“Ice in Our Veins” by Rhiannon Held
“Motherhood” by Christopher Miller
Reviewed by Chuck Rothman
“Ice in Our Veins” is the story of Artemisia, a drug counselor in the future who helps wean people off “Ice,” a drug that represses emotions. A patient named Stonewall comes to her, claiming that he takes the drug in order to escape a secret conspiracy. Artemisia, of course, thinks he’s paranoid. However, anyone who’s read much science fiction knows it’s practically an iron-clad rule that when a disreputable person is raving about a Diabolical Conspiracy, that conspiracy turns out to be real. The problem with Rhiannon Held‘s story is that it’s entirely about revealing that point. The idea is mildly interesting, but I would have preferred something other than the old, well-plowed ground.
“Motherhood” by Christopher Miller announces that it’s about an experiment gone bad. Sally Genesse is a technician working with Prissy, the young daughter of a prostitute who they are programming to essentially follow in her mother’s footsteps. Sally is tasked with adjusting Prissy so that she will accept her role. As might be obvious, she develops a connection. This, too, covers familiar ground — especially since the opening paragraphs tell you first thing what the ending will be. I was really wondering why Sally goes through with the programming — she clearly doesn’t have much stake in what she’s doing — and her final act makes no sense whatsoever. And the final note implies everything Sally has done was a waste of time. My question is, if it is was a waste of time, why should I care about it?