The Scapegoat

"The Scapegoat" by Richard Maples is a science fiction tale set in the 1950s that explores identity, morality, and societal pressures; a newspaper man named Edward Potter becomes entangled with an enigmatic old man named Ashe after saving him from an attack. Ashe's ability to shapeshift, including taking Potter's form, leads to chaos, especially when Potter’s son gets caught up in shoplifting because of Ashe's actions, causing problems for the boy, Tommy. As Potter deals with the fallout, he is forced to re-think his work, family, and the unnerving presence of Ashe, who becomes a symbol for Potter's personal struggles and a reason for him to face his issues head-on in a world where what's real and who people are is always changing and dangerous.