259 lines
19 KiB
Plaintext
259 lines
19 KiB
Plaintext
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<20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ
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<20> THE WRITER <20>
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<20> by Thomas Nevin Huber <20>
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<20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ
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<EFBFBD> The writer carefully considered what he would write. He pondered the <20>
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<EFBFBD> ideas as he sat waiting for his daughter to get off work. He thought of <20>
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<EFBFBD> the setting he would use for his story. He carefully considered what he <20>
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<EFBFBD> would call his next story. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> Later that night he sat down before his computer and glanced once <20>
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<EFBFBD> again at the page sitting in front of him. A wicked smile crossed his <20>
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<EFBFBD> lips as he thought about the audacity of those that had irritated him. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> He carefully, ever-so-carefully prepared the words that would make up <20>
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<EFBFBD> the first page of the manuscript. This was the most important page, he <20>
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<EFBFBD> had been told. Without getting this page just so, the material would <20>
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<EFBFBD> never be read, would never be considered, would never receive so much <20>
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<EFBFBD> as a second thought. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> He sighed to himself as he sipped the soft drink, being careful not <20>
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<EFBFBD> to spill it onto his keyboard. He scratched a persistent itchy nose, <20>
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<EFBFBD> backspacing over his mistakes caused by the errant irritant. He chuckled <20>
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<EFBFBD> at his (supposed) humor as he typed the words, which in turn appeared <20>
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<EFBFBD> magically on the screen. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> He purposely left the spot blank, opposite his name. He'd get an <20>
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<EFBFBD> accurate word count later, produced by his word processor's spelling <20>
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<EFBFBD> checker. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> He finished out his address, and provided two phone numbers -- one <20>
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<EFBFBD> where he could be reached during the day, and another where he could <20>
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<EFBFBD> be reached at night. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> Then he tapped the Enter key several times with the pinky of his <20>
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<EFBFBD> right hand to provide just the right number of spaces. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> The title. Ah, the title, he thought as he stared at the screen. A <20>
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<EFBFBD> smile crossed his lips as he paused, then keyed in the code that would <20>
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<EFBFBD> apply the appropriate weight and size to the letters. <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20>
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<EFBFBD> He typed, `The Writer,' and again tapped the Enter key to drop to the <20>
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<EFBFBD> first line of text... <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> The writer carefully considered what he would compose. He pondered <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> the ideas as he sat waiting for his daughter to meet him after her <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> work. He thought of the setting he would use for his story. He <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> carefully considered what he would call this, his next story. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> Later that night he sat down before his computer and glanced once <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> again at the fax sitting in front of him. A wicked smile crossed <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> his lips as he thought about the audacity of those that barred his <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> way. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> He made sure the room was secure and no errant sounds would make <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> their way to the pickup on the screen in front of him. He tapped the <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> record key and carefully, ever-so-carefully prepared the words that <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> would make up the first page of the manuscript. This was the most <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> important page, he had been told. Without getting this page just so, <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> the material would never be read, would never be considered, would <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> never receive so much as a second thought. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> He sighed to himself as he paused and sipped the soft drink. He <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> continued, but had to pause several times to scratch a persistent <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> itchy nose. Pressing the backspace key, he watched as it erased the <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> words on his screen, caused by the errant irritant. He chuckled at <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> his (supposed) humor as he respoke the words, which in turn <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> appeared magically on the screen. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> He purposely left the spot blank, opposite his name. He'd get an <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> accurate word count later, produced by the word processor's <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> grammar/syntax checker. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> He finished out his address, and provided two phone numbers -- one <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> where he could be reached during the day, and another where he could <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> be reached at night. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> Then spoke the magic word, "Title" and watched as the program <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> provided just the right number of spaces. The computer paused, <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> waiting patiently for him to speak the words. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> The title. Ah, the title, he thought as he stared at the screen. <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> A smile crossed his lips as he paused, then said, slowly and <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> distinctly, "The Writer." <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> He paused, then added, "End title," and again watched the cursor <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> find its way down the screen, ready to add the words of the story <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> to the screen... <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> The writer carefully considered what he would write. He <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> pondered the ideas as he sat waiting for his daughter to <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> finish he day at work. He thought of the setting he would <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> use for his story and he carefully considered what he would <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> call his next story. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> Later that night he sat down in his favorite chair, the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> composer next to him. He glanced once again at the screen in <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> front of him. A wicked smile crossed his lips as he thought <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> about the audacity of those that barred his way. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He picked up his headset, and tapped each of the sensitive <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> pickups. The computer didn't like his actions, and beeped a <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> sour note at him. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He cleared his conscious mind of any stray thoughts that <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> might distract him and put the headset over the crown of his <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> head. It reminded him of a small prayer cap he'd seen worn <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> many, many years before. He couldn't remember the significance <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> of the cap and didn't care. