SYNOPSIS of Short Fiction
Tim Barker (2001)
The following synopses of course, by their very nature, omit a whole
load of detail. Instead the intention is to distill the essence of the stories
and, hopefully, entice the reader into the full-blown experience ! So enjoy !
Please note that categorisation of a story is not an easy task and is
just intended as a guide ! In contrast, the word count is 100% accurate !
Alexandria (Science Fiction, 4118 words)
Morando begins a quest to find a utopian existence but soon realises
that the planet he had hoped existed is nothing but a “social transplant”
experiment facilitated by means of Virtual Reality (VR). He experiences a
number of distinct VR scenarios (including a Garden of Eden, deepest space and
a disjointed dream state) but is ultimately disappointed when he finds that
“info-terrorists” have infiltrated the system, planting subliminals to create
permanent psychological damage. However, he is doomed to try again as he is
left with no memory of his experiences and a business card lodged in his hand !
April Fools Day (Horror, 283 words)
A short, sharp shock of a sleepy anyville losing the plot with dire
consequences !
A to Z of ...? (Experimental, 174 words)
That would be telling ! Each word in each sentence steadily progresses
through the alphabet leaving the reader to work it all out.
A Case of Chips (Detective / Science Fiction, 3844 words)
This is a convoluted detective story set on another planet. A dealer of
all manner of weapons arrives on the planet with a chip for his contact.
Eventually his buyer realises that the chip is extremely hot property being, in
fact, a high-powered spy kit. They use the chip to contact the government in an
attempt to clear the buyer’s name of a recent murder. However, she is
double-crossed then killed in her hotel
room whilst the smuggler returns back home. The story bounces around from the
viewpoint of the investigating police officer to the smuggler and buyer.
Christendom (Science Fiction, 1319 words)
The central character is an anarchist on a distant planet. At first he
lives with his parents and attends school via his computer but he is not
religious, like the rest of the planet, which has recently succumbed to
missionaries. He eventually acquires his own apartment but his parents alienate
him, the remainder of society becoming slaves to the religious doctrines. He
resigns himself to his position in the new order as he believes in
non-interference. However, his ideals are intact.
Divine Intervention (Science Fiction, 340 words)
This is an inspired tale of the life of a lost cause being transformed
by an email from God.
Heist (Science Fiction, 2719 words)
An adept, lonely hacker discovers key video images of a Tokyo
corporation which he subsequently trades for monetary gain. He is eventually
tracked down by the FBI for attempting to blackmail an ally of the USA.
However, his data is destroyed by his booby trapped computer so he retires a
rich man. This story is a social comment on the current prevalence of CCTV.
Jay Lights Up ! (Generation X, 578)
A city clubber makes his way home with a head full of chemicals and
reflects on the man-made landscape surrounding him before finally collapsing in
the sanctity of his current abode. Caught in an inescapable loop the next day
he does it all again !
Life in Manchester (Generation X, 1774 words)
This story describes the life of a number of low-life characters in
Manchester, their day-to-day business, pastimes and how their time is spent
bumming around cafes, music shops, taking drugs and jacking up on Virtual
Reality scenarios. It is a dead-end tale of the underclass.
Magic Mushrooms (Science Fiction, 895 words)
This is a strange short tale told from the viewpoint of cavemen
experiencing a close encounter with strangers from the stars !
Pins ‘N’ Needles (Generation X, 455 words)
A hardcore rap act delve into the murkier depths of the human psyche
aided and abetted by intoxicating substances in the hope of one day making it
big !
Salary Slave (Science Fiction, 2148 words)
This is a tale of a disgruntled employee who finds hope in a society of
like-minded individuals which exists to further each others career and
generally improve their chances in the world of work. We follow him as he gets
deeper and deeper into the organisation. However he is saved from their clutches
by the love of a woman who he eventually settles down with, losing interest in
the society. Eventually, it emerges that the society was a front for white
supremacists and used dubious techniques to cajole its members.
Tracks (Generation X / Science Fiction, 1662 words)
A barfly junky has a one-night stand. The next morning he traverses the
city to score his medicine. Whilst shooting up he reads a newspaper and
realises, much to his horror, that his success could lead to his downfall as
the girl was wanted by the Mafia. On leaving his dealers place he gets hit by a
car and becomes yesterdays news. She has cosmetic surgery, acquires a new
identity and lives a care-free life oblivious to the life she inadvertently
ended.
