Stories Incomplete

This is a story about how one's principles and self-respect can clash with the situations that society forces us into.   Even though this is fiction, the character and some of the events mentioned in the story are inspired by a man who I have personally known for 40 years. I hope that you enjoy this story and I hope that it gives you something to think about afterward.   Thanks for your permission and for giving me the title for this story Sarge!  Also, Special Thanks to Stacxk for the use of “Cold & Clear” as background music!  

We have all heard stories of how someone owes their fame or good fortune to their making a deal with the devil, but we rarely hear about the deals that don't work out.  In this story, even the devil can't help.  A very special thanks to “Night on Mars” for the use of “Calm and Luxury” as background music. 

Demolition Derby is a rather dark fictional story based upon how the trials and tribulations of the working poor play out in their lives.  In this story, one family's problem “ran off” years before only to resurface later.  After you listen to the story, you are invited to comment on what you think happens next.  Special thanks to Night on Mars for giving me permission to use “State of Waves” as background music. 

This is the Epilogue and commentary for the three “Vietnam War Legacy” stories.  In this commentary, I tie my fictional characters – Trey, Trang, and Anh-to the “real-life” history that inspired these stories.  I also share my views on what I discovered about the Vietnam war era while digging around for background material to base these stories upon.   As an American, I have been left with the opinion that, even though we as a nation have seemed to conveniently forget what happened as a result of our involvement in the Vietnam war, we need to remember what forces conspired to draw us into the conflict so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.        Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Bogey” as background music. 

This is the third story in this series – Anh goes from being a “Bui Doi” - an insignificant speck of dust to a “golden child” with a ticket to immigrate to America.  Once in America, she thrives - but there still is one missing piece in her life.  Does she find her biological father in time for her wedding?  Does he even want to be found?  What happens after this story ends?  Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Loops to Aviemore” as background music. 

This is the Epilogue and commentary for the three “Vietnam War Legacy” stories.  In this commentary, I tie my fictional characters – Trey, Trang, and Anh back to the “real-life” history that inspired these stories.  I also share my views on what I discovered about the Vietnam war era while digging around for background material to base these stories upon.   As an American, I have been left with the opinion that, even though we as a nation have seemed to conveniently forget what happened as a result of our involvement in the Vietnam war, we need to remember what forces conspired to draw us into the conflict so that we don’t make the same mistakes again.        Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Bogey” as background music.   

This is the third story in this series – Anh goes from being a “Bui Doi” - an insignificant speck of dust to a “golden child” with a ticket to immigrate to America.  Once in America, she thrives - but there still is one missing piece in her life.  Does she find her biological father in time for her wedding?  Does he even want to be found?  What happens after this story ends?  Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Loops to Aviemore” as background music. 

This is the second of three stories revolving around the legacies that the Vietnam War left in people’s lives.    After leaving Saigon and returning to her childhood home in Hui, Trang discovers that the ever-shifting geopolitical sands force her to move again to stay one step ahead of the Viet Kong guerillas - who are on the hunt for her and her baby, a baby that will be vilified and face outright discrimination in a society which has a preference for ethnic homogeneity.   Special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Sleepless” as background music. 

This is the first of four podcasts that are set in a time of great social and geopolitical upheavals in the world – the early to mid-1970s.  This was a time where American involvement in the Vietnam war was ending.  The first three podcasts are stories that are interrelated.  Listening to them in order would be preferable.  The fourth podcast is an epilogue for the three stories and my personal commentary about what I learned about the Vietnam War and the 1960s and 70’s while working on these stories.     In the first story, Trey, as was the case with many US servicemen, has been drafted into the Army and finds himself reluctantly in Vietnam.  Little does he know that the experience will leave him with an unintended legacy – one that will reemerge decades later in his life.  Special thanks to my friend Amin, who provided me with the original inspiration to write these stories.    Also – special thanks to The Freeharmonic Orchestra for the use of “Smooth as Glass” as background music. 

The background music for this story is from an instrumental album based on Nordic myths of people losing their way in the woods.   I find this apropos since the protagonist is lost in an endless pursuit of “success”.  He’s stuck just grinding it out every day while the relationships in his life wither and die.  I invite you to think about what happens next.  What does Jim do?  What happens to his wife Margie?  Does he ever find his way out of the woods or is he trapped in his own ring if sticky sweetness as the sun sets?    Please let me know what you think!  Special thanks to Stacxk for the use of Vinterväg as background music for this story. 

I have always been wary of how news stories are written and why some stores never seemed to make it to publication while others do.  I actually worked several years for a large, multi-state newspaper conglomerate.  Although I wasn't a journalist and I was "10,000 feet away" from any newsroom, I saw enough while I was working there to know that the basic plot of this story (which is a work of fiction) is entirely plausible.   Thanks in advance for listening and please take a moment to let me know what you think! 

The first 6 episodes I have published were mostly or entirely fiction.  This story is based on a real experience which happened to me when I was an eighteen year old freshman in college.  Consider this just another example on how “truth is stranger than fiction”.   What do you think happened next?Please let me know your comments!    Special thanks to Stacxk for the use of "I'd  Pretend" for background music and to ZapSplat.com for the use of sound effects.

This is a work of fiction based partially upon conversations I overheard between my grandfather and great grandfather when I was a boy.  Does the boy in the story honor the trust placed in him by his grandfather or does he continue to be the "good boy" that his mother raised?  Let me know what you think happens.  Background music is by Lobo Loco - obtained from the Free Music Archives and used under the Attribution - NonCommercial ShareAlike License. 

This is a story which I originally wrote during the last economic recession.  It highlights how relationships between people can change as events beyond their control impact their lives.  My question is, what happens next to this couple?  Please let me know what you think.Special thanks to Bio Unit for the use of "Mainframe" as background music for this story.

This is a concise story about how preconceived notions can be formed early in life - unknowingly.  What impacts do they have on us later?  This is one of the most poignant stories I have ever written.  Listen and please give me your comments. Special thanks to Little Glass Men for the use of "Golden" as background music. 

This story is how a dream about events far in the past can return as a course correction for the future.   Listen and comment.  Does he go through with it?    Special thanks to Little Glass Men for the use of "Logrhythm" as background music! 

This is a story about how desperation can push even slackers into compromising their values.  How can he get out of this mess?  What missteps did he make along the way?  Could the whole situation have even been avoided or was it inevitable?  Let me know what you think! Special thanks to Little Glass Men for the use of "Lost Forever" as background music! 

Am I really the one responsible?  What should I do?  What happens on November 3rd, 2020?Special thanks to Little Glass Men for the use of "The Jewel and Me" as background music.