Challenge 602

Fuzzy Purple Nanas

In Charles C. Cole’s “Answering the Call”:
1. Do you think the story would be more or less effective if it were formatted as a one-scene drama rather than as ordinary prose?
2. Russ’s and Reba’s story begins and ends in medias res. What was their relationship like before the scene opens? What will it become after the scene ends?
3. Do you believe Russ’s story about a mysterious voice? Does Reba believe it? How does she respond to Russ’s explanation for the long trip he has taken to rejoin her? What does the scene tell us about the couple’s means of communicating with one another?
In E. B. Fischadler’s “Number 47, Victor Frenchstone”:
1. What are the elements of satire in the story? Why are they employed? Why not make the interviewer competent?
2. How does the story avoid lapsing into sentimentality?
In Anthony Lukas’ “Inspector Klay and the Nico”:
1. What is the function of the “Nico” in the story?
2. Why do the Nico abandon their invisibility tactic in the struggle with Klay and Steward?
3. Why does Steward find Klay fascinating? What might Steward offer Klay in addition to exotic beverages?
In John W. Steele’s The Chronicles of Belthaeous, “The Early Years”:
1. Miss Bowers paraphrases the definition of an infinite universe. Complete the classical formulation: “Its center is everywhere and its ______ is nowhere.”
2. In what ways does Rodney Neumann’s and Professor Nacroanus’ discussion resemble the argument in Cyrano de Bergerac’s The Other World, “You Are Whom You Eat”?
In Channie Greenberg’s “Not Partial to the Purple Falcon”:
1. What might the “purple falcon” be?
2. What might the expression “make them charity” mean?
3. What is a “Nana”?
4. Might empathizing with a dog provide protection from stroke?
5. Why might stamina rather than skill be the prime requirement for information technology workers?
6. What is “tranche”?
7. Why can one have love but seldom get a hug in the Siberian wilderness? Or is it a wilderness where that happens?

Responses welcome!