tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82555140826042828542023-11-16T04:01:03.337-08:00I Lost the Plot a Few Miles Backthedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-87507506355716525492021-08-25T14:45:00.000-07:002021-08-25T14:45:06.529-07:00"New Krypto Kicks NFT Trading Cards!" by Richard F. Yates<p> Introducing the most exciting new collectible of the CENTURY! From the idiosyncratic mind behind "Crypto Primitive Trading Cards" comes a new series of 13 HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE, blockchain minted, NFT trading cards based on the Holy Fool's most foolish outsider works o' art! Each card will be released in an edition of 13 with 13 total cards per series, all for only ONE TEZ EACH! (Is he MAD? That remains a serious question for the scholars to consider!) Regardless, get your mits on one of these oddball classics QUICKLY before they're ALL GONE! And, of course, do forget to COLLECT THEM ALL! (Impress your friends, confuse your enemies, and help with that "INSANITY DEFENSE" when it all goes to trial! It's an all around win for everyone!!!)</p><p><br /></p><p>NEW KRYPTO KICKS - Series 01, #01</p><p>"I'm Back"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD04qSvSEf9V6XfxVxdecq_qk6WmsLCsonb-qBei2NHoCP63nJKNsO3H1lrdP77rViM28tzCjkUL9oPAbppKV-DP9-NPFGcQZ1JFdXSQ-2png162cyJy2qQ-7nxH-TAZL67gEyI30kO0A/s1650/new+krypto+kicks+-+001+-+im+back+%2528final+vers.%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD04qSvSEf9V6XfxVxdecq_qk6WmsLCsonb-qBei2NHoCP63nJKNsO3H1lrdP77rViM28tzCjkUL9oPAbppKV-DP9-NPFGcQZ1JFdXSQ-2png162cyJy2qQ-7nxH-TAZL67gEyI30kO0A/s320/new+krypto+kicks+-+001+-+im+back+%2528final+vers.%2529.png" width="247" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/objkt/227842">https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/objkt/227842</a></p><p><br /></p><p>As of 2:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, 3 of the 13 cards for NKK #1 have already sold! Time is running out!!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for stopping by!!!</p><p><br /></p><p>---Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)</p>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-43032275945113121582021-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:002021-08-20T10:28:23.477-07:00“On Exhibition!!! (In Real Life)” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p>Howdy Humans (and other Entities)! Here’s a silly thing that
I made. I’m still experimenting with how I might combine physical media, text,
drawing, and digital manipulation into a single piece of work. This was yesterday’s
experiment. (It’s not meant to be a “FINISHED MASTERPIECE,” only a “can this
work?”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlCQjJS1T0bzmEM33zRXy-3pp7ZQsSr5_8d7X1IuR3G7cY9CaOfGmbpIedeLdymnaePWeCp8vPp6Uc8ob5VLiZPfm4QO7w8iMFcWR2jsvVSVLcgdqHdBVwAun92_5v9g0WiYcQWc5MzwF/s1356/training+is+over.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlCQjJS1T0bzmEM33zRXy-3pp7ZQsSr5_8d7X1IuR3G7cY9CaOfGmbpIedeLdymnaePWeCp8vPp6Uc8ob5VLiZPfm4QO7w8iMFcWR2jsvVSVLcgdqHdBVwAun92_5v9g0WiYcQWc5MzwF/s320/training+is+over.png" width="255" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">[Felt pen, paint pen, liner pen, Sharpie, and Hi-Liter pen
on “aged” paper with typing, digital manipulation, and some color additions.]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of IN REAL LIFE arts, if you are in the Pacific
Northwest (in the United States), you currently have the opportunity to see
some of my physical paintings out in the WILD! There are 23 works of mine on
display in the Writing Center at Washington State University @ Vancouver, in
Vancouver, WA, RIGHT NOW, and these paintings will be up until the end of the
fall semester! (Early to mid-December 2021.)<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VNxnXk4yILx94Ega-WowMUGEx9yClZvhKUZZY0y1cbJ4w1faCbUSR4SXpAGHfmjEnpDOSIGx14MuFDy7VO8viiz8zYv7ympTnrCvoOtoPY1bjbKgQtKexXZQSMy4bZiwQZoHRIZlMtwl/s2931/on+exhibit+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="2931" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VNxnXk4yILx94Ega-WowMUGEx9yClZvhKUZZY0y1cbJ4w1faCbUSR4SXpAGHfmjEnpDOSIGx14MuFDy7VO8viiz8zYv7ympTnrCvoOtoPY1bjbKgQtKexXZQSMy4bZiwQZoHRIZlMtwl/s320/on+exhibit+-+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ6HcJWKWcEeqdAs6gpdsoVIhCw8A4-Mn6QlRKrpyCwAt10ZG0dKB7kLe6I2tUilEtuB_MWOgtx00YSQd6I4kwhK5f2LLv0QhJ7BbJF-7KxasRuLkOENVys1l_H8TaqbJgQ6ovMaocRde/s2048/on+exhibit+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="2048" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ6HcJWKWcEeqdAs6gpdsoVIhCw8A4-Mn6QlRKrpyCwAt10ZG0dKB7kLe6I2tUilEtuB_MWOgtx00YSQd6I4kwhK5f2LLv0QhJ7BbJF-7KxasRuLkOENVys1l_H8TaqbJgQ6ovMaocRde/s320/on+exhibit+-+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUshIX_auenCtNSY5_sD2l5p9VbMrUG3Pt6y6iOYnz1D61ZDQoIeQvpXI6MlR5Psl3udkfXvk4EwgABpboDopuXw2G5lcwlv0mn-WJGeNBeBLsVx3qdJpMFtAUtcGc4h2ZFZcw8EujCXxL/s2048/on+exhibit+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="2048" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUshIX_auenCtNSY5_sD2l5p9VbMrUG3Pt6y6iOYnz1D61ZDQoIeQvpXI6MlR5Psl3udkfXvk4EwgABpboDopuXw2G5lcwlv0mn-WJGeNBeBLsVx3qdJpMFtAUtcGc4h2ZFZcw8EujCXxL/s320/on+exhibit+-+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPUYUaLfYlkHTqp3gJKxe5qXYYS74HjM2miLPH7T-uoRMLAgQedvwD6Eo6N9aLka3LoBCSYKlpUPKnydPyvi9-QDEYCVLKVLMysFaWUxlfjgQWFZVS1cnAsflzccICDsC2CRJYzi1rsT5/s2048/on+exhibit+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2048" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPUYUaLfYlkHTqp3gJKxe5qXYYS74HjM2miLPH7T-uoRMLAgQedvwD6Eo6N9aLka3LoBCSYKlpUPKnydPyvi9-QDEYCVLKVLMysFaWUxlfjgQWFZVS1cnAsflzccICDsC2CRJYzi1rsT5/s320/on+exhibit+-+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtowRMMOdesFCTZod7xuBghs1kh6tIUBqg1R6V3TqjwCz7LG8Irr0OMc8FEgxSebbBbRKJLFdObjvfXu_3chNZldevg_wj-sz-DFlS4EhBGxLEdt7l5L5myjyS6rPsL432EZ42MAMRl7f/s2048/on+exhibit+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtowRMMOdesFCTZod7xuBghs1kh6tIUBqg1R6V3TqjwCz7LG8Irr0OMc8FEgxSebbBbRKJLFdObjvfXu_3chNZldevg_wj-sz-DFlS4EhBGxLEdt7l5L5myjyS6rPsL432EZ42MAMRl7f/s320/on+exhibit+-+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkUABoTpssnMDw43k0fKaHWqqgEqI633IbdXeEPEe7vehTRCwVdWu1WCSoaNe1_cib1KDLWJn5KNiFnYe2ZUa7bY32Y2GUHf4AVWJugsk4P0wWf-mTclY9KA7HnI-iEE7EHGzyyO1JX_Y/s2048/on+exhibit+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="2048" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkUABoTpssnMDw43k0fKaHWqqgEqI633IbdXeEPEe7vehTRCwVdWu1WCSoaNe1_cib1KDLWJn5KNiFnYe2ZUa7bY32Y2GUHf4AVWJugsk4P0wWf-mTclY9KA7HnI-iEE7EHGzyyO1JX_Y/s320/on+exhibit+-+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g2fQ7le5HZj1qAOyvnVsTh7JvRFLgiM2PYtKxOjGhsxEYpj-ovzaTkFryjEPHqvhHxkw3kCHS-tiMXSOWD8SP2C1uBPwQ6wb01_aezWBg3S7JLYptPN2cAh75SDj1Gkuzv4CCXaG-9J0/s1667/on+exhibit+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g2fQ7le5HZj1qAOyvnVsTh7JvRFLgiM2PYtKxOjGhsxEYpj-ovzaTkFryjEPHqvhHxkw3kCHS-tiMXSOWD8SP2C1uBPwQ6wb01_aezWBg3S7JLYptPN2cAh75SDj1Gkuzv4CCXaG-9J0/s320/on+exhibit+-+7.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">If you stop by to check them out, be sure to mention that
you’re there to see the ART! (WSUV is a pay-to-park campus, but you can save
$4.00 if you park in the “15 minutes” temp parking right in front of the Admin
Building, then run through the quad (by the rock garden / fountain), into the
Library Building, take the stairs or the elevator, and zip right into the Writing
Center (on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor.) Depending on when you go, they might ask
you to make an appointment (if it’s busy), but just tell them that YATES sent you
to look at the paintings, and they’ll get out of the way and let you in! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For people interested in BUYING any of these works (all
original, hand painted, on stretched canvas), I’m thinking $20 (USD) for the
little ones, $25 for the medium sized, and $30 for the large. We can do a Paypal
deal, and the works can be collected at the end of the semester. I’m not
particularly interested in shipping, but if you’re desperate, we can negotiate
a price based on actual costs. Let me know! Honestly, I don’t mind if these
come just come home when they’re done. One or two of them are pieces I really
like, and there’s one in particular that Mariah wants to keep---but I explained
to her (she already knows) that not all of these works are likely to be coming home…
I always feel a little bit sad when a fun painting goes out the door and never comes
back…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://peakd.com/@richardfyates">https://peakd.com/@richardfyates</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool">https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/">https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/richardfyates">https://twitter.com/richardfyates</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-1983724418709467302021-08-13T19:49:00.000-07:002021-08-13T19:49:09.682-07:00"Selecting The Future (From Various Options)" by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> </p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Man...
It seems like I've been really busy lately. I'm a doodler and a scribbler. I
like to draw in my little notebook and write wistful journal notes about this
and that, but since my return to THE COMPUTER, I've been burning my brain-power
trying to catch up on all the projects that I neglected while I was off having
adventures! I'm making progress (got a new radio show recorded, made my
vacation zine, getting some new NFTs minted, plus DJing a big company picnic,
going to a funeral [sorry, "celebration of life"], running errands,
and trying to keep up with all the social media platforms...), but I still have
stuff to do! (When do I get to just chill out and draw???) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
tomorrow, I'm hanging with my granddaughter most of the day (which will be fun,
but not very conducive to business), Friday is another doctor visit in
Portland, and Saturday is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (which we're going to spend in
Vancouver, Washington, checking out the I LIKE COMICS shop and the Saturday
market.) So TODAY should be when I get some work done-----but I'm frazzled, already,
and it's only 9:AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
I'll chill for a bit, just listen to some tunes and such, and see if I can
conjure some energy after lunch... Maybe that's what I'll do... (After I take
some ibuprofen...)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Sleep.
(Frog)"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQjmHyjcWlZgdlHTWC9d9eqRmqR8cpvyubiwDQrO4ykQi1SEwDiVYALkl2qC4Vs1v4cYfmuPQ4mo58U8zzvT1qBfm-kCfvHTCW0__-4M9FwEP_MCkLivX3hX4NJZqqWQxxJvFyFBKP4do/s706/sleep+%2528frog%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQjmHyjcWlZgdlHTWC9d9eqRmqR8cpvyubiwDQrO4ykQi1SEwDiVYALkl2qC4Vs1v4cYfmuPQ4mo58U8zzvT1qBfm-kCfvHTCW0__-4M9FwEP_MCkLivX3hX4NJZqqWQxxJvFyFBKP4do/s320/sleep+%2528frog%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[Ink
on notebook page with digital embellishments and color.]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don't
look now, but I think a dream frog has slipped out of my
subconscious...again... If it gets away, it could mutate (in the "reality
air") into just about anything! Whoops! There it goes....<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/gallery/richardfyates_new-genesis_sleep-frog-by-richard-f-yates-hf"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://nftshowroom.com/gallery/richardfyates_new-genesis_sleep-frog-by-richard-f-yates-hf</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An
interview that I did with Matthew @ Cent back in July of 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://anchor.fm/ma-fer5/episodes/Spotlight-Playing-simple-creative-games-with-artist-Richard-F--Yates-eg5k35"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://anchor.fm/ma-fer5/episodes/Spotlight-Playing-simple-creative-games-with-artist-Richard-F--Yates-eg5k35</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Three pieces that I collected today from NFT
Showroom by jemzign !!!</span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAkfUCufVlH3nQpD43qGTBy3QkN8gTOufuzmlXwlt0VwmYn86y6K3gNS1QoOWEsu0s0_rt0Fpk8yNf3wyVn100UApLX8a_p74JBKGTqEu0Y6NnSQSkaDdxZPff-kcurBIs7BVHLU7Q-GB/s1087/collected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1087" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAkfUCufVlH3nQpD43qGTBy3QkN8gTOufuzmlXwlt0VwmYn86y6K3gNS1QoOWEsu0s0_rt0Fpk8yNf3wyVn100UApLX8a_p74JBKGTqEu0Y6NnSQSkaDdxZPff-kcurBIs7BVHLU7Q-GB/s320/collected.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Check
out NFT Showroom here: </span><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://nftshowroom.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Successfully
emptied and reloaded my iPod (32 gig---that takes some time to manage.) Ate
lunch with Mariah, now (instead of taking a nap) I’m going to DO STUFF! Let’s
start with a few more unresolved vacation bits...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
don't know why I'm like this, but I sometimes collect ephemera---stuff that's
meant to be used and then thrown away. As far as ephemera goes, what's less
permanent than a freakin' napkin? Here are a few that I grabbed on our vacation
(for some reason) that I just got around to scanning today...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7725BEeTSCpjFjgPMz1ACRTPGK6xatZLorwO7svd4IX7zG11Ds49Plo8t7PI3WsT3Qg3DBxOyLXWDPpc6aIEXO2WW4peAJQUHOhKNwMYMB3XiP8IiJkLYnr0RbbJOPGhvNALc0D5kuXI/s738/southwest+air+nap+-+a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="738" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7725BEeTSCpjFjgPMz1ACRTPGK6xatZLorwO7svd4IX7zG11Ds49Plo8t7PI3WsT3Qg3DBxOyLXWDPpc6aIEXO2WW4peAJQUHOhKNwMYMB3XiP8IiJkLYnr0RbbJOPGhvNALc0D5kuXI/s320/southwest+air+nap+-+a.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrI7RxFVQJWvLac-rTpa84Lkt7ozHSaQuaMVoZ9IVp5x9iGWaNEj4oPjpJkBz9pQloaXpDk-qF_OsYZmukNRUbKNCUEU22vFDO8rCF81LbNRL698g0inc1jUG67jqoRjBC5ReL6N9rvgm/s738/southwest+air+nap+-+b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="738" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrI7RxFVQJWvLac-rTpa84Lkt7ozHSaQuaMVoZ9IVp5x9iGWaNEj4oPjpJkBz9pQloaXpDk-qF_OsYZmukNRUbKNCUEU22vFDO8rCF81LbNRL698g0inc1jUG67jqoRjBC5ReL6N9rvgm/s320/southwest+air+nap+-+b.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSgfeHHz7_FN3IWZM4gq3-WIg9RZpBJdNLF1rLLcv9GodfbvDZUDyqUjEDpkYsU5t86U3IG-KkZ5H910dc8WNoOI00EX3DFGrWvUe1YXI6MYOUnlLAwHbTtdn9rPQRMSUxcpNhcFAnsn6/s1263/apple+peddler.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSgfeHHz7_FN3IWZM4gq3-WIg9RZpBJdNLF1rLLcv9GodfbvDZUDyqUjEDpkYsU5t86U3IG-KkZ5H910dc8WNoOI00EX3DFGrWvUe1YXI6MYOUnlLAwHbTtdn9rPQRMSUxcpNhcFAnsn6/s320/apple+peddler.png" width="164" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy1ZILLQzQ_cV6icnalPrgLxupnWe5rFFrsln0YXAXWOpkdnVY_fvW3ZRAyCbxB9z_hadcmJn9IDU4mrKhUXO_2NeWIqjRCSFx9xaugrsXbNj12hygicDbn5NGPw33gqPxRmHmdaClI3p/s1108/flamingo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy1ZILLQzQ_cV6icnalPrgLxupnWe5rFFrsln0YXAXWOpkdnVY_fvW3ZRAyCbxB9z_hadcmJn9IDU4mrKhUXO_2NeWIqjRCSFx9xaugrsXbNj12hygicDbn5NGPw33gqPxRmHmdaClI3p/s320/flamingo.png" width="185" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">...and
here's a flier for City Lights bookstore! (My scan of the flier given away
freely at the store.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mjD8IwKy0mmURrye9NjPA2Bk5UsLADfvbe9wQgcKJCUgUZw1Cad7lSZ2cjiP37LPiJKA-Kwz7468HR-vINQ4MVbh_duh_vSbxbJibz8Y8aKRdm4zihWG16PZAm6tbjU7w0ZFYnI-mmlQ/s1335/city+lights+-+a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mjD8IwKy0mmURrye9NjPA2Bk5UsLADfvbe9wQgcKJCUgUZw1Cad7lSZ2cjiP37LPiJKA-Kwz7468HR-vINQ4MVbh_duh_vSbxbJibz8Y8aKRdm4zihWG16PZAm6tbjU7w0ZFYnI-mmlQ/s320/city+lights+-+a.png" width="140" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs-oH3HI4Ir9nYqulM4fXFyoAgCRoue6VFjybta_h0cBX0xE-A6K9D3YfK8-TY4aKOBh0mUGypAU-TcvREai3g5qo6kKyhm-FijIkmNt2JqWR0PzN44I6nsObHFDryQ-SVmsU1DGuP8Jh/s1334/city+lights+-+b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs-oH3HI4Ir9nYqulM4fXFyoAgCRoue6VFjybta_h0cBX0xE-A6K9D3YfK8-TY4aKOBh0mUGypAU-TcvREai3g5qo6kKyhm-FijIkmNt2JqWR0PzN44I6nsObHFDryQ-SVmsU1DGuP8Jh/s320/city+lights+-+b.png" width="140" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That's
probably enough silly stuff from me for today. I finally gathered enough
GUMPTION (obviously) to drag the scanner out of the office (so I could listen
to tunes on the fancy soundsystem while I scan a bunch of stuff.) Hopefully,
I'll get a bunch of materials digitized, and maybe start writing a post for
tomorrow. I won't have time to work on anything until right before bed
tomorrow, so the more I get done today, the FANCIER tomorrow's post is going to
be! (Ha!) (I wrote "Ha!" because I don't know if ANY of my posts are
"fancy," but I try to share the stuff that interests ME... If you're
into other stuff, that's cool. I'm doing MY thing...)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">---Richard
F. Yates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(Primitive
Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">SUPPORT
INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://peakd.com/@richardfyates"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://peakd.com/@richardfyates</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">
</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://twitter.com/richardfyates"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://twitter.com/richardfyates</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-7854921487191946212021-08-10T14:53:00.006-07:002021-08-10T14:53:57.979-07:00“The SHOCKING World of Idiosyncratic NFTs!” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> My oh my… It seems like FOREVER since I’ve taken the time to
mint a new NFT, and for those who were looking the wrong direction last time I
committed pixels and computing power to the indeliblification of concept +
visualization, here’s how I play that game:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NFTs make the perfect ARCHIVE for weird thoughts, strange
performances, and bizarre imagery. I make a LOT of stuff---like EVERY DAY---and
I have done this since before I could write (about 1975 or so), which means that
there is a massive volume of freakish (or mundane---I like both) material
floating around in the “REAL WORLD” of physical artistic expression created by
me...just sitting there being bored and wanting (oh so desperately) to be
engaged with. (Poor little drawings and sketches and collages and paintings… So
neglected…) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, I have also started (in 2018) translating my
shenanigans to the BLOCKCHAIN world, which can be seen as a series of alternate
universes that MAY prove to have a longer shelf-life than the boxes and piles
where most of my creations tend to hibernate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The NFTs that I conjure into existence (through ritual and
sacrifice) are ECHOES of me. They aren’t meant to be COMMERCIAL OBJECTS
designed to please a vast army of economically driven capitalist moguls. I just
spent two weeks in two HEAVILY money driven locales, and I HATED most of it.
Even some of the art galleries I visited were geared more towards SALES than to
sharing the visions of unique personalities, and the DREAD BOREDOM evident in
this pathetic excuse for gathering together and displaying artwork (sometimes
wonderful and awe inspiring works)---solely for the purpose of SELLING
IT---left me nauseous. That ain’t my gig. (I’m not against ARTISTS profiting
from their work. Even a painter has to eat, sometimes.) I’m lucky, in a sense,
that my form of SHOUTING INTO THE VOID has found a minor audience, but I’m also
pleased as pie (I would have said “punch,” but I don’t care for punch)…pleased
as a painted peacock to have a VENUE where I can share my weird, autobiographical,
personal visions (and hallucinations), even with folks who won’t ever “BUY”
them. (I like this stuff to be SEEN, and if I’m lucky, LAUGHED AT. I’m trying
to make the world a more enjoyable place to spend a lifetime or two…)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In other words, I’m sharing my PERSONALITY through the
creation of my NFTs, partially in a bid for immortality---although I know that
a simple cataclysm could bring the entire electrical grid, and thus all them
BLOCKCHAINS that require amps and volts to survive, to a screeching halt at a
moment’s notice. If that happens, I still have the PHYSICAL drawings and
paintings and zines that these works are derived from as a backup, but for now
the NFT world allows for a much WIDER audience for my noodling…and the “HIDDEN
KNOWLEDGE” that these seemingly vacuous creations conceal gets to be a little
LESS HIDDEN!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enough of the preamble ramble. Here’s the NEWLY TOKENIZED
stuff! (Enjoy! It’s supposed to be fun!!!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This first batch of artwork (along with more than a hundred
other pieces) can be viewed and snickered at on the NFT SHOWROOM platform,
here:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[For best results, be sure to click the “ALL CREATED ART”
button. You’ll see more STUFF that way! Enjoy!]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Hidden Knowledge”<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-V9SwR-FMYpNG8x9TX2hTLZC2whAgeetCZnFb1P2VoPU_uF8VV_UdsRnMCkurIJf7gJvLFfKV4F02Ukj938VM5jxfzzmt-KkukMrYC0w-lc6VFddeZ4LNSadqfVegotNbHCS05Ov55vL/s1168/hidden+knowledge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-V9SwR-FMYpNG8x9TX2hTLZC2whAgeetCZnFb1P2VoPU_uF8VV_UdsRnMCkurIJf7gJvLFfKV4F02Ukj938VM5jxfzzmt-KkukMrYC0w-lc6VFddeZ4LNSadqfVegotNbHCS05Ov55vL/s320/hidden+knowledge.png" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">[Ink on notebook page with digital embellishments and
color.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes knowledge is hidden simply by the fact that it
hasn't been recognized or appreciated as truth by most folks. However, unfortunately,
some knowledge is deliberately concealed by persons or groups...usually in an
attempt to use the obfuscation as a means of retaining power over the naïve. WE
(here at the Primitive Bunker) are FOR the free exchange of knowledge and
information---although I sure as shit wish there was a bit more WISDOM floating
around with which people could adequately parse ACCURATE information, as
opposed to following a train of thought that leads to their own, prechosen
destination. Learn that shit, already. It's tougher for folks to conceal
knowledge and information from you if you can determine what is ACTUALLY
knowledge from what is plain old bullshit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Longing”<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkXEq8dXOCYVHc_TlzuZ8abH5JknAKOs0Mni05_8DEmaG-toBdcGzP6cca8sTiHyw-htWPCg5NVSe4ONBpEnqIUl2gXIQzUmi-X7K9inDkaAl2Wk1eSQldXrZ1eHjzVBTukD6HE02cFWk/s653/longing+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="653" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkXEq8dXOCYVHc_TlzuZ8abH5JknAKOs0Mni05_8DEmaG-toBdcGzP6cca8sTiHyw-htWPCg5NVSe4ONBpEnqIUl2gXIQzUmi-X7K9inDkaAl2Wk1eSQldXrZ1eHjzVBTukD6HE02cFWk/s320/longing+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">[Various pens on reclaimed cardboard with digital
embellishments and color.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The number in the bottom right corner of the image indicates
to me that this drawing was part of a free-write that I performed. (I'm more of
a free-scribbler than strictly a writer.) Interestingly (to me), I don't
remember WHEN I did this piece. I have a shitty sense of time. I also don't
remember what I wrote during the free-write. I'm a creature of the moment,
sometimes, and I rely on my MEMORY ARCHIVE (primarily in paper journals) to
remind me of...everything.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Travel Sketch (Vegas)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpm2iF41f09_kW7Ltiqle4pkbi3_S6ZijlHjrgaN6zuPGhoJk3BevnY6s4Q7n70xp9_Jw1GdjKIZql5g1s1nncLtCP9TZ4WM6SxztTZkrf6QGmQmimYT5ASKcq7QRYn7ytY32nxKgZGPk/s1292/travel+sketch+%2528vegas%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpm2iF41f09_kW7Ltiqle4pkbi3_S6ZijlHjrgaN6zuPGhoJk3BevnY6s4Q7n70xp9_Jw1GdjKIZql5g1s1nncLtCP9TZ4WM6SxztTZkrf6QGmQmimYT5ASKcq7QRYn7ytY32nxKgZGPk/s320/travel+sketch+%2528vegas%2529.png" width="267" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">[Ink on notebook page with digital embellishments and
color.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sitting in the 108 degree heat on a side street in Las Vegas
(near the Flamingo Hotel, which we'd just checked out of), I decided to do some
street sketchin'! For fun!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Three Punkers”<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJjS6sdahKFqMRWiDdF921Ks19L4o8nhjYczoSUvi2xR35p8VVQVw7NXQF-MDKDhc_6dSzUj3RgTmIldaPHiyD4gQuB7fJi46x0QYN6bBLaMRImMmmi3ms4Cx4bnDrdCTzLuFo_3teZRu/s864/three+punkers+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="864" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJjS6sdahKFqMRWiDdF921Ks19L4o8nhjYczoSUvi2xR35p8VVQVw7NXQF-MDKDhc_6dSzUj3RgTmIldaPHiyD4gQuB7fJi46x0QYN6bBLaMRImMmmi3ms4Cx4bnDrdCTzLuFo_3teZRu/s320/three+punkers+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">[Ink on paper with digital color digitally collaged over
photograph taken with my phone.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Timmy and Tommy idolize Tony, and they'd do ANYTHING to
impress him...even KILL... Luckily, Tony ain't much into violence. He prefers
to listen to Descendants and Chemical People records and write angsty poetry...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Nice and Crunchy”<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM9wanSn3YMI_N1xnZYzfuAp4UlNsmj24wYpSPQH4tTpVWUcML2ZOkTRSjSsaklrmuVjcVf9ykP-s6rWXl2iX09A-K0npXB0S1VP14Z8km-F4tTXi5QFFWaI62m-haRTknm3GbMLMq9f-/s826/nice+and+crunchy+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM9wanSn3YMI_N1xnZYzfuAp4UlNsmj24wYpSPQH4tTpVWUcML2ZOkTRSjSsaklrmuVjcVf9ykP-s6rWXl2iX09A-K0npXB0S1VP14Z8km-F4tTXi5QFFWaI62m-haRTknm3GbMLMq9f-/s320/nice+and+crunchy+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">[Ink on reclaimed cardboard with digital embellishments and
colors.]</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An inter-dimensional traveler who occasionally visits our
universe for a quick snack!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Heat Stroke”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNgLCs_rgYwtOso44p4uIuOaDlF8Uy1AidJfvGy_pz-DwDXdgt7Q68IqOqPplL_zLJhDBoK_PwHadTXsZh02Zmy9welD7-aHDEnRkL6UhkGhCMv6H1j9DQZTtg75U9uSFFZCI6oBEY93_/s648/heat+stroke+%252828+jun.+2021%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNgLCs_rgYwtOso44p4uIuOaDlF8Uy1AidJfvGy_pz-DwDXdgt7Q68IqOqPplL_zLJhDBoK_PwHadTXsZh02Zmy9welD7-aHDEnRkL6UhkGhCMv6H1j9DQZTtg75U9uSFFZCI6oBEY93_/s320/heat+stroke+%252828+jun.+2021%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> [Digital drawing created with MS Paint!]<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okay, I live in the Pacific Northwest ON PURPOSE! I like
summers in the mid-60s with rain at least a few times per week. I like green
and trees and mellow temperatures... But for some damn reason, this year we've
already had several days over 100 degrees (f), and there are more coming!
