Title attributed to Andre Norton

London Bridge ~ Short Story

Bibliography ~

¯ * The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Oct. (1973), Edited by Edward L. Ferman, Published by Mercury Press, Mag., $0.75, 162pg ~ cover by Jacqui Morgan

¯ The Many Worlds of Andre Norton (1974) * Edited by Roger Elwood, Published by Chilton, HC, 0-801-95927-6, LCCN 74010980, 208pg ~ cover by Charles Geer

¯ The Book of Andre Norton (1975) * Edited by Rodger Elwood, Published by DAW, PB, 0-451-UY119-8, $1.25, 221pg ~ cover by Jack Gaughan

Synopsis ~

This story was expanded in 1974 to create the longer story Outside. London Bridge is told exclusively from the viewpoint of the older brother, where Outside concentrates on his younger sister. In this version of the future, the last remnants of humanity sealed themselves into domed cities to protect themselves from the polluted world outside, only to be ravaged by plagues. The only immunes were too young to remember the world before the cities were sealed; the city is now a patchwork of gang territories, reflected in the slangy speech of Lew, the narrator. A strange Rhyming Man has appeared from nowhere, and has been luring the youngest children away from gangs all over the city (overtones of the Pied Piper of Hamlin). The children have not been seen again, so the gang leaders are organizing a massive hunt for the Rhyming Man. Then Marsie, Lew's little sister, disappears.

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