Repose

[The postcard is addressed to Hannah Smith, in spite of the note starting with 'A.' In a slanting hand and pressed hard enough into the cardstock that you can feel it, it reads:]

A,
Here's a postcard. I just got back from Graceland and had a great time. We didn't get to see Elvis on the throne or even a reenactment. After I send you this, I'm going to try to get a call through there and see if I can get my money back. I doubt it though. I walked through the entire place in an Elvis costume and I think I stole the show too much.

Anyway, just dropping you a line, since you asked for one under threat of violence. I hope the new apartment is treating you well. What else do people write on these? I could try some poetry, but I'm running out of space.

All my love and may Elvis RIP,
S

[There may have been a bit of rain today, but this can hardly be explained away by that.

Puddles appear about town, scattered about as though left by someone who was just wandering through town. They're found on Main Street, through the neighborhood, and more than a few are left around the perimeter of The Bar With No Name.

These puddles? They stink of the lake. Rotting vegetation, wet earth, and a murkiness that is downright unpleasant. They stick around for some number of hours, though by the following morning, they have all disappeared.]

Did someone mess up the sewer?

[After this, and after much consideration, a display table is placed in the lobby of the B&B. It's near the entrance door, and it has a nice white-linen tablecloth on it. On said tablecloth, all four items are placed:

→ A crumpled cocktail napkin - white, nothing on it.
→ A small, plastic children's toy.
→ A single, large black feather.
→ A well-folded piece of paper - the title page to La Belle et La Bete (all in French).

Alongside the items, there's a placard explaining that the items are lost items, now found, and that anyone who can weave a story about them will be granted a free month of rent at the B&B.]

[After this and this.]

Hugh. Is everything alright at your place?

( Not an IC cut )


I unfortunately learned about POV Straight TikTok this week, but I also discovered a 90s Baby Making playing on Spotify, so things turned out okay.