March 18, 2025 • 52 mins
Welcome back to the Spun Today Podcast with your host, Tony Ortiz. In this special throwback episode, we dive into Episode 281, where Tony revisits one of his earlier works, a riveting short story titled "Ball and Chain." Originally recorded as an audiobook and first shared in Episode 14, this tale explores the unique perspective of a female serial killer, a creative twist inspired by a writing exercise from Stephen King's "On Writing." In this re-released version, Tony adds new context and reflections on the story's evolution, inviting listeners to compare it to the polished version found in his short story collection, "Melted Cold." Join Tony as he shares insights into the writing process, the challenges of character creation, and the art of storytelling. Plus, don't miss the chance to support the podcast and grab some cool Spun Today merch to keep the creative vibes flowing. Tune in and embark on a journey through creativity and imagination!
This is the Audio Book version of the Short Story Ball & Chain by Tony Ortiz
http://www.spuntoday.com/shortstories/ballchain
*Original Release Date: March 12th, 2015*
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
What's up folks? What's going on? Welcome to the Spun Today Podcast, the
only podcast that is anchored in writing but unlimited in scope.
I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and I appreciate you listening. This is
episode 281 of the
podcast and it is a technically a
throwback episode, recording this intro that you're
(00:41):
listening to right now, as well as the outro in present day. But I'm
re releasing and resharing an older short story of
mine that I previously recorded as an audiobook. So the middle
chunk of the episode, the story itself was released in, for
example, the first time, I believe, was episode 14
of the podcast, episode 1 4. But I'm re recording the
(01:02):
intro and outro for it because I wanted to add some, some context around
the story. So first off, the origin of the story is
that it is, I want to say, the first and
maybe only story that I have written
via a writing exercise. So if anybody's read
Stephen King's On Writing, which listeners of the podcast
(01:25):
are probably sick and tired of hearing me reference it. But it is
a great book just from writing and creative
perspective. At the end of it, there's a bit of a call to action
from Stephen King and a writing exercise, writing prompt, if
you will, that he puts out just to start
flexing your writing muscles and playing with a
(01:48):
different type type of idea. And I'm going to paraphrase,
but it's essentially, it was essentially to think of a
role that typically goes to a male
or male protagonist, or a role that typically goes to a female
protagonist and then flip the gender. Thinking back,
it's a very progressive of you, Stephen King,
(02:11):
but essentially flip the gender and then
write the story from that person's
perspective. So I decided to write this serial killer murder
story. And you know, to me, typically serial
killers are usually male. So in this story, my protagonist is a
female and I had tons of fun with it. It's interesting
(02:33):
to write from a perspective that's not your own. Makes you, makes you think
more. Makes you, or not necessarily more, but just differently.
And obviously you want to do it justice. You, you want to avoid,
you know, just like cliched tropes
and you want your work to be engaging and at
the end of the day, just a good story that people want to read. And
(02:54):
hopefully I delivered on that front and I revisited this story actually
to include it as one of the short stories within
my short story collection that I published, Melted Cold,
available now. Go to spun
today.combooks for all the
links if you're interested in checking that out, but
in revisiting the story for that project. I had
(03:18):
the story, as I told you guys in prior episodes when I put
together Melted Cold. That's my first time
working with a professional editor. So the story that you're gonna hear
now, the audiobook version of it, it's the same foundational
story obviously, but there is an
updated edited version of it available again
(03:41):
in my short story collection Melted Cold.
So if you're interested in seeing how the story evolved once
going through that process, it would be a good comparison to compare this audiobook
version to that and just apologies in advance. I always like to whenever I
re release older episodes, I like to apologize for the sound
quality. This one in particular. It's my 14th
(04:04):
episode ever. You know, now I'm on episode 281
and my understanding of just like the final mixing and leveling
out the audio, different ways to export to maintain the
quality, you know, that's I picked up
things along the way and upgraded equipment, so
on and so forth. So you may notice a difference between
(04:25):
the this intro and the actual story.
But again, it shouldn't not be listenable from an
audio quality perspective. And apologies again in advance.
That said, wanted to remind folks to visit the brand new
fourth wall Sponsored A shop. You go to my
website sponsored a.com click on the shop menu item up at
(04:48):
the top of the page and you can check out some cool new merch like
mugs that come in a ton of different colors with the spontane logo and the
spontaneous catchphrase. Start taking steps in the general direction of your
dream. Or dreams plural. Why
limit yourself, right? Add some really nice quality embroidered
versions of designs that you may be used to from
(05:10):
the old hoodies and T shirts like the podcast verse
anybody design. You can check out the official Spun Today
notebook in a ton of different colors as well. So on and so forth.
Again, go to spunter.com and click on the shop
menu item up on top. That would be a great way to help support this
show. And last but certainly not least, before we jump into the episode, I
(05:32):
want to tell you guys about one additional way that you can help support the
Spun Today podcast if you so choose. And then we'll jump right into the
short story. For
my fellow writers and creatives out there, a really cool way you can. Help support
this show is by going. To spunterday.com
support and clicking on the prowritingaid banner. If you're
(05:53):
a listener of the show, you know that I use prowritingaid to pre edit all
of my writing before. I put it out or before I. Ship it off to
my editor so that it is in as
pristine condition as I can probably get it.
