{"product_id":"2940033093731","title":"The Torpthorker and Other Assorted Tales of Absurdity","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis diverse collection of ten short stories are primarily of the humorous variety, though some explore more melancholic territory. The stories are as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• A Grand Tale of Gallantry: A brave knight slays a dragon to protect the beautiful damsel in distress. This, however, is only half of the story. The rest reveals a fantasy crashing into reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• The Old Interview Routine: Rory Pillton is nervous for his job interview, but is he too nervous to get the job?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• Loving the Cat: This vignette takes a quick glance at a woman who has a strange affection for her cat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• He May Have Already Won: How much personal information is Dalton willing to divulge to a stranger who promises easy money?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• Modern Argument: Some people have nothing better to do than embroil themselves in testy exchanges, as this brief story demonstrates. Here, two adults quibble over a minute detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• The Personal Blog of Yes it Does: A series of monologs in the form of blog postings offer the casual and observational musings of a gentleman named Yes it Does. These ponderings even caught the attention (some might say concern) of the American Institute of Mental Health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• A Meeting of al-Qaeda Operatives: What happens when the leading members of al-Qaeda have gathered in a remote area and are assaulted by the mundane? Who really knows for sure, but let’s try to find out anyway when we review these meeting transcripts I found in a dumpster behind CIA headquarters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• Swept Under: This melancholic vignette follows overstressed, overweight and overworked Gary as he has a slight emotional breakdown at the dinner table with his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• The Torpthorker: Mona’s car breaks down on a quiet and heavily wooded stretch of highway in Montana. While fussing over the situation, she is spotted by a strange, never-before-seen creature that lives in the dense forest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• The Deviated Monotony of Thomas Gerstle Abernethy:\u003cbr\u003eThis three-part story revolves around Tom Abernethy as he: (1) amuses his nephew with a faux alien visitation; (2) is greeted at his door by proselytizing vampires; and (3) engages in food warfare at his favorite grocery store.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Christopher Scherman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47077019484400,"sku":"2940033093731","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940033093731_p0.jpg?v=1763664030","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940033093731","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}