Stories Incomplete

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.   Background music is "Transmission" by Stacxk - Used by permission.  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.