s not the person I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with.

None of this do I say. Instead I say, “What are you going to tell your parents this evening?”

“Nothing.”

“They’ll be wanting to know, won’t they?”

“They respect my privacy, I respect theirs.”

“Like I can believe that.”

She gives my hand a squeeze. We’re approaching the bright lights and the noise of Marble Arch. “Do believe me,” she says.

Science Fiction and Fantasy 2015, edited by Rich Horton, Prime Books, 2015.

I Can See Right Through You

I Can See Right Through You

By Kelly Link

Meggie finds the dmon lover with Pilar. She says, « Can we talk? »

« What about? » he says.

Pilar says, « I’ll go get another beer, Want one Meggie? »

Meggie shakes her head and Pilar wanders off, her hand brushing against the demon lover’s hip as she goes. Fles against flesh. He turns just a little so he’s facing away from the firelight.

« It’s about the pilot for next season, » Meggie says. « I want to shoot it in Venice Beach, in our old bungalow. »

The demon lover feels something rush over him. Pour into his ears, flood down his throat. He can’t think of what to say. He has been thinking about Ray while he flirts with Pilar. He’s been wondering what would happen if he asked Meggie about Ray. Really, they’ve never talked about this. This thing that she does.

« I’d like you to be in the episode too, of course, » Meggie says.

I Can See Right Through You. Photo by Elena

He says, « I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s a terrible idea, actually. »

« It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, » Meggie says. « I think it would be good for both of us. »

« Something something closure,” he says. « Yeah, yeah. Something something exposure something possible jail term. Are you insane? »

« Look, » Meggie says, « I’ve already talked to the woman who lives there now. She’s never experienced anything Will, I need to do this. »

« Of course she hasn’t experienced anything, » the demonn lover says. « It wasn’t the house that was haunted. »

His blood is spiky with adrenaline. He looks around to see if anyone is watching. Of course they are. But everyone else is far away enugh that the conversation is almost private. He’s surprised Meggie didn’t spring this on him on camera. Think of the drama. The conflict. The ratings.

« You believe in this stuff, » he says, finally. Trying to find what will persuade her. « So wht won’t you leave it alone? » You know what happened. We know what happened. You know what the story is. Why the fuck do you need to know more? » He’s whispering now.

« Because every time we’re together, she’s here with us, » Meggie says. « Didn’t you know that? She’s here now. Don’t you feel her? »

Hair stands up on his legs, his arms, the ack of his neck. His mouth is dry, his tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth. « No, » he says. « I don’t. »

Meggie says, « You know I would be careful, Will. I would never do anything to hurt you. And it doesn’t work like that, anyway. » She leans in close, says very quietly, « It isn’t about us. This is for me. I just want to talk to her. I just want her to go away. »

Science Fiction and Fantasy 2015, edited by Rich Horton, Prime Books, 2015.

Transparency. Photo by Elena

Celebrity Gossips

Celebrity Gossips

Interest in celebrities is a well-known psychological phenomenon. Even though regular gossip, while looked unfavorably upon, has always been popular, gossip about stars and other famous personalities is even more so. Television shows such as Gossip Girl, Websites such as Perez Hilton, Celebrity Gossip and others, are just a few examples of the phenomenon.

But from a psychological viewpoint, why is it that people are so interested in the life of others? And then, why especially of more successful others? Is it catharsis? Is it a hope that traits would somehow be transferred onto those discussing the matters? Or is it simply entertainment? Probably, a little bit of all the above, with an added sense of participating in glamorous lifestyles through talking about them.

Although admission criteria vary, a typical runway model will be over 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) tall and thin. A clear complexion and beautiful facial features are similarly a requirement in most agencies. Image: Copyright © Megan Jorgensen.

