Thursday 9 February 2023

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]

35 comments:

Moving with Mitchell said...

I get the sense that Madame Kazee can be trusted. This tale has me hooked.

Mistress Maddie said...

And the suspense builds. I get the feeling Madame Kazee is not a female at all but a drag kitty! And I sure hope you were least hit over the head by a bottle of top shelf liquor see.

Boud said...

So this is also a roman a clef?? The plot thickens!

BootsandBraids said...

Should have known, in a room with a dame wearing gaudy jewelry, to watch one's back.

Lady M said...

Uh oh - getting intense now.

Travel said...

Can't wait

Janie Junebug said...

Keep it coming.

Love,
Janie

Pixie said...

I have only one suggestions, some Edmonton landmarks. That would bring me joy.

I read a murder mystery novel awhile ago, set in Edmonton, and especially loved all the Edmonton landmarks in the book. I think the book was called "Fall From Grace" by Wayne Arthurson.

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Ohhh kitty's in danger.
Also, you know how Tarot readers are not to be trusted.

XOXO

Tundra Bunny said...

Madam Kazee looks like a true thrifter... er, I mean, grifter!

baili said...

Wow she seems to have supernatural power
Looking farwared to the next chapter

bobbie said...

Oh, my stars!! The suspense!!! I'm loving this!

Bob said...

My only issue is that you're forcing me to wait 24 hours for the next installment.
I am loving this.

e said...

Oooh! Excitement builds! HRH Spayed is in some trouble...
What will happen next?!?

Kelly said...

This is so much fun! I really like your artwork, too!

angela said...

Wow. Instant validation of tarot reading.
Gotta love that lol

roentare said...

So dark and mysterious. Yum!

Adam said...

🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮

Rostrose said...

Dear Debra, I just checked out chapters 1 to 3, great. I must have missed some of your witticism as I don't understand English cat street slang well enough, but I still had a great time. And your illustrations for the story are strong too.
ALL THE BEST from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/02/costa-rica-5-kapitel-la-paz-waterfall.html

Mr. Shife said...

I need to read chapters 1 and 2 to get caught up and look forward to it. Thanks, Debra.

The Blog Fodder said...

Cool. Miss a few days and look what happens. This is going to be good. The cat's whiskers, so to speak.

Old Lurker said...

Ouch. Remind me never to get my Tarot read.

I am surprised Madame Kazee is not using one of those Cat Tarot decks you like so much. Maybe it is not bloody enough?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Old Lurker -- You've got it exactly right! Madame Kazee is hardcore, man, hardcore.

Mike said...

"The overwhelming aroma of incense made my head spin."
Me too, HRH Spayed, me too.

Joanne Noragon said...

I hope your heroine left home with sharpened claws!

River said...

Ooooh! suspense...

Kirk said...

Is there a veterinarian in the house?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Kirk -- That made me laugh out loud!

The Captain said...

If this doesn't get picked up for TV I'll be surprised...

Martha said...

Oh, how I love that image! And Madame Kazee approves. She's actually curled up and asleep on my lap as I catch up on her adventures. She is quite the tarot reader, isn't she?

yellowdoggranny said...

did you do the art work?????

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ yellowdoggranny -- Yes, I did all the artwork except for the GIF used in chapter 5 which I swiped from the internet.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Who can you trust in this story? Seem like no one! Love the artwork, Deb!

Hena Tayeb said...

Yikes! Cliffhanger.

Rommy said...

dun...dun...DUN... Hopefully Kazee isn't next!