Cody Toye's Blog, page 5

Werner Lind, author of The Gift, reviews Dribbles the Squirrel: Operation Coffee Deprivation

This is another short story, the stand-alone publication of which was made possible by the advent of electronic publishing (though, in my case, it was read in hard copy). If you've read the above description, you'll know that judging the plot here on the basis of realistic plausibility isn't a consideration. Even if our hero is a computer programmer, when he develops a program to train an "army" of 100 squirrels, using Pavlovian conditioning, to perform sabotage functions at corporate headquarters of his old employer, you know you've crossed the border into tongue-in-cheek territory a long time ago. :-) (Even though the titular Dribbles doesn't really wield a bazooka in the story --only on the cover!) In fact, I don't think squirrels can be bought at a pet shop in the first place. This isn't intended to be realistic; it's purely and simply zany, off-the-wall, satiric humor, and it succeeds very well at being that. But the satire has a bite; Toye puts the skewer to modern corporate America, and his sympathies are 100% with the underdog (in the form of exploited employees). His perspective did not come across as "anti-business" (at least to me, though some will no doubt label it that way) as such, nor as opposed to honest profit fairly earned. Rather, it struck me as anti-selfishness and anti-exploitation, opposed to the untempered pursuit of profit at the expense of human decency, and to the mindset that treats other people as things to be used for the satisfaction of a few power freaks. Those aren't hallmarks of proper business policy; and the widespread conviction that they are is a symptom of an economic order that's run amok. Most readers, IMO, will recognize this --and won't have any trouble rooting for Bob and the squirrels. :-)
Dribbles Review

Intangible Excerpt

"This is William. After getting a cup of coffee on the corner of 23rd and Broadway, he got angry with the cashier." The good Doctor slid another photo across to Max. An espresso machine dripped with blood. Inside the grill were large tufts of hair and an unidentifiable human head. The eyes were missing."After arguing with the cashier, he took it upon himself to make the machine come alive and decapitate her. The problem is, he can do anything he wants. He merely just imagines it and it happens. There is nothing we can do about it. If we arrest him, he will simply escape. If we kill him, we could start a war with…well…your kind."Max stared at the photo uninterested. He handed it back to Dr. Blitz, burning the edges. "Great story Doc, but what does this have to do with me?""The government asked for your help Max. When you are the only one of your kind left, we will give you full benefits."His eyes turned from blue to green in an instant. He narrowed his eyes into tiny slits and stared into Dr. Blitz."What kind of benefits?""To start with, you will finally have a Social Security number. We will allow you to have a job, a house, to vote, you name it. You will become a citizen of the United States. That also means no more cameras or cells. That is what you want, isn't it Max?""Deal."Max held his hand out to shake, but the good doctor avoided it like the plague.Intangible:The Proposition

Operation Blackout (Dribbles the Squirrel) Excerpt

Mr. Jefferson was relieved when the darkness was vanquished. The fear was paralyzing. As the only big-wig that is afraid of the dark, he thought, I must maintain my composure. He once again stood and attempted to straighten his hair piece. A damp and sticky residue ran down his bald head.Something was different. A black blob slowly scurried across the gleaming floor. It made it under the door and out into the general population. BANG. The door flew open and a very angry Mr. Jefferson scurried behind it. Laughter erupted. Fingers were pointed. Every worker suddenly forgot why they were mad to begin with. It zigged, it zagged, it ran underneath cubicles. Mr. Jefferson was just a bit faster. 

Digital Short Saturday

Giovanni Gelati, writer of the book blog Gelati's Scoop and host of the blogtalk radio show The G-Zone, reviews the first installment of the digital short story series. Check it out!
http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011...

Interview with Susan Whitfield

http://susanwhitfield.blogspot.com/

HR Toye Thrillers: Debtor's Chip: Devin Excerpt

HR Toye Thrillers: Debtor's Chip: Devin Excerpt: "The fire crackles and smolders in the rusty metal barrel.  Smoke drifts towards the night sky.  He slides his hand into his pocket..."

Dribbles the Squirrel: Operation Coffee Deprivation

Dribbles the Squirrel: Operation Coffee Deprivation

The G-Zone's Giovanni Gelati, Unleashed!

The G-Zone's Giovanni Gelati, Unleashed!

Operation Coffee Deprivation

 The First in the Dribbles the Squirrel digital short story series is now available at Amazon.com
Operation Coffee Deprivation This is the story of what happens to a man that gets downsized after putting 25 years of his life into a company that sends him to the scrap heap. The pain, anguish and at times euphoria of freedom from his emotional bondage are all naked and raw for us the reader. Enjoy the birth of Dribbles the Squirrel and all that he is to become.  Operation Coffee Deprivation

My Book Illustrations

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http://www.wix.com/hrtoye/heathertoyeillustrations