So which celebrities are the most popular when it comes to juicy stories? In 2011, to judge by gossipers’ focus, these appear to be actress Lindsay Lohan, pop singer Justin Bieber and, of course, Lady Gaga. Now, this is not to say that other stars fail to attract the limelight, but in showbiz, there appears to be an insensitive ‘flavor of the month’ quality, which means certain people seem the most interesting at a particular point in time. Below is a list of stars that are often discussed in online communities:

Adriana Lima: Famous for being a Brazilian supermodel and one of Victoria’s Secret Angels, together with Alessandra Ambrosio, Gisele Bundchen, Anna Kurkova, Chanel Iman, Laetitia Casta, Heidi Klum and others. Probably the most famous of this group are Brazilian supermodel of German origin Gisele Bundchen, and German top model Heidi Klum. Both leggy beauties have since diverged into lucrative fashion and television undertakings, in other ways than modeling per se. In addition, Gisele Bundchen formed a family with football player Tom Brady, while Heidi Klum with rocker Seal.

An artist’s rendering of a supermodel. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena).

Charlie Sheen: Charlie Sheen, born Carlos Irwin Estevez, comes form a family of actors (together with father Martin Sheen and brother Emilio Estevez, who is likewise a film director). He had a prolific career, playing in such hits as the Wall Street motion pictures and Major League. He was also the protagonist of sitcom Two And A Half Men, of the set of which he has most likely been fired for his personal troubled track. The actor was replaced by younger model, actor and philanthropist Ashton Kutcher. Ashton Kutcher, who at the time of the replacement was still married to Demi Moore, is rumored to have cheated on his wife, a betrayal Bruce Willis (her ex-husband and star of Die Hard) did not take kindly to.

Justin Bieber: Justing Bieber is a singer, very popular among teenage girls. In 2011, his girlfriend Selena Gomez was put in unthinkable situations by his avid fans, showing the dark side of dating someone that so many people dream of. In that same year, the Canadian youth performed the ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ song for the Artur Christmas movie (an animated adventure in 3D). A Christmas gift to so many, one assumes. Further, rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who was the lead vocals for British rock formation Black Sabbath, hosted reality TV series and countless events and wrote a self-help book, has surprisingly said not to know the musical newcomer in an interview a few years back to the animation’s release date.

Lady Gaga: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, also known as Lady Gaga and self-proclaimed Mother Monster, is a talented popular singer, even more famous for her provocative outfits, than her music. She appeared out of nowhere with her success ‘Just Dance’ and immediately knew worldwide fame. Being a true avant-garde in fashion, she has been seen wearing telephones on her head, metal and meat dresses, and unfit for travel latex uniforms. Naturally, the meat dress got her a lot of reprimand form PETA (the organization fighting for animal rights) and vegans, vegetarians and, more generally, concerned animal sympathizers.

How do models stay so thin? Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena).

Lindsay Lohan: Lindsay Lohan is a beautiful American actress, who has proven to look good in any hair color… and she has tried them all (blonde, dirty blonde, sandy blonde, brunette, redhead, jade black hair, etc.). The beauty has blue green eyes and aside from her role as the gun licking nun – The Sister – in Machete (by Quentin Tarantino’s long time friend Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis), is best known for her personal and societal troubles. She is openly bisexual, having dated both men and women (for example, DJ Samantha Ronson). Another public persona that often makes the news for what might be called ‘all the wrong reasons’ is Tila Tequila, also known as Miss Tila. Interestingly, the TV personality and artist actually has a blog on celebrity gossip.

Un groupe de vedettes. Photo : Megan Jorgensen (Elena).

Trademark Bugs: A Legal History

Trademark Bugs: A Legal History

Adam Roberts

5. Legal Implications of Combat

It is hard to assess the long-term impact of the financial success of Trademark Bugs, and is beyond the scope of the present paper. The purpose of this final section is to consider the potential consequence of on-going litigation pertaining to the Bangladeshi Conflict (This section as a whole, and this sentence inn particular, does note carry the unanimous imprimatur of the authors. “Bangladeshi Conflict” was agreed by a narrow majority over “Asian Continental War” and “First Asian Continental War”, both of which are in common online usage.) The high casualty figures of this conflict (АПУ scholars wanted this clause replaced with « Casualties have been sustained, but precise figures have not been agreed ». In the Russian and Ukrainian translation of this paper the АПУ phrasing has been preferred, and the RPSL phrasing relegated to a footnote), as much as the central role played by Pharma company, render it a test-case for the on-going development of Trademark Bugs in the future of international relations (The original draft included the parenthesis “… (such that some have dubbed the war commercial completion pursued via military means, see Gharrai 2099)…” Citing it in a footnote was the compromise agreed upon,, with the added consideration that this footnote not be cited by any third party as indicative of the official conclusion of this paper.) What is clear is that conflict represents basis of civic and legal management of Trademark Bugs, up to and including a complete restatement of the Porter Rules for their commercial exploitation.

