Alien in Anaheim: Gastronomic Gallivanting

Kim is eating his way across the planet... and do you have to have been somewhere to write about it?

Feb 08, 2024

∙ Paid

Greetings, humans (and maybe the incidental robot)!

I am incredibly pleased to hear that folks are enjoying my latest novel, Lunar Logic, as well as The Robot Galaxy Series. I am still working hard to get it in all the places… which is all part of Indie Publishing (specifically publishing “wide”). How to “go wide” is something I’ll address in a future newsletter in the “Beyond” section.

But now, before you move on to the new “Alien in *” flash fiction piece I wrote, please consider grabbing a copy of Lunar Logic from Amazon or your fave place today! Or get an autographed paperback from me at my Shopify store!

(The only other place to get autographed copies is by finding me at one of the conventions I speak at… like the upcoming Farpoint!)

Farpoint… Yes! That’s the Baltimore area science fiction convention that’s happening this weekend (Feb 10-12, 2024). If you’re attending, please say Hi! You’ll find me talking about space habitats at 12:30p on Saturday, doing an author reading (to include a piece I wrote just for Farpoint) at 5:30p on Saturday, and I’ll be signing books for a bit both Sat and Sun.

Last newsletter, I presented the flash fiction piece, “Alien in Annapolis: Crustacean Catastrophe.”

I knew I’d be writing about Anaheim next and quickly narrowed in on the Anaheim Packing District as the detailed setting.

When I was young, I remember hearing the maxim in writing to “write what you know.” Or maybe that was never really a thing… I never thought it made sense because I’m a sci-fi writer and it’s not like I’ve ever met an alien, a sentient robot, or left the planet, etc.

But when us writers are writing things that are knowable, it makes sense to write what we know. I’ve written several short stories (not all of which have been seen by other humans) that are set in and around the various places I’ve lived in Maryland over the last 30 years and on Long Island, New York, where I grew up.

It makes sense. It’s comfortable. In some ways it’s easier, too.

So now… I’m writing these little flash fiction pieces that chronicles my alien character Kim as he moves along the planet.

Obviously**, I haven’t been to all the places I’m writing him into. The question is… will you, dear reader, be able to tell???

(** Maybe that’s not “obvious.” I’m fairly well-travelled for an American, although several of my immediate family members make it look like I’ve never left my backyard!)

So the question to you today is: Has Adeena ever been to the Anaheim Packing District?

Those of you who are paid subscribers will get to find out in the “Beyond…” section today. Everyone else will have to wait two weeks until the next newsletter. :)

[Note: Quick reminder about “flash fiction.” While there is no official legal definition of “flash fiction,” it’s generally accepted that flash fiction has a word count of up to 1500 words. However, to make this an interesting challenge, I’ve told myself that these stories will be no more than 1000 words.]

If you want to know more about how this story came about, that’s all in the “Beyond…” section for paid subscribers below. (Paid subscribers also get to suggest elements and get their name used in a future story!)

Alien in Anaheim: Gastronomic Gallivanting

"I believe we have a rocket launch to catch, remember?" Chris’s voice cut through the bustling sounds of the Anaheim Packing District, a tone of urgency laced with curiosity.

Kim, however, remained utterly engrossed in his plate of Pad See Ew, which was generously topped with an extra layer of fried onions, an extravagant amount of fried garlic, and what had been the most perfectly cooked fried egg Kim had ever seen. Without looking up, he sensed Chris sliding onto the stool next to him.

“Where have you been hiding?" Chris inquired.

"Right here," Kim replied, his voice tinged with only a slight hint of guilt.

"Here?" Chris echoed, casting a dubious glance at the plate of food Kim had been enjoying.

"Yes! Have you seen this place? Look at all this glorious food...!"

The two of them turned around on their stools and took in the vendors all lined up. It was option next to option next to option. A veritable cascade of culinary choices, all within the confines of a single building.

Before his arrival in Anaheim, Kim’s journey had taken him from Albuquerque to the less-than-gastronomically inspiring Apache Junction... where the food choices were minimal and unsatisfying. He had eaten, yes, but he hadn't eaten well. The meals in those days before arriving in Anaheim had been forgettable, to say the least. But since acquiring a proficiency and comfort level with Earth's interconnected computer and data networks, he’d learned how to search for a good meal. That’s how he stumbled upon a glowing review of the Anaheim Packing District—alongside several hundred other reviews, all ranging from enthusiastic to worshipful.

He'd eaten every meal here for the past two weeks... neglecting the timeline of his mission. He was supposed to be in the vicinity of Vandenberg Air Force Base two days ago.

"This is how we learn about humans," Kim said, waving a fork for emphasis. "Through their food. Not their technology."

Kim had never wanted to be on the Technological Assessment Team, a fact he’d made clear since signing up. Despite problems with his first mealtime experience on Earth—that nearly landed him in a local hospital, which would have meant he’d be sent back home—he'd been eating his way across this part of the planet ever since. He'd been planet-side for six months, half-way through his initial tour of duty. Around the two-month mark, he'd lodged a formal request for reassignment, fully aware, however, of the glacial pace at which the First Contact Survey Office’s bureaucracy moved. And anything with his name on it would wind up on his mother's desk. Though officially retired, she remained a formidable presence within the office, and her influence was undeniable.

"And look, it's not like I'm not doing the job. I'm taking all the notes, filling in all the forms."

Kim placed his phone in front of Chris. On the screen were the myriad forms and notes he was supposed to compile, a testament to his dedication—of sorts.

"But Kim, this is not your job. We have a team of specialists dedicated to social-whatever-it-is,” Chris countered.

“Social Structures Team,” Kim said in a low voice.

“Well, you're not on that team. You’re with me in Tech Assess. We’ve got our own set of forms, our own observations to make."

Kim nodded, more than a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "You're right," he conceded, his voice a sigh wrapped in longing. "But this place, these people... there's so much to learn, so much to understand. And I think it’s all here on my plate."

Chris placed a reassuring hand on Kim's shoulder. "And we will, in time. But first, we need to complete our mission. Have you at least read the mission briefing on the launch we're supposed to monitor?"

Kim nodded. "Yes. The contents of this launch is one that the humans are keeping secret from themselves. Our mission is to try and figure out if that's because some humans know about the worm hole located just beyond their planet’s North Pole."

"Exactly," Chris said. "We'll need to analyze any and all computer emissions to determine the rocket's trajectory before it launches. And to do that, we need to be close enough to detect those spurious emissions. Not a couple hundred klicks away."

Chris glanced at his watch. "But I guess since I'm here, I can—what is that phrase human's use—I might as well 'grab a bite.' What do you recommend?"

For the first time since his arrival on Earth, Kim found himself on the other side of this question. Having been the one usually asking for recommendations, this was a novel experience for him, and he instantly felt overwhelmed.

He thought about all the food he'd eaten and enjoyed in his location over the last two weeks: tacos, crepes, grilled fish (which he was thankfully not allergic to), acai bowls, banh mi, meatless burgers, meaty burgers, ice cream, more crepes, bibimbap, and an assortment of snacks...

"Here," Kim finally said, pointing to a specific page on his phone. "Just eat through my list."

Chris looked at the list, then frowned slightly. "We don't have time for all of this…"

"Then use your AI. I can't decide for you, and I've learned that humans decide what to eat based on a complex internal algorithm... that we don't have."

Chris scrolled back and forth through the list, then finally asked, "How have you decided what to eat?"

Kim’s reply was simple. "I ask someone for a recommendation." He smiled at Chris and stuck his fork into his plate and pulled out a noodle with a piece of fried egg.

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Beyond…

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