The Late Shift

by Dennis Etchison

Ever wonder what the dead might have to say when they are alone with one another? It turns out that the dead are neither comical nor menacing. They are just tired and lost and in search of peace. They are people like you and me who want to rest now that their work is done.

The problem is, the system wants to continue to exploit them even beyond death. It's a grim proposition but the logical extension of our society when a sinister company reanimates corpses in order to provide free labor for the late night shifts in stores and garages.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

aka Jack Martin.

Dennis William Etchison was an American writer and editor of fantasy and horror fiction. He is a multi-award winner, having won the British Fantasy Award three times for fiction, and the World Fantasy Award for anthologies he edited.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two chaps are driving home after watching 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. In an allnight supermarket they meet a creepy guy named Juano. He only speaks four words (please, please, sorry, thank you). The next day Whitey has an accident. What can Macklin find out about those strange going-ons? Why is Juano acting so strange? This story is best be read with Light My Fire (The Doors, the song is also mentioned in the text). To me the story was a bit confusing but had its share of eerie elements. It was okay!

[Emily Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool concept! I wish there was a sequel

[Ranjana · Rating 1 out of 5]

An average read

[R.S. Jinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story with decent ideas. I didn't get goosebumps or a sense of dread while reading this. Maybe if the story was turned into a full length novel and given more action. Not awful, but just "there."

[Steve]

Dennis Etchison (1943-2019)

Blessed be.

https://locusmag.com/2019/05/dennis-e...