The OrphanAGE, Vol. 1.22

First Lines

"Dusk – of a summer night." by Theodore Dreiser, An American Tragedy

Dante

Looks like we’ve come to it…Summer! 

Be it travel or hunkering down in the AC against the swelter with a murder mystery, for most Summer holds the promise of escape.

Many will recognize the name Bruce Rodgers from his three-decade tenure as contributor, editor and publisher across KC’s indy journals (the Pitch, eKC, explore KC, Kansas City Magazine…). Set amidst the lingering seedy nightlife of open-city KC, who can resist the pull of jazz, cocaine and unruly, street-muscle.   Almost no work survives from Steven Knave, but the whimsy and surprise or realizing that dreams of foreign travel can be more glorious than any imagination.   Rounding out this issue is an oldie dusted off from the songwriter who launched the late night sessions of last-century Prospero’s, Chad Rex.    

Peace,
Dante

In This Issue

• Fiction by Bruce Rodgers
• Art by Steven Knave
• Music by Chad Rex and The Victorstands

Ain't No Jazz in Kansas City (excerpt)

by Bruce Rodgers

Corey stepped away. Over Michelle’s shoulder he saw Marcus making his way through the crowd. Corey looked at her, a look of disgust on his face. The realization that he was trying to step back to what he once was came over him. “What makes you think I want to fuck you?” Corey said it as loud as he could. People nearby stopped dancing and talking and looked at Michelle. Corey turned around and moved to the door. Russell stood at the entrance but moved aside when Corey was on him. Down the stairs and into the street, Corey hurried to Nichelson’s. By The Pink Slip he looked back but Marcus had yet to step onto the sidewalk. He was breathing hard when he sat down at the counter. Donni, with a perplexed look, came over with a cup of coffee.

“Just rob a bank, sweetie?” she asked.

Corey smiled as he caught his breath. “That might have been the easy thing to do.”

“Hopefully, you ain’t running from that sweet girl who works at Lou’s. Corey shook his head and then looked over his shoulder. “You going to eat, honey?” Donni asked as she set a glass of water in front of him. She then looked up and Corey turned. Marcus walked over to the counter and sat two stools away from Corey. He glared at Corey and didn’t look at Donni when she brought him a glass of water and a menu.

“Can I help you, sir?” Donni asked.

Without looking at Donni, Marcus said, “No.”

“Sir,” Donni said, “you have to order something or I have to ask you to leave.”

Marcus turned to look at Donni. His growl softened and a small smile formed on his face. “What the fuck are you? One of those transvestite bitches with a dick?”

Donni smiled, then turned and picked up a carafe of water sitting on the burner behind her. It was the hot water used when a customer ordered tea. She turned and calmly poured the water on Marcus’ hand, which was laid outstretched on the counter. He jumped back, shaking his burning hand. He started to reach for his gun at his waistband when he saw two policemen stop eating and raise their head in a booth in the dining area. Donni saw them too. She smiled and waved, then formed her hand in the “okay” sign. She turned back to Marcus, leaning in close to him.

“Sorry about that, Mr. Rudd. Your name is Marcus Rudd, isn’t it? You know that’s a nasty burn, might be second degree and blister up. Maybe you should call Lewis, Mr. Richardson, whom I’m sure cares a great deal for you. He could send a car if you can’t drive. If not maybe Mike, Mike Smith, the enterprising owner of the Repartee, might have some salve in his office. I’m real sorry, Mr. Rudd.”

Corey stared at Donni. She smiled back at him and then looked again at Marcus. He squinted at Donni, trying to place if he knew her or how she knew his name. He then glared at Corey and said, “Watch your back, motherfucker.” And as he stood up still shaking his hand, Donni said, “You too, Mr. Rudd.”

Marcus said nothing. He pulled his coat close. Donni and Marcus stood staring at one another. A few others in the restaurant stopped eating, watching the two. Then Marcus walked away. Donni put the carafe back on the burner and asked Corey, “You ready to order, honey?”

Corey had a puzzled look on his face. “How do you know all that? I didn’t know that — his last name and the name of the other guy, Lewis whatever.”

“Oops, got a customer down the other end.” Donni walked down the counter. Corey’s eyes followed her, his mouth agape. When she returned, she said, “What was it you asked?”

Corey moaned and his body went slack. “Come on, Donni.”

Donni stepped closer to Corey. He looked up at her and she glanced around the restaurant. “Your roommate is Pinky, right?” Corey nodded. “Well, Pinky, as you know, works for Gary, of Bain’s Liquors.” Donni’s voice was now girly-like. “And Gary has a close friend who got caught up in that Pink Slip raid, remember?” Corey nodded furiously. Donni put one hand on her hip and turned a foot to one side. “Well, Gary bailed his friend out of jail. That friend had just broken up with Russell. You know Russell Manger, don’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Corey said.

“Well, Russell told that friend about Marcus and Lewis and Mike and what was going on at the Repartee. That friend told Gary, Gary told Pinky, and since Pinky and I are forever vets together, he told me. Information is gold, sweetie, and so are friends. Now, you going to eat?”

Corey stared at Donni.

Donni waited a moment and then picked up the menu. “Guess not. Coffee’s on me, Corey. I would advise you stay away for a while. The Repartee won’t last long anyway. Now go see that pretty young thing at Lou’s. By the way, how is Lou doing health-wise?”

“I’ll find out and tell Pinky,” Corey said, getting off his stool. He stood, still staring at Donni.

“Close your mouth, honey,” said Donni.

Corey smacked his mouth close but kept his eyes on her.

Donni smiled and pushed up her hair at the back of her neck. “Got a date at the beauty parlor tomorrow,” she said. The bell rang at the food pickup window. Donni turned, waved her hand at Corey, and walked down the counter to get a customer’s order.

• Bruce's book can be found at Prospero's Books or purchased online.

Revelation

by Steven Knave

Desperate and Poisoned

by Chad Rex and the Victorstands