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> The screen reflected his random thoughts in patterns that <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> made no sense. No mind. He hadn't given the all-important <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> mental command to begin. He carefully adjusted the temple <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> and frontal pickups and watched the screen bounce and glide <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> images across it's face. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> For amusement he pictured a pretty girl, then quickly <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> replaced it with a view of his wife, sitting in front of the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> crafting machine that she used to sew, knit, darn, and <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> crochet for her booth in the local craft store. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> Satisfied that everything was in place, he relaxed and <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> cleared his mind. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> "Begin," he uttered to himself. The screen snapped to a <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> page-white display. "Prepare first page heading," he <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> instructed and watched as the words appeared quickly on the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> screen. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> An errant itch distracted him, and as he scratched his nose, <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> the words tore from side to side. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> "Damn," he swore to himself, and watched as the words turned <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> shades of color, and faded from sight. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> "Begin," he reinstructed. He wouldn't let the errant <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> irritant bother him again. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He sighed to himself as he lipped the soft drink straw and <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> was rewarded with a refreshed draught of the liquid. He smiled <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> at his (supposed) humor as he watched the word reappear <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> magically on the screen. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He purposely left the spot blank, opposite his name. It <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> would fill in later, when he instructed the machine to finish. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> Then before the final count was dropped into place, the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> computer would quickly check all aspects of the story, <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> including the plausibility, according to the level of science <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> and fiction he'd programmed earlier. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He checked the material on the screen, making sure the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> appropriate computer address including a target for daytime and <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> nighttime. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> He thought `title' and watched as the cursor jumped to the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> middle of the page, waiting for his thoughts. <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> The title. Ah, the title, he thought as he stared at the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> screen. A smile crossed his lips as he paused, then formed the <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> words in his mind, only to see them appear in the appropriate <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> weight and size on the screen. It read, `The Writer.' <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> The writer carefully considered what he would write. He <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> pondered the ideas as he waited for his daughter to <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> arrive through the transitube from her work. He thought <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> of the setting he would use for his story. He carefully <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> considered what he would call his next story. <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> Later that night he sat in his favorite chair and spoke <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> quietly. "Composer," he said, "Prepare the following story <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> for submission to... " he paused as he glanced at the <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> reject next to the name on the pad. The corporate name was <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> all he needed. <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> "Waiting," the composer spoke back. It had finished his <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> task. <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> `Title' ran across the stage of his mind. `The Writer' <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> appeared in bold headlines over the stage. It was set. <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> He was ready. He began... <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> The writer carefully considered what he would write.<2E> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> He pondered the ideas as he waiting for his daughter <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> to arrive at the transport station in their living <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> room. <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> The composer prepared the first page, complete with <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> his name, grid location, and job code, in case the <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> editor wanted to reach him during the day. <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> He thought of the setting he would use for his <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> story and carefully considered what he would call his <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> next story. The thought struck and was set into the <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> machine. The story would be, `The Writer.' He <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> pictured the opening sequence... <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>Ŀ <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
|
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<EFBFBD> <20> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> The writer was satisfied with his results. Keying the 'send' key, he <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> let the manuscript feed through the modem, to come out the other end, in <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> the editorial office, complete, with proper typography, spacing and all <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> just like the editor wanted it. He leaned back, then looked over at the <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD> rejection letter and chuckled. Ah, if it were only so easy... <20>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
(Author's note:)
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Background: This story was written as the result of receiving a
|
|||
|
rejection note from a major SF magazine. Initially, I took the letter as
|
|||
|
a slap in the face because of its condition. It was a very bad photocopy,
|
|||
|
with the street address of the firm whited out and typed over. It wasn't
|
|||
|
that I was upset that they didn't accept the story; they didn't have the
|
|||
|
courtesy to send a "clean" rejection slip.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
After the initial irritation, I started reading the letter, and I
|
|||
|
realized how badly it had been composed. Not only were these folks in
|
|||
|
the publishing business (and had been for many, many years), but I really
|
|||
|
expected decently written material from them. After a few hours and in the
|
|||
|
meantime, going after my daughter, I came up with the idea for this story.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
In its current form (as a text file), you can't really get the full
|
|||
|
intended impact. Copiers, as most of you know, tend to lose the quality
|
|||
|
as you make copies, one generation after another. Therefore, each story
|
|||
|
within the story is supposed to be printed in a lighter print until, at
|
|||
|
the end, you can barely make out the words.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
That was the way I sent the story to the magazine, along with a letter
|
|||
|
telling them what I thought about their rejection notice. I did not offer
|
|||
|
the story for publication to them, and didn't hear anything back. A later
|
|||
|
story (BRADLEY) received a new rejection letter, so I think I made my
|
|||
|
point.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
# # #
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Copyright 1994 Thomas Nevin Huber, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
|
|||
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
Tom Huber is rapidly approaching middle age (50). Involved with
|
|||
|
computers since the early '60's and has been employed as a technical
|
|||
|
writer for a major computer manufacturer for over 12 years. Previous
|
|||
|
works include numerous user, installation, service, & tech manuals, and
|
|||
|
magazine articles. Hobbies include genealogy and running his bbs. Look
|
|||
|
for a major series of SF novels, prerelease title, STAR SPAWN. Many
|
|||
|
shorts are related to the series.
|
|||
|
=======================================================================
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|