In Springdale Town by Robert Freeman Wexler
01/07/2003 . Source: Sue Davies 

pub: PS Publishing. 86 page enlarged limited edition paperback. Price: £10.00 (UK), $16.00 (US). ISBN: 1-902-880-52-8. 86 page limited editon hardback. Price: £25.00 (UK), $40.00 (US). ISBN: 1-902-880-53-6.

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Richard Shelling is an actor. He once played a bit part in a soap that was based in the fictional town of Springdale. Finding the real Springdale, he considers it a fine place to settle down in.

At first all is well, apart from mistaken identity as someone confuses him with the part he played in the soap. One day, he starts to notice a change in Springdale.

There do not seem to be any people in the town other than waitresses and shop assistants. They start to ignore him and he becomes belligerent and then frightened.

Meanwhile, at the other end of town, Patrick Travis arrives in Springdale for a wedding. He meets a girl, whom he likes very much. She has found out something very odd about Springdale.

They go exploring together moving into a very unusual side of the town. When the two men finally meet there is a moment of shocking violence followed by a slower dawning of the truth about Springdale.

This extended short story hits just the right creepy note with its tale of two men in one city. It messes about with our sense of reality. Complete with notes in the margin referring to fictional books and facts, this story moves between 'The Truman Show' and 'The Twilight Zone'.

At only 86 pages, it doesn't outstay its welcome. It is a powerful fantasy that creates a wonderful sense of displacement. The one thing I would say is that at its published price I would consider it unlikely it would reach the wider audience it deserves.

Sue Davies