Weekend Lounge ~ No Space

Welcome to the weekend!

One of the most beloved movies of the 1990s is the film Office Space, which came out at the tail end. Must has been written and spoken of how it succeeds as a comedy, but little is expressed about why it works from a thematic perspective, or why it has aged as well as it has. For an in depth look, I recommend the above video for an analysis on how it has managed to remain relevant.

The subject also tackles what the purpose of work might actually be and why we've seemed to have lost perspective on the subject leading to the way things are in Current Year. As good as Office Space is, it isn't just interested in blandly declaring Work Is Bad. In fact, the main plot is more determined to show viewers that the issue stems not from Work, but Meaningless Work which poisons both the mind and the soul. The way the working world is currently set up is dated to a time and place when technology is not what it was, but also when we knew less about the effectiveness of certain jobs and rules that have been proven to not work so well.

I appreciate that the video attempts to go into these various topics that the movie brings up, including the ending that was almost ruined before rewrites saved it. The ending, also, is good at showing how much things have changed in the quarter of a century since Office Space has been made and how perhaps we are deliberately missing the point as to how we should advance in how things are currently operating.

It's interesting how one comedy movie from the 1990s (that more or less flopped in theaters) can manage to remain so relevant, and it isn't just because of the office setting. It is because it has a surprising amount of things to say on the very subject of work itself. Definitely watch the above video to see for yourself.

There is more to the film than we might have noticed on the surface. They really don't make them like that anymore.

In other news, Rock and Roll Mercenaries is out now, my story "Spirit Rock" one of the tales within. As mentioned before, it is the fourth tale in my Night Rhythm series. Let's talk a bit about the short story series next. We've got a bit to go over.

The Night Rhythm stories all star a three piece rockabilly band in the distant future on a far off forgotten backwater planet, hoping to bring some life to their drab surroundings. They are named Three Wolves, their members Daniel, Jordan, and Edward.

The first story, "Black Dog Bend" was first released in 2020 (Five years ago!) and stars Jordan, the upright bass player and romantic, as he is caught in a motel that repeats events in a permanent loop caused by a witch! Is that a hitman? This one was released in StoryHack #5.

The second story in the series, "Living Land" was released in 2021, starring the headstrong drummer Edward. After following a troubled fan to a mysterious back alley shop, they are pulled into a painting that is both dead and alive. But what is the secret? You'll have to read to find out. This one was in the first volume of Sidearm & Sorcery.

The third story, "Mad Wind" was released in 2022, and stars the mysterious guitarist Daniel. A fan spills his guts at the bar and reveals something sinister is haunting him. But what exactly is it? And how do you stop something you can't touch? This one was put out in Pulp Rock!

As mentioned, the newest story, "Spirit Rock" was just released! This one stars all three members (and their manager) as they stumble upon the ruins of a forgotten town by the coast. But is it really forgotten? And can they find their way home again? This tale is long, the longest I've released in any anthology so far! And, yes, it's in Rock and Roll Mercenaries, out now!

And that's all four of the stories (so far) of Three Wolves. There's more to come, but for now, if you want to read more, you now have the full available list! Thanks for reading and following the band's adventures! I'm sure the guys appreciate it, too.

That's all for this week! Have a good end of May is we soon spin into June and, hopefully better and more suiting weather. We're about due for some real warmth and some sun.

Read 15 tales of Hard Rock Adventure in Rock and Roll Mercenaries, out today!