# George Gusterson — Short Fiction character guide

> George Gusterson in Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** George, Mr. Gusterson, Gusterson

**First appearance:** 0008-i

## Snapshot

A stubborn writer of insanity thrillers who refuses to touch the mech reminder Fay built for him, convinced machines have minds and nasty ideas of their own.

## Who they are

Gusterson is a novelist up to his ears in a book, dodging Fay's tickler and lecturing him that forgetting is a danger signal, not a job for a gadget. He insists he isn't afraid of machines sprouting minds — he thinks they already have minds, because they have the mind elements, a dualism he defends with gleeful stubbornness. His refusal to engage the tickler sets up the story's central unease about inner-directed thinking versus the seductions of the outer-directed world.

## In the story

### [Friends and Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/friends-and-enemies)

Mentioned as being 'conked' by the group because he wanted to hand the men over to Vera-Ellen's father.

### [The Creature from Cleveland Depths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/the-creature-from-cleveland-depths)

Appears as a central figure in the narrative.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/i)

Hosts Fay and engages in sardonic banter about inventions and society.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii)

George is writing an insanity novel and expresses deep suspicion of the tickler device, arguing that machines and bugs may be conscious.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iii)

Gusterson is writing an insanity novel and reacts with alarm to Fay's tickler and the micro-resonator, calling the tickler 'crazy' and expressing distrust.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/v)

Gusterson explores the underground, confronts Fay about the Tickler, and continues writing his novel.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/vii)

Interrogated by Fay/Pooh-Bah; admits ticklers had no inherent purpose; attempts to attack Pooh-Bah but is disarmed; begins formulating a plan to save the world.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/viii)

Protagonist who spreads the message that ticklers should be free from human bodies, later reflects on their departure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/george_gusterson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters