Seven Before the World

By Nicholas Jewczyn

Seven Before The World is a compilation of seven Science Fiction short stories compellingly written from the realists viewpoint. The scenes are so realistic that the reader will become drawn into the book and escape to new vistas previously unknown. Its all here Science Fiction, fantasy, a detective story, technology gone terribly wrong, human drama, a mystery story, and much more. Dont wait another moment get your hands on Seven Before The World today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781468501537

Nicholas Jewczyn

Nicholas Jewczyn (pronounced JEFF' - sin) was graduated from Southern Illinois University with a practical business degree in remedial, front-line management. His Master of Business Administration was taken at the New York Institute of Technology where he was graduated at the top of his class with a cumulative 3.95 GPA and major specializations in Finance and in Economics and Strategy. While at N.Y.I.T., he was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon for outstanding achievement in the Field of Economics as a graduate student (2007). After a stint of several terms as a college professor, and General Studies Chairman at a local college, teaching seven courses per term in the Fields of Accounting, Business, Economics, and Finance (at three college campuses onsite), the author was nominated by his college students and inducted into Phi Delta Kappa for excellence in teaching at the collegiate level (2009). The author was inducted into Sigma Iota Epsilon (2009) for excellence as a doctoral student in the Field of Management. He was also inducted into Golden Key International Honour Society (2011) for high scholastic honors as a doctoral student. Mr. Jewczyn's Ph.D. program is in Business Administration (projected graduation in 2012 with a 3.94 GPA) with a specialization in Financial Management and he still teaches Management and Strategy courses at local colleges. The author has been traveling extensively and presenting his new research at international business and economics conferences, where he monitors new academic research and is the Session Chair over presentation areas such as Education and Accounting. The author sits on the editorial review board of five, international, peer-reviewed, scholarly, scientific journals (London, Singapore, and New York) and is a prolific author who publishes a number of business and economics scholarly articles every year. The author was just awarded best research article in the Field of Economics at an international business conference. To read his several dozen publications at the public archive for scientific research, log on to: http://www.researchgate.net. Science fiction is a departure from business teaching and writing and is a personal favorite as a change of pace while working on the dissertation. For further information, see the author's Curriculum Vitae at: http://www.nsjcv.com.

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© 2011 by Nicholas Jewczyn. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/16/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4685-0152-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-0153-7 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011960503

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

SCIENCE PROJECT

HERO’S WELCOME

ROUGH EDGES

MEAN TEMPERATURE

THE SOLOIST

INDECENT EXPOSURE

CAKE EATER

SCIENCE PROJECT

School was out for the day and the weekend was just starting. The kids skipped along, avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk. Everyone knows that one false move, and it’s all over. Step on a crack, and you could ‘break your Mother’s back.’ The slate felt cool against their bare feet and they sang some silly songs to while away the time until they reached their respective houses.

So long, Fred, said the little girl.

Her pigtails bounced around and caught the late afternoon light. Her shoes dangled from her books, which the nearest boy carried for her. The laces were tied together and the heels brushed her poodle skirt occasionally as a reminder that they were still securely fastened. The days were really getting long now. Pretty soon, another summer vacation would be upon them. Most people need help with spare time, but kids can always find something to do.

Bye, Margie, Fred called over his shoulder slamming the door raucously.

They skipped a little further and were passing another city-style, cracker box house, which had been freshly painted red with white trim.

Bye, Alex, Margie said.

Bye, Margie, Alex called, as he bounded up the porch steps. He threw his books in through the half open window and crawled into the living room after them.

Well, here we are, Margie said.

Yes, we’ve arrived, the boy added.

Aren’t you going to invite me in? she crooned, sidling up to the boy.

Well… I have homework to do, he exclaimed suddenly, handing over her books and shoes.

There’s always the soda fountain later… she put, opening her eyes a little wider, but still looking at the boy.

Uh… okay, he put. The boy’s eyes darted about, looking around for a means of escape. Finding none, he looked back at the girl.

About seven? she asked.

Yeah, he answered.

He walked up the steps and waved with a smile. The butler opened the door, admitted him and he was gone.

She just stood there, trying to get a better look through the window. But, it was no use. The shades were drawn. All of the windows had drawn shades. The house was simply beautiful.

Ned didn’t have a paper route and his parents lived across town. But, he had a big, beautiful house. He lived here all alone because he claimed that his parents were, ‘Getting in the way.’ There were a lot of servants and a lot of rooms.

She started walking slowly along the sidewalk. She untied her shoes and pulled the socks out. Leaning up against an old elm, Margie put the bobby socks and saddle shoes back on and kept stealing glances at the big house. Ned’s parents were just farmers. They didn’t have much money. Thoughts danced around in her head. One thought pricked her hard as she started walking away and stared hard at the house once again. With no paper route, how does an eighth-grader pay for a house and servants all on his own?

–––––––––––––—

The butler helped the boy off with his coat and hung it on the rack by the door. He was a tall, gaunt sort of man who missed his true calling in life as an undertaker.

How was school this day, Master Ned? the butler asked in a mourning voice.

Boring, as usual, Ned spat.

The radio has been very informative this afternoon, the butler continued.

Oh?

This new fellow, Eisenhower. He is instituting all sorts of fiscal reforms. It appears that your parents will have a difficult time keeping the farm. This administration’s business reforms will be forcing all sorts of small businessmen out in favor of cooperatives and large scale operations, the butler concluded.

Oh. How much did my stock transactions take in today?

Let me call your broker, the butler confided.

He stepped to the phone. Luckily, they were in the mid-west. The New York Exchange had just closed for the day and the broker came right on. The butler spoke in low tones while Ned stood and tapped his foot, glancing at his gold watch. The butler cupped his hand over the mouthpiece with the broker on hold.

Master Ned? Mr. Barclay claims that you took in $650,000 this afternoon, the butler mourned balefully.

Oh. Gross or net?

The butler spoke into the mouthpiece again and waited for a moment. He again cupped the phone.

That was net, Master Ned, he put blandly.

Have Barclay convert $600,000 into an irrevocable trust sponsored by my parents’ bank across town. They are to draw a minimum of $20,000.00 annually for my parents to subsist upon, and of course no more than is generated by the interest from the portfolio. Upon the passing of the second spouse, the sum of the principal is to revert to an equal distribution among the ten most prevalent, charitable organizations in the United States at the time of that passing. Executor is to be my parents’ attorney across town, Ned finished.

Right, Master Ned, the butler said.

The butler started making the necessary arrangements over the phone as Ned bounded up the stairs to grab a quick sauna before his pool laps and rubdown. He had to remember to have the pool expanded. Although Olympic size was conventional, the laps would seem twice as easy in a pool that was fifty yards long.

–––––––––––––—

Hey, Fred, Alex put. Alex was leaning out the window and got some of the fresh red paint on his arm. The painters had gotten it on the window sill by accident. Alex just rubbed it on his jeans and leaned against the window sill again. Now, the red paint was on the bedroom’s flowery wallpaper.

Yeah…