WTF??? I don't do well in heat---AT ALL! You should definitely feel sorry for
me... (I hope I survive to make it to the fall.....)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that’s it for my “NEW” works on NFT Showroom (unless
I’ve grown restless in the last few hours and posted a few more goodies---just
for fun.) To get a look at the art that I’ve PURCHASED on that platform
(technically, a SHIT TON of art), you can visit my “COLLECTION.” Go here:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/collection">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/collection</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Just ignore the pieces of mine that are there. Sometimes,
when I make a piece that has multiple editions, I keep one for myself… It’s
weird, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles… Actually, if the cookie is
chocolate chip, it won’t have time to crumble before I eat it!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The final NFT in today’s exhibition was tokenized on the
TEZOS blockchain through a little site called HIC ET NUNC. I have quite a few
pieces to look at on this platform, as well, though nowhere as many as I have
on NFT Showroom. Check these works out by going HERE:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/tz/tz1iD7LwGyJMtUQ7pRB5Rb4y1jXTTBYf8PWV/creations">https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/tz/tz1iD7LwGyJMtUQ7pRB5Rb4y1jXTTBYf8PWV/creations</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some rather fun stuff there, if you ask me! (It doesn’t hurt
to look! Admission is FREE!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“TMJ #7”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv47hQOTH8S9ju7gQ-uOqDgg9gWwRiP5JtU5dQE6tLuCn-Y0sAmphtyG1-2fXepQ4Dm7d54yRDoTGhTyy6fQFJS4a6R5XXB-CqExMROUz-aMuATFbyW3H5sEoeF96FZskKAEeE-_r2pmWZ/s2048/tmj+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv47hQOTH8S9ju7gQ-uOqDgg9gWwRiP5JtU5dQE6tLuCn-Y0sAmphtyG1-2fXepQ4Dm7d54yRDoTGhTyy6fQFJS4a6R5XXB-CqExMROUz-aMuATFbyW3H5sEoeF96FZskKAEeE-_r2pmWZ/s320/tmj+-+7.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /> [Ink on paper with digital embellishments.]<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This piece is an abstract with simulated symbology. You
could call it faux-asemic writing---if you were familiar with asemic writing
and wanted to apply that concept to this image. You could also call it a sigil
that was created by a computer program. Chaos computing, if you will... Or if
you won't. It does what it wants! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/objkt/200057">https://www.hicetnunc.xyz/objkt/200057</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that’s it for this exhibition of unbridled
self-expression. Feel free to send me a link to any of YOUR thrilling or
bizarre or oddball creations, and I’ll give them a squint! Let’s keep these
types of cultural artifacts out of the hands of the bankers and business-owners
and keep the EXPERIENCE of these types of works open to the PUBLIC (who sure as
shit NEED some laughter and diversion these days…)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later, skaters!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://peakd.com/@richardfyates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://twitter.com/richardfyates<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-60058577937529382212021-08-09T15:57:00.008-07:002021-08-09T15:57:55.450-07:00“Vacation! (All We Ever Wanted!) Zine” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgYzUXhVMHN80yoQ_1mmjfrm-bh40EeHsFH9VswI8m7LwrTwnojFQyqymsinD2RU7pBNZxJ2uej_t9067R2utW4RJhwlOVeLEdQSdGLqAhqRSNRw69gKrBxlRd36FpN32tDLtRcujcvfM/s1650/vacation+all+we+ever+wanted+zine+%2528cover%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgYzUXhVMHN80yoQ_1mmjfrm-bh40EeHsFH9VswI8m7LwrTwnojFQyqymsinD2RU7pBNZxJ2uej_t9067R2utW4RJhwlOVeLEdQSdGLqAhqRSNRw69gKrBxlRd36FpN32tDLtRcujcvfM/s320/vacation+all+we+ever+wanted+zine+%2528cover%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">Howdy Humans! Knowing the importance of pleasing the wife, I
sat down today (despite a STRONG urge to do a new radio show) and put together
a new zine showcasing the photos I captured (with my phone) on our extended,
two-week vacation. This zine is heavy on the visuals and light on those pesky
words, which tend to annoy most folks. (I love words, especially confusing and
extraneous words, which is why I’m a writer / slash / artist…)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What you will find (for free, I might add) if you click the
link below is a 22 page JOURNEY through arts and sights and (a bit of)
silliness. If you just want to LOOK at the zine---it’s a PDF file---you can “left-click”
on the link and open the file in your browser, or you can download the file and
enjoy it as often as you like… Or even print the thing. The same is true of all
of my free PDFs, although the SIZES on these pieces vary. This book is 11
inches by 8.5 inches, landscape format… There are a TON of images from the San
Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which both Mariah and I found to be a great
experience, so if you want to see some of the pieces that the SFMOMA has on display
at the moment, here’s your chance. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The LINK:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pchIGu0Au4_syvbCocBGkc6iYnzq9rqz/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pchIGu0Au4_syvbCocBGkc6iYnzq9rqz/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d love to hear from anybody else who visited any of the
places chronicled in this zine, particularly the museum. Feel free to leave a
comment and let me know what your experiences where like! Meanwhile, I’m gonna
start putting together a radio show! (Ha!) Below, you’ll find a complete list
of the free PDFs that I’ve made available for anybody to read or download. The
point of these is to spread the love, share the art, and inspire folks to make
their own shit! DO IT! It’s easy. It’s cheap. And with the help of social
media, you can distribute your work all around the world INSTANTLY! Even if
that work is just some vacation snaps… Ha! I say, “WHY NOT?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FREE ART AND LIT PDF ZINES FOR YOU TO ENJOY (AND ABUSE!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">VACATION! (ALL WE EVER WANTED!) Zine<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(22 pages of vacation photos full of sights and experiences
and arts (and not too many words)!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pchIGu0Au4_syvbCocBGkc6iYnzq9rqz/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pchIGu0Au4_syvbCocBGkc6iYnzq9rqz/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BY THE POOL ZINE (July 2021)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(14 pages of STUFF drawn on July 30th 2021, mostly by the
pool at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Y6s4I83HtKGZ6RQzDaYUOTBw6LKpAkB/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Y6s4I83HtKGZ6RQzDaYUOTBw6LKpAkB/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">23 ARTZ + WORDZ zine Issue #1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(23 somewhat randomly chosen, tokenized works of crytpo-art,
created by me over the last four years on various platforms, PLUS the wordz
that give them context or help the art make less sense!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YOrq_CGoGTv_NYmn7iG13RFTxtryVzKZ/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YOrq_CGoGTv_NYmn7iG13RFTxtryVzKZ/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SMALL TOWN SHADOWPLAY (UNFINISHED ZINE)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Lit zine collecting the unfinished SMALL TOWN SHADOWPLAY
serialized story! Do-it-yourself ending!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AafDYDv0Cj05cD8m8l2kxRD-E0I35CQ4/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AafDYDv0Cj05cD8m8l2kxRD-E0I35CQ4/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">METAPHORICALISM (001)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(12 inch by 12 inch digital collage pdf.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gJrWzCi6YkIaislryg69ScG2Q3F1zkin/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gJrWzCi6YkIaislryg69ScG2Q3F1zkin/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PUNKTRONIC COVER ART PDF<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(The first 37 pieces of "cover art" for my
PUNKTRONIC pirate radio podcast.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UOCbfLsDl9kc9P7bOfKyz-ayqvQEDIS/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UOCbfLsDl9kc9P7bOfKyz-ayqvQEDIS/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">IMPOSSIBLE TO PRODUCE ZINE 01<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Odd collage "zine" produced at 30 inches by 30
inches... Not sure why I did it this way, but there ya go!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3Ij8vhBrViRpbyMZN1nhrjVNMSrRwvs/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3Ij8vhBrViRpbyMZN1nhrjVNMSrRwvs/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FAKE ARTZ ZINE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Art / lit zine.) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdjzBmEdGVTLPbfOd2JArxtI8s0AEd0u/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdjzBmEdGVTLPbfOd2JArxtI8s0AEd0u/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">THE FIRST LAUGH<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(11 inch by 17 inch propaganda poster!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6UKxoBm1ze-2BsVpwgyl_G73FQtEXH3/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6UKxoBm1ze-2BsVpwgyl_G73FQtEXH3/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/richardfyates">https://twitter.com/richardfyates</a><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-38106977562097965782021-08-08T19:49:00.003-07:002021-08-08T19:49:34.213-07:00“DJing a Company Picnic!” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH2llxskGHW_O3x_uUo90Rkpawgk2jNGgrURpvkxTAjnny0KQ0SKxMnviFi3Tp_UQFsNhfTSYHd8qBYzacgfgIDd5Cr5xeuDMD9kA5_KRKpllX5U_sYspGm8yrFkCDSSsdDhsDQNlGn22/s1440/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH2llxskGHW_O3x_uUo90Rkpawgk2jNGgrURpvkxTAjnny0KQ0SKxMnviFi3Tp_UQFsNhfTSYHd8qBYzacgfgIDd5Cr5xeuDMD9kA5_KRKpllX5U_sYspGm8yrFkCDSSsdDhsDQNlGn22/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+1.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For those who don’t know, that little piece of media in the
photo above is known as a MINIDISC! It’s a mostly obsolete technology, but the
dang things still work! I started working with Music & More DJs somewhere
around 1998, and these little disks were the primary sources for the tunes I
played at COUNTLESS weddings, school dances, birthday parties, company
gatherings, and holiday events over the next couple of DECADES…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>And yesterday (Saturday, August 7<sup>th</sup>, 2021), I sat
down with a box of CDs, a tub of MiniDiscs, a Mackie board, and two dual
CD/Mini players and doled out the tunes at Tam O’ Shanter Park (in Kelso,
Washington) for SEVEN STRAIGHT HOURS! I love playing music for people, especially
kids, who will dance to just about anything, but even I have a tough time
filling seven hours with music, on the fly, picking tunes live in the moment,
and trying to entertain over a thousand people with no complaints. I had ONE
request yesterday (“Slow Ride” by Foghat, but there’s a good chance I was going
to play that cut anyway), played one song accidentally (“Footloose” by Kenny
Loggins---people generally like that one, but I don’t), and I TRIED to play a
track by Samantha Fox, but the CD was ginked out and sounded horrible, so I
faded out after a few seconds and moved on to the next tune. Luckily, most
folks were there having a good time, eating food, playing something called “Corn
Hole” (I don’t like that name), and wandering around the various booths and
shit, so I don’t know if anyone noticed that the song sounded bad. Nobody said
anything, anyway…. In fact, the few people who came up to the DJ booth at all
during the event said positive things. That was pretty cool!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I should probably mention, the songs that I’m listing below
are the tunes that I played, in order, at the picnic. These are NOT the exact
tunes that I would have played if it was just ME listening, but I stand by these
music selections. (FEAR NO POP MUSIC!) Without further rambling, here’s the
playlist for the 7<sup>th</sup> of August at the JH Kelly company picnic @ Tam O’
Shanter Park:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Simple Minds – “Alive and Kicking”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Joe Walsh – “Rocky Mountain Way”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Led Zeppelin – “Misty Mountain Hop”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Weezer – “Buddy Holly”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Aerosmith – “Sweet Emotion”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Eddie Money – “Baby Hold On”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Seal – “Crazy”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---INXS – “Need You Tonight”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Devo – “Whip It”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[It’s sprinkling on me a bit, but that’s okay. Feels good!]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Oasis – “Wonderwall”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Joan Jett – “Dirty Deeds”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---David Bowie – “Diamond Dogs”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Fine Young Cannibals – “She Drives Me Crazy”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Talking Heads – “And She Was”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Bachman-Turner Overdrive – “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “The Wind Cries Mary”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Eurythmics – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Breeders – “Cannonball”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---J. Geils Band – “Freeze Frame”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Joe Jackson – “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Dr. John – “Right Place, Wrong Time”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Kiss – “Rock and Roll All Nite”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Rednex – “Cotton Eye Joe”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Scorpions – “Rock You Like a Hurricane”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Doors – “Peace Frog”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The B-52’s – “Love Shack”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Prince & The Revolution – “When Doves Cry”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Queen – “Another One Bites the Dust”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Stevie Wonder – “Sir Duke”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Peter Gabriel – “In Your Eyes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Frankie Valli – “Grease”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Beatles – “Day Tripper”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Vampire Weekend – “Harmony Hall”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Thin Lizzy – “The Boys are Back in Town”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Beach Boys – “Kokomo”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Sweet – “Fox on the Run”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Eddy Grant – “Electric Avenue”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Elton John – “Tiny Dancer”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Foghat – “Slow Ride”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Guns N’ Roses – “Sweet Child O’ Mine”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Van Halen – “Jump”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Corey Hart – “Sunglasses at Night”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Snap – “The Power”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Grateful Dead – “Casey Jones”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Journey – “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Blondie – “Rapture”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Down on the Corner”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Loverboy – “Lovin’ Every Minute of It”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Yes – “Roundabout”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Elvis Presley – “Blue Suede Shoes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Steppenwolf – “Born to Be Wild”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---AC/DC – “You Shook Me All Night Long”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Ace of Base – “All That She Wants”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Slade – “Cum on Feel the Noize”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Kenny Loggins – “Footloose” (Oooops… Accident.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Lipps, Inc. – “Funky Town (Remix)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Nirvana – “Lithium”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Cars – “Moving in Stereo”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Styx – “Come Sail Away”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John – “You’re the One
That I Want”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Lita Ford – “Kiss Me Deadly”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Edwyn Collins – “A Girl Like You”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Golden Earring – “Twilight Zone”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---(various) – “I Love Rock & Roll (Ultimix Megamix)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---John Fogerty – “Centerfield”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---King Harvest – “Dancing in the Moonlight”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Could You Be Loved”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Def Leppard – “Photograph”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Jesus Jones – “Right Here, Right Now”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Pink Floyd – “Money”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---ZZ Top – “Gimme All Your Lovin’”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Poison – “Talk Dirty to Me”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Oak Ridge Boys – “Elvira”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Fixx – “One Thing Leads to Another”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Madonna – “Vogue”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---George Michael – “Faith”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---David Bowie – “Changes”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Little Richard – “Tutti Frutti”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Don McLean – “American Pie” [All EIGHT MINUTES!]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Right Said Fred – “I’m Too Sexy”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Eagles – “Take It to the Limit”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Go-Go’s – “We Got the Beat”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Alphaville – “Forever Young (Special Extended Mix)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Hollies – “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Cars – “Good Times Roll”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Clash – “Rock the Casbah”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Enigma – “Return to Innocence”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Wild Cherry – “Play That Funky Music”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Cheap Trick – “Surrender”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Nine Inch Nails – “Down in It”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Autograph – “Turn Up the Radio”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Morris Day & The Time – “The Bird”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Parliament – “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the
Sucker)”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Toni Basil – “Mickey”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Donna Summer – “Last Dance”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s it! When I used to DJ every week for M&M, I would
try to end with “Last Dance,” and even country-western fans could get into that
cut (if they were drunk enough.) It was kinda my signature “sign off!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Last year, the event was cancelled (something to do with
somebody being sick or something), and the year before that (2019), I was out
of town so I missed the picnic, but counting this Saturday, I think I’ve played
this particular event seven times. It’s always fun (for me), and I’ll happily
do it again next year, if they’ll have me back! This picnic is the only real (paid)
DJ gig that I do anymore---not counting all of the relatives of mine who keep
getting married and having me play music for them. (I thought about selling my
gear so peeps would leave me alone, but I still get the urge to set up in the
backyard every once in a while and have an impromptu dance party… Oh, and I sometimes
DJ kids’ dances at the Longview Public Library, which is usually a lot of fun.
(I do those gigs for free of course. I try to support the local library any way
that I can.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Okay! Enough chatting for this post! Mariah (the wife) tells
me that I have to do a post with all of our vacation photos next (from San Francisco
and Vegas and various stops in-between), so that will probably be what I upload
tomorrow or Tuesday. (I’m planning to do it as another free PDF zine, so keep
an eye out for that!) LATER!!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://peakd.com/@richardfyates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">https://twitter.com/richardfyates<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTSZKI38Avp7MxRes9zatelD0cWi1g42XnbfDPAQebaybyjybmJ3Ov0NIKAA1_zhZqDO9G1DN_8b5iUPeMeP2kbB4zfMn-bNXzvMBDFt5KVDPd1ff0LAS_WzXmyWGJM8dTlBnHJNkoFEY/s2048/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTSZKI38Avp7MxRes9zatelD0cWi1g42XnbfDPAQebaybyjybmJ3Ov0NIKAA1_zhZqDO9G1DN_8b5iUPeMeP2kbB4zfMn-bNXzvMBDFt5KVDPd1ff0LAS_WzXmyWGJM8dTlBnHJNkoFEY/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuCUWtrwyLOa9mXO6NYQpHFzShZFg622klECbSra9nd9GXYaZZ48Fcdx-1nruARkQ4zzYIjYx4qG3KmMBNhWsHAXPulw1V0iUqlpkIcA66Ylz19n6xWSdphHsQzdlA4y0XVyFDb4tjVLo/s2048/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuCUWtrwyLOa9mXO6NYQpHFzShZFg622klECbSra9nd9GXYaZZ48Fcdx-1nruARkQ4zzYIjYx4qG3KmMBNhWsHAXPulw1V0iUqlpkIcA66Ylz19n6xWSdphHsQzdlA4y0XVyFDb4tjVLo/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwURumGdzDeI7jdqwMJ4hKBBLCXKcDOHBncfFDKyxllNQZnb3kMO0jQuPJkT7y8tel6ZJ8dA9G0DuiQoOT2DvCsY4lB28ktuWItnlIs_IQ1NqCQydN30lIxsrk2xF55moLUZR6J16qwVft/s2048/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwURumGdzDeI7jdqwMJ4hKBBLCXKcDOHBncfFDKyxllNQZnb3kMO0jQuPJkT7y8tel6ZJ8dA9G0DuiQoOT2DvCsY4lB28ktuWItnlIs_IQ1NqCQydN30lIxsrk2xF55moLUZR6J16qwVft/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jh6C5fbqWKEfaViKUFlZxHOpK85VB7GAUFp5Krz2mnwuj9FYpFwauNcJqipWi4xdRpMXBTSm-c8kqu9ZTqK7fjBTjyWI1NJVEQig9ucu4PbEZ4DteJ_NrPMloYjqsRa9kynXP8hgqgj8/s2048/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jh6C5fbqWKEfaViKUFlZxHOpK85VB7GAUFp5Krz2mnwuj9FYpFwauNcJqipWi4xdRpMXBTSm-c8kqu9ZTqK7fjBTjyWI1NJVEQig9ucu4PbEZ4DteJ_NrPMloYjqsRa9kynXP8hgqgj8/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9VAE3L5c7nDtsSnwxG2xKcEO_5hb8buCwG2WXBXd0uWeGVnivRxWFCqPhEi0OSSG0MLyTkd6E6cfNYVJFepRFm4amsnsdkYMyAaEaJpFAxCuwCQ75atf3PJw-NLw2OqHQ4w37Oz6a9m0/s2775/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="2775" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9VAE3L5c7nDtsSnwxG2xKcEO_5hb8buCwG2WXBXd0uWeGVnivRxWFCqPhEi0OSSG0MLyTkd6E6cfNYVJFepRFm4amsnsdkYMyAaEaJpFAxCuwCQ75atf3PJw-NLw2OqHQ4w37Oz6a9m0/s320/jh+kelly+%25282021%2529+-+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-54878291596228182282021-08-06T14:58:00.002-07:002021-08-06T14:58:27.489-07:00“Free PDF Zine for Funky Folks!” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcIUZ_HKdX0T4qUrSzH-0PtDYHluc3u_9tSg3Z1QQL6P0LeRBKnrC-3OCcDw0Fmg6MZilNUT8XR9FJotqehobhUhfjTHR1VZpUefze3urSNsUXbglcA3AhhvMANiyysOeVNEHpYIpcX5O/s719/by+the+pool+zine+%2528-1%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcIUZ_HKdX0T4qUrSzH-0PtDYHluc3u_9tSg3Z1QQL6P0LeRBKnrC-3OCcDw0Fmg6MZilNUT8XR9FJotqehobhUhfjTHR1VZpUefze3urSNsUXbglcA3AhhvMANiyysOeVNEHpYIpcX5O/s320/by+the+pool+zine+%2528-1%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">After visiting the SF Museum of Modern Art AND City Lights
bookstore AND-AND this cool comic shop in Ashland, Oregon, that sold zines and
underground books (I can’t remember the name, unfortunately), I felt the urge
to just make some ARTZ. You can see in this zine the obvious influence of some of
the abstract art that Mariah and I saw at the various galleries and museums
that we visited, but the idea of just communicating my MOMENT---the feelings and
thoughts that were running through my head as I was sitting by the pool and
watching the human display flopping around in front of me---was also important.
(I like to sit with my back to a wall, so people don’t get behind me. It’s a neurotic
thing…)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re interested in art or cartooning or communication,
feel free to grab a FREE copy of this zine (in PDF format) and give it a look!
