02546cam a22003853u 4500 63631 UtSlPG 20260610134451.0 m cr n 260607r2020||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS McConnell, James V., 1925-1990 "Phone Me in Central Park" Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2020 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Planet Stories Fall 1954 Release date is 2020-11-04 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Phone Me in Central Park" by James V. McConnell is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of isolation and existential despair in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been decimated by a mysterious plague, leaving one man, Charles, as the last person alive in New York City. Set against the backdrop of empty streets and silent environments, the narrative delves into the psychological turmoil of the protagonist grappling with loneliness and searching for meaning in a near-deserted world. The plot follows Charles as he navigates his new reality, marked by confusion and grief. Initially mourning the loss of the beautiful woman beside him, he soon discovers that he is the last survivor in a world where all other humans have perished. As he ventures out into the wreckage of civilization, he seeks answers from the Bureau of Vital Statistics and quickly realizes he is utterly alone. The story culminates in his final moments as he grapples with the futility of existence and the absurdity of his situation, leading to a haunting reflection on life and death. Ultimately, the poignant inscription on his makeshift grave encapsulates his bitter acceptance and the irony of being the last man left on Earth. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction Apocalyptic fiction Epidemics -- Fiction Freas, Kelly, 1922-2005 Produced from Planet Stories Fall 1954 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63631 104455 104455