February 17, 2017

Podcast: “The Roads Must Roll”

Podcast: “The Roads Must Roll”

A long time ago, in a California far far away [OK, that’s not working so well, but…] Anyway, In 1940, the famous science-fiction author Robert A. Heinlein wrote a story about a time in the future when people stood on high-powered conveyor belts to get from place to place. This is a story about a more ecologically responsible form of transport, but Heinlein spices it up with a bit of terrorism, so he’s way ahead of the social curve on two counts. First published in John W. Campbell’s Astounding Science Fiction magazine, here is “The Roads Must Roll.” I might add this waas one of my favorite short stories to read when I was a lad. Please click on the arrow below to listen to the podcast.

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February 13, 2017

Podcast: “The Dark Valentine” Radio Broadcast

Podcast: “The Dark Valentine” Radio Broadcast

      In the year 2000, a deejay at WSCS Radio, a college radio station, Came on the air calling himself “The 2000Man.” Nobody really knew who he really was, outside a few staff and jocks. His two-hour long show was broadcast on Friday nights from 10 until 12. His show was unique because the guy was pretty out-there, like Max Headroom or The Firesign Theatre. It was also unique because he would play extended sets of one band anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes in length. In between songs, he did his “2000Man” thing, and nobody ever knew what it would be. One night a listener called in and screamed, “What are you DOING?” and hung up. Here is an abbreviated version [just under an hour] of his now-famous “Dark Valentine” show. We…

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February 13, 2017

A Valentine’s Day Greeting and a New Story

A Valentine’s Day Greeting and a New Story

We received this Valentine’s Day greeting from one of our good friends and contributors, Nina Brav. We asked if we could share it with all of you, and Nina graciously said yes. She asked that everyone pay particular attention to the artwork by her friend Katherine Yau and visit her website.  And I invite you to read Nina’s new story, “Ms. Tabitha,” and to read her charming Valentine’s Day message here. If you like what you see, be sure to sign up for more Nina on Instagram or Facebook [at the end of her message]. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! Your Fictional Café Baristas

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February 10, 2017

Podcast: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Podcast: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

We take a big, fun departure from our usual podcasting fare to present the Walt Disney classic retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” This is essentially the soundtrack for Disney’s first fully animated movie, shortened a bit to fit into a one-hour broadcast on Lux Radio Theatre December 26, 1938. This popular show broadcast every week from 1934 to 1955, delighting listeners with movie stories – usually played by the film’s actors – which they wanted to see. You might appreciate the singing in “Snow White”, especially the song it made famous, “Someday My Prince Will Come.” My favorite rendition is by Miles Davis from his eponymous album, although the Dave Brubeck Quartet rendition is a close second. Both are easily accessible on YouTube. Please click on the arrow below…

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February 9, 2017

Art Exhibit: The Ink Paintings of Lee Yuan-hai

Art Exhibit: The Ink Paintings of Lee Yuan-hai

While touring Taiwan in December, 2016, I was fortunate to attend an exhibition of Lee Yuan-hai’s ink paintings at Taipei’s National Museum of History. I’d never been to this museum before and knew nothing of the painter, but learned about him quite by fortune or serendipity. Here’s how it happened. My wife and I were in Taipei to attend our niece’s wedding. Wanting to give her a and her husband a gift of art and lasting permanence, I had chosen on of the few remaining serigraphs from my mother, who was a well respected artist in her own right. I brought it rolled up in a cardboard tube and intended to have it matted and framed upon arrival. That worked out quite well. The framing shop was about four blocks from our hotel and when we…

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February 7, 2017

“Words Unspoken” by A.D. Wolf

“Words Unspoken” by A.D. Wolf

They spoke with their hooded eyelids, inches away from the other’s face. There was no need for room, only each other. Only their secrets. Those secrets one assumes only they hold when in fact the person sitting next to them, breathing the same air, is thinking the same false thought. Too many secrets. Too many unanswered questions. Too many unasked questions. Not enough time. They were invested in each other, fully, completely, yet they only knew what the other chose to trust them with. Humans are such untrustworthy creatures, it takes too long to believe someone is undoubtedly who they say they are. Words are a flight risk, but conversations that only involve long, solemn glances and quick, excited stares? Those are difficult to fake. A pendant around one of their necks lightly tapped on…

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February 5, 2017

Four Poems by James R. Whitley

Four Poems by James R. Whitley

Thirteen Ways to Deny an Ending Position your body between the door and his body, then turn to stone. Spread your tears like thin ice beneath her feet, and then turn to glass. Lecture like a doomsday astronomer—warn against the Earth without the sun, the tides without the moon… Counter with a mathematical argument—perhaps something about the number 2 and natural balance, or the number 1 being too odd. Make up an excuse to leave the theater before the final act—if a curtain falls and you are not there to see it, then… Rub raw onion (or any handy irritant) in your eyes, and renew your faith in chemistry. Imagine that you are merely playing tennis and redefine terms like match, break, love… Rewrite history—especially the darker periods—and try to sell the revision as best…

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February 2, 2017

“Bowl of Peaches” by Kevin Richard White

“Bowl of Peaches” by Kevin Richard White

Bowl of Peaches “So what did she say to you?” Setting: bowl of peaches, napkin holder, salt and pepper shaker, one bottle of Hendricks, filthy glasses, dim light, anger, sadness. Music: Handwritten plays softly in the room over. The gin was poured. “She didn’t say much.” Then: “Well, not anything real important.” Memories washed over his face as rain began to fall, cool wind dancing in through a ratty screen, a threat of a storm on a night where this conversation exists more wonderfully than anything else. Characters: two friends in a near dark room, one girl, one guy. Another girl, way offstage, from another town. “I pulled around the side of her house on the other street. I looked over to her backyard. I saw other people. I assumed that one of them was…

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February 1, 2017

Love or Something Unlike It – February Submissions

Love or Something Unlike It – February Submissions

Apologies to Kenny Rogers for appropriating his song title, but it’s that time of year again. The Hallmarkiest of holidays is upon us. Whether you celebrate it or not (or just meme about it), we have something for you this month in our “love or something unlike it” themed selection, drawing on the emotions that interpersonal relationships tend to create among us humans. Take a gander at what we have in store this month: February Submissions We open with Kevin White’s short story “Bowl of Peaches,” a meditation on love lost and the despair one feels in the aftermath. The one scene story revolves around a meeting between a one-time couple whose wounds have not completely healed. Our next short story comes from A.D. Wolf. “Words Unspoken” looks at the other end of a relationship…

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