Reviewed by Kate

There are three time frames open in The Great Ones. One is a small boy watching Walter Payton on television with his father, and being told that the great ones make it look easy. The second is the same boy, now a college student, driving in a blizzard. And the third is the college student being told the way of things by a young woman. These three frames are mixed in the story, indicating a relationship between the separate situations.

This story has a nice, understated way about it. The layout of the three episodes has a feel of thought processes, the same ease of jumping between memories. The narrator remarking that his life is flashing before his eyes, and it appears "unsatisfying at best" really exemplifies the subtle tone.

I won't explain the line about the great ones making it look easy, as half the fun of this story comes from making those connections for yourself.

Story by © Steve Kain

Reviewed by © Kate

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