02446cam a22003373u 4500 51305 UtSlPG 20260610134200.0 m cr n 260607r2016||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Harmon, Jim, 1933-2010 Confidence Game Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2016 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction June 1957 Release date is 2016-02-26 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Confidence Game" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the late 1950s. This narrative explores themes of addiction, identity, and the implications of time travel through the lens of its characters' struggles. The story blends elements of social commentary with speculative fiction, revealing the complex relationships between individuals and their desires. In "Confidence Game," the protagonist, often referred to as Kevin, navigates a gritty world alongside his elderly father, known as Doc, who possesses the potential for time travel. As they dwell in the underbelly of society, Kevin battles his deep-rooted addiction to caffeine, a reflection of his desperation and cravings for a life beyond his current circumstances. When Doc's knowledge leads to a series of mysterious disappearances linked to powerful books that don't exist, Kevin grapples with his identity and the legacy of his father. Ultimately, he faces a critical choice between safeguarding a dangerous technology that could angle humanity towards a state of pure reason or destroying it to protect the essence of what it means to be human. The narrative combines a rich exploration of the human psyche with the consequences of ambition, addiction, and the complexities of father-son relationships. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction June 1957 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51305 92143 92143