Archive

Before Instrument of Joy became a venue for logic puzzles and casual games, it was a place for Michael Laszlo to publish stories and essays. Below are the pieces that featured on this site in August 2010, immediately prior to its renovation.

See How They Run No way does a fat old fellow have the logistics to distribute a billion presents in one night. Angels handle that work. And when the angels are overwhelmed? They bring in the demons.
Shoveling For Glory Why dig a ditch? Some do it for money, some for love. A few do it for crime, many more as punishment, most as a zoning requirement. Now meet the men who dig ditches for glory.
A Lucky Hand Rage beats Love. Tranquility beats Rage. But if you’re playing at the Chinese imperial court, you can’t draw Tranquility. No one can. It’s too heavy.
Drink More Glug Leave behind those dull carbonated beverages and go with Glug, the uplifting hydrogenated beverage. Its bubbles are made of pure, wholesome hydrogen.
A Golden Wager The bridge, like most Amsterdam bridges, arches briefly and correctly over a canal. It presents no spectacular feature of shape or substance, no hint that it once merited a golden treatment.
A Dragon Trick When you’re talking to a dragon and he tunes you out, you’ll be hard pressed to tell. Dragons have a special anatomical feature that lets them look alert in the most boring circumstances.
The Argentine Gesture Are cultural differences impeding your efforts at social intercourse? It only seems like your new friends in Argentina are being rude to you.
Under the Stands On a bright summer day, evil lurks in the dank underside of the ballpark. A criminal mind swings for a grand slam. The Shadow races to make the catch.
Uranus Uranus is the planet that gets no respect. There is no dignified way to pronounce its name, but then we don't give it much attention anyway.
On Fire For those occasions when you squirt too much starter fluid on the barbecue. Or when you lie so hard that your pants combust.