Science Fiction Short Story Review: "DP" by Arthur Dekker Savage
Allen Kinderwood wanted to spend his last night on earth with the crowds. Right now he was bothered by his forelock—the damn thing was bobbing as he walked. It wasn’t supposed to. It was supposed to be a sort of “peaked crest above rugged, handsome features—a dark lock brushed carelessly aside by a man who had more important things to do than fuss with persona grooming. But no matter how carefully he combed it and applied lustro-set, it always bobbed if he walked to fast.”
But he was expecting a Departure Permit in the morning, which would allow him to leave the perfect world of earth, where the Government saw to everyone’s needs. He’s tried the psychological treatments the government had made available. Nothing worked. He felt empty inside. For him, earth was a trap. A comfortable trap, but a trap nonetheless. Time to try out those survival skills he’s learned about.
But as luck would have it, he met a woman.
This is a surprisingly dark little tale, whose end is inevitable but is nevertheless a surprise. I can’t say that I enjoyed it as skilled an author as Arthur Dekker Savage is.
This story is available from Project Gutenberg
Title: “DP”
Author: Arthur Dekker Savage
First published: If Sept. 1954
Source: ISFDB
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© Denise Longrie
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Comments
Gossamer wrote on January 25, 2016, 6:09 PM
I think I enjoyed it overall, but there is no way I would have anticipated that ending.
msiduri wrote on January 25, 2016, 6:16 PM
That was my response as well. I did not see the end coming. I went back and looking some of the things over and there are hints, but they're ambiguous.
Rufuszen wrote on January 26, 2016, 9:58 AM
I loved the illustration that goes with this story!
msiduri wrote on January 26, 2016, 12:15 PM
Guys seem rather daring walking around in those little skirts, don't your think? Yes, an interesting illustration.
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