May Max
from MineTime
Stay the Course
Carmen receives the invite of her life, to join an adventure in her own backyard. This text-based limited series reveals the ever-present excitement in every day life.
Carmen's young cousin opens a suspicious package full of paper maps, camera, tech, and money. Carmen plans to take the bag to the police when another older cousin figures it out. The package invites its recipient to participate in The Great Staycation, a local adventure with big payouts. Carmen activates the tablet and must opt in or out.
Carmen falls in with competitors who go by the names Sly and Key as they cross paths to solve their Staycation challenges. Despite mutual attraction with Sly, Carmen keeps distance until they conclude that other competitors have been harmed by malicious actors and the three of them agree to work together.
Carmen, along with Sly and Key, take more care to keep their posts from giving away their location as they continue completing challenges while avoiding their opposition. Key quits after injury due to sabotage, determined to bring the malice to a stop. Carmen and Sly commit to make it to the end, growing closer in the process.
Together, Carmen and Sly solve all but two puzzles and avoid the still-unidentified saboteur. Their bond with one another deepens as they race to claim the prize. Just as they near the end, city officials pull the plug on the entire event, resulting in no winner and no winnings. Key contacts Sly, asking to meet with them.
Key reveals the identities of the saboteurs to Sly and Carmen. The game organizers orchestrated the threats before canceling the game, as their intent was to drum up engagement and tourism without ever paying out. Having found more fulfillment in her new relationship with Sly than with money, Carmen accepts the loss. But Key springs another surprise on them: an invitation to participate in a similar game in her homeland, Brazil, with the possibility to win millions.
OOP vs The News
This text-based limited series, highlights overlap between recent news and stories from the out-of-print vault of FDP Reads (now defunct).
Now that the current US administration wants to promote marriage and child-bearing/pronatalim, this story concept presents a more and more plausible idea. This read brings entertainment and maybe a view of the future.
Rainy Season Ending excerpt
It was no big surprise when loneliness was outlawed. It was just another of a long list of behaviors that had always been considered to be basic human rights to be viewed through a different lens--a modern lens. People thought that sex would be outlawed, reproduction, relationships, love. It was just the opposite. A person had to love another whether by choice or by government mandate, and if not love, then marriage.
Social media fans apparently love challenges. Recent warnings about the Chromebook Challenge and potential trouble for school-age students who jump on the bandwagon hit within striking distance of this tale of social media frenzy.
Good Girl Hit List excerpt
Sandee shook her head. She started to take off the hoodie. He crossed over to her in a couple of steps and tooked the material of the hoodie in his hands and held it closed.
"Don't take this off."
Sandee and the guy she'd thought was normal stared one another in the eyes again. His voice had not been menacing but she thought he was threatening her.
"Did you see Sandee anywhere?"
They heard this voice coming somewhere close by.
"Yeah, you didn't see her? Some guy got her, though. He just pulled her out the back door and then the alarm went off, but they finally shut it off. I thought the rules were that she had to want to go. If I could have just grabbed her and thrown her in my car, I would have done that a long time ago."
"Yeah, if I had seen her, I would have just hit her over the head. I don't have time for games."
Sandee gasped. People were talking about kidnapping her. She and the guy were still nearly face to face. She saw his face change. He'd been wearing a look that was like, "Listen to me for your own good." That changed to one like, "Do you get it now?" Sandee was far from getting it.
It seemed like the guy was mostly trying to help her, even if he had his own reasons. If she went with him into the parking, maybe he could help her until she could get to her car. Then, she would have to ditch him.
"The game is the whole point!" someone shouted, laughing.
Sandee's stomach sunk as far as it could go.
The guy backed away from her. "Just walk and keep the hood on, okay?"
Who can board an airplane without at least some trepidation after reports of shocking accidents on runways and in the skies? Thankfully, this years-old read presents a different, but no less unsettling, story.
Unmanned excerpt
"Here," He offered his shoulder.
She pushed her forehead into his arm.
"It seems like everyone on this flight is with the same wedding party."
"They'll settle down. Can you imagine if we'd had an island honeymoon?"
"Yes," she groaned. "We probably would've broken up years ago."
Chuckling, he said, "Because of the island? Don't wish the people bad luck."
"You know fate is fickle, especially when you mix love and islands. I don't know if it is bad luck or just all the opportunities for infidelity or what. But these people are bringing their own bad luck, that's for sure."
Ron sighed and let his head rest on the top of his wife's. Neither of them had slept much.
"Why do you say that, Clementine?"
Before she could give any answer, sudden silence caused them both to peer over the seats. They watched two men who looked like pilots skulking to the back of the plane.
"Aren't those two the–"
A voice interrupted Ron. The heavily digitized sound caused Clem to wince.
"Your attention, please. Welcome aboard flight AIUF, once bound to the Virgin Isles. Your pilots have been relieved of duty and it's time for the fun to begin. Don't anyone think about trying to gain control by entering the cockpit. The plane has been commandeered and is controlled remotely. The cockpit has been Unmanned."
