PEACEMAKER, PEACEMAKER, LITTLE BO PEEP by Jason Sanford @jasonsanford

I consider myself lucky in many aspects of my life, but I don't usually win anything. Thus, I was felt very lucky to have won a copy of sold out issue of Interzone 231: the Jason Sanford special issue. The special issue contains not one but three stories by Sanford and an interview with Sanford, so I feel very lucky indeed.

The first of Sanford's three stories in Interzone issue 231 is "Peacemaker, Peacemaker, Little Bo Peep." I just finished reading the story last night before bed, and I dreamt a dream of violence. Such a dream, if I were a character in Sanford's story would have meant my death by the hands of those who trilled for peace. Aptly named trillers because they make a harsh trilling sound, as they purge those who dream of violence from the face of the earth.

See, according to Sanford's vision, there are three types of people: wolves, those who murder; sheepdogs, those who serve and protect; and sheep, those who would never dream using violence to solve a problem, including the protection of loved ones. In this world, the sheep dream of peace - a world free of wolves and sheepdogs. They dream of a world free from those who see violence as an solution to problems. Ironically, in order to free the earth from both wolves and sheepdogs, the sheep round up and mass execute both the wolves and sheepdogs alike. In a world of only sheep, who dream the true dream of peace, would humanity survive the invasion of a hostile race from another planet? Sanford's story does not answer that question, only posses it toward the end:

"Doesn't take another predator to know you attack the sheep when they are peaceful," he said. "The creatures who tricked us with this dream of peace will be coming. I suggest keeping your eyes on the up and up" (Sanford 27). 

"Peacemaker, Peacemaker, Little Bo Peep" is an amazing story from beginning to end. Sanford's vision of this traumatic and violent world is well rendered so that the reader can focus on the action and heart felt emotions of the main character and narrator, Sergeant Ellen Davies. Sergeant Davies is a mother, a wife, and a cop. Just before the trilling started, she had made an arrest that should have secured her career. She caught a serial killer. However, the tirllers, the sheep, treat her the same was as the killer. They are rounded up and taken out to the swampy river to be execute because they do not dream the true dream of peace.  Thus, a killer - a wolf - and a cop - a sheepdog - become unlikely traveling companions in  a world completely gone crazy.

If Hollywood is looking for new ideas - which it seem they truly need these days -, I think that they should look no further than Jason Sanford's short stories, especially "Peacemaker, Peacemaker, Little Bo Peep." If you can find a way to get your hands on Sanford's story, your in for a treat. However, if you are not able to find his story, make sure to check out his blog for information about his other work, including a new ebook Sublimation Angles.

Sanford, Jason. "Peacemaker, Peacemaker, Little Bo Peep." Interzone. Issue 231, November/December 2010. TTA Press. Print. 19 - 27