Some weeks, filling this section out is a bit of a challenge, because how do we promote excitement and enthusiasm in what follows when the content doesn’t change that much from one edition to the next? If you follow this publication closely, then you know what to reasonably expect from one edition to the next, so bringing in some hype from the top is a little bonus. If you don’t follow closely and often spend time catching up, the experience isn’t that much different, as you consume one edition to the next, back to back. But what happens when, aside from the new chapters being published for our ongoing serials, there is little if anything to update with regard to the rest of the Carnival?
The short answer is “I don’t know.” I’m always very excited about sharing updates for attractions, but lack that same enthusiasm in writing the editorials, because this is, in a word, challenging.
You may ask, “Ah, but Mad Alex, are you not a writer? Should not the words flow with ease when you summon them forth?” to which I respond with “Nay, the words rarely ever obey my summons.” The simple truth is that even when I have a clear idea of what to write, I must pry the right words from their resting place; the words do not often come of their own accord. This is the reality in the process of writing as I have come to experience it, which is as relevant to the half-built attractions you wander among as the scaffolding itself.
But enough of this. You have come to enjoy the fruits of our development! So let us showcase what we have in store for you in this edition: Isabelle and Edgar remain in the dilapidated urban landscape, and we are provided clues as to what has transpired in this edition’s installment of A Vampire’s Vengeance. Our dear Mr. Solomon Garcia finds himself charging headlong into the dream he’s bound within in House. We present a terrible story of brutality and indifference in our classic horror column, with The Mystery of Black Jean. And of course, no Backstage Pass Vol II edition is complete without an update from Bus Driver.
Let’s get into it →
The holidays make consistency rather difficult, as routines are torn to shreds amidst all the chaos. That being said, we did still find time to progress through Groundskeeper, completing the editing in another chapter and beginning the editing on the following one. Slow and steady she goes, with the hope that we will see the opening of this attraction in the early parts of the new year. Please keep your fingers crossed, as we would like to delay Groundkeeper’s launch as little as possible.
As mentioned in the Editorial, Isabelle and Edgar are out and about, and this time, they run into a bit trouble:
Mr. Solomon Garcia might be in over his head, but he doesn’t know it yet. Maybe the mysterious figure he meets can help him sort himself out before the presence in the house consumes him:
There’s no cunning. No spirits. No cosmic horror. No monsters from the abyss. This week, the only monsters are the humans themselves:
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A patron falls prey to the whimsical magic of a touring artist. Currently only available on Apple Books.
When we last spent time on the bus, the bus driver and new found friends were patching up a flat tire and we were back on the bus and back en route to the first stop when the threat of another swarm was raised. You can catch up with Part XVI here. Will the bus driver be able to pull the bus away from the incoming danger? Or will they become overwhelmed by this new wave of infected? Let’s find out →
The bus driver leapt to the driver's cage and shut the main bus door. He peered into the monitor of the passenger cabin, then realized the cabin remained insecure.
"Shit."
He clambered out of his seat, grabbed the titanium and steel door to the cabin and was about to slam it shut when he paused.
"Do we have everyone?"
Everyone just nodded silently.
"Good." The bus driver slammed the door shut and locked it, then threw himself back into his seat and fired up the bus, closing the door to his cage and locking himself inside. He leaned back and took a deep breath, then picked up the intercom mic.
"Let's get gunners up top. Let's try not to attract attention. That is to say, don't start firing right away, but be ready. And let's hope for a clean getaway."
The bus pulled away from the shoulder. As he guided the bus back toward the innermost lane, he noticed all of the vehicles on both sides of the highway retreating back to the city. The light from the setting sun had faded long ago, and though a deep darkness was spread over the desert, the bus driver could easily make out figures rushing toward the area they were leaving behind. He hoped Anne and Salamander and all their people made it to safety. And though he hoped to avoid any confrontations as they continued their journey north, he feared their miles of uneventful highway would be few and far between.
The bus driver shook his head; he needed to release his desire for peace and ease on this trip. He needed to accept the harsh reality of life outside the comfort of the compound; of life amongst the monsters that dwelt on the outskirts of civilization. It was one thing to accept that he was out on the road; but even then, he had carried the illusion of complete safety within the bounds of the bus. He could not allow himself to continue to believe he would find safety and security from one stop to the next, that the mobile fortress he drove would provide safety en route.
Once in the innermost lane on the highway, he pressed the gas and brought the bus up to a speed he felt was safe. Though they rode on a full-size spare, he didn't want to push it; the prospect of being stranded out in the open, in the dark, terrified him far more than attempting to coast in the midst of a growing swarm of infected. He kept the headlights off and utilized the ambient light from the moon and the stars to guide the bus on the highway. Explosions erupted far behind the bus, providing ample visibility for brief periods. In these intermittent moments, the bus driver was relieved to find the infected were being drawn toward the explosions and away from the bus. Despite his admonition to himself to let go of safety and security, the bus driver hoped to soon leave the infected behind.
I think it’s safe to assume they made it out alive, but we don’t know for sure, do we? There’s only one way to find out! Come back next week!
You know what really makes this edition exciting? The building drama in both A Vampire’s Vengeance and House. Bus Driver has pulled away from some serious drama, though we know not if serious drama lies in wait, ahead on the highway; I suppose we shall find out soon enough though! Anywho, we hope you are enjoying the show! As always, we look forward to hearing from you. Please reply to this email, or use any of the links below to share your thoughts with us.
Until next time,
Mad Alex
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