I found this short story at Weird Lit Magazine. It's a futuristic (maybe near-futuristic!) tale by Andrew Mondry about a father who seeks a little peace.
You'll likely understand the father's struggle for "me-time" whether you have a kid or not.
Length: 5 to 10 minutes
Genre: Speculative humor
Stick around to read my review of "Smile for the Camera" by Andrew Mondry. Or, go here to read the story at Weird Lit Mag, and then come back to see if we agree!
General Impressions
Q. How's the hook?
The first two sentences appealed to me because the main character, Toby, is struggling to get a little privacy. A little me-time.
Toby is the father of a baby. Anyone who has cared for a baby knows how hard it can be to feel, well, human ... at least until the child sleeps through the night.
We see Toby attempting to escape to the bathroom after tending to his infant daughter. He just wants a few moments of peace.
While Toby sits on the throne, the reader learns that "SkyCall" has been activated in the bathroom.
The nature of SkyCall is not immediately explained, but it soon becomes clear.
Q. What made me want to keep reading this short story?
So, what is SkyCall? Curious minds want to know.
You might say SkyCall is Andrew Mondry's vision of a futuristic Alexa or Siri. It's a constant digital entity, a presence that chats at Toby any time of day it wants, even in his most private moments.
I knew I liked this story when SkyCall began advising Toby to consider a stool softener as he sat on the toilet. Yeah, this story incorporates a healthy dose of wit in its cynical futuristic narrative.
When Toby's wife suggests he step out for a breather after dinner, and SkyCall follows him. The reader enjoys more glimpses of how annoying and inconvenient SkyCall is. It's interesting to read because an ever-present AI entity like SkyCall is a real possibility for the reader's future.
Q. What did I think of the plot?
Unlike some short fiction found online, this story has a definite plot.
There is an introduction. A rise in tension. A climax. A resolution at the end that leaves the reader pondering the story's message.
Q. Did I enjoy the main character?
Tony's character is a relatable everyman. He's a family guy and a decent human. He wants what we all want: peace and quiet. "Me time." As the kids would say, "That's so real."
You don't have to be a dad, or even a dude, to relate to Toby and the struggles he faces in this short story. He can't get away from his AI companion, and the AI in his world seemingly affects everything, from the price of his groceries to his safety as he leaves the grocery store.
I enjoyed the main character. He is not an extraordinary person, but he's in extraordinary circumstances, and it's fun and meaningful to see how he deals with it.
Q. How was the writing style?
Writer Andrew Mondry strikes a clever balance between action, description, inner thoughts, and dialogue.
The story moves quickly through Toby's "day in the life" AI adventure. The reader gets a rich picture of the world the author has created -- a digital and oppressive world.
I found myself admiring some of Mondry's poetic descriptions. For example, when Toby goes out for a walk, he sees the October sun "struggling against the horizon, its warmth losing to winter's dark appetite."
That's a beautifully written sentence that provides a bit of symbolism. It's a visual representation of the societal "decay" in Toby's world.
Q. Is the ending satisfying?
The ending takes a peculiar and unexpected turn. It's a turn toward semi-violence, but it's not bloodcurdling violence: you could give this story to a tween or teen without feeling guilty.
The ending satisfies. As you read it, you may catch yourself murmuring, "Wow ... well ... that makes total sense!"
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