In the Loop (short story)

 was the seventh short story in Down the Middle.

Plot
to be added

Characters

 * Chris Cwej
 * Larles
 * Kwol
 * Hubert Humphrey
 * Aide
 * T-Rex
 * Woman
 * Giashnel
 * Carlyle
 * Kirstine
 * Yanna
 * George Cwej
 * Vendor
 * Mayor Daley
 * Prime President Arles

Worldbuilding

 * Hubert Humphrey thinks the International Amphitheater is hotter than he would've liked.
 * There are two Gatling guns strapped to the T-Rex.
 * Giashnel is a Diashna.
 * Giashnel has an instant transfer device and Sheaths.
 * Chrish, Larles and Kwol witness the protests against the Vietnam War at Lincoln Park.
 * Police officers use tear gas against the protesters.
 * The time loops are being created by KYG Solace.
 * KYG Solace's machine was built using leftover from the Battle of Ciros VIII, as well as Hytheriax stabilization orbs and other parts from Hytheriax VII.
 * The Ciros system only has seven planets, according to Larles.
 * KYG Solace's goal was to give Carlyle the Festival of Life the protesters were "supposed to have".
 * George buys tie-dye bandanas.
 * Yanna is a Gendar from Gendar.
 * The Superiors made the Gendar build weapon testing facilities above their world.
 * Yanna is an inter-dimensional engineer.
 * George Cwej chooses his name after a poster of George Michaels he sees.
 * Kwol goes to Lake Michigan.
 * Yanna says she did some "messed up stuff" for the Superiors' War, such as a chronological bomb.
 * KYG Solace have made time loops on Earth, Mars, another Earth and at the Night Festival in the Tiered City.
 * Kirstine mentions having worked as a cop with a partner.
 * Kirstine sings a few bars of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel".
 * Kirstine joined the Dawn after turning the Firmament's offer to become one of their agents down.
 * Chris and Kirstine pass in front of the Hilton Hotel.
 * During the time loop, the Beatles and the Beach Boys attend the Festival of Life.
 * People had signs to elect McGovern instead of Humphrey.

Story notes
to be added

Continuity

 * Yanna got temporal vibration distributors from Donacho Munchausen. (PROSE: Infinity)
 * Kirstine is from the 10,000 Dawns. She also talks to Chris about the Firmament and the Christmas Needle Agreement. (PROSE: A Bright White Crack)
 * Yanna tells Chris how his Superiors messed with his memories, turning old friends into enemies. (PROSE: Dead Romance, Judy's War)