Part 2 of 2
Read the full text, as well as the show notes, at http://flashpulp.com
Tonight, Thomas Blackhall, master frontiersman and student of the occult, puts an end to a long run of odd circumstances.
The Skinner Co. Network
FP229 - The Draw: a Blackhall Tale, Part 2 of 2
(triumphant music) - Welcome to FlashPulp, episode 229. This evening we present The Draw, a black haul tale, part two of two. This week's episodes are brought to you by the NuttyBites podcast. Wake up, go to work, work, come home, eat dinner, rot your brain out, go to bed, lather, rinse, repeat. Are you tired of an old home drum life? Tired of things that just weigh you down and depress you? Aren't you rather just focused on things that are awesome? Tune into NuttyBites, find out what's awesome, NuttyBites. nimlas.org/blog. FlashPulp is an experiment in broadcasting fresh pulp stories in the modern age. Three to 10 minutes of fiction, brought to you Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Tonight, Thomas Blackhall, master from tears men and student at the occult, puts an end to a long run of odd circumstances. The Draw, a black haul tale, part two of two. Written by J.R.D. Skinner, art and narration by Pope Nax, and audio produced by Jessica May. "I need to freshen my cup," said Thomas Blackhall, "and a stretch of my legs might change my fortune. "Don't dally," replied Anders Flax. "I'll have left by morning "and you'll lose your chance to squander your earnings." It wasn't a large barroom, but the frontiersmen made the most of his journey. First, he moved to the stonework mantle and stole warmth from the fire. Then he sat for a time with the increasingly inebriated gathering of Anders' former challengers. After letting the eldest, a man named King, complete a fishing tail regarding a bass that had apparently pulled him along an endless river for several days before allowing itself to be caught and eaten, Tom's exchanged words with William, the barkeep. Finally, he returned to his opponent, passing across a fresh ale to match his own. "Perhaps a little drink will dull your skills," Blackhall said. He wore a tight smile. "I've been victorious from behind mountains of gin bottles, "but I appreciate the gesture," replied Flax. Thomas nodded and raised his beverage to his lips. Then took up the cards as Anders pulled heavy from his hops. As he dealt, Blackhall discussed constraint. I might suggest moderation, sir, as spirits are often the road to ruin. In fact, my very journey to this place was set off by a priest of the name Collins. Well, I suppose it goes further back than that. The hamlet of Moncliff had taken a collection, largely encouraged by the father, to build a vessel to ply the Great Lake. As Thomas spoke, Flax raised his brow, but kept his peace. The moneyed gentleman who'd settled the area and was landlord to most of its inhabitants had found the work beyond him. He'd absconded and the district was left to sour under the mismanagement from afar. The people of the community held several meetings and the decision was made that what little they could pool would be invested in a ferry, with the proceeds reaped by all. So long as the influx of trade from the south continues, such a venture can pay well in short order. Collins had only the best interests of his parishioners at heart when he championed the cause. Anders held high a pair of fingers in a bid to exchange his cards, but with a quick examination of his hand, Blackhall shook it off. Before continuing his story, Thomas had taken three of the five tricks. The fund was to be transported to the shipwright by the father himself. Collins had argued hard against carrying such an earthly load for his flock knew nothing of his nature, knew nothing of the lust for dicing, which had been the impetus for his entry into the priesthood. Flax set down his shuffled deck and retrieved his stein. I thought you said it was drink that led to self-destruction, he said. All axles need grease, Thomas replied. Father Collins imparted the tail to me through his sobs, several pints after he'd lost his trust. The clergymen had done well upon the road, but temptation is a slight thing when journeying amongst the pints and quite another in town. Worse, he'd taken to easing his anxiety with wine, and by the time he'd reached society, he'd convinced himself that it would be best, a boon even, if he were to turn his penchant for risk to obtain a quick profit for his beleaguered assembly. It was a lucky scoundrel who met such a proposition lurching into the bucking pony. The game drew quite a few eyes, and when one rascal took an impossible series of throws and won the full pot out from beneath the crowd, tension flared. Who could have anticipated the arrival of Doc Schofield, the temperance man, and a cluster of matrons intent on singing away their sins? In shame, Father Collins was the first to bolt. He was soon followed by the rest. A miscreant simply slipped away in the chaos. Do you mean to take the sum back by force then? As flax, his left hand moved to his money pouch, while his right hand dipped beneath the tabletop. Thomas raised high his brow. I make no claims to its justice, but I'll not murder you for the funds, no. Nor the deaths of the Fulton's. Nor the dozens of broken and betrayed behind you. And quit your babble and present your points. Blackhall paused to consider his cards. They began the process of their play. When all had been counted, Anders found himself defeated a second time. "Let us double the odds," he said. "I always win it back in the end, anyhow," Thomas nodded his assent. "Most take your talk of being the seventh son of a seventh son of a scampler's patter," he said, as he laid out his bed. "But I know better. Despite your inescapable good fortune, however, you only seek to misuse your endowment. Your luck has always come at price, at the expense of those around you. There are plenty of harlots both here and at home who squeal odes to my luck," replied Flax. The man spoke through a stiff jaw, and Blackhall judged it a fair moment to hold his own tongue. Instead, they both settled into silence. They moved cards and money about the table for some time. As Anders perched rivalled, so did his mood. "Blast you and your bloody tricks," he muttered. "But I always win it back. Just a moment while I see if these fellows can spare some coin. Just one, two more hands." He rose to approach the pair who'd yet to succumb to the lullaby of drink, but Thomas stopped him short. "Wast no effort," he said. "I'm a man who can only afford to make his own fortune. I knew how to void your charms. Your tastes for spirits hid the concoction which I'd fostered upon the road. To most it would be a curse, as if the universe had dained to foil the victim at every turn, but to one with fortune to spare, such as yourself, it will only act to level your advantage. I suspect you'll find the world cruel in the same manner that a beast raised in captivity finds it difficult to navigate the wild once released from the pampering hands of its human benefactors. Just know, as you lay in the gutter cursing me, that I had no interest in killing a man in cold blood. With that Thomas collected his hat and the shipwright's fee instead. He moved to the sleepy-eyed proprietor and invested a small portion of the funds against the debts owed by the defeated inebriots, then departed. As he stepped from the establishment's veranda, an odd howling chased black hole through the door. It was a staggering, high-pitched squeal. For the first time in his life, Anders Flax was crying. (dramatic music) (dramatic music) - FlashPulp is presented by flashpulp.com and is released under the Canadian Creative Commons attribution non-commercial 2.5 license. Text and audio commentaries can be sent to skinner@skinner.fm or the voicemail line at 206-338-2792. But be aware that they may appear in a future flashcast. We'd also like to thank the Freesound Project, found at freesound.org. For a full listing of effects used during the show, as well as credits for the users who provided them, please check this episode's notes at flashpulp.com. And thanks to you for listening. If you enjoyed the show, please tell your friends. (dramatic music) ♪ One day it blew me in my hour ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm number left ♪ ♪ Here is the shadows I live with our number left ♪ (dramatic music) (upbeat music)