Tis the road paved with good intentions, not to be confused with East Hell Boulevard, wherein Ed Coonce resides (www.edcoonce.com)
Literati!
Fresh blood! If he’s got a pulse, he’s mine!
A new entry to our contest from someone entirely new to our site. Surprised his wingman isn’t Dante.
You still have a chance to win the REAL wingman, Horace, the bird to usher you across the river, captured and dipped in gold by Ed Coonce.
Here are the de-tails of the wingman contest:
http://www.awordwithyoupress.com/2013/05/04/wing-nuts-our-new-contest/
A Night at the Inferno
By Michael R. Dilts
“I’m surprised they let women dress like that! What’s the name of this place?”
“Didn’t you read the sign?” my compagno asked without looking up.
“The one above the door with those funny words? Lashattie hog speranza whatever?”
“The other sign. The number.”
“666? That’s not the address?”
“It doesn’t mean anything to you?”
I thought for a moment.
“Sex-sex-sex?”
“Takes all generi,” he muttered and kept on scribbling.
“Those three are… unspeakable. That one’s got an interesting Goth look with the cropped hair and singed nightgown. Oh, look! There’s one with a broom! Green skin, the wart on her chin is smaller than her nose… I’m in love! Twice around the room and she’s out the window… Quick, Dan, give me the keys!”
“Keys to what?” He reached for another sheet.
“To the car, uomo,” I insisted.
He laughed, for a change.
“We didn’t come by car.”
“C’mon, be an amico or I’ll just have to…”
“Scusi,” he interrupted. “It’s getting damnably hot in here!”
Rising, he removed his mantle and draped it on the empty stool next to him. With a shrug of his shoulders, he spread out a beautiful pair of leathery pinions.
“…wing it,” I concluded. “Where in Hades did you get those?”
“Won ‘em. Writing this.” He waved a claw at the mess of papers on the bar.
“Guess I’d better start working on my own story,” I decided.
Which is how I ended up here.
Michael, set yourself. You are about to be barraged with comments from people all over this site who will strengthen you in praise. They will reinforce and heighten what you think about yourself as a writer until you believe you can do no wrong, walk through any door, walk on water (don’t let “uomo” hear me say that). But I gotta tell ya what, you will deserve it all. This is fantastic! The dialog gives us everything, the use of the prompt is off the charts, and the twist at the end delightful. No matter how you got here, stay.
Stang Hath Spoken
Oh and Chief – love the clip – one of my favorite movies…two thumbs up.
Diane, I agree, Pacino did a great job in this movie but for those who do not know, there is another, “The Devil’s Advocate”. There is and it is written by Morris West. No movie was ever made of it. Pacino’s last line in this movie is classic. Something like, “Pride has always been my favorite sin.”
I’ve seen the story but haven’t read it. My favorite scene is the wall coming to life…and we know we can’t get rid of the ‘devil’ – just keeps coming back…and yes Pacino did a fantastic job in this movie – he fit the part!!!
this is a spectacular piece whether it was written in hell or outside of it. I bet the Clan Sheaf is sweating droplets of blood attempting to grow a pair of wings wishing he had written this one. You really do belong here and so here is a request…send in another one…I agree with Mike – this is a hellish piece of writing.
I appreciate the way you broke up the “I’ll just have to wing it” phrase. That was very clever. I also appreciate how way you bring the location in as its own character, but not in a way that steals the life of the story… get it? get it??
I read this story more than two times so it must have drawn to the heat. Still I can’t think of the proper claw..se to discribe it with. Sometimes reviews are a daunteing task.
That was hilarious!
Welcome Michael,
Indeed you are going to be a happy addition to the playground that is really varied, salt, pepper, sugar and cream and now you bring Tabisco to the table.
Blessings, pd
Ghost pepper sauce…
Very well done, Mr. Stang is correct indeed…