Hailed as "one of the literary giants of science fiction" by The Denver Pos t, Gene Wolfe is universally acknowledged as one of the most brilliant writers the field has ever produced. Winner of the World Fantasy Award for best fiction collection, Storeys from the Old Hotel contains thirty-one remarkable gems of Wolfe's short fiction from the past two decades, most unavailable in any other form. Storeys from the Old Hotel includes many of Gene Wolfe's most appealing and engaging works, from short-shorts that can be read in single setting to whimsical fantasy and even Sherlock Holmes pastiches. It is a literary feast for anyone interested in the best science fiction has to offer. “A fine collection that showcases the wide range of Wolfe's weird and wonderful talent.” ― Kirkus Reviews “A splendid collection of singular tales from "the finest writer the science fiction world has ever produced.” ― The Washington Post “The selections are richly varied in subject, tone, and style but all of them have the author's inimitable touch.” ― San Francisco Examiner Gene Wolfe (1931-2019) was the Nebula Award-winning author of The Book of the New Sun tetralogy in the Solar Cycle, as well as the World Fantasy Award winners The Shadow of the Torturer and Soldier of Sidon . He was also a prolific writer of distinguished short fiction, which has been collected in such award-winning volumes as Storeys from the Old Hotel and The Best of Gene Wolfe . A recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and six Locus Awards, among many other honors, Wolfe was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2007, and named Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2012. Storeys from the Old Hotel By Gene Wolfe Orb Books Copyright © 1995 Gene Wolfe All right reserved. ISBN: 9780312890490 Storeys from the Old Hotel The Green Rabbit from S'Rian C APTAIN TEV NOEN TOOK OFF HIS GILDED DRESS HELMET and scratched his shaven head--not because he was puzzled by the sight of two of his best hands nailing up a placard at the mouth of Rat's Alley, but because it had occurred to him that the placards might be ineffective, and he had not yet decided what to do if they were. He had composed them himself that afternoon, and Ler Oeuni, his first mate, had lettered them with sweeping strokes of the brush.  JOIN THE LEVAR'S NAVY! THE GALLEASS WINDSONG IS NOW ACCEPTING RECRUITS! THREE COPPERS A DAY PROMPTLY PAID AT EVERY PORT! AMPLE FOOD, DRINK, AND CLOTHING, AND GOOD TREATMENT! SIGN TONIGHT AT THE BIG TREE! FIVE COPPERS WHEN YOU SIGN!! PRIZE MONEY COULD MAKE YOU RICH!!!  It was a simple appeal to self-interest, and Noen wondered whether sounding the trumpets of Liavek and Her Magnificence, as most captains did, would not have been better. He thought not. In his experience, recruits did not care about such things.The hands drove home their final nails with resoundingwhacks and turned to face their captain, touching their foreheads with all fingers. Automatically, Noen replaced his helmet and returned their salutes. "Good work. Now we'll rejoin Lieutenant Dinnile and see if these have brought anyone yet." Recklessly he added, "I'll buy you each a tankard, if there's a good hand already."The sailors grinned and took their positions like proper bodyguards, the woman ahead of him and the man behind him. Noen tried to recall their names; they pulled the first (that was, the rearmost) starboard oar--Syb and Su, of course. Each wore a sharply curved cutlass in a canvas sheath now, although the hammers they carried would be nearly as effective.He himself was far better armed, with his sword and double-barreled pistol. Not that swords or "villainous saltpetre" should be needed for the drunken sailors of Rat Alley, or its cutthroats either--Naval officers were notoriously savage fighters and just as notoriously broke.If they were attacked, it might even be possible to carry the fellow--undamaged, Noen hoped--aboard Windsong. There he would sign on or chase a sack of ballast to the bottom."Why, if we were attacked by fifty or so ...""Sir?" Su looked over her shoulder at him."Talking to myself," Noen told her brusquely. "Stupid habit."There were always the judges. A judge could pardon an offender willing to enlist. And judges did pardon such offenders--for well-connected captains, and for captains who could offer rich gifts in return. Not for Tev Noen, to be sure.A rat scampered across Noen's boots, and he kicked it. It sailed past Su's head, and in the darkness of Rat's Alley someone swore and spat."Good 'un, sir," Syb whispered diplomatically.Noen had recognized the voice. "Is that you, Dinnile?""Yes, sir, Some filthy devil just flung a rat at me, sir."Inwardly, Noen damned his luck. The story would be all over the ship by morning, and such stories were bad fordiscipline. Aloud he said, "Officers who leave their posts have to expect such luck,