"Catalyst" by Mark (MarkB@aboy.demon.co.uk). All the other stories in this issue were written by "regulars" - people whose stories I have reviewed before. In many cases the authors were kind enough to send the stories to me for my convenience. And a fine bunch of stories they are! I remember seeing this one in the postings; but I decided to skip it, because I already had too many stories to read. Then a reader clipped it and sent it to me with his recommendation. I want to thank that reader. This is an excellent story by an author I have never read before.

In chemistry class we learned that a catalyst is a substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed in the process. Through metaphor, the term also refers to a person who precipitates a process or event, especially without being involved in or changed by the consequences. That's the role of this story's narrator, who observes a freshman girl at a party lusting after the hunk across the room. The narrator has two problems: (1) to bring the two together so that they can fulfill their mutual urges and (2) to do so in such a way as to be able to watch their hot interaction. I'd tell you more, but it will be more fun for you to find out the rest for yourself.

The author is posting these as part of an "Alphabet Series." I plan to look for more stories in this series.