This collection of short stories is primarily science fiction. They range from an alien being in a lake ('It') to an unseen killer (The Peripheral Man), to the horror awaiting a novice thief (Johnson), and then the secret Language Program designed by NASA. Two action-adventure stories involve a quest for riches by post WWI soldiers (Elation) and an elite assassin facing his greatest adversary (I Work Alone). The author also shares a painful adolescent crush (Tina Will Be There), and takes a stab at humor (The Next Super-Hero).