Table of Contents
Attractions in Development
We are charging along with The Groundskeeper! The night drags on and each twist and turn gets wilder and wilder. This is turning out to be a fun story to create and develop. Remember, this is being written one chapter at a time; you’re experiencing it as the first draft is being produced! Though a rough design exists for the completed attraction, we are rolling headlong together on this impromptu journey!
The relevancy here is that the staging for the upcoming attraction—A Vampire’s Vengeance—hinges on the completion of The Groundskeeper. We here at the Calamity are very excited to unveil Volume II of the Backstage Pass, and much of this week’s efforts have gone into its development and conceptual considerations. Part of this includes the allusion to pulp fiction in the title! But actual pulp fiction, from horror pulp magazines of yesteryear. We’ll be delivering classic horror tales straight to your inbox, baby! More details will be revealed as we draw closer to its unveiling. For now, the dust cover must remain over the attraction’s scaffolding.
As mentioned in last week’s edition, Unholy Requiem is in the hands of our esteemed Advance Readers. As they pour over and scrutinize every minute word choice and diligently search for plot holes, a concept for the physical book has been designed and the proof soon to go out for the perusal of those in the Advance Reader group. I cannot contain how excited I am to see this novel come to life. More details on this as Unholy Requiem approaches completion!
And now without further ado …
The Groundskeeper, Part XVI
First time tuning in? Start here.
When we last saw our protagonist, they were settling in to finally make that fucking sandwich. This week we finally see if they are, in fact, able to enjoy it. You can catch up with Part XV here. Just between you and I, I think they should have the opportunity to enjoy it, but who can say what happens? Story world is different than our world. Let’s see how things unfold.
I set to making this sandwich as quickly as possible, to avoid further interruption. Or at least minimize interruptions. I rummage around the cabinets in search of napkins and paper plates, juggling the bread and turkey in my arms in case the lights go out again. Part of the list returns to me as find these and some plastic utensils.
"Investigate flickering lamps."
I'm beginning to think the lights in the employee hall don't count.
I take a seat at the break room table and open the bag of bread. I pull out two slices and place them on the paper plate I retrieved. The lights go out as I begin peeling back the flimsy plastic lid on the turkey container. I gather everything, hugging all my ingredients and tools close as I continue to work the turkey open. The lights flicker and flutter as I get it open and layer a good amount of turkey on one of the bread slices. The lights steady themselves and I close the turkey container and the bread bag. I consider getting up to grab some condiments, but I'm afraid I'll be whisked away to the darkness. Not wanting to be separated from my sandwich, I eat it as is.
And let me tell you, it is the most delicious thing I've had all week. Wow, does a plain bread and turkey sandwich taste amazing when you've wandered the darkness in the employee halls, avoided being eaten by a zombie, and outrun some of the most insane and vile creatures in the green mist. This might possibly be the best sandwich I have ever had. Especially when I consider it may be my last.
I try not to let my mind wander in that direction, but it I can't help it. I've had a number of near-death experiences already. As I ponder this, as the lights flicker, as the zombie bumps into the door, I realize they really would have just hired anyone to do this job. They never asked me for references, past experience, nothing. I just walked in and they gave me the job. Now I know why.
Well, I'm not going down without a fight. I've been lost in other dimensions and have run for my life from the things out of my nightmares and I've survived to enjoy this sandwich. Maybe I'll survive long enough to get paid. Hell, if I make it through the night, I'm asking for a fucking raise.
I finish the sandwich, close the turkey container and the bread bag, the lights go out, and I gather everything in my arms. When the lights return, I get up and put everything away, I toss the paper plate and the napkin I used. The lights go out, I hear a low hissing, and I wait. The hissing starts moving in my direction, and I wait. My stomach grumbles in contentedness, there in the dark, with the low hissing getting even closer, and still I wait. The lights snap back on and I grab a plastic cup from above the water dispenser and fill it up. I drink the water and slip out of the employee hall behind the zombie.
Time to finally deal with our resident. Before I lead them back to their grave, I need to find a replacement for the lid of their coffin. I have no idea where to look for something like that, which means I'll have to explore the grounds. Maybe there's a shed somewhere with extra chipboard lids. I pick a direction to start and set off.
Will you look at that. They finally got to eat their sandwich! That’s so nice. Good for them. I’d say they earned it, but that would be really overselling a plain sliced turkey sandwich, now wouldn’t it? Management ought to offer them a whole pizza. Anyway! Our protagonist is moving right along and despite their harrowing misadventures it seems like they’re getting the hang of this Groundskeeper gig. Let’s just hope they don’t get too comfortable. Only one way to find out! Read Part XVII here.
Here’s a free Backstage Pass. Share it with a friend!
Are you enjoying the story so far? Please consider sharing this with someone you think will enjoy it as well! After all, things tend to be much more enjoyable when you can experience them with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and loved ones.
What’s Published and Where You Can Find It
Tales From the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique
The Proprietor—a timeless individual of many faces, few scruples, and a whole lot of character—runs the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique, dealing in artifacts containing peculiar traits. These are the tales of the Boutique’s patrons.
Calypso
Calypso is the reimagining of Immortality, the first story ever written in the Odds ‘n’ Endings universe, and the third to be published in it. Come and brave the journey with the narrator as they realize too late the cost for an otherwise interesting acquisition. Now available:
Showdown at Sunrise
A merchant finds himself in a bind when he manages to survive a duel. A chance encounter in an odd shoppe may just be the luck he needs. The question is, will this luck hold out?
A western with a little bit of magic and a whole lotta gumption.
Vegas Rift
A woman searches for her long lost husband. This is currently the most popular Mad Alex short story.
Other Stories
The Artist’s Spell cover
Final Encounter Cover
Final Encounter
A parent searches frantically for their daughter who has disappeared in their house.
Postscript
Thank you so very much for following along with me on this romp backstage at the Calamity. It really is so wonderful to share with you some of the concepts and ideas of the coming attractions and how this whole carnival is coming to life. Is there anything you have seen so far here that has piqued your interest above all else? If so, please reply to this email and tell me! I would dearly love to hear it. Also, if you are on the butterfly app, come follow me! You can find me on Bluesky here.
Acknowledgements
Overall design by L V N A C Y
“The Groundskeeper” background image by Chris Anderson on Unsplash