January 6 - "Armageddon"

“Armageddon”
by Fredric Brown
From These Ashes (2000)

* * * (Good) Science Fiction

Herbie Westerman had seen the magician - Gerber the Great - perform before. He knew the next trick would involve the aid of a young volunteer from out of the audience, and he didn’t waste a moment asking his mother for permission. But once on stage, events take a turn for the worst, and it’s up to Herbie and his recently acquired water pistol to save the world.

Written in 1941, it’s reassuring to know a story can survive 68 years and still stand proud. There are a few dated references and phrases peppered throughout, but the story – the idea – still works all this time later. The notion that a single, simple event, halfway across the world, can result in catastrophic consequences elsewhere can still be seen and heard in pop culture today. And it’s still entertaining.

Also, I found it impossible not to start the story with a slight smirk when I saw the title, “Armageddon,” and read the first sentence: “It happened – of all places – in Cincinnati.”

I, for one, was not at all surprised.