# Mark Renner — Short Science Fiction character guide

> Mark Renner in Short Science Fiction by Noel Loomis.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mark

**First appearance:** 0002-the-bryd

## Snapshot

A young man so beaten down by a credit-scored world that he signs away thirty-five thousand points without blinking, until an old woman in a wheelchair decides to teach him otherwise.

## Who they are

Mark Renner drifts through a 2021 where work is scarce and points are everything, so when a shrieking old lady accuses him of injuring her foot, he signs her outrageous claim rather than argue. But the woman drops her act the moment the crowd disperses, revealing sharp eyes and a proposition, and Mark finds himself pushed through the streets in her chair, hiding from a man named Conley. His passivity and her cunning make an unlikely partnership that could either save him or sink him deeper.

## Relationships

### [Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/penelope)

_romantic_

Mark and Penelope share a tender, protective romance amid dangerous circumstances.

### [Conley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/conley)

_professional_

Conley is a superior or mission commander to Mark, directing his actions.

### [Charlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/charlie)

_friendship_

Charlie is Mark's loyal sidekick, offering help and humor.

### [Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/penelope)

_romantic_

Mark and Penelope share a tender, protective romance amid dangerous circumstances.

### [Charlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/charlie)

_friendship_

Charlie is Mark's loyal sidekick, offering help and humor.

### [Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/penelope)

_romantic_

Mark and Penelope share a tender, protective romance amid dangerous circumstances.

### [Conley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/conley)

_professional_

Conley is a superior or mission commander to Mark, directing his actions.

## In the story

### [You Too Can Be a Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/chapters/you-too-can-be-a-millionaire)

Flees from Conley, is tricked into signing a large point slip, and is excited about the prospect of steady work at Central.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters/mark_renner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/characters