The Thing in the Truck

"The Thing in the Truck" by Stephen Marlowe is a mid-20th century science fiction narrative that unfolds primarily during a trucking voyage, diving into notions of mystery and the unexplained as the main character discovers an odd and possibly supernatural event involving a truckload of potatoes that morphs into something evil. It examines ideas about perception, reality, and out-of-this-world forces in an intriguing story. The unfolding events track along with Harry Loftus and his fellow driver, Joe, as they unknowingly move a cryptic cargo after retrieving what appears to be a harmless delivery of potatoes. As they continue on their journey, inexplicable incidents intensify, exposing that the potatoes—and really almost everything around them—are connected to an alien being that has seized control. The account rapidly moves from simple humor to a disturbing and surreal confrontation with the weird, as Harry discovers himself in danger from Joe and an attractive woman, neither of whom are absolutely themselves. As the story builds to its peak, Harry struggles with a terrifying situation that ends in a startling transformation, starring the truck, guiding to a haunting ending that concerns his own fate in the middle of this otherworldly chaos.