If you’re amused, let me know. If you are inspired to make your own zines, send
me information on how to get my hands on a copy. I love examples of free
expression, and I’d be happy to let you know what I think of your creation! (Get
that conversation started!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s the link:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BY THE POOL ZINE (July 2021)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(14 pages of STUFF drawn on July 30th 2021, mostly by the
pool at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Y6s4I83HtKGZ6RQzDaYUOTBw6LKpAkB/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Y6s4I83HtKGZ6RQzDaYUOTBw6LKpAkB/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for stopping by! If you enjoy weird things like this,
here is a list of several OTHER free PDF zines that I’ve made for people to
enjoy! Give these suckers a look! (FUN!!!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">23 ARTZ + WORDZ zine Issue #1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(23 somewhat randomly chosen, tokenized works of crytpo-art,
created by me over the last four years on various platforms, PLUS the wordz
that give them context or help the art make less sense!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YOrq_CGoGTv_NYmn7iG13RFTxtryVzKZ/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YOrq_CGoGTv_NYmn7iG13RFTxtryVzKZ/view?usp=sharing</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SMALL TOWN SHADOWPLAY (UNFINISHED ZINE)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Lit zine collecting the unfinished SMALL TOWN SHADOWPLAY
serialized story! Do-it-yourself ending!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AafDYDv0Cj05cD8m8l2kxRD-E0I35CQ4/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AafDYDv0Cj05cD8m8l2kxRD-E0I35CQ4/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">METAPHORICALISM (001)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(12 inch by 12 inch digital collage pdf.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gJrWzCi6YkIaislryg69ScG2Q3F1zkin/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gJrWzCi6YkIaislryg69ScG2Q3F1zkin/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PUNKTRONIC COVER ART PDF<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(The first 37 pieces of "cover art" for my
PUNKTRONIC pirate radio podcast.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UOCbfLsDl9kc9P7bOfKyz-ayqvQEDIS/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UOCbfLsDl9kc9P7bOfKyz-ayqvQEDIS/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">IMPOSSIBLE TO PRODUCE ZINE 01<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Odd collage "zine" produced at 30 inches by 30 inches...
Not sure why I did it this way, but there ya go!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3Ij8vhBrViRpbyMZN1nhrjVNMSrRwvs/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3Ij8vhBrViRpbyMZN1nhrjVNMSrRwvs/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FAKE ARTZ ZINE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Art / lit zine.) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdjzBmEdGVTLPbfOd2JArxtI8s0AEd0u/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JdjzBmEdGVTLPbfOd2JArxtI8s0AEd0u/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">xxxxxxxxxxxxx<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">THE FIRST LAUGH<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(11 inch by 17 inch propaganda poster!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6UKxoBm1ze-2BsVpwgyl_G73FQtEXH3/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c6UKxoBm1ze-2BsVpwgyl_G73FQtEXH3/view?usp=sharing</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think my next post will be either a new radio show (on
3Speak) or a book review. I have to DJ a big company picnic tomorrow, so I’m
not sure if I’ll get around to posting anything, but by Sunday, I should be
ready to rock-n-roll again! See you then!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://peakd.com/@richardfyates">https://peakd.com/@richardfyates</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery">https://nftshowroom.com/richardfyates/gallery</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool">https://richardfyates.wixsite.com/holyfool</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/">https://noncom.art.blog/reviews-books-movies-music/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/">https://makersplace.com/store/richardyates/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/richardfyates">https://twitter.com/richardfyates</a><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-2345656090684386802021-08-05T15:56:00.001-07:002021-08-05T15:56:18.427-07:00“I’m BAAAACK!” by Richard F. Yates (Holy Fool)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RU9lwU__jc1PWAMEOOyCEAry7zzx6GgkSn21OjtaxwP-eQL9vYsOnoX6wkklheZBP3SokzDKM3MDmo_cd8k2i_zTfhoX1CcD1yydK8KDyoypmXJLnUJZeCFuMkdem4UeFr03IrecfWYx/s751/im+back+%25285+aug.+2021%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RU9lwU__jc1PWAMEOOyCEAry7zzx6GgkSn21OjtaxwP-eQL9vYsOnoX6wkklheZBP3SokzDKM3MDmo_cd8k2i_zTfhoX1CcD1yydK8KDyoypmXJLnUJZeCFuMkdem4UeFr03IrecfWYx/s320/im+back+%25285+aug.+2021%2529+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Did you miss me? It’s good to be back home again. Hello to
any NEW folks out there in DIGITAL LAND (William Gibson called it “Cyberspace,”
but we’ll forgive him.) If this is your first encounter with my rambling
shenanigans and primitivist artworkia, don’t take anything you are about to
encounter TOO seriously. Just go with it. (Once you’ve reached Consciousness
Level 13, it ALL becomes serious, but for now, just have fun…)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the last two weeks, my wife, Mariah, and I have been
trapsing across four different states, driving and walking and flying our way
around Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. We spent the first half of
the vacation driving to San Francisco and back. Then we took a day to wash our
clothes, grabbed our younger daughter, and flew out of Portland, Oregon, off to
Sin City (Las Vegas.) We spent five days in the scorching heat, noise, and
debauchery before finally returning to the cool, calm, and comforting Pacific
Northwest.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During our adventures we visited museums, art galleries,
bookstores (including CITY LIGHTS!), comic shops, restaurants (FUCKING
EXPENSIVE!!!), casinos (we don’t actually gamble, but the flashing lights are
cool), and even a very nice pool. (It was perfect for ME because I tend to burn
to death in even moderate sunshine, and this pool had a faux-cave area with a
waterfall feature where I spent most of my time in the shade! I got to float
around in the water but didn’t combust!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One overpowering THING that I was confronted with, HEAD ON, during
this entire trip was the rampant, crass, disgusting (in my view), pointless
consumerism. All flash and no substance. There were LINES to get into certain
branded retail shops, and in one of the art galleries I visited, the curator
(or clerk or whatever) suddenly lost interest in our conversation when he
realized I wasn’t going to buy a $1,000.00 unsigned Miro lithograph. A thousand
bucks IS actually a decent price for a Miro, even unsigned, and if I were a
wealthy feller I might have considered purchasing it! However, if you are the
type of person who is only interested in art or design or creativity because of
the MONEY, then you’re missing the entire fucking point of ART, and I feel a
sense of profound sorrow that these entirely materialistic folks are so
intimately involved in the ART WORLD. Well, maybe I’m not feeling sorrow, but a
Holy Fool ain’t supposed to feel RAGE, (I’m too goddam enlightened,
unfortunately), so sorrow is how I would describe my emotional state when I see
works meant to inspire wonder or create connection to something DEEPER---but
all most people seem to do is reduced the work to a fucking dollar sign… It’s
bullshit---and one of the reasons that I’m enjoying my experiences in DIGITAL
LAND. There is a COMMUNITY to be found there, and it’s incredibly easy to make
and share NFTs and pdf zines and make direct contact with other creative types
through social media---with people who appreciate these works for MORE than
their monetary value.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BUT now we’re home again---THANK BOB! We both agree that
we’re going to avoid ever taking TWO vacations back-to-back any time soon. In
fact, I personally, would be happy just not going back to Vegas OR San
Francisco at all! (Too big, too many people, too expensive, too much of pain
trying to get anywhere, too...much…) Mariah and I loved Ashland, Oregon,
though, (where we stayed the first night), and I’d be perfectly happy to visit
there again any time. Honestly, I think our trips to the coast in Oregon and
Washington are still my favorite vacation destinations…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This isn’t to say we had a bad time on this trip. We saw
City Lights bookstore (as a fan of Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti,
visiting this store was one of my life goals), the San Francisco Museum of
Modern Art, watched a live performance by Criss Angel, and spotted a million
cool, weird, off-beat things. (I’ll be making a couple different travel zines so
I can share a bunch of the photos I took!) Both Mariah and I came away from the
experience inspired and ready to get back to work. (I also wrote and drew and
read a bunch while we were vacating, and I’ll be sharing that stuff, either as
posts or zines or NFTs, in the near future!) I’ve also reconfigured my
understanding of what social media IS and how it can be used (for things like
archiving and connecting---connecting with other people AND connecting various
works to each other.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So that’s it! We’re back home and ready to get rolling! Keep
an eye out for lots of new work over the next couple of weeks!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">LATER!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">P.S.: [For fun, here’s a piece I drew today that shows an
example of that “connecting” I mentioned above. A friend of mine posted an
image of the morning sun (affected by the local wildfires), and I made a
digital drawing OVER her image and shared it as a comment under her post! It’s
simple, but it IS a form of connecting!]<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7BjQKo7kGUt65IZivUZ2ybQiyypFQzuPuCYqjeuUk4LsKgXxGVX2KV0mpDOJZTcgYKxEHF-aiPmAo1CkovHXRFjrICj4Ei9WtEMb46IHwuw5BahVNEmHqzhFplk4tFsMEcaO1lsFJgsA/s1182/marys+morning+sun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7BjQKo7kGUt65IZivUZ2ybQiyypFQzuPuCYqjeuUk4LsKgXxGVX2KV0mpDOJZTcgYKxEHF-aiPmAo1CkovHXRFjrICj4Ei9WtEMb46IHwuw5BahVNEmHqzhFplk4tFsMEcaO1lsFJgsA/s320/marys+morning+sun.png" width="292" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">---Richard F. Yates<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Primitive Thoughtician and Holy Fool)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MAKING STUFF BECAUSE
THEY LOVE IT!!!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">https://twitter.com/richardfyates<o:p></o:p></p><br />thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-17718215889207760852018-02-25T10:57:00.004-08:002018-02-25T10:57:55.871-08:00“Open and Shut Case” by Richard F. YatesThe case was open and shut! The Shampoo Bottle was murdered by The Ketchup. We had the smoking gun---HOWEVER, Detective Skipwilly suspected that The Ketchup might have been a mere doop, an innocent victim of a brainwashing plot who was triggered by a third---as yet unidentified---party to bump the old Shampoo Bottle off. A LOT of folks had plenty to gain from the old lady’s death: Mr. Lamp, The Brush, even The Orange Pillow on the living room couch…<br />
<br />
Skipwilly needed to hit the bricks and grill his informants… And he needed to watch his back. If he was RIGHT then anyone (or anyTHING) could be out to kill him at this point. He was going to need help, and the only creature he could trust…<br />
<br />
…was Lemon Lizard!<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, nobody had even SEEN the Lizard Wizard in over four years…<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Commander in Cheap of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
P.S. – Lemon Lizard was last seen <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/2014/01/14/tea-cup-hammer-and-lemon-lizard-by-charlie-centipede/">HERE</a> and/or <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/2014/01/17/lemon-lizard-goes-to-the-store-by-charlie-centipede/">HERE</a>. The historical records are a bit fuzzy.<br />
<br />
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thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-25270829330148416262018-02-04T11:56:00.004-08:002018-02-04T11:56:54.990-08:00"Flying Carrot" by Richard F. Yates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBrzOmCSNfuPfhsTfe8ex6ajHWJ9V1wMT6kkiFFhsLmD-AXNf3L1e22EIrsuBu1x_Tw0ljJfVyfiABb-iVG3gFRCz4wGT3EvOYsb7mc_X3Q2r8pnWPOAGq_HdteBFfXU-4yMVhbsgY6mz/s1600/flying+carrot+%25284+feb.+2018%2529+by+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="576" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBrzOmCSNfuPfhsTfe8ex6ajHWJ9V1wMT6kkiFFhsLmD-AXNf3L1e22EIrsuBu1x_Tw0ljJfVyfiABb-iVG3gFRCz4wGT3EvOYsb7mc_X3Q2r8pnWPOAGq_HdteBFfXU-4yMVhbsgY6mz/s320/flying+carrot+%25284+feb.+2018%2529+by+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-51602135467311171132018-01-20T20:24:00.001-08:002018-01-20T20:24:51.560-08:00"Library Book Sale!" by Richard F. Yates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjuTB4c2vbWS4wZkzr9U4tK9hTarrEWlBhDdlyH5Sm4CRZsLv2_ZlJ1g49sLPF0icWCyO4aFZH8rgI0OKp2HIGcSUJEDgU5HgWWAvhcksBQs8hW2nJYwxp0-noSLgT8_Ff2FNp8GgfgH6/s1600/library+book+sale+%252820+jan.+2018%2529+by+rfy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjuTB4c2vbWS4wZkzr9U4tK9hTarrEWlBhDdlyH5Sm4CRZsLv2_ZlJ1g49sLPF0icWCyO4aFZH8rgI0OKp2HIGcSUJEDgU5HgWWAvhcksBQs8hW2nJYwxp0-noSLgT8_Ff2FNp8GgfgH6/s320/library+book+sale+%252820+jan.+2018%2529+by+rfy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Everything you could stuff in a bag for TWO BUCKS! Got Dostoyevsky, Kierkegaard, Ibsen, Umberto Eco, Coleridge (illustrated by Gustave Dore!!!), and strangest of all, one of MY OWN SELF PUBLISHED BOOKS!?!? (Which was in the “Religion-Philosophy-Parapsychology” section???) And a few more things… Mariah found some treasures, too!<br />
<br />
—Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-61084413711530317142018-01-13T13:24:00.004-08:002018-01-13T13:24:54.516-08:00"The Gitzy 500" by Richard F. Yates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNchFRSjrHASBUS3-2HwxGnnnL0qZauCqysKQUOCT0HyXtU9GpwsSCLxv_7Lhd_Sx5kGTdUe9o3LUoTqiBXHKpj63k54sYyBQS0T5I4ykAzLY0s7T-UfZLNVAGyK05N0pAqX0-Te0YuwAV/s1600/the+gitzy+500+%252813+jan.+2018%2529+by+mariah+r.+yates+%2526+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNchFRSjrHASBUS3-2HwxGnnnL0qZauCqysKQUOCT0HyXtU9GpwsSCLxv_7Lhd_Sx5kGTdUe9o3LUoTqiBXHKpj63k54sYyBQS0T5I4ykAzLY0s7T-UfZLNVAGyK05N0pAqX0-Te0YuwAV/s320/the+gitzy+500+%252813+jan.+2018%2529+by+mariah+r.+yates+%2526+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Welcome race fans! Thanks for joining us on this sunny Saturday for the first, annual Gitzy 500 Challenge! We have nearly a hundred talented drivers here today, some of the best in the world, preparing to challenge their skills and endurance on this incredibly challenging, some might say “ludicrously difficult,” course. Let’s go down to the pits now and see if we can get an interview…<br />
<br />
—Yates & Yates (Photo by Mariah R. Yates. Words by Richard F. Yates)<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_812846439"><br /></a>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-44745574468316202042018-01-01T09:34:00.002-08:002018-01-01T09:34:54.167-08:00"A Piece of Paper Trapped in a Bush" by Richard F. Yates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9ceaLspyhm4OQHlFA-KvOAdZz7Mk7B3_Z3FqOalUwkvgxQul8GItgQn4R5Ktc2mkK8Jahn7BxIXNX_b8vVz5pd4H8lC9M4MLRk6aKagCRh4yEeZot5hqekv04DkVfLJij2Fqbpbav7w/s1600/a+piece+of+paper+trapped+in+a+bush+%252830+dec.+2017%2529+by+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="561" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9ceaLspyhm4OQHlFA-KvOAdZz7Mk7B3_Z3FqOalUwkvgxQul8GItgQn4R5Ktc2mkK8Jahn7BxIXNX_b8vVz5pd4H8lC9M4MLRk6aKagCRh4yEeZot5hqekv04DkVfLJij2Fqbpbav7w/s320/a+piece+of+paper+trapped+in+a+bush+%252830+dec.+2017%2529+by+rfy+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I spotted a piece of paper trapped in a bush<br />
in the rain<br />
It could be love letter<br />
to a heart that will never know it’s cherished<br />
Or it could be a ransom note<br />
for a child who will never be returned<br />
Or it could be a formula<br />
for a disease that will now never be cured<br />
Or it could be a rejection letter<br />
for an author who will never write again<br />
Or it could be a suicide note<br />
for a family who will never know why he’s gone<br />
Or it could be some homework<br />
for a kid who didn’t care if his C+ ever made it to mom<br />
<br />
I spotted a piece of paper trapped in a bush<br />
in the rain<br />
And I left it there<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
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thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-1251267362675314702017-12-31T09:22:00.003-08:002017-12-31T09:32:48.740-08:00"Restricted Airspace" by Richard F. YatesIn my art (and writing and life in general) I try to represent the randomness and absurdity of existence. (I usually fail at this, but trying is still fun.) Sometimes my attempts are humorous, often they are ugly, and sometimes—out of sheer chance—something NEAT happens. Absurdly NEAT-O!<br />
<br />
I’m in my mid-40s now. I’ve lost some people. I’ve seen great human beings, funny and imaginative and warm (and sometimes a bit evil, but I don’t judge) who have lived lives, deeply affected those they were close to, but made no impact on society AT LARGE in any recognizable way—-and then they are GONE. Not superstars, never rich, not great philanthropists, not famous artists or writers or poets, just PEOPLE who came and went. They struggled and laughed. Some died way too early, some lived long enough to see most of their friends go before them. And I’d love to believe that they didn’t just DISAPPEAR. That SOMEHOW those great personalities are still out there in the universe, somewhere…<br />
<br />
But I don’t see much evidence that the PERSON, the thoughts and desires and scars and smart-ass remarks and weird quirks that make up the INDIVIDUAL—I don’t see any convincing evidence that THESE THINGS survive the death of the body and brain. (I’m sorry, all you true believers, but the evidence is not compelling…)<br />
<br />
However, the fact that life is finite doesn’t mean it can’t be LIVED while we are here and have a chance to live it.<br />
<br />
Have you ever wondered whether or not someone LIVED A GOOD LIFE? Have you ever wondered if you are WASTING your time? Now ask yourself this: HOW DOES A CAT KNOW IF IT’S LIVED A GOOD LIFE? Is the life of one deer BETTER than the life of any other deer? What is a fulfilling OCTOPUS existence? Have the blades of grass in the front yard prepared for the REAPER as well as the grasses in the back yard have?<br />
<br />
One could argue (pretty easily) that HUMANS have the intellectual capacity to CONSIDER these concepts (WHICH HUMANS MADE UP), whereas other creatures, like octopi and deer and cats and blades of grass, do not have the BRAIN CAPACITY. Whales and dolphins have some big brains, do THEY wonder if they’re wasting their potential?<br />
<br />
My mom was killed in a car wreck when I was 14 years old.<br />
<br />
She took my brother, one of his friends, and one of our aunts to go strawberry picking on the last day of school my freshman year of high school, and she never came home. Apparently, on the drive to the strawberry field, a man, coming off a double shift and traveling the opposite direction from my mom’s car, fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle, drifted across the center line of the road, and collided with my mom, head on. She died instantly. My brother and aunt where hospitalized for several months and suffered through numerous surgeries to put them back together, but they survived. (The friend was, somehow, basically uninjured in the crash.) The driver of the other car, who hadn’t been drinking, wasn’t playing on a cell phone, who was just working hard to get enough money for his family to live a good life, broke his wrist in the collision. I don’t blame this guy AT ALL for what happened. It was a million to one shot that he happened to float over the center line just as my mom’s car was passing.<br />
<br />
Random. If mom had left five minutes earlier, or later—two minutes even—she wouldn’t have been anywhere near where this hard-working man’s trajectory intersected with her line of travel. My life would have gone in a completely different direction. Her life would have KEPT GOING, for a while anyway.<br />
<br />
I’m not trying to be maudlin, this was just one of the moments in my life that sent me in search of some HARD MEANING. Why? How? What’s the point of this? What MADE this happen? Nothing. Physics. Two fast moving, relatively heavy bodies ran into each other, and the soft parts in the middle got broken. No plan. Couldn’t have predicted this would happen. It just DID.<br />
<br />
Now, I’ve learned to keep moving. (“Just keep swimming,” the little fish sings.) Bad things happen (often to good people, but also to bad people.) You live with it, or you don’t. I found ways to overcome that tragedy. I found ways to overcome many OTHER tragedies. I read a lot. I WRITE a lot, which helps me THINK THINGS THROUGH. I tried to remember how quickly things can change while I was raising my OWN kids. And I tried to have fun—with my wife, with my kids, with my family and friends—and to live a life that all the other blade of grass, and deer, and octopi (though probably not the cats) would be able to look back on and have a laugh.<br />
<br />
HAVE FUN—even when it’s not appropriate.<br />
<br />
Some folks have shown us the way: the Dadaists, the Situationists, the punks (early “punk” before it become a specific sound or fashion), Fluxus, the Absurdist playwrights and poets, and the many artists who just GO FOR IT (like Ray Johnson, Basquiat, Joan Miro, Roger Corman, Lloyd Kaufman, Ian Dury, Richard Brautigan…), these are the types of folks who really inspire me. They made shit. Not everyone liked what they made (even I don’t like EVERYTHING), but the point isn’t the individual artifact. Not everyone has the skill, drive, passion, temperament, education, or physical ability to be Michelangelo. FEW PEOPLE ARE PERFECT…<br />
<br />
But CHOOSING to create anything in the face of a random, nonsensical, absurd universe, THAT is enough. Money, fame, a place in history—probably all worthwhile pursuits, if those are the goals you have—but if what you want is just to LIVE and have a good time, make some connections, forge a few lasting memories, THEN CREATIVE WORKS ARE A GREAT METHOD for achieving THESE goals. The MAKING part is fun, the satisfaction of FINISHING something (even something short or small or silly or awful—so bad it’s good, maybe?) is also pleasant, and the memories that can come from sharing the created work with others, maybe seeing them laugh or smile, maybe seeing them want to make something of their own… That’s WHERE IT’S AT…<br />
<br />
The STRAIGHT CROWD will tell you that there are fighter jets overhead. To keep your balloon on a tether or you’ll drift into RESTRICTED AIRSPACE! And I say, fuck it… Wherever the wind blows…<br />
<br />
—Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.com/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-67454583584134185632017-12-27T21:07:00.000-08:002017-12-27T21:07:09.844-08:00“About the P.E.W. – Heading into 2018”As of December 25th, The Primitive Entertainment Workshop went PREMIUM! That means, for the first time since I started this thing back in December of 2012, we are PAYING to be online. It costs about $100.00 for a year of FANCINESS, but it was an essential move, because we ran out of room for NEW STUFF.<br />
<br />
primitiveentertainment.com<br />
<br />
We are now, OFFICIALLY, a DOT COM! Holy Glagnar!!! I don’t even know what fancy thing to do first!!!<br />
<br />
If you are a regular reader of the site (and even the artwork has a literary dimension to it---if you don’t believe it let me know, and I’ll write you a PROOF that my doodles are actually thrilling works of fiction in visual form---even the abstracts!)… If you are a regular reader of the site, then you know we post A LOT. We have several regular contributors, and a few “once in a whilers,” and besides that, I’m a compulsive doodler and word compiler. And with the exciting digital technology that my wife keeps acquiring for me, it’s become extremely easy for me to scribble on a napkin or a receipt or a hunk of cardboard, then snap a high rez photo and color the heck out of it with those magical electro-devices and share them with all the humans and A.I. in the digital world! I draw all the time, and I write just about every day (mostly on scraps of paper or old bits of junk---and then I tape everything into my notebooks.) And, of course, a lot of what I create ends up on the P.E.W.!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
But after 5 years of compiling stories and poems and photos and drawings and book reviews and all that jazz, we ran out of room. 5,700+ posts in five years. IMPOSSIBLE, now, to read everything we have posted. We needed to EXPAND---to GO PRO, if you will. So we did.<br />
<br />
Now for most people, a hundred bucks is probably not that big of a deal. For ME, it’s a serious chunk of cash. Now that I’m PAYING to make this site, I’ve got to focus on trying to make that investment BACK before December of 2018 so that I can re-up for the next year. It’s only going to take me a few weeks to go over the “free” allotted space on this site, so I won’t be able to go BACK to the old plan without causing weird and potentially catastrophic things to happen.<br />
<br />
And that’s where you folks come in. I’m going to be working pretty hard over the next year to try and make $101.00 to pay for the next years’ bill. (It only costs $96.00 for the plan, but I figure making an extra five bucks will help pay for the TIME I’ve invested.) If you believe in free expression, in helping the underdogs, in pushing punk creativity and Dada spirit and underground attitude in the MAKING OF THINGS (Richard Brautigan style---unpublished/self-published type stuff), then consider patronizing our PURCHASABLE sections: <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/stuff-you-can-buy/">Books You Can Buy</a>, the <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/primitive-image-emporium-buy-artwork/">Primitive Image Emporium</a>, <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.com/postcards-from-paradise-micro-gallery-creation-station/">Postcards from Paradise</a>, and so on. We could sure use your help! It will keep the creativity rolling along, and we’ll be able to keep doing all the wacky things we do: posting new stories and art and poems, self-publishing our books, promoting creative expression in “outsider types” (like most of us at the Workshop), and KEEPING THOSE CONNECTIONS ALIVE! <br />
<br />
I’ve had tons of contributors who have helped sweeten the pot here at the Workshop over the years, and I’m extremely grateful to all of them for their efforts. One of these days, I should force myself to look through all the POSTS (a Herculean effort at this point) and write up a contributors’ list, just to make sure everyone gets credit! (But I think that’s a project for a different day.)<br />
<br />
One of the BEST things about creating artwork and writing is the SHARING! The collaborations, the art parties, the bouncing off of each other’s ideas… These are the things that I love about this life. OBVIOUSLY, I’m not making any money at this, but I’ve made friends, some I’ve met in person, some that I’ve only ever talked with online. I’ve been influenced by the stories and artwork I’ve seen others make, and I’ve heard people say that I inspired them. (Comments like, “If he can sell THAT shit, anybody can do it!” are pretty common. Good to know I’m helping people understand that ANYONE can do this!) Sitting in the front yard with a bunch of drawings and paints scattered around, during the summer, and selling a $10 drawing to someone is wonderful, and getting to talk to them about how we (as a family) came up with the ideas for doing all this stuff, is even better! There’s also the thrill of seeing someone SMILE when they get one of my visual puns or when they work out the weird little joke I’ve got hidden in some three sentence story---these are great moments. These are worth it.<br />
<br />
THE CONNECTIONS! However brief, however seemingly insubstantial, the connections that I make are the reason I keep doing this. It’s also the reason that EVERYONE should be MAKING THINGS THEMSELVES. You don’t have to be a trained artist to love to draw or paint. You don’t have to be a college graduate to write a story or a poem. You just have to be a human. And then to SHARE that work with others, that’s WHY we are alive. It’s not about making money (although now I HAVE to make money to keep the game rolling…), it’s about CONNECTING. Keep making, keep doing, keep connecting, and I’ll keep going, too, until I CAN’T anymore…<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
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thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-72716538134859311422017-12-09T12:09:00.002-08:002017-12-09T12:09:36.979-08:00"Bigfoot (Part 8)" by Randy Long[If you haven’t read any of Randy Long’s epic fantasy-adventure story, yet, you can start from the beginning <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/bigfoot-story-by-randy-long/">HERE</a>. Meanwhile, strap yourselves in. We’re heading back to Randy Land!!! ---RFY]<br />
_______________________<br />
<br />
The water from To-Wonga Falls seemed magical. It seemed to give all in our party new energy. I’m thinking the water has something to do with the anti-aging of that world, and To-Wonga Falls was the headway. That’s why the water glows there.<br />
<br />
That planet has the Fountain of Youth. Only it doesn’t keep you a child, but it does keep you from growing old.<br />
<br />
After drinking the water at To-Wonga Falls, we all emptied our water containers and filled them up again at the falls. We all felt better than we had in years. It had only been a day, but I already had more of a spring in my step.<br />
<br />
So we were off to Oasis Village, the high desert village. We hadn’t seen any Bigfoot people in two days. The average days were 80 to 85 degrees, and sunrise was at 5:00 A.M., Twin Phoenix time. Sunset was about 10:00 P.M. The closer we got to the high mountain desert, the longer the days seemed to be.<br />
<br />
What I wouldn’t have given for some kind of transportation other than walking, but as long as we had To-Wonga River water, we all had more energy.<br />
<br />
We eventually ran across some humans heading west, and they said we were two days away from Oasis Village. One man pulled me aside and said, “Why are you with that Bigfoot lover?” And I asked him what he meant. He told me Tracy was a spy for the Bigfoot people and to watch out. She had gotten someone he knew into trouble.<br />
