Late that night, I made the rounds of every seedy gin joint in town, hitting up my contacts for info on that crazy amulet. Down a badly-lit back alley, I stumbled into my favourite retro speakeasy, Dudo’s Dumpster Dive. If anyone could steer me right, it’d be Dudo.
He was behind the bar as always, slinging beer and other libations to the rough biker crowd packing the joint.
“Hey, Dudo, long time no see. Gimme a shot of your best hooch.” Remembering my unlimited expense account, I added: “And leave the bottle.”
Dudo came up dry on the amulet. But he did know of a witchy she-devil cat who might have her paw on the pulse of such things.
“Madame Kazee. Best tarot reader in the biz. If she don’t know where that amulet is, ain’t no one knows.”
“Where can I find her?”
Dudo paused, looked me up and down, and then called over the bar’s muscle, a big bruiser named Moose.
“Moose, take this guy to Madame Kazee. See that he gets there with his wallet intact.”
Turns out I didn’t even have to leave the establishment (or my bottle of booze). Moose shepherded both me and it through the bikers, hookers and general mayhem of the bar to a private room in the back.
“She’s in there, gumshoe. Better be respectful or she’ll put a curse on yer guts that’ll make you wish you wuz dead.”
And then Moose unceremoniously shoved me through the beaded curtain.
[Story, art and photo of art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2023;
you can visit Dudo and Moose at Moving With Mitchell]
I always figured Dudo and Moose had gangster connections see. Never fool around with anyone named named Moose....or Meat.
ReplyDeleteThe tension mounts! And the illustration is great!
ReplyDeleteRevealing your feline alter-ego in such a creative, engaging story...it's going to be a nail-biter I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI always knew there was a darker side to Dudo and Moose!
ReplyDeleteI have met a couple of those pussys. Can't wait to read the next installment.
ReplyDeleteOOOh - the plot thickens!
ReplyDeleteYou have made my day (and it’s not the first time)! I knew my boys got up to no good when we’re not around. And here’s photographic proof. This is SO good. I look forward to every chapter.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you are still about and busy writing!
ReplyDeleteI will be back too visit you soon xx
HAHAHA! I love it. My darling little Kazee in your story! Yes, she is the best tarot reader and she'll certainly put a curse on you if you're not respectful. Watch your step!
ReplyDeleteThe illustration is adding to the mystique. Can't wait to see what Madame Kazee looks like.
ReplyDeleteI’ll be back for sure!
ReplyDeleteTriple D's, nice.
ReplyDeleteI've long suspected that Dudo & Moose have underworld connections too.... their innocent "Who, me?" looks are just a little too innocent!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that Buster Borghese doesn't end up as the fall guy in this liitle noir story!
The plot thickens!
ReplyDeleteMoose is quite fetching in that dress. But it seems unrealistic that he would ever listen to his brother.
ReplyDelete@ Old Lurker -- It's supposed to be a tank top, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe tension mounts! What mysteries will be revealed by the enigmatic Madam Kazee???
ReplyDeleteNice 😸
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pic! You wrote the story with a style!
ReplyDeleteOhhh I’ve just read both instalments and am eager to learn more.
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting
I'm on the edge of my seat! See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThe names.
ReplyDeleteThe alliterations.
The attitude!
I'm loving this.
XOXO
The moment I saw the names Dudo and Moose, I fervently scrolled down the comments to see what Mitchell had to say, and then returned to read the rest of the chapter.
ReplyDeleteOops! I meant to say "Moose is quite fetching in that tank top."
ReplyDeleteI should have known that you wouldn't dress Moose in a green dress (and not a real green dress: that's cruel).
I'm loving this!
ReplyDeleteI’m in, this is so cool!
ReplyDeleteDudo and Moose! How did they get there from Spain?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
You really know how to rise suspense
ReplyDeleteI drink in a very similar establishment
ReplyDeleteI love where this is heading.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the artwork in the first two chapters is AWESOME!!
never trust the bartenders.
ReplyDeleteYou are SO CLEVER! I love this.
ReplyDeleteLove your artwork as well!
ReplyDeleteHRH is in the thick of the feline underworld now! Very cute drawing.
ReplyDelete