Friday 17 October 2014

21st Century Leda

SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. This is my snippet for it - please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here. 

Having finished Blue Ice last week, I'm jumping sideways from hard science fiction into a story set in the present day. This is 21st Century Leda.




The Swan's not a bad pub, if a bit pseud. Landlord and I have an understanding. He’s got rooms upstairs, and he doesn’t talk to the missus.

The plasma TV’s got some braindead idiot deconceptualising (whatever that means) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The pool table by the naff wood panelled wall is surrounded by youngsters showing off, and the beer's not a patch on the stuff we used to drink. But that’s progress.

The chick across the table is gazing at me, admiring my manly physique. And so she should – I may be a bit (okay, a considerable degree) older than I was, but I’m still more male than most of these weedy yobs you get nowadays. I can still pass for being under fifty. Okay, only in a soft light, (one of the reasons I like this place) , but who’s quibbling?

I never used to bother with small talk. Grab the wench, sweep her off to some secluded grotto, and take my time deflowering her. But it doesn’t work like that now. The world’s changed - not for the better, in my view. Still, I’m a God – I can handle change.

Sorry, no prizes for guessing the identity of our narrator...
As always, comments appreciated!

4 comments:

  1. He's not the most powerful god if he doesn't look much younger than fifty! Although, he may prefer his looks. Amusing juxtaposition of "modern pub" with ancient god. I try to be careful with slang since it can be very dated/dating.
    He could be almost any god. The title gave me the clue to his identity.

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    1. Yup, the title's the giveaway. As to staying looking young... well, unfortunately he's not the god he used to be.

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  2. I had to go investigate. I am absolutely clueless about mythology (and am quite happy to remain so, thanks...). And yeah; howcome's he bothered about his looks and trying to look under fifty in the shade?

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    1. We'll find out next time why Zeus is no longer the god he used to be.

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