I Am a Nucleus

by Stephen Barr

"I Am a Nucleus" by Stephen Barr is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s. The narrative centers around the theme of improbable occurrences and coincidence, as the protagonist becomes the focal point of a series of extraordinary events that defy the laws of probability and chaos. The story follows Alec Graham, a writer struggling with the mundane aspects of life while his wife is away. As he navigates through a series of unfortunate events, including a freak accident with a chunk of glass that sends him into a chaotic world, he discovers that he becomes the 'nucleus' of a bizarre phenomenon where everyday coincidences escalate into extraordinary occurrences. With the help of his friend McGill, a mathematician, Alec seeks to understand the nature of the powers that seem to gravitate around him and what it means to be at the center of such improbable happenings. As the chaos unfolds, Alec is forced to confront not only the strange happenings around him but also the deeper implications of chance, order, and the nature of existence itself.