The End of the World Show

Jedediah Berry
Master of Ceremonies
The Lumiphonist http://p.ost.im/p/et8aH5

The Lumiphonist http://p.ost.im/p/et8aH5

W

W

What We Trained For

Shahrul and I attended the same spy school. He was in a secret underground facility, cracking codes. I was out in the field.

In an old European city, I escaped the crowds by slipping down an empty side street. A beautiful Viennese woman emerged from under an archway. So: I’d made it to Vienna.

I heard Shahrul’s voice in my ear. Not safe here.

At the other end of the street, a small lake sparkled. Two boys, informants of mine, showed me a safe place among the rocks. I didn’t trust these kids at all. I sent Shahrul a message through the keypad of a fax machine—an old spy trick.

An enemy agent leapt out of the rocks. I grabbed him, flipped him over, and tied him up with telephone cord. He was about to make his confession when a Viennese policeman showed up. He puffed on his pipe, and the enemy agent managed to pull a gun. The policeman took him down with a handkerchief that turned into a noose.

Now I’d never get that confession. It was time to move on.

Leave everything and come with me, we’ll set out on an expedition together. We’ll find rare gems and splendid monsters, you’ll see. Most important of all, my guess is that beyond the frontiers is hidden the secret of our world. We’ll only be able to live for real when we return from the other side.

Michal Ajvaz, The Other City

More Monsters http://p.ost.im/p/e4r8dv

More Monsters http://p.ost.im/p/e4r8dv

the man in the mirrors

the man in the mirrors

backwards voyager — dirty three

Monster Sightings http://p.ost.im/p/eC9Jxp

Monster Sightings http://p.ost.im/p/eC9Jxp

february

february