Summary of What Mario Scietto Says: A Tor.Com Original (Monument 14 Series), by Emmy Laybourne

Dive into the chaotic humor of 'What Mario Scietto Says' as Emmy Laybourne explores teenage survival and absurdity in a dystopian setting.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

What Mario Scietto Says: A Tor.Com Original (Monument 14 Series), written by Emmy Laybourne

Welcome to the trendy dystopian nightmare of What Mario Scietto Says! If you've ever wondered what happens when a school goes into lockdown against the backdrop of a national catastrophe, Emmy Laybourne is here to reveal all the secrets and snarky commentary in this 32-page nugget of chaotic fun.

The story unfolds in the Monument 14 universe, where a group of teenagers finds themselves trying to survive in a shopping mall while the world outside has gone completely bananas. Cue the post-apocalyptic cheese! Our writer in focus, Mario Scietto, delivers an unexpected twist in this installment, where he basically becomes the voice of reason-or is it just chaos wrapped in sarcasm?

In this splendidly absurd short story, Mario takes us through the raucous and sometimes ridiculous survival strategies of his classmates. Think about it: school might be hell, but waiting out an apocalypse in a mall, surrounded by snack food and fashion disasters? Now that's a scenario ripe for snarky tweets. Mario's musings reveal the absurdity of teenage life mixed with the horror of, you know, actual horror, as they navigate challenges like food shortages, emotional breakdowns, and bizarre friendships that can only be forged when you're stuck with a bunch of teenagers in a crisis.

There's a lot of character dynamics going on, so you get all the melodrama you crave. You've got the classic jocks, the nerds, and those who-and this is a shock-actually know how to have fun during an impending doom. Spoiler alert: it's not until the end that readers realize that Mario's observations aren't just snappy one-liners; they're actually a commentary on growing up in a world that feels increasingly chaotic-as if real life didn't already feel like a never-ending dystopian novel!

In the usual fashion of Laybourne's writing, expect chaotic energy, dark humor, and a pinch of existential dread as Mario navigates through both internal and external wilderness. There are moments where he hilariously addresses the wildly impractical aspects of teenage crushes while grappling with the weight of survival. So, if you thought your school drama was intense, wait until you see this-your prom won't hold a candle to dodging doom!

In conclusion, What Mario Scietto Says is a delightful, bite-sized journey into adolescence blended hilariously with a world gone awry. If you're keen on surviving teenage drama with a side of humor and existential pondering, then grab this short story and dive into the madness! Just remember, while the apocalypse may be terrifying, at least you can count on a good laugh along the way.

Author's photo - Maddie Page
Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.

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➡️ What Mario Scietto Says: A Tor.Com Original (Monument 14 Series)

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