Drabblecast 112 - The Guardian
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Drabblecast 112 - The Guardian
Drabblecast 112
Drabble- 3:52 to Oblivion
by J.D. Riso
The Guardian
by Michael Anthony
She sprinted along the sidewalk, the bag bouncing against her back. The sun melded into the horizon, disappeared, engulfing the city in grave dark. Blood-thirsty screams could be heard in the distance, human howls. The gangs and muties were waking, to reclaim the city in their nightly routine...
Music by Scott Shannon and Bartok
Art by Josh Hugo
Drabble- 3:52 to Oblivion
by J.D. Riso
The Guardian
by Michael Anthony
She sprinted along the sidewalk, the bag bouncing against her back. The sun melded into the horizon, disappeared, engulfing the city in grave dark. Blood-thirsty screams could be heard in the distance, human howls. The gangs and muties were waking, to reclaim the city in their nightly routine...
Music by Scott Shannon and Bartok
Art by Josh Hugo
"Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion"
Facebook | Web Site | Night of the Living Trekkies | Book Trailer
Facebook | Web Site | Night of the Living Trekkies | Book Trailer
Well, this is interesting. We get a direct comparison of the same piece, as performed by Norm and by Dani Cutler.
Dani starts off at a big handicap, since she gets no Drabblenews intro about racist dolphins to warm up with. But wait a minute here! I'm getting sucked down a rabbit trail about peripheral matters. What about the story?
It's a dystopian (there's that word again, Louise. Pass me the Funky Wagnal's...) formula genre piece, that hinges on what's in the bag... and so resolves at the very end when the bag is opened, and it turns out to contain Tolstoy's War and Peace, which the girl thinks will contain the secrets of War and Peace, so the world can finally end war and get some piece.
What, that's not what's in the bag? Oh well. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
I say mount this baby on some dolphins and lets kill us sum terrorists. Now that I think about it, this Drabble might have worked better after the story. Walk into the light...*catsplat*
Dani starts off at a big handicap, since she gets no Drabblenews intro about racist dolphins to warm up with. But wait a minute here! I'm getting sucked down a rabbit trail about peripheral matters. What about the story?
It's a dystopian (there's that word again, Louise. Pass me the Funky Wagnal's...) formula genre piece, that hinges on what's in the bag... and so resolves at the very end when the bag is opened, and it turns out to contain Tolstoy's War and Peace, which the girl thinks will contain the secrets of War and Peace, so the world can finally end war and get some piece.
What, that's not what's in the bag? Oh well. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
I say mount this baby on some dolphins and lets kill us sum terrorists. Now that I think about it, this Drabble might have worked better after the story. Walk into the light...*catsplat*
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
Spoiler:
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Wow, I've gotta say, Drabblecast has only been getting better and better. This year we've had a really strong run of stories, 2 Bbardles in one month, a couple fun Bsides stories... this week's story (and episode-- the dolphin stuff made me almost pull over I was laughing so hard) was right in line. Outstanding production, as usual, but kudos to the Mr. Anthony for really pulling off a lot of action and suspense in a relatively short story.
The scene when the Dead Boys surround them is just awesome, the sheer tragedy of Tolia's futile tenacity is powerful. Nietzsche and Franklin win the battle here, but in the grand scheme of things I think Einstein and Churchill win the war.
Oh, and saddest Drabble ever, but good episode for it.
The scene when the Dead Boys surround them is just awesome, the sheer tragedy of Tolia's futile tenacity is powerful. Nietzsche and Franklin win the battle here, but in the grand scheme of things I think Einstein and Churchill win the war.
Oh, and saddest Drabble ever, but good episode for it.
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Riveting! I love post-apocalypse stories, putting Lord of the Flies in that context made for awesome adventure.
Maybe a little too much sneaking around in dark shops in the first half, lagged a bit as a result, but then really took off in the second half. Reminded me of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto, but not god awful.
Didn't really care for the Drabble. Shave off 97 words and you've got the same thing: "Chick commits suicide."
