Victor D. López's Blog: Victor D. Lopez, page 83

Science Fiction Short Story Collection 75% off through December 28

The Kindle edition of Book of Dreams 2e: SF and Speculative Fiction Short Stories is available for $.99 (75% off regular retail price of $3.99) from today through December 28 2013.

Here is the book’s description from its Amazon page:

This expanded Second Edition contains three new stories in addition to the five original short stories that appeared in the first edition published in August of 2011.

What really caused the catastrophic failure after the first full-scale test of the Large Hadron Collider? Motivated, ingenious terrorists are about to try their own field experiment to replicate the classified results of the test on a large scale using two suitcase nukes and a modified jetliner in an attack that, if successful, will eradicate all life on earth, destroy our corner of the universe and, in time, give birth to a new addition to the multiverse.

If we could communicate with the other sentient, intelligent species with whom we share our planet, what vital lessons might we learn from them and they from us?

In a not too distant future in which all human beings on earth are connected and integrated into a single neural net, what price might be exacted for one wishing to opt out?

What price would you pay to revisit a crossroad in your life when you had made a terrible, life altering mistake? Would you give up an unfulfilled life for the chance of virtual happiness in an alternate reality?

Would you sacrifice everything if you could attain absolute knowledge? If so, could you live with the knowledge you attained?

It is said that no man is an island, but what if even the least among us is a god in his/her own right?

If an alien visitor offered you a lifetime of health and the gift of telepathy for a small service, would you be quick to accept?

If we purportedly use only a small fraction of our brain’s capacity, what possible purpose does the apparently unused portion serve?

Above are some of the questions raised in this collection of science fiction and speculative fiction short stories that explores the interrelationship between dreams and reality, the nature of reality itself, and the dangers attendant to the single-minded pursuit of wish fulfillment that all too often results in unexpected and unwanted consequences.

The author is an Associate Professor of Legal Studies at Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business and has previously published seven non-fiction books through traditional publishers. His business law and legal environment textbooks have been used in colleges and universities throughout the United States since 1993. This is his first book of short stories.

 
The above cover is for the book’s first edition which is no longer available for the Kindle.

Deep sliding scale discounts for five days only on my intellectual property and second short story collection

In time for the holidays, two of my Kindle titles are being deeply discounted under Amazon’s new “countdown” promotion available to authors only once every ninety days. Over the next six days starting 12/21/2013 My Intellectual Property book that retails for $8.99 will be offered for $2.99, $3.99, $4.99 and $5.99 ending in the original list price of $8.99. Today the book is available for $2.99 for the first and only time since its release. Details are available by clicking on the book’s cover below.

The second title also available through this one-per-quarter promotion is my Book of Dreams 2e. This short story collection retails for $3.99 for the Kindle and is available 12/22/2013 for $.99 with the price increasing over the next few days to $1.99, $2.99 and ending at the original price of $3.99. Please note that this book is being superseded by the just released “Mindscapes” collection that includes the eight original stories in Book of Dreams 2e and two new stories. Mindscapes sells for $4.99 and will also be available in a similar countdown deal after mid January.

I no longer offer free book promotions and may or may not offer these countdown promotions in the future depending on how this new promotion affects overall sales over the next quarter.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

The Ongoing Battle to Secularize Christmas

 

A small but very vocal minority in the United States is waging an ongoing battle to secularize Christmas.  A multi-front attempt for years waged in the courts under the guise of protecting the First Amendment Establishment clause that prohibits the establishment of any one religion by the Federal Government–a clear attempt by the founders to prohibit the U.S. from establishing the Church of the united States along the lines of the British “Church of England.” Unhappy at their ability to erase all references to religion and all displays of religious observance in the courts, proponents of a “god-free” America have increasingly focused their efforts on attacking religion on grounds of “inclusiveness” and general political correctness. In a country where the only recognized sin  appears to be political incorrectness, wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” has actually been banned by some retailers in recent years, only to reverse themselves when people made their displeasure known. In the more recent past, a group of atheists posted a billboard in New York’s Times Square demanding that Christ be taken out of Christmas, asking rhetorically “Who needs Christ in Christmas — No one.” And today, as I write this, I saw a news report on CNN about the classic Christmas song “Holy Night” having its words changed when performed by school children in a choir at one American school  to omit references to both Christ and to the Virgin Mary. Atheists have long complained about the Pledge of Allegiance containing teh phrase “One nation, under God . . ..” May I suggest “One nation, paralyzed by political correctness” as an alternative?

