I haven't had a session of the floating book shop go as smooth as today's in a while. As soon as I rolled up to Bay Parkway an SUV left the last spot on 84th Street, so I had the shortest haul possible. As I was setting up, a young Asian woman who is trying to improve her English asked for an easy read. She overpaid for two romances and a Harry Potter. Every customer bought in bulk, including Jack of Chase Bank, an MTA guy who loves intellectual non-fiction, and Ol' Carmine, who took James Patterson's Violets Are Blue and Exchanges, the fourth of my books he has purchased. He was thrilled when I gave him the Ultimate Sinatra CD. The results of the last three sessions have bolstered my spirits considerably. Thanks, folks.
Here’s an excerpt from All Hallows, my horror screenplay, available at Amazon for a buck, link below. In it, five nuts escape an asylum and terrorize a small town. I actually made changes to this segment, which I won’t bother doing to the version that is for sale, as it would be a pain in the butt. This shows how a work is never finished and may be improved even after umpteen drafts. Throughout the story, there are references to all kinds of entertainment, not just in genre. In a way it’s a tribute to all popular works that have come before it. Previously, the names on the gravestones were S. King and P. Straub. It just occurred to me to use Steven instead of Stephen and Pierre instead of Peter to honor these masters of horror. And the last line of the excerpt is shouted by Ozzy Osbourne in the song Black Sabbath from the band’s first album. It will be less than a two-minute read.
Part 37: The cemetery. Michael, running away, scales and vaults over a fence. He sprints down the road, looking over his shoulder, and runs into the Clown, who is walking Schottsie. They fall to the ground. Momentarily dazed, they sit up at the same time and stare at each other.
Clown: You been drinkin', son? That's the road to ruin, ya know.
Schottsie is gazing at them.
Michael: There's a...
Barking is heard. The Clown scrambles to his knees. Schottsie freezes. Her nemesis is approaching. She spots him and flees, leash trailing her. The Clown fumbles for his shotgun and fires at the streaking mutt. Michael panics and runs away. The Clown rises and follows the dogs.
Clown: I'm comin', honey. Hold on.
On the cemetery grounds, Gloria has been unable to find a way out. The Grim Reaper stalks her. She goes from grave to grave, hiding behind markers: "Lawrence Talbot," "Steven King," "Pierre Straub."
Bundy:
It's no use, my dear. You can't strike your name from the ledger. No one can, unless, of course, you can beat me at chess.
He laughs. Gloria springs past him and is in the clear when her toe catches a root and she stumbles to the grave of " Henry Hyde." Knee twisted, she is unable to run. She limps along.
Soon, the shadow of the Grim Reaper has overtaken her. She falls, weeping. Resting on her elbows, looking up, trying to back away, she begs for her life. Bundy, smiling mercilessly, reaches beneath his tunic, kneels before her, and raises the knife.
Gloria:
Oh, no, no, please, God help me.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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