The Chaser by John Collier, 1940
The magic trick:
A story built around a joke that has not aged well at all
I will admit that I Googled “great short stories about love” in search of titles to fill this week’s Valentine’s theme on SSMT. And I will admit that I found this story in those search results. Great, I thought, probably a sweet, old-fashioned, cornball love story. This will be fun.
Wow. It is not as hoped.
Read with 2020’s perspective (though I have to imagine this point of view was readily available for the good folks of 1940 too): the first shot here is a plot built around a love potion that is a close cousin to date rape; the chaser here is a deeply cynical joke that betrays an assumed misogyny. Yikes.
And that’s quite a trick on Collier’s part.
The selection:
“So,” said Alan, “you really do sell love potions?”
“If I did not sell love potions,” said the old man, reaching for another bottle, “I should not have mentioned the other matter to you. It is only when one is in a position to oblige that one can afford to be so confidential.”
“And these potions,” said Alan. “They are not just-just-er-”
“Oh, no,” said the old man. “Their effects are permanent, and extend far beyond the mere casual impulse. But they include it. Oh, yes they include it. Bountifully, insistently. Everlastingly.”
As always, join the conversation in the comments section below, on SSMT Facebook or on Twitter @ShortStoryMT.
Subscribe to the Short Story Magic Tricks Monthly Newsletter to get the latest short story news, contests and fun.
Short Story Magic Tricks 