The psychic group is derived from the real Operation Stargate run by the CIA via the Stanford Research Institute in the 1970s - in the book, it is now a private corporation working on mind-games for the government, and presumably, other parties. He finds lost people, extracts the heart's darkest fears and experiences some weird shit, influenced by a Holy Vishnu Roller from the Dallas Vishnu Temple, called Ikshu, who believes himself to be Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Vishnu, and has a phobia of rats. He also maintains a shrine to Charles Manson and Rasputin, but that passes for normal among psychics, apparently.
The shit hits the fan, figuratively, when Travis quits the group, and his wife & kid are kidnapped by them, framing him in the process. The blue guy appears occasionally, with a knowing smirk, as if this were all part of his game. At one point, Travis has a happy dream of a picnic where all is well with the world, wherein he reads a note designed like a wedding invitation,
Dear Travis,
Heartfelt laughter is a sign that I am with you.And remember: Thou shalt not kill.
Your Pal,
The Blue Mutherfucker(P.S. Sometimes I feel like a comedian playing to a crowd who's too afraid to laugh.)
The climax, Magic Kingdom Come, reminds one of Cory Doctorow's Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, with Ikshu going after the 'biggest rat in the Universe', Mickey Mouse. Travis must save the world, and do it through love, like a Hallmark card-salesman.
In all, an entertaining, imaginative book, and who can resist an adventure, really?
Article comments
1 - Catherine
Who owns the psychiccow.com site? Who else would it be: Will Clarke, the author of Lord Vishnu's Love Handles.