# XII explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Clifford D. Simak.

## What happens

The night editor reads a bulletin announcing the recognition of Mastodonia, but he and the copy chief are unsure of its location, prompting a plan to include a map in the next edition.

## Key lines

> The night editor read the bulletin just off the teletype. “Well, what do you know!” he said. “We just recognized Mastodonia.”

The night editor saw the teletype bulletin and exclaimed in surprise that Mastodonia had just been officially recognized.

_The editor reacts to the news of Mastodonia's recognition._

> He looked at the copy chief. “Where the hell is Mastodonia?” he asked. The copy chief shrugged. “Don’t ask me. You’re the brains in this joint.”

He asked the copy chief where Mastodonia was located, but the copy chief shrugged and deferred to the editor's supposed expertise.

_Both editors are uncertain about Mastodonia's location._

> “Well, let’s get a map for the next edition,” said the night editor.

The night editor decided to include a map in the upcoming edition to address the confusion.

_The editor plans to resolve the geographical mystery with a map._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters