Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 13 part 2, Featuring John W. Howell

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, June 2, 2023

Monster Cowboy n horse creature playing chess CGI Teagan
CGI by Teagan

Welcome back to our weekend sanctuary in the weirdly magical town of Atonement, Tennessee.  The residents of this town are just like everyone else— Well, that’s way off.  Some of them are like everyone else, but others…  Anyhow, now and then, they all enjoy watching a game or going to the local hangout.

With that in mind, I asked author John W. Howell to choose a food that might be served at the Rowdy Rooster Saloon.  John also provided a photo and recipe!  So, let’s start this party with that.

Photo courtesy of John Howell
Photo courtesy of John Howell

John’s Loaded Baked Potato Skins

Ingredients

6 small baking potatoes

3 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped

2 tablespoons green onion or chives, sliced

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

½ teaspoon parsley

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon seasoned salt

1 cup cheddar cheese

sour cream for serving

Instructions

To Bake Potatoes
Preheat oven to 425°F.  Scrub the potatoes and pierce each potato with a fork 6 times. Place them on middle rack of oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until tender.  Remove from oven and let cool until potatoes are easy to handle.

To Prepare Potato Skins
  Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out flesh leaving a ¼-inch thick shell.
Combine melted butter, parsley, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Brush the inside and outside of potatoes with butter mixture.
Place potatoes cut side down on baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
Turn potatoes over and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until slightly browned and crisp.
Fill each potato with cheese and bacon. Return to oven for an additional 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from oven, top with green onions and serve with sour cream.
These can be done in the air fryer too. Bake the potatoes and then follow the steps for the skins with the fryer at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. The fryer will tell you when to turn them.

Now back to the game… I mean serial.

I took this installment’s random reader things from John’s recipe.  They are: crisp, cream, and butter.

Usually, I only post this serial on weekends.  However, I wrote a bonus episode during the week.  For those here who have to read really fast, I thought it might be good to post Part 1 of this chapter separately — because it contains a lot of background information about Leonidas Gathright (Old Green Eyes), as well as some of the “hows” of the magic of this urban Fantasy — and I know some would have to rush through that, and maybe get confused. However, if you missed that and want to read it, then please do click this bonus episode link.  If you missed the episode before that, then click here.   

I apologize for any mistakes. I only just finished writing this episode and there wasn’t time to proof it.

Atonement in Zugzwang

Episode 13 Part 2

CGI by Teagan

The evening air was crisp, but I didn’t notice.  I moved with a purpose.

Deputy Fletcher Hodge and Bheema Parvati were deep in conversation.  They had just gotten out of the white car that followed Maudie and me to the country-Western bar.  I quickened my pace as we walked toward the men and what I had realized was an unmarked police car.

Even though I expected the answer was probably “No,” I wanted to ask Fletcher if there was anything he could do about that disgusting trike rider who had been terrorizing the piglets a moment earlier.  The size of the man and his fierce expression had frightened me.  I wanted to simply report him to the deputy who had conveniently showed up, and then go back home.

“Maudie, do you think they saw—” I started, but stopped in my tracks.  “Maudie?  Maudie!” I yelled at my friend’s back.

Maudie Rocket strode toward the door of the Rowdy Rooster Saloon.  Hearing me shout, she paused impatiently, waiting for me to reach her.

“Did you see where those two bikers went?” she asked testily and I shook my head.  “Me neither.  I’m going to find that lardass dickhead and give him a piece of my mind!”

My friend waved her arms around as she spoke, but I managed to get a tentative hold on one of her arms.  Although that didn’t do any good, because she seemed to pull me along with her while she ranted, and came up with a dozen more names that she called the boorish rider of the three-wheeled motorcycle.

CGI by Teagan

By the time Maudie paused for breath, we had gone past a marque stating, “Now under new management,” past the very large bouncer, and inside the saloon.  However, she stopped abruptly.  I stumbled to a halt beside her and let go of her arm.

A voice boomed from a speaker, making me jump.

“Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the Bitches of Zeus!”

