Here is a short explanation to the my short story, "The Crown Victoria."




The Crown Victoria Explanation
I wrote “The Crown Victoria,” as a psychological short story involving both the fantastic, the uncanny, and doubles. I originally planned on writing a screenplay, but I decided that a short story was a better medium, as I really wanted to get into the character’s head. I think with some work though, it could easily be adapted into a short film.
Todorov describes the fantastic situation. It is when we are in a world that is our own, but then some event occurs that is out of the ordinary and unexplained. This is the introduction of the men in the black suits in the short story, who appear and disappear throughout the story. He describes the fantastic as that period of uncertainty. In this story, the entirety fits into the fantastic, as you are never really certain whether the protagonist, Patton, is crazy or of this is really some sort of supernatural event. Whether it is the uncanny, where the event is explained in logical terms, or the marvelous, where the event is just accepted as supernatural, is really up to the reader.
I bring about the theme of doubles in several places. The first is in which you often see reflections throughout the story, starting with the windows of the car. Then following with the mirror at the bottom of the staircase, which Patton often sees himself, but sees his image deteriorating as he becomes more paranoid and stressed out. He also sees his reflection in his phone as he tries to call 911. Lastly, he views himself at his worst as he sees his own image in the reflection of the barred window in the mental hospital. Doubles are also apparent in the two men in the black suit, who are dressed exactly the same.

RSD