Neil Ferguson - The second third of C

In what what might be an impoverished near future, Roger Morse, an etymologist, discovers that his precious reprint copy of "Skeat's dictionary of etymology" has been stolen. His work searching out meanings from the second third of C - CAT to COZ - has taken him out into the slums, where he has struck up a relationship with Sharon, a prostitute with a taste for good books. He is summoned to the Library to explain his actions...

Paul J. McAuley - A dragon for Seymour Chan

Luiz D'Malfi is after a dragon, sent by busisnessman Seyour Chan who has information about a planet full of dragons. The core mystery is supplied by a strange planetary ecosystem...Rather routine.

Kim Newman - The next-but-one man

Unpleasant Trevor gets his comeuppance after he queue jumps a strange man in a white suit. He never reaches the front of a queue again...

Christina Lake - Assyria

Assyria arrives by train in a large city and is enveloped in the life of someone called Sam. Sam seems to be somewhere else, on a train with Assyria's colleagues. Both are confused, as is the reader, as to what is going on and why.

Richard Kadrey - Goodbye Houston Street, goodbye

Parnell is dumped by Jessie for a fellow artist, Dix. Parnell decides to steal the show at Dix's art exhibition to win back Jessie. However his 'entry' leaves a lasting impression on the whole of Manhattan but only takes second place. Very dark humour.

S.M.Baxter - The Xeelee flower

A human drudge, working for the Squeem, is sent into the final moments of a Xeelee planet, just before its sun goes nova, and discovers a discarded wonder. Much more humourous than serious. ( )