The room erupted in cheers as a group of eight women strode onto the stage.  They were various shapes and sizes, but they all wore bright blue catsuits.  Sheer, flowing garments, also in blue, were worn over the leotards.

The dancers gyrated, twirled, and leapt in a routine that had little choreography.  The height they attained in jumping amazed me.  Abruptly one sprang high into the air, doing a half-flip.  She briefly hung by her feet from an exposed beam in the ceiling!  Then she alighted gracefully on the stage.

“It’s like they have wings,” Maudie shouted into my ear to be heard above the roar of the audience.

“I think they do,” I muttered in reply, because I could have sworn that wings were precisely what I had just seen.

We looked around the barroom, which was settling down after the wild performance of the dancers.  There were many ordinary patrons — locals wearing either casual clothes or cowboy styles.  However, it was hard to notice them.  There were just as many large, rough-looking customers.

“Their ‘new management’ didn’t exactly bring in the cream of the crop,” Maudie snarked as she looked around the room, undoubtedly trying to spot the trike-rider.

While Maudie had quickly picked up on the disproportionate number of undesirables, she didn’t see what made alarm bells go off in my head.  I gulped.  If I looked at one of those people for more than a second, I started seeing something else.

The face of a man who crossed the barroom in a loping stride flashed into a wolfishly muzzled face with long teeth and clawed hands.  When he looked over his shoulder toward us, his countenance was ordinary again.

A beautiful woman wearing a red dress suddenly had the pale skin and fangs of a vampire.

The bouncer’s body seemed to flash to that of a lion with a tail of venomous spines, while his face remained human.

Manticore? I puzzled, searching my knowledge of mythical beasts.

Altered CGI by Teagan
Heavily altered CGI by Teagan

I really am losing my mind, I thought and started shaking.

Swallowing hard, I dragged my focus back to my friend.  When Maudie had a bone to pick with somebody, she didn’t just let go of that bone.  I had to make sure she didn’t start any trouble with that biker.  He was far too dangerous.

“I didn’t expect the place to be so crowded.  Maybe we can spot an empty table from the bar,” I suggested, hoping to distract her.  “I’m starved after that scare.  Do you want to split a plate of loaded baked potato skins?”

That was Maudie’s favorite bar food.  She spared a glance at me while she continued to scan the jam-packed room.  Then she nodded.

I crossed my fingers, hoping that I would only see a regular person behind the bar, and not my mind playing more tricks on me.

The bartender’s back was mostly toward us.  He gave us a quick nod while he finished mixing a pair of cocktails for another patron.  His expression was unexpectedly sympathetic when he saw me.  He started to whistle softly while he finished his task.  It had a surprisingly calming effect.

My eyes narrowed when I looked at him.  My vision gave a quick flash, as it had moments before when I saw the other beasts.  However, his appearance didn’t change that I could tell.  Yet, I felt certain that he was like the others.

“What can I get you ladies?” he asked in a melodic voice.

Smiling and captivated, Maudie gave him our order.  Belatedly she confirmed with me about my choice of drink.

The bartender smiled.  His teeth were pointed.

Siren! I thought, eyes widening.

“Coming right up.  Here are your drinks.  I’ll just take your food order back to the kitchen,” he said in musical tones.

When he turned to leave, Maudie blinked.  She wore a curious expression, as if some unseen hold had just been released.

My hands began to shake violently.  My mug of red ale rattled as I put it onto the bar.  Maudie looked askance at me, but my eyes darted repeatedly between the bouncer approaching from the door and the wolfish looking man who strode easily toward us from ahead.

The manticore and the werewolf converged on us.  I spared a glance at Maudie.  She looked curiously at me, but I knew she only saw two powerfully built men.

Maudie cast a cold stare at the wolf.  She recognized his type, no whether he was human or not.

We both looked at the bouncer, who moved with leonine grace despite his bulk.  The manticore’s eyes were locked on the werewolf.

“This can’t be happening,” I whispered as a tear leaked down my cheek.  “I’ve really lost my mind.”

