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A Milkshake Apocalypse
Dr. Maximilian Tundra and his breakfast are the only thing standing between humanity and the collapse of civilization.
Along with espresso, Max starts his day with his infamous “peyote” milkshake – a microdose of mescaline, CBD oil, taurine, chia seed powder, probiotics, oat milk and flavored protein powder. But what flavor? Vanilla, strawberry or chocolate?
Three different milkshakes. Three different realities.
In all of them, Max is the head of the psychiatric department at his local hospital. He is on duty when the Bozo Virus strikes, ushering in an outbreak of … not zombies, but clowns. And it’s up to him (and his milkshake) to save the world in this short story set in the Tundraverse.
Praise for Mark
“An all-Canadian synthesis of Douglas Adams and Ben Elton.”
~Corey Redekop, author of Husk and Shelf Monkey
“A terrific storyteller and one of the most imaginative and original writers you will ever have the pleasure of reading.”
~Ian Ferguson, author of Village of the Small Houses
“An author with a fantastical sense of humor and a dangerous imagination.”
~The Next Best Book Club
Along with espresso, Max starts his day with his infamous “peyote” milkshake – a microdose of mescaline, CBD oil, taurine, chia seed powder, probiotics, oat milk and flavored protein powder. But what flavor? Vanilla, strawberry or chocolate?
Three different milkshakes. Three different realities.
In all of them, Max is the head of the psychiatric department at his local hospital. He is on duty when the Bozo Virus strikes, ushering in an outbreak of … not zombies, but clowns. And it’s up to him (and his milkshake) to save the world in this short story set in the Tundraverse.
Praise for Mark
“An all-Canadian synthesis of Douglas Adams and Ben Elton.”
~Corey Redekop, author of Husk and Shelf Monkey
“A terrific storyteller and one of the most imaginative and original writers you will ever have the pleasure of reading.”
~Ian Ferguson, author of Village of the Small Houses
“An author with a fantastical sense of humor and a dangerous imagination.”
~The Next Best Book Club
25 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2025
About the author
Mark A. Rayner
13 books169 followersDon’t panic, it’s only Mark A. Rayner, award-winning author of satirical books, absurd fiction and the occasional screed on the problems with time travel novels. When he’s not writing about the infinite universe theory and manic pixie aliens, Mark teaches at Western University in Canada, which definitely doesn’t have a beaver problem.
Connect with him on Mastodon at @markarayner@mas.to.
Even better, if you want early reads, beta reads and other goodies, then slip into the Raynerverse by subscribing to his newsletter. You can get a free book if you do!
Connect with him on Mastodon at @markarayner@mas.to.
Even better, if you want early reads, beta reads and other goodies, then slip into the Raynerverse by subscribing to his newsletter. You can get a free book if you do!
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 29, 2025
‘The thrill of gnosis’ – hilarious and inciteful foray into Tundraverse!
Canadian author Mark A Rayner is a very bright, very intuitive thinker who just happens to have a razor sharp sense of humor and parody when he writes. He is on the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University. His books to date include THE AMADEUS NET, MARVELLOUS HAIRY, THE FRIGULARITY, THE FATNESS, PIRATE THERAPY AND OTHER CURES, ALPHA MAX, THE GATES OF POLISHED HORN, and now A MILKSHAKE APOCALYPSE.
Rayner’s opening to his brief but hilarious story hints at the pleasures to come: ‘As he crossed the street to St. Dymphna’s Hospital, Max wondered if he’d gotten his peyote milkshake wrong. It wasn’t really made out of raw peyote, of course, because it was a breakfast drink. No point in immediately vomiting up breakfast. But the active ingredient was mescaline, which came from the peyote plant, and there was a microdose of that in his shake. Along with CBD oil, taurine, vanilla-flavoured protein powder, chia seed powder, probiotics and, of course, oat milk. That was his morning fuel. That and six or seven expressos…’ And so we meet Dr. Maximilian Tundra, Director of Mental Health Services and his perceptions that change ‘flavours’ as he copes with his practice at St. Dymphna’s. The spectrum of tales Rayner weaves offers something to tickle everyone’s funny bone. The topics range from historic ‘references’ to everyday ‘now’ situations, each bringing hearty laughs as well as admiration for a very gifted author!
Canadian author Mark A Rayner is a very bright, very intuitive thinker who just happens to have a razor sharp sense of humor and parody when he writes. He is on the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University. His books to date include THE AMADEUS NET, MARVELLOUS HAIRY, THE FRIGULARITY, THE FATNESS, PIRATE THERAPY AND OTHER CURES, ALPHA MAX, THE GATES OF POLISHED HORN, and now A MILKSHAKE APOCALYPSE.
Rayner’s opening to his brief but hilarious story hints at the pleasures to come: ‘As he crossed the street to St. Dymphna’s Hospital, Max wondered if he’d gotten his peyote milkshake wrong. It wasn’t really made out of raw peyote, of course, because it was a breakfast drink. No point in immediately vomiting up breakfast. But the active ingredient was mescaline, which came from the peyote plant, and there was a microdose of that in his shake. Along with CBD oil, taurine, vanilla-flavoured protein powder, chia seed powder, probiotics and, of course, oat milk. That was his morning fuel. That and six or seven expressos…’ And so we meet Dr. Maximilian Tundra, Director of Mental Health Services and his perceptions that change ‘flavours’ as he copes with his practice at St. Dymphna’s. The spectrum of tales Rayner weaves offers something to tickle everyone’s funny bone. The topics range from historic ‘references’ to everyday ‘now’ situations, each bringing hearty laughs as well as admiration for a very gifted author!
Displaying 1 of 1 review