As far as the racist anti-terrorist dolphins and Lethal Dolphin IV, too funny! Ah Norm, so so so strange.
Maybe a little too much sneaking around in dark shops in the first half, lagged a bit as a result, but then really took off in the second half. Reminded me of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto, but not god awful.

Didn't really care for the Drabble. Shave off 97 words and you've got the same thing: "Chick commits suicide."
As far as the racist anti-terrorist dolphins and Lethal Dolphin IV, too funny! Ah Norm, so so so strange.
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YAY
One of the best told DC stories... I think this calls for some more EXPLICIT episodes. I was completely IN the story as it was being told- wonderful writing and great voicing by Norm <3. So sad to discover that Tola's prized remedy was a box of Cap'n Crunch... seriously there must be more ingredients in that crap that would kill the poor boy than save his life...
Really impressed with DC lately- I agree with the recent comments... awesome Bbardles and Drabble News... Norm must have too much time on his hands? Or maybe some newfound source of immense inspiration in his life...
wish it were me...
Really impressed with DC lately- I agree with the recent comments... awesome Bbardles and Drabble News... Norm must have too much time on his hands? Or maybe some newfound source of immense inspiration in his life...
wish it were me...

i <3 norm.
- Mr. Tweedy
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Dolphin Supremacy = Must See
You sure milked that one, Norm old boy. My favorite part was how did the ambush interview of the Navy guy, lulling him into a false sense of security with real questions before suddenly pouncing with the accusations. I also love how you satirized the action movie genre: The clichés are so numerous that you can just ad lib a trailer by plugging in names (species names, in this case).
Drabble = Meh
Chick commits suicide. The end.
Story = Average
This one didn't particularly impress me because I saw the ending coming about a third of the way into the story. She's carrying something in a bag... She got it from a store in the city... She idolizes a sword-wielding captain... It's a box of Captain Crunch. She must therefore survive so that the ironic truth can be revealed at the very end.
So I saw the twist coming, and everything else in the story was rigidly conventional (protagonist picks off pursuers using convenient environmental objects; protagonist is finally cornered by lead antagonist; protagonist is unexpectedly saved by third party). The story was very well-told, though. Vivid images and sympathetic characters. It wasn't unique enough to be memorable, though.
You sure milked that one, Norm old boy. My favorite part was how did the ambush interview of the Navy guy, lulling him into a false sense of security with real questions before suddenly pouncing with the accusations. I also love how you satirized the action movie genre: The clichés are so numerous that you can just ad lib a trailer by plugging in names (species names, in this case).
Drabble = Meh
Chick commits suicide. The end.
Story = Average
This one didn't particularly impress me because I saw the ending coming about a third of the way into the story. She's carrying something in a bag... She got it from a store in the city... She idolizes a sword-wielding captain... It's a box of Captain Crunch. She must therefore survive so that the ironic truth can be revealed at the very end.
So I saw the twist coming, and everything else in the story was rigidly conventional (protagonist picks off pursuers using convenient environmental objects; protagonist is finally cornered by lead antagonist; protagonist is unexpectedly saved by third party). The story was very well-told, though. Vivid images and sympathetic characters. It wasn't unique enough to be memorable, though.
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Here's how my parakeet found this episode.
During the intro, he was happy and chirping quietly to himself. During the story he was he was rigid- head cocked slightly to the side, not looking at me nor anything else in particular. I chirped at him, no response. He was intent on listening! When the outro came he immediately fluffed up, started preening himself and talking to me.
'nuf said.
During the intro, he was happy and chirping quietly to himself. During the story he was he was rigid- head cocked slightly to the side, not looking at me nor anything else in particular. I chirped at him, no response. He was intent on listening! When the outro came he immediately fluffed up, started preening himself and talking to me.
'nuf said.
You're my quasi-ichthian angel, you're my half-amphibian queen...
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
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I loved this story when I heard it on Pseudopod, and it's great to see if get its due here as well. Michael is a solid writer.
