Diabolical Plots #114, August 2024

“In Tandem” by Emilee Prado

“Dreamwright Street” by Mike Reeves-McMillan

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Two stories involving characters who are connected in extraordinary ways appear in this issue.

The narrator of “In Tandem” by Emilee Prado has her body controlled by another high school student. At first this is helpful, as during a race, but over time the other student becomes cruel, forcing the narrator to do things that cause embarrassment. A final prank leads to a violent climax and a change in their relationship.

The author powerfully conveys the way in which young friendships can easily turn into enmity during the emotionally stormy years of adolescence. The story’s conclusion is dramatic, even if it seems to extend the fantasy premise in too extreme a way.

“Dreamwright Street” by Mike Reeves-McMillan takes place in a fantasy world where wealthy aristocrats purchase dreams from artisans who derive them from desperately poor commoners. A dream taken from a boy leads to a change in society.

The story serves as an effective allegory for the divide between rich and poor. One has to wonder why the change in society had not already occurred long ago, given the way the dream harvesting works.

Victoria Silverwolf has the coolant warning light on her Volkswagen Beetle flashing.