No, it's not SOMETHING WICKED, but you're not too far off .... And no, it isn't 'Black Ferris'.
Another clue: it's from a relatively recent story collection (ie. not one of the classic collections like ILL.MAN or GOLDEN APPLES).

Thought I'd revive this fun thread (if anyone's interested, that is). See p. 6 for the two quotes from this story.
And another clue: the story is from the late 1980s.

Ozzie,

Is the story from The Toynbee Convector?

So sorry - forgot about the thread buried herein.

Couldn't be The Last Circus, could it?

Ray signed my Toynbee Convector Friday night at the play, by the way.

'The Last Circus' it is!

Alright, then:

"A little girl raised her hand, "What's necromancy?"

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:
Ray signed my Toynbee Convector Friday night at the play, by the way.

The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair is my favorite story from that anthology.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:
"A little girl raised her hand, "What's necromancy?"

Alright then, this one's a bit too difficult, so we'll try an easier one:

"Night came out from under each tree and spread."

Sorry, Dougster. I completely forgot about this topic. "Let's Play Poison", to answer the previous quiz.

This new one reminds me of several stories ...

quote:

Originally posted by Braling II:
"Let's Play Poison", to answer the previous quiz.

Correct.

And the easier one was The Halloween Tree, of course.

Your turn.

No real poser here, but some damn fine writing:

They swung in and sat upon the sill, same size, same weight, colored same by the stars, and sat embraced once more with grand fine exhaustion, gasping on huge ingulped laughs which swept their bones together, and for fear of waking God, country, wife, Mom, and hell, they snug-clapped hands to each other's mouths, felt the vibrant warm hilarity fountained there, and sat one instant longer, eyes bright with each other and wet with love.

Dear Cellar Dweller,

"Something Wicked This Way Comes?"

Please confirm or deny. Thanks.

greenray: I'd say Not! But it is a marvelous piece of writing.

Probably not this guess, but: The Happiness Machine? The line "...sat upon the sill, same size, same weight, colored by the stars..." throws me.

Otherwise, I give up Braling II, sir!

quote:

Originally posted by Nard Kordell:
greenray: I'd say Not!

I think greenray may be right! Perhaps a scene between Will and Dad?

Doug and Nard,

Gentlemen, thanks for your comments. My copy of Something Wicked has the following passage in the third to the last paragraph of Chapter 28, Knopf edition, page 146 for those keeping score;


"Will opened his eyes and climbed and the rest was smooth, high, higher, fine, sweet wondrous, done!They swung in and sat upon the sill, same size, same weight, colored same by the stars, and sat embraced once more with grand fine exhaustion, gasping on huge ingulped laughs which swept their bones together, and for fear of waking God, country, wife, Mom, and hell, they snug-clapped hands to each other's mouths, felt the vibrant warm hilarity fountained there, and sat one instant longer, eyes bright with each other and wet with love."

It appears this again is from SWTWC, but will wait for final confirmation from that guy in the box in the cellar.