<br />
She had told a Bigfoot about his friend, and from then on, that friend had to live in Bigfoot City and was watched constantly. I thanked him and told him I wouldn’t mention his name. And then I told Ed that Tracy couldn’t be trusted.<br />
<br />
He got mad but understood, and he said, “I knew she had a secret. I just didn’t know what.”<br />
<br />
I told him that we needed to talk to her. “Tracy, come here,” I said, “We need to talk. I was told that you’re a traitor to your own kind.”<br />
<br />
She said, “Now that I know the real truth about what we discovered at To-Wonga Falls, and the Bigfoot people said they were the Ancients… Now I know that’s not true. I know I’ll have to earn your respect and trust in me. I will try by best.”<br />
<br />
“Why did you tell on your own kind?” I asked.<br />
<br />
“I was told that those humans were eating animals and trying to kill the Bigfoot.”<br />
<br />
I told her I understood, and I asked if she was told to spy on us. She said, “Yes, but after getting to know you all, I wouldn’t. I consider you family and know you wouldn’t harm anyone.”<br />
<br />
Oasis Village was just over the next rise. It was an all human village in the high desert. As we walked into the village, we noticed that is was huge and had a lake in the center of town with an inlet and outlet streams. The water in the lake glowed just like To-Wonga.<br />
<br />
But we were still on a mission, and we talked to the elders, and that night we had a fish fry. The elders told me there were caves to the west, and they had heard there might be someone living there, but they weren’t sure if it was who we were seeking or not.<br />
<br />
The next morning, I told everyone to stay there and stock up on supplies. I was going to the caves and would be back in 3 or 4 days. It was most of a good day’s walk to the caves, and I proceeded to look through the caves, but didn’t find any sign of anyone living there.<br />
<br />
Well, two days had gone by, and I decided that, on the third day, I would head back to Oasis Town. I went to sleep that night, and about an hour before daylight, I was awakened by a sound. Someone was standing over me and screaming, “What are you doing in my cave! GET OUT! Don’t come back!”<br />
<br />
I was half asleep, and I said, “Bill Johnson sent me.”<br />
<br />
The man stopped screaming and said, “Do you know Bill?”<br />
<br />
I said, “Yes, I do. Bill told me to find you.” I asked his name. Bill told me his name was Kermit the Hermit, and if he didn’t say Kermit, if he answered with anything else, he wasn’t who I was looking for.<br />
<br />
He said, “George.”<br />
<br />
“My friend Bill says, if you say anything but this specific name, you’re not who I’m looking for,” I said and turned to leave.<br />
<br />
And he said, “Wait a minute. Bill taught you well. I’m Kermit the Hermit.”<br />
<br />
“Wow! I’ve been looking for you for at least 6 months. I’m looking for the Golden Compass.”<br />
<br />
In reply, Kermit said, “Show me the Golden Key.” From a cord around my neck, I pull the Golden Key out of my shirt. Kermit said, “I didn’t know it actually existed. Now the Golden Compass… Well, it’s like this. I couldn’t keep it on me, from fear of the Bigfoot, so I hid it in a dark place deep in the caves.”<br />
<br />
I said, “Do you know about the Ancients at To-Wonga Falls?”<br />
<br />
Kermit said, “Yes, we all do around here. Oasis Town and the surrounding area. Some of the people near Bigfoot City even know there, but they can’t talk about it. They’re afraid of the Bigfoot people.<br />
<br />
I said that wasn’t how it was supposed to be.<br />
<br />
“Well, let’s go in the cave and get the compass,” I said. We started walking.<br />
<br />
After a while, Kermit said, “I have to warn you, I have a friend in the caves.”<br />
<br />
I thought, “How bad could that be?” and as I turned a corner in the cave it opened up into a great big, giant room, and in the corner of the room was a Bigfoot sitting in a dimly lit area. I looked at Kermit and said, “What the…?”<br />
<br />
And Kermit said, “Relax, it’s not what you think. This is…well, I call him Ralph, but his real name is Rafe-Gun, but you can call him Ralph. He’s actually the King of all Bigfoot, or he’s supposed to be, but there are too many Bigfoot that wanted to rule everyone instead of the way it’s supposed to be. If Ralph could become King again, like he’s suppose to, the Bigfoot people would be the protectors, not the rulers.”<br />
<br />
“Hey Kermit,” I said, “about the---ya know…”<br />
<br />
“It’s okay. Ralph knows, too,” Kermit says to Ralph, “He’s come for the Golden Compass.”<br />
<br />
Ralph had it camouflaged, but he handed it to me. Ralph looked at me and said in my head, “I need help to get control of my people again.”<br />
<br />
I looked at Kermit and asked, “Is he serious?”<br />
<br />
And Kermit said, “Yes, and I trust him completely.”<br />
<br />
“Okay,” I said, “with the Golden Key and the compass, we can make you King again. We need to go back to Oasis Town, so I can get back to the ones I came with and talk to the elders about Ralph.”<br />
_______________________<br />
<br />
[So now it’s getting serious! Revolution!?!? Tune in NEXT WEEK for the FINAL PART of Randy Long’s “Bigfoot” adventure!!!! And if you made it this far into the story but haven’t read the beginning, you should go <a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/bigfoot-story-by-randy-long/">HERE</a> and read the whole thing! ---RFY]<br />
<br />
---Randy Long<br />
<br />
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thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-39866515155943263372017-12-09T12:05:00.001-08:002017-12-09T12:05:03.448-08:00"Bigfoot (Part 7)" by Randy LongThere were so many animals in that world that they needed to be regulated. Some of the animals were domesticated, and most all the animals were pretty tame ‘cuz there was no threat, from or against. Most humans lived by water there and were farmers. The primary food there was grown, and a few people threw nets in the water for fish.<br />
<br />
Highland Town, I believed, was just on the other side of the next mountain. We came around the corner, and at the top of the mountain, there it was! We came into town and were met by the Elders of the town, and we asked if they’d seen Ed. They said yes! And they said he was on the other side of town. They proceeded to show us around.<br />
<br />
They were very friendly people. I could see why Ed stayed there. It was a pretty big town for a human residence in that world. One of the elders said, “Let me see if they’re here.” He knocked on the door, and sure enough Ed came out and greeted us.<br />
<br />
I guess I never seen anyone so happy to see anyone before. “Hey, good to see you two!” The elders left, and sure enough, Ed had a girlfriend. Her name was Tracy. Seemed real nice. I asked if Linda and Tracy would make something to eat.<br />
<br />
Really, I just wanted to talk to Ed alone. Told him sorry he couldn’t go home, but we need to talk. I told him, the Bigfoot people say we can’t leave. “Well, between you and me, I’ve got a plan!” I told him I met a man named Bill, and he told me a story and we might be able to go home, but it won’t be easy.<br />
<br />
I started telling Ed about the doorways, and asked if he remembered about the Golden Key I have around my neck. He remembered. I told him it came from the Bigfoot world. Bill told me this world has a bunch of keys, but it’s said there are only two Golden Keys. One was around my neck, and Bill gave me the other one. No one knows I have both, but it’s said that the Golden Keys will unlock any doorway, and might even allow us to go home, because there’s one thing that most people and the Bigfoot don’t know—there’s a magic doorway!<br />
<br />
The magic doorway only appears in certain spots on this planet and at certain times, but needs a Golden Key to open it, and then the magic doorway will take you where you want to go.<br />
<br />
But, of course, there’s a catch! There’s an old man who lives in a cave on the other side of the desert where a mountain starts and the desert ends. There’s a hidden cave in the side of the mountain. The old man knows when and where the door will appear. Bill said not to let the Bigfoot people find out. He said we would need one other thing, a compass. The compass will show us where the door will be. Bill said the old man in the cave can tell us where and how to find the compass. But above all, never let the Bigfoot people know anything!<br />
<br />
We stayed a couple days, and we were all going to leave and look for the compass and the old man. Ed and his new-found friend, Tracy, were pretty chummy, and we asked her if she wanted to come with us. She said she did. She said she’d been there all her life.<br />
<br />
Ed and I decided not to tell her our plans right away, just that we wanted to explore the planet more and that she would make the perfect guide. So we headed out of the village: myself, Linda, Ed and Tracy. (By the way, my name is Randy.) I told Tracy we would like to go to the high desert mountains to the human village of Oasis. I was told by Bill that the old man in the cave lived near there, or so Bill had heard. Tracy said it was a long journey away. She said she’d never been there but that she thought she knew how to get there.<br />
<br />
So we were off to Oasis village in the high desert. Tracy said it was at least 3 or 4 weeks away.<br />
<br />
Tracy and Ed were pretty close, but Ed said there was something about her. Maybe it was just that she was born there, or maybe something different. She was a bit secretive, like maybe she was hiding something.<br />
<br />
Well, we were off. Tracy said we should first head to the Great Falls of To-Wonga. The Great Falls are the only place that an ancient statue still stands from the ancient people who lived there before the Bigfoot. This is the only remnant of the ancients left on this world that shows what they looked like, and Tracy said that at the Falls the water glows even at night!<br />
<br />
I was real curious to see the statue of the ancient beings and to see what they looked like. We headed southeast through the Forest of Weer. They say the Forest of Weer’s trees are the oldest on that planet. The trees are blue, they say. When the planet was young there was less oxygen in the atmosphere and the trees grew blue, and some of the trees were thousands of years old. They say the largest one is 980 feet tall and over 30 feet around.<br />
<br />
The Forest of Weer is the biggest forest. It’s said it’s a hundred million acres. We were only going through one edge of the forest, about 20 miles across. Amazing! Blue trees! Looking up and seeing as far as you can see, to the tops of the trees! There was thick brush and a small trail heading through the forest. It took three days to pass through the edge of the Forest of Weer.<br />
<br />
While going through deep in the forest, we seen the blue jackalopes, the only place the jackalopes are blue, from eating plant life in the Forest of Weer. I was told by Tracy that it’s good luck to see blue jackalopes because they’re rare. After leaving the Forest of Weer, the trees became less dense and were back to green and normal foliage.<br />
<br />
I noticed that the further southeast we went, the dryer the air became. There were also less trees, and the foliage was changing, becoming more desert like. There were also less Bigfoot people. It was odd not seeing Bigfoot people after seeing them all the time.<br />
<br />
It had been a week since we’d run across any water. It was a good thing we had plenty of water with us.<br />
<br />
A week and a half since we left the Forest of Weer, and we had three or four days more before we reached the Falls of To-Wonga. One more day passed, and we reached the River of To-Wonga. It seemed a flock of gryphons lived near the rocks next to the To-Wonga River. Tracy said it was two more days until we reached the falls.<br />
<br />
Now that we were at the river, we stocked up on water and fish. I was amazed that the gryphons were friendly. They are legendary creatures with the head, talons, and wings of an eagle, and the body of a lion.<br />
<br />
One more day passed uneventfully. We got up bright and early the next morning, so we could get to the falls. Finally, around noon, we showed up at To-Wonga Falls. To my astonishment, the ancients were humans. People who looked just like us were the first that ruled this planet!<br />
<br />
The writings on the stone statue explained all: the humans left that planet and went through the doorways long ago. They left the planet so the animals would prosper and left the Bigfoot people in charge to protect them. It’s kind of funny—it went full circle. The true secret of that world is that the ancients knew. Humans would kill all the animals, and to preserve the planet, they all left.<br />
<br />
Then we forgot that world.<br />
<br />
They left the marker at To-Wonga Falls so anyone looking could find out, but it would take a long journey to find out. On one hand, I felt ashamed, and on the other I wondered how we lost our intelligence—and how many other planets did we go to through all the different doorways?<br />
<br />
Knowing all of this changed how we looked at the world. We were all a bit more humble, but we still had a mission, and the next day we would be leaving To-Wonga Falls to go to Oasis village in the high desert.<br />
<br />
—Randy Long<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_624031029"><br /></a>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a>thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-89495163370519806652017-11-11T13:34:00.000-08:002017-11-11T13:34:55.435-08:00“Serialized Novella: ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapters 34 to 37)”[Well, here it is, folks. The final few chapters in my novella. Thanks to everybody who stuck with the long serialization process! Let me know what you think of the tale! I’ll have a link at the end of the post to the ENTIRE STORY in one handy place, if you missed a chapter or two! In addition, if I get around to it, I’ll compile the story into book form and for digital download. I’ll try to keep you all informed as that project progresses! Thanks again! On to the final devastation!!! ---RFY]<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 34)<br />
<br />
Shea rushed through the now door-less opening to the roof, followed by Rose and Allen, as Stacey crumpled forward. Wei and Biggs, forced to uphold the barrier without their third, a barrier which was still under attack by dozens of beetles and Shadow creatures, screamed in shock and pain then both collapsed.<br />
<br />
Allen felt the hairs on his body twitch as the shimmering barrier dissolved. He heard a high, cackling laugh that filled his chest with ice, and saw Krystal float down to the roof next to Angie. Krystal raised her arm and waved, and Angie mimicked her movements, exactly. Krystal moved her other arm, stretching it out to her side, and Angie swung her arm, which still held the knife in it, out as well. Krystal smiled a wild, wicked grin.<br />
<br />
"No..." Rose said, quietly, her hands springing up to cover her cheeks.<br />
<br />
The smiles on both Krystal and Angie's faces grew sickeningly huge, then Krystal jerked her outstretched arm quickly to her heart, and Angie, in return, drove the knife in her hand into her chest. She fell, face down, onto the rooftop.<br />
<br />
Both Rose and Allen screamed in anguish. Shea drew her pistol and fired into the witch, the bullets tearing at her ragged, black dress but seeming to pass straight through Krystal's body.<br />
<br />
Krystal floated up, off the rooftop, her black knife appearing suddenly in her hand, when she suddenly froze in mid-air. A dry whisper of a voice said, softly, "Stop."<br />
<br />
Krystal's face looked pained. Her grin evaporated, and a look of fear took its place. The air on the roof grew colder, and a dark mist formed between Krystal and the others. The mist swirled like black ink in the air, and a single Shadow appeared, with red light pouring from its eyes. It swam forward a step, a liquid shadow, then solidified into an ancient looking man, standing on the rooftop, completely bald, in a shining black suit.<br />
<br />
"Come down," he said, his voice dry and soft, barely a whisper. Krystal landed on the roof then froze like a statue.<br />
<br />
"You are Allen Tombes," the man said, not asking, just stating a fact. His eyes were red, with black irises that stared directly at Allen. Allen shivered. He looked at Rose, who seemed to be as immobile as Krystal, then at Shea, who was also frozen.<br />
<br />
"Who are you?" Allen said, looking back at the man. Though Allen tried to sound brave, even defiant, his voice shook.<br />
<br />
"Such a waste," the man said, nudging the body of one of the guards lying on the rooftop with the toe of a shining black shoe. "All of this senseless death. It's tragic, isn't it?" The man's red eyes swiveled back toward Allen. The man's head shook slowly back and forth, apparently deeply moved by the crumpled bodies at his feet. "But we can stop all of this, of course," the man said, his voice consoling, almost pleading with Allen to understand him.<br />
<br />
"What do you mean?" Allen said. The man took another step toward him.<br />
<br />
"Your parents didn't have to die. You know that to be true, don't you? Your friends, none of these poor, simple humans," the man waved at the bodies lying around, wisps of black smoke trailing his hand as it moved through the air. He took another step.<br />
<br />
"It's you that I want, child," the man said in a calm, almost sweet, voice. Allen shivered again.<br />
<br />
"Why? Why me?" Allen said. He moved back a step.<br />
<br />
"Because I know what is inside of you. I'm trying to save your world. The creature that's trying to take you over, to possess you, I know what it's capable of doing. It's already tried to murder your brother, one of the only family members you have left." The man stepped closer. "If you allow it to come into your world completely, it will consume every living creature on this planet. Everything will be destroyed," the man said, in a pity-filled, sad voice. The man stopped, only a few paces from Allen, and stared at him, his red eyes unblinking.<br />
<br />
Allen's lip trembled.<br />
<br />
"You can save your sister---your brother---all of your friends," the man said.<br />
<br />
"How?" Allen asked, his voice a whisper that echoed the Shadow Lord's soft voice.<br />
<br />
"If you surrender, if you will come with me, now, so that I can sever the connection between you and the fire demon, I will call off the attack on this building. I'll withdraw my forces and leave everyone else unharmed," his voice was so calm, so soft and compelling. Allen glanced again at his sister, her face frozen in a scream of terror.<br />
<br />
Allen shook all over. He felt tired, almost relieved that this would all be over, very soon. He looked back into the chalk white face of the man in front of him, who was smiling, reassuringly, and nodding.<br />
<br />
"Just so you know, Kiddo," said a voice from behind Allen, "he's lying." Allen turned and saw Chaz walking through the doorway and step out onto the roof. Chaz was carrying something in his hand.<br />
<br />
"There's no chance in Hell he's going to call off the attack. He just wants you dead so he can slaughter everyone here more easily. But now, kid, you better duck," Chaz said.<br />
<br />
Allen turned back toward the white-faced man in time to see his features contort into a mask of rage, the red eyes blazing, then the face melted into mist, and the creature lunged at Allen, its arms spread wide.<br />
<br />
Allen dove toward Rose, who was still frozen, and pulled her out of the way. Chaz threw a magnesium flare into the Shadow Lord's face. It screamed, a high, echoing howl, and flew backwards.<br />
<br />
The creature yelled something in a language that Allen couldn't understand, and Krystal snapped back to life.<br />
<br />
Chaz, who was bent over Allen's bag, yelled to him, "Hey! You'll want this!" He tossed Allen's sword to him, and Allen, who was still laying on the rooftop next to his sister, caught it with one hand.<br />
<br />
"What's going on?" Rose said. She sat up, looking confused.<br />
<br />
"You're about to die!" shrieked Krystal, brandishing her huge, black blade.<br />
<br />
Allen jumped to his feet and pulled the sheath off his sword, which burned a bright blue-green. He moved, quickly, between Rose and Krystal, and set his feet in a fighting stance like the one he'd seen Chris take in the training room. Allen heard a crackle of energy, and Kitsle, buzzing loudly, flew out of his bag, hovering near Allen's shoulder.<br />
<br />
The Shadow Lord growled a few words in his strange language, and Allen recognized enough to know it was some kind of curse. Then the Shadow Lord vanished with a thunder-crack and a swirl of black mist.<br />
<br />
The evil smile that had been on Krystal's face fell, replaced by a look of savage anger. She glanced around the rooftop, and the wicked smile returned. She switched her knife from her right hand to her left, then drew the blade across her empty palm. A thick, black blood oozed out of the wound. The knife floated out of her hand and hovered above her head as she dipped a finger into the blood and drew a spell in the air in this sick, black ink.<br />
<br />
"This ain't good..." Chaz said, moving closer to Allen and Rose.<br />
<br />
Allen was confused, then noticed the bodies on the roof starting to twitch, then move, then stand.<br />
<br />
"Kitsle, some of them have guns," Chaz said.<br />
<br />
Kitsle's wings flashed and he zipped off toward the nearest group of armed guards. Their eyes were black and faces blank. They moved slowly at first, but picked up speed as the spell worked its way into their joints. Allen saw Kitsle exploded in a shower of sparks, and a few of the guards dropped back to the rooftop.<br />
<br />
"Oh no..." moaned Rose, as she spotted Angie, the knife handle still sticking out of her chest, lumbering toward them.<br />
<br />
"Come on!" Chaz said, heading back toward the doorway. He kicked at a guard, whose uniform was covered in blood from a horrible neck wound.<br />
<br />
Kitsle flashed, again and again, dropping guards then buzzing on the next group, but it was obvious to Allen that there were too many for Kitsle to stop them all. They had to escape. Then he remembered the real threat.<br />
<br />
"Where did Krystal go?" Allen yelled. Rose, almost at the doorway, screamed as Krystal flew out of the sky above Allen, slashing him across the chest with her knife. He fell to his knees, touching his fingers to the gash in his chest and looking at the blood on his fingers.<br />
<br />
"No!" Rose screamed. She tried to run back to Allen, but Chaz grabbed her by the shoulders. "Let go of me!" she yelled, smacking at his hands.<br />
<br />
"You don't want to be out there right now," Chaz said and pointed at Allen, whose hair had gone dark blue and begun to burn.<br />
<br />
Allen, moving like a puppet pulled by invisible strings, floated up from the rooftop and into a standing position, hovering inches above the roof's surface. He moved his head, slowly, scanning the reanimated guards rushing toward him. In his right hand he still held his sword, but it was now engulfed in dark blue flame. He raised his empty hand and a swath of fire, moving like a churning wave, flew out at the approaching hordes. Their bodies ignited instantly on contact with the flame, flesh and clothing and bone melting like wax. The guards, liquified by the flame, all fell. Rose, seeing the flames reach the lumbering form of her friend, covered her eyes as Angie's body melted away, the charred metal of the knife clanking on the roof amidst anemic ashes.<br />
<br />
Krystal cursed at Allen as she floated high above the roof. Allen raised his empty hand to her and she, again, froze in mid-air. Allen's fingers twisted and Krystal was dragged through the air toward him, screaming in pain the entire way.<br />
<br />
"You tried to kill us," Allen said in a dreamlike, hollow tone. He rubbed his fingers across the place on his chest where the gash had been, though it was completely healed now, with only the slashed shirt, swimming in flames, as evidence of what should have been a mortal wound.<br />
<br />
"You don't belong here!" Krystal spat, her face twisting in fury.<br />
<br />
"And you do?" Allen asked, his flaming, blue-black eyes looking into her dark, dead ones.<br />
<br />
"Humans are soft and weak. You'll destroy them all," she growled.<br />
<br />
"Maybe," Allen said, softly, a smile suddenly curling his lips, "but first, we're going to destroy you. You've been killed once already. We can smell the stench of death all over you. It's disgusting." Allen closed his eyes and sniffed the air. "And more importantly," he said, opening his eyes and smiling, "we hate you." Allen smiled wickedly, then stabbed his sword into the witch's chest. She screamed. The flames around Allen grew brighter and more intense, and the sword in Krystal's chest boiled with dark blue flame. Her mouth fell open and her head rolled to one side, then she burst into flames and, in seconds, melted into ashes.<br />
<br />
Allen looked at the remains of Krystal on the rooftop. He was still smiling.<br />
<br />
"Allen?" Rose called, her voice shaking with fear. Allen turned his head toward her and Chaz, still half in the doorway. Allen's smile slid away, leaving his expression blank.<br />
<br />
Kitsle buzzed up to Allen at that moment, fluttering and clicking, then flew to the edge of the building. Allen, still hovering just above the surface of the roof, followed Kitsle with his eyes. Kitsle clicked and flashed again, then flew over the side of the building and down toward the street. Allen, looking back at his sister, rose higher into the air, floated toward the edge of the building, and followed Kitsle over the side.<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 35)<br />
<br />
On the streets below, Chris was still waging what he was beginning to consider a losing war against the Shadows, now that the shield spell had fallen. When the shield fell, the remaining beetles and dozens of Shadows and crawling eyeballs had entered the building, smashing or chewing through windows or demolishing sections of the building's walls. Haro ordered his clan to remain with Chris and continue the fight against the Devourer, but Haro himself had rushed off to the dorm rooms to make certain that all the children living within were protected.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, sitting cross-legged on the ground in front of the steps to the Brashley building's doors, Tazzi had succeeded in casting his freezing spell on the Devourer, which had slowed the great nightmare down, but hadn't stopped it completely. Its tentacles still moved and thrashed, but now at half speed, like a film played in slow motion. Maintaining the spell required all of his focus and mental energy, and he was surrounded by a circle of Eddings's men, who fought back Shadows and scuttling eyeballs. Horace, swinging a gigantic, curved scimitar, which glowed red, tore through Shadows and knocked screeching eyeballs away.<br />
<br />
"Shit! There goes the power," Chris said to Horace, as the beetles apparently found and chewed through the main power conduits for the building. As he tore off his now useless headset, the majority of the lights in the building behind him went out. Chris smiled wearily as one of Haro's clan slashed through a swarm of eyeballs, which seemed to exist at a strange energy frequency that made it impossible for most of the human guards to kill them, even the elites. The Simmerons, however, had no trouble destroying the spidery creatures. But Chris also realized that his forces where getting tired, while the enemy onslaught continued to press forward, Shadows were still slipping out of the rift into the streets, and new eyeballs were being let loose whenever a Simmeron tore a thrashing tentacle out of the Devourer. It was still at least an hour before dawn, and Chris was uncertain how much more the guards could take. He also feared for Allen and Rose, who the control room had lost contact with before the shield spell went down.<br />
<br />
Chris felt the ache in his arms as he slashed through a Shadow that had appeared near Tazzi's group. He looked at Horace, who was sweating and moving more slowly than before, but still smiling as he punted an eyeball and it screeched in pain.<br />
<br />
Chris heard a buzzing sound over the din of the battle, and the street began to glow with a bluish light. He looked up and saw a dark blue fireball falling slowly down the side of the building, tracked by a flashing globe of electrical sparks, which he recognized, after a few seconds, as his brother's lightning bug. As the ball of flame drew nearer, Chris realized that it was Allen. Despite the warm wind that flashed out of his brother's body, Chris felt a cold chill.<br />
<br />
As he watched the figure of his brother, consumed by a layer of dark blue flame, land on the street, Chris was suddenly knocked off his feet by a huge, blue beetle, which pinned him to the ground.<br />
<br />
The beetle snapped at his face with its giant mandibles, and stabbed him in the side with one of its pointed claws. The claw tore through the body armor and into his flesh, and Chris screamed. He saw the shadow of a figure approaching, then a huge boot kicked the beetle, crunching into its shell and sending it flying down the street. Horace leaped over Chris, following his limping prey. His red scimitar flashed through the air, slicing the beetle in two.<br />
<br />
Horace's huge hand pulled Chris back onto his feet, and Chris heard Horace's deep, warm laugh.<br />
<br />
"Now we're even for Madrid!" Horace said and smacked Chris on the back.<br />
<br />
"You still owe me one for Hong Kong," Chris grunted, holding his hand to his bleeding side.<br />
<br />
Horace laughed again and dashed back towards the group of men guarding Tazzi. Chris looked around for Allen and saw him hovering slightly above the pavement staring at the Devourer. A swarm of eyeballs rushed toward Allen, swiping at him with their spidery legs, but as they touched him, they squealed in pain and melted like ice under a blow torch.<br />
<br />
Kitsle buzzed over to Chris, flew down near his bleeding side, clicked and chirped a few things that Chris didn't understand, then flew back to Allen, clicking and sparking. Allen turned to look at Chris for a second, his eyes flaring with dark blue flame, then scanned the entire battle scene. In a voice that vibrated with power, Allen said to Chris, "You should take your men back into the building. I don't want you getting in the way of my fun." Not waiting for a reply, Allen faced the Devourer again, and began walking toward it in slow, measured steps, each footfall a few inches off the ground but still scorching the pavement.<br />
<br />
Chris's mouth felt too dry to talk, but he tried to swallow, then he yelled out, "Everyone, back to the building. It's about to get serious out here." Horace nodded, slowly, as the flames around Allen intensified. He waved for his men to follow Chris inside.<br />
<br />
