Alex Rogers

Alex Rogers is a satirical fiction writer whose words range from goofy to grotesque to unexpectedly grounded, often blending surreal speculation with comedic commentary. His stories have appeared in Santa Barbara Literary Journal, Starlite Pulp, Grub Street Online, Bizarro Circus of Madness, Foofaraw Press, and A Thin Slice of Anxiety. He lives in Los Angeles with his two cats, Merlin and Osha (the Tuxedo Twins).

Future By Gaslight

Grandfather’s clock struck at dawn when Father woke me up and said:
“Today you are a man.”
I was twelve years old.
With nothing more to say, Father left my room, leaving me to the morning rise.
I sat up and swung my legs out of bed—my feet had been able to reach the floor in this position ever since the previous summer—and with shaky sleepiness, I rose to standing in my embroidered linen nightgown.