I bent to get a tissue from my purse.  When I leaned, the gold unicorn dangled free of my blouse, suspended on the leather cord.  The small emeralds of its eyes sparkled.

Image collage by Teagan
Image collage by Teagan

The sound of fingers snapping caused me to look up.

A strange man came toward us.  When he snapped his fingers, the wolf sneered at him.  However, the man’s sharp, narrow-eyed look was enough to send the wolfman cowering away with a whimper.

The manticore, who had appeared ready to engage the wolf, nodded to the newcomer and returned to his bouncer post.  Although he kept an eye on the werewolf.

The man was very tall and thin, with a long neck.  He moved in a way that made his limbs seem disjointed, rather like movements of modern dance, except without the gracefulness.  As he came closer, I saw his complexion was sallow.  His eyes… his eyes were brilliant green that almost glowed.

“I apologize,” he began in a drawl, although nothing had actually happened at all.  “Some people just don’t know their place.  Ladies, welcome to the Rowdy Rooster.  I’m the new proprietor, Leonidas Gathright.  Rest assured there will be no trouble here.  Anything you order tonight is on the house.”

I was certain beyond any shadow of doubt that there was something unhuman about that man.  I couldn’t see it, as I had with the siren or the other creatures, but I knew I was in the presence of something dark and malicious.  While I questioned my own sanity, I had no doubt about his evil.

Gathright extended his hand to Maudie.  Rather than shaking her hand, he bent over it in a courtly gesture.

Everything in his vocabulary and manner suggested a chivalrous time long past.  He turned to me as if he would repeat the gesture.  Then his eyes fell on the golden unicorn.  I was sure it had to be my imagination, just like every other strange thing I thought I saw that night, but his bright green eyes became luminous.

When I thought he would incline his head over my hand, instead he bowed deeply.  Rising, his eyes briefly locked on mine.  With a sardonic twist to his lips, he spoke.

“Your majesty…” he murmured and then straightening, he walked away in that odd loosely jointed gait.

Maudie and I looked at one another.

“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit,” Maudie remarked.

I nodded, speechless.

♣ ♣ ♣

Between parts 1 and 2 of this episode, we’ve learned a lot about the opposing side of the magical game of chess.  However, did we just now learn a little something about Pepper Riley?  Tune in next time.  Who knows what else might happen.  Wishing you a wonderful weekend.  I love to hear from you, so friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

The Last Drive
by John W. Howell

John Howell cover Last Drive

The Last Drive universal links

Kindle:  relinks.me/B0BPRDTBFH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1733573127

♣ ♣ ♣

The Atonement Series

Atonement kindle covers Cat eyes shelf 2023

Atonement, Tennessee

Full series of e-books with one click:  relinks.me/B087JV25JT

Kindle:  rxe.me/HGSVA8A

Paperback: relinks.me/1481826948

Also in Spanish, translated by Olga Núñez Miret! The title for the Spanish-speaking market is Expiación y Magia

Atonement in Bloom

Kindle:  rxe.me/5RRBLH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1726882128

The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee

Kindle   rxe.me/LTBDNH

Paperback   relinks.me/1725891972

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or used with permission, or from free sources.

69 thoughts on “Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 13 part 2, Featuring John W. Howell”

  1. Pingback: Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 14 — & Recipe from Robbie Cheadle – Teagan's Books

  3. Delicious food but I’d want to get out of that place! Can’t wait to see where this goes, especially after that ending. Hugs xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Kamal. I really meant for Old Green Eyes to be ugly, but the CGI software kept making him handsome. I altered that as much as I was able, but he still looked pretty darned hot. LOL. So I decided that maybe it added more doubt and intrigue to the story if the baddie was a hottie. 😉 I hope you are having a great week. Hugs.