As Allen approached, the Devourer moaned, a hollow, terrible sound that shook the windows of nearby buildings. The great beast shuddered, and another swarm of eyeballs pulled themselves from its nightmarish body and raced toward Allen. He raised his empty left hand and a tidal-wave of dark blue flame rushed at the approaching swarm, melting them instantly. The tar in the pavement began to bubble under Allen's form, and the heat flashed off his body in licks of dark blue flame. He continued to walk toward the giant creature, casually tossing the sword away.<br />
<br />
Chris, who had retreated to the top of the steps, watched Allen move casually toward the Devourer.<br />
<br />
Horace turned to glance back at the scene before going through the doors of the building, and said, "Sure am glad he's on our side!"<br />
<br />
"Is he?" Chris asked.<br />
<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 36)<br />
<br />
The Devourer bellowed another low, moaning howl, like the sound of a train wreck or a slow motion explosion. The creature, released from Tazzi's spell, swiped one of its giant tentacles at Allen and grabbed him, pinning his arms to his side. The tentacle pulled Allen toward the huge head, and the body began to tilt backward, ready to consume him.<br />
<br />
Chris felt the hairs on his body go stiff, then a huge gust of hot wind pushed into him, stinging his eyes and drying his lips, instantly.<br />
<br />
"I think we'd better get inside," Chris said.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, I think you're right," Horace said.<br />
<br />
The Simmerons, fire creatures themselves, all stopped their hunting and gathered at the bottom of the steps to the Brashley building to watch the clash between Allen and the Devourer. Chris waved the last few humans inside the building and closed the doors. Tazzi cast a protective charm on the doors, then shrugged his shoulders, indicating that it was the best he could do, but under the circumstances, he didn't know if it would be strong enough to hold against Hellfire. Chris and Horace ordered their men to take the stairs and start hunting, floor by floor, for any creatures that had gotten inside the building.<br />
<br />
Outside, Allen was held tight in the Devourer's tentacle, but was still smiling. The flame around him grew darker, as if the midnight sky were pouring out of him in thick waves. The Devourer began to shriek, and the tentacle wrapped around Allen began to bubble and boil, then shrivel away, melting as the eyeballs had.<br />
<br />
The Devourer shifted its massive body and started to pull itself on its remaining tentacles back toward the rift. Allen, spotting this, grew a sick, devilish grin, and waved his hand toward the glimmering opening. The rift wavered, then collapsed in a crash of sparks and sound. The Devourer, cut off from escape, roared, shattering thousands of windows and rocking Allen backward. It raised dozens of thrashing tentacles, and pushed itself into the air with the four thickest at its base. It pounced on top of Allen, then folded itself around him, sucking him in and constricting itself around his form.<br />
<br />
The Great Wolf, woken by sounds of the Devourer's attack, staggered to its feet.<br />
<br />
"We are lost," it said solemnly. A few of the Simmerons laughed.<br />
<br />
There was a strange, sucking sound, and a wind, which pulled cars, debris, and bodies toward the Devourer, and even staggered a few of Haro's clan, who began to grumble in their language, some laughing loudly.<br />
<br />
The Great Wolf strained against the pull of the wind, crouching low to the ground.<br />
<br />
The Devourer began to moan again, stretched a tentacle, weakly, toward the Great Wolf, then was lost to sight as dark blue flame began to flare up from inside the monster's body. Dark waves of fire suddenly exploded from the Devourer, melting the streets and vaporizing the debris that had been sucked too near. The blue flame crackled, reaching outward to consume everything around it, then stopped, frozen for an instant, then flooding back into itself, revealing Allen, floating in the center of a crater.<br />
<br />
He hovered back to a portion of the street that hadn't been completely destroyed, stepped onto the pavement, and laughed, a sick, inhuman, insane sound. Haro's clan moved in front of Allen and bowed. Allen looked at them and chuckled.<br />
<br />
The Great Wolf approached, slowly. "I know you," the wolf said.<br />
<br />
"Do you?" Allen asked, his blue flame eyes staring into the wolf's brilliant green.<br />
<br />
"You are Agni, the Fire God," the Great Wolf said, bowing his head.<br />
<br />
Allen smiled. "And you are a forest spirit, young pup. There, now we've introduced ourselves."<br />
<br />
The wolf stared, fearfully, at Allen, whose attention had been captured by Kitsle, buzzing near Allen's head.<br />
<br />
"Why have you returned?" the Great Wolf asked, once Allen's gaze had finally returned to him.<br />
<br />
"It's been nearly eleven thousand years since I've visited. I was sleeping in a comfortable abyss, when this child," he tapped himself on the chest," called for flame. I heard him. It's been so long since I've had true followers here, I'd nearly forgotten the place."<br />
<br />
"Few true gods remain on this world. Humans have lost their taste for them, and sadly, have invented their own gods to take the place of the natural spirits," the wolf said.<br />
<br />
"Perhaps they need to be reminded of why they worshiped and feared the gods," Allen said, the devilish smile returning to his face. Kitsle clicked and buzzed in his ear, and the smile faded.<br />
<br />
"Allen!" yelled Rose as she, Chris, and Haro came through the doors of the building. Shayla, Cheever, and a number of others followed. The sun, a thin, orange crack in the sky, appeared between the buildings blocking the horizon.<br />
<br />
Allen scanned the multitude of faces appearing from inside the building. He looked at Kitsle, the Great Wolf, and the bowing Simmerons, who were quickly joined by Haro. Allen watched as Rose walked toward him, but was stopped by Chris, his hand grabbing her arm. She shook loose of her brother's grip and continued forward, her eyes wide with fear.<br />
<br />
"You cannot stay on this planet, Fire God. Surely, you know this," the wolf said.<br />
<br />
"No 'thank you' for getting rid of your little pest problem?" Allen said, inclining his head toward the smoldering crater behind him.<br />
<br />
"This world, these creatures, they are all far too delicate to worship you. They could not survive your presence. Not for very long," the wolf said.<br />
<br />
Allen raised a hand and looked at it. "This boy seems pretty sturdy to me," he said, and Kitsle landed on one of his fingers, clicking and popping wildly.<br />
<br />
"The boy is an exception, a throw-back to the time of heroes," the wolf said. "Were it not for his strength of spirit, that body would have been destroyed the moment you entered it."<br />
<br />
Kitsle clicked and buzzed, glowing and shooting sparks.<br />
<br />
Allen frowned and his shoulders slumped.<br />
<br />
"Fine," he said, in a sulking voice. "I can see that I'm not wanted here." His expression brightened, "Maybe I'll go hunting for more of these old beasts to kill. That was fun!" he said, then his face went blank and his body fell to the ground.<br />
<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 37)<br />
<br />
Three months later----<br />
<br />
Chris slashed at Allen with his blue, glowing blade. Allen blocked the swing, his own blade flashing blue-green as he spun and counter attacked with a thrust. The sensor chip on the back of his hand glinted under the lights of the training room's high ceiling, which still bore the scorch marks from Allen's first training session. Most of the remodeling and repairs were already complete, but the room still needed to be repainted.<br />
<br />
Cheever and Rose stood behind the computer cart, Cheever nodding and brushing absently at his mustache.<br />
<br />
Chris thrust his sword at Allen's chest, and Allen parried the thrust, but the maneuver left him off balance. Chris swept his foot out, tripping Allen, who fell to the floor with a thud.<br />
<br />
Rose gasped, then shook her head. Chris bent over Allen and said, "Are you always going to fall for that?" He reached out his hand and pulled Allen to his feet.<br />
<br />
"Peaked at 280 that time!" Cheever said, clapping his hands. "Temperature's normal, but his heart rate is pretty high. We'd better call it a day."<br />
<br />
"So, how are you feeling?" Rose asked Allen, looking a bit apprehensive.<br />
<br />
"You ask me that every time we practice," Allen said. "I'm fine. It's been three months, Sis! I'm not possessed anymore!"<br />
<br />
"That's for sure," Chris said, chiding him.<br />
<br />
"Don't listen to him, my boy. You're already generating one of the strongest energy fields at Brashley, and you're still only fifteen!" Cheever said, patting Allen on the shoulder.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, but his technique sucks," Chris laughed.<br />
<br />
"Well, look who my teacher is! What do you expect?" Allen said, laughing.<br />
<br />
"Ooooo... Good one," Chris said, punching his brother in the shoulder.<br />
<br />
"You boys play nice," Shea said as she stepped into the training room. Allen went red in the face. "Rose, my mom wants to see you. There's a job that needs a witch, and Esmeralda says you can ride along as part of your training, if you're not too busy."<br />
<br />
"Hot damn! See you guys later! I've got a job to do," Rose said, grabbing her jacket from a chair and following Shea out of the room.<br />
<br />
"When do I get to go on a job?" Allen asked as he helped Cheever push the computer cart back into the storage room.<br />
<br />
"I'm sure it won't be long," Cheever said, smiling the huge grin that made his eyes disappear.<br />
<br />
"Yeah, we destroyed a huge chunk of the Shadow population, but they'll build back up," Chris said. "I'm sure you didn't put us out of a job, yet."<br />
<br />
"Do you think the Shadow Lord is going to keep trying to kill me?" Allen asked, his face suddenly dark.<br />
<br />
"I wouldn't worry," Chris said. "Just keep up with your training, and if he does ever come after you, we'll be ready to kick his ass, again." Chris mussed Allen's hair, then turned off the lights and they walked out the door.<br />
<br />
End.<br />
<br />
[There are thoughts in my head for a second Allen Tombes story, but nothing even in the outlining stages as of yet. If anyone is interested in hearing what happens next, let me know. Meanwhile, I think I’m going to switch back to my unfinished Sharkey and the Jabberwock story! I’ll do some reediting, maybe some reposts of the early chapters, and then finish that sucker, too! Thanks again for hanging with me and the monsters for a bit!]<br />
<br />
Here’s a link to the entire Allen Tombes story:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/allen-tombes-fire-from-water-novella-by-richard-f-yates/">ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER</a><br />
<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.threadless.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.threadless.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/richardfyates/shop">https://www.redbubble.com/people/richardfyates/shop</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a><br />
<div>
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thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-5357630383703877762017-10-29T15:54:00.000-07:002017-10-29T15:54:28.616-07:00“Serialized Novella: ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapters 32 and 33)”[Allen was just a boy who liked to read horror comics, until his brother mysteriously disappeared. Now, he and his sister orphaned and his missing brother returned but radically changed, Allen finds himself the target of a dark and powerful force that wants him dead. The Shadows have come, the battle is imminent---dare I say it?---LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!! If you’ve been waiting for some SERIOUS monster action, the wait is over… ---RFY]<br />
<br />
_____________<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 32)<br />
<br />
When Shea returned to the dorm room a few hours later, Angie was sleeping on her bunk, an empty pizza box laying at the end of her bed. Rose and Allen were sitting on Rose's bed watching a DVD on Rose's computer.<br />
<br />
"Eddings is going to be here in a few minutes. Mom wants us on the roof to meet him," Shea said.<br />
<br />
"The roof?" Allen asked.<br />
<br />
"He's flying over in his chopper. It's a beaut!" Shea said, her eye twinkling with techno-lust.<br />
<br />
"Should we wake Angie up?" Rose asked.<br />
<br />
"Nah, let her rest," Shea said and waved for them to follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
On the roof, Allen found Cheever, Shayla, Chaz, and Chris, plus about a dozen guards, waiting outside a booth that looked almost exactly like the guard station Allen had seen when they'd pulled into the basement parking garage. Apparently, landing aircraft at Brashley was a common occurrence.<br />
<br />
The landing area was brightly lit, red lights flashing in a pattern that looked like a huge bulls-eye on the roof, making the night sky seem almost black. Chaz waved when he spotted Allen, but his usual smile was only half formed, and his eyes looked very tired.<br />
<br />
"Just in time," Shayla said, pointing at a pair of flashing lights approaching their building. As the helicopter drew nearer, it grew in size until Allen realized that it was almost as long as a city bus. The twin blades keeping it aloft caused a mini-hurricane as the vehicle maneuvered to land, and Allen covered his ears and turned his face away.<br />
<br />
As the machine landed heavily and the blades began to slow, a large panel unfolded out of the side and lowered itself to the rooftop forming a set of stairs, and a parade of men climbed out.<br />
<br />
"Eddings! Good of you to come!" Cheever said, smiling and stepping forward to shake the hand of a tall, thin man with immaculately combed black hair. Eddings was wearing a shining, dark green suit, a black button up shirt, and a green tie, with what looked like emerald chips affixed to it. His black eyebrows and mustache were pencil thin, and so straight that Allen wondered if they'd been drawn on with a ruler.<br />
<br />
The man extended his hand to Cheever and smiled back, his eyes crinkling, while the thin eyebrows, mysteriously, remained rigid.<br />
<br />
"Eddings," Chris said in a polite, but not exactly friendly voice.<br />
<br />
"Christopher, good to see you again," Eddings said. They didn't shake hands.<br />
<br />
"Well, well, well---my old rival," Chaz said, stepping toward Eddings, whose face immediately went sour.<br />
<br />
"Shayla, I can't believe you would associate with scum like this man," Eddings said, bitterly. "Everyone back in the 'copter. We're leaving!" His men stopped, most of them looking shocked. Only one man smiled, a huge African American in heavy body armor and carrying what looked like a cannon.<br />
<br />
Eddings stood eying Chaz, coldly, for a few seconds while everyone waited, uncomfortably, then Eddings smiled widely and pulled Chaz into as close to a bear-hug as he could manage with his thin arms. They patted each other on the back, then separated.<br />
<br />
"It's been too long, my friend," Eddings said.<br />
<br />
"You know, I've meant to drop by," Chaz said, "but, you know. Been a bit busy," he shrugged.<br />
<br />
"So, Shayla," Eddings said, shaking her hand, "where is this wonder-kin you've been going on and on about?"<br />
<br />
"This is my brother, Allen," Chris said, before Shayla could answer. Eddings looked Allen up and down, as if searching for some visible sign of the power hidden inside his body. His eye lingered on the gargoyle charm around Allen's neck for just a moment, then Eddings smiled and stretched out his hand.<br />
<br />
"Nice to meet you, Allen. I'm Philip Eddings. I can't wait to see you in action!" He shook Allen's hand, and Allen was surprised at how soft Edding's grip was.<br />
<br />
"Eddings, Allen isn't going to be involved in the fighting," Shayla said, firmly. "He's only been here for a few days, and he hasn't had the proper training, yet, for us to expose him to serious danger."<br />
<br />
"He's a natural. He held me off like a trained soldier without even breaking a sweat," Chris said, in a gruff tone.<br />
<br />
"We've discussed this," Shayla said, her voice like steel. "He and his sister will be with us in the control room. If we are unable to hold off the Shadows' attack until dawn, Cheever is to take them both and escape."<br />
<br />
"Pity," Eddings said, scanning Allen again. "So how much time do we have?"<br />
<br />
Cheever stepped forward," It looks like the rift is going to open within the hour."<br />
<br />
"Have the citizens been evacuated yet?" Eddings asked.<br />
<br />
"All but a few stragglers," Shayla said. "I have a handful of men out picking up the strays and 'convincing' them to leave the area. Once the last few are out, we're going to have four mages set up at strategic points around the city creating a containment spell. It should keep the citizens out and all but the most powerful creatures in." Eddings nodded slowly.<br />
<br />
"And what about this building?" Eddings asked.<br />
<br />
"Stacey, Wei, and Biggs will be concentrating on a barrier. They should be able to hold it until dawn, as long as we can keep the Shadows from attacking the shield directly."<br />
<br />
"Why do we only need to hold it until dawn?" Rose asked.<br />
<br />
"The Shadows die in direct sunlight," Cheever said. "If they can't get to us before dawn, they'll have to flee back to the Shadow Realm."<br />
<br />
Cheever received a call on his phone. "Okay, understood!" he said, then tapped his phone off. "Shayla, the energy levels around the rift are spiking. It's getting ready to open."<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 33)<br />
<br />
"Angie's still in the dorm room," Rose said, her face suddenly dark with worry.<br />
<br />
"I'll take you to get her," Shea said. "I'm out of the big fight, anyway." She pointed at the bandages on her shoulder.<br />
<br />
"I need to get my bag, too. I left it in Rose's dorm room when I got out of the infirmary," Allen said.<br />
<br />
Shea nodded. She turned to Cheever and said, "Cheever! I've got to take these two back to the dorms to collect their friend. We'll meet you in the control room!" Cheever waved, and Shea, Allen, and Rose headed back into the building.<br />
<br />
Eddings was giving orders to his men, "...So Horace, I want you to take your cues from Christopher, but hang back. Don't go blowing any holes in the street if we don't have to. It's too expensive!"<br />
<br />
The large African American man laughed, loudly.<br />
<br />
"You three," Eddings continued, pointing at three men in riot gear, "keep Tazzi covered while he's using the summoning stone. Now, Taz," a short, exceedingly thin man, with skin so pale it almost looked blue, nodded, "start the summoning spell the second that the barrier is up. Once the wolf arrives, get back to Horace and keep your head down."<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Chris and Shayla were solidifying their strategies and heading for the doorway back inside the building.<br />
<br />
"As soon as you and Haro have the guards outside the protected area, I'll tell Stacey to set the barrier spell," Shayla said.<br />
<br />
"And you're certain about Allen?" Chris asked again.<br />
<br />
Shayla glanced at Cheever, who was walking directly behind them, then turned back to Chris. "Until we know for certain what he's channeling, we can't risk setting him loose on the city."<br />
<br />
Chris shook his head, "Fine," he said coldly. "I'll signal when we're in place," he growled, and ran down the hallway toward the elevators.<br />
<br />
When Shea, Rose, and Allen reached the dorm room, they opened the door expecting to see Angie still asleep on her bunk, but the bed was empty.<br />
<br />
"She's not here," Rose said. They all stood in silence for a few seconds.<br />
<br />
"Maybe she went to get something else to eat," Shea suggested, pointing at the empty pizza box on the floor.<br />
<br />
"Maybe," Rose said, skeptically.<br />
<br />
Allen noticed that his bag, laying on the floor near the wall, was open. He knelt down by it and dug through. His sword was still there, as was Kitsle's box, and the flares. Then he noticed, "My knife's gone."<br />
<br />
"What knife?" Shea asked.<br />
<br />
"Chaz gave it to me. It has a poisoned blade. I know it was in here when we were in the training room. I saw it when I took out my sword."<br />
<br />
"It could have fallen out when they were rushing to take you to the infirmary," Shea said.<br />
<br />
"I wouldn't know," Allen said. "I was out of it."<br />
<br />
"Why would Angie take a knife?" Rose asked.<br />
<br />
"Maybe she was scared?" Shea suggested.<br />
<br />
"I don't think so," Rose said. "I've never seen her touch a knife." Rose shook her head and chewed on her bottom lip.<br />
<br />
"You guys probably just dropped it in the training room, but we don't have time to look right now. We've got to get back to Cheever," Shea said. Allen grabbed his bag and they left.<br />
<br />
<br />
The control room, heart of the security system for the Brashley Building, was on the fourth floor and comprised of a huge wall of screens showing scenes of virtually every inch of the property, inside and out. One gigantic screen showed dozens of guards set up in semi-circles around an area of the road that was shimmering and emitting flashes and sparks.<br />
<br />
Half a dozen men and women sat in chairs, chattering into headsets and flicking through various screens, focusing different cameras on a variety of sights. Allen noticed that Cheever, Shayla, and Eddings were all wearing communications headsets as well. Cheever and Shayla paced back and forth, peering at screens and giving orders. Eddings sat in one of the chairs that lined the wall opposite the screens, talking with Chaz. Allen and Rose found seats near Chaz and sat down. Shea joined her mother.<br />
<br />
<br />
Outside the building, Chris, in full body armor, but no helmet, was setting up the guards in tiers between the area where the rift was about to open and the Brashley Building. Chris heard a rush of wind and suddenly Haro and ten other Simmerons appeared. Several of Eddings's men raised their guns, but both Chris and Horace gestured for them to hold fire.<br />
<br />
"I'm glad to see you, my friend," Chris said, smiling. "And you brought helpers!"<br />
<br />
"Few in my clan have had the opportunity to prove their strength against a Devourer. Had I allowed it, these streets would now be teeming with my kind, aching to sink their claws into an Old God," Haro said, rumbling his low laugh.<br />
<br />
Chris laughed as well and gestured for the lizard men to join the formations setting up in front of the building.<br />
<br />
"Okay, Horace," Chris said. "You can tell Eddings that we're ready to summon his beastie."<br />
<br />
Horace waved and said something into his headset. Chris gave a final look around at the troops, then pushed a button on his headset, "Shayla, we're ready for the barrier."<br />
<br />
"Good," Shayla answered in his ear. "Cheever says the rift is going to open in about three minutes. I'll tell Stacey to start the spell."<br />
<br />
Within seconds, Chris felt the hair on the back of his neck rise as the barrier spell fell into place. "The barrier is up!" Chris yelled to Horace. "Your guy can start the summoning."<br />
<br />
Horace gave a thumbs-up and growled instructions to a handful of men in Eddings' uniforms. Four men and Tazzi walked quickly to the front tier of Brashley guards. Tazzi knelt on the ground and took a metallic box with a keypad on it out of his pack. He pressed a number sequence with lightning quick fingers. The box hissed, and the top split in half, each section folding away to reveal a dark green stone, slightly larger than a hen's egg.<br />
<br />
A screeching sound interrupted Tazzi, as sparks and flashes, followed by a strong, freezing wind, came rushing out of the rift. Guards from both groups, Brashley and Eddings, moved between Tazzi and the rift.<br />
<br />
"No! Get back, everyone!" Tazzi yelled.<br />
<br />
He placed his hands over the stone and began to chant, his eyes closed. The stone started to glow, and Tazzi chanted louder. The air around him began to shimmer, and a thunderous crack and a blinding flash made everyone in the streets cover their eyes and turn away.<br />
<br />
When they turned back toward the rift, a gigantic, dark green wolf, longer than a city bus, with eyes glowing emerald green, was standing in the road.<br />
<br />
"Thank you for coming, Great Wolf," Tazzi said, bowing to the creature. "Our world is about to be invaded by Shadow Creatures," he said gesturing toward the rift that was now showering sparks into the street and humming like power-lines in great pain.<br />
<br />
The wolf looked at Tazzi then at the rift. "Why do they come?" the wolf said in a growling voice that echoed through the streets.<br />
<br />
"They wish to kill a boy. He is in the building, there," Tazzi pointed.<br />
<br />
"I sense him," said the wolf, closing its eyes.<br />
<br />
"You do?" Tazzi asked in a shaking voice.<br />
<br />
The wolf nodded, opening its eyes and looking back at the building, then at the rift. "I will help," said the wolf, "but know this. The boy poses a serious threat to this world." The wolf looked back at the building again, his eyes glowing green. "There is a being within him that could destroy this entire planet in an instant. Even after the Shadows have been driven away, the boy cannot be allowed to remain on this plane."<br />
<br />
"Thank you, Great Wolf. We will, of course, heed your advice," Tazzi said, bowing again.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, another boom shook the air, staggering many of the guards. The rift flashed and crackled, and then thousands of legs began scuttling through the abyss. Dark blue beetles with red slashes on their backs, the color of wet blood, came pouring through the opening, flooding the streets, some taking to the air with heavy wings that buzzed like helicopter blades.<br />
<br />
The Great Wolf dove into the mass of bugs, slashing and biting.<br />
<br />
Chris put his hand to his headset, "Cheever! What are they?"<br />
<br />
"Chaz says they're Tah-Chen Beetles. They're going to try to attack the barrier," Cheever replied.<br />
<br />
"Okay, how do we kill them!?" Chris yelled into his headset. A few of the guards had begun shooting at the beetles, which flooded the streets and sidewalks, most running past the guards, heading straight for the shield barrier.<br />
<br />
"They're physical," Cheever said. "Shoot them, chop them, anything should work."<br />
<br />
"Open fire!" Chris screamed, and dozens of guns began shooting in earnest.<br />
<br />
Many of the beetles had already reached the magical barrier and attached themselves to it. The air shimmered and vibrated as the creatures siphoned off the magical energy, the red slashes on their backs glowing brighter as they sucked. Flying beetles landed against the barrier several stories up as well.<br />
<br />
"Don't let them attack the barrier!" Chris shouted, and the soldiers began picking off beetles attached to the shield spell. Meanwhile, Haro and his clan were shredding beetles with their huge claws, and the Great Wolf continued to slash at the swarming creatures with his paws.<br />
<br />
There was another loud crackle from the rift and a shower of sparks as two gigantic, blood red centipedes, as tall as Haro and as long the Great Wolf, came writhing through the rift into the street. The wolf roared and pounced on the centipede nearest to it, sinking his teeth into its back. It shrieked and coiled around him, slashing at the wolf with its twitching, needle-sharp legs.<br />
<br />
The second centipede slithered up to the first line of guards, who fired desperately at the beast with little effect. It stabbed a Brashley guard through the chest with a spear-like leg, piercing his body armor like it was paper. It lifted him, screaming, off the ground, and tossed him twenty feet across the street. His lifeless body landed in a heap. The other guards continued to fire, but moved backwards toward the second line of defense. The centipede stabbed at one of Eddings's men, catching him in the stomach. It drew him toward its mouth and bit into the man's chest with foot long pincers. The man screamed in pain, then went limp.<br />
<br />
"Everyone get back!" Horace yelled, and the men around the centipede lowered their guns and ran. Horace aimed his cannon and smiled. A thud shook the air and a ball of fire and shrapnel flashed toward the centipede, striking it directly in the chest as it reared back on it hindquarters. The centipede shrieked and writhed as the flaming mass made contact. As the smoke drifted away, the lower half of the centipede continued to twitch and writhe for a few seconds, oozing yellow-brown liquid. The upper half was completely vaporized. Horace laughed, loudly.<br />
<br />
The rift again crackled and howled, and a dark mist welled up and began streaming through the opening, forming into the pseudo-bodies of the Shadows, which were only visible to about half the guards. Chris, slashing at beetles with his right hand and holding his headset in place with his left, called loudly, "Shadows!" Haro's clan immediately abandoned the beetles and galloped toward the Shadow hordes, as did about a dozen Brashley guards, all wearing the Elite Guard colors. Swords, clubs, hammers, and claws began to burn and glow with various colors of energy, and a wailing sound arose from the Shadows, which continued to flood into the streets through the rift.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the control room, Allen's necklace, which had been glowing dully for several minutes, began to burn his chest, as he saw the guards on the screens swinging glowing weapons at nothing. The Shadows, it appeared, didn't show up on video.<br />
<br />
Shayla paced back and forth looking at various screens. She tapped her headset and said, "Chambers, how is Stacey's group holding up?"<br />
<br />
"Not well," a voice answered. "Those bugs are doing a number on them. It's taking too much energy to maintain the shield."<br />
<br />
"Right, I'll see what we can do," Shayla said. She tapped her headset again. "Chris, what's the damage?"<br />
<br />
"Having a ball down here!" he said, grunting in her ear as he slashed through a Shadow Creature.<br />
<br />
"Any chance we can focus on the beetles a bit more? The shield spell is draining Stacey's men dry."<br />
<br />
"Well, since we're not doing much down here anyway, I'll have a couple guys look into it. Ooooo... That was gross!" Chris said.<br />
<br />
"What!? What happened?" Shayla said, worried.<br />
<br />
"The Great Wolf just ripped the centipede that it was fighting in half," Chris answered. "There's giant bug guts everywhere!"<br />
<br />
"Shea!" yelled a girl at one of the screens, "I think you should see this."<br />
<br />
Shea went quickly to the station where the girl was backing up the images from the video feed. "This camera is up near the roof. I saw something moving just outside the barrier and zoomed in just before it flew out of the camera's range." The girl hit play.<br />
<br />
"Oh, shit!" Shea moaned, unconsciously reaching up and grabbing her bandaged shoulder.<br />
