Episode Transcript
Mind Well.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Welcome to a half hour of mind Web short stories
from the worlds expect good fiction. This is Michael Hansen speaking.
(01:16):
This time, we're two minor web stories. The first time around.
It's a story from The New Worlds of Fantasy, number two,
edited by Terry Carr. It's Britt Schweitzer's an Poissant. My
(03:26):
head struck the ground with a dull thud, and then
rolled eight or nine feet into a small cluster of weeds.
It's difficult to describe the dizzy blur of colors and
shapes I witnessed as this event took place, but the
discomfort I experienced can be readily imagined. The impact upon
striking the ground was so severe that I remained in
(03:46):
a dazed, semi conscious state for a considerable time thereafter.
I do not know, in fact, how long it was
before my senses were again fully operative. My first clear
impression was of some insect rolling aimlessly over the side
of my face, a tormentor against whom I seemed quite
helpless until it made the error of crawling too close
to my mouth, whereupon, with a shudder, I spat him away.
(04:11):
This encounter was sufficient to revive me to full consciousness,
I became aware of a throbbing pain on the left
side of my head, a little above into the right
of the ear, A pain which brought the memory of
my unfortunate topple and the grim focus, and led me
to an awareness of the difficult situation, and which as
a result I found myself. I gazed around and saw
(04:31):
only earth and sky. I listened intently for several moments,
but heard nothing. Looking again at my surroundings, I noticed
in the extreme corner of my limited view the presence
of a shadow. Inasmuch as my visual angle to the
ground was extremely awkward, I was unable to make out
the details, but it seemed to be a figure of
some kind, perhaps human. I tried to shift my position
(04:55):
in such a way that the figure would come into view.
After some experimentation, I found that I was able to
pivot my head around by careful movement of the jaws.
Soon there emerged into sight the figure of a man
standing in frozen stride. With relief, I called out, but
he made no sound or motion and response. I examined
(05:16):
the still figure more closely and noticed with a sudden
start that it was headless. I was watching my own body.
After recovering from the initial surprise, I became fascinated with
the idea of viewing my figure from such an unusual aspect.
I examined it with interest for several minutes before my
thoughts were turned again to the gravity of my predicament.
(05:38):
It was good, certainly, that my entire being was now
accounted for, but there was still the problem of reuniting
the parts. I called out again to the motionless figure,
but there was no response. I shouted several times, hoping
to stir it to action on its own behalf, but
soon realized that any attempt at communication would prove futile.
(06:00):
I paused to study the body again, and it occurred
to me that I had never before been able to
view myself from such a convenient angle and with complete objectivity,
as if examining the figure of another person. My mind
would turned abruptly, however, to the serious problem with which
I was confronted, Being myself altogether immobile. Any hope of
(06:22):
restoration seemed to lie in gaining assistance from a second party.
I began to shout very loudly for help, but my
efforts were useless. A sense of panic swept over me
as I began to contemplate my helplessness. As there was
no other living thing in view, it appeared that I
might be destined to remain thus in repose for some
considerable time. I assured myself over that some one would
(06:46):
eventually happen to pass by, and, seeing the situation offer assistance,
I decided to wait. I waited for several days. During
that time I spent many hours absorbed in the study
of my life or so. As the sun moved through
its daily course, varying patterns of light would fall on
the figure, thus presenting a marvelous panorama of shadow and flesh.
(07:11):
I came to know the contour of every muscle, every misshape,
every blemish. I was disappointed to realize that, in honest appraisal,
my form was rather unexceptional, no worse than average, to
be sure, but hardly satuesque. It presented, nevertheless remarkable image
from which could be studied the rhythmic action of each
muscle poised in the arrested motion of a single instant.
(07:35):
I eventually began to lose hope that any one would
ever pass that particular place, and it seemed for a
moment that I might be fated a splenditernity and visual
contemplation of my headless body. It seemed curious that not
one person should have passed after so long a time.
The thought occurred to me that the same fate which
(07:55):
had struck me through immobility might have befallen every living thing.
Perhaps the world was now populated by countless heads scattered
at isolated intervals, each in contemplation of its own detached body,
each vainly hoping for the chance passing of another. Perhaps
this was the way the universe was to anland, with
its living things so tirelessly and meticulously developed, now cast
(08:19):
into a pattern of helpless absurdity. While having finally abandoned
all hope of rescue, I began to consider a plan
whereby I might improve my own situation. I had discovered
during the days of waiting that I was not altogether.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Incapable of movement, that with proper action.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Of my jaws, I could propel myself somewhat in the
manner of a snake. The motion was slow, almost imperceptible,
but it seemed to offer the only faint hope of
altering my situation. In this manner, I set out to
bring head and body closer together. I soon discovered that
the task was extraordinarily difficult. Movement was slow and by
(08:59):
no means aims easy to control. Indeed, it was quite
difficult to avoid an aimless zigzag path, and it was
several days before I became certain that definite progress was
being made. Moreover, the effort was quite exhausting, and my
muscle soon began to ache unbearably. Although I made no
(09:19):
attempt to keep track of time, it was many days
before I had covered even half the distance, and I
was by the near a state of collapse. The sight
of my figure began to infuriate me, fresh and vigorous looking,
as it was, yet not contributing one iota in the
struggle for its own preservation. At one point, in fact,
in an almost delirious rage, I found myself cursing at
(09:42):
it violently, You foolish, ask why don't you do something
to help? When I had at last reached a position
directly under my body, I began to wonder whether my
artist labors would prove to be of any practical use.
