Chat with Bruce Sterling, one of cyberpunk's founding fathers, about his latest novel, DISTRACTION. Sterling's previous novels include the best-selling HEAVY WEATHER and HOLY FIRE. His latest novelette, TAKLAMAKAN, can be found in the October/November 1998 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction. Sterling is also known for his work as editor of the seminal cyberpunk anthology, 1986's MIRRORSHADES and is widely respected for his critical essays on the genre. This sounds like he's ripping off the film by Senkichi Taniguchi starring Toshiro Mifune. Does anyone know what Taklamakan means? The Japanese title was Ki Gan Jo no Boken (Strange Stone Castle Adventure). Scott ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.tcf.ua.edu/screensite