Trademark Bugs: A Legal History, Photo by Elena

Despite being officially termed the “Bangladeshi War”, the conflict has spread across a much larger area than the Bay of Bengal. At the same time it is also true that the Battle for the port of Chattagrama – in Bangladesh – has been one of the biggest of the war so far. The whole region has suffered much more markedly from climate change than other areas on the globe, and economic growth of an averagely consistent 3% per 5 years has been diluted by outstripping population increases. The whole area shares with central Mexico the destination of the world’s highest rates of untreated Trademark Bug infections. At the same time, the Big Three have directed in excess of Euros 5 billion humanitarian aid, including euros 220 million worth of free antiseptic soap, dispersed in the area since 2091.

The mai antagonists in the war (despite the use of nation-state shell identities) are generally agreed as being Bayer on the one hand, and on the other an alliance of smaller, ambitious and emergent pharmaceutical companies, led by the Myanmar Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union (MPMU). The latter brought together troops from Myanmar, Malasya and India; the former deployed armies from Russian Federation and EU states. The specific flashpoints – control of the lucrative industrial centres positioned along the Karnaphuil River – are less relevant to our present discussion than the way the war has been prosecuted.

Science Fiction and Fantasy 2015, edited by Rich Horton, Prime Books, 2015.

The Instructive Tale of the Archaeologist and His Wife

The Instructive Tale of the Archaeologist and His Wife

Alexander Jablokov

Relative Dating

Most of the remains of the technological age were toxic or radioactive. Researchers into that era tended to have short lifespans. Shaky and despairing, with haunted eyes, they rarely achieved high academic standing.

So when the archeologist got a letter from a colleague in technological age studies who said he had come across some information relfecting on the Akaskids, he was at first dismissive.

Still, the man had a reputation for some brilliance, albeit levened with hostility and paranoia, and when the archeologist visited a nearby city for an academic conference a few years later, he arranged to stop by and see wht the man had.

By that point, the man had lost even the minor academic post he’d had when he wrote to the archeologist, and all of his research materials were now crammed into a basement storage unit, poorly lit and subject to floods and infestations of rodents.

As the man, shaking and mumbling, dug through mildewed remnants of printed books and fabrics, the archeologist tried not to get too close. It was clear the man had lost whatever trace of sanity he had once had.

The Instructive Tale of the Archaeologist and His Wife, Image by Elena

Just as the archaeologist was about to turn to leave, the man reached in and, with a triumphant grunt, pulled out a yellow porcelain cup, almost complete. It gleamed like sunlight in the dank storage unit. The archaeologist instantly recognized it as a piece of Akaskid ceremonial tableware, suitable for a dinner with the gods.

It ad turned up in a late technological age stratum. A museum?

No. Not a museum. Instead, some kind of manufacturing facility, with the remains of heating and annealing chambers. There had actually been a lot of other ceramic fragments there. This was the only one in recognizable shape. Then he tossed the cup to the archeologist, who caught it clumsily, almost dropping it. He responded with rage, maybe going too far because of the man’s low status. Later, he would regret this, though the researcher showed no signs of offense at the time.

Instead he explained to the archaeologist how the late technological age had seemed devoted to destroying every sign of themselves. Their remains were infested with bacteria that dissolved various materials such as plastic, metal, and cloth. He’d lost a lot of his own equipment to some still-living colonies of these. He hypothesized that they had also released small devices with long-lived power sources that had crawled endlessly through late technological strata, grinding every piece of evidence with comminuting teech, until nothing was left but indistinguishable powder,. He’d never found one of these mechanical rotifers, but was sure they had existed.