Short Fiction · Character

Simon Great

A character involved in chess or intellectual contests.

minor

Also known as Simon Great ) Maxim Serek, This Simon Great, Simon, Great, Serek, Si

First appearance: IV

Simon Great's tie to Ernie Meeker is one of the pressures that moves Short Fiction—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Sits impassively behind the Machine, overseeing its operation during the game.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

See Simon Great in II Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Ernie Meeker (friendship): Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie. With Ma (friendship): Ma and Simon Great are old friends who often share tea and gossip. With Ernie Meeker…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Simon Great sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Simon Great in IV

Character Web

54 connections

A slice of how Simon Great sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Core character ensemble
Doctor, narrator, and brassy female
Mysterious, religious, and sinister figures

+49 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the pro…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ernie Meeker
friendship · positive
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie. How this plays out →
Ma
friendship · positive
Ernie Meeker
friendship · positive
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie. How this plays out →
Ma
friendship · positive
Ma
friendship · positive
Ernie Meeker
friendship · positive
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie. How this plays out →

Ernie Meeker
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie.
Ma
Ma and Simon Great are old friends who often share tea and gossip.
Ernie Meeker
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie.
Ma
Ma and Simon Great are old friends who often share tea and gossip.
Ma
Ma and Simon Great are old friends who often share tea and gossip.
Ernie Meeker
Ernie and Simon are close drinking buddies who share a rough camaraderie.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Simon Great in IV

In the story

Simon Great appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
Sits impassively behind the Machine, overseeing its operation during the game.
III
Programs the Machine and is rumored to be replaced by World Business Machines.
IV
Simon Great is the programmer behind the Machine's adaptive and psychological chess strategy, referenced by Doc and Sandra.
V
Remains passive during the Machine's breakdown, letting technicians handle the repair.
VI
Reveals plans for the Machine to enter the Interzonal Candidates' Tournament and discusses the future of man-machine chess teams.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Simon Great unlock in the free preview.

See Simon Great in IV

See Simon Great in II