Part 1 of 1
Read the full text, as well as the show notes, at http://flashpulp.com
Tonight, Coffin encounters something unusual amongst Dorset’s occult patrons.
The Skinner Co. Network
188 - Coffin: The Appearance, Part 1 of 1
[Music] Welcome to FlashPulp episode 188. Tonight, we present "Coffin," "Reappearance," part one of one. [Music] This week's episodes are brought to you by Absolution. They say it's free, but what will the real price be? Find out more at http/www.scrivenerscircle.com. [Music] [Music] FlashPulp is an experiment in broadcasting fresh pulp stories in the modern age. Three to ten minutes of fiction brought to you Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Tonight, "Coffin" encounters something unusual amongst Dorsett's occult patrons. "Coffin," "The Appearance," part one of one, written by J.R.D. Skinner, art and narration by Opoponax, and audio produced by Jessica Met. [Music] It was Saturday night, and Will, with his roommate on hand for company, was sitting in a corner booth at Dorsett's. Bunny was vigorously moving a glass of vodka and coke from the tabletop to her mouth. "So, I can't have X-ray vision then?" she replied between gulps. "Well," said Coffin, "I'm not saying it's an impossibility. I'm saying you might not like what you find." A few years ago, I met a big-time nature lover, Rich Whittower. He'd traveled the world looking for someone who could grant him his deepest wish. He wanted to do little, you know, the ability to speak with animals. "Oh, hell yeah," answered Bunny. "That's what I'm talking about! I doubt me a pooch I can order to get beer out of the fridge? Maybe a budgie that can fly ahead and let me know if there's a line up at the pitatorium? I'd be all, "Who's a good boy?" and they'd be all, "Me!" And I can't even tell him to clean up their own shit. Listen, because you can communicate with someone doesn't mean you can convince them to do anything. The guy knew got his way eventually, and within 12 months, he despised wildlife. Pets too. He said engaging them was like trying to have a conversation with a brain damaged toddler in need of massive doses of Ritalin. As he spoke, Will noted the glass entrance, swinging open. I saw him rush a Siamese cat once. I guess do little had spent the better part of his morning having to listen to the feline declare it's lust to the neighborhood. Poor horny pussy, replied Bunny with a smirk. To be fair, he was also that impatient with people. Probably why he anchored for the company of beasts, though he didn't realize it was the mystery of the lack of understanding that he loved. Will had dropped his tone as he completed his story. Just inside the doorway, a tall blonde scratched at his unshaven stubble as he took in his surroundings. After a moment's consideration of the outlying booths and the round tables at the center of the space, the newcomer approached the bar. At the sight of the man, the three steves, who'd been sipping at their cores while chatting up the establishment's owner, pulled their caps down low and spread out. One headed towards the washroom, another chose a distant seat, and the third readjusted his focus to the cable news channel playing endlessly to the left of the liquor shelves, which stood behind the long run of oak. "What you got on tap?" asked the strangers he settled on the stool. "Yeah, yeah, in a minute," replied Dorset, whose eyes were fixed intently on the television. The murmuring box was unwinding a commercial for chicken McNuggets. Five minutes later, the patrons' second call for service finally pulled the bartender's attention to his job, pointing at the remaining steve spear, a blonde asked for a helping of the same. The Englishman selected an ill-kept mug and pulled a draft from the taps, which seemed mostly foam. Worse still, the ale further suffered when, in placing it before the customer, an apparent accidental tweak of the wrist sent a portion of the lager onto the purchaser's jeans. Without apology, Dorset returned his focus to the silver-haired news anchor. Bunny noted that the smattering of regulars around the room had fallen silent, and that all were intent on sipping at their beverages with downturned faces. "Well, it doesn't appear very welcome," she said to Coffin, her voice a whisper. "Nope," he replied. "If he's some sort of mega-death kitty-chewing demon-mother fucker, aren't you supposed to be this dive's bouncer?" she asked. Will leaned forward. "He's not a demon, and he hasn't caused any trouble. Yet." A scrawny, twitching man burst into the quiet from outside. The visitor, who Bunny thought of as the Insomniac, gave Coffin a wave, then headed towards the proprietor to place an order, which was quickly filled. "Can I get a second?" asked the damp-panted tippler. "Yeah, yeah, in a minute," replied the server. With Ray's brows, the rebuked turned on the recent arrival, and they briefly locked Gaze's. "Stare at something fucking else," said the spastic drinker. His pupil shivered with his decades of sleeplessness, and condition often confused by local law enforcement with a raging methamphetamine addiction. Abandoning the drugs of his mug, the insulted and thirsty man stood. Stump his bowls, he muttered, slamming down a $5 bill and not bothering to wait for change. As the latch clicked shut, there were multiple audible exhalations across the tavern. The par keep tossed Will to smile. "Geez, you totally gotta tell me that guy's story. Was he like, angry, drunken Thor or something?" asked Bunny. "Reincarnation to Jack the Ripper? A goddamn interdimensional, tentacle pervert Nazi experiment?" Coffin cleared his throat. "Who knows? Some civilian. Just a schmuck off the street who's better off being along his way," he said. [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. [Music]