A small-town newspaper columnist with old-fashioned views of the modern world. A World War II veteran grappling with his emotional and physical scars. A second-rate actor plunged into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket. Four friends traveling to the moon in a rocketship built in the backyard. These are just some of the stories that Tom Hanks captures in his first work of fiction: a collection of shorts that explore—with great affection, humor, and insight—the human condition in all its foibles. The stories are linked by one thing: in each of them, a typewriter plays a part, sometimes minor, sometimes central.

Three exhausting weeks -- Christmas Eve 1953 -- A junket in the city of light -- Our town today with Hank Fiset: An elephant in the pressroom -- Welcome to Mars -- A month on Green Street -- Alan Bean plus four -- Our town today with Hank Fiset: At loose in the Big Apple -- Who's who? -- A special weekend -- These are the meditations of my heart -- Our town today with Hank Fiset: Back from back in time -- The past is important to us -- Stay with us -- Go see Costas -- Our town today with Hank Fiset: Your Evangelista, Esperanza -- Steve Wong is perfect.