Vice Versa (Science Fiction, 2348 words)
A woman is raped but is unable to remember the perpetrator. She
undergoes hypnotic regression only to realise that she was impregnated by an
alien race and that her son was the result. This makes sense as he had been
plagued by weirdness all of his life. When she tells her son of the improbable
conception he takes a knife out of the kitchen draw and repeatedly stabs her.
He is sentenced to the electric chair, his secret dying with him. The Epilogue,
in a final bitter twist, describes a dying planet’s expulsion of embryos into
space.
Water (Science Fiction, 779 words)
In the distant future criminals are incarcerated by making them
invisible to the general populous. This story follows a criminal organisation
who attempt to gain control of a majority steak in the Earth’s water supply by
stealing the Moon’s fusion reactor. However, their plan fails and the main
culprit suffers death by drowning.
01001101 (Science Fiction 1047 words)
A man is drawn into a world of on-line relationships, falling in love
with a distant female. Having grown tired of the distance factor he decides to
meet the object of his desires 'in the flesh'. However, a surprise awaits him !
Absent Friends (Science Fiction, 788 words)
The story begins at the end as an assortment of Artificial Lifes commit
suicide in deep space. A subsequent flashback then recounts their origins in a
Government laboratory and their creator's intentions. However, we already know
that any celebrations are premature.
Catching Tears (Slipstream, 1124 words)
A surreal account is given of a man's encounter with his Grandmother on
a Winter's day. It transpires that there is a good reason for the bizarre
goings-on.
Are You Coming or Going ? (Science Fiction, 1186 words)
A cautionary tale of the joys of teleportation, this story describes
the experiences of a trip to Jupiter. However, whilst the body arrives the mind
remains occupied with a higher purpose !
A Night at Luigi's (Generation X, 461 words)
A homeless person drifts around town in an attempt to survive another
night. We follow him as he procures essential posessions for a good nights
sleep.
Muse (Science Fiction/Horror, 234 words)
A dark presence is using the Internet to launch an attack on
unsuspecting youths. The resultant self-abuse serves as testament to its power.
Persona Non Grata (Science Fiction, 3566 words)
Frank has problems. Teased and taunted by his family Frank seeks an
outlet in alter-egos constructed on-line. He is at the same time an eco
warrior, a media mogul and a sadistic pervert. However, having caused too much
public disturbance globally Frank finds himself the surject of a sting. The
result is incarceration which ironically makes Frank a happy man as his feared
family finally disown him.
Princess (Fairytale, 179 words)
A fabulous fantastic fable of a princess in a far away land who just
could not find happiness until one day when she encounters a wise old fairy.
Psycho Killer (Fantasy/Humour, 1758 words)
A humorous tale of a Viking saving the day as a village is beset by an
evil Shadow. There is, however a final twist which places the whole story in a
different light !
Sand People (Children's Fantasy/Humour, 1024 words)
Two brothers, Tom and Joseph, construct an elaborate fantasy world
revolving around the Sandpeople sent from another planet to observe the Earth
people. Having publicised their cause on the Internet and TV their antics are
eventually abruptly halted by High Command. Unpeturbed they immediately
commence a new project !
Singularity (Science Fiction, 1089 words )
Three related plots are harmoniously woven together. One concerns the
preparations and ultimate metamorphosis of a caterpillar. Another concerns the
singular attainment of consciousness of an Artificial Intelligence. The final
plot follows a man's encounter with the woman of his dreams.
Starstruck (Science Fiction/Generation X, 1498 words)
Tom and Elaine are celebrating the New Millennium in fine style when
Tom experiences a Close Encounter. It transpires that he has been chosen to
save the human race. On his return to the Earthly dimension however Tom is
hospitalised for the rantings of a mad-man. But he knows there is hope.
The Marsh (Adult Fairytale, 435 words)
A strange almost silly story about a man who shoots himself in order to
circumvent his mortal ability to predict the future. Metaphors and allegories
abound !
Unobtrusive (317 words)
A womans quest for the perfect partner leads her to purchase a stick
insect named 'Unobtrusive'.
Wired (Science Fiction/Horror, 3777 words)
A young dangerously psychotic man undergoes 'corrective' surgeory which
consists of computer-controlled probes being inserted into his brain. Having
made good progress the man is released into the community only for the system
to malfunction and his mind go awry again. Ultimately he has his revenge on
those responsible for his therapy. The story raises interesting ethical
questions as raised by one of the characters.
Yellow Bird (Fairytale, 241 words)
Yet another fable recounting the interrelationship of a much put-upon
cat and a teasing yellow bird.