That story affected me deeply as a yoot. I didn't sleep at all the night after we read it in class. I had read horror, but was completely unprepared psychologically for really well-delivered creepiness. Less is more when it comes to scary stuff, in my book.

i haven't read it in years, but i remember being frustrated at the character's unwillingness to stop the madness. i also remember thinking how similar it was to an old Star Trek episode.

Thinking ... thinking ... thinking ... which one?

Kirk was horrified to find that the society had been at war so long they had come up with basically a game of planetary laser tag. when the loud speaker said you had been killed by an attack you were required to report for destruction at one of the centers. people willingly filed in to meet their demise because those were the rules.

A Taste of Armageddon

I'll have to rewatch that, and reread the story, but I don't recall them as similar.

i don't think they were extremely similar. i just remember being equally frustrated with people that were willing to die without a fight, because it was a rule of their society. the stories weren't the same, just a concept within.

on a side note kinda like Logans Run.. EEK! my dot is blinking!

you know, this is one of the reasons i like the cellar. people here can understand my brand of nerdy humor. :grouphug: