Challenge 1103

Toothbrush or Full Brush?

In Olaf Kroneman’s A Show of Hands. Approximately what proportion of the characters — both named and unnamed — have limbs crippled by incompetent surgery? Does the number seem realistic? If not, what function might the exaggeration serve? What might it imply concerning the characters’ motivation?
In John Reynolds’ AI: Artificial Incompetence: What “incompetence” is depicted in the story?
In Sally Stevens’ Mrs. Billingsley and the New Neighbors:
1. Does Mrs. Billingsley interact with any neighbours other than Ivan and Leila Mae? Does Mr. Billingsley ever appear “on stage”?
2. Does Naomi think Ivan is acting suspiciously? If so, what does she suspect him of? Why might she suspect him of counterfeiting?
3. Who is blamed indirectly of Leila Mae’s mental-health difficulties?
4. Why did Ivan and Leila Mae leave Paris, Texas? Why did the child scream when Leila Mae was her baby-sitter?
In Matias Travieso-Diaz’s Hidden in Plain Sight: What “Leader” is referenced in the story? Is he named or described? Might any 20th-century dictators be included or excluded?
In David Margolin’s Tiny Fractures:
1. Does the author’s fondness for various small items constitute sentimentality?
2. Do hoarders feel the same way about items they collect?