Figurski at Findhorn on Acid
Season 10, Episode 01
January 17, 2022
Three characters. Two mechanical pigs. One epic story.
Re-Imagined Radio adapts for radio the pioneering hypertext novel Figurski at Findhorn on Acid by Richard Holeton. Performed by The Voices. Special appearance by Holeton. Frank Figurski, The No Hands Cup Flipper, and Fatima Michelle Vieuchanger converge at Findhorn, Scotland, seeking one—perhaps two!—mechanical pigs of incalculable value while stewing in Spam, acid—yes, that acid—and wit-slathered repartee. The result: a legendary radio story.
Access the episode script
Background
A Hypertext Novel
This episode of Re-Imagined Radio is adapted from Figurski at Findhorn on Acid, a comedic hypertext novel by Richard Holeton, published on CD ROM by Eastgate Systems in 2001 using Storyspace software. Updated computer operating systems made the novel unavailable until it was republished using open Web languages in 2021 by the Electronic Literature Lab, Washington State University Vancouver.
Some have called Holeton's original work "electronic literature too big for a single genre." Our re-imagined radio adaptation, made with Mr. Holeton's approval and participation, is part of the 20th Anniversary celebration for this pioneering work of electronic literature, one of 23 works included in the literary hypertext canon.
Learn more→ at the Figurski at Findhorn on Acid website.
Engagement Beyond Linear Reading
Electronic literature uses the features and abilities of computers and their programming to present readers opportunities to interact with text beyond just reading along the linear pathways of the words as they appear on the printed page. One example is the hyperlink, the ability to click or tap a word or phrase and be transported to connecting or new information.
Figurski at Findhorn on Acid has three characters, three artifacts, and three settings. Combinations of one, two, or all three of these characters, with one, two, or all three artifacts, at one of the places provides 147 main narrative "story spaces" where the story unfolds. With an additional 147 Notes and 60 navigation screens, there are a total of 354 spaces in the novel. 2001 hyperlinks provide many ways to follow different paths through these spaces.
The Characters
Frank Figurski spent twenty-one years in the Harvard PhD program in mathematics without completing his dissertation. After killing his dissertation advisor, Figurski spent six years in prison for second-degree murder. He is highly intelligent but intense, self-focused, and socially awkward.
Nguyen Van Tho (The No-Hands Cup Flipper) lost both hands as a toddler during the Vietnam War when he picked up booby-trapped cans of Spam. He immigrated to the United States and became a talented performer, flipping coffee cups at a California roadside attraction. He stopped performing to do more personal exploration, including travel, virtual reality, psychedelics, and pilgrimages to Findhorn.
Fatima Michelle Vieuchanger is a French-Moroccan writer and feminist activist. She is well-educated and widely traveled, savvy, adventurous, and enterprising. Her many disguises in pursuit of interesting stories make her a gender-bending alter-ego to the novel's author.
Exotic Locations
Figurski at Findhorn on Acid unfolds across three exotic locations: the Holodeck (of Star Trek fame), Shower-Lourdes (a trailer park community in Southern Florida), and Findhorn, Scotland, a small fishing village and home to an intentional community of New Age eccentrics.
The Findhorn Community was founded in 1962 by Peter and Eileen Caddy and Dorothy Maclean in a trailer park on the outskirts of Findhorn. They agreed to use MacLean's purported contacts with nature spirits to help with growing food. Reports of "exceptionally large vegetables" attracted other spiritual seekers to Findhorn.
Character Excerpts
"Frank Figurski Character Excerpt"
"The No-Hands Cup Flipper Character Excerpt"
"Fatima Michele Vieuchanger Character Excerpt"
Music Themes
"The No-Hands Cup Flipper Music Theme"
"The Figurski Music Theme"
"The Moroccan Intrigue Music Theme"
Traversal of Figurski at Findhorn on Acid
22 February 2019, Electronic Literature Lab. Writer Richard Holeton discusses his pioneering work of hypertext electronic literature, Figurski at Findhorn on Acid, including the factual background behind this fictional work and performs a portion of the default pathway through the work.
Production
Contents
Samples from Figurski at Findhorn on Acid by Richard Holeton.
Cast
The Voices, including
Jack Armstrong as The Announcer
Richard Holeton as Himself (the author)
Mago Weston as Shana
Devin James as Zed
Sam A. Mowry as Frank Figurski
Heath Hyun Houghton as The No Hands Cup Flipper
Patricia Blem as Fatima Michelle Vieuchanger
Jeff Pollard as Preacher
John F. Barber as Producer and Host
Credits
Written, Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Sound Design, Music Composition, and Post-Production by Marc Rose
Social Media by Regina Carol Social Media Management
Branding and Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum Design
Producer's Notes
"Let's see what happens."
Season 10, Episode 1 — Monday, 17 January 2022. Re-Imagined Radio begins its tenth season this year, 2022. This first episode is a tribute to Figurski at Findhorn on Acid, the award-winning comedic hypertext novel published by Richard Holeton in 2001, and now celebrating its twentieth anniversary.
It's never been done before, to the best of anyone's knowledge, to adapt a work of electronic literature to radio. Why adapt Figurski for radio? My answer: "Why not?" It's a sprawling story, with larger than life characters, exotic locales, realistic dialogue, great opportunities for music and sound effects, and two alleged mechanical pigs. Why NOT radio?
Michael Joyce, author of Afternoon: A Story and Twilight, provided an answer to how to navigate such a complex work. Asked, "How does one read a work of electronic literature?" Joyce replied, "Well, you follow the links and see where they lead. You explore. You discover. Or, you follow the wave of the returns."
The interconnections were compelling. Each character had different experiences with at least one of the alleged mechanical pigs. Each traveled to Findhorn. Each had sass which was exacerbated by the acid graciously provided by the Findhorn Ambassadors. Yes, THAT acid! Clearly, sparks would fly if they were to meet and find the mechanical pigs.
Responses
"I think you've done a fabulous job creating this wild new synthesis of multiple strands, introducing
the characters, providing lots of interaction and drama with clever use of the Shana and Zed
'device,' creating all these opportunities for cool sound effects, etc. Great job with the email
exchange too. Way to go — what a delight!"
— Richard Holeton, author, Figurski at Findhorn on Acid
"What a wonderful radio broadcast that was. It is now my favorite Re-Imagined Radio has produced.
Richard's source material lends itself so well in offering a lively story. Marc's sound design
expanded the story so beautifully. John's script honed in on an exciting moment in the story.
Congrats, all."
— Dene Grigar, Director, Electronic Literature Lab
Promotion
Episode Trailer
The Figurski at Findhorn on Acid trailer by Holly Slocum, Marc Rose, and John F. Barber.
Press
Ward, Jack J. Hyper-Text to Audio Drama→. The Sonic Society, 5 Jan. 2022.
Spaeth, Emma. Coastside Author Re-Releases Unique Novel→. Pacific Tribune, 14 Dec. 2021.
Graphics