I accept a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Chanukah” or “Happy Winter Solstice” for that matter in the spirit in which the greeting is offered. My Jewish Friends and colleagues usually wish me a Merry Christmas and I them a Happy Chanukah (or Happy belated Chanukah this year when the holidays do not coincide). How a well-intentioned greeting can be offensive is itself offensive to me. Billboards on Times Square broadcasting “Who needs Christ in Christmas — Nobody” on the other hand are extremely offensive, as are the idiot attempts to “sanitize” “Silent Night” by omitting references to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in today’s news from some misguided school in the U.S..

Can you imagine the universal (and righteous) outrage if anyone put up a billboard in Times Square with similarly intentionally offensive comments about religious holidays like Ramadan, Chanukah or, for that matter, any religion but Christianity? Humanists, atheists and run of the mill cranks and wingnuts of all stripes should take notice, in case they did not get the memo: Christmas is exclusively about Christ. It is not about comsummerism, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost or blooming chestnuts roasting on an open fire, any more than Easter is about chocolate bunnies or baskets of goodies doled out to children.

In our insane politically correct society, anything that offends anyone must be co-opted, changed or banned. (Unless, of course, offense is directed at targets for which the political left feels disdain and contempt, like Christianity (and, to a lesser extent, all organized religion), Conservatives, Republicans (from the right, left and center), Tea Party members, the military, and so on.

If anyone is offended that Christmas is a Christian holiday and “feels bad” about it for much of December, then the response is to secularize the holiday. Ban the wishing of a “Merry Christmas,” and push for getting Christ out of Christmas. And, of course, let’s inject race into the equation. Santa Claus should not be portrayed as a white man. The fact that the character is based on a white Christian Saint of Turkish/Greek origins is, well, irrelevant. Does any thinking human being other than a bigot actually believe that GOD gives a flying fig about the color of St. Nicholas’ skin? Of the race of His only son? Or of yours, mine or of the misguided fools who put up the billboard on Times Square?

I respect all religions and I equally respect agnostics and atheists who question all religion or reject it outright. How could I not, having had friends and colleagues whom I dearly respect who are atheists, Jews, Muslims and, yes, even Wiccans? (Yes, I actually know a good witch or two and care for them no less or more than my good Catholic friends.) I do no impose my religion on anyone or, in general, wear it on my sleeve. If you do not practice a black mass or worship Satan, I will respect your religion too and expect the same courtesy in return. I also give very wide berth to those who would push any religion–including mine–on me or anyone else. But I will not tolerate anyone co-opting a religion or a religious holiday for their own use.

If you like the spirit of Christmas but are not Christian, no problem. Erect your own holiday tree, Chanukah Bush, Winter Solstice Tree, or Frosty the Snowman and have a great time. The spirit of Christmas transcends the religious significance of the holiday; good will is not the province of any single religion and is, in fact, independent of religion altogether. Having said that, Christmas is, has always been and will always be first and foremost about Christ. Anyone who did not get (or does not like) the message is free to foam at the mouth, howl at the moon, and to celebrate (or invent) their own holiday to coincide with the Christian Holiday. Americans can celebrate the season any way they wish, or not celebrate it at all. They can rail against the blatant commercialization of Christmas (and I will agree with them on that front). What they cannot do is redefine a High Holy Day for the vast majority of Americans to suit their political, philosophical or religious predilections. Doing is, well, un-American.

