Short Fiction

David Henson: A Currency of Serpents

ireneallison12

David Henson is one of our most successful writers. And what sets him apart from many is his remarkable capacity for making the reader buy into the craziest notions.

I know how difficult a task that is; you dream up something utterly wonky and must figure a way to get it across without everyone calling “bullshit” on you. Such is the case in David’s inspired A Currency of Serpents.

Since Mr H has Saturday wrap experience under his belt as well, we will leave further thoughts on the story to him.

Here’s David.

As with a lot my stories, A Currency of Serpents started as a “what if” thought. So, in the case of this story, what if there was a world where people paid for their purchases by snake-handling?  From there, it was a matter of thinking of some images, which wasn’t hard in this case, then developing a character or two readers can relate to. Giving the story a mundane setting — grocery story, corporate world, etc. — hopefully made it easier for readers to suspend disbelief.  

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Published by ireneallison12

14 thoughts on “David Henson: A Currency of Serpents”

  2. Thanks for the kind words, Leila, and to the LS team for allowing the story to shed its skin and hiss afresh. (I’d forgotten how good the banner graphic was.) Yes… Get behind me, Satan … and keep the change!

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  3. Hi David
    I posted more extensive comments under the story itself.
    Also, in those comments, I forgot to say that, among other things, this story can be compared to the work of Hunter S. Thompson, in a very good way. Not just the great prose style and the wild humor, also the sensibility and the worldview involved.
    Also to let you know that I watched a Doors concert from 1968 last night on the television. It was unf-cking believable. At the beginning of the show, Morrison slowly paces around the stage in an almost bored and catatonic manner as Manzarek pounds the keyboards in a hypnotic, repetitive way for a very long time. Suddenly, so suddenly, Morrison FLIES across the stage in a twenty-foot leap instantaneously and sends out such a loud, profound, terrifying, shamanistic and enlivening SCREAM!!!!! through the microphone that it’s like the painting THE SCREAM itself combined with an intensity perhaps only Beethoven himself could match. Truly one of the greatest modern art moments of all time. Then: “MUSIC IS YOUR ONLY FRIEND…UNTIL THE END UNTIL THE END UNTIL THE END…” in that utterly original voice.
    I’m working on the Jim Morrison essay. He’s always been one of my great heroes. Thanks for bringing me back to his work through your suggestion. Massively appreciated.
    Dale

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  4. Strange, I must’ve missed this first time around. Clearly, once read never forgotten. Would be a useful addition to first-year economics degree reading lists. Very enjoyable! I’m guessing that one only buys cars, houses, and football teams on instalment plans – perfectly workable.

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  5. Superb title, superb story – as re-readable as the 33 other stories you have in the LS archive. The man Jenkins: appallingly vivid. And among images sure to linger is that of the copperhead – as soon as it’s dropped back into the cage – striking the glass & leaving a smear of venom. Tremendous stuff.

    Geraint

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  7. Reminds me of the snake handler religion (Church of God with Signs Following) ….. this time, turned on its head. The poorer you are, the more the risk. Poison becomes worthy as currency replaces trust between people…… Action packed story, and an intriguing satire for these times.

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  8. Hi Dave,

    It’s always a delight to see your work getting another day in the sun!!

    Your introduction is humble and understated!!

    So, in the case of this story, what if there was a world where people paid for their purchases by snake-handling? 

    Now I may be wrong but I don’t reckon that any writer would ever come up with that as a scenario!!!!!

    I reckon only you, Leila and Marco have that imagination that can lead you into situations that the rest of us can only read about. (Not even dream about!!!)

    The thing about you Mr Henson is you could never do boring!!!!

    All the very best my fine friend!!

    Hugh

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