RED LASER DAYstory & artwork by olov redmalmEdited by Christer Larsson

Curious. I try to recall what happened last night. I have to ask my roommate.

I awaken to the morning light

trickling through the blinds. The

clock never rang and I’ve overslept.

robyn?

Detective Andrew Id’s apartment, Uppsala, Old City, October 7, 2O54.

but No answer. robyn should have woken me

up by now.

My favourite bowl is on the table. Lukewarm milk and cereal that has

since long lost its crispness.

Robyn knows I don’t like my cereal slushy.

And what is that?

I’ll think better with my trench coat on.

An action figure?

Wearing my fedora usually speeds

things up.

The Devil is in the details.

Well, I guess I believe in something. maybe a force, aliens or gnomes. But that’s another mystery. This is more of an investigation, really.

That’s strange. Robyn’s not the religious type. neither am I, for that matter.

robyn?

Sorry, oldster. I thought you were a

friend.

I can be your friend.

That’srobyn’sjacket.

How did you get hold of robyn’s jacket? where isrobyn?

Who are you talking about? Stop

yelling!

They’ll play you until you bring out some hard

currency.

is this a clue, or

am I still drowsy?

Billy, chilly, silly, Biking

…

C’mon, Robyn, why have you left behind a business card from a bike shop? You don’t

even believe in biking!

My investigation takes me to the Old Old Uppsala burial mounds...

... By bicycle.

Viking!

And why did you give away your jacket? You hate charity!

I know thesetypes of people.

this may be a long shot.

... By bicycle.

No regrets. A life may be in danger.

My own, unless I get the hell out of here.

hey, oldster.you know the fyris river is poisonous,

right?

Or should I call you...Vikester?

I dropped

me rudder in the beck!

cut the crazy act,I know your deal.

wow!

But your information better be more water proof thanmy trench

coat.

Stop!

You’re a descendant of the

ancient vikings buried underneath the Old Old Uppsala mounds, long before

man watched TV.

So here’s your heirloom. That’s what

you’re really after, right?

Your secret is safe with

me.

It’s over! I don’t exactly know what’s over, but

over it is, you scoundrel!

you silly goose! investigate this!

I stand there, silly as a goose, thinking the trail’s gone cold and wet.

Slushy.

When, suddenly, something slaps me like a dead

fish.

The old wretch had slipped me a clue, but I was too cocksure

to notice. Thanks. And I’m sorry… wherever

you are.

don’t mention it!

I dropped

me rudder in the beck!

I dropped me rudder in the beck. Rudder… beck… Rudbeck. Olaus Rudbeck, the creator of the Gustavianum theatrum

anatomicum.

Here goes...

stop.

Don’t touch that, andrew id.

Yeah? How do you know my

name?

it is I. your roommate...

doctor robyn clue!

what do you have there?

oh, you know...

clues.

nice trench coat. where did you get

it? I love it.

I get a creeping sensation that all of today’s mysteries are

convergingin this roomand I’m at

the centre of a vortex of

predictability.

I’ve been looking all

over for you! Quick! We need to leave this

place!

dr.swag’s. you probably haven’t

heard of...

run!

What exercise?I don’t understand. and i’m not tired.

Um, okay. What were you doing in there? What was that all about?

That was close. But

you did well today.

Let’stalk about it tomorrow,

alright?Unless you get some rest, this

might be our final

exercise.

That’s disturbing. You’re not supposed to do that.

Youknow how the rain doesn’t

agree with you. you get all

slushy...

just go home and rest, and we can talk tomorrow.

... like cerealin milk.

Cereal? serial. Milk, ilk. kill. robyn’s right. I need some rest. I’ll resume the investigation tomorrow. and this time, Hopefully, someone will wake me up.