The Illustrated Man

In an unknown suburb, children are enjoying a new game called Invasion! with “tremulous joy, such tumbling and hearty screaming” (232). The game is only played by children younger than 10, whose imaginations allow them to take it seriously. Adults see them, “jealous of the fierce energy of the wild tots, tolerantly amused at their flourishing, longing to join in themselves” (233). Mink Morris takes on a leadership role in the game, delegating tasks to the other children. She refuses to let an older boy, Joseph Connors, play, insisting he is too old and threatening to kick him.

Earth, readers learn, is completely at peace. All nations are united in protecting it.

Mink’s mother Mrs. Morris watches the children share how to spell complex words like hexagonal in their game. She demands Mink come in for lunch, which Mink gulps down, eager to get back. Mink claims Invasion! is a matter of life and death—Mrs. Morris remembers how serious everything felt at that age. Mink mentions a friend named Drill, and that Invasion! centers on alien beings invading the Earth, which, according to Drill, is currently “impregnable” (236). Drill told Mink that a surprise attack is necessary, along with securing help from the enemy. He added that there will be no rules when he arrives: Children will run the world. Mink claims Mrs. Morris will not be hurt too badly and returns to the game.

At four o’clock, Mrs. Morris has a long-distance call with her friend Helen. Helen’s children are also playing Invasion! and talking about Drill; they marvel at how quickly children spread their games. Helen remembers how she used to play “Japs and Nazis” when she was a child. Thoughtful, Mrs. Morris considers how “parents learn to shut their ears” (238).

Mink comes in the house and does a seemingly impossible yo-yo trick. Mrs. Morris asks to see it again, but Mink claims there is no time: Five o’clock is “zero hour” (239). The sun begins to set. One of the children, Peggy Ann, is crying; Invasion! frightens her. Mink calls her a scarebaby and tells Mrs. Morris that Drill is stuck halfway; they are struggling to get him through, so others can follow him: “Strange children,” Mrs. Morris muses. “Did they ever forget or forgive the whippings and the harsh, strict words of command? […] How can you ever forget or forgive those over and above you, those tall and silly dictators?” (241).

Five o’clock arrives. Mrs. Morris’s husband Henry arrives home. As a strange buzzing sound increases in volume, Mrs. Morris notices the children are worryingly quiet and begs her husband stop the game. Suddenly, they hear an explosion. Mrs. Morris drags Henry into the attic, panicked by suspicions that have been building all afternoon. Henry thinks she is crazy but quiets when they hear heavy footsteps enter the home, led by Mink. Mink calls for her parents. The lock on the door melts and Mink opens the attic door, tall blue shadows surrounding her. She says: “Peekaboo” (244).