BREAKFAST SERIAL
photo: Richard Harris
A Smile Only Death Could Understand
Chapter One
Tuesday evening, just after ten pm, John Peters 45, of La Mirada was found dead from a stab wound through the heart. The only clues were bloody paw prints leading from the living room where the body was found, to the kitchen, where the family dog Oscar was curled up in the corner, a large blood-stained knife by his side and a wide smile on his face.
“ If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times, ‘John, feed the dog!!!’” exclaimed widow Dora Peters 55. Police confirmed that as of this afternoon, Oscar wasn’t talking.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
A Smile Only Death Could Understand
Chapter One
Tuesday evening, just after ten pm, John Peters 45, of La Mirada was found dead from a stab wound through the heart. The only clues were bloody paw prints leading from the living room where the body was found, to the kitchen, where the family dog Oscar was curled up in the corner, a large blood-stained knife by his side and a wide smile on his face.
“ If I’ve told him once, I’ve told him a thousand times, ‘John, feed the dog!!!’” exclaimed widow Dora Peters 55. Police confirmed that as of this afternoon, Oscar wasn’t talking.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
Photo: Richard Harris
Piano
Chapter Two
As she sat in the early sunlight smoking cigarettes and reading The Morning Bee, Meena Peters cursed out loud.
“ Just my luck! So what’s plan B? I can’t believe that stinkin’ dog could be so disloyal. Wait a minute, isn’t that an oxymoron – a disloyal dog? Just my luck!” she repeated to herself. “ So now, I’ve got to deal with Mom herself if there’s going to be any chance of pulling this thing off.” She was so wrapped up in her plotting that Meena didn’t notice the long shadow cast across the wall by the morning sun, of Sophie the Siamese cat approaching her from behind with a long, thin piano wire stretched between her two front paws.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
Piano
Chapter Two
As she sat in the early sunlight smoking cigarettes and reading The Morning Bee, Meena Peters cursed out loud.
“ Just my luck! So what’s plan B? I can’t believe that stinkin’ dog could be so disloyal. Wait a minute, isn’t that an oxymoron – a disloyal dog? Just my luck!” she repeated to herself. “ So now, I’ve got to deal with Mom herself if there’s going to be any chance of pulling this thing off.” She was so wrapped up in her plotting that Meena didn’t notice the long shadow cast across the wall by the morning sun, of Sophie the Siamese cat approaching her from behind with a long, thin piano wire stretched between her two front paws.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
photo: Richard Harris
A Drink
Chapter 3
Bob Dungeness placed his empty glass on the bar. “ Hit me again, Georgie.” Without really paying attention he watched Chris the African Grey hop along the bar as Georgie poured the vodka. “ You celebratin’ somethin’ Bob?” Georgie asked, his monotone indicating his complete lack of interest. “ Well, now that you mention it, I’ve got a feeling that today’s gonna be the day.” Bob replied, his eyes shining. “ The way Meena’s been yapping recently I think she’s finally got our big ticket figured out.” He took a long swig from his drink. As he keeled over the last thing he saw was Chris flying back to his roost with a little vial clutched between his talons.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
A Drink
Chapter 3
Bob Dungeness placed his empty glass on the bar. “ Hit me again, Georgie.” Without really paying attention he watched Chris the African Grey hop along the bar as Georgie poured the vodka. “ You celebratin’ somethin’ Bob?” Georgie asked, his monotone indicating his complete lack of interest. “ Well, now that you mention it, I’ve got a feeling that today’s gonna be the day.” Bob replied, his eyes shining. “ The way Meena’s been yapping recently I think she’s finally got our big ticket figured out.” He took a long swig from his drink. As he keeled over the last thing he saw was Chris flying back to his roost with a little vial clutched between his talons.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
photo: Richard Harris
Uncaged
Chapter 4
Emily Prentice sat on her terrace typing into her laptop. The breeze tousled her hair and the rapidly moving clouds cast fleeting shadows across the list that was appearing on the screen. Once again she was in awe of Meena’s cleverness. “ I could never have come up with anything like this, “ she thought. “ And that sap Bob is gonna make this all come true. He’ll be fingered and we’ll be in Paradise!” She chuckled to herself in anticipation.
Billy the iguana came out onto the terrace. “ What are you doing out of your cage?” she asked crossly. Billy pointed the cutest little derringer at her and after he had pulled the trigger there was a small hole where her right eye had been.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
Uncaged
Chapter 4
Emily Prentice sat on her terrace typing into her laptop. The breeze tousled her hair and the rapidly moving clouds cast fleeting shadows across the list that was appearing on the screen. Once again she was in awe of Meena’s cleverness. “ I could never have come up with anything like this, “ she thought. “ And that sap Bob is gonna make this all come true. He’ll be fingered and we’ll be in Paradise!” She chuckled to herself in anticipation.
Billy the iguana came out onto the terrace. “ What are you doing out of your cage?” she asked crossly. Billy pointed the cutest little derringer at her and after he had pulled the trigger there was a small hole where her right eye had been.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
photo: Richard Harris
Sleeping Smile
Chapter 5
Ricky Montivideo was dreaming. Bob and he were in their new headquarters. Through the glass wall they were looking down on their 123 employees hard at work. It had been a perfect double-cross – the scammers scammed. Bob smiled. Ricky smiled. The 123 employees smiled. Bob danced. Ricky danced. The 123 employees danced. Bob kissed Ricky. Ricky kissed Bob. The 123 employees kissed each other. Bob floated. Ricky floated. The 123 employees floated. Ricky woke up. The noon sun felt hot on his perfect butt. “Not yet…” Ricky rolled over. His perfect pecs glistened in the sun. Once his breathing became regular again, the bedroom door opened; Gerald and Josephine, the box turtles, snuck in. They each grabbed one end of the pillow and lowered it over Ricky’s smiling face.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009
Sleeping Smile
Chapter 5
Ricky Montivideo was dreaming. Bob and he were in their new headquarters. Through the glass wall they were looking down on their 123 employees hard at work. It had been a perfect double-cross – the scammers scammed. Bob smiled. Ricky smiled. The 123 employees smiled. Bob danced. Ricky danced. The 123 employees danced. Bob kissed Ricky. Ricky kissed Bob. The 123 employees kissed each other. Bob floated. Ricky floated. The 123 employees floated. Ricky woke up. The noon sun felt hot on his perfect butt. “Not yet…” Ricky rolled over. His perfect pecs glistened in the sun. Once his breathing became regular again, the bedroom door opened; Gerald and Josephine, the box turtles, snuck in. They each grabbed one end of the pillow and lowered it over Ricky’s smiling face.
by Richard Harris
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2009