(Illustration for story created by Scott Brundage)

Last week I chose a story for us to read that I had not yet read myself, the first such experiment in this brief run of Sunday short story discussions. Author Rachel Swirsky had suggested “On 20468 Petercook” had a P.G. Wodehouse flavor and that alone made me want to give it a read.

I certainly got that vibe as I read the story, a slight and humorous one about two men stationed together out in space with a very specific mission. It is a short read, mostly dialogue, and one particularly enjoyable for a lazy Sunday afternoon. I hope you’ll give it a read (link here) and share your thoughts.

First things first: as a child of the 80’s who spent his mall moments in the video arcade, the Asteroids opening was just too perfect. I caught the reference before it was revealed and enjoyed it very much. And right there we get our first taste of the very proper and witty banter that George and Stanley share. “No Stanley, shed no tears for me”. Brilliant!

I dare say that the video game opening and the first volley of conversation will determine right then and there whether or not the reader will find this story satisfying. For the story reads very much as if two of Wodehouse’s characters, perhaps even Jeeves and Wooster, were launched into space. The story is entirely about the relationship between these two men…and tea.

As much as it might frustrate those who actually live in and/or can lay rights to being British, America is chock full of Britophiles and my wife and I certainly count ourselves among them. Over the 24 (almost) years we have been married we have spent many an hour reading books and watching movies set in Britain, written by British people and, in the case of movies and television shows, filled with British actors. We both use British phrases in our conversation without thinking twice about it. We have certainly appropriated small parts of the culture, but not the idea of tea (meaning the event as well as the beverage). We are both tremendously fascinated by the idea and I find it so familiar and comforting that in nearly every British detective/mystery show we watch tea is offered, and drunk, with great frequency. There is something so solidly British about that and I like how Andy Duncan weaves that into this story.

I will leave it to those of you who are British or those who have lived in England for a time to share your thoughts about tea. I’d be fascinated to read them. Another question I have for someone in the know: does the attitude George have about work ring true with British attitudes? The reason I ask is that section of the story read very American to me. It was a fun scene, George asserting his unwillingness to be a corporate slave while nearly every bit of his existence is stamped with the company logo. Funny but also very telling if you are an employer because I find that there is an all-too prevalent attitude in parts of the workforce today where employees seem to have the attitude that their time is their own, even when those hours are being paid for by the company.

“It’s a slippery slope, Stanley. It’s the beginning of the end. These bastards get to feeling they have the upper hand, and the balance of power is shifted, mate. Inexorably and irretrievably in their favor.”

I should stop there, I feel a rant coming on.

George and Stanley entertain me for a number of reasons. One being that they have this obviously very comfortable relationship in which even their bickering is done with pleasantry. Their romantic relationships, which may be largely in their heads, are sweet and entertaining nonetheless. George and his bravado in sharing his true feelings with the company big-whig, Branson…but only when she just so happens to be across the room, or has conveniently left. Stanley and his flirtation with the A.I. They are such nice little moments that Duncan creates.

And in the end that is what this is. It isn’t some profound story and it doesn’t purport to be. It is a slice of life story about two very distinct characters that hearken back to archetypes that I suspect we have all enjoyed at some point in our lives. George and Stanley remind me very much of Robert Sheckley’s characters Michael Donovan and Greg Powell who are featured in multiple short stories. I would like to see Duncan do something similar in bringing George and Stanley out every so often in another adventure.

Tea included, of course.
_________________________________________________________

Next week we are back in the Fantasy realm with a story by Peter S. Beagle, “The Woman Who Married the Man in the Moon“. It is a really nice story (is there anything else from someone as skilled as Beagle?) and one that I think everyone participating in the Once Upon a Time Challenge may enjoy.

The story is featured in Peter S. Beagle’s collection, Sleight of Hand, which is easily one of the best short story collections I have ever read. I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy. Hope to see you here next week.