A few days ago I discovered a new BBC podcast, The Philosopher’s Arms. “Podcast” is, I should say, a misnomer. The Philosopher’s Arms is a BBC Radio 4 series, just finished with its third run of episodes, that the BBC has made available as a podcast download. And just what is The Philosopher’s Arms? ThisContinue reading “The Philosopher’s Arms”
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Bleacher Creatures
“I can’t believe you wore that,” Peri said. “How was I to know?” the Doctor said indignantly, raising his voice to shout above those jeering at him. Peri frowned. “You could have asked.” “Did you not say, ‘Let’s go to a baseball game.’ Is this not the proper attire?” He gestured at the cap andContinue reading “Bleacher Creatures”
Coffee Bars
Owen frowned. Pubs he liked. Coffee bars he didn’t. The college kids in turtlenecks, the young professionals on their laptops — he’d lived this life and outgrown it. He wanted a drink — bourbon or scotch — not a made-up Italian word for a fancy coffee. He heard Tosh through his earpiece. “You’re on topContinue reading “Coffee Bars”
Making Minds Free
“What we did, Doctor? Was it wise?” “We brought down a corrupt religion, Peri. Minds clouded by dogma will now be free. These people now understand they will fail because of their decisions, not because of the fickleness of fate.” Throngs of the once-worshipful tore a statue down from its pedestal. It crashed to theContinue reading “Making Minds Free”
The Dalek Invasion of Endor
“You can’t do this, Davros!” the Doctor screamed from captivity. Davros rolled to the Doctor’s cell. “You are too late. My Spider-Daleks are moving through the jungles. By sunrise, no Ewok will remain alive.” “Ewoks,” the Doctor whispered, stunned. The Black Dalek outside the Doctor’s cell shook its eyestalk. “ALL EWOKS WILL BE EXTERMINATED.” TheContinue reading “The Dalek Invasion of Endor”
Recitals
Martha gagged twice, bent over. Orange slime covered her face, and some had run into her nose and mouth. “You want a towel?” the Doctor asked. “This… stuff is gross,” she said, her voice muffled as she wiped slime from her face. “I thought you said we were attending a poetry recital.” “We did. Wasn’tContinue reading “Recitals”
The Vault
“We’ve identified one of the bodies.” Elizabeth Shelby looked skeptical. “Which one?” Artifacts collected across the galaxy over the past two centuries crowded every alcove. At the far end stood three cryogenic tubes. Frozen within were the bodies of three things, once intelligent beings now turned into something else, inhuman and cybernetic — Borg. “TheContinue reading “The Vault”
Robin’s Dream
“Mother, wake up!” Morgan Primus rolled over in bed to face her daughter, Robin Lefler. “Whatever’s the matter, dear?” “I had a dream…” “Mmm.” “…I was an actress, and I was in a holoproduction, and I was famous, and I was married to Wesley Crusher!” “Mmm.” “Wesley Crusher! I haven’t thought of him in years! Continue reading “Robin’s Dream”
Historical Irony
“I do not understand this noise your friend Zefram enjoys,” said T’Liis. Something about a “Magic Carpet Ride” emanated from the jukebox. “He calls it ‘music.’” Lily Sloane looked at Cochrane passed out nearby. “Zef’s music isn’t my style.” She pushed two buttons and kicked the jukebox in the side. The guitar wailing stopped abruptly,Continue reading “Historical Irony”
Perils of the Heart
Had Quark known that falling in love would prove so traumatic, he might have reconsidered. But affairs of the heart were a fickle thing, and from the moment he first laid eyes upon her he was smitten. In the aftermath of the assassination of the Bajoran First Minister and Kira’s abrupt departure, she suggested consummatingContinue reading “Perils of the Heart”