Title: The Ice Weasels of Trebizond
Author: Mr. and Mrs. Brenchley
Date of First Publication: 2015
Place of Publication: Daughters of Frankenstein
Type: Short Story
Characters: No Character
Themes: ANDROID; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER; QUEER FRANKENSTEIN; WOMEN WRITING MONSTERS
Critical Summary: In this Frankenstein-inspired short story, a lesbian couple that has been wanting a child to call their own. With the idea of adoption off of the table, they begin to read journals and books on natural philosophy. Inspired by the publications, Clarissa, a scientist, sets out to create one in an artificial womb. The characters spend months trying to puzzle their creation together. However, after all the time and several explosions, the artificial womb is still not able to create and sustain a child of their own. Clarissa comes to the conclusion that she needs special glands to complete her artificial womb. In order to obtain those glands, the couple goes out to capture a dangerous ice weasel. The ice weasels are known to be ferocious creatures that few people are willing to attempt to capture. With their own safety at stake, the couple offers to pay a man to capture one ice weasel. However, even the man ends up declining because the possibility of physical harm is too great. It becomes clear to the couple that there is only one way of getting an ice weasel, and that is if they trap it themselves. So, they set out with their cat and trap to find an ice weasel. The couple sets up the trap by using chicken as bait. While in the process of waiting to capture an ice weasel, a young boy gets caught in the trap. The young boy was hungry and disheveled and it was not clear whether he had a home or parents to go to. Soon after releasing the boy, the ice weasels come and the two throw themselves into the trap seeing as it is the only way the weasels will not attack them. Once the ice weasels leave, the two women are trapped inside of the cage. The close encounter leaves the women wondering how they are going to escape. The young boy from earlier returns with the chicken and releases the couple from the cage. Grateful, the couple decides to take the boy home and forget about the weasels and the artificial womb altogether.
The authors illustrate their concept of a mad scientist displayed through the character Clarissa, who becomes fixated with studies of natural philosophy in efforts to create a child for herself and her lover.
Administrative Notes: Bobbi Stone CSUF; Christian Bazinet (Editing)