Published Readers’ Reviews of My Kindle Books

Book of Dreams 2nd Edition: Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories
(C) 2012 Victor D. Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Dreams, August 1, 2013 [Amazon]
By
Michael Boggia “Roman History Buff” (Tucson AZ)

(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase
Customer Reviews
Book of Dreams 2nd Edition: Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories (Kindle Edition)
“The content is deep, stimulating and entertaining as well. Mr. Lopez draws his reader into his character’s lives, trials and tribulations. Anyone who enjoys great Science Fiction should enjoy this book.”“I would compare this to Theodore Sturgeon or Ray Bradbury’s science fiction.”
Direct link to Review:  http://www.amazon.com/Book-Dreams-2nd-Edition-Speculative/product-reviews/1480295914/ref=cm_cr_dp_qt_see_all_top?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending)


Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars  [Goodreads review from April 17, 2012. The book has a 4.83 out of 5 stars rating with six ratings—five five stars and one four stars from readers.  Reviews are current as of 12/17/2013 can be verified by logging on to goodreads.com and searching for the book title or my name.]

“I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. I do not always like science fiction so much, but I found myself glued to the pages of this book. I myself have had a few very interesting dreams lately, and reading this book made me feel that perhaps I was not going insane, but merely reliving part of what I had read through this book. I hope that this author continues to write stories of this magnitude, as I’m sure that he’d do extremely well.“

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Intellectual Property Law: A Practical Guide to Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets (C) 2011 Victor D. Lopez
Customer Reviews [Amazon]
Intellectual Property Law: A Practical Guide to Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets (C) 2011 Victor D. Lopez






5.0 out of 5 stars Intellectual Property Law: A Practical Guide to Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks, and Trade Secrets  December 20, 2012
By
Kedinga Fogam
Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: Intellectual Property Law: A Practical Guide to Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets (Paperback)
“Needed practical examples for my students and found it very useful for that purpose. It takes one direct to the point. Great”




Direct link to review: http://www.amazon.com/Intellectual-Property-Law-Copyrights-Trademarks-ebook/product-reviews/B005AWNCFS/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

_____________________________
Of Pain and Ecstasy: Collected Poems (C) 2011 Victor D. Lopez (C) 2011 Victor D. Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars Love, August 11, 2013
By
Abe F. March “To Beirut and Back, They Plotte… (Germany) – See all my reviews
This review is from: Of Pain and Ecstasy: Collected Poems (Paperback)
“If love didn’t exist Victor would have created it with his poems. He has a natural gift for telling a true story or of t rue events in a delightful manner. His poems express love and give the reader much to contemplate.”
Direct link to Amazon review: http://www.amazon.com/Of-Pain-Ecstasy-Collected-Poems/product-reviews/1463695853/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


4.0 out of 5 stars Urban Fear and Loathing / Love, 26 Sep 2013 [Amazon]
By
Scotianightpoetry – See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: Of Pain and Ecstasy: Collected Poems (Kindle Edition)
“Some of the poems are very well constructed and offer a glimpse into the fears that people in an urban sprawl might experience in terms of a foreboding atmosphere and in relation to others. Good read though.”
Direct link to Amazon UK review: http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/1463695853/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

__________________________

The Day the Dolphins Disappeared (short story) (C) 2011, 2012 Victor D. Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful writer, September 3, 2013 [Amazon]
By
Joy Visser – See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: The Day the Dolphins Vanished (Short Story) (Kindle Edition)
“Victor’s stories are well written and enthralling. They are hard to put down. I recommend his books and short stories very highly.”
Direct link to Amazon review: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dolphins-Vanished-Short-Story-ebook/product-reviews/B00EAVUV04/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


5.0 out of 5 stars What will we tell them?, 8 Oct 2013
By
Tweedledum (UK) – See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Day the Dolphins Vanished (Short Story) (Kindle Edition)
“So if you could really truly talk to animals what would you say? What would you share? What should you share? Victor Lopaz’ heroine has found out it can be done ….”"A gem of a short story – the sort that lulls you into a cosy comfortable read and then suddenly shoots out a google that makes you stop dead and think… And then think some more….”

Direct link to Amazon U.K. review:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dolphins-Vanished-Short-Story-ebook/product-reviews/B00EAVUV04/ref=sr_1_10_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

For a quick view of all my Kindle and most of my traditional paperback and hard cover books,  you can visit my Amazon Author Page here.