It was reassuring to finally touch its flesh after such
a lengthy separation, but I found that I was not
(10:03):
able to stir it in the least remained quite unmoved
even when bitten vigorously. Moreover, I was unable to topple
it with even the most strenuous exertion. I rested for
several days in order to recover my strength, and at
the same time attempted to work out a solution to
my awkward problem. Gradually, I conceived the details of a
(10:25):
fantastic plan whereby, if successful, I might be eventually on
my way again.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
In one piece.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
My scheme was simply to gain a firm grip on
one of my legs and slowly work my way upwards
by means of lateral movements of the jaw. When this
thought first occurred to me, I dismissed it as absurdly impractical,
but ultimately decided that it must be tried, as no
other possibility remained. My experiences in ground propulsion already forewarned
(10:56):
me that such an endeavor would require every ounce of stamina.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
And strength I could mustard, and would.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Necessarily have to be planned with great care if there
was to be any hope of success. Having carefully surveyed
the terrain of flesh and determined a feasible route, I
began with considerable trepidation my upward journey. I started at
the heel of my left foot and soon developed a
(11:23):
workable technique by means of which I was able to
gain as scent. My method consisted in clamping my jaws
firmly around the flesh to obtain support and slighting the
lower jaw upwards a slight distance, and then moving the
upper jaw to position adjoining it. Since it was necessary
to maintain a secure grip at every instant in order
(11:44):
to continuously support the weight of my head, I could
not avoid inflicting injury to.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
My body along the plane of travel.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
As I felt the skin being sheared beneath my clamp
jaws and occasionally tasted a warm trickle of blood, I
was rather thankful that nervous communication to that portion of
my anatomy.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Was for the time being severed.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
It was imperative to proceed relentlessly and without pause once
the endeavor had begun, since the mere act of support
consumed precious energy even when my head was not in motion.
My initial progress was greater than I had originally anticipated,
and I managed to reach a position just below the
rear knee joint in about five hours. At this point
(12:28):
I became overly confident, however, and failed to judge properly
the narrowing path of flesh in this area. My grip
loosened for a split second, and my head toppled once
again to earth. My first attempt had failed. My initial
(12:52):
trial gave me a degree of confidence, however, and after
a day of rest, I began a second journey, determined
this time to succeed at all costs. I debated for
some while the choice of root for my second try
and previous path had been a good one, but I
hesitated to inflict further damage in those areas of flesh
which had already been severely lacerated, so I decided finally
(13:16):
to begin at the right leg. I was able in
my second effort to reach the buttocks after one day
of travel. My jaws were by that time tired and numb,
and I feared I might lose control over their movements.
Yet I had no choice but to continue as long
as any vestige of strength remained. I had planned, as
(13:39):
an intermediate objective to reach a point just above my
slightly extended left forearm. Working my way up behind the ribs.
I endeavored to arrive at a position in which the
weight of my head would be supported in a fork
formed by the arm and lower chest. I was in
a state of near collapse when I finally managed to
work my ways purely into this refuge. The relief I
(14:03):
felt as I relaxed my jaws for the first time
in two days is impossible to describe.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
As I dozed off and the.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Sound sleep with my head tucked firmly under my arm,
I couldn't help chuckling slightly at the thought of the
absurd spectacle I must have then presented, Taking full advantage
of the opportunity, I rested in that spot for several days.
When my aching jaws finally began to regain their strength,
(14:30):
I contemplated the final lap of my journey. I elected
to continue by way of a path up the right
front of my body, keeping close to the side until
I neared the shoulder. It was considerably more difficult than
before to maintain a firm grip, owing to the lack
of ample flesh around my upper rib cage. Several times
(14:51):
the thought struck me that I might again topple with
my objective so close at hand, and I doubted whether
I could muster the courage to begin a third time.