ProWritingAid offers a great toolkit that helps you polish your
work with easy to use grammar checks and the writing assistant that also
(06:15):
looks into things like pacing improvements, typos,
punctuations, and much more. Go to sponsored aid.com
support click on the banner for prowritingaid and check out their
free option as well as their different tiers of paid
options. Spontane.com Support.
(06:35):
Ball and Chain By Tony Ortiz
Written Mar 1st, 2015
they sat across from each other on either side of the ballistic
glass, rotary style phone receivers in hand.
He listened intently, as he usually does during these weekly
(06:56):
visits, and she did most of the talking.
Time's up, inmate, said Seal. McNeil,
wrap it up. Sarah looked over her shoulder at him
with a sarcastic, acknowledging grin. Charming guy, charles
said. They pressed their hands up to the glass as they traditionally
did at the end of these sittings. We'll be together soon enough,
(07:19):
said Charles in an attempt to reassure her that their next appeal attempt would
pan out, and they said their goodbyes. CEO McNeil reshackled
Sarah to lead her back to her cell. After inside
with the steel door shut, she stuck her hands out of the opening
that she receives her meals through and had those cold metal
bracelets released. Aside from Charles's tri monthly
(07:41):
visits, a daily shower, and an hour they allowed for
walking around in the prison yard alone, this
6 by 8 foot cell was her world, accompanied only
by one book per week that she could order from the prison library
and by the reoccurring nightmares she'd have about her sentencing.
(08:02):
Footnote number one will the defendant please
rise? Said Judge Mueller. Mrs.
DeFranco, you stand here before us seemingly
remorseful, but your endless stream of manipulative tears
couldn't drown the sorrow that these family members feel.
They have lost a loved one by your hand. The fact of the
(08:24):
matter is that four people lost their lives while another remains in a
vegetative state. We have reason to believe beyond the shadow of a doubt
that you poisoned your patients with the ricin that led to their eventual
deaths. You plead ignorance, but I see deliberate
malpractice. You plead inexperience, but I see
malicious intent. I hereby sentence you to life in
(08:46):
prison without the possibility of parole. She'd relive
this moment almost every night, expecting a more lenient outcome
each time, and would wake up in a cold sweat when
she didn't get it. You'd think she'd be batshit crazy by
now, shouting, being irrational, acting
out like the other lifers in this block. But she wasn't.
(09:09):
She was actually a model inmate. There was an eerie
calm about her, like she was in on a joke
that went over everyone else's head. It's only
been eight months since her sentencing, but that's about seven and a
half months more than other inmates take to lose their shit.
On his way home, Charles ran a few errands, as he routinely did after
(09:32):
visiting his incarcerated wife. Although
the trips back home were shorter now, after the move, it still seemed
like a lot to leave behind. A house which he
inherited after the brain aneurysm induced seizure
claimed his father's life three years prior, the staff
accountant position at Wilton Capitol, and
(09:54):
the neighborhood he grew up in. He wasn't passionate about his work, but his
job was actually enjoyable at times. Still, it was a
bit much to give up for the sake of more frequent visitations. But he was
in there with her. He was loyal to a fault, if there is such a
thing. Selfless, obedient, one might even
say. Plus, Sarah rarely ever
(10:15):
didn't get her way. She wanted him to reopen her bakery,
but closer to her, all he needed to find was a storefront and she
would teach him all her recipes during his visits. Life revolved
around her before. Why should it not now? Charles's world was
now scheduled to exist outside and around every other Wednesday
and the final Friday of each month. All days in between were just
(10:38):
fillers. His days now consisted of submitting appeal
requests to reopen Sarah's case, consoling his
estranged wife, and carrying out her wishes to make her happy
before this new reality they led. Normal enough cookie cutter
lives. Charles was an accountant and Sarah ran a small but
thriving bakery in town. She was known for her
(10:59):
complimentary raspberry drop sugar cookies that
she would indiscriminately give away to anyone who asked,
even non paying customers. Many a day, frustrated
parents came in to yank their freeloading 8 year olds out of the bakery.
The kids would sneak away to get their sugar fix when the elementary school
across the street would let out for the day. Ms. Sarah, Ms.
(11:22):
Sarah, can I have a cookie? They would ask excitedly.
Okay, but just one more. I wouldn't want to ruin your supper.
She responded while giving them a playful wink. She was loved. Even
the aggravated parents would take one of these delicious bite sized
sugar cookies to go when they came to get their kids. Most
of the parents school Staff and faculty were regular
(11:45):
customers. All birthday cakes and bunches of
cupcakes to reward a class for good behavior were purchased at
Ms. Sarah's Bakery. Business was
good and she was happy doing what she did. She was much
happier than when she worked at the hospital. Charles, on the
other hand, didn't hate his 9 to 5,
(12:07):
but he didn't love it either. After
work he would clock in a couple more hours per week taking care of the
financials for Sarah's Bakery. Pro bono of
course. But this he did love
gave him a sense of purpose. He was really good at it too.
