The Machine Fink By Mike Phillips

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Lester Curtis
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Re: The Machine Fink By Mike Phillips

Post by Lester Curtis »

Problem #1: The author made an erroneous assumption about what happens to live ammunition when it's burned. Yes, it does explode -- sort of. But since it isn't confined in a way to contain its combustion pressure (as it would be in the chamber of a gun), the cartridge casings blow apart. Usually, the bullets themselves hardly go anywhere, but bits of the cartridge casing can fly around. They seldom do any damage.

Also, the noise produced is much different from gunfire; more like popping bubble-wrap. I doubt anyone would have heard it in that place.

Other than that, not bad. There were some technical errors, and the dialog seemed a little odd. The ending was great, but the description of the factory was probably the best part of the story.
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