An author discusses with his friend the best way to write about a poor aunt. Their words take on a new power when he manifests a literal poor aunt on his back and draws in spectators.

A grad student helps two unlikely lovers connect in a future state of a damaged world.

Following a messy breakup, an MIT graduate and a PhD student at Indiana University separately talk about the problems in their former relationship in two spliced-together conversations, exploring conflicts surrounding language, intimacy, commitment, and intellectualism.

The asteroid work crews don't have much to do but tell tall tales to each other. One man tells a particularly riveting account of an expedition where he met a strange parasitic species that inhabits human bodies and barely escaped unscathed—or did he?

In a futuristic society in which free speech is illegal without a license, a man works to get his license by having strange and touching conversations with a bizarre cast of characters.

In a New York City where people can access personal information about one another instantly via a special technology, an artist-turned-substitute teacher finds himself in a romantic relationship with a woman who wants to communicate in the traditional sense.

A linguist is called to investigate robots that seem to have created their own language.

A co-worker gives a new staff member an introductory tour of the office, while providing small gossip about other employees along the way.

Three people all sit down to talk after a night of drinking, but the agenda of one dinner guest changes the night.

Through the death of David Foster Wallace, a man considers the relationship with his brother.