‘It’s Erroneous Anyway’

Jul 6, 2023

And Other Stories from 345 Plainfield

Needing something for your summer beach reading? We’ve got you covered. Below is a selection of stories we have collected and curated over the past 18 months.

We’ll start our suggested list of stories with a classic: ‘It’s What the Majority Wants’. In this yarn, the plot begins with a choice that must be made. The antagonist, feeling quite sly, sends out a survey to all parents asking for their vote. A few parents recognize that the survey is actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but sadly are unable to muster up enough concern among the townspeople to stymie their adversary’s connivance. No happy ending here, as the triumphant proclamation that parent voices were heard rings true to a few, pacifies some, and silences others. With the success of this dastardly deed, we see the trick being used far into the future.

Next, we’ll take a look at the narrative ‘It’s Erroneous Anyway’. Here we see a BOE member raise a question about the content of an ethics complaint. In response, the overseer replies, “You’re not listed” and spins the tale that “it’s erroneous anyway”. A short, sweet fiction, as we later find out that the governors have taken a peek at the complaint and determined the matter must be sent to the magistrate.

In the drama ‘I Can Hire My Daughter’, our feckless leader joins forces with an inept tangle of thieves to devise a plan to install her own progeny and their followers as workers. The few brave enough to challenge the ploy are haughtily dismissed, as the thieves have disguised themselves as experts with ultimate authority. A protagonist arrives to take on the challenge of proving this plan is prohibited. At first, it appears our hero will win the day, then a surprise player, in the form of a Deputy Attorney General, takes this story for an unseen turn. The plot will have readers on the edge of their seat as the DAG goes against all tradition and norms to try and offer a settlement in the case. It is not clear that this is allowable, indeed, it may be yet another scheme. We await the sequel with much anticipation.

This next book is a short story in which a scheming manager makes backroom deals in order to line his pockets. His succession of wins sees him as a head of a building, leader of a popular initiative, and a keeper of records, all whilst he secretly off-loads duties to others. Mistakes are made, and customer service at the company suffers, but we see in this tome that the good guys don’t always come out on top.

Next on our reading list is the thriller ‘Fiscal Cliff’. A small town is taken aback when they are thrown into a whirlwind of change which seems caused by elements outside of the control of authorities at first. After the initial shock, the town realizes they are facing a shadowy world of subterfuge. The town musters a valiant defense, but after winning their initial battle they realize that it will take more than an open protest to countermand the forces at play. We will all want to see how this novel plays out.

Do you have any suggested reading? Submit your choice of stories, to be enjoyed by all. Or most.