The Antiques' Dealer

2011-10-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

A friend said I should enter something to FrenzyUniverse for Villains' Week, which I almost forgot about. It's based on a true story, sort of, but not really. I might have taken some liberties with the conversations, but the truth of the matter you will never know. I hope you enjoy my journal entry.

A Entirely Normal Town-square in Texas, October 1, 2011.
The antiques’ dealer, Ezekiel, had not expected that when he went into the local wine store that the bartender would be unnaturally deceased and animate by day or night.

He said, “I haven’t had any food for two days now.” As he took a drink, he continued, “To be young, nineteen, and alive again—that is ideal.”

George, the antiques’ dealer couldn’t help listening. He didn’t know why he had even come that way, much less why he had entered the wine store. He had meant to stop by the office supply store on the other side of the square. But soon, all too soon, it became apparent why he was here as the bartender finished his drink and poured another round.

The vampire continued, “For me the wine is without flavor. But old habits are hard to quit, even when they have no effect.”

The antiques’ dealer didn’t say anything. He was too busy browsing the store and reading a brochure about the fermentation process.

The vampire absentmindedly continued to spill his soul, “Women though are sweet, and I like to have one once they’ve had a little too much. The alcohol content lacing their blood is devilishly delicious...” He paused for a moment and then said, “I’m starting to miss my Ex. I finished her last week. But she was the best. But once I have had one, I have to have more and more, until I’m overly drunk.” The vampire imbibed another glass or two.

The antiques’ dealer muttered a thing or two under his breath. It occurred to him that he really should go. He meant to have left already. He didn’t like where things were going.

The vampire turned to him and said directly to him, “You see, I’m cursed, I cannot enjoy the pleasures of life. My senses are dulling every day. Here’s a party trick for you.” He exposed the sharp canine teeth and used them to uncork four bottles with ease, and then he proceeded to drain bottle after bottle.

“Watch,” he remarked, “for just a half-hour, you’ll see nothing has an effect on me, not any more. I’m dying more every day just by living. Everything ages but me, and what’s worse is that I cannot enjoy a minute of my immortality.” The vampire continued to list the extent of attempts to feel something, anything: fighting, murder, theft, lying, seduction, blasphemy and his favorite pastime gluttony.

At this point, though, the antiques’ dealer had had enough wine that he seemed to look rather tasty. The owner of the wine store walked around the bar to a rack of wine and beckoned the antiques’ dealer over, saying, “Sorry for carrying on, but you mustn’t tell anyone what I’ve told you. I’ll give you anything in this store, if you keep my secrets.” The antiques’ dealer looked around, somewhat interested in appearance, when the vampire lunged.

“I’d like your soul, please,” he said, pointing a half-empty bottle at the vampire. A dusky smoke wrapped itself around the vampire and pulled him in to trap his body and soul in the wine bottle.

The antiques’ dealer corked it and said “Very nice, very nice. This will be a fine addition to my collection. The old man walked across the street, entered his store, and put the bottle up on a shelf in the back. He muttered, “That must have been why I went there today. Wonderful! Isn't it ironic that he will drown in his wine of choice for ever. I will call it the Wine of Wrath, for this is what his life had wrought.”

He glanced at his watch, commenting, “Another day, another artifact. I must get back to work.”

At that he quickly walked to the front, opened the store up and quickly began to busy himself, smiling all the while.

Some customers walked in, and he muttered, “I wonder who ordered that. But a fine object, indeed; but that’s subjective, isn’t it?”

The kind old man Ezekiel greeted them, “Welcome! Antiquity Deals, at your service. It looks like you might take to some very powerful steam-punk trinkets that I have displayed in the corner to your right. They’re new, but selling quickly.”

Ezekiel smiled innocently just like would any other shop owner you might see on the street today or tomorrow. Nothing seemed out of the normal but to the contrary. He again looked at his watch and said, “It seems that it is about time to close, but come back tomorrow and I’ll even give you a tour of a very special collection.

The young miss of the group of ladies said, “But we would really like to look around for a minute before we go. We’re looking for gadgets, gizmos and the like.”

Ezekiel gleefully mentioned, “Why yes! Of course! There are a few powerful steam-punk trinkets around the corner. I’m Ezekiel. Call me if you have any questions about these…antiques. After all, I am the antiques’ dealer. Oh, right? But really, please, I may be old but I have other business to attend to after dark. So, please, take just a minute of my time. I can get it to go, if you like.”

The curious girl said, "Did you say Time to Go?"

Update

2011-04-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

WotW: I have just finished the 4th of the 5 parts. Pending Revision.
Il Torri Setti: Almost through the first act.
Storm-breach: scrapped 1-1. halfway through 1-2; I quit right at the epic battle scene.
KttM: Revised and ready for publication.

Things are going quicker than expected. Thanks for asking.

The Towers Seven: Intro & Interview

2011-04-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

My first xtranormal movie.

YouTube:
The Towers Seven: Intro & Interview

For Subscribers

2011-04-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

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Expert Timing

The Antiques' Dealer

Update

The Towers Seven: Intro & Interview

For Subscribers