Tagged: book reviews

Short Story Preview — “Mars: Genesis 2.0″

Mars: Genesis 2.0
© 2013 Victor D. López
All rights reserved

_________________

Earth had not stood a chance. Careful tracking of the known asteroids and comets had accurately predicted some close calls from sizeable rocks over the past several decades, and yielded some spectacular natural fireworks alongside some notable devastation at least twice in recent memory over the skies of modern Russia and of the former Soviet Union from lesser meteors that, without ever striking the ground, still managed to make their presence known as they exploded in the atmosphere, releasing energy equivalent to hundreds of Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs. But none of the previous devastation wreaked on a defenseless planet by sizeable asteroids in the past, including the one that erased the dinosaurs from the Earth and paved the way for the eventual ascent of homo sapiens, could compare to the 113-mile diameter spherical asteroid that struck the Earth on Sunday, July 19, 2020 in Tierra del Fuego, at the Southern-most tip of South America. The resulting devastation was complete. Within weeks, nearly all life on the face of the Earth was extinguished as the force of the primary explosion and the dozens of smaller impact zones from fragments of the asteroid that broke apart from the heat of entry. These secondary strikes ranged over a wide swath of the globe as far as Australia, while numerous fragments exploded in the atmosphere before ever touching the ground. Within weeks of the impact, the devastation wrought by out of control fires, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the sudden melting of a significant portion of the South Pole’s icecap foretold of the eventual extinction of all life on Earth.

There had been notice, of course—666 days of it, to be precise, a number that fueled an endless stream of debate, devotion, and gave birth to more than a few doomsday cults. Armageddon was duly delivered on time by a massive asteroid carrying the number of the beast. Pluto may have been demoted to a planetoid, but the ancient god of the underworld got the last laugh and the benefit of the bargain as he received six plus billion new souls from a once verdant world bludgeoned into a massive extinction event by an errant rock. The nearly two years of warning were insufficient to avert disaster. Earth simply did not have the technology to destroy or deflect a 113-mile-wide planetoid moving towards it at an orbital velocity of 20 kilometers per second on a previously undiscovered elliptical orbit around the sun that took it into the Kuiper belt beyond Neptune’s orbit. It might have been kinder had humanity been spared the precise date and modality of its demise. But there was no way to hide the truth once it became apparent, and no way to spare the aftermath of that truth or the lawlessness that resulted from the communal despair of people given a death sentence without hope of reprieve. Suffice it to say that humanity’s last two years were not on balance proud ones for a species performing its swan song. If this was, as some claimed, God’s wrath visited upon an unrepentant creation that had learned little from the lessons of the great flood, humanity certainly gave little evidence of being undeserving of the punishment in the months leading to the end.

[***** End of preview *****]

“Mars: Genesis 2.0″ is available for the Kindle from Amazon both as a stand-alone short story and as one on the ten short stories in the simultaneously released collection “Mindscapes: Ten Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories”.

The following description is from the the story’s Amazon page:


This work is a science fiction short story (7,777 words).

In the year 2020, astronomers discover a previously unknown asteroid that will strike Earth in exactly 666 days. Because of its massive size, it is impossible to deflect or destroy it with the available technology, and it is clear that the impending impact will be an extinction event. While most governments do what they can to ensure the survival of as many people as possible, such efforts are not expected to succeed. Nevertheless, underground bunkers are pressed into service and new ones created around the globe in hope that some remnant of humanity might escape impending doom by burrowing underground with enough supplies to weather the predicted decades-long nuclear winter that will result from an asteroid strike much larger than that which killed off the dinosaurs and paved the way for the eventual birth and ascent of homo sapiens.

The wealthiest, most technologically advanced countries of Earth hedge their bets by mobilizing their available resources to launch a handful of their best and brightest into space, either to a greatly expanded space station or to the Moon in the hopes that small colonies may be established there that would eventually use the Moon’s natural resources to be self-sustaining. The U.S. forges a more ambitious plan to send 12 colonists to Mars in less than two years where with existing technology and the cobbling together of a space ship from three mothballed space shuttles, they may have a better chance for long-term survival.

This is the story of Earth’s final days, and a testament to humanity’s resourcefulness and indomitable nature in the countdown to Armageddon.

