Book Chapters sometimes made fine "stand alone" Short Stories

[HOLLIS WILLIAMS]

I aways loved THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES by Ray Bradbury.

A collection of chapters that each could stand alone as self contained stories.

I wrote a Speculative Spiritual Fantasy novel entitled
IVORY JOINS THE REAPING WORLD WIND or
WHO CAUSED THE BEST END OF EARTH EVER?

ISBN 0741442833

I find that many of my book's chapters can stand alone as short stories.

Here is an example (a chapter transformed into a short story posing as a letter)

Dearest Lucy,
How can I say how sorry I am about what I did? It is inexcusable. But, please excuse me. I am stupid dope clod. I never ran around on you. The situation isn’t bad like it appears. We have a long history. You know my moods. I’ve been under major stress. I know you have been distracted, too. I am sorry more than ever before.
I can barely get my thoughts together. I can barely think. Hardly remember clearly.
I know you hate me a lot right now.
I wish you were here by my side, like it used to be. You are my strength. We had the whole world on a string. I was dancing on clouds, when you agreed to go out with me.
I first saw you on your late night television show...a female Carson. The Lucy Far Show. You were Queen of the Airways. Everyone wanted to appear on “yer shoe.” You were more popular than those late night guys. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.
I remember sending off for eight by ten glossies from your fan club. I even managed to take over that club, so I could meet you. You never knew did you. That’s the reason the old club president went missing. I had to give up the club when I got the real thing once we started dating.
And then, I got too busy with other needful things. Remember those olden days. You had so much fun on that show. It was so unrehearsed. You were so radiantly dark and relaxed. I beg you to forgive me, please put this behind us. We can’t be apart. I will make it up to you, any which way you want.
Remember Venice? The hotel lobby floor was strewn with flowers. Red, yellow, white, green and black blossoms. I spared no expense nor sixpence. You loved the gondolas and shopping. You taught me to dance. The Hully Gully was my best. I never had so much fun.
We had the whole town as a pearl in a clamshell. We visited every where.
And then we went to Rome. Bigger pearl. We triumphantly marched down and up boulevards. Sat on benches in a hundred parks and gardens. The streets overflowed with fans. All over they met us and we celebrated our passion. Festivals sang and danced in the roadways.
Your face was plastered on signs and billboards. Placards of you were paraded through the streets and piazzas.
We took a party train to Paris and it just got better. After we left the train station, people carried us for blocks to the hotel and partied there for us.
I am so very sorry...forgive me. Please won’t cha take me back? I am nothing without you. In fact everything I am, I am because of you. Except me. You made me the success I am today. You gave me confidence and nutured me. Helped my career and inspired me to soar.
And your mother even liked me. That made me very happy. Most mothers were mothers about not liking me. I’ve always been nice to all the mothers. They didn’t like me to the last one. Except your mother. It was like we always known each other. I guess I’m her dope, too.
And when I fell, you picked me up. Got me going back in the right direction. I knew I loved you when that happened. I would order my armies to do your biding. I would have them swim the widest seas and climb the highest peaks for you.
Forgive me. I am nothing without you. I cry your name through the darkness of my tears. I beg and plead on bended knee, if asked.
And how can I forget the months after “my accident.” I was flattened, run down
by that dairy truck. You were Clara Barton resetting my skull and spine bones. You nursed my wounds and helping me through rehab. The pharmacist was stingy with the narc-o-lean. You even assisted the therapists. You and your mother helped every day. Your career and her’s suffered. I’m sorry you lost renewal on your contract. I’m remorseful that I scratched your beautiful face. I was active with claws and didn’t know my own strength. Sorry thousand times sorry. I’ll laser tattoo it on my forehead? All will see how sorry I am.
Forgive me for disemboweling your mother. She stepped into my sword swing.
I couldn’t stop in time. She split apart all over the rug. What a mess...! I couldn’t eat red food for a week.
I’m sorry for so much. I’m making a list. I’ve treated you badly. For no reason you deserve. I’ve gotten better and changed.
And your brother...he and I had vast differences. “Differences” could be a mild word. We almost came to blows. Him and the rules. A deranged serghant.
My spell checker isn’t working. Got broken. I can’t correct my mistakes.
That riff betwixt He and I...I believe caused Him to go off planet. They say He’ll be back. I can keep Him away. If I am needful of it. I hate to admit it, but He could take me out in a real fight. I never met your father. He was always away.
I’m sorry for everything except how I feel about you. I love you as much as life itself. Don’t you miss those back rubs. Except the time I fell on you. Sorry as can be about that one. I paid for and looked after you in the hospital. Did not I?
We’ve had funny, haven’t we? That time when we wreaked on that research station in Antarctica. Those jokers went slack jawed with surprise when we came strolling through their door in short sleeves. What dimwits? I loved blowing up their fuel storage tanks. What a blast. You laughed. Never seen smiles so much. Could see your gum lines. I at no time ever saw you so beautiful.
And I took you down in that mine. You filled a shopping cart with jewelry makings, gold, silver? Crystals of every description and size. You sailed through Customs. I got em all in both my back pockets. Don’t that score points?
What else can I say? I’m sorry and truly atrocious. I need you back. I love Lucy.
“Please” cried a million times.
Don’t forget that little vacation home I built for you on Mt. Shasta. Right in the park and I fixed it so none can see it. Uber-invisible right up on it. Twenty acre spread. Your own private Ponderosa and you got one in Idaho.
I gave you two third shoes, clothing and a garage full of cars. Two homes overflowing with furniture.
Can we sell the...? Oh, never mind that I need cash. The in arrears gang is coming headed this way. For the love of Mike. I am literally crying like a baby.
I bought you that swanky clothing chain. That took cash. I did it for you, Lucy.
And I got you all those attendants. A league or two of servants to bath you, dress you and pump you up. Your own fathomless army of fawn and fawners on. Its hard to find privacy amongst a mass of grovelers.
I love you today till forever. You and me were meant to be for eternity. I will regain the world for you. I’ll build bigger houses and a condo to add it all up. We got a lot of furniture in storage.
Just you and me...and our private guards. I’ll spend more home time. You could write your book...I’ll type. Dictate to me your bible of success and consumption...uh compassion.
My laptop’s losing power. Can’t go back and delete mistakes. I’ll just press on. “Please...” Am entering a plea to you. Please forgive me...take me back.
I’ll have my army crawl hot desert sands for you. I’ll send them to the ends of Earth for treasures of ancient kingdoms. Wait, I gave you that.
It’s yours...everything I own. Take me back. I can’t find an apartment...none. Housing shortage...have mercy on me.
I’m chewing my claws for parasites under my skin itching. Frankly, I have no place to go. Mom kicked me out years ago. She insisted on following after Jesus. Me frightfully foiled.
There, I’ve said it. I have no shred or fabric of dignity. Pride gone. It could be all bitten off hanging out of your mouth. Stripped raw of my lordliness. Exposed to you. I die on the altar of you. I wait for your affirming reply.

Your demon lover, Calgut Sims, Satan-extra super-ordinaire

P.S. Cerberus wants to sit in your lap again. They really miss you.


copyright 1997 - 2009 by Hollis Rodney Williams