      Like

      Reply

  6. Teagan, your majesty! ➰➰➰➰
    Let the game(s) begin!

    I adore John, and it’s fab to see him here. His potato skin recipe sounds yummy, except for the bacon. I say if one left it out, the dish would be just as tasty. I bet the glowing pigs agree with me. (for John – 🐂)

    🦄hugs🦄

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the episode, Resa. At this point, Pepper might try to find herself a designer straightjacket. I don’t know how she’s going to find out that she’s really seeing what she thinks she’s imagining. 😉 Hugs winging back to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Noelle. I admit that the manticore did not immediately spring to mind. I had to do a bit of research for another creature that might have powerful muscles. But what the heck? I research everything anyway. LOL. I really mean it when I call myself a “research geek.”
      Yes, Maudie “reacts” and often acts on that reaction, before she thinks it through. Although, even with time to think it over, I believe she would usually follow her initial reaction. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks, Tim. The CGIs are fun. Although there’s a ton of trial and error. Maybe 1 in 20 or more gives me what I want. A lot of them come back insanely bizarre, with extra limbs, or chopped limbs, or contorted faces… Even though I spent considerable time and detailed effort working on the pretty one of Maudie and Pepper, I didn’t notice until last night that Maudie has an extra finger. Thanks for visiting. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I know all about the bizare images. I made four music videos using AI to produce images from my lyrics. Bizare stuff. I only have two of the music videos on my blog at the moment.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

              1. I’ll get some more music videos put together at some point. With bad eyes and achy breaky joints, I’m not motivated to do much of anything right now. I think you understand that better than most people.

                Liked by 2 people

                Reply

  12. This is twerking in more places than Miley Cyrus on a controlled substance. Well done, Teagan. Any chance of another mid-week fix this coming week? Seven days is too long to wait for the next installment. (And this one did not even have the otherworldly pigs.)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  15. Just when the thought comes to mind that things can’t get much more exciting, wham, majesty gets tossed into the mix. I love this bar, and I’ll bet the patrons have some terrific stories. I loved Maudie’s description of the trike driver. So real world. Thank you for featuring my book and recipe today, Teagan. I hope you have a peaceful weekend. 🤗

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. That’s great feedback, John — thank you. LOL, I had to clean up my initial response as Maudie. I admit that I can have a potty mouth. Maudie gets to say things that Pepper never would, and that’s fun for me. Also, you cracked me up with the “majesty” comment. Maudie might have thought it was sarcasm, or maybe a poorly done come-on, but I’m sure that threw Pepper for a loop. There are two queens for a chessboard. I still don’t know who the other one is…
      It was a pleasure to feature you. Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. What evil is hiding beneath those charming ways? I’m sure we’ll find out. Right now, I wish those women would finish their drinks and get gone. Oh wait, potato skins. OK, I guess they can risk staying a little longer. Good call dividing this into two pieces, Teagan. I wouldn’t have wanted you to skip over anything you gave us this week.

    I hope you have a great weekend.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. LOL, I love potato skins, but I’m not sure they would be enough to make me stick around. Although, Maudie doesn’t see everything… but Pepper would probably drag her out with a to-go box.
      I appreciate your feedback here, Dan, especially about including all the info and backstories. Thank you.
      Considering the events that tied Old Green Eyes to this plane, I keep wanting to give him a bad odor… LOL. (I haven’t because that might make some potential things difficult in the future.) But he just seems like somebody who would stink of rotten or decaying something or other. o_O
      A happy weekend to you and yours too. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. LOL. That’s a great phrase, Fraggle. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hmm… I need to search your photos for a crown… an idea just popped into my head. My poor old head. Things always popping in there. It must be full of holes. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. No big. It was just a fleeting idea. That would probably have been a dream sequence. For a serial that would just be confusing. I’m thinking about letting Pepper check herself into a local “hospital”… I know I mentioned one somewhere, and I have the doctor’s name in my matrix, but I can’t find the story where I would have described the place. Although there’s no reason why it would HAVE to be the same one. Atonement must have driven enough people crazy to support half a dozen mental hospitals! LOL.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

    1. Thanks so much. Hmmm… there are a few layers now. I know that can get difficult for weekly serials. Sorry — I’m always thinking, mentally editing, or laying out potentials for these “random thing” driven stories. Anyhow, I’m happy you enjoy it, and I appreciate your feedback. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

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