New Model
Frank glanced at his monitor and pulled over into the exit lane near B24. “The thing you’ve got to remember, Barry, is that it’s just a job. Don’t let it get to you.” Barry swiveled around in his seat and stole another long look at the Kim. She was unnerving, even with her eyes closed […]
The Negotiation
The dark mahogany boardroom table reflected sharp-edged inverted facsimiles of the two individuals who sat opposite each other. The flat dark lake faithfully mirrored the opponents while leaving an inky gulf between them. The woman sat composed but rigid. The black hair smoothed to her head and bound in a chignon also reflected the streaks […]
Souvenir
By the time we got in from LAX, I had to dump my luggage in the room and get back in the van to go to sound check. Being a minor alternative band of minor, alternative fame, I was used to having to share rooms, but the promoter for the LA gig had gone all […]
Grown-up Games
“Did you manage to find some?” Bettina called. She didn’t look backwards upon hearing the door close. She was busy pouring hot water from the kettle into the teapot.
“A baker’s dozen of them. They’re still warm.”
Giggling, she turned then, and watched as Mr. Stephens undid the string bow on the bakery box.
“I love hot cross buns.”
The Night I Was Mel Torme
“I wish I were a man.†I stood in front of Stan’s full-length mirror, on the mezzanine that doubled as his boudoir, holding a Marie Antoinette dress to my chest. “Men get to wear loose stuff, comfortable shoes. The worst they have to suffer with is a tie.†I was booked to do a Halloween […]
Succession
Hirogato pulled the double doors closed gently and turned towards the waiting group. All men, all in suits, they stood stiffly and formally around the quietly decorated anteroom. None of them had ever really known her. None understood her the way that he had. One – one had been the cause of her demise and […]
The Spy Who Loved His Wife
James de Walden settled comfortably into the oxblood leather wingchair and crossed his gangly legs. He gave the other man what he hoped was a helpful, expectant look. It had been so long since he’d actually come to a ‘meet’ himself, he’d decided not to pass it on to a junior officer just to assure […]
Mister Charles & the Gold Digger
So he was seventy… so fucking what? It’s not like he was a broken down, unable to move, seventy; he took long, easy strides that forced her to skip to keep up with him. He didn’t smell like he was seventy; he always smelled like he had just shaved with sandalwood soap and its scent […]
The Winter Kimono
By the time Margot reached the Ryokan, it was snowing. The lobby was a bubbling riot of Japanese in the process of checking out. She strode past them down the corridor to her room. “Mrs. Stevens!” a little voice squeaked behind her. One of the female staff came sweeping down the hallway. She was carrying […]
Questions & Answers
“My head hurts,†whined Aryeh miserably, tugging his carefully ringletted side locks straight and furrowing his pale brow. Gold candlelight turned his clear, bright face into metallic planes and shadows.