Member-only story
A murder mystery (a parody with apologies to Raymond Chandler)
Farewell Barley June
Chapter 11: Tina’s Curtain Call
“Tina was scared, and so was I. I was pretty sure she had more to tell me, but didn’t want to spill the beans. I wouldn’t let that opportunity get away a second time…”
A life-size poster of Tina is tacked onto the open door of the Cherry Pit Strip Club. Louie gives the picture a once-over. He makes a face. Harlow enters the smoky, dim-lit club amid Tina’s shaking booties. She strides to the bar and sits beside Abe. Louie stumbles behind, somewhat bewildered.
Harlow says, “How you doing, Abe?” Abe, already stewed, nods and peers over the sparse audience. An unfiltered Chesterfield dangles from his lips. Harlow slides a plastic cigarette into her mouth.
Tina uses a chair as a prop on stage, bumping and grinding. She ends her number by stripping off her furry bra. The lights fade to black to a round of meager applause. The house lights stay off for a long time — too long. When they come back on for Tina’s curtain call, she is sprawled across the chair, strangled with her own furry brassiere. A grisly gash is across her neck.
A dark shadow darts across backstage and out the back door. Harlow yells, “Abe, lock all the doors and…