<br />
"Rewind that, Emmy, please," Shea said to the girl. "Rose, is this who I think it is?"<br />
<br />
Rose and Allen ran to Shea and stared at the screen.<br />
<br />
"Oh, no," Rose gasped. "It's Krystal!" The image paused on the screen was of Krystal, smiling, her black eyes looking dead and hollow.<br />
<br />
"Mother, the witch is heading for the roof!" Shea yelled.<br />
<br />
"That's where Stacey's group is projecting the barrier from. The barrier is going to be strongest closest to the source. She'd know that. What could she be planning?" Shayla said. She tapped her headset, "Chambers! The witch is headed your way. Watch out for trouble."<br />
<br />
"Copy that!" Chambers said.<br />
<br />
Shayla tapped her headset again, "Ronson! I want another twenty guards sent up to the roof, right now!"<br />
<br />
Allen walked back to where he had been sitting and plopped back in his chair. He wanted to do something to help. He picked his sword up, sliding it halfway out of the sheath. The blade shined brightly, a shimmering blue-green.<br />
<br />
Allen scanned the monitor screens until he found one with Chris on it. Chris was leaping and slashing his sword, dodging some invisible blow, then countering with a lightning fast swipe. Chris looked left, then right, then dashed out of the view of that camera.<br />
<br />
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Cheever said, "but the energy levels around the rift are spiking again---three hundred percent higher than last time."<br />
<br />
There was another crashing thunderclap, and this time Allen felt the building shake, like an earthquake had hit it. All the screens pointed near the rift went white, momentarily. When they cleared, Allen saw a massive thing that looked like it was several stories high, with flailing tentacles, covered in dozens of huge eyes the size of car tires. The creature crawled through the rift, dragging itself by four massive tentacles at its base, while an uncountable number of smaller, thrashing tentacles whipped wildly around the central, putrid mass of grey flesh and giant eyes. Allen realized instantly that something beyond foul had been born into his world, something that absolutely should not exist.<br />
<br />
<br />
Down on the street, Chris, had just ordered a group of guards to move around the building looking for beetles that were attacking the barrier, when the rift burst into life and the gigantic creature began oozing through. As he watched the horror appear before his eyes, Chris heard a scream, and saw a Brashley guard drop to the ground, a shadowy claw dripping blood over his body. The man melted, sliding like smoke out of his body armor, only to rise again as another Shadow creature, ready to attack. Chris sliced through the pair of Shadows with a flash of his blue blade.<br />
<br />
"Chris, the Devourer just came out of the rift," Cheever said in his ear. Chris saw the monstrous beast, a sea of eyes and tentacles, but couldn't quite grasp it as a whole.<br />
<br />
"I see it," he said into his headset. "But, how do I kill that?"<br />
<br />
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Finally, Cheever said, in an uncharacteristically dark voice, "We don't know yet."<br />
<br />
The Great Wolf, as Chris watched, charged the Devourer, which was easily four times his size, grabbing a tentacle and tearing it loose from the central mass. A hollow, terrifying roar filled the streets, and a second tentacle tore through the air striking the wolf in the ribs and sending it flying halfway down the block.<br />
<br />
The Devourer swept another huge tentacle at a row of guards who were shooting at it. It grabbed three men, its tentacle coiling around them like a giant snake, and it drug the men toward its central mass. It tilted its horrible, eye covered body backwards as the men screamed, revealing a circular opening lined with thousands of stalactite-like teeth. The men yelled in terror as they were stuffed into the creature's mouth. Blood sloshed onto the street, and the Devourer lowered itself back to the ground and began dragging itself toward more men.<br />
<br />
"Horace! Do you have a shot?" Chris screamed, but before Horace could answer, the Great Wolf flung itself back at the nightmarish creature, which moaned and howled in a deep, hollow scream, like twisting metal. The wolf grabbed on to a tentacle with its teeth and tore at the creature's eyes with his slashing claws. Again, another tentacle flew at the wolf, this time grabbing it around the chest and hurling it into the air. The wolf crashed against the building across the street from Brashley, destroying half the structure, then fell to the ground. It lay on the sidewalk, dark green blood drizzling from its mouth.<br />
<br />
Horace raised his cannon and fired, catching the Devourer in the center of the mass of eyes and swinging tentacles. The creature bellowed again, so loudly that windows began to shatter, and huge chunks of flesh and eyes fell to the street. Chris watched, in shock, as new eyes seemed to rise up from the wound, like bubbles floating to the surface of a bog, wide eyeballs swiveling wildly as they filled in the missing flesh, until the wound itself seemed to vanish.<br />
<br />
And the eye covered the meat that had been blown off of the monster continued to twist and move in the street, eyeballs looking in all directions, as the flesh around them withered. With lurching effort, the eyes began to pull themselves free of the quickly rotting flesh, supporting themselves on dozens of thin, spider-like legs. Once free of their fleshy moorings, they scattered, scuttling towards the nearest guards and attacking, stabbing with their thin legs.<br />
<br />
"This is not good," Chris said. Tapping his headset, he yelled, "Are you seeing this!?"<br />
<br />
"Unfortunately---yes," Cheever said, all of his usual mirth gone, replaced by a cold, fearful drawl.<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
Back in the control room, Chaz said, "Force isn't going to work on The Devourer."<br />
<br />
Shayla looked at him, carefully, and said, "How do we stop it?"<br />
<br />
"I had hoped the Great Wolf would be strong enough," Eddings said, almost apologetically.<br />
<br />
"The Devourer is a creature of Old Magic, a cosmic power," Chaz said.<br />
<br />
"It's eating my men, Charles. How do we stop it?" Shayla said, sternly.<br />
<br />
"You need to fight a cosmic force with another cosmic force," Chaz said, glancing for just an instant at Allen.<br />
<br />
Shayla's face went red with rage. "You want me to send a boy who has had no training, a boy who can't even control the forces inside him, against that monster? You're mad. We don't even know what he's channeling, Charles. If we set it loose, it's possible that it could side with the beast, and then we'd have two cosmic forces trying to kill us."<br />
<br />
"What other choice do we have?" Chaz said, standing up to face her.<br />
<br />
"I'll do it!" Allen yelled, standing up as well. "I want to help. I know I can." His hands were closed tightly around the sheath of his sword, the necklace on his chest glaring a halo of red that seemed to infuse his entire body.<br />
<br />
"I know you want to help, and I know you're brave enough to face that creature," Shayla said, her voice softening, "but I can't let you."<br />
<br />
Allen shook with anger. "Why? My brother is out there..."<br />
<br />
"And your sister is in here," Shayla said. "If we cancel the shield spell, even for a few moments to let you go outside, this building will be flooded with Shadows in seconds. We have almost a hundred students in this building who are counting on me to protect them. Most of them would be easy prey for any of these terrors. We've got to give them the best chance for survival that we can, and that means keeping the shield up for as long as possible."<br />
<br />
Allen lowered his head. He understood, but hated feeling helpless.<br />
<br />
"Chris is one of the cleverest and most talented fighters I've ever worked with," Shayla continued. "If there's a way to kill that monster, he'll find it."<br />
<br />
Allen looked at the monitors, searching for an image of his brother. He found it in time to see Chris slice through three beetles in a single stroke then kick away an eyeball that was trying to stab him with a saber-like leg.<br />
<br />
"Okay," Chaz said, "if Allen's out, we'll need some kind of spell to contain the creature, try to hold it off until dawn. Does Tazzi know any containment spells?"<br />
<br />
Eddings tapped his finger against his chin. "Could a freezing spell work?"<br />
<br />
Chaz thought for a moment, "It probably wouldn't hold it for long, but anything that buys some time will help," he said. "Shayla?"<br />
<br />
"Do it," she answered.<br />
<br />
Eddings tapped his headset and told Horace to have Tazzi begin the spell. Cheever contacted Chris and told him to help keep Tazzi covered while he worked.<br />
<br />
"Shayla, we've got an intruder in the corridor leading to roof access," Chambers's voice said into Shayla's headset, "but it's not the witch."<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
"Who is it?" came Shayla's reply into Chambers's headset. He looked at the monitor in the guard house, carefully, and said, "It looks like one of the kids that came in with Shea a few days ago."<br />
<br />
Chambers heard Shayla asking someone in the control booth where their friend was.<br />
<br />
"She's almost at the door," Chambers said into his headset. "Orders?" He raised his hand, signaling for the extra guards to be on the ready. He pointed at the door, and a dozen guns shifted, pointing in that direction.<br />
<br />
"Don't shoot her," Shayla said. "She may just be looking for her friends. We'll send someone up to get her and bring her back here."<br />
<br />
As Chambers acknowledged the order, the door to the roof blew off its hinges. Angie stepped onto the roof, her eyes completely black. She raised her left hand, palm up, over her head, and a globe of white light floated up several feet into the air then exploded in a blinding flash. The guards, including Chambers, shielded their eyes.<br />
<br />
As soon as the guards were blinded, Angie rushed at the nearest man, stabbing him in the neck above his body armor. She swung past him, slicing the next guard on the wrist, and the next across his cheek. Each man, poisoned by the knife blade, went rigid and fell, the man with the neck wound bleeding profusely.<br />
<br />
When Chambers's vision cleared, he realized his console was dead, as was his headset. He looked out the window of the booth and saw more than a dozen guards on the ground, most gushing blood from slashes on their faces or necks, and Angie's thin body moving like lightning towards the next batch of mystified men.<br />
<br />
Chambers leaped out of the booth and drew his gun. "Freeze!" he screamed, then noticed a dark specter hovering in the air just outside the shield barrier. Chambers raised his weapon, pointing it at Angie. "I said freeze!" he yelled.<br />
<br />
Angie turned toward him and laughed. She flicked her arm, and Chambers fell to the rooftop, dead, the handle of the poisoned knife sticking out of his exploded left eye. Angie grabbed a gun off of one of the guards at her feet, diving out of the way as the three remaining guards, who had finally realized what was happening, opened fire. Angie rolled across the roof, and from a crouching position, fired three shots; a single bullet pierced the forehead of each guard.<br />
<br />
Angie stood, waved her fingers, and the knife imbedded in Chambers's eye pulled free with a sick pop, then floated into the air, landing in Angie's hand. As Krystal began to shriek with laughter outside the shield spell, Angie walked toward the trio of mages sitting in a circle on the landing pad. In their trances, singing their song which created the shield spell, they couldn't even sense Angie's approach. She walked up behind Stacey, raised her knife, and drove it into his back.<br />
<br />
_____________<br />
<br />
[Well, that can’t be good. All Hell has broken loose, and the demons have taken the advantage. Tune in next week (or whenever I get around to it) to see if anyone survives to see the dawn! ---RFY]<br />
<br />
Previous Sections:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-1-by-richard-f-yates/">Part One - Chapter 1</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-2-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Two - Chapter 2</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-3-and-4-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Three - Chapters 3 and 4</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-5-6-and-7-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Four - Chapters 5, 6, and 7</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-8-9-10-and-11-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Five - Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-12-and-13-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Six - Chapters 12 and 13</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-14-15-and-16-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Seven - Chapters 14, 15, and 16</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-17-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Eight - Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-21-22-and-23-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Nine - Chapters 21, 22, and 23</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-24-25-and-26-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Ten - Chapters 24, 25, and 26</a><br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-27-31/">Part Eleven – Chapters 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/">https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-21935512292766484772017-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:002017-10-28T18:46:06.882-07:00"'It' Jack-o-Lantern" by Mariah R. Yates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVyl5nr2MubYjW8dD4Ej04VjbVThwChxS_w4mmcJx7fDKIum3vluosQHZf0Zz41kNDbTSpoJGrefAtxxZLMp3sDUvN2VGrlFUeUnH5UymT1bImMs5O5mM_9RT69fGgz9vniCNMKYCstWY/s1600/it+jack-o-lantern+%252828+oct.+2017%2529+by+mariah+r.+yates+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVyl5nr2MubYjW8dD4Ej04VjbVThwChxS_w4mmcJx7fDKIum3vluosQHZf0Zz41kNDbTSpoJGrefAtxxZLMp3sDUvN2VGrlFUeUnH5UymT1bImMs5O5mM_9RT69fGgz9vniCNMKYCstWY/s320/it+jack-o-lantern+%252828+oct.+2017%2529+by+mariah+r.+yates+-+%2528peg%2529.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
---Mariah R. Yates<br />
<br />
https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com<br />
http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com<br />
https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/<br />
https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-38548233591121462622017-10-14T11:58:00.001-07:002017-10-14T12:32:15.330-07:00“Serialized Novella: ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapters 27 - 31)”[When we last left our band of youngsters, they had been attacked by a phantom, who looked quite a bit like a witch who they thought had been killed! Though a couple of guards had been attacked by the creature, and their friend Shea had been stabbed and was lying unconscious on the steps outside Brashley Corp., Allen was somehow able to conjure a mysterious power and fight the phantom off before anyone else was injured. Let’s get back to the action!!! ---RFY]<br />
-------<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 27)<br />
<br />
Chris came rushing down the corridor towards the doors. His eyes were wide and his sword drawn. He slowed down when he saw Allen and Rose standing inside, apparently unharmed. Two guards walked through the doors carrying Shea on a stretcher. She was barely conscious, her face scrunched up in pain, but she was clearly still alive. The next stretcher that came through the doors was completely covered by a green blanket, which was rapidly turning a dirty brown.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Who?" Chris asked one of the men carrying the stretcher.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Crosley," the man said, his voice low and choked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Are you guys okay?" Chris asked. They all nodded.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris's eyes narrowed at Angie. He said, "Your ear is bleeding." Angie raised her hand a wiped her fingers on the little trickle of blood.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'm bleeding?" she said, looking at the smear on her fingers, then wiping it off on her black jeans. "I must have scratched myself when I fell." She looked uncertain.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I better take you to the infirmary," Chris said. "Come on."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Seriously, it's nothing. It doesn't even hurt," Angie said, laughing.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris shook his head and waved for Angie to follow him as the elevator doors at the end of the corridor opened and Shayla strode out, followed closely by Cheever.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"...in broad daylight! And directly in front of our own doors!" She was fuming, and Cheever, who looked strange without his big grin in place, was nodding in agreement at every word Shayla said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As Shayla walked nearer, the elevator doors opened again and six guards stepped out, two wearing red insignia and helmets with mirrored visors.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Right!" Shayla said in a loud voice to the guards as they jogged down the hallway, "I want the steps cleared, a memory spell around the whole block, and then I want these doors sealed with every spell and charm we have access to. Solid, Ashley! Not a microbe gets in or out! Got it?" The taller of the two guards in helmets nodded, and the group rushed out the doors.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Room for one more before you go into total lock-down?" said a head that had poked through the doors.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Chaz!" Allen yelled.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Hey kid," Chaz smiled and stepped inside.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Charles, yes, you can join us, but we're going to need to talk as soon as we get this place secured," Shayla said. "First, Chris, I need you to take these three up to the training room," she waved at Allen, Rose, and Angie. "Cheever, go with them. We need to assess how well they can protect themselves and see if they will be of any use when the Shadows move." She looked, primarily, at Allen as she said this.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Why so urgent? They haven't even started their classes yet," Chris asked. He looked Shayla directly in the eyes, although Allen wasn't certain what Chris had picked up on that he himself had missed.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"The seers have noticed a swell of magical energy just outside the building. We've analyzed it with the computers, and it appears to be an ionization field that's going to reach critical mass in the next forty-eight hours," Cheever said. He brushed his mustache and looked from Shayla to Chris.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"You mean..." Chris started to say, then shook his head. "They can't be trying to open a rift. They're planning a..."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"A full scale invasion," Shayla said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"It looks like you folks are busy," Chaz said. "Maybe I'll come back some other time!" He waved at Allen and turned toward the doors.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Shayla shot him a look and he froze, smiling. "I'm kidding! I just need to get some things out of my van!" He put his hands up, as if expecting Shayla to throw something at him.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Instead, she pulled a phone out of her pocket and hit a few buttons. "Which one is yours?" she said to Chaz.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Yellow VW Bus. The keys are under the floor mat," Chaz said, looking at Allen and shrugging.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Ashley! Have Ostrander pull the yellow van into the garage... Yes, on the floor... Okay," she said and disconnected.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"From the size of the field they're generating," Shayla said to Chris, "the rift is going to be huge, several stories, at the least."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But why? What could they need a door that big for?" Chris asked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Cheever thinks they may be trying to bring a Devourer through into our world," Shayla said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"That's insane," Chris said, his eyes wide and the corner of his mouth twitching.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"There is something about your brother that they really don't like, and apparently they're willing to destroy an entire city to make certain he is taken out," Shayla said, looking Allen in the eyes. Allen couldn't take her gaze, which made him feel guilty for causing so much trouble, so he looked down at the floor.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"We don't know for certain what they're planning," Cheever said, clicking his tongue a few times. "All we know for sure is that they are preparing to open a rift and that something big is coming through."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"And we now have less than 48 hours to prepare for an invasion," Shayla said. "So, Chris, I need you to take these three to the training room with Cheever and see what we can learn. Chaz, I'd like you to come with me while I check on my daughter, then we need to talk." She turned to the elevators and started walking. Chaz followed.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris saw the startled looks on his brother's and sister's faces, patted Allen on the shoulder, and tried to smile. "Another day on the job at the good, old Brashley Corporation! Well, let's go get your things and get started," he said, then waved for them to follow him. Their faces were still worried, but they went with him, anyway.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 28)<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The training room was comprised of a massive, open area, high ceilings, with one wall taken up by windows that looked out over the city. By now, Allen assumed the windows were made of bullet-proof glass. Chris had told Allen to change into a sweat-suit when they stopped by his room to collect his sword and the bag that Chaz had given him.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As they walked into the training room, Cheever bopped off through a side door, and Chris had Allen drop the weapons bag by a pair of wooden chairs near the wall opposite the windows. Cheever came back into the room pushing a large cart covered in computer equipment and wires. He snatched a handful of little, circular chips out of a drawer in the cart and, whistling to himself, walked over to Allen.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"We're going to wire you up a bit to test some of your energy levels. Don't worry, it's not going to hurt," he said. He placed the chips, which were very light and flexible, on the backs of Allen's hands, on his temples, and one of the back of his neck. They stuck like glue and didn't fall off when Allen shook his hands to test them.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"These will send a signal to my computer while you're moving and, hopefully, show us what kind of field you're generating. Let me make sure I'm getting a signal," he said, then dashed back to the cart. "Okay, Chris! Ready on this end!"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"And what are we supposed to do?" Rose asked, waving her hand back and forth between herself and Angie. Angie nodded beside her.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"We're going to test everyone," Cheever said, cheerfully. "Shayla wants us to start with Mr. Allen so that we can get a baseline for some of the interesting things he's done in the last few days." Rose and Angie sat in the wooden chairs, Rose none too cheerily.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris walked to the center of a large circle painted on the floor and waved for Allen to follow. As Allen walked over, Chris unsheathed his sword and stood in a fighting stance, his legs apart and sword held at chest level. Chris narrowed his eyes at Allen, and as he did, his sword began to glow with a bright blue light.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"What do I do?" Allen asked, suddenly nervous.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Draw your sword, Mr. Natural, and get ready to fight me," Chris said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen drew his sword and stood in front of Chris, trying to imitate his stance, which felt very awkward. His sword gleamed, but didn't glow.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Concentrate!" Chris yelled, fiercely. Allen jumped, surprised at the ferocity in his brother's voice.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen closed his eyes and tried to connect with the sword in his hands. He remembered what it had felt like in the kitchen---then he remembered his mother, laying lifeless on the floor. The eyes of the locket around his neck began to sparkle, and a dim blue-green light began to radiate from his blade.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Hmmm, not bad! Not bad!" Cheever said from his computer panel. "It's a class two field, about 16, 17 intensity," he said to Chris.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"That's not a bad power level for a beginner," Chris said, "but I think we can do better." He growled, a low guttural sound, drew his blade back, then lunged at Allen, slashing toward his chest. Allen, shocked at the sudden attack, swung his sword up in a defensive position, blocking his brother's blow, then jumped backward a few feet.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Whoa! You could have killed me!" Allen said, his voice shaking with fright. Something in his brother's eye bothered him. Allen felt like he was being stalked by a ferocious animal.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Spiked at 45!" Cheever yelled from the computer cart.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Now we're getting somewhere," Chris said, smiling wickedly.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Suddenly, everyone heard a buzzing sound, and Kitsle came flitting out of Allen's bag, shooting sparks.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Oh, my goodness!" Cheever said in a high, surprised voice. "I was hoping we'd get to meet you soon," he said to Kitsle. The bug flew over to Allen and buzzed around his head.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Hello, Kitsle," Allen said. "Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my brother, Chris. That's my sister, Rose, and her friend, Angie." Angie waved from the wooden chair where she was sitting. "And that's Dr. Cheever!" Allen said. Cheever bowed, low, sweeping his arm out to his side as he folded over. Allen laughed. Cheever's gesture was certainly melodramatic, but Kitsle, clicking his bug laugh, floated over to Cheever and, hovering near the doctor, bowed in a similar fashion. Cheever laughed, himself, and clapped his hands together, his rings clinking their usual tune.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kitsle floated back to Allen. He fluttered near Allen's sword, his wings kicking out a miniature fireworks display, then tinked one of his claws against the blade a couple of times.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Chris is training me, trying to show me how to fight. We're about to be attacked by a horde of those Shadow creatures," Allen said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kitsle flew around the room, very quickly, for few seconds, then flew back to Allen and hovered near his head. Kitsle fluttered his wings, began to glow brightly, then zapped Allen in the ear, knocking him to the ground.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Ouch! Why did you do that!?" Allen yelled. Kitsle clicked another bug laugh, then flew toward Cheever, hovering near the computers, apparently looking at the screens.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris helped Allen to his feet, then resumed his battle stance.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"You ready?" Chris asked. "I'm going to come at you pretty hard this time. You'll need to pay attention to where I'm swinging." Allen nodded. His sword was blazing blue-green.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris yelled a deep and frightening, "Raaaah!" then dove at Allen, slashing from the left, then the right. Allen blocked expertly, the sword almost seeming to move on its own. Chris swung hard, and Allen stepped to the side, slashing down at Chris's sword and knocked it from Chris's hand.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>They all stood in silence for a few seconds, then Cheever whistled and brushed his mustache. "Peaked at 370---that's unbelievable."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Three-seventy!" Chris said, picking up his sword. "That's almost as high as Haro!" He looked at Allen, a hungry look in his eye.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I think we should try for 400. No human in the last 20 years has broken 390. Hell, Allen could be the first to hit 450!" Chris took his stance again. Allen, however, stood were he was.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Chris," Rose said, looking worried, "I think you should stop. Allen looks really tired."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"The Shadows aren't going to stop just because Allen gets tired," Chris said, then he rushed at Allen, swinging so fast and viciously that Rose stood up. Allen, without even looking at his brother, raised his sword with one arm to deflect the blow, but the force of the strike staggered him. His face was a complete blank, like he was drifting off into a daydream. His hands gripped the jade handle of his sword, and his legs moved, positioning him in a strange defensive stance, legs far apart, knees bent low.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Chris! That's enough!" Rose yelled.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen's eyes went dark blue.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Oh, my goodness!" Cheever said, softly, staring at his computer screen. "The boy is at 780 and climbing... 850... 900..."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris moved in for another attack, slashing wildly. Though Allen's eyes stared blankly ahead, his arms moved to block each swing and his sword blazed. Chris swung down with his blade, aiming for Allen's head, and Allen's arms moved to block the blow, but Chris used his momentum to push his brother off balance. Chris swung his leg around, catching the back of Allen's left ankle and tripping him.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As Allen hit the ground, everyone felt a wave of energy rush through the room, like a surge of hot wind pushing against them, then the lights above Allen flashed brightly and exploded. The other lights, further away from Allen, began to pop as well, and then Cheever's computer screens crackled, shot sparks, and shattered.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen's body, his hair and arms, shimmered then erupted in dark blue flames.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rose screamed.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen's body floated up from the floor and into a standing position, hovering inches off the ground. He waved a hand and the sword that Chris was holding jerked out of his grasp, rocketed across the room, and buried itself in the wall. Allen raised his other hand and a swirling wave of dark blue flame rushed toward Chris.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kitsle, streaking like lightning, raced between the brothers and flashed brightly. A wall of energy appeared, blocking the flame.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Allen! Stop!" Rose yelled and ran toward Chris. Kitsle flew closer to Allen, flashing, and dancing in the air, clicking wildly. Allen's eyes, swimming orbs of blue-black, followed Kitsle's movements for a few seconds, then his head tilted backward and his body dropped to the floor with a thud.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cheever rushed over to the boy on the floor. After a quick look, he said, "He's alive."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris and Rose stared at their brother's face. Angie, who had been too shocked to move, finally stood. The room, now that the lights were mostly blown out, was illuminated primarily by Kitsle, who hovered and buzzed near Allen.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"What was that? What happened to him?" Angie asked, still standing by the chairs she and Rose had been sitting in.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'm not sure," Cheever said. "I'll have to talk with Shayla and Chaz, and probably Eddings. I think...," Cheever said, brushing his mustache, "…I think he was channeling something, but I can't be certain," he shook his head. "But Chris---before the computers blew, his energy signature changed. He was emitting a class six energy field, and...and the power level was over a hundred and twenty thousand."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chris opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He shook his head. "It had to have been a mistake---a glitch as the computer was exploding," Chris said. "That's more force than a nuclear<br />
