America's Most Critical Journal since 1999
By Louis Marvick ‘But how the devil did it come about in the first place,’ I asked, ‘that the conductor of a great symphony orchestra was demoted to the office of attendant in the monkey house at the zoo? That’s surely an unusual career move.’ I had ... More »
Loved, Solvent, Alive Casey Alexander A hostile-looking woman flickered onto the screen. As the established employee, Erin enjoyed the privilege of drabness: she’d thrown a cardigan over her nightgown. Anne, on the other hand, was corporate glam to the waist... More »
Silent Night, Holy Night Sona Lea Dombourian I have changed my foreign ways and am reborn. Imbued with the Spirit, I will go West and expand my dominion over all creatures, puny despite their efforts, sub-intelligent because of their origins. But a thorn persi... More »
Edward Giron The voices in the room returned at the same hour. I knew to expect them, to invite them, to welcome them. When they ceased, followed by a steady rhythmic coda, I would be led away. Again. This particular night was only slightly different. L... More »
To Pee or Not to Pee by Virginia Konchan An unnamed, middle-aged female Amazon Fulfillment worker getting paid $12/hour without benefits, working 40 hours a week, with a one-hour bus commute each way from a cramped, airless studio apartment in a rundown buildi... More »
Chapter Two: Names “The tribe, huh? You should take advantage of that.” I was sitting in a downtown cafe with my former political science teacher, Kincaid, who as far as either of us knew had not a drop of Jewish anything in him and distrusted all religion... More »
by Kristine Laco I headed to my illegal occupation, expecting it to be a normal Tuesday. I am a consensual participant in one of the oldest professions and forced to hide my talents behind heavy drapery and secrecy. If asked at dinner, I always reply that I am... More »
by Casey Alexander There was no reason to reopen the door to the office–they’d made it clear that John wasn’t needed inside–but some instinct made him try anyway. The handle fell a quarter of an inch beneath the force of his wrist, then clicked... More »
by Jeffrey Meyers Rereading James Salter’s delightful Life Is Meals: A Food Lover’s Book of Days reminded me of the best meals in my life, when the food was excellent and the atmosphere and people were even more important. At their finest, these dinners ... More »
By Eric D. Lehman The hobo arrived at Mark Twain’s house at sunset. Sun rays slanted across the tumbling creek and ancient elms. The large house was reddish brick, adorned with at least four chimneys, a wraparound porch, and a steep roof. Flowers bloomed in ... More »
by Casey Alexander In between Aztec push-ups, Jim heard the delightful sound of cardboard falling onto his doorstep. He waited in the gym for ten minutes, allowing extra time in case the courier tripped or stopped to admire his tulips. Opening the front door, ... More »
By Louis Greenstein “… a [June 3, 2022 CBS and YouGov] poll shows that 44% of Republicans believe mass shootings are ‘something we have to accept as part of a free society.’” My wife Penny and I live what you could call a charmed life. We’re semi-r... More »