Drabblecast 267 – Postapocalypsemas

[StalinSays]

Feature: Postapocalypsemas by Tim Pratt and Heather Shaw
Drabble: Happy Old Year by Chris Munroe



Monday, December 24th, 2012
Sandeer smelled her.

It was just a whiff, a few molecules of something familiar and therefore sweet, wafting on a late afternoon breeze that otherwise carried only the usual: formaldehyde, benzene, dioxin, chromium, and miscellaneous particulate matter both organic and non-. (Once, there had been the smell of roasting chestnuts and crackling logs and simmering spiced cider, but in recent cycles only less pleasant things burned.) There, represented by an air sample just barely statistically significant, was the scent of Sophie.

Art by Mary Mattice

Twabble: “ Wait. He has control of the weather, healing powers, boulder-moving strength AND can walk on water? Best. X-Man. Ever. ” by Etaan

[tbaker2500]

Great episode! Glad to have another Tim Pratt et al story! While this one was a little dark, it was touching. And the darkness was appropriate for a post-Mayan era. Good job everyone, and Merry Christmas!

[smartmouth]

Hey Norm, what music did you use near the end of the story? And is there any way you can post the music used for your future podcasts? Thanx!

[El Barto]

Damn good story. Or should I say damn good love story?

[danooli]

The Drabblecast made me cry.

I loved this.

[strawman]

Interesting that loyalty is such a precious thing that it is resonates even when it is artificial. Sort of makes you wonder if the carbon-based forms might be programmed in their own way. DNA?

Getting warmer. Warming?
Must tax these carbon emissions!
Why not tax silicon emissions?
What produces climate models? Computers! Chips! Silicon!

I am programmed to miss you when you are gone.

*Sniff*

[Algernon Sydney is Dead]

Hey Norm, what music did you use near the end of the story? And is there any way you can post the music used for your future podcasts? Thanx!

Norm didn't use any music. You hear that you RIAA goons?! He, uh, composes and plays all his own stuff. Yeah, no need for royalties.

But that piece did beg for a deeper listen didn't it? Reminded me of The Piano Guys.

---

As for the story. Liked it; good ending. Pretty predictable. Reminded me a lot of A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and maybe some Asimov and Saberhagen too.

[Unblinking]

I enjoyed this one, but I think I'm getting kind of Christmased out. Was a crappy December, and when I'm catching up on my podcasts now post-Christmas road trip, I kind of want it to just be January already.

I do like a tale of a sentient robot, and of a dog-like personality, which Sandeer reminded me of. Yay for undying love and loyalty!

[strawman]

Y'know, Norm set the tone for this whole been-there/done-that vibe beginning with the Halloween episode. It's like a malaise infection from Europe. Maybe that Mayan Apocalypse thing is happening all around us, but space-time has warped into slo-mo. Sure feels just like being pursued by huge crashing footsteps in the distant dark, and the closer they get, the slower I am.

Sure am hoping this turns out better than that did.