bomb."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cheever shrugged, putting his fingers on Allen's forehead, which was blazing hot.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Wait a minute---channeling something?" Rose said. "You mean he was possessed?"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I really can't say for certain," Cheever said. "The numbers...," he shook his head. "Right now, we have to get this boy to the infirmary. He's burning up."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'll carry him," Chris said. He bent over his brother, scooped him up, and they rushed off toward the medical wing.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 29)<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen woke in what looked like a room at a hospital. Rose and Angie were sitting on one side of his bed, talking quietly. At the foot of his bed, Shea was looking down at him and smiling. She was wearing a tank top, and Allen could see heavy bandages where Krystal had sunk her gigantic, black blade into her shoulder. Shea looked very tired, but happy.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen suddenly realized that he was almost entirely naked, and pulled his blankets tightly up to his chin. He tried to say, "Where are my clothes?" but, his throat was so dry, all that came out was a hoarse whisper.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rose sniggered and held up a plastic cup with a bent straw poking out of the top of it. "Water," Rose said. Allen nodded and Rose put the straw close to Allen's lips.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen drained the cup in a few deep swallows then sighed.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Why am I naked?" he asked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"You had a temperature of 198 degrees when they brought you in here yesterday evening. They had to soak you in a tub of ice water for over an hour just to get you back to a normal temp," Shea said. "Cheever and the other doctors can't understand exactly how you survived."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"What do you mean, 'survived?' The last thing I remember was Chris tripping me while we were training. I must have hit my head when I fell," Allen said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"That's not exactly where that story ends, Allen," Rose said. Angie shook her head, vigorously.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'll go tell Cheever that he's awake," Shea said. "Angie, why don't you give his clothes back to him so that he can get dressed, but, Allen, don't leave here until they can check you out again and officially say you're okay." She waved and headed out the door.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Angie grabbed Allen's clothes and threw them onto the bed, then sat back down in her chair, staring at him and smiling.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Well?" Allen said, motioning toward the door with his head, the covers still pulled up to his chin.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Fine, if you don't want me to watch!" Angie said and made a pouty face. Rose slapped her on the arm, and they both laughed, then got up and went out into the hall.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After Allen dressed, Rose and Angie came back into the room. Allen asked them to tell him what had happened after he blacked out. He sat, listening, his mouth hanging open, while they recalled the scene, blow by blow.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I was on fire?" Allen said, looking at his hands and arms.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Blue fire, " Angie said, emphasizing the blue. Allen could only shake his head.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Once they'd made sure you weren't going to die," Rose said, shuddering slightly, "Chris and Cheever took me and Angie to a smaller training room..."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"You pretty much destroyed the main one," Angie interrupted.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"...and tested us," Rose said. "They gave me this long, straight sword..."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"A katana," Angie said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"And I was able to get the meter up to about 80!" Rose chirped, excited. "Cheever said that was really good for a first try."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But not good enough that they want her out fighting in the streets when that rift thing opens," Angie said. She sounded a little snippy.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But Chris says that I generated enough force to actually hurt them, and with training, he thinks I'll be good enough to be a hunter, too."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"If we survive," Angie said, folding her arms and blowing her purple bangs away from her nose. Allen looked at Angie, who was staring at the floor, then at Rose. Rose was shaking her head.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Angie's just a little upset about the whole super powers thing," Rose said, patting her friend on the shoulder.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"They tested me, too," Angie said, huffing, "but I couldn't do it at all." She lowered her head, again.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Cheever said that most people can't generate a measurable energy field," Rose explained. "Most of the guards here aren't able to hurt, or even see, the Shadows, but the Shadows aren't the only threats that Brashley Corp. has to deal with. Shea says that the Shadows are some of the most dangerous creatures, though, because of their hive mind---when one of them sees something, they all see it. That, and they can turn almost anyone they kill into another Shadow."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Wait," Allen said, "are you saying that most of the guards here can't kill the Shadows?"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Nope!" Rose said. "Only the strongest can, the members of the Elite Guard. Chris and Shea are part of that division."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"And those two guys in the weird helmets who showed up after Krystal tried to kill us again," Angie said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'm going to train until I can be on the Elite Guard, too," Rose said, her eyes looking at something beyond the ceiling, probably far off in the future.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"They have witches here, too," Angie said. "Cheever says I can work with them, since I already have some training..."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Will I get to be on the Elite Guard," Allen asked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'm sure," Rose said. "After seeing how strong your energy field is, and the way you got rid of Krystal, they'll probably ask you to sign up tonight!"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cheever, at that moment, came through the door, followed by Shea and a tiny, dark skinned woman no taller than Allen, in a doctor's smock, her long, dark hair pulled back into a pony tail. Cheever smiled and waved when he saw Allen sitting up on the bed.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The little doctor came over to Allen and, without saying anything, gave him a serious look over. She checked his pulse, flashed a light into his eyes, listened to his heart and breathing, and took his temperature, which was a little high still but well within normal human range.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Thanks, Dr. Pande," Shea said, as the doctor typed some notes into a small computer.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dr. Pande smiled a quick, business-like smile at Allen, then said, "You'll be fine," and left the room.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Well, you seem to be back in fine shape, " Cheever said, clapping his hands together, his rings clinking.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Have you figured out what actually happened to him?" Rose asked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cheever's smile slid, briefly, off his face, and he brushed at his mustache. "We're still not one hundred percent certain," Cheever said, pulling a chair over to the side of the bed and sitting down. "Shayla, Chaz, and even Eddings, who we had on video chat, are pretty sure Allen was channeling some unknown entity. We were able to salvage the hard-drive from the burnt computer and reconstructed most of the data from the training session. Those boys in I.T. are magicians! The machine looked like it had been cooked over a campfire then thrown off a cliff, but after they extracted what information there was to be had, we were able to identify the exact moment when the energy frequency that Allen was generating shifted and his power levels exploded. Literally!" Cheever chuckled at his own joke, his eyes disappearing for a few moments, until he realized that no one else in the room was laughing. Then he coughed into his hand and sat up straighter in his chair again.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"If it hadn't been for your Lightning Bug," Cheever continued, "I hate to imagine what might have happened, but the bug seems to have either convinced the entity to leave your body or somehow forced it out." He clicked his tongue and shook his head.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"So was it some kind of demon, something like the Shadows?" Rose asked. Her face had<br />
gone very white.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"We don't know. I'm sorry---but we just didn't get enough data off the computer to be sure. However, if we look at the behavior of the entity," Cheever said, raising a finger into the air, like he was making a proclamation, "it doesn't seem to be the actions of what we would typically call a demonic entity. What did it do? It tried to protect its host body from what it believed was a serious threat, a reasonable assumption, considering how energetic Chris's training had become. And, when it realized Allen was no longer in immediate danger, it left his body without much of a fight. Most cases of full demonic possession can take months, even years, to resolve, and the host can even be killed as the invading entity leaves. This creature left without causing any permanent damage to Allen's body."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But it attacked Chris!" Rose said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Who was attacking Allen at the time," Shea added.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>They all sat in silence for a few seconds, Allen staring, vaguely, at a spot on the floor near his sister's feet.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Still and all," Cheever said, "Shayla and I both agree that we should keep you out of the fighting, which is about to commence, until we know more about what's getting inside your skin."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But I can help!" Allen said, his cheeks flushing red. "You said my power levels were really high, even before I blacked out!"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"That's what your brother said, too," Shea commented.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"As long as Shayla is in charge," Cheever said, "her word is law. And don't you worry, my boy. We've done fine protecting ourselves for a few thousand years. I'm sure we'll make it another day without having to put you and your sister in anymore danger. And besides that, it's better if we know what we're dealing with before we unleash it on the streets."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But don't think for a second that you're not helping, Allen," Shea said. "Your exploits have peaked Eddings's interest, at the very least. Thanks to you, he's agreed to help us."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Yes, he's contacted the City Counsel, where he has considerable influence, and they've declared a state of emergency in the city," Cheever said. "Eddings has made the claim that there is a dangerous gas leak and the City is forcing the citizens to evacuate the area around where the rift is going to manifest."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Shea continued, "He's also bringing a squad of his own men over to assist our guards. Between Eddings's group and our own forces, we should be able to handle anything the Shadows can throw at us." Shea smiled at Allen, and he thought he could see excitement in her eyes. He was terrified, be she seemed to be looking forward to the fight.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 30)<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After being released from the infirmary, Allen, Rose, and Angie were led back to their dorm rooms by Shea. They stopped outside Rose and Angie's room. Shea put a hand on Allen's shoulder and said, "I'll come get you guys when Eddings gets here. I know he's going to want to meet you." She patted Allen's shoulder and smiled. "In the meantime, Mom says she wants you guys to stay here. I can send for some food. You must be starving."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Absolutely!" Angie said, rubbing her stomach.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"So what are we supposed to do while we're waiting for the invasion to start?" Rose said, almost angrily.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Relax, I guess. Try to rest. It's probably going to be a long night," Shea said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Shea, what's going to happen once the fighting starts? Where will we be?" Allen asked.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I'm not sure," Shea answered. "You'll probably be in the control room with me and my mom."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen hated the idea of hiding during the battle when he knew his brother would be out there in the thick of it. He could help; he was sure of it!<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Shea, who read the expression on his face, said, "Don't worry, kiddo! With just a little more training, I'm sure you're going to be an ace fighter---maybe even better than your brother, someday. And I never thought I'd live to see the day that Christopher Tombes played second fiddle to anyone." She winked at Allen, and for some reason, it made him feel a little better.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Shea walked a few steps down the hall then yelled over her bandaged shoulder, "I'll have some food sent up right away. Pizza?"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Make it a large!" Angie yelled back as the three of them went into the girls' dorm room.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Angie flopped down on her bed and started flipping through a magazine. Allen sat in a chair. Rose began to pace back and forth across the room.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"What's wrong, Sis?" Allen asked after her third trip.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"What's wrong? Allen, our parents are gone, we've basically been kidnapped, you're being possessed by some kind of cosmic force, and in the next few hours our planet is going to be invaded by murderous creatures that want, specifically, to kill you!"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Allen's face fell, and Rose, immediately, felt sorry for what she'd said.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"That's all true," Allen shrugged, "but at least we're still alive."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rose's eyes filled with tears and she walked over to her brother and hugged him.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 31)<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In a dark domain, a thin creature of swirling shadows sat on a throne made of strange bones. Red light pulsed from its eyes and a glowing mist floated before it, which showed glimpses of the human realm, a boy, a building, bodies dissolving into steam and shadow, then more eyes adding their images to the glowing sphere. The Shadow Lord waved his hand and the misty ball faded away.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There was a flash of white light and the phantom that was once Krystal appeared. Her black eyes flickered with fear, and she knelt in front of the thrown, her head bent toward the floor.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I failed to kill the boy, Lord," she said without lifting her face.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I saw, through your eyes, witch. He has become too strong for you to harm him, now. However, you did as you were instructed. You contaminated the friend," the Shadow Lord smiled, and moved a misty finger under Krystal's chin, lifting her face so that it looked into his red, glowing eyes.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Yes," Krystal said, smiling. She raised her left hand, showing the Shadow Lord the missing nail from her pinky.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Well done," the creature smiled, his red eyes pulsing in waves.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"I can control her now, even inside their little cocoon of spells," Krystal said and floated into a standing position.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"As my army attacks from without, your puppet will be able to destroy the mages within who will be generating the protective spells that they believe will keep them safe. Once their protective barrier is down, we'll be able find the boy and destroy him before he completely integrates with the fire spirit and destroys their world."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"But why don't we just let the demon consume that miserable planet and all the worthless humans," Krystal asked. "Why are you trying to save them?"<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Your blood-lust is commendable, but you're a fool," he laughed, an icy, sick laugh that would have paralyzed any human who heard it. "The humans are weak, lazy, and simple---the perfect food. If the fire spirit enters their world, it will consume all life on the planet, and we will be forced to look elsewhere for life essences to steal. Humans are too perfect to lose. We cannot let that happen."<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Shadow Lord waved his fingers dismissing Krystal, who vanished in a swirl of mist. He then swirled a finger in the air and the sphere reappeared in front of the throne. The Shadow Lord leaned back in his throne and gazed into the minds of his slaves.<br />
-------<br />
<br />
[So….bad news for our heroes. If the Shadow Lord’s plan works, then Allen will be killed. If his plan doesn’t work, then all life on the planet will be destroyed by the fire spirit that Allen has made contact with… Typical. Check back soon to see who lives, who dies, and what kind of monsters make the scene!!! ---RFY]<br />
<br />
Previous sections:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-1-by-richard-f-yates/">Part One - Chapter 1</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-2-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Two - Chapter 2</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-3-and-4-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Three - Chapters 3 and 4</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-5-6-and-7-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Four - Chapters 5, 6, and 7</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-8-9-10-and-11-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Five - Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-12-and-13-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Six - Chapters 12 and 13</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-14-15-and-16-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Seven - Chapters 14, 15, and 16</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-17-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Eight - Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-21-22-and-23-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Nine - Chapters 21, 22, and 23</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-24-25-and-26-by-richard-f-yates/">Part Ten - Chapters 24, 25, and 26</a><br />
<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<div>
<br /></div>
thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-14794039063919561032017-10-13T15:23:00.004-07:002017-10-13T15:23:38.023-07:00“Friday the 13th, 2017 (True Stories of Domestic Bliss)” by Richard F. Yates (and Mariah Yates)As I place my toaster pastry in the toasting device, I’m singing my newest song, “Battle of the Redneck Weasel Cats,” and several weasel cats are swarming by my legs trying to trip me as I sing. Mariah (“The Boss”) comes into the kitchen about this time and asks, “Why are they rednecks? They haven’t worked a day in their lives?” And I think about it for a second, wondering why she isn’t bothered that I’m calling them “weasels,” and I answer, “They’ve fought spiders. That’s kinda like work. So they’ve worked at least three or four days in their lives… Gitzy (the oldest) has maybe worked five.” And so our Friday the 13th has begun!<br />
<br />
—Richard F. Yates<br />
<br />
P.S. – I returned to the kitchen to grab my toaster pastry from the toasting device as Mariah is lowering a meat cube into the crock pot and tossing in chopped vegetation to keep it company. I say, “Do we have a meat cube in the kitchen?” And she says, “Don’t judge the meat cube. It will clothe us and feed us and save us.” And I pause for a moment—then say, “I don’t know if I want to be clothed by a meat cube,” and I try to figure out how she stacked so many plates so high in the cupboard while balancing a cup at a 45 degree angle on top of the stack. She says, “You’ve never been clothed by a meat cube. You might like it.” And I say, “This stack of dishes is totally, non-Euclidean geometry. How did you do this?” And she says, “Don’t touch it! You’re going to ruin it!” And I leave the kitchen. And so our Friday the 13th continues!!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a><br />
<br />
["All hail meat cube!!" ---Mariah Yates]thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-33883240826817586602017-10-07T17:08:00.000-07:002017-10-07T17:08:03.699-07:00“Bigfoot (Part 6)” by Randy Long<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[In
the last episode, our hero learned that the Bigfoot people will let certain
humans come to their world, but that they never let them LEAVE! We now return
to the exciting story, already in progress!!! ---RFY]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
told Bill, leader of the village we’d been staying in, that we would like to go
home, and of course he said he’s been there about 100 years and has learned a
lot about the land---and the number one rule is NO ONE LEAVES.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">About
then, Bill took me to the side and says, “Can I trust you? And how bad do you
want to go back to Earth?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
believe a man is only as good as his word, and if he don’t have that, he has
nothing. And Earth is my home, no matter what, and I tell him so. Well, Bill
begins to tell me a story. He says, a long time ago when he first arrived here
through one of the forgotten doorways, he was told a story about a doorway
that, once a week, it appears in, and stays in, a different area of the world.
ONLY for a week, and then moves again. There’s an old man who lives in a cave
on the other side of the desert where a mountain starts and the desert ends.
There’s a hidden cave in the side of the mountain. That old man knows when and
where the doorway will appear. He told me not to let the Bigfoot people find
out what I was doing or they wouldn’t let me leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bill
proceeded to tell me that you need the Key to the forbidden doorway, and he
pulled a gold key out of his pocket and handed it to me. He told me he got the
Key to try and escape, but he’s been here so long that he wouldn’t know how to
cope on Earth anymore. He said, “You must take the Key, get your friend, and find
out when and where the doorway will appear. You will need one other thing. The
Compass will only show you where the doorway is, and it’s said that the old man
in the cave can tell you how to find the Compass. But remember, above all, tell
no one of your plan, if you want to succeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
asked he why me---why would he trust me? He said it’s too late for him. He’d
grown accustomed to being there, and I hadn’t been there long. He told me, “Never
lose sight of your dreams!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
talked more. I told him of the progress Earth had achieved in the last 100
years, from automobiles to landing on the moon, from computers to two world
wars… There was also a Sexual Revolution, and so many more improvements. We
talked for hours and into the night. He said to watch out for the forbidden
areas of the planet where the Bigfoot won’t go. There are spots on that planet
with too much heat for the Bigfoot, and humans are dominant there, and said I
should be careful exploring those places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Linda
and I decided to leave in the morning, find Ed, and find the forbidden doorway.
We’d been in that world for about six months, and we’d been told by Bill that
there were no seasons, just different areas with different climates. When it
rains in that area it’s short showers, then the sun comes right back out and
dries everything again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That
day, I saw a very large bird, 20 feet across. I was told that the bird was a
Thunderbird, big and black, that stood about six feet tall on the ground. Those
types of birds usually live beyond the desert zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bill
told me things that I was never supposed to repeat, especially around the
Bigfeet, or even think them! He said, “Bigfoot people can tell what other
Bigfoot people are thinking, but it’s harder for them to read humans, and
practically impossible if you try to block them.” Bill also said the Bigfoot
people have their own language beyond their telepathy, but with all the humans
on their planet, they learned English, and that became the standard language on
the planet, like a lot of places on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
also said it’s good to get in good with a Bigfoot that you trust. He says there’s
good Bigfoot people and bad, and to just be careful. Bill also told me of the
one great city of the Bigfoot people. It’s a place they hold sacred, and it’s
told that the beginning of the Bigfoot people was there. The secrets of the
Bigfoot people are hidden there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Humans
don’t live in Bigfoot City, and the only place the Bigfoot people won’t live is
somewhere where it’s too hot, like the desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bigfoot
City is the Lost City. It’s said that before the Bigfoot people there was a
race that occupied this world, then something happened to them, and the Bigfoot
people claimed this world. There are secrets in the city that the Bigfoot
people hide from humans. The Bigfoot City is over a million strong. There are
some smaller settlements around Bigfoot City occupied by humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bill
also told me that there are many keys that will only fit a single doorway, but
the key he gave me was the Golden Key, and only two are known to exist. They
will open any door. There’s doors that take you from one side of the planet to
another, from this planet to Earth, and different areas of other planets, but I
don’t know how many other planets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
next morning, we headed back east looking for the village called The Highlands,
the last place the Ed was known to be. I figured at our present pace we could
reach the Highlands village in about six weeks, but maybe he would be coming
our way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We’d
been on the road a week and a half, and ever since we left we’d had a feeling
we were being followed. If we were being followed, I was pretty sure it was a
Bigfoot because we couldn’t see anything. It must have been camouflaging
itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
the Bigfoot people, the men are dominant and the females are pretty passive, a
little smaller, but they would still tower over me, and I’m six feet tall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was starting to think that I would never get over the twin suns of that planet.
