The Outlaw Steve Corbett ink splotch

War Drones: A Short Story

April 14, 2022

Selected amid cheers by colleagues who respected Max Shuler immensely, the government chosen one prepared for a big day the assembled experts agreed was anything but another day at the office. “You get to push the button, Dr. Shuler,” a normally stern female physicist said. “Please,” he said. “Call me Max.” After an elite group […]

Don’t Talk Back to Your Mother: A Short Story

April 5, 2022

Cold words blew in one ear and out the other, benumbing Kim’s brain like a forgotten bag of peas stuck in the ice at the back of the freezer. “I’m Becky,” the voice said. “We need to relax, Kim,” the voice said. “I’ll meet you at RayRay’s Elbow Room for Happy Hour.” Sure enough, Becky […]

The Elvis Angel: A Short Story

April 1, 2022

At 63 the pale skin on Ronnie Kohr’s face looked like construction putty. Full cheeks felt like a doughy version of a wax museum dummy. Without the money to fly to Mexico for a full-scale face transplant, the professional Elvis impersonator knew he was finished. Laid off from the pest control company after working off […]

Shiver Me Timbers: A Short Story

March 29, 2022

Punching in his favorite song on the jukebox whenever he spotted the tune among the musical selections at the Pirate Lounge, Denis always sang along, sometimes as loud as he could. Drawing laughs depending on the crowd, usually tourists digging everything about their Florida beach experience, the song helped set a vacation mood. One time […]

You Can’t Be Too Careful: A Short Story

March 24, 2022

“I’m getting bad as the president,” Justin said. Lisa looked up from the sink where she struggled to scrub barbecue shredded pork grease from the supper dishes. “Germs,” Justin said. “I’m worried about germs like Trump.” “Yeah, Trump’s a germ all right,” Lisa said. “No I mean the president’s a germaphobe. So’s Biden from what […]

The Outlaw Steve Corbett ink splotch