Mark Gagnon
Bio
My life has been spent traveling here and abroad. Now it's time to write.
I have three published books: Mitigating Circumstances, Short Stories for Open Minds, and Short Stories from an Untethered Mind. Unmitigated Greed is do out soon.
Achievements (1)
Stories (468)
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Almost a Victim
During my time on Vocal. I’ve published several computer scam stories, Click on Accept, and Gone Phishing to name a couple, but I’ve never experienced what it felt like firsthand. That is no longer true. Today has been a very eventful day, to say the least. Like with most stories, the best place to start is at the beginning.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in 01
The Problem with Traditions. Top Story - January 2024.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of tradition is The handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc. from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. A long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Journal
Great Story—Stupid Decision
Have you ever noticed how all the best stories ever written are based on some really stupid decisions? Why did Don Quixote think he was doing the right thing by charging a spinning windmill? Did Captain Ahab actually think he had a chance in a fight against a massive whale while riding on a wooden ship and using a metal tipped pole as a weapon? Everyone loves Alice in Wonderland, but seriously, she was clueless. What child whose brain is even partially functional would follow a talking rabbit into a dark hole in the ground?
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Writers
Weapon
Prolog The definition of sound can be “(a) Oscillation in pressure, stress, particle displacement, particle velocity, etc., propagated in a medium with internal forces (e.g., elastic or viscous), or the superposition of such propagated oscillation. (b) Auditory sensation evoked by the oscillation described in (a).”[4] Sound can be viewed as a wave motion in air or other elastic media. Here, sound is a stimulus. We can also view sound as an excitation of the hearing mechanism that results in the perception of sound. Sound, in this case, is a sensation.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Chapters
Transference
Everyone talks about the heart as though it’s more than a pump. My heart aches for you. I love you with all my heart. You broke my heart. Blah, blah, blah—the euphemisms go on forever, no matter how unrealistic they are. It’s the brain, not the heart, which controls emotions and everything else in the body, including the heart. So, when I learned I needed a heart transplant, I thought go for it.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Fiction
Woman Defiantly Pleads Not Guilty
Phoebe Oakley, a petite 44-year-old female, represented herself in court today. The charge was reckless endangerment with a handgun during a road rage incident. Ms. Oakley, (a.k.a. Anne) claimed her actions were well within reason, considering the circumstances.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
The Visitor
I’m an aviation enthusiast, so you might think that this assignment would please me. My job gives me access to a Gulfstream G350, one of the most prestigious private jets on the market, but you would be very wrong to think that. True, aircraft have fascinated me my entire life and I have even flown a couple, with an instructor’s help, but watching this plane line up for its final approach fills me with disgust. The loathing is not for the G550, but for the man it transports to my town for periodic visits.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
Odditorium
An unusual caravan of travelers slipped into town under the cover of night. It wasn’t until the next morning that the residents noticed a new encampment along the river bank which ran through the center of town. People were brimming with curiosity as they made their way to the campsite. Signs lined the pathway, depicting odd-looking creatures of all shapes and sizes. An enormous banner hanging between the two main tents welcomed one and all to the Odditorium.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
Honor Among Thieves
Everyone in Boston’s high society knows Anderson Cabot by his nickname, Mister Boston. He understands all there is to know about wealth, business, social status, and how to trade power for political favors. His family ruled the Boston Brahmin social class for several centuries and there is no one belonging to this elite class that doesn’t owe a debt to Anderson and his family. Whether it’s developers in need of special permits to build a structure in an unapproved part of town, or a business owner attempting to block a competitor from renewing their lease, Anderson Cabot is the man to get it done.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
The Gift
Sasha closed the door to her room and immediately went to work removing the foil cover and label from the bottle of Pinot Noir she had purchased earlier that day. Next, she retrieved a small needle and syringe from her makeup bag and injected its contents into the wine via the exposed cork. She then took a replacement label and foil wrapper from between the pages of a book, stuck them to the bottle, and voilà—a $25 bottle of Pinot Noir was now a $6,000 bottle of Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru, 1949.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
Rags to Riches
Every time I think my life couldn’t possibly be any better, POOF! WHAM! KAPOW! It becomes more heavenly. It didn’t start that way, not by a long shot. I was born into a dirt-poor family, the middle child of seven brothers and sisters. We usually had at least one meal a day during the summer and three when school was in session. All my clothes, from underwear to shoes, were hand-me-downs from my older siblings. My parents possessed no special skills, so they earned a living as day laborers. It looked like life had dealt me a losing hand from the start.
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Criminal
The Instructions Said…
“Hi, Ralph, would you happen to be free this afternoon? I’m out by the lake and need a ride home.” “Sure, Ollie, I can give you a ride. The game isn’t until late this afternoon, which will give me plenty of time to get to the lake and back. You can come watch it at my place if you want.”
By Mark Gagnon2 years ago in Humor