Every time I looked up, it brought me back to the reality that I was not in
Kansas anymore---not that Washington state is Kansas or anything like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
we’d been on the road two and a half weeks, and nothing significant happened,
but we still couldn’t shake the feeling we were being followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
decided to veer north a little, though still going mostly east, but we’d heard
of a little town off the beaten path, a human town, and maybe if we were being
followed, we thought, we could figure out by whom. After about four weeks since
leaving Bill’s village of Johnsonville, we reached the edge of the town. The
name of the town was Griphon, and the people there were pretty standoffish. We
went to talk to the Elders of the town, and one pulled me off to the side and
said, “I see you have a Bigfoot following you,” and he said he could help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
said I knew someone was following, but didn’t know why. He said it was because
we were new there and the Bigfoot didn’t know how to read us and were
concerned. He said it was normal for them to follow new people. I said it was
pretty intimidating, especially as big as they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
asked about the Highlands town and Ed. They told me that Highlands town was
about two weeks away, and the last they heard he was still there, a stranger
named “Ed.” We decided to stay in Griphon for a while and hoped the Bigfoot would
get tired of waiting. After about three days, he did. We stayed another couple
of days, just to make sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Linda
and I thought Ed must have met a woman, or he probably wouldn’t still be at the
village. Either that, or he was in trouble. After about six days, we were back
on the road again and heading for Highlands town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[MORE
TO COME!!!]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">---Randy
Long<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
here are the links to the previous sections:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/bigfoot-part-1-by-randy-long/">BigfootPart 1</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/bigfoot-part-2-by-randy-long/">BigfootPart 2</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/bigfoot-part-3-by-randy-long/">BigfootPart 3</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/bigfoot-part-4-by-randy-long/">BigfootPart 4</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/14/bigfoot-part-5-by-randy-long/">BigfootPart 5</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/">https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-61961689518159759152017-10-04T06:59:00.003-07:002017-10-04T06:59:54.346-07:00"The Gesture" by Richard F. Yates“The Gesture” by Richard F. Yates<br />
<br />
All we have is the gesture. As an average citizen, a not-born-rich, not particularly athletic, not super intelligent, not well trained, DEFINITELY NOT LUCKY, average human being, I’ll never have my artwork in the Louvre, and I’ll never be on the NYT Bestseller list, and I’ll never be on the cover of the Rolling Stone, (although I was, once, on the cover of the local paper, back when “blogging” was a new thing for most people. They sent a photographer to the house and took pictures of me in front of my computer, and said “This guy writes funny stuff,” and then said, but for REAL stories that actually matter…)<br />
<br />
But I’ve still got the gesture. I can write my funny stories and draw my monsters and make my little books. None of it is “Soup Can” important or “Stephen King” popular or even particularly interesting to most folks. But it’s mine. I made it. And I keep on making those little gestures… And now I have five or six boxes and big old plastic tubes of paintings and drawings sitting in the garage, and I have close to a hundred full journals and notebooks in the closet, and six or seven thousand posts spread across a dozen social media sites (or more---I lost count after “A LOT” because I’m not very good at numbers.) And I have dozens of zines and hundreds of handmade postcards floating around in the postal system, who knows how many items on various PRINT ON DEMAND sites, and seven or eight books available for people to not buy or look at available through various online stores (and there’s SOON TO BE ONE MORE! I’ve finished my first draft of SOMAT(IC) magazine, and will let THE PEOPLE know when it’s ready for consumption…)<br />
<br />
I’m just one guy who bothers to make a gesture. Now imagine (it isn’t hard to do) that EVERYONE---or at least the interesting people---turned off their cat videos or put down their game controllers or paused that reality t.v. episode for just a few hours and made a gesture of their own. Wrote a letter (on paper) to someone or drew a picture or wrote a little post about how they are feeling. Not copy and paste, not sharing someone else’s post, but actually made their own gesture and shared it with the world. I honestly think everyone should make things: take photos, write poems, paint postcards, share stories… There are a lot of people, and not very many of them are happy with the way the world turns at the moment. (I’ve been spitting blood lately: mass shootings, places destroyed by natural disasters, rich orange dickheads not caring even a tiny bit, and even U.N. votes to ban the death penalty for blasphemy, adultery, and same sex relations BEING VOTED AGAINST BY THE FUCKING U.S.A.!?!?!? What goddam century is this? Who is the U.S. representative to the U.N., and can we beat the shit out of him if we see him in a parking lot? Don’t get me started.) Where was I??? Right, making a gesture…<br />
<br />
We’ve got the gesture, which doesn’t seem like much, but a WHOLE BUNCH of gestures (like a million drops of water) can become a tidal wave. There’s power in the little gesture---and part of that POWER is in the fact that a single gesture doesn’t SEEM like much by itself. BUT IT IS. IT IS MUCH. In the face of the void, it’s quite a lot. Against EMPTINESS, it’s something…which is a whole lot better than NOTHING. (Sorry Ray Johnson, although not really, because I bet your NOTHINGS were really SOMETHINGS…)<br />
<br />
We’ve got the gesture, and I suggest we use it.<br />
<br />
---Richard F. Yates<br />
(Primitive Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com</a><br />
<a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/">https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/">https://www.facebook.com/richard.f.yates/</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
thedestroyerofworldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086852003379215903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255514082604282854.post-1043674685174742542017-09-24T18:26:00.000-07:002017-09-24T18:26:49.587-07:00“Serialized Novella: ALLEN TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapters 24, 25, and 26)” by Richard F. Yates<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[In
this thrill packed episode, Allen, Rose, and Angie meet the Big Boss at
Brashley, go shopping for some pillow cases, have a nice dinner, and then meet
an old friend for some fun and games! Get ready for suburban horror ALLEN
TOMBES style! ---RFY]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ALLEN
TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 24)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
can't believe they took our cell phones away," Angie said. She watched
Allen stuff half a chocolate bar into his mouth and giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"And
it's not just the phones," Rose said to Allen. "We can't contact
anyone at all. Nada! No email, no Facebook, nothing."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"My
mom has got to be freaking out," Angie said, then realized what she'd done
and mouthed, "sorry" to Rose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile,
Allen ate three donuts in about six bites, washing them down with the entire
carton of chocolate milk. For a few seconds he felt like his stomach was about
to declare war on the rest of his body, but it passed with a burp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
wonder how long we're going to be stuck here," Angie said, looking around
at the blank, grey walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
don't know," Rose said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Where
else would we go?" Allen asked. Despite his stomach already being
stretched to the point of explosion, he peered into the paper bag at the last
donut, considering, but decided against it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Though
the door to Allen's room was still open, there was a light knock that startled
all three of the kids. They turned as one and saw Shea standing at the opening,
smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Time
to meet the big boss----my mom," she said and waved for them to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ALLEN
TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shayla
McCleggan was the 58 year old C.E.O. of Brashley, Inc., a research and
development firm, which had successfully manufactured electronic equipment and
weapons since World War I, selling a large percentage of those products to the
U.S. military and foreign allies. The company was also the most recent front,
however commercially successful it seemed to be, for the Old Guard, an
international grouping of warriors, witches, seers, and alchemists who had
secretly been protecting humanity for centuries from a number of predatory
species that most people couldn't see or hear, and usually wouldn't even
believe existed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mrs.
McCleggan, widow of the ten years deceased Douglas McCleggan, and mother to
Shea, had taken control of the company and become the defacto
Commander-in-Chief of the Old Guard when her husband was assassinated by
Milfred Hobbes, a power-hungry second-in-command. The entire affair was
completely unexpected, throwing the company into disarray, and Shayla, fearing
the disintegration of the organization to which she had devoted decades of her
life, gave up her position as Head of Arms, and took on the role of general
leader of the company to almost universal approval. Almost…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
was twelve when all of this had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
assuming control, Shayla had streamlined operations, rooting out all those who
supported Hobbes over her husband, and lead the company to the most stable and
financially successful level it had ever achieved. Shayla was a tactical
genius, an analytical mind almost unmatched in the history of the Old Guard,
but she could also be coldly, and some might say 'cruelly,' efficient and
blunt. Shea explained all of this to Allen, Rose, and Angie as the group rode
the elevator to the 38th floor. The elevator required a special key-code to be
entered before it would accept that floor as a destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
office door buzzed, clicked, and opened by itself as they approached. The room
was large, the wall opposite the door comprised of a floor to ceiling window.
Chris and Cheever were already in the room when Allen and the girls walked in.
Chris was pacing near the window. Cheever sat in one of the two large, leather
chairs in front of Shayla's huge desk, which was covered in piles of papers,
electronic equipment, and half empty coffee cups. Sitting in a large chair
behind the desk was a woman who looked surprisingly like Shea, but with thin
rimmed glasses, grey streaks in her hair, thicker shoulders, and a sterner
expression, particularly around the eyes. She was typing furiously at a
computer and only looked up from her work when she had finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Eddings
is still refusing our request to mobilize. The idiot thinks we're overreacting
to the assault on your parents' home. Probably thinks we're just trying to
steal his prototypes, or some nonsense," she said. Allen assumed she was
talking to Chris, though her gaze had fallen almost instantly back to the
computer screen as she began to speak, so he couldn't be certain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
can go talk to him, if you like," Cheever said, "but I don't know if
it will help." He drummed his fingers on the arms of the chair, making a
series of rhythmical thud-thud-thuds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shayla
considered for a few minutes in silence, then said, "No. Let's wait until
we have something concrete to show him." She suddenly seemed to notice
that Allen and the others had entered the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Shea,
bring some extra chairs. Dr. Cheever, I have your report. I'll contact you if I
have any questions."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cheever
hopped out of his chair and bowed with an exaggerated flourish, winking at
Allen as he rose. Shayla shook her head, but Allen thought he saw a hint of a
smile on her lips. Cheever patted Allen on the shoulder as he strutted out of
the room. Shea went into a storage closet through a door at one end of the
office and returned with two chairs. Chris had stopped pacing, but was now
staring out the window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Please,"
Shayla said, waving at the chairs in front of her desk. Angie and Rose sat in
the leather chairs, and Allen took a chair from Shea and sat on it between his
sister and her friend. Shea unfolded the other chair, but remained standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"According
to the morning news, a gas furnace malfunctioned and exploded in your home at
about 4:00 A.M. Both of your parents, as well as you three, were pronounced
dead at the scene," she said, reading a off her computer screen. She
looked at the three kids sitting in the chairs in front of her and took off her
glasses. "I am truly sorry about your parents, and I realize how difficult
this must be, for all of you, but in order for us to keep you alive, and to
protect the lives of any friends or family members that your presence might
endanger, we must let the world believe that you died in that fire."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"But
my parents..." Angie started to protest, but Shayla held up a hand to
silence her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'm
sorry, Miss..." she looked at a paper on her desk, "Miss Fuller. This
is particularly unfair to you, having only been in the wrong place at the wrong
time, but you must understand that you have now been marked by the Shadows. If
you are allowed to leave here you will be pursued and destroyed, along with any
friends or family members who happen to be with you when the Shadows come for
you." She looked Angie straight in the face. "Not if they come, Miss
Fuller, but when. Here, we can protect you, and by staying with us, you will
also be protecting your loved ones." She stared directly at Angie until
Angie nodded. Shayla put her glasses back on. She looked at Allen, then Rose,
nodded, then went back to studying the papers on her desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"One
troubling development," Shayla said after a few seconds, "our agents
in charge of covering the destruction of your home reported that the body of
the witch was not found on the premises."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"What
does that mean?" Rose asked, shifting in her seat. Allen's face and hands
suddenly felt too cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"We
don't know," Shayla answered. "The two most likely possibilities are
that she wasn't dead, woke up after your group left, and fled the scene, or
that the Shadow's took her body for some reason."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"You
mean she might still be alive?" Allen asked in a shaking voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No
way!" Angie said, emphatically. "I checked her myself. She was
crushed against a wall. Dead!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Witches,
as I'm sure you are aware, having study the craft yourself, can have magical
means of healing," Shayla said. "However, we can't ignore the
possibility that the Shadows took her remains. If so, there are a number of
possible reasons, none of them very pleasant." Shayla went back to reading
her papers. Everyone waited silently. Allen was genuinely frightened by the
idea of meeting Krystal again, and he fidgeted in his seat. Nobody else moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shayla
breathed out a heavy sigh, flipped the papers she was reading face down, and
looked again at the group in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Take
today to rest and familiarize yourselves with the operations here," Shayla
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'll
give them the grand tour," Shea offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Fine.
I'll have I.T. set up pass-codes for each of you so you'll be able to use the
computer systems. Please remember that you cannot contact anyone by email or
through any social networks. It is imperative that you remain undetected. Your
friends and families lives depend on this."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Can
I take them to buy some clothes and a few things to make their rooms more
comfortable?" Shea asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shayla
considered for a moment, rubbing the bridge of her nose where her glasses sat,
then said, "Yes, they can spend five thousand each, but keep the trip to
friendly stores only, and make certain that you are in before dark. We can't
assume that the Shadows are ignorant of their whereabouts, so make sure to use
every precaution."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Of
course," Shea said, nodding solemnly. She flashed a smile at the kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Five
thousand dollars?" Rose said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"You're
going to be here for a while, might as well make yourselves at home," Shea
said, smiling again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Tomorrow,
you'll all begin classes. I'll have Cheever work out schedules. Christopher, I
assume you'll be working with your brother on weapons?" Shayla said. Chris
grunted from the window, but didn't turn around. Shayla sighed again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
must apologize," Shayla said, "and take full responsibility for last
night's tragedy." She looked from Allen to Rose, who were both confused.
"Your brother warned me several days ago that the Shadows had taken an
interest in your family, and I failed to recognize the extent of their
determination. Normally, a single Simmeron guard can handle a dozen Shadows,
but they sent several hundred drones to attack your home. Not only that, but
they hired a human agent as an assassin, a possibility that I failed to even
consider. Had we moved when Chris first suggested, we may have been able to
save your parents. For that mistake, I am truly sorry."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
room was silent for a moment, leaving Allen feeling both sad and uncomfortable.
He didn't believe that Shayla was to blame for his parents' deaths, even if
Chris did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"But
you saved us, at least," Allen said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shayla
smiled, "No, Allen. We didn't act in time. It was YOU that saved everyone
there last night, not us."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ALLEN
TOMBES – FIRE FROM WATER (Chapter 26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
took the kids to a huge department store within walking distance of the
Brashley building. Rose and Angie each picked out several outfits, and Allen
bought some t-shirts, a hooded sweater, and a few pairs of sweat pants. The
girls wanted to buy a hamster to keep in their room, but Shea felt certain that
it wouldn't be allowed, so they settled for a huge stereo system, some posters,
a few potted plants, a bookshelf, a vanity table with a lighted mirror, and two
pairs of shoes each. Allen found a hand-held video game system, several DVD
movies, which Shea assured him would play on the computer in his room, a new
journal with a lock, and a stack of magazines. After paying for everything with
a company card, the items were taken away by a store employee. Shea told them
that the items would be delivered to their rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen
asked if they could go to a bookstore, but Shea said that there were no
'friendly' bookstores in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"What
does that even mean?" Allen asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"'Friendly'
stores are owned by people, or creatures in some cases, that we trust. The
buildings are secured by spells and other protective measures, so that we can
be safe while we’re in them." Since Allen seemed to be disappointed that
he couldn't buy any new books, Shea suggested that he get an electronic reader,
which would work with the Old Guard's electronic library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"You're
kidding," Allen said. "The Old Guard has a digitized library?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Sure?
Who do you think came up with the idea of an electronic library? The company is
a research and development firm, after all!" she said, laughing. "And
we've got to have quick access to a ton of ancient texts if we're going to keep
our clients alive." Although Shea laughed as she said this, Allen was less
comfortable with the concept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">After
finding a top of the line electronic reader for Allen, Shea suggested that they
each pick new bedspreads, pillows, and rugs for their rooms to add some
much-needed color. With that task accomplished, they asked if they could get
something to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
checked her watch and, seeing that they still had several hours before sundown,
pulled out her cellphone and informed Thompson that they had finished shopping
and were going to grab a bite before coming back home. She lead Allen, Rose,
and Angie to a cafe about half a block from the department store. The cafe,
Waldo's, was dimly lit, with dark wood furnishings and deep shadows to hide in.
After a nod and knowing handshake with the young, clean-cut man sitting behind
the wooden podium near the entrance, the group was led to a corner booth at the
back of the restaurant. Shea pulled her cell phone out again and told Thompson
that they'd reached their destination, then stuffed the phone back into her
pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly,
Rose gasped, then quickly covered her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"What
is it?" Shea asked, half standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"That
waitress," Rose tilted her head toward a blonde woman in a crisp, dark
grey suit. The waitress turned toward their table, smiled, and waved at Shea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh!"
said Shea, relieved and chuckling as she returned to her seat. "That's
Pearl," she said, smiling at Rose and patting her arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen
was confused. "What did she do?" Allen asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Don't
you see her? Her face, it's like a cat!" Rose said, leaning over the table
toward Allen and whispering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I'm
impressed, Rose," Shea said. "It can take months for some students to
learn to see through a glamour spell as strong as Pearl's. She's not just a
Shadow drone!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen
looked at the waitress again, really focusing. He started to feel like the room
was tilting, but he kept his eyes on her. After a few seconds, her features
began to soften, and her eyes grew larger and greener. Her face was suddenly
covered with tawny colored fur, her hands, too. Needle-like teeth appeared
beneath her puffed upper lip that looked capable of tearing through the flesh
of the customers she was helping as easily as if they were cotton candy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
see her now," Allen said, also whispering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
don't see anything weird about her," Angie said, sounding desperate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"It's
okay," Shea said to Angie. "In a lot of cases that's going to make
you the lucky one. I couldn't sleep for weeks when I saw a Necrosect in
Italy." Everyone looked at her with blank faces. "A Necrosect is a
carnage eater. Completely harmless to living creatures, but they look like
giant, rotting spiders." Shea shuddered in her seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
know what you mean," Rose said, looking out the window. "How am I
supposed to eat dinner after seeing that!" She pointed at a woman who
appeared to be walking a whippet outside the restaurant. Allen focused on the
woman, but nothing happened. Then he noticed that the dog wasn't quite solid.
He focused on it, and it shifted into a five-foot-long centipede, writhing and
shaking its way down the street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh,
gross..." Allen said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yeah,
with something like that, Angie, you're the lucky one," Shea said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
waiter appeared, who Allen was almost certain was human, and took their orders.
They each ate large meals and, despite being too full, Shea suggested they have
one of Waldo's famous desserts to cap off the day. The kids were glad she did.
The devil's food cake topped with mint ice-cream and fudge sauce was to die
for!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
had them wait at the table while she paid, then phoned Thompson to tell him
they were heading back. She led them to the door, after leaving a large tip.
When they left the building, Allen saw that the sun hadn't yet set, but that
the shadows were growing long and menacing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
walked in front, and Allen saw Rose looking carefully at every face she passed
on the two and a half block walk back to the Brashley building. Angie, moaning
that she was so full that she felt sick, brought up the rear. Few people seemed
to notice them as they moved briskly down the sidewalk, and Allen wondered if
Shea wasn't somehow using a glamour spell to hide their presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
the steps of the Brashley building came into view, Allen finally drew an easy
breath. He felt exhausted, and realized how nervous he had been. He saw
fingernail marks etched into his palms. His fists had been clenched for the
entire walk from Waldo's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shea
was just hopping up the first few steps when Allen heard a squeal from behind
him. He turned around to see Angie kneeling on the ground. She was laughing, so
Allen guessed that she wasn't hurt too badly. Then he noticed the warm burn
from his necklace on his chest. He bent his neck and saw that the gargoyle's
eyes glowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"What
happened?" Shea said, rushing to help her up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
tripped, I guess," Angie said, taking Shea's hand. Shea pulled her to her
feet. Angie's face was red, and Allen saw a little trickle of blood on her neck
that looked like it had dripped down from behind her ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh
my God!" Rose yelled. "It’s her!" she was pointing past Shea and
Angie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Standing
less than a dozen paces from them, smiling with her mouth slightly open, was
Krystal. Her face was white, lined with purple veins, and her black tongue slid
across her lower lip. Her black dress blew around her as if there was a strong
wind, and her eyes were completely black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Run!
Get to the door!" Shea screamed. She pulled her phone out and hit a few
buttons. Krystal floated up off the sidewalk and flew at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Code
three!" Shea yelled into her phone. She pulled a hidden pistol out of her
jacket as the kids tore their gazes away from the witch and raced up the stairs
toward the large wooden doors. One of the doors opened, and two guards in black
uniforms came out, machine guns drawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Krystal
laughed wildly, and her jagged, obsidian knife appeared suddenly in her hand.
She flashed forward, knocking Shea's pistol away with her left hand, then
driving her blade into Shea's shoulder with her right. Shea screamed as Krystal
tore the jagged blade out, and Shea fell to the steps. She didn’t get back up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rose
and Allen raced passed the guards and reached the doors. The guards aimed their
guns and fired at Krystal, their bullets tearing through the billowing black
fabric, but apparently passing harmlessly through the witch’s flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Krystal
laughed again, a high, horrible sound, and flew at one of the guards. Her black
blade slashed through the air, tearing across the guard's throat. His eyes went
wide, and his hands reached for the wound as he fell, rolling down the stairs
toward the sidewalk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen,
watching all of this over his shoulder, stopped. He stepped away from the doors
letting Angie go through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Come
on, Allen!" Rose yelled from inside the building. Several more guards
emerged from an elevator and began running down the hall toward them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen
saw the witch flying at the second guard, who continued to shoot, uselessly,
through her. Allen took a step toward the witch, his eyes growing dark,
beginning to burn with a deep blue flame. He raised an arm in the direction of
the witch and said, almost in a whisper, "No." The air around Allen
vibrated and he felt a rush of wind moving through him, then a wave a dark blue
flame burst from his hand and arched towards Krystal. The witch's high-pitched
laugh became a shriek of pain, her body convulsing in the air. She shot
backward, away from the guard. She looked at Allen, her black eyes full of
fury, then vanished in a swirl of fabric and black smoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
newly arrived guards piled out of the doors onto the steps, looking confused.
They surveyed the scene, guns and swords drawn. A dark haired, female guard
tapped Allen, lightly, on the shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Please,
go inside now. We can handle it from here," she said. The dark blue fire
receded from Allen's eyes, but he didn't move.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two
guards moved down the steps to check on Shea, who was lying face-down, a stream
of blood winding from beneath her toward the sidewalk below. The guard who had
been sliced by Krystal was lying on his back. Blood poured from the huge red
gash in his throat. Allen was certain that he was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Please,
go inside now," the female guard said again. Allen nodded and walked back
to the doors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rose
was standing in the open doorway, looking wide eyed at Allen, tears streaming
down her cheeks. "Is Shea dead?" she asked, her voice shaky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I
don't think so," Allen said. He felt very cold. Everything that had just
happened seemed far away, like he'd watched it happening, but hadn't been there
himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"That
was Krystal, wasn't it?" Rose asked. "But she's been changed,
somehow?" Allen nodded. "Did you... Did you kill her?" she
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No.
She ran away. We hurt her, but we didn't kill her," Allen said, his voice
barely loud enough for Rose to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"What
do you mean? Allen, what's going on?" she asked, grabbing his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Allen
seemed to shake himself from a dream. He looked at Rose, tears just starting to
form in his eyes. "I don't know, Rose. I don't know."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[There
you have it! Allen seems to be gaining power but losing control. Shea is hurt,
possibly dying, and the witch has become something much, much worse! Keep your
eyes peeled for the next exciting chapter!!!! (Coming whenever I get around to
editing it, because the story is already finished, I’m just enjoying the
serialized format!!! What do you people think?) ---RFY]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">---Richard
F. Yates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(Primitive
Thoughtician and Grand Hoohaa of The P.E.W.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/">https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com/">http://readadamnbookwithrfy.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/">https://ilosttheplotafewmilesback.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">P.S.
– Here are links to the previous chapters!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-1-by-richard-f-yates/">Part One – Chapter 1</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-2-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Two – Chapter 2</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapter-3-and-4-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Three – Chapters 3 and 4</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-5-6-and-7-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Four – Chapters 5, 6, and 7</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-8-9-10-and-11-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Five – Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-12-and-13-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Six – Chapters 12 and 13</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-14-15-and-16-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Seven – Chapters 14, 15, and 16</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-17-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Eight – Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px;" /><a href="https://primitiveentertainment.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/serialized-novella-allen-tombes-fire-from-water-chapters-21-22-and-23-by-richard-f-yates/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part Nine – Chapters 21, 22, and 23</a></div>
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