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On Spec: The Canadian Magazine Of The Fantastic vol 18 no. 2 # 65 Spring 2006
01/11/2006 . Source: Donna Jones 
Magazine: Copper Pig Writers Society. Price: $ 6.95 (CAN). ISSN: 0843-476X. Distributed in Canada by CMPA and the UK by BAR. Buy On Spec: The Canadian Magazine Of The Fantastic in the USA - or Buy On Spec: The Canadian Magazine Of The Fantastic in the UK  check out website: www.onspec.ca
I've come to the conclusion that I need to curb my cynicism. Upon picking up this edition of 'On Spec', the front cover caused all sorts of thoughts that don't belong in a healthy optimist's mind! The cover image 'Princess' by Elaine Chen has a woman in a little black number wearing fishnet stockings and holding a leash, onto which is attached a frog of the rather green persuasion. My initial thoughts were of the elitist lot to whom £3000 for a Prada bag is nothing to them, they would need several at that price to fulfil their princesshood duties!
Moving along swiftly and succinctly to the fiction of this quarter's issue, I found that the opening story, entitled 'An Obtuse Argument Against Foreign Products' by Daniel LeMoal. A fast-paced horrific story about transforming electrical goods going on a blood drenched massacre just before opening time. This one was obviously placed here for the immediate shock factor that it presented. Well-written and maybe a little disenfranchised with linearity, this story develops into a full on carnage of shop workers. Having been in a retail position once before in my life, I was left wondering whether the workers were actually better off being killed, rather painfully it is true, but at least the torture that working inside a retail establishment was over.
'The Exterminator' by John Southern Blake was a dialogue-based short between the ninety-three year old widow, Mrs. Nelligan, and Bob the exterminator from the trapdoor in her kitchen. What I really loved about this story was the subtly with which you find out that maybe the critter that looks like a lobster in her cellar is an alien from a meteorite that has recently fallen. The thing that makes this even more appealing to me is the matter-of-fact way that both the characters talk about the problem as if it's a normal occurrence. Brilliantly funny!
This issue sees another humorous short, this time from Bill Stuart, entitled 'Androids And You'. It's written as an informational pamphlet regarding earlier models of androids and what you should do if you encounter them. The Cuddlebunny (Model I) is basically a stuffed toy with an android encased inside but it is reported in this pamphlet as being one of the most dangerous and causing the most human deaths and mutilations of people. Whereas the military android did the exact opposite. It's quite a quirky way of writing. One which reminds me of a substantial author and to whom I owe one of my most loved books, so really a little gem. By the way, did you know that androids for males who cannot get a date are all called Valerie?
'The Jekyll Effect' by Kevin Cockle appealed to me for its balls out approach. A man connected by his ancestors to the Jekyll formula uses it to further his career and get ahead in trading commodities but his alter-ego persuades him to stop using the drug as it's causing his early demise. I liked this story for it's ending. The tables get turned while he's clean and his wife to whom he applies the same weak-mannered character that his normal-self aspired to shows the same mean spirited traits. This speaks volumes to me about the way our society sees success, not judged by the good things that the human soul can aspire to, but the ones that speak of power and dirty tactics. Power corrupts absolute!
Well, another edition of 'On Spec' read and enjoyed by this reviewer. I have to say this time I did laugh out loud, which is always a good thing and never a problem where fiction is concerned. Although the lady on the bus may have had something else to say about it! Enjoying fiction is a pleasure, acknowledging it an honour in itself. Thank you once again the people behind 'On Spec', short story-telling can be incredible after all.
Donna Jones
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