 

 
Amazon Prime members can borrow  both the short story and the short story collections free. For more information and free previews, you can click on the relevant book covers below.



 


 
Tagged: free short stories, science fiction

New SF Book Published Today — Mindscapes: Ten Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories

I’ve decided to published an expanded edition of my Book of Dreams 2nd Edition with two new short stories stories written this year. The book will be available in paperback in January with the Kindle edition released today. Rather than publish a 3rd revised and expanded edition of Book of Dreams, I wanted to create a new cover that incorporates the Kindle covers for most of the stand-alone stories in the book and also wanted to update the title to one that more clearly emphasizes the science fiction/speculative fiction nature of the book. You can get more information by clicking on the book’s cover below  or by reading the description that follows.

From the book’s Amazon page: [in italics]

This book is a compilation of 10 science fiction and speculative fiction short stories by the author from his two previous short story collections, Book of Dreams and Book of Dreams 2nd Edition, as well as two new stories written in 2013. Its scope extends from the innermost dimensions of the mind to the outer reaches of the universe, focusing from diverse perspectives on some common themes as to the meaning of life, the superlative strength and wrenching weakness of the human spirit, the power of love and the perpetual pain and ecstasy that flesh is heir to in its perpetual struggle between the the duality of human nature, in which one finds reflected both the divine and the profane.

In very broad outline, the ten stories involve the following themes:

If necessity is the mother of invention, could humanity use present technology to find a way to propagate its seed when faced with the certainty of an extinction-level event in less than two years’ time?

What really caused the catastrophic failure after the first full-scale test of the Large Hadron Collider? Motivated, ingenious terrorists are about to try their own field experiment to replicate the classified results of the test on a large scale using two suitcase nukes and a modified jetliner in an attack that, if successful, will eradicate all life on earth, destroy our corner of the universe and, in time, give birth to a new addition to the multiverse.

If we could communicate with the other sentient, intelligent species with whom we share our planet, what vital lessons might we learn from them and they from us?

In a not too distant future in which all human beings on earth are connected and integrated into a single neural net, what price might be exacted for one wishing to opt out?

Egyptologists and historians have long debated the riddle of the Sphinx–its true origins, its too-small human head and the pharaoh it was intended to represent. What if the riddle could be revealed live, in prime time, to an attentive world-wide audience upon the excavation of a chamber buried stories beneath its right paw?

What price would you pay to revisit a crossroad in your life when you had made a terrible, life altering mistake?

Would you give up an unfulfilled life for the chance of virtual happiness in an alternate reality?

Would you sacrifice everything if you could attain absolute knowledge? If so, could you live with the knowledge you attained?

It is said that no man is an island, but what if even the least among us is a god in his/her own right?

If an alien visitor offered you a lifetime of health and the gift of telepathy for a small service, would you be quick to accept?

If we purportedly use only a small fraction of our brain’s capacity, what possible purpose does the apparently unused portion serve?

Above are some of the questions raised in this collection of science fiction and speculative fiction short stories that explores the interrelationship between dreams and reality, the nature of reality itself, and the dangers attendant to the single-minded pursuit of wish fulfillment that all too often results in unexpected and unwanted consequences.  

The Kindle version of the book sells for $4.99 but can be borrowed free of charge by Amazon Prime members through their Kindle readers.

As always, I am very grateful for your interest and support.

Published today: Two science fiction short stories

Just published for the Kindle, two science fiction/speculative fiction short stories: “Justice” and “the Mystery of the Sphinx: Solved.”

Here is the Amazon description:

This is publication is a compilation of two speculative fiction short stories. In the first, “Justice”, a man is being tried for the last remaining capital offense in a kinder, gentler, truly unified world in the not to distant future. In the second, “Riddle of the Sphinx: Solved” The secrets of the Sphinx are finally revealed to a curious world in prime time by the world’s most famous Egyptologist in a live event reminiscent of the disastrous, much hyped opening of Al Capone’s vault by Geraldo Rivera in prime time some years back. No empty bottle will be found in the chamber beneath teh right paw of the Sphinx. No, not this time. Alas.