The crypto and tech bros continue to ride the waves of high hopes and dashed dreams. The lure of money windfalls may fill the backdrop of the current state of affairs; however, this short from several years ago proves that it ain't new.
Cry Me a Crypto excerpt
After seeking excitement and financial gains, Kyle's small investment in a little-known crypto currencly leads to an invitation from a mysterious group of rogue investors to attend a week-long seminar.
Compelled by the secret nature of the event, Kyle accept the invitation and immediately encounters an old acquaaintance who reveals that their level of investment in the crypto tie directly to the life spans.
A nation in turmoil, a call to action, a decision to make, consequences to face. But this is only a story.
Stand and Fight excerpt
Every person heard the sounds, but not every one could identify it. Some people knew what the new drones sounding like, like a coffee machine but louder–loud enough to hear while indoors and yet soothing enough to ignore.
No one could go outside, so what did it matter? The few people who gave it any thought just figured they would find out soon enough, find out why the Bizzy Byrds were buzzing around this time.
The announcement came that explained it all, one grave, sobering announcement.
Every screen in the nation automatically populated with the most famous face in the world. He gave his speech and turned everything upside down. Despite many words, most people only heard a few.
"A package waits outside of every residence. Consider it a gift. Each person who will commit himself or herself to the cause of this war, take that package, open it, use it. Each person who will not, remain indoors. Leave the package there. Someone else will know what to do with it.
"This war we face is critical. We need every able-minded person to do what must be done with heart, with sweat and with tears. It is in your hands now. Stand and fight."
Las watched listened to those words. When the screens returned to their regularly scheduled fare, she did not hesitate. She went out. She found the package. She opened it.
Dear Author
If you like advice columns, you'll enjoy this text-based series featuring the questions of advice seekers and answers from advisor-expert, Author.
Dear Author, Episode 1, preview summary
Dear Author,
I usually feel sad and lethargic during the autumn, but I have been feeling lower than ever this summer. I figured out it might be because I can't travel anywhere this year and my life feels empty otherwise. What can I do to feel better? ---The Stuck Life
Dear The Stuck Life,
Let's get your life feeling fuller and maybe even get you traveling without even leaving home. First, find interesting things you love around the area where you live! Notice how you may do the same things while traveling that you do while at home. Why are those things more interesting in a different location? Try it at home and try enjoying it.
Next, travel in an imaginary world and the cost drops, the headache drops, you don't lose your luggage, and you don't get food poisoning.
While you're at it, pack more punch into it. Pick up a copy of Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. This one came out in 1873, so you can likely even find a copy online somewhere. You can go all over in the course of 80 days. Can't beat that.
Lastly, do more activities that you enjoy all the time and have the life you like year-round. Good luck, The Stuck Life.
Dear Author, Episode 2, preview summary
Dear Author,
Please just tell me if I should look for love with an actual person or should I just design my own bot-mate and go on with my life? ---Computer Love
Dear Computer Love,
If you want to avoid getting catfished, scammed, and some of the other downsides to relationships, this may be the way to go.
On the other hand, consider what you may lose in that deal. A read of the play Cyrano de Bergerac might offer a useful take on this question. This story by Edmond Rostand about an eloquent man wooing a woman through letters (mostly) on behalf of the man that she loves also shows up in the form of various movies, television, and other adaptations. Most people are familiar with the basic concept. Even so, give it a read.
This story has a bit of bot-mate to it in the form of letters from what the reader, the character Roxane, might have described as a perfect, dream man. All would have been well, maybe, had that been the case. For better or worse, it was a deception. You'll have to read to the end, or watch the movie, to learn how it turns out.
With that, the best answer Dear Author can give: the choice between actual mate and bot-mate will come down to what you really want. Do you want the real thing with the pros and cons that comes with it or the ideal thing with the pros and cons that come with it?
Note: Dear Author votes for the real thing. Good luck, Computer Love.
Interior MO
MO has an eye for decorating homes and a head for solving crimes. She'll have to use all of her tools and talents when her latest client and case go sideways. Limited series.
While touring previously closed-off rooms in the high-brow Hiddleton house, MO finds a strange scene and materials that suggest an assault, or even murder. She toes a careful line but quietly searches the grounds for answers. MO juggles decorating their house, looking into them and their affairs, and considering the appeals of the off-the-charts handsome and street-smart ex-con turned private investigator who wants her help with a missing person case.
Request preview of Interior MO
Reading Roundtable
In this text-based limited series, actors discuss stories that have made their way into books and onto film.
Host -- Rea D., master reader
A dinosaur, a monstrosity, and a robot show up for the party
Arm yourself with your choice of visor, bow and arrows, or video camera and press play!
Is it a work of magic, nothing more than manipulation, or more like psychopathy?
We love their work but do they also inspire fear?
It happened through a board, through a book, or through a person
Out-of-Print and Pastry
A story and sugary snack interlude, with stories from the OOP vault of FDP Reads (now defunct). Two friends will play a game, one has read the story while the other has not. The one unfamiliar with the story will ask ten questions to try to determine the story concept. After each correct guess, each will get a bite of dessert. Ten correct guesses will win both parties a prize!
