The Kutters (#SSE3)

Yeah, yeah, yeah! I know I typically don’t post on Tuesdays but sometimes order goes completely out of whack. No biggie!

[image error]It’s time for the 3rd episode of Short Story Excerpts where I conclude with my final story in Continuous Drips, entitled “The Kutters”.

“The Kutters” is the story I had the most fun creating.

Have you ever heard of an artist that had one album everyone was crazy about? Then, the artist switched musical direction and it didn’t resonate well?

Okay, you’re still with me? Good.

“The Kutters” is about author Jonas Rowen who writes this book that is an immense hit. He got tired of writing in that genre and decided to experiment with another genre, which, overall, sucked ass. His writing career is in the balance since his publisher has whittled down promotional dates for the newest book. Jones’ agent comes up with the idea to revive the publication that’s his claim to fame. The events that follow drive the story.

 

 

 

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The Kutters (#Excerpt)

 

For Jonas, the best way to describe The Kutters was a beautiful nightmare. Since Jakhartic, his ideas and fingers seemed in limbo. No one wanted to know of anything  before, or seemed too interested in anything after The Kutters, and that was wildly apparent in the feedback from Jakhartic. Had he been too hasty in rejecting Nora’s offer?

After the failure of Jakhartic, he was diagnosed with a sleep disorder and prescribed sleeping pills. Since Nora’s visit, the medication had lost effectiveness. Jonas was having dreams about the created towns prevalent in The Kutters.

“No wonder I’ve been so cranky. Lately, I haven’t been able to get that damned book out of my head.”

Many hours later, there was a rap on the door. Since it was storming, Jonas thought the wind had kicked up some debris. Then Jonas heard the sound again, louder and more consistent.

“Who is it?” he yelled. No answer. Maybe it was the neighborhood kids playing a prank. Jonas grabbed a broomstick. He would have something for them! He yanked open the door.

“It’s about time you answered. My grandma can move faster than you. I’ll just let myself  in, if you don’t mind!”

Jonas’ jaw dropped. After he closed the door, he pinched himself. Was he sleepwalking or dreaming? He recognized the guy, but it couldn’t be him!

“What’s wrong? Did you swallow your tongue? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten my name Jonas.”

“Dulle? But it can’t be!”

“Why can’t it? You created me, didn’t you?”

“Sure I did. You’re in my book but you can’t possibly be real.”

“Okay, if I’m not real, then who are you talking to right now? You know, that type of behavior can land a person straight in the loony bin! Jonas you aren’t very hospitable. I’m cold, and you haven’t offered anything in the form of a hot beverage.”

Dulle Kutter did have a point. If Jonas really was talking to a hallucination, that would be a first-class trip to the psych ward. That would be a public relations’ nightmare. He just couldn’t process the how or the why.

All right. CD is done. On the next episode of Short Story Excerpts, there will be focus on a different type of ink.

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