Just published: New short story, “Mars: Genesis 2.0″

In the year 2020, astronomers discover a previously unknown asteroid that will strike Earth in exactly 666 days. Because of its massive size, it is impossible to deflect or destroy it with the available technology, and it is clear that the impending impact will be an extinction event.

While most governments do what they can to ensure the survival of as many people as possible, such efforts are not expected to succeed. Nevertheless, underground bunkers are pressed into service and new ones created around the globe in hope that some remnant of humanity might escape impending doom by burrowing underground with enough supplies to weather the predicted decades-long nuclear winter that will result from an asteroid strike much larger than that which killed off the dinosaurs and paved the way for the eventual birth and ascent of homo sapiens.

The wealthiest, most technologically advanced countries of Earth hedge their bets by mobilizing their available resources to launch a handful of their best and brightest into space, either to a greatly expanded space station or to the Moon in the hopes that small colonies may be established there that would eventually use the Moon’s natural resources to be self-sustaining. The U.S. forges a more ambitious plan to send 12 colonists to Mars in less than two years where with existing technology and the cobbling together of a space ship from three mothballed space shuttles, they may have a better chance for long-term survival.

This is the story of Earth’s final days, and a testament to humanity’s resourcefulness and indomitable nature in the countdown to Armageddon.

This short story (7,777 words) was published 12-14-2013 and has not been previously published elsewhere. For more information, please click on its Kindle cover below.

 

Tagged: hard science fiction, science fiction, SF, short story

Short story excerpt: “What Price to Live the Dream?”

“Stop trying so desperately to convince me, and yourself, that I’m wrong. Listen to what I am saying with your heart and mind; get out of the ‘adversarial mode’ and back into the ‘friendship mode’ counselor.”
“I’m trying. Believe me, I’m really trying to understand.”
And I’m trying just as hard to make you understand. Your understanding and approval is very important to me; although I know you realize I’ll do what I have to without either, if necessary.”
I know, I know,” Dan replied softly, beginning to resign himself to the irresistible force of his friend’s determination.”
“Anyway, what you implied a moment ago is not accurate. I will not reprogram the system to bring about or even facilitate any given result. All I will do is program one single thought into my mind which should trigger the right course.”
“And what might that be?”
“Simple. Twenty years ago, the last time that Linda and I got together and I broke it off, I reached what has become for me the most crucial crossroad of my life: a moment in which I was torn between wanting to hold her, to tell her that I loved her desperately and completely and that all would be well, and needing to run out of the apartment and keep running, never looking back. I chose the latter course. If only I’d stayed a few minutes more, looked for another instant at her warm brown eyes, and saw, really saw, her understanding face with the tears gently rolling down her cheeks, I know I would not have been able to follow through. I would have followed my heart and held her, kissed her, and poured out my heart to her. All I will do to the system is to program the thought that I must stay with her for a little longer, and kiss her one last time.”
“And that will do it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re certain?”
“Absolutely.”
“And what if you’re wrong? What if you stay five minutes longer, kiss her one last time and then get up and run away, just like the last time?”
“I won’t”
“Damn it, what if you do? Then what?”
“Then my ghosts will have been set free. I will be twice damned and will prove myself unworthy of that second chance. And I will most likely go on to live out the rest of my virtual life with the same pain and regrets as my real one. Who knows, perhaps I’ll go on to work on this project, overflowing with regret, and do it all over again. How do you know I haven’t already, and that this is not the umpteenth iteration of an endless loop? It doesn’t really matter what the outcome is; if there were only a one in a trillion chance of it working, I’d sell my soul to try.”
“You can’t live out the rest of your life, damn you. That’s the point; you’d have nothing but a dream, a make-believe reality.”
“What’s the difference, as long as I don’t know it? Reality is a subjective thing. It will be real, to me, and that’s all that matters.”
“And what if I can’t stop them from pulling the plug? What if I can’t get a restraining order? National security is still a touchy area; there are no guarantees that a state or federal judge will be willing to meddle in an intelligence agency’s internal affairs, especially when they’re being carried out with Senate approval.”
“Come on, Dan, you know perfectly well that no judge will stand idly by when a human life is at stake, especially when three others have already been lost. We’re not engaged in any meaningful war at the moment, and we’re not talking about the Manhattan Project. The judiciary will grant you a temporary restraining order as a matter of course.”
“Granted, I can get an injunction. But there’s no guarantee that I can get it on time to prevent the system from being dismantled, or your death. What’s to prevent the agency or the military from simply pulling the plug before or after I get a restraining order?”
“That’s why time is of the essence, my friend. That’s why we can’t debate the issue all night. But don’t worry about the agency being in too much of a hurry to pull the plug; I’ve taken some precautions to safeguard against that.”

