A writing critic reviews the construction of Charles Chesnutt’s stories and how to write surfiction.

When quiet academic Mr. Palmer involves himself with a group of mothers waiting daily for news from husbands and lovers fighting in Japan, he realizes his Grecian impression of the solemn waiting women is far from the reality of their bristling enmity.

Faced with the consequences of his actions, a scientist decides to live in fantasy rather than confront the pain he's caused.

In the depths of his mind, a writer tries to uncover the autonomous, nefarious motivations of his own characters.

A current university professor and former soldier sits serenely in his office until two students, who are actually his former army colleagues, enter for essay help. The three boys discuss a possible essay topic about a real attack that involved of the army lieutenants of their time.

A teacher reminisces about all his wonderful students of the Narrative Studies courses he has taught around the world before his career comes to an end.

Two men putting on a production for their New York theater company seek out a legendary, elderly actor, but upon finding him, they meet a man as dilapidated as the theater he once worked for.

While narrating a story, a woman suppresses some details while highlighting others, to expose the injustice she witnesses in her neighbor's irresponsible behavior.

A young boy grows up believing that he is a detective in an imaginary city, and he quickly grows suspicious of his new neighbor. As he grows older, he ruminates on his imaginary city.

A young woman watches jealously as her lover devotes more time and attention to his blind friend. As the friend drives a wedge between them, the woman feels helpless to stop him.