The Big Sleazy, Chapter 3

The overwhelming aroma of incense made my head spin. The only light in the room came from candles scattered about in holders and from the flashing neon “Tarot, Tarot, TAROT” sign on the wall.

Madame Kazee was seated at a small round table, a colourful swirl of scarves, shawls, and gaudy jewelry. Her tarot deck sat before her on the black velvet tablecloth.

“Cross my paw with silver and all will be revealed to you,” she purred.

I drew up a chair and threw down a wad of the briefcase cash. “I need to know the whereabouts of the Karmic Crystal of Justice. Spill it, sister.”

The money disappeared as if by magic and Madame Kazee shuffled her tarot cards. Never breaking eye contact with me, she slowly and dramatically turned over the first card.

“The Moon,” she said. “Deception and illusion.”

“I need an address for the amulet’s location, not a buncha mumbo jumbo.”

No response. Madame Kazee turned over another card and held it up for me to see.

“The Ten of Swords." She paused for effect. "Utter defeat.”

The next card seemed to leap out of the deck as if possessed. It fell on the floor, face up. Madame Kazee blanched under her fur and whispered, “The Tower. An unexpected fateful blow from right out of the blue.”

The last thing I remember was the sound of breaking glass as some unknown assailant behind me smashed my liquor bottle over my head.

Lights out. Closing time for me.

[Story, art and photo of art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2023;

you can visit Kazee at Mystical Empowerment]