debbie

the old dark house

by horace p sternwall

illustrations by rhoda penmarq

previously posted on flashing by on july 19, 2010

the reverend edward gorey told a most edifying story and illustrated his strictures with finely executed pictures children neither seen or heard devoured every pious word and satan's wiles they upbraided as into the woodwork they faded their elders were uplifted too by tales so moral, stark, and true and sat upright in morris chairs exchanging baleful nods and glares in shadowy conservatories they mumbled their unlikely stories with particular attention to the chances of outliving their inheritances ashen aunts with dwindling dollars unctuous uncles in starched collars comatose cousins on silent settees with tired teacups on their knees upstairs maids with drooping tresses silent brooding governesses manservants with creaking limbs in hallways dark and doorways dim parrots with small vocabularies needy nephews sipping sherries reptiles lost behind chaises longues divas mumbling forgotten songs and to complete the mournful frieze moths who never felt a breeze dogs who answer no human call and cats - the worst of all

carnival girl

say it with bullets

sensational

a sensational suspense story about dope peddlers
- hopped-up gumnen -
come-on dames!

the balcony, part 2

original story by horace p sternwall

additional dialogue by rhoda penmarq

visuals by konrad kraus

for part one, click here

/td>