My Comments on Vapors by J.S. Bailey
Minor spoilers
**UPDATE: The winner of Vapors is Crystal!**
from Bailey's website
Vapors takes place in a futuristic desert that is
devoid of life with two archaeologists named Kerry Wellington and his
mentor/boss/father figure Hugh Trevino racing to find answers to human history. They are not authorized to leave base camp
because of the presumed dangers in the desert area, specifically fear of
radiation levels due to a massive bomb explosion from centuries ago. However, both men are aware of this possible
danger and are still consumed with commencing with their mission.
They are traveling in a large trailer that contains a
machine which resurrects the dead. So
far the machine has only tested cats and with little success. Hugh and Kerry are determined to find human
remains while out in the desert and they manage to do so.
This is a short story, but the goal of these
characters is to find out what went wrong with the history of humankind so that
those mistakes are not repeated.
However, these are the questions I came up with during that revelation.
--What will they do with that knowledge?
--Does this knowledge make current leaders believe
that they are in control?
--Is it possible that this knowledge will make them
wiser?
Kerry questions Hugh throughout the story, but he
doesn’t stop his mentor despite their disagreements. Kerry has also considered reporting Hugh and
his insubordinate nature, but feels this would be a betrayal to their work
relationship and reconsiders. Hugh
becomes obsessed with using the resurrection machine and doesn’t consider the
possible damage it causes.
Kerry and Hugh meet Miriam and instead of the
gratitude they expect from her, she is only shocked, disappointed and horrified
to be part of their experiment. She
speaks of someone called Elohim who is The way and The life. She describes her home as beautiful, full of
love, no fears and happiness. Her visit
with the men is brief, but she has a profound effect on Kerry and that’s how
the story ends.
I found Bailey’s writing style to be unique, vivid,
and realistic in a brief 35 pages. I
love the way that even though Miriam only has a brief encounter with both men,
she teaches them more than they teach her.
There is almost no profanity in the story, one mention of b**tard. Any violence in the story is implied or summarized;
there is nothing graphic or inappropriate.
Miriam is nude momentarily coming out of the machine, but nothing is
described except how young she appears.
The human remains Kerry and Hugh are looking for are described in
detail, but it’s more of a scientific description than an emotional one. There is also sarcasm in the story, but it
was used accurately.
I highly recommend this short story from the same
author who wrote The Land Beyond the Portal.
There is faith and the mention of Elohim (the Hebrew name for God)
within this story, but the three things you’ll find in the plot are hope,
humor, and humanity.
Please visit Bailey’s website where you can find out
what her initials stand for, what her fears are, and what inspires her writing
ideas (under FAQs): http://jsbaileywrites.com/
***I printed this story out so it’s in manuscript
form. It is NOT bound or stapled
together. The first person to email me
with the title Vapors in the subject line will get my copy of this
manuscript. US Residents only***
2 comments:
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