Acquit

“Guilty on all counts,” read the forewoman, setting off a flurry of reactions and camera flashes. Alice collapsed back into her chair, too stunned to care about decorum, too cold suddenly to react in any other way. It was such bullshit. But everything had gone wrong since she’d met that white tortoise in the FedEx uniform, so Alice didn’t know Read More

Transmit

“Damn! They just took out the eastern control tower.” First officer Anders slammed his gloved hand against the bridge display. “They’re definitely coming in force then,” pronounced Captain Caldwell. “All crews to their ships, Anders, and we must alert the planet.” The first officer barely glanced up from his monitor while hurrying to relay the order. “Yes, sir,” Anders replied. “Ensign Read More

Offer Your Seat

Would you offer your seat to someone on a public bus or subway? To whom would you offer it? I have my own criteria, which may not be as chivalrous as people like. First, though, some context. New York City Public Transit Unbelievably, I have been living in New York City for nine years. There was a time when I Read More

Sit

Ellerey wobbled and swayed as he walked. His ears drooped more than usual, he knew, and sweat pooled where his hat met his gray scalp. The big male felt exhausted, but an age-old aphorism kept him on his feet. At least he could rest on the subway. First fifteen minutes of respite until his station, then one last trudge to Read More

Pachyderm Playlists

Please enjoy these two pachyderm playlists, trunk-selected by DJ Desi Derm to demonstrate elephants’ broad range (musical and geographical), as well as his own commitment to live performance (elephants never preset).  DJ Desi Derm’s Local Rumbles These songs, from a range of styles and cultures, represent elephants’ peak geographical range. Tsotsi (Gangster) by Amabutho Featuring three marimba players plus other Read More

Preset

The music thrums, an electric Bhangra beat full of quick hits and sharp highs. It’s catchy, dubstep marrying “Beware of the Boys” with a sonic antigravity that pulls my feet off the floor. I smile, enjoying myself. Aakash, more than enjoying, freaks out as the DJ pulls us through another tonal transition. “Holy balls of Shiva, man!” He yells in Read More