Short Fiction

Literally Reruns – Nik Eveleigh

ireneallison12

Step right up one and all and get a gander at Gastro the Great by one of the site’s founders, Nik Eveleigh.

No one can refuse a good circus tale and it is high time that this one, published way back in 2015 b.c.e. returns to the big top. Of course, it’s not the usual march of Elephants and clowns packed in little cars; nor will there be Greenpeace types freeing the Lions. No, it is a bit more high tech than that–and yet the irresistible call of the barker endures.

Now for the official introduction, we present Mr. E.

Leila

***

Why thank you young lady – you have my gratitude, my certitude and any other tude that springs to mind! Mr. E you say? A myster-y indeed! Where ten years and editing tenures slipped off to like thieves in the night, well, tis the biggest riddle of all!

For those of you who are now utterly confused and butterly bemused I’ll offer up an explanation.

I wrote Gastro the Great originally in about 2013. I hadn’t written many stories and I was constantly experimenting with styles and approaches. I’d like to say I eventually stopped experimenting and settled on a style and approach but I fear Hugh may do himself a laughter related injury.

The spark for the story was a simple one – at the time there was a huge furore about meat being grown in petri dishes and the idea that lab grown proteins would be the food of the future. I’ve often played with speculative fiction ideas and found them interesting themes for stories (I won’t name drop any but would be thrilled and humbled if you felt the need to dig through my LS history and see if you can spot a few), but for whatever magical reason ideas take hold I was intrigued by the idea of flipping this on its head and looking through a lens of where normal food was, well, abnormal.

With a three year old son at the time and a daughter on the way I was reading a lot of Dr. Seuss and something about the rhythm of it put me in mind of the (imagined) wordplay of a circus or carnival master. So, suddenly, I had some cutting edge science, a chance to mess around with some wordplay (and to invent new words) and the perfect backdrop in some sort of Victorian era carnival setting.

After that it was simply a case of jumping on and enjoying the ride and the mischief.

For all of us who attempt to write there are easy things and there are hard things, but I can genuinely say this story was fun to write from start to finish and, twelve or so years later, still gives me a big grin to read (even if there’s the odd cringe at some of my future state technologies that already seem somewhat passe).

So, without further ado (except for a quick thank you to my lovely LS editorial friends for dusting this one off) I urge you to Roll up! Roll up! Suspend your belief, disbelieve your suspenders and (hopefully) enjoy Gastro the Great…

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Published by ireneallison12

14 thoughts on “Literally Reruns – Nik Eveleigh”

  2. Nik,

    I read Gastro. Then immediately looked up how many people we have added to the planet since it was published. Three quarters of a billion! I suspect that hamburger is coming under a lot of pressure. Yesterday I ate a pre-frozen PeanutButter and Jelly Sandwich. Never had to go near a jar nor a loaf. At least that’s what they said of the box. Hey Gastro? What’s up wid this stuff?

    We might as well laugh! Thanks. — Gerry

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    1. Three quarters of a billion is a sobering piece of data – the pressure on the hamburger will only ratchet up in the next couple of years as all of those newbies become teenagers if the 14 year old eating machine in our house is anything to go by!

      Frozen PB&J is a new one on me but yes, let’s keep on laughing as it’s the key to most things.

      Thanks so much for reading and for taking time to leave a comment – I really appreciate it.

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    1. Thanks so much David. Even if I’m mostly in the shadows fixing the odd IT related site glitch these days it gives me enormous pride in being part of the LS story, and I still get lots of joy in seeing what it means to excellent writers such as yourself.

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comment Mick – it’s been a pleasure and privilege to be part of the LS journey and it’s so good to hear how much the work of Hugh, Diane and Leila continues to support and expire so many talented writers like yourself and David

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  5. Hi Mr Nik,

    I still owe you an email but life has kicked my arse in so many ways and I can’t seem to get out my own road!!

    However it was brilliant to see Leila picking this. I stand by my initial comments…And you do yourself a disservice – You are probably one of the most eclectic writers that I have ever read…You don’t have a genre, you are simply an excellent writer. We are at a loss to see no more from you!!!

    …And my fine friend, how many times do I need to prod you…Do something with Henry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    All my very best to you all!!!!

    Hugh

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    1. You owe me absolutely nothing my friend but I’m so sorry life is kicking your arse at present. We’re definitely having our moments too and I’ll undertake to drop you several lines to bore your tits off with my tales of woe!!

      Thank you, as always, for your support and generosity – I appreciate it more than you know (as does Henry, Jimmy Brown and that bloke who hates hobbits). Love to you and Gwen

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  6. I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but really enjoyed the parody and diatribe against increasingly odd diets we find people choosing now, and beyond that the judgement that comes along with it.

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  7. Hi Paul,

    Just dipping my toe in here.

    Nik is one of our founder members and his work is eclectic as it gets. Have a look at ‘The Canonisation Of Henry Spiller’ The tone, the pace, the thinking is all superb!!!!

    …And then check out all of his work, I’m sure that you will see what I mean!!

    Hope all is well with you and yours my fine friend.

    Hugh

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