EP031: Robots and Falling Hearts
Published by SFEley on 8 Dec 2005 at 4:44 am.
12 Comments.
Filed under Podcasts, Rated PG.
By Tim Pratt and Greg van Eekhout.
Read by Alex Wilson (of Telltale Weekly).
I paused to tie a loose shoelace and a squat robot, like a dirty white trashcan on tank-treads, trundled out of an alley toward me. A red light on top of its domelike top blinked erratically. It said, in a high-pitched voice, “Klaatu barada nikto.” A small panel slid open in its front, and a pole with a cup on the end telescoped out. There were a few coins in the cup, mostly pennies and nickels, and the robot jingled the cup significantly.
“Take me to your leader,” I said, wishing it could be that simple, knowing that these things are never that simple. The robot beeped at me and jingled its cup harder, the coins rattling.
“It won’t go away unless you give it some change,” said a woman standing on the corner. “It followed me all the way to work one day, and hung around outside the door like a dog for hours.”
Rated PG. Contains slight profanity, long flirtations, and excessive Zen. Watch for falling metaphors.
Referenced sites:
Child’s Play
Hooting Yard
Sam on 8 Dec 2005 at 11:38 pm: 1
I found Escape Pod about a month ago (through Del.icio.us, I think). After hearing a few episodes, I downloaded the entire archive. I didn’t want to miss any of it.
So, I really have to thank you. Escape Pod is massively, massively entertaining, and this may well be your best story yet.
(I also want to make a donation, but the PayPal link is down now for some reason…)
Sal on 9 Dec 2005 at 9:01 am: 2
Thanks so much for the review of Hooting Yard! I would be delighted to hear what EP listeners make of it.
Greg van Eekhout on 9 Dec 2005 at 9:30 am: 3
Rated PG for slight profanity? I heard the F-word in this one. Y’all ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
But it’s a wonderfully done performance and production, despite the gratuitous foul language.
me es rojo caliente on 10 Dec 2005 at 12:13 pm: 4
I loved this it is right up there with corporate network, lachrymose, and deathtraps
chris m on 15 Dec 2005 at 11:13 pm: 5
Yes this story and the performance were both wonderful. I was completely transported. Thanks to all involved.
Johan Nilsson on 31 Dec 2005 at 7:46 am: 6
WOW! What a story. One of the best. I’ve listened to almost every one of the previous episodes, and I like this podcast very much. I am a podcaster myself, so I know how fun it is with feedback. Keep up the good work!
Simon on 18 Apr 2006 at 6:10 am: 7
I really liked the tone of this one, but I will admit I could see the strings a bit.
The plot is basically a variant on Ursuala Le Guins “The Lathe Of Heaven” with a hint of unreality similar to Lem’s “The Futurological Congress”. But then, since I adore both of those stories I really really liked this.. Keep it up Escape Pod.
John Markos O'Neill on 22 Oct 2006 at 2:39 am: 8
Wow. I think this was my favorite so far (except for maybe EP076).
BrandtPileggi on 1 May 2007 at 9:13 am: 9
One of, if not my favorite so far
jason elam on 24 Dec 2007 at 10:28 pm: 10
Love it, quantum physics, love, technology, and mysticism and in one place
Harris on 28 Feb 2008 at 3:55 pm: 11
Daft science fantasy and almost beyond Phildickian.
Quite a mind bender though.
Ricardo Palala on 29 Apr 2008 at 6:55 pm: 12
Thank you for such a nice site you have. I´m from Guatemala Central America and I´m really enjoyin these stories. Please keep on going in motivating people into the nice habit of reading.