Stories and Paintings
A persistent, muffled thumping roused me from sleep, and I rolled over, bleary-eyed, on my sweat-dampened pillow. Heavy footsteps plodded down the stairs. I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my eyes in the bright sunshine and intruding heat of the open window. Nearby cockatoos screeched. The thumping stopped. Last night’s... Continue Reading →
I know it was you who tipped off the cops. That took some balls. No hard feelings, you did what you had to do. Prison is unpleasant. Eight years they gave me, but some influential people are in favour of my early release, so I’ll be out soon enough. Some of my competitors... Continue Reading →
The old, varnished floorboards in Budgie’s upstairs hallway cooled the soles of my bare feet, a refreshing counterbalance to mild pain squeezing my head. (I was not hungover, but I could have done without those last two beers.) My eyes had adjusted enough to the darkness for sight alone to guide me back to... Continue Reading →
It is dark. A rumble, like that from a passing semi-trailer, jolts my spine. Distant echoes of a thunderclap trail off. Red stars dance above. A crack pierces the air; light flashes. I squeeze my eyes shut, then open them. My lungs strain for breath. Things take shape. Glistening raindrops dart at... Continue Reading →
A major arrest took place in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday, with police special forces storming an apparent hideout of London crime kingpin, Jimmy “Biscuits” O’Shea. O’Shea was taken into custody along with gang member, Edward Ping. Police seized over a million dollars in cash, and a massive stockpile of weapons, including knives, automatic rifles, rocket... Continue Reading →
Budgie’s return, less than twenty-four hours after infiltrating New Zealand’s worst prison, surprised us all. After a whirlwind of shouts, cheers, bear hugs and high fives, we gave him enough space to set his case down, take off his jacket and loose his flowing locks from the absurdly oversized man-bun he had worn on... Continue Reading →
By the time I returned to Budgie’s place, the sun had dipped below the hills behind the property, splashing the low clouds deep orange. A lone star peeked out above. I drove slowly up the driveway, to hear the gravel crunch beneath the immense tyres on LaShawn’s truck. There was a car parked in... Continue Reading →
Rory’s parents’ house, Queensland, Australia, 19th November 2005. BANG! Another balloon popped, right behind me. I swear the little turds were doing it on purpose. I hate balloons popping. I don’t mind the noise; it’s the surprise I can’t stand. A swarm of ankle-biters ran outside, screeching and giggling, hyped up on fairy... Continue Reading →
After a fifteen-minute drive, I arrived in front of Ezra’s place and parked just off the dirt road. An old timber rail fence stretched the front of property, a quaint (that’s three) border whose inviting, old-timey appearance was offset with hand-painted signs bearing such warnings as PRIVATE PROPERTY—KEEP OUT, NO TRESSPASSING, BEWARE OF DOGS,... Continue Reading →
After LaShawn talked me through the plan to overthrow New Zealand’s communist regime, he went back out to the shed to check on the brisket. In the games room, I played some pool by myself, and then had a look through Budgie’s record collection. Budgie reckoned you couldn’t truly appreciate a song unless you... Continue Reading →
