（外文电子版资料）Charles Stross - The Midlist Bombers.pdf

The Midlist Bombers The Midlist Bombers First published: Farpoint, 1992 (Length: 6100 words approximately) T minus 19 days 8:23 a.m. For Nigel Frogland, the apocalypse started with a letter. He stumbled downstairs towards kitchen and coffee percolator, pausing by the door to yawn widely and grab the daily influx of bills and overdrawn bank statements from the letter box. This was an autonomic reflex, as vital to the author as flapping its wings was to a headless chicken; he blinked sleepily at the three envelopes in his hand before staggering into the kitchen to wait for the kettle. Two bills, he thought, but whats this? Looks like its from Victoria ... he reached for the bread -knife. Letters from Victoria Bergdorf, his editor, were always worth reading no matter which side they were buttered on. But he was in for a surprise. Dear Nigel, As you are aware, we at Schnickel and Bergdorf have prided ourselves for fifty years on our commitment to fundamental literary values, providing the best service possible to the public and our authors. This is a tradition which we are -- we think justifiably -- proud of, and intend to continue for the forseeable future. However, given the recent changes that have taken place in the genre market, specifically the contraction of the midlist under the financial pressure of competing in a modern, thrusting business environment, we have found it necessary to enter a temporary phase of retrenchment. Specifically, the directors have approved the sale of a controlling shareholding in this company to the multinational holding corporation Spart-Dibbler PLC. Pending the resolution of this takeover, we will be unable to commission an y more projects from you. This transition period should last for approximately six months; thereafter we will resume buying as usual. Yours sincerely ... Oh shit! pondered Dave, his stomach churning unpleasantly as he pondered the likely consequences. What if I have to ask for my old