Alex Weller’s Reviews > The Illustrated Man > Status Update

Finished "The Visitor"! As Mark is buried, Saul lays down beneath a tree and tries to conjure up New York in his mind, but it's not the same. Realizing he'll never see New York again, he goes to sleep crying. Overall, great story!

Mark starts a conference with the other men, making a schedule of appointments for each one. One of them, however, suggests FORCING Mark to do their bidding. Mark shuts him down and realizes none of them can trust each other, pitting them against each other by saying one of them has a gun. Saul gets ahold of the gun in the struggle but accidentally shoots Mark, killing him. Oh, shit!

Saul has taken Mark into a cave, and night has arrived. Mark tricks Saul into thinking the other men are arriving, and uses that to turn himself invisible. When Saul returns, he catches onto Mark's tricks and almost stabs the invisible Mark. When Mark reappears, Saul almost strangles him, but Mark mentally persuades him not to. Then the other sick men finally arrive. This is going to be fun.

Just started reading the thirteenth story, "The Visitor". Saul Williams is living in exile on Mars due to his blood rust, a contagious and fatal disease. He dreams of New York City, but his prayers are somewhat answered when a newcomer arrives: Leonard Mark, who has the ability to make New York City appear on Mars with his mind. This sounds interesting!

Finished "The Fox and the Forest"! Roger is not prosecuted for killing Simms, and the film crew invites the two to a test shooting, followed by a party in the director's hotel room. Unfortunately, the film crew reveals themselves to be a group of Searchers, and they seize the two, then take them back to 2155, as the manager walks in to find everybody has disappeared. Holy shit! Overall, great story!

Ann watches from her bedroom as Roger drives their car to the plaza outside the hotel to pick up Simms, as demanded. However, contrary to what Roger promised, he has other plans. He speeds toward the plaza and hits Simms with his car. Holy shit!

The next morning, an American film crew arrives, and Roger and Ann have breakfast with them. Mr. Simms, however, joins them, and Roger gives up the act. Mr. Simms warns there will be punishment if Roger and Ann don't go back to the bomb factories in 2155 quietly. Roger agrees to go, but only if Ann gets to stay in 1938 and be safe. Mr. Simms agrees and tells Roger to meet him in ten minutes. That's ... sad.

Roger and Ann make it back to their hotel room, each blaming themselves for the Searcher noticing them. They decide to come up with a plan to hide themselves until they can kill the Searcher, then go to bed. But the phone rings and the Searcher answers it when Ann picks it up. He's onto them, alright.

Roger and Ann sit down inside the cafe, only for a Searcher to recognize their future attitudes. He approaches the two and addresses them by name, but Roger continues the act and pretends they don't know him. The Searcher goes along with it and allows them to leave, only to say "2155" as they go, sending Ann into a panic.

Just started reading the twelfth story, "The Fox and the Forest". Married couple Roger and Ann Kristen from the year 2155 have traveled back in time to 1938 to escape the chaotic, fascist, warring world they live in. Only problem is, they're not on the run from Searchers, who are trying to bring them back to 2155. That explains the title, then.