I wonder if anyone knows the title of a short story I read several years ago that I'm fairly certain was by Ray Bradbury. The story involved the a futuristic house that was entirely automated going through its programmed functions after the world had been destroyed in a nuclear holocaust. The house was in shambles; the different sections of the story were separated by the hours that passed. I remember the house would say "Tick tock, seven o'clock" or something for each hour, and there were little robotic mice that would clean up anything that fell on the floor. In the end the house collapsed... I thought it was a very cool story. Any thoughts?

"There Will Come Soft Rains" (In The Martian Chronicles)

Also in, THE STORIES OF RAY BRADBURY, Ray Bradbury. Alfred A. Knopf, NY. 1980.

Great story.

That is so it. Thank you very much.

Hello again, I have another short story in mind. I didn't read this one myself but I know a little about it. There's this couple vacationing someplace like South America, and while they are there's a nuclear war and civilization gets destroyed. Everything starts over and is primitive, and at the end the guy slaps a piece of meat to get flies off of it so he can see it. Something like that. That was a terrible description, but does it ring any bells?

The story is "And the Rock Cried Out." You can find it in two in-print collections: THE VINTAGE BRADBURY (a trade paperback) and last year's collection BRADBURY STORIES, published by William Morrow (available now in trade paperback as well as hardcover).

Hey, I've never read that one.

About a year ago I found Vintage Bradbury at a thrift store for a dollar and bought another book instead. I went back a few days later and it was gone. I hate when that happens.

Back in the late 50s or early 60s, Ray developed a screenplay of And The Rock Cried Out for the British Film director Carol Reed. I have it on good authority that Ray is currently revising the screenplay for publication.

Thanks again, for the title and the collection it's in. I've reserved a copy at the library and can't wait to read it. =)

Phil,

Sorry for the intrusion, But I know that I asked somewhere else in the board if you lived anywhere near Kent? I haven't been to find if you were to answer my query. Can you do it again if you had? Thanks.

Biplane,
I think we can consider philnic a Brummie now. See the posts under "so, Where y'all from" on the old board...

quote:

Originally posted by biplane1:
Phil,

Sorry for the intrusion, But I know that I asked somewhere else in the board if you lived anywhere near Kent?

biplane1,

By British standards, no, I don't live near Kent - it's a three-hour drive from here. (By American standards, that's probably just around the corner...)

However, I originally hail from somewhere a bit closer, and I do pass through Kent several times a year on my way to France. I will be doing this again in about four weeks from now.

Why do you ask? Is there something I can do for you there?

P.S. Braling II is right, I am now more or less an adopted Brummie. Fortunately, however, I have not picked up the local accent!