Challenge 832

Changing Flats

In Charles C. Cole’s The Walls Have Mouths, is the mystery of the talking wall ever resolved? How might it be explained?
In Eugène-Melchior de Vogüé’s Joseph Olenin’s Coat, is Olenin’s coat fetish ever resolved to his and the Countess’ mutual satisfaction?
In Brandi Oakes’ The Replacement Decree:
1. How are citizens determined to be “useful”? Does the public know? What kind of society is depicted? What is the point of citizens’ hiding in the evening when collections are predetermined?
2. Since the purpose of “collection” appears to be organ transplants to citizens deemed “the very best,” is good health an advantage or a handicap to the ordinary citizen?
3. The evaluator tells Harry that “collections” are made for the purpose of population control. Is the explanation plausible or a transparent lie?
In L. S. Popovich’s Sunrise:
1. Riku is reminded of the “trees of the Celestial Plane.” Has Riku ever seen the Celestial Plane? If so, when?
2. Yumi aids Riku’s voice in sweeping the “enemies” out of Mitchlum, but Riku loses her voice. Do cynths and other hostile beings not come from elsewhere, as well? Riku later observes that the victory may be “brief.” Might Yumi have run too big a risk in sacrificing Riku’s voice?
3. “The sun began to rise for the first time in a century.” Has Mitchlum — and the rest of the world — been in nighttime darkness for a hundred years?
4. Izzalia notes: “Remera didn’t have a god in her anymore.” How does she know? When did she first learn of Remera’s handicap?
5. Izzalia says, “[Remera’s] heart may have been wicked, but would we have survived this long without her?” Izzalia has reproached Remera for mixing organic and inorganic, but how, exactly, has Remera protected Mitchlum?
6. Why has the Council been withholding what amounts to medical procedures? Has the “town called Chime” been mentioned before?
7. Izzalia says, “It’s possible there’s still organic life in parts of the Cauterhaugh. [...] And who knows what the Fjord has wrought this time around?” What has the Fjord been doing, and what is it doing now?

Responses welcome!