Romulus Escapes

In what used to be Texas, a cyborg leads a revolt against the humans. Romulus is a talented surgeon. He looks just like a human. But he's a Fax—a machine. He has few rights. Plus, he's old. He has rust in his lines. His battery won't hold a charge. Even so, he is a better surgeon than the humans. General Martin, the Supreme Leader, frames him for murder and sentences him to clown torture: a gruesome public dismemberment. He has no choice but to try to join the Rogue Faxes who live in the swamps west of town. Romulus is resourceful and courageous, but escape may not be possible. The characters include mutant animals, roving bands of urchins, voluptuous pleasure units, and humans who talk in rhymes. This dark comedy explores themes of aging, sexism, racism, discrimination, the absurdity of dictatorial societies, and what it means to be a sentient being.