“Is that a snake?” asked a stunned steward. “Technically it’s a cobra—a comfort cobra,” said the intense gentleman. “Have you not seen the latest data?” In exasperation, he shoved an official-looking scientific document into the steward’s face. “He’ll stay in his pouch on my lap.” The steward peered around nervously, reread in his mind the … Continue reading Just One Snake on a Plane by Stephen R. Wolcott
We all stared in shock at this guy under the table, shaking, freaked out. “It’s okay,” Janet said, trying to calm him down. Most of us were into our fifth or six beer at this festive barbecue on a Silver Lake hilltop home when, hearing the explosive sounds nearby, the most macho dude of the … Continue reading Blast from the Past by Stephen R. Wolcott
When they saw the young, dark-haired man frantically waving his hands from what looked like a small makeshift raft, Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont showed amusement rather than alarm. “Oh, it’s one of those boat people, I think,” said Georgina Beaumont. “How exciting!” Douglas Beaumont concurred, peering intently from the aft deck of the Grand Excelsior … Continue reading Afterthought by Stephen R. Wolcott
Before Lewis could speak, the executive lifted a finger and made that ‘shush’ gesture. “Audiences love the edgy stuff,” the executive yelled into his Bluetooth headset. “Taste has nothing to do with it. His last two films killed.” Pause. Lewis looked around the office, decked with stark white and grey furnishings, except for some colorful … Continue reading The Leave Behind by Stephen R. Wolcott
You recently tried to email an anonymous address. After repeated attempts, the message failed. Please check the… Webster scowled at his MacBook screen and the message from “anonymous” at “mailer daemon.” The fury in him rising to a level not felt since his mother mistakenly threw away his mint condition Yugioh trading cards ten years ago. Now 20 and … Continue reading Mailer Daemon by Stephen R. Wolcott
“Hmm, the dog walker’s havin’ fits with Buster again,” Jesse said, peering intently out the dining room window that faced the street.“Watch. He’ll break free. See!” A compact, big-boned blonde in a pink jumpsuit wrestled with a tangled mass of rope hooked to three Rottweilers. A fourth frothy beast veered off from the pack, untethered. … Continue reading Peep Me Out by Stephen R. Wolcott
Of the 32 homes on our block in Bungalow Heaven, only one reeked of mystery. 914 Chestnut. I swear my 10-month old son, Jack, sensed something odd about the place, too, whenever we’d trot past in the jogger stroller. “Dat!” he shouted on cue when I’d slow down to stare at it. Everything appeared relatively … Continue reading Anybody Home? by Stephen R. Wolcott
