The Tunnel
and the Cave
Why be verbose when one
can be succinct? Medical
writing taught this author a different style, ideal for many
modern
readers. The
first part of the book relates to science and medicine. Here
are small
excerpts
(“ ”) or plots from the stories:
Rudolph
Rednose: He can
hardly move and only grunt. One day, this grunting is used for
writing
and it
is realized that an intelligent observer has been muted for a
long
time. Unfortunately,
he has also observed too much ...
How
Are You - Today? There are
illnesses you would be better off to forget about, though it
may be
difficult
to do so if everybody keeps asking this question ...
Dysthanasia: Don't
be
afraid of euthanasia. Modern medicine is characterized by the
opposite:
the
inability to withhold therapy; this may then prolong life or,
rather,
the
process of death.
A
B-Man's Nightmare: The
ultimately fused UNIHOCO (Universal Holding Company) dominates
this
world which
is also characterized by a strong classification of persons.
You are in
Group B
!
A Matter of
Concentration:
Drowned in an increasing flood of computerized letters and
strained by
rationalized work, it becomes difficult to concentrate.
The Emperor's New Rules: Prof.
Kaiser
established his position with the introduction of new
principles
for
research. Now he is promoting everyone who follows these rules
and
completely dominates
his scientific area.
Explosive
Departure:If
you want to know something about landmines, just ask Olsen. He
has
produced mines
for a long time and one day decides to utilize them for
getting rid of
certain
personal problems.
Is There A Doctor Onboard? While
the
plane is over the Atlantic Ocean, the captain suddenly raises
this
question.
Nevaljashka:
The name
of a Russian doll which rises again after each blow. Ideal
properties
for a
human, too.
The New Earl of Balmore:
Not only
Balmore Castle but also the associated title can be adopted by
relatives for an
apparently moderate sum.
The Tale of the Tie:
The story
about how the most successful piece of textile was created and
what it
can be
(ab)used for.
A Smell of Money:
Imagine
you could create a machine which smells like a dog. Perhaps a
brilliant
idea
but the world is not prepared for it; conversely, what it is
prepared
for
cannot be brilliant.
A Strange Reward:
Jensen is
diagnosed with an awful disease and prefers to leave this
world while
still
being in a position to decide about it. However, he does not
want to
commit
suicide but decides for another, strange option.
Nightly Departure: A
beautiful stroll through the bright Danish midsummer night,
driven by a
not so
brilliant background.
How
the English Language Got Its Strange Tune:
“... He was a calm and respected person, difficult to mislead,
and
having made
a decision he kept to it, even when it proved to be wrong.”
My World-Famous Modesty:
"...
It is a fact that you can proceed forward by modesty, but it
is
important not
to hide this quality, so that somebody will notice it."
Called to the Boss:
“...
Brian
was back at the centre of the colleague's circle. He would
probably
never
advance beyond that.”
Promotion:
“... And
now, up there in the old people's asylum, they again started
to mention
that I
was ‘the young newcomer’.”
Justice
in Lawainia: “...
Although
charging everybody else for irresponsible behaviour, neither
lawyers
nor judges
were ever associated with any responsibility themselves when
erroneous
verdicts
resulted.”
Jack the Ripper's Parting
Notes:
Who would believe that the one who is thought to be a
primitive
creature
murdered for the purpose of the highest poetical intentions?
Another
vainful
author misjudged.
The Tunnel Turned Out to Be a
Cave:
“... I went myself through what I believed was a tunnel, and
as I
expected
finally to see the lights at the other end, I realized it was
a cave.”
Later tales:
The Last
Container:
"... If there is a 'last container,' there must have been a
first one,
too, perhaps even some in-between," Grandpa said.
Visit
from Cassandra:
Her
fate
was
to know the future - and nobody would believe her warnings.
The Witness Statement: “...
But now I
remembered; the killer was ... me, the reader!”
The
Research Victim: "...
Conversely, I should prefer that unethical research is
forbidden, then
you’ll
see that it is still possible to find something else. Anyhow,
all these
considerations do not bring back my poor Troels."
Sporty Events:
Returning from the Olympic Games in Berlin 1936, a
sports journalist
tries to warn about what is brewing there; but the
Danes prefer to hear
about the Olympic Games.
Resurrection:
"... and then you may ask, how can I tell about it
now? Well, to be on
the safe side, I wrote everything down in advance as I
still could."
A Long Travel Home:
Fiction about two anonymous survivors to 9/11, told by
one from UA93.
