Ideas come and go, and their only real value is found in their execution. We here at the Calamity often find ourselves amidst grand ideas, and ideas of grander scope, yet we are bound by time and energy to commit only to those ideas we feel most strongly about. Recently, it was HOUSE. This week, however, we began outline and creating the scaffold for a new set of attractions—perhaps even a whole new section of our theme park! You can read about below in Under Construction.
Our vampires consider how to address a problem in A Vampire’s Vengeance. Solomon, who is already way in over his head, gets in deeper in HOUSE. A jelly-fish plays a strong supporting role in The Jelly-Fish. And things seem to take a turn for the bus driver and his passengers in Bus Driver.
Let’s get into it →
What do Resident Evil, Cthulhu, and demonology have in common? As I don’t expect you to know the answer to this one—though I would LOVE to hear your best guesses and considerations, so please share them by replying to this email—I shall tell you:
THE CONGLOMERATE
The Conglomerate, the Institute, the Complex, and the Foundation are in the planning stages, but we should begin to see their open development happen here, backstage, soon. The gist? We are bringing the Cthulhu mythos into the twenty-first century and drilling down into how humans really would approach such discoveries. Keep an eye out! There will be LOTS more SOON to come!
This week, we, along with our beloved vampires Isabelle and Edgar, are introduced to Marcello. Good guy? Bad Guy? Based on the last chapter, he may be up to no good, but it’s too early to tell.
How is our dear Solomon faring in his recent dreamwalk? His search for the stranger seems to have been a success. Or has it?
This edition, we present a strange story from the public domain. Is it terrifying? Perhaps, in retrospect, with a little empathy. It’s more curious than anything, though we hope you enjoy it nevertheless:
on sale now
An old woman risks everything to discover what became of her husband. A tale from the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique.
When last we rode with the bus driver, they had arrived at the Trading Outpost and were settling in for the night. You can catch up with Part XXI here. We can hope, much like the bus driver and his passengers, the night goes on without a hitch. Maybe some drama—there is alcohol involved, after all—but no zombies. Does it shake out that way? Let’s find out →
"We got booze for the night and painkillers for the morning," said Manuel. "Let's enjoy ourselves!"
Cheers sounded from all around. Manuel began pouring drinks while one of the residents and one of the passengers helped distribute them. They were clinking glasses when loud pounding was heard overhead, then on the stair, and a group of four broke into the basement room. One of the group broke off and sidled up next to Manuel, whispering something in his ear. Manuel faced the man and said in a low voice,
"Are you sure?"
It was said low, but still overheard by the bus driver. By this time, the room had fallen silent. The messenger nodded to Manuel, who gave a short nod in reply. The messenger returned to their group and the four withdrew from the room. Manuel addressed the room.
"My apologies, everyone. It appears my presence is needed elsewhere."
The residents began to rise with intent to follow. Manuel gestured they remain seated.
"Now no need to fret. This may be something, or it may be nothing at all. Let's not frighten our guests on their first night here." He turned to the bus driver and said, "I shouldn't be more than a few minutes, but if things get a little wild, you stick close to Ol' Grizzy there," and he lifted his eyes to 'Ol' Grizzy', a sharp-looking elderly woman seated in the corner, who gave the bus driver a wink. "Griselda's been through more tough scrapes than the rest of us. She'll get you sorted and make sure you're taken care of." He then addressed the room at large: "Now, if you'll excuse me ..."
And he was gone in a hurry without a backward glance.
Silence hung over the room for a few moments. The passengers were unsure what to do. The bus driver saw fear and concern painted over their faces, emotions he shared, but he lacked the words to comfort anyone. Much to his gratitude, Griselda spoke up, her voice thick with a heavy Spanish accent.
"We will be fine. You see." She held up her glass. "Now, let us drink to your journey and to those on watch keeping us safe."
The residents raised their drinks without a second thought, while the passengers and bus driver were slow on the uptake, their confidence lacking. Together, they clinked glasses with one another. Many of them emptied their glasses. Those who did not simply set their glasses down.
"I can't stomach the stuff," said one resident to one of the passengers when she noticed he didn't drink his.
"I just don't drink," he said.
"It's okay," she said. "Someone will drink it for you." With a wink, she turned and offered her drink to one of the residents sitting next to him, who took it and emptied the glass. She looked back at the passenger and shrugged, as if to say "see?"
The bus driver felt agitated. He looked to Griselda, but found the table at which she sat was filled. It appeared she guessed his intent from the way he glanced into her corner; she asked the residents at her table to make space, and one of them rose to bring a chair from a nearby empty table. Ol' Grizzy then gestured for the bus driver to come take a seat.
"Thank you," said the bus driver as he sat down.
"No problem," she said in return. "You're scared. It's normal."
One of the residents stood and walked to the bar. He withdrew another bottle, remarked to those closest to the bar to feel free to help themselves, then returned to the table. He poured another shot for those who asked for one before sitting down.
"It's going to be a long night," he said. He looked at the bus driver. "We might have another drink, but then we wait, just in case." He slid the bottle over to Griselda, who downed her drink and poured herself another.
She gestured to the bus driver to empty his glass. He acquiesced, and she refilled it.
"You drink, maybe drink yourself to sleep," she said. "If the fight comes to us, we will protect you, you see."
“If the fight comes to us …” So there IS trouble! Probably. Maybe. It seems the residents have an idea of what’s going on, but no one’s saying anything outright. Is this a boon for the bus driver and passengers? Or will this turn into some major dramatic moments before everyone dies? Only one way to find out! Come back next week!
What is Ceres going to do with Marcello? How about our bus driver and his passengers? And what about our dear dreamwalker, Solomon? Sure, the bus driver and co have zombies and mutants to deal with, but out of all of our protagonists so far, Solomon is in the most danger. He doesn’t know it yet, and neither do we to some extent, but the stranger keeps dropping hints as to his predicament, and he keeps letting them fall. I suppose all we can do is watch what happens.
We hope you’re enjoying experience here, backstage. We do, as always, look forward to hearing from you. If you have thoughts, ideas, and feedback to share, you can reply to this email or use any of the buttons below.
Thank you so much for visiting!
Cordially,
Mad Alex
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