In the story, "Creation," the author gives no warning that the narrator and Christa will begin an affair immediately after Jill leaves the island. Why is this transition so nonchalantly presented, as if it were a given? What point is being made about the characters and their situation?

In "Human Moments in World War III," why do you think the narrator becomes annoyed at what he calls Vollmer's stupid-sounding voice, when he admits that Vollmer never says anything stupid? How would you characterize the role in the story of speaking and conversation between the two characters, and how does it evolve?

In "The Runner," the woman who lives in the same apartment building as the runner is convinced that the father of the child in the park kidnapped the boy, and she explains why she believes this. What can you postulate that her explanation...