One of the things I enjoyed about the tale is the little bits of humanity that poke through all that ugly. Just a glimpse of some of that childhood innocence by the Dead Boy leader is enough to encourage him to do the right thing and let the girl go. I think that is the most solid example of hope in the tale.
Great job, Michael.
One of the things I enjoyed about the tale is the little bits of humanity that poke through all that ugly. Just a glimpse of some of that childhood innocence by the Dead Boy leader is enough to encourage him to do the right thing and let the girl go. I think that is the most solid example of hope in the tale.
Great job, Michael.
Author of "On Dasher", "Old Clara's Favorites", and a host of other tales available online and in print. Check out my site at http://jonathancg.net
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This story really had me going. The writing was tight, the violence sufficiently violent, the awesomeness incredibly awesome and my attachment to the character strong.
Then the MacGuffin turned out to be a box of cereal.
Really? REALLY? A box of cereal? CEREAL?
Alright, I'm overreacting here for dramatic effect, but that little twist ruined it for me. All that brilliant writing for what? Cereal?
Then the MacGuffin turned out to be a box of cereal.
Really? REALLY? A box of cereal? CEREAL?
Alright, I'm overreacting here for dramatic effect, but that little twist ruined it for me. All that brilliant writing for what? Cereal?
Philosophy is a game with objectives and no rules. Mathematics is a game with rules and no objectives.
You're always the hero in your own story - life is about not being the villain in anyone else's.
You're always the hero in your own story - life is about not being the villain in anyone else's.
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How did this story ever end up on Pseudopod? Doesn't seem particularly horrifying in any way shape or form?jonathancg wrote:I loved this story when I heard it on Pseudopod, and it's great to see if get its due here as well. Michael is a solid writer.
:puzzled:
As for the drabble, i have to second the "meh" on that one. Nothing against suicide ditties but this was just plain vanilla. Some time ago there was a drabble with an Olympic Silver-Medalist taking her last dive, which by contrast, was exceptional.
P.S. 4 out of 5 muties prefer Shredded Wheat...
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Frosted or not?
You're my quasi-ichthian angel, you're my half-amphibian queen...
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
Personally, I'm a purist, so let me add my own sugar and milk.
Especially since Domino's now offers me the choice of carbon-free sugar!
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/05/04/s ... lain-crap/
Especially since Domino's now offers me the choice of carbon-free sugar!
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/05/04/s ... lain-crap/
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
Spoiler:
- tbaker2500
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Oh that's classic! Kudo's for a carbon-neutral factory, but I agree that the lab guys must be going into convulsions over the marketing. 

You're my quasi-ichthian angel, you're my half-amphibian queen...
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
The Dribblecast, we don't care if you sound like an idiot.
Hah! This story was swell. The cereal thing took me by surprise and amused me (at least kind of. If you think about it, society getting to that point where they think cereal is medicine isn't funny at all. It's really rather tragic).
And I too am surprised this was on Pseudopod, seems more fitted for Escape Pod, IMHO. Although it was rather chilling, the gist of it seems to be dystopian future rather than "scary." I guess its one of those that crosses genres and could fit in either category, really.
And I too am surprised this was on Pseudopod, seems more fitted for Escape Pod, IMHO. Although it was rather chilling, the gist of it seems to be dystopian future rather than "scary." I guess its one of those that crosses genres and could fit in either category, really.
What a great llittle story. A thrilling danger filled environment and a chase with nasty bad guys. Even some blood letting. Then a pathos filled ending, oh the pathos! Who could demand or want more?
Norm your show has peaked, it's time to quit while your ahead!
[Note]The previous line is not to be taken seriously, anyone found to be taking it seriously will be hunted down by unicycling Dolphins armed with deadly pea-shooters.[/Note]
Norm your show has peaked, it's time to quit while your ahead!
[Note]The previous line is not to be taken seriously, anyone found to be taking it seriously will be hunted down by unicycling Dolphins armed with deadly pea-shooters.[/Note]