Read full Out-of-Print and Pastry
Tough As Nails
This text-based limited series police drama finds two complex women on the force racing against the clock to thwart the twisted games and nail designs of a mysterious criminal.
Belle of the Halls
Text-based limited series chronicles one teen's quest to match up classmates looking for connections.
Blind Date Tales
This text-based series features unsuspecting daters meeting their blind dates, characters from well-known stories. Will each man and woman successfully identify the character name and story title?
Defining With the Stars
The text-based podcast that defines terrific vocabulary words with not-quite-celebrities.
Host -- Merriam W., word-phile and not-quite-celebrity-interviewer
Episode 1: The C Word
Episode 2: The Big Con
Episode 3: At the End of the Day
Episode 4: Oh, Oh, Oh
Episode 5: Dog Eat Doggy, finale
Get Set 1 of Defining With the Stars
Reads
Dinner Or Death, preview
Kwan artfully slid the bills to the other man. Smiling and nodding, he started to speak but was cut off.
"Just remember, if anything happens, I don't know you, never seen you."
Sighing, Kwan felt a brief moment on uncertainty. He couldn't do that. He almost put a grin on his face but went serious instead.
"I've got this, cousin. Always had it."
Kwan's cousin thumbed the money. When he was satisfied, he headed for the kitchen door. "Good luck."
Scoping the dining area, Kwan wondered at how he'd so soon gone from "No doubt" to "I hope so." But he kept moving. He saw the table and he saw his target. Then he moved, trying to be swift but without a care, not wanting to attract any attention.
"Helio," he said, dropping a hand on the man's shoulder.
Helio's shoulder felt stiff as stone. His head turned with the precision of a machine, at a painstakingly slow speed, and his eyes fell on Kwan with the fear of God.
"Helio," Kwan repeat, slightly shaken, "Kwan, P-Pause, haven't seen you in a while, man. I thought I'd come over..."
Helio's tension released instantly and he glanced toward every entrance.
"Right, P-Pause," said Helio. "Well, look, I'm expecting someone."
Dinner Or Death, a MineTime Discovery
Let's Play, preview
Arily felt sweat run down into her eyes. She flicked it away. The sauna had just become less confortable and the other two ladies had already exited, leaving her there alone.
She breathed deeply, wondering what her test results might reveal. Something unexplainable had taken over her body. She needed answers.
The sauna door opened. Arily paid no mind until she caught a male figure in her peripheral vision and saw the towel drop. Arily sighed.
"Feels great in here."
Arily recognized the voice of Doctor Robinson, Le Med's medical director. She kept her eyes on her feet. The doctor was handsome and helpful--he'd agreed to run tests for her privately. But if this was the payment he expected... She was in no mood.
"Yes. I think I'll leave soon before I over-heat."
"Before you do that, I got the results of the test. Everything looks fine. Care to tell me what you expected to find?"
Arily did not care to tell him.
"Maybe once I've showered and dressed. Thank you again."
Arily allowed herself to look over the naked doctor's body where he laid out on the platform. She shrugged, impressed. Then she stood.
"That's an excellent idea. Dinner this evening?"
Let's Play, a MineTime Discovery
Delwyn In Wonderground, preview
In a dark place, somewhere few people could ever identify, or find, or escape, a man's motionless body lays out like the dead. Until his arm strikes out without warning to reach for something that he does not find. Then he freezes. Then he jumps up and flies into a rage.
"Let me out!" he shouts.
"Mr. Delwyn," responds a voice immediately, "let's calm down, shall we? Anger won't get you out of here. Why don't we just discuss what will?"
Delwyn looks feverishly around himself. Where is the exit? Where is person attached to the voice? Where is the--
"Mr. Delwyn please. Can we just get down to business? You've been resourceful and creative and you've escaped all of this for many years but you are here now. You won't be released until we get what we need."
Delwyn takes a deep breath. He sits back down on the cot he sprang up from. He sees his prison, a low-lit, sparse room with a large, dark window in one wall and little else.
He says, "And what do you need?"
"The pole shift is here," says the voice. "Certain geographic locations require protection."
Delwyn's head falls to his chest. He closes his eyes. He feels the rage welling up before he slows his breathing. Delwyn lifts his head.
"Okay."
Delwyn In Wonderground, a MineTime Discovery
Plain Twain, preview
Because May dropped the phone, she did not hear the ranting woman on the phone and her frantic words.
"May," the voice distantly squeaked, "I want you to come in for an evaluation. You don't sound well. Your thoughts are scattered, you are drawing wild connections, and frankly I don't know what to say. You think that you may have been cloned without your knowledge and that this identical twin of yours has been out to get you? I don't want to scare you but this kind of talk can be very dangerous if clients get wind of any of this."
"Why don't I get that for you."
The woman who only recently entered the room, reached down and picked up the phone. Without a word, she disconnected the call with a smile.
She said, "Hello, May."
Shocked into silence, May stared at the very one the caller had referred to, the clone, the identical twin, the one out to get May. The same one she'd felt stalking her.
"Who are you?" May asked.
The other woman frowned. "You mean to tell me that you don't know?"
Plain Twain, a MineTime Discovery
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