PENT UP

Is this the best we can do? Does it have to be this way? In a society where more and more people cannot afford to live, tensions build and desperate choices are made.

From the unseen impact of a super spy’s great adventures to a world where everyone behaves like their leaders. These five short stories of maddening frustration take the temperature of a society approaching boiling point.

“You know as well as we do,” says John, pointing a thick figure at Mr Irvine. ”That there in't no alternative employment round here. Ever since you lot came here and built that plant you've bought up every business going. Everyone in this town works for Klandov one way or another and now you're just going to walk away? There's people with kids to feed here. What're we supposed to do?”

There's a clatter of applause and calls of agreement but before Mr Irvine can respond, John presses on.

“And what about the redundancy packages?' he says, folding his arms. “What about the life insurance payouts?”

“Aye!” comes a shout.

“Put your hand in your pocket!” comes another.

“Ah,” says Mr Irvine, silencing the room.

Everything freezes. He can't move. His mum's squeezing his hand. It's like they're locked in a bubble of communally held breath.”