At the Bar (at No Facilities, & at The Lanterns)

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Cat Bartender orange tabby
by Teagan via Night Cafe

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Welcome, one and all.  I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  It’s a good thing that I’m not a “light weight” because I’m at two bars today.  Dan Antion, generous soul that he is, invited me to his Saturday post at No Facilities.  You know, the ones that begin with “If we were having a beer.”  I hope you’ll use the big blue link and click over and join our conversation.

https://nofacilities.com/2025/01/18/teagans-second-stop-socs-jusjojan/

Image collage by Teagan
Image collage by Teagan

That visit inspired me to invite all of you into a “bar” in A Peril in the Vines.  That’s my bartender at the top of the post — Red Tomlin.  Although the bar in question is the sort you would find inside the kind of estate where a lavish Roaring Twenties parties would be held, not a regular bar.  So put on your glad rags and we’ll ankle over to Mrs. Virgie Jacko’s house, which she calls The Lanterns.

Here’s a snippet from that part of the story.

Snippet from A Peril in the Vines

The Lanterns, home of hostess Virgie Jacko
The Lanterns, home of hostess Virgie Jacko

It was not a long walk from Vine Cottage to The Lanterns.  Even so, the chauffeur, Vignaud insisted on driving them.  He said it would be a shame for the ladies to ruin their evening shoes by walking across the grounds.

“Besides, sometimes I’d swear those pumpkin vines deliberately grab my shoes to trip me,” he added with a chuckle.  “Miss Virgie would be upset if any of you took a little spill out there.”

Orange clouds seared the sky with the setting of the sun.  Daphne understood why the big house was named the Lanterns.  Twin lights blazed on the right and left of the doors.  She glimpsed the garden to the side of the house, which was decorated with dozens of hanging paper lanterns.

Gaslights on tall posts illuminated the gates.  The driveway was lined by dozens of jack-o’-lanterns.  This delighted Phineas and Clover.  Daphne, however, was repulsed by them after the seeing the malevolent thing in her vision.  She was relieved that Vignaud had driven them, so that she would not have to walk near the vines of Mrs. Jacko’s “prize winning pumpkin patch.”

As the driver helped Daphne alight from the car, the evening breeze fluttered the hundreds of shell-shaped bits of embroidered chiffon that covered the full skirt of her gown.  The tiny, faceted crystals which were scattered throughout the soft, beige-colored fabric reflected the fiery sunset.  A handsome man who was about to enter the front door turned to stare.

Skipping ahead to a short while later…

Image collage by Teagan
Image collage by Teagan

Ambassador Voisin stopped a waiter and asked for a whiskey, which was quickly supplied.  Daphne saw the haunted expression in his eyes.  She dreaded for him to continue his story.  Yet she knew she had to hear it.  Somehow, a thread of it was woven into the visions she had.  Of that she was certain.

Moving ahead to avoid spoilers about the Ambassador’s story…

Clover let out an anguished yelp.  Daphne cringed.  Stepping over to a chrome and glass bar, she poured two brandies.  She handed one to Clover and insisted that she drink.  Then the medium downed the other one herself.

“So much for him not telling about the horrors,” she murmured.

“I apologize.  I shouldn’t have said anything,” the ambassador said, looking down at the glass in his shaking hand.  “I wasn’t trying to be dramatic.  It’s just that I can’t escape the memories of the things I saw there.”

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Now I’m heading back to the No Facilities virtual bar.  I hope to see you there.  Friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs.

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I must include the obligatory shameless self-promotion. The video below is a book trailer for the novella.

A Peril in the Vines

 

 

Universal Purchase Links

A Peril in the Vines

e-book:  relinks.me/B0DS4G7RSD

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0DS69GJDV

A Medium’s Peril full series link: relinks.me/B0CG2SXX24

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Copyright © 2024 and 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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52 thoughts on “At the Bar (at No Facilities, & at The Lanterns)”

  3. I love the old newspaper images, and the snippets of your story are just wonderful! I’m headed over to Dan’s, as I never miss his Saturday bar posts. You being there as a guest…hooray!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Dear Jennie, I should apologize for answering your comment a day late, but honestly, I needed the smile you just gave me more right now.

      Finding photos of the newspapers was a challenge, but making the images was a lot of fun. Have a terrific Tuesday. Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. No apologies, Teagan. I’m often many days late in replying to comments. Well, many many. 🙂 If I gave you a smile, that is like a shooting star. Really. I bet making those images once you found the newspaper articles was a labor of love. It shows! Hugs! 💕

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    1. It’s good to see you, Tandy. Thanks for that feedback. I could only get a couple from the 1920s. I used a few other things that were relevant to the old photos. A 1920s cafe menu was a great find, since a couple of scenes have that kind of setting. The menu offerings were also interesting. I grew up in the deep south, but I had never heard of a grape juice julip (just mint julips). Hugs.

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      Reply

      1. She lives in the closet in my den. I’m not allowed to look at her, yet.
        She is finally eating, and a routine is being established.
        Today was her first poo. YAY!!!! It took a week.

        I love the little muffin! Hugs & Hugs

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        Reply

    1. Thanks, Dave. It’s actually great feedback that his remark made you chuckle. I felt that I was treading a fine line with that little plot thread — balancing a bit of humor with how seriously it could be taken without making myself seem like a total goofball for including it. Yep, watch out for those indeed. 😉 Hugs.

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      Reply

  14. I’ve just come from Dan’s. A great interview/conversation! I like how you’ve captured that 1920s vibe in the three excerpts you’ve posted. The driver’s concern for the ladies’ evening shoes added just the right touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, for that great feedback, Liz, and for pointing out that bit. The difference in “manners” and clothes from one era to another is a good way to show the era, and to remind the reader of “when” they are. I appreciate you visiting both posts. Big hugs.

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      Reply

  19. Thanks for linking up, Teagan and for the extra info on Vines. Red Tomlin reminds me a little of Curley. I think they’d get along well. He’s fixing you a hot toddy as we speak. I hope you have a nice weekend.

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    Reply

  20. How very intriguing, Teagan! I’m off to visit at Dan’s in a minute, but wanted to read the samples, even if I have the book already waiting on my Kindle. Have a lovely weekend! Hugs to you and the Scoobies!

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    Reply
  22. Pingback: Teagan’s Second Stop — SoCS JusJoJan – No Facilities

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