Dorothy was an assassin of improbable accidents. She specialized in Houses, but had other tricks and devices. She made her living off of a loophole in the laws of The City.
Even though it was a simulation, The City was a real place. An avatar was fragile; subject to gravity, fire, trauma. And an avatar only had one life to lose. Dying in The City could be as financially devastating as anywhere on Earth. Of course there were no guns in The City, but Dorothy had her methods. On the morning Midas was sold, her email account crashed from overuse.
The City: 023: Dorothy
October 29, 2014
Free Fiction, The City 140 Characters, Dorothy, Drabble, Fiction, The City Leave a comment
The City: 022: Norbert
October 28, 2014
Free Fiction, The City Drabble, Fiction, Melinda, News Coverage, Norbert, The City Leave a comment
Melinda turned to Camera Two.
“And now, I’d like to turn to International Finance expert Norbert Finkelmeyer. Good Morning.”
“Good morning Melinda.”
“What does this Midas deal mean?”
“It is effectively the sale of The City itself, because Midas Corp built and maintains it.”
“And why is that important?”
“Due to the hyper-realistic nature of The City, and the indulgent tax laws on the island nation where its servers are kept, Midas is the leading Financial Services firm in the world. Trillions of dollars move through the city every second.”
“What effect will this sale have?”
“We don’t know.”
The City: 021: Zophia
October 27, 2014
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Zophia set her spiders to work. Thanks to the anonymous email she received that morning, many were already prepared. They made their webs in every stock market across the world. And as the world spun and each woke up to the news that The City was changing hands, her programs feed on the panic. As the girl watched her bank accounts fatten, she almost felt bad for Sizemore, and the foolish little brokers who were watching their charges’ retirements slip through their fingers. Because they weren’t prepared. Later, she would have to back trace the message. For now, she fed.
The City: 020: Floyd
October 24, 2014
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The Meal Delivery Truck arrived at the house on time for breakfast. Floyd readied the tray and rang the bell. Sandra was one of his favorite clients. She had seen a lot of hardships in her life, and a bad car accident had left her housebound. She fought on though. She had a job with Midas, and was so proud of the complicated rig of goggles and gear that let her lead a normal life in The City. When nobody answered, he peeked in a window. He saw her body sprawled in her office, and immediately he called emergency services.
The City: 019: Melinda
October 23, 2014
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Melinda looked into the camera like it was the face of every one of her hundred-million viewers.
“Once again, our top story this morning: Augustus Sizemore, CEO and Majority Stockholder of Midas Corp has reportedly sold his shares and is stepping down from his role as management. A statement released this morning did not name the purchasing party, and the Company itself has yet to make a statement. Midas Corp is the operator of “The City,” a realistic virtual environment which employs hundreds of thousands of people and has millions of users. Markets are reacting sharply to the announcement.”
The City: 018: Abner
October 22, 2014
Free Fiction, The City, Writing 140 Characters, Abner, Drabble, Fiction, Midas Corp, The City Leave a comment
Abner arrived late to work. Even in The City, the trains wouldn’t run on time. There was still so much human error, still so few backup systems. And it had to be during rush hour. Of course in The City, it was always rush hour someplace. But naturally it was during his commute, on the day of his evaluation. He braced for a siren as he badged in. He was going to climb up to the 48th floor and kick someones teeth in. He froze in the lobby. “Sizemore Sells Shares to International Investors” was plastered on every monitor. Awesome.
The City: 017: Iva
October 21, 2014
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Iva was jogging through Sizemore’s Grove, the upscale, suburban neighborhood where well-off Citizens started their day. She was a Daytripper herself, but she liked it for her route. The occasional presence of guards, dogs, or even once a security drone which hovered behind her for half a mile and took pot-shots at her made training more invigorating. Her Messenger flashed and squawked before turning on in automatic mode. This was a public safety message.
“Attentional all City Residents. Mass Transit will be shut down for routine maintenance until further notice. Thank you for your patience.” Iva smirked. Commuters.
The City: 016: Govad
October 20, 2014
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From his office on the 48th floor, Govad read the reports. They were not good news. He was looking at a situation so outlandish, so downright impossible, that he didn’t even have the barest bones of a response for it. To make matters worse, he could not get ahold of his superiors for instructions. It was like the entire Board of Directors took a vacation at once. Things like this didn’t happen in The City. But he was Director of Mass Transit, and this was what they paid him to do. He called up the messaging system and began typing.
Hugh Likes Podcasts: The Roundtable Podcast
October 16, 2014
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Hosted by Dave Robison, plus guests
The Roundtable Podcast is one of my favorite writing podcasts. There are a lot of really excellent podcasts about writing, both podfaded and current, but The Roundtable is something else. I like podcasts that introduce me to new authors. I like podcasts that delve into the craft and business of writing, helping me to improve my own work. I really like podcasts that are fun, and show a more personal side of my favorite authors. The Roundtable podcast is all three.
Originally hosted by Dave Robison and Brion Humphrey, The Roundtable is a bridge between aspiring and professional authors. They divide the show into two types of episodes: “Twenty Minutes With” interview segments, and Roundtable Workshop sessions. In the former, Dave and a second chair conduct an informal interview with a professional writer. These are always fantastically inspiring and entertaining rap sessions, although they always go at least twice as long as advertised. Theres’ so much goodness in each one that I’d feel cheated if they trimmed it down, though. In the Brainstorming sessions, they bring on a less experienced writer, and help them brainstorm a story idea. These are also great. Not only is it a rarely-seen peek on the creative process, it is an affirmation that perseverance and hard work pays off in an industry that all too often seems governed by luck and chance.
Every second of The Roundtable Podcast is infused with Dave’s vibrant and effervescent personality. Combining a wonderful talent for research and an otherworldly skill for promotion, he introduces each guest writer and host with a flare that is uniquely his own, and relentlessly positive. The show is firmly rooted int the philosophy that with enough effort, thought, and encouragement, every writer can transform their story ideas from dross to literary gold.
I myself have benefitted from taking a story on the show. It isn’t finished yet, but someday I hope to publish it, and be ‘knighted’ by the hosts.
Find The Roundtable Podcast on the web, or subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher.
The City: 015: Julia
October 16, 2014
The City, Writing 140 Characters, Drabble, Ficiton, Julia, Marcy, Sandra, The City Leave a comment
Julia had been a cop in The City for over five years. Some of her friends had chided her for taking such a safe assignment, but she didn’t care. The City had rules just like anyplace else, and of course special care had to be applied in enforcing them. But this was nothing she’d trained for. She called dispatch.
“Marcy, this is Julia out in Commerce Station.. I’ve got one hell of a case here.”
“What’s up?”
“Jane doe jumped at a moving train as it was entering the platform.”
“That shouldn’t happen.”
“That’s not the weird part. There’s a body.”
Hugh J. O'Donnell 