The Homecoming of Lucian Wren — Richard Quarry

Today the Machines deliver a new Benjamin. But for Lucian Wren, a beleaguered scriptwriter in a world ruled by cradle-to-grave teleprompters, that's hardly cause for celebration. For the two-year-old they've cast for his new show is an over-sized, pumpkin-headed monster three hatchets past Lizzie Borden. And in a world with social mores dictated by “reality” TV, where citizens gleefully endure public humiliation on shows like "Sticking It To The Joneses" and "The Ducking Stool" to grab their three minutes of fame, the Machines have ordered Lucian to get his ratings up -- or else.