Coming Attraction

"Coming Attraction" by Fritz Leiber is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. Set in a dystopian future where societal norms have skewed dramatically due to the aftermath of World War III, the story explores themes of gender dynamics, identity, and the impacts of war on human relationships. The narrative delves into a world where women often wear masks as a form of fashion driven by fame, safety, and societal pressure, while men grapple with their roles in a shifting social landscape. The plot revolves around Wysten Turner, an Englishman in New York who saves a masked woman from a reckless car, leading him into a complex web of danger and intrigue. He becomes entangled with the frightened woman, who is surrounded by ruthless individuals involved in underground wrestling. As the story unfolds, Wysten learns of her fears concerning violent gangs and the wrestlers who degrade and prey upon women. The tension escalates when Wysten confronts these threats, raising questions about courage, vulnerability, and the perilous dance of attraction in a world where identities can be as deceptive as the masks people wear. Ultimately, Leiber crafts a thought-provoking tale that examines the darker elements of desire and societal pressures in a tumultuous setting.