Articles by Sailor Jim Johnston

Short

In a world where nothing is as it appears to be, how can you tell when you're in danger? And who do you trust for the truth? Part one of two.

Just another day at the virtual office? A homicidal hacker seems to have found a way to kill his coworkers via the virtual reality network. Jim has two choices: rely on his exwife, or have his head blown off. Decisions, decisions. But where does virtual end and reality begin? Part 2 of 2.

Another day, another patient. Dr. Roberts treats many patients, some with split personalities, some with bipolar disorders. A sadly delusional bunch, their versions of reality tend towards the unrealistic. Too bad they couldn't be more like superheroes.

Tod Ruckle is a lowly software testing engineer just trying (and failing) to make ends meet. So why is multi-gazillionare Polyimere Ransford Millennium calling him on the phone? To make the strangest wager Tod has ever bet on. Part 2 of 5.

What does multi-billionaire Polyimere Millenium want with lowly software tester Tod Ruckle? He thinks Tod is a business precognitive. Meaning when it comes to business decisions, Tod can do no wrong. Too bad it doesn't spill over into Tod's personal life. Part 3 of 5.

The wealthiest man in the world thinks Tod Ruckle is a "business precognitive" and wants to hire him on the spot. For Tod, it's like having his very own fairy godfather. There's just one little decision neither of them quite understand... Part 4 of 5. Sci-Fi

Is it worth leaving a steady job to work for a man who foolishly believes you can see the future? That's quite a gamble, especially when recent evidence indicates the whole thing is just a freakish coincidence. Or is it? Part 5 of 5.

Professional dare devil Ax Roberts finds himself bound to his bed, but this isn't just another stunt. It's a wake up call. Of sorts.

Matter and energy are the same thing. It's the basis for the greatest story ever told. But if you knew ahead of time that you were going to write a novel that would change the world... would you? First appeared 2004-10-02

Life may be all games for virtual reality play tester Tod Ruckle, but the fun drained out of it a long time ago, somewhere between the ex-wife, the downsized job, the mortgage payment he can't meet and the compulsive gambling problem. But a phone call out of the blue may just change all that. Part 1 of 5. (Originally appeared 2004-08-14)

Haunted house? Hah. Sigfried and Roy could have done a better job than the sideshow at the Brinkman House. Still, debunking superstitious nonsense like paranormal phenomena is what scientists do. Nice that there are people willing to dedicate their lives to science.

Unknown

Cover story.

Opinion

Tell some drivers about common traffic laws and they'll look at you like a small weasel just poked its head out of your mouth and started speaking Mandarin Chinese.

Nonfiction

Cover story. First appeared 2004-11-20