Stories by Miles Venison
Harry cleared his throat, then crooned, “We’re caught in a trap… I can’t walk out… Because I love you too much, baby.” He nodded at Mr. McAllister. The old man cleared his throat then sang in a rich, soulful—if slightly gravelly—voice, “Why can’t you see… what you’re doing to me…” Harry watched him with wide... Continue Reading →
Harry snatched the phone from the elderly man and crunched it back into the cradle on the wall. “What are you doing? Who were you talking to? Wait—was that Ronnie?” Mr. McAllister looked confused. He stepped back. “That dirty rotten…” Harry rubbed his face and blinked hard. When he opened his eyes, Mr. McAllister was... Continue Reading →
Back at the club bus, after everyone had enjoyed a rest and eaten the sandwiches Neil had brought, Jerry stood and addressed the group. “Well, that was quite a morning, wasn’t it? That is an experience we will each remember for the rest of our lives. But, as you know, we came here on a... Continue Reading →
Behind Wayne, on a small, square desk, lay a microphone. A short cable attached the microphone to a cheap laptop computer. On the computer screen a program displayed a row of vertical bars and a few animated control knobs. Brendon stepped forward and examined the screen. He turned and looked at Wayne, then at the... Continue Reading →
Once he left the room, the club members giggled and gushed to one another. “It’s really him!” “I can’t believe I’m in his house. I’ve got goosebumps.” “He looked right at me—did you see it?” “I want a photo with him.” “We should ask him to sing a song.” Harry hushed the group. “Calm down!”... Continue Reading →
Discussion unfurled into the night. Options were weighed, risks were assessed. In all things, at all costs, the legacy of Elvis Presley was to be upheld. Around midnight, with all plans agreed upon, the meeting concluded. The entire committee, along with Ewan and Ishani, and minus Ronnie (who was officially removed), would travel first thing... Continue Reading →
Harry leaned back and twisted a sideburn in grave thought. Jerry shook his head. “Think about it,” said Ishani. “No more Elvis weddings, no Elvis party appearances, no venues booking Elvis tribute acts. Do you know how much demand there is for a female Indian Elvis impersonator? I can make five grand on a fully... Continue Reading →
For the next forty-five minutes, the committee sat in wonder and listened to Ewan retell every detail of his brush with Elvis Presley. There were so many questions, so many possibilities. It was Gene who finally suggested what many were thinking. “You know,” he said, “New Orleans is only about a six-hour drive. We could... Continue Reading →
When everyone had taken their seats, Harry invited Ewan to the pulpit. Ewan savoured every moment of his first address to the club committee, and Harry let him. Ewan began by explaining the clues that led him this time to one Aaron McAllister, then detailed his month-long surveillance mission. He described the traits the old... Continue Reading →
At seven-thirty that night, twelve senior club members, along with Ewan (by special invitation) and Ishani (who knew how to operate the new coffee machine), gathered for an emergency session of the club committee. The clubhouse was a small timber building with a high sloped ceiling and stained-glass windows. It had previously served as the... Continue Reading →
In Search of Lost Marbles 