**I mention a couple of old books in this chapter. As much as I tend to go for facts, I'm playing a little fast and loose with the dates of their publication. An English translation of one of them might have been available in Europe at the time that this tale is set. It's anybody's guess whether a copy might have made its way to New Mexico by then to land in...
Written by Coolchick, Othello and myself. Please NOTE: THE ADDRESS IS COMPLETELY FICTITIOUS. * I stare at the address, double checking the card in my hand. I could be wrong, completely wrong. Looking again at the card it reads: Othello Soliloquy, Esq.. Sword Publishing, CEO N423 W1567 Bear Garden Theatre Rd Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England....
He ran up to his rooms and began to pace. Just the idea of leaving her was tearing him to pieces inside. He now knew there was no way he could leave, but could he live her life? Could he do that? He had a sudden thought and stopped in his tracks. Of course, why hadn't he thought of it before? Nathan stayed away and she began to fear that he would leave with...
Rick popped a tin of tuna, slathered mayo on white and heaped potato chips on a paper plate. Tucking a Wall Street Journal under his shoulder, he carried his sandwich and diet soda to the sofa. He ate in front of the TV, checking cable news for updates on his stocks. Sometimes, he would fall asleep during prime time but tonight Rick was anxious. Tax seaso...
"We need all this rope?" Olga asked, her voice dripping with incredulity. Blinking, she hastily added, "Miss Rita," but it was too late. The tone of voice and omission had been noted. Miss Rita had been working with her concerning her use of politeness and proper address when speaking. Olga didn't have to say 'Miss Rita' or even 'Miss' with every sentence, b...
Jack slept well, and the following morning at breakfast while sipping his cappuccino he was replaying the evening before and felt himself growing hard again. When Isabella arrived, wearing her trim crisp uniform, he was already erect and stroking himself slowly, the waistband of his soft cotton gym shorts he slept in bunched at the base of his shaft. Isabell...
Arriving at the Ziota colony they saw a large city surrounded by large wooded areas. They were told the woods were good for hunting, but also provided shelter for the rebels terrorizing the city. Protecting this city would take many men, Connor thought. This would definitely prove the challenge the elders had promised him. Still, he looked forward to it. H...
The noisy commotion coming from the house next door all but forced Tony to look to see what the hell was happening. From his back patio he could hear the yelling of a man, the screaming of a young woman and above all the crying of what he knew was a newborn baby. A crashing sound reached his ears and he suddenly feared the worst for the young woman. He le...
Jean and Jim Johnson were both products of parochial, conservative small towns in the Midwest. In those areas, right was right, wrong was wrong -- and nothing was in between. Of course, actions frequently differ from religious and moral beliefs, but both Jean and Jim were closer to the regional ideal than most. This was particularly true of Jean. Her father,...
Eleanor Brigham looked out of the window of the detached mansion that was now hers in entirety, with a smug smile that echoed her contentment. Her eyes took in the clear air of the elevated township of Penkhull, and the grimy smoke of the potteries which swirled below it; the filth of an industry which had led to her late husband's wealth... and which was no...