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1066 at the Imagine Inn

"Ballinger's pride will be the death of him," Was the last muttering of the old cyclops before The poison took over. Never trust unicorn bartenders. Young Gallimay, the town's token centaur, Walked into this scene: Serren's body laid across the bar. Tempest the unicorn bartenders cleaned pint glasses. (All ladee-da.) Two old frog friends sat in the back with lagers, blinking back at the man/horse. Tinkerbell whizzed by with the someone's check, pregnant with her 3rd babybell. A baby albino dire wolf slept soundly at the foot of the hat rack near his hooves. Gallimay trotted up to the bar right beside the dead body. "300 doubloons," said Tempest the unicorn bartender. Gallimay gave her a look like he got hit with a frying pan. "The dire pup," she clarified, "300 doubloons if you're interested." Gallimay shook his head and leaned in, "Ma'am I'm here on a tip someone was poisoned to death. A text from this location saying 'I've been poisoned.'" Gallimay looked at the body next to him And then back at Tempest. "What's this guy's story?" "His name is Serren. He's a regular. Must've fell asleep." Gallimay nudged the Cyclops' ribs. "Hey buddy!" The body toppled Over and hit the ground. The Centaur took out a walkie from his vest pocket. "I gotta 10-66 at the Imagine Inn." "Bloody Mary?" Tempest asked Gallimay. "Not on the job, thanks." "No, have you talked to Bloody Mary?" Tempest pointed her cone towards a woman at the end of the bar Cloaked in shadows and dripping with blood. "Mary and Serren were an item for quite awhile," Added Tempest. Unable to help from over-hearing, Mary waved at them politely. "Let me call you back, Ballinger," said the scarlet-soaked woman In a barroom hush.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 5/21/2025 11:50:00 AM
Oooi love this but I want more! Congratulations! Xo
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Caliri Avatar
Matt Caliri
Date: 5/22/2025 12:42:00 PM
Ha! Thanks! It sounds I need to write a sequel! Will add it to my to do list!
Date: 5/18/2025 2:29:00 PM
I absolutely love this quirky take on the theme. You added a noir element that put me in mind of a Twilight zone/Outer Limits/Night Gallery episode. Congrats on placement. PS. I'm betting Bloody Mary is your perp
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/20/2025 5:44:00 AM
Please do. We need resolution!
Caliri Avatar
Matt Caliri
Date: 5/19/2025 9:32:00 PM
Thanks so much for connecting with the piece! It felt like an insane poem but very much up my alley. It's the type of premise I relish, thanks so much for setting it on a Tee for me! Was way too fun to write, and may force me to extend on it further at a later date...thanks again!!!

Book: Reflection on the Important Things