# X Marks the Pedwalk explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber.

## What happens

A futuristic conflict between pedestrians ('Feet') and motorists ('Wheels') escalates after a little old lady shoots at a car that runs her down, killing two occupants. The incident sparks riots and reprisals, leading to government intervention and a tense compromise that restores an uneasy status quo.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Survival

The conflict between pedestrians and motorists escalates into lethal violence, with both sides arming and retaliating in a struggle for survival.

### Conformity and Rebellion

Government enforces compromise and conformity through force and therapy, while both Feet and Wheels rebel with secret preparations and attacks.

### Alienation and Otherness

The deep societal divide between the 'Feet' and 'Wheels' reflects alienation and dehumanization, with each side viewing the other as less than human.

## Character check-ins

### Smythe-de Winter

Driver of the car that kills the little old lady and the girl in the wheelchair; feels the world is crumbling.

### Witherspoon-Hobbs

Passenger in Smythe-de Winter's car; expresses hatred for 'Feet' and cheers 'Wheels forever!'

## Key lines

> The little old lady dipped into her shopping bag and came up with a big blue-black automatic. She held it in both fists, riding the recoils like a rodeo cowboy on a bucking bronco.

The elderly woman pulled a large pistol from her bag and fired it with both hands, struggling to control the recoil.

_Highlights the unexpected violence from a seemingly harmless pedestrian._

> They oughtn't to let old ladies carry magnums.

Smythe-de Winter complains that elderly women should not be allowed to carry powerful handguns.

_Reflects the motorist's perspective on pedestrian armament._

> I like a normal orderly world, where you always have a little success, but not champagne-heady; a little failure, but just enough to brace you.

Smythe-de Winter expresses contentment with a balanced life of moderate successes and failures.

_Shows his desire for stability after the chaos._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/x-marks-the-pedwalk
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters