The Intersection of Daily Life and Dystopia
These texts are presented as unfinished tales, capturing specific scenes without offering the closure of a traditional story arc. They are snapshots of conflict and connection, designed to feel like overheard conversations or discovered manuscripts. By leaving the narrative open, the collection encourages readers to fill in the missing context and decide the ultimate fate of the characters involved.
At its core, this project represents an experimental program dedicated to exploring the intersection of human creativity, interdisciplinary arts, and applied artificial intelligence research. It examines how digital tools can act as a partner in the writing process. Through this collaboration, the project aims to define new forms of storytelling and scriptwriting, aiding in the development of stronger digital literacy skills.
Navigating the spectrum from Slice of Life to Dystopian realities, this post also includes elements of Medical Drama and Romance to ground the speculative elements in human emotion. The writing comes from a collaboration between Jamie Bell, Jamie F. Bell, and Eva Suluk. Together, they weave scenarios that feel both intimate and expansive.
As you read these short stories, consider the potential trajectories of the lives depicted. We encourage you to engage with the material as a co-creator, letting the unresolved tension inspire your own ideas about what happens next.
Today’s Unfinished Tales and Short Stories
Through a unique blend of dystopian settings, medical drama, and poetic romance, this entry highlights the versatility of contemporary fiction. Our mission focuses on the future of publishing by leveraging creative technology to explore complex human emotions found in slice of life narratives. These short stories serve as a testament to the changing landscape of digital literacy, using AI-assisted narrative tools to craft satirical and lyrical compositions for the modern reader.
The Resonant Ribcage of the Prairie
Author: Jamie Bell | Category: Satirical / Ironic | Genre: Slice of Life
The August sun beat down on the prairies, a relentless, flat hammer against the tin roof of Fred’s Oasis and Automotive. Heat shimmered off the cracked tarmac, distorting the horizon into a watery mirage that promised nothing but more heat. Flies, bloated and slow, orbited the greasy griddle smell escaping the diner’s back door, a scent as permanent as the rust on the fuel pumps. Across the dusty lot, the hulking skeletal remains of a billboard, advertising a defunct brand of tractor oil, vibrated with an unfamiliar, profound frequency. It was a low thrum, deep enough to feel in the soles of one’s feet, yet subtle enough that only those truly attuned to the profound boredom of endless summer afternoons might notice.
The Grey December Hum
Category: Contemporary Fiction | Genre: Dystopian
The protagonist, a teenager, navigates the desolate, controlled ‘festive’ atmosphere of their dystopian city and home during the winter holidays. They seek a genuine moment of connection and hope for their family, leading them to an illicit market and a significant act of defiance.
Autumn’s Breath
Author: Jamie F. Bell | Category: Slice of Life | Genre: Medical Drama
The crisp bite of late autumn air gnawed at Lennie’s exposed ears, slicing through the thin fabric of his hoodie as he navigated the damp, leaf-strewn pavements of downtown. Streetlights cast long, distorted shadows that danced ahead of him, making familiar buildings feel like looming, unfamiliar giants. The distant wail of a siren, a threadbare sound swallowed by the vastness of the city night, pulled at something tight in his small chest, an unacknowledged knot of both fear and curious anticipation.
A Peculiar Reshuffling of the Daily Grime
Author: Eva Suluk | Category: Romance | Genre: Romance
The smell of stale coffee and disinfectant hung heavy in the air of the Parkside Senior’s Centre. Afternoon light, thin and tired, stretched across the linoleum, highlighting dust motes dancing in the quiet hum of conversation. A forgotten cardigan lay draped over a chair, a testament to someone’s earlier, more animated presence. This was David’s sanctuary, or at least, his daily battleground against boredom, and it was about to be profoundly disturbed.
Where the Light Bends Incorrectly
Author: Jamie F. Bell | Category: Poetic / Lyrical | Genre: Slice of Life
The air, thin and sharp with the metallic scent of approaching rain and decaying leaves, burned in Paulo’s lungs. Every ragged breath was a failure, not quite filling the screaming space in his chest. He pressed himself harder against the corrugated metal of the shed, the cold seeping through his thin jacket, trying to make himself smaller than the fear that was making him huge and clumsy.
About the Project
By design, these stories have no beginning and no end. Many stories are fictional, but many others are not. They are snapshots from worlds that never fully exist, inviting you to imagine what comes before and what happens next. We had fun exploring this project, and hope you will too.
The Unfinished Tales and Short Stories collection is part of an experimental, creative arts and research program by The Arts Incubator Winnipeg and the Art Borups Corners collectives. Each chapter is an interdisciplinary arts and narrative storytelling experiment focused on two key areas: AI-Assisted Scriptwriting, where researchers explore using AI to generate story ideas, plot structures, and alternative story arcs to enhance creative development; and Talent Development and Training, where the project studies the necessary skills for creative professionals to manage AI and immersive technologies in production, helping to inform future training curricula. The project was made possible with funding and support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects program and the Government of Ontario. We thank them for supporting the arts, digital transformation research and innovation in Ontario.
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