[End of preview]

 Excerpted from “What Price to Live the Dream?” (C) 1987, 2011 Victor D. Lopez. All Rights Reserved.

 

Maria (Excerpt #4 from “Unsung Heroes”)

Maria (Paternal Grandmother)

You were a gentle, genteel young woman swept away by a man

Thirteen years your senior who gallantly courted you,

Riding proudly atop his great steed, and who offered you

Safety, security, his good name and his heart.

 

He gave you four children—two boys and two girls—and left you,

And them, just before the Guardia Civil came for him. You told them that

Your husband had emigrated to Argentina and was an honorable man.

They questioned you but left empty handed and did not trouble you again.

 

For the next decade, you managed your husband’s affairs,

Continued with his business for a time,

Grieved the death of your youngest son, Manolito, to meningitis,

And found comfort in your lot, which was better than most.

 

You were a proud, prim, proper, handsome woman,

With large, penetrating, deep blue eyes.

Though you were not the a radiant beauty like your older sister,

Who died young but whose beauty long outlived her in the eyes of many.

 

But you were beautiful, and turned more than your share of heads in younger days. And you fondly recalled all the good, young men from good families who courted you,

Whom you kept at a proper distance through your virtue, wielded like

A great shield; yet you took no small pride in recounting their attentions.

 

You were kind, generous, and self sacrificing. And you were strong, though this

Trait was not encouraged of proper women of the time. You were a

Good friend, and though you could appear as aloof as a queen walking among her

Subjects, you had many close friends among both rich and poor.

 

Though you were proud, you tilled the soil and grew potatoes, beets, beans,

Cabbage, artichokes and many other vegetable in your ample garden,

Picked apples, lemons, pears, figs and many other fruits for your family,

From your fruit trees, milked your cows, and raised chickens and rabbits.

 

Your pride sustained you through the tough times, and you took comfort from

Your illustrious relative, José Sánchez Bregua (1810-1897), the distinguished

Four-star General, Commander in Chief of the forces of Spain, and War Minister whose

State funeral was the first moving picture shot in Spain.

 

Your memories of a gentler past colored by both real and imagined glory,

And your overly strong pride in your children, grandchildren and family,

Rescued you from loneliness and the unpleasant realities of life,

And condemned you to remember the past at the expense of living the present.

The last time I saw you, you were as strong and lovely as ever, with perfect

Posture, and every hair in place.  Your eyes were still clear, and your smile as

Gentle and reassuring as it had always been.  But you did not know me, and spoke to me of

Your son and grandson in New York of whom you were so proud.

 

While dad and I sat next to you, you told us both about ourselves and of

Sánchez Bregua, and of your many suitors when you were young, and of your

Virtuous friends, and of your husband’s good name, and of his standing in the

Community, and whispered not a word of pain, of loneliness or of self-sacrifice.

 

Your soft voice spoke only of pleasant things I’d heard many times before that belied Y

our strength, your mettle, your life deferred, your wounds covered over by the only

Salve available to you—pride—and by the unshakable knowledge of who you were

Without a moment wasted in the pointless contemplation of what might have been.

 

Dad and I left you for the last time, contentedly fussing with your old sewing

Machine, the same one on which you had made your children’s clothes, and taught

Your two daughters their craft. You did not recognize us, but chatted politely and did

Not notice our tears when dad and I said what would prove to be our final good-byes.

 

From Of Pain and Ecstasy: Collected Poems (C) 2011 Victor D. Lopez. All rights reserved.