I'm should this happen. Ultimately I reached shoulder level, and
with some relief, began traveling across towards the neck. My
collarbone provided a convenient ledge in which to gain a grip,
(15:12):
and I reached the throat with little difficulty. I was
then confronted by what proved to be the most difficult
task of the entire project, that of rejoining my head
at the proper position without losing my support in the process,
maintaining a tenacious grip on my own throat. I began
(15:33):
to determine the effect of various movements of my jaw
and facial muscles. I was extremely discouraged at first to
realize that, even with the most strenuous exertion, I.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Was unable to orient my head at more than half.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
The angle required for proper reinstatement. Though I twisted and
turned at every conceivable direction, all efforts seemed futile. A
sense of despair swept over me as it began to
appear that, after all my labors, final success.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Was to be denied.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
I found that matters could be improved considerably, however, by
moving around to the side of the neck and forcing
its upper service to tilt slightly by severe compression of
its flesh between my teeth. It was with some regret
that I performed this maneuver, as I was apprehensive of
the possibility that the wounds I was inflicting might prove mortal.
(16:25):
Yet this procedure, despite its grave risk, seemed to offer
the only hope of eventual success. Straining every available muscle
to the utmost, I was able to force the severed
services gradually nearer and nearer to one another. When contact
was finally achieved, the pain of all the horrible lacerations
(16:47):
which I had been forced to inflict on myself shot
through me in an excruciating rage. The thrill of feeling
myself again whole, however, made the suffering seem inconsequential. As
I caused my limbs to move for the first time
in many weeks, I discovered with sudden shock that my
(17:09):
head was on backwards. This fact proved to be less
serious than amusing. However, with arms now at my control,
it was a simple matter to reach up and twist
it to the right position. Having done this, I paused
for an instant to breathe a sigh of relief, now
(17:29):
that this extraordinary incident in my life had come to
a close. Then, with renewed vigor, I continued my interrupted journey,
determined henceforth to remain indoors on windy days. The title
(18:42):
of that short piece was Armed Poissant by Britt Schweitzer.
It's from New Worlds of Fantasy, number two, edited by
Terry Carr.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
B b BO.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Thousand one.
Speaker 5 (20:11):
Last one fact.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
When this.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Edition of Mindwebs keeps rolling now with our second story
of the session, it's Isaac Asimov's Dream World, and it's
from Ida Parnell Stones Never in this World. At thirteen,
(23:27):
Edward Keller had been a science fiction devotee.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
For four years.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
He bubbled with galactic enthusiasm. His aunt Clara, who had
brought him up by rule and rod and pious memory
of her deceee sister, wavered between toleration and exasperation. It
appalled her to watch him grow so immersed in fantasy
face reality, Eddie, she would say angrily. He would not
(23:56):
but go on, and I dreamed Martian were chasing me.
See I had a special death ray. But the atomic
power unit was pretty low, and every other breakfast consisted
of eggs, toast, milk, and some such dream. Aunt Clara
said severely, Now.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Eddie, one of these nights you won't be able to
wake up out of your dream. You'll be trapped then what.
Speaker 2 (24:25):
She lowered her angular face close to his and glared.
Eddie was strangely impressed by his aunt's warning. He lay
in bed, staring into the darkness. He wouldn't like to
be trapped in a dream. It was always nice to
wake up before it was too late, like the time
the dinosaurs were after him. Suddenly he was out of bed,
(24:49):
out of the house, out on the lawn, and he
knew it was another dream. The thought was broken by
a vague thunder and a shadow that blooded the sun.
He looked upward in astonishment, and he could make out
the human face that touched the clouds. It was his
(25:11):
Aunt Clara, monstrously tall. She bent toward him in admonition,
masked like forefinger upraised, voice too guttural to be made out,
and he turned and ran in panic. Another Aunt Clara
monster loomed up before him, voice rumbling. He turned again, stumbling, panting,
(25:36):
heading outward outward, he reached the top.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Of the hill and stopped in the horror.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Off in the distance, a hundred towering aunt Clara's were
marching by. As the column passed, each line of aunt
Clara's turned their heads sharply toward him, and the thunderous
bass rumbling coalesce into words.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
Face reality, Addy, face Reality, Addy, face reality, and he
face reality and face reality, and he face reality and
face reality, A face reality.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Please wake up, he begged himself, Please wake up, don't
be caught in this dream, for unless he woke up,
the worst science fictional doom of all would have overtaken him.
He would be trapped, trapped in a world of giant ants.
(27:29):
That story, the second one of the session, was titled
dream World, written by Isaac Asimov. It shows up in
Never in This World, edited by Idava pernell Stone. This
is Michael Hanson speaking technical production from Mindwebbs by Leslie Hilsenhoff.
Mind Webbs comes to you from WYA Radio and Madison
(27:53):
the service of University of Wisconsin Extension.
Speaker 6 (28:02):
Not at that of at of oh not that a
(29:03):
bo not bad.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Up.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
That ad to the person
Speaker 6 (30:24):
Person
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