Before we dive into the extravaganza that is this week’s edition, I would first like to apologize for missing a link in last week’s edition. It would be a small detail if not for the emphasis placed on links to each attraction, thus it was a large detail, and for those of you looking forward to those guest attractions of classic horror, I recognize it must have been disappointing.
Yes, I recognize you are smart enough to have gone straight to the website, found the post on the front page, and go right to the content. This, however, does not excuse my oversight. As in all things, I am but one imperfect human running this entire operation and will occasionally make mistakes, but I do all that I can to ensure there are few, if any repeats, and will pursue what means I deem necessary to ensure all links are provided to the satisfaction of everyone following along.
So thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued patronage.
Now, what about this edition? We have vampires stalking extraterrestrial Beings in A Vampire’s Vengeance. We have a talking snake in a neon forest in House. We have an unknown and rather interesting stranger arrive at a hotel being shut down for the winter in The Mystery of the Last Guest. And of course, we provide the next installment of Bus Driver, where our man of the hour struggles with the wild tales he’s hearing.
Let’s get into it →
I do believe thinking about the work amounts to working on the work in creative spaces. Sometimes, you need to sit back and chew on what direction you want to take with the content in order to arrive at some interesting ideas about it, ideas worth pursuing. In this same regard, conversations about the work are as important, as they offer insights to the work you may not have considered.
This is what’s been happening this week, particularly around two pieces: Rise of the Warlock Queen, and Unholy Requiem. Rise of the Warlock Queen deals with some heavy themes of violation and vengeance, and while I did not touch the story with regard to direct editing, I have given it a lot of thought with regard to the violation. Namely, does the trespass warrant the reaction? I know this sounds rather vague, but it is the theme that resurfaces and I am at a loss as to how to resolve the question. This may require some discussion.
With regard to Unholy Requiem, I was prompted by a friend who has read the work and offered feedback on its current status, and what came out of it was a profound realization that there is something there in the narrative, something, perhaps, in the narrator, that lingers. This, of course, gave me immense motivation to finish the work; there really isn’t much left to do but implement the suggestions provided by the small group of readers who will have helped shape the outcome.
Other works in progress are those highlighted here, Backstage: A Vampire’s Vengeance, House, and Bus Driver. I expect House to see publication long before the others, though we shall see how things play out.
Edgar always seems so pragmatic. Why then, does it seem like maybe he’s got a screw loose when thinking of the Beings? Find out what happens with Isabelle and Edgar as they follow two Beings and a human in this week’s addition of A Vampire’s Vengeance:
Our resident dreamwalker, Mr. Solomon Garcia, has found himself in what appears to be a neon paradise, where he encounters a talking snake. Will this bode ill for him? Find out what happens in this week’s addition to House:
This week’s guest attraction comes from France! Jean Ray, writing as John Flanders, published this work in an anthology, and it made its way into the pulp fiction magazine Weird Tales in 1935. Hop on a ride about last guest of a hotel in the process of shutting down for the winter:
on sale now
A traveling merchant finds himself in quite the predicament when he manages to win a duel, leading him down a dark path. A tale from the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique.
Welcome to another installment of Bus Driver! In our last segment, the bus driver had listened to a resident finish her tale of terror, and was sitting with the terror growing within, only to learn of new terrors arising. You can catch up with Part XXX here. Will the terror be too much for the bus driver to manage? Let’s find out →
The bus driver was filled with apprehension. First monsters, now crazy people in Vegas. Rumors always arrived with travelers in the settlement, but because of how wild some of those rumors were--monsters in the desert, for example--few took them seriously. Now he was listening as the residents of the Trading Outpost corroborated the rumors about Vegas. The city was split three ways and controlled by three groups, each fighting for control of the whole thing.
Why were the three groups fighting for control of the city? This was a question far beyond the bus driver's concerns. He didn't care why; he only cared about how much trouble might arise as he approached the city. In Victorville, the people helped him get through; he imagined in Vegas it would be the opposite: they wouldn't let him arrive.
As if reading his mind, Griselda slammed down a near-full glass in front of him, snapping him out of his reverie.
"No time to worry," she said, "or else you always worry."
One of the residents sitting to his right clamped a hand on his shoulder.
"That's right. It's all monsters and crazy people, and if you can't stop fretting over that, you'll never stop." The bus driver turned to look at him and found the man staring right down into his soul. "We got one life to live and we spend it with both middle fingers up: one for the monsters, the other for the crazy people."
For a moment, the bus driver felt like he could get behind those words, but when the man broke eye contact and turned to join another conversation, all of his trepidation returned. He looked at his drink and pushed it away. Griselda's story has turned him cold sober; any more drinking would be a waste.
He was about to ask about sleeping arrangements when a large boom was heard from outside. He froze, along with everyone else in the dining room. Another boom was heard and the pitter-patter sounds of distant fire arose. A few residents began to rise.
"Sounds like trouble," said one.
"Shit, time to do some wreckin'," said another.
"SIT DOWN," roared Griselda.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.
"You know the rules. It is our time off. It is by those rules we take this time. Do you expect your friends to be next to you when it is their time off? No, you are on watch and you fight so they rest. Sit down."
Those who had already stood up hesitated. Those in the process of standing plopped back down into their seats.
"Is good rule," said Griselda. "We cannot fight all the time."
“Is good rule,” says Griselda, and it’s a wonder that it needs to be stated at all, especially for a people who are probably accustomed to these kinds of incursions. But, as it happens, it needs to said anyway. Still, we are more than a little bit curious as to what’s going on outside, aren’t we? There’s only one way to find out! Come back next week!
Always an interesting journey to crawl through with these vampires, dreamwalkers, and bus drivers, is it not? Lots of action in some cases, lots of strange in others, and lots of lore elsewhere. Do you ever wonder what their worlds must be like to live in, to survive in? If you do, I would love to hear about it! You can reply to this email, leave a comment on this post on the website, or use any of the survey links below.
In any case, I do hope you enjoyed your excursion through our Backstage attractions! Come back next week, we’ll have more for your displeasure.
Cordially,
Mad Alex
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