"The Reploids" is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

short story A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest ...

by American writer

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

. It was first published in the

1988 File:1988 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The oil platform Piper Alpha explodes and collapses in the North Sea, killing 165 workers; The USS Vincennes (CG-49) mistakenly shoots down Iran Air Flight 655; Australia celebrates its Australian ...

book ''

Night Visions 5 ''Dark Visions'' is a horror fiction compilation, with three short stories by Stephen King, three by Dan Simmons and a novella by George R. R. Martin. It was published by Orion on August 10, 1989. The collection was first published, with the ...

''.

Plot summary

The story takes place on 29 November 1989. A mysterious man named Edward Paladin shows up in place of

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six Pr ...

on ''

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

'', but all is not what it seems. A subsequent investigation by detectives Richard Cheyney and Pete Jacoby finds strange items in his possession, hinting that he may not be from our reality. These include passes for the studio which are the wrong color and a bright blue one dollar bill with a picture of

James Madison James Madison Jr. (March 16, 1751June 28, 1836) was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Madison is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for hi ...

on it rather than one of

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

, implying that Madison served as the first

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...

instead of Washington in Paladin's universe.

Publication

"The Reploids" was published in the 1988 book ''

''. The following year, ''Night Visions 5'' was reprinted as '' Dark Visions''. It was reprinted again in 1990, this time as ''The Skin Trade''. The story was reprinted in the British magazine ''Skeleton Crew'' in July 1990. "The Reploids" was originally envisaged by King as part of a novel, but was never developed further.

Reception

Rocky Wood Rocky Wood (19 October 1959 – 1 December 2014) was a New Zealand-born Australian writer and researcher best known for his books about horror author Stephen King. He was the first author from outside North America or Europe to hold the pos ...

describes "The Reploids" as "one of King's least satisfying short stories, mostly due to an unsatisfactory and inconclusive ending."

James Van Hise James Van Hise (born 1949) is an American popular culture historian and comic book author. He had a long connection with the popular fanzine ''Rocket's Blast Comicollector'' (''RBCC''), and was its editor/publisher from 1974 to 1983. He also had ...

states that the story "reads like the first half of a story or the first chapter of a novel", describing it as "not very well developed".

Relationship with other works

Aberrant United States currency — changes in color and presidents — is also described by

Father Callahan Father Donald Frank Callahan is a fictional Character (arts), character created by Stephen King. He originally appeared in the 1975 novel Salem's Lot'' and later ''The Dark Tower (series), The Dark Tower'', appearing in ''The Dark Tower V: Wolve ...

in the chapter "The Priest's Tale Continued (Highways in Hiding)" from '' The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla'' (''DT5''). In ''DT5'', such differing bills are explained as originating from different co-existing universes within the Dark Tower multiverse. President Chadbourne is mentioned in both the short story and the novel. This can also be a reference to the multiverses seen in the novella Ur, where there have been different historical events for different timelines.

References

External links