The floating book shop was rained out today. Here's an excerpt from a short story, Strain, available in the A Hitch in Twilight collection, print or Kindle, link below. My guess -- five-minute read. "Have a little sympathy..."
Seated at his desk, legs propped up, eyes closed, he listened intently, head bobbing rapturously to the dulcet tones of a soprano. He frowned as he heard the door creak. "Ssssh!" he said, raising a hand, then waving it as gracefully as a conductor.
His assistant, a horribly disfigured woman, stopped in her tracks, breath bated, folder pressed tightly to her lone breast.
"She brings such beauty to them. What a waste. None of the pathetic wretches deserves it." He opened his eyes and snapped his fingers, and the music ceased. The sound of mourning was now prevalent in the
background. "A voice like that - and she didn't even have to sell her soul. I want a complete file on her. She must be corrupted, if she hasn't been already. I want her here."
"I'm glad to see you happy, Master," said the woman humbly.
"Why wouldn't I be?" he said, a trace of resentment in his tone.
"Here are the reports."
"You're looking lovely today, Puta. I'd say you were an angel if I didn't know better."
She was stung by the sarcasm. She turned and paused.
"What is it?" said the Master, irked. "Let me guess - the lawyers are demanding a hearing. Ignore them. That's the point. They'll never have that opportunity again."
"No, Master," she said timidly, avoiding his gaze.
"The politicians? Let them compromise each other for eternity, as they deserve."
Puta lowered her head.
"What?" said the Master impatiently.
"I don't know. Maybe it's nothing."
"No doubt it is."
She sought his fiery eyes. "Lately I've been hearing some of the guests...."
"Guests? This isn't the Hotel California." He paused, eyes afire. "I want a file on them too."
She looked away and blurted: "They're happy here."
He stood motionless, absorbing the comment. "Nonsense. The only one happy here is me."
Her look evolved to one of compassion. "Are you happy, Master?"
His face became even more severe. "Are you analyzing me again?"
She coiled, afraid. "I love you."
He tittered. "That is so you, Puta. Damnation imitates life. You will love me in vain as you did the losers you let defile you."
She bowed her head sorrowfully.
"I'll be out in a minute," he said.
"Go in disguise. They wouldn't dare let you know they're happy."
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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