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    The Skull: Short Story
    The Skull: Short Story
    The Skull: Short Story
    Ebook39 pages29 minutes

    The Skull: Short Story

    By Philip K. Dick

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    About this ebook

    Conger is given a chance to be released from prison on the condition that he completes one job—he must travel back in time and kill a man who, if allowed to live, will later change the world.

    Philip K. Dick was an American science-fiction novelist, short-story writer and essayist. His first short story, “Beyond Lies the Wub,” was published shortly after his high school graduation. Some of his most famous short stories were adapted for film, including “The Minority Report,” “Paycheck,” “Second Variety” (adapted into the film Screamers) and “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” (adapted into the film Total Recall).

    HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateDec 31, 2013
    ISBN9781443433235
    The Skull: Short Story
    Author

    Philip K. Dick

    Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

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      Book preview

      The Skull - Philip K. Dick

      Skull_cover_resized.jpg

      THE SKULL

      Philip K. Dick

      HarperPerennialClassicsLogo.jpg

      CONTENTS

      Epigraph

      The Skull

      About the Author

      About the Series

      Copyright

      About the Publisher

      Epigraph

      Conger agreed to kill a stranger he had never seen. But he would make no mistakes because he had the stranger’s skull under his arm.

      The Skull

      What is this opportunity? Conger asked. Go on. I’m interested.

      The room was silent; all faces were fixed on Conger—still in the drab prison uniform. The Speaker leaned forward slowly.

      Before you went to prison your trading business was paying well—all illegal—all very profitable. Now you have nothing, except the prospect of another six years in a cell.

      Conger scowled.

      There is a certain situation, very important to this Council, that requires your peculiar abilities. Also, it is a situation you might find interesting. You were a hunter, were you not? You’ve done a great deal of trapping, hiding in the bushes, waiting at night for the game? I imagine hunting must be a source of satisfaction to you, the chase, the stalking—

      Conger sighed. His lips twisted. All right, he said. Leave that out. Get to the point. Who do you want me to kill?

      The Speaker smiled. All in proper sequence, he said softly.

      The car slid to a stop. It was night; there was no light anywhere along the street. Conger looked out. Where are we? What is this place?

      The hand of the guard pressed into his arm. Come. Through that door.

      Conger stepped down, onto the damp sidewalk. The guard came swiftly after him, and then the Speaker. Conger took a deep breath of the cold air. He studied the dim outline of the building rising up before them.

      I know this place. I’ve seen it before. He squinted, his eyes growing accustomed to the dark. Suddenly he became alert. This is—

      Yes. The First Church. The Speaker walked toward the steps. We’re expected.

      "Expected? Here?"

      Yes. The Speaker mounted the stairs. You know we’re not allowed in their Churches, especially with guns! He stopped. Two armed soldiers loomed up ahead, one on each side.

      All right? The Speaker looked up at them. They nodded. The door of the Church was open. Conger could see other soldiers inside, standing about, young soldiers with large eyes, gazing at the icons and holy images.

      I see, he said.

      "It was

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