Meticulous like no other. Sarah was an
(12:29):
amazingly artsy baker. But the business wouldn't have been in the
green without Charles's oversight.
In about two months time, with the savings they scraped
together, the rental income from Charles father's home and
the part time gig as an adjunct accounting professor over at the
local community college, pacc, he leased
(12:52):
out a storefront. Her determination and his
tenacity were making the dream of Sarah's Bakery too come
to fruition. It was about a quarter of the size of the original
but meant the world to her. Her happiness was his main
priority, so he shared in her elation. On that Wednesday,
she gave him detailed instructions on how to set up the place, what
(13:14):
equipment to order, paint, decoration, and just
general organization. It turned out to be a cozy little
bakery, a mini replica of its predecessor.
In just under three weeks he brought pictures in to press up against the
bulletproof glass. She loved it. She was
very pleased. Charles learned a couple of her muffin
(13:35):
recipes, corn and blueberry, and a
handful of recipes for assorted cookies. That same day
after the grand opening, business wasn't what you would call
booming, but it was doing rather nicely in their new,
less densely populated location. Charles estimated that they
should be turning a profit inside of six months. He had this strange
(13:57):
quirk about never tasting anything he baked, but his baking
wasn't half bad. Who would have thought? When you gonna
teach me the sugar cookie recipe? He asked. I think they'll be a hit
again in time, hon. And I know they'll be, she
responded. I just don't want that to be the primary reason customers are coming
in this time. We need to win them over first. And
(14:19):
we will. They were both right. Midway through month
four, Sarah's Bakery 2 was in the green, barely
covering all of its costs, but building up a loyal client base and turning
a small profit nonetheless. It's time to
debut our raspberry drop sugar cookies, babe. And
I'm so Proud of you, by the way. You're doing a great job, she
(14:41):
told Charles. We're doing a great job, babe, he
corrected her. You know this doesn't exist without
you. So tell me how to make those delicious bites of bliss.
You can't be upset with me, she told him. Upset?
Why would it be upset? Charles asked. Because I never told you about my
secret stash, she said. But I couldn't afford to let my recipes
(15:04):
get out. I never told a soul. Okay,
he said shortly and with a surprised look on his face. Where
is it? Sarah went on to explain that she locked away certain
recipes along with some rare ingredients, some
spices and sugars that were imported from overseas in a storage
garage a few miles from their old home. Charles was definitely
(15:26):
surprised and upset. This type of deception made him
livid, but given the circumstances, he let it go.
Following her direction, he was able to retrieve the key to the secret
location from an unused old mailbox behind
the shed of their old home. He went to the 24 hour access
storage place a few miles away and located her lot
(15:48):
number 109. It looked like those little garages you see on
reality shows like Storage Wars. He opened it up and
went inside. It was pretty well organized. You
can tell she frequented fairly often. There was a few shelves with
color coded unlabeled bottles and jars on them. Some were filled
with a sugary like consistency and others
(16:10):
looked to have a flower like texture. There was a desk
and the small filing cabinet where she apparently safeguarded her recipes.
He was taken aback by some of the medical supplies she had there.
Stethoscopes, scrubs, syringes and boxes
of latex gloves. He wrote it off as supplies she took from the hospital
gig before she began to bake full time. But how long has she been
(16:33):
hiding this place then? It's been a long day filled with information
he was still processing, so he decided to call it a night and get some
rest. He went home and to sleep. Tomorrow
would be another day. Charles was upset about Sarah's secret
place, but knew he could never stay mad at her.
Still, on his next visit, the final Friday
(16:55):
of the month visit, he let her know he wasn't going to make it to
the next one. She knew his passive aggressiveness all too
well and without skipping a beat she told him what he needed to
hear in order to go through the motions of his little revolt a bit
faster. She pouted and batted her ocean blue eyes at him
and in an innocent little girl voice asked, why
(17:16):
baby? Because the fall semester starts in two weeks
and orientation is a bit earlier than usual, with most of my time
dedicated to your bakery. Our bakery, she interrupted
in that same manipulative voice. He continued. I
haven't been able to put a lesson plan together yet. Sarah gave him a sad
face through the double paned glass and Charles cut his eyes away in
(17:39):
dissent. I'm so proud of you baby, she told him.
You're juggling so much. I'd be lost without you.
I know you have other responsibilities and can't just focus on keeping
me happy. I'll miss you terribly, but I
understand. Damn, she knew how to run that game so well. I'll
definitely be here for the next Wednesday visit afterwards though, he assured her.
(18:02):
I knew you wouldn't break my heart for too long, baby, she responded.
Just remember that you're mine. These kids are lucky to borrow you.
I know hon, he responded. And you're all mine.
That's right, she said, smiling back. I hate them for taking you
away from me, but I do want you to make a good impression on your
first day. Let's make them a batch of the sugar cookies. Think I'm ready
(18:23):
for those? He asked. I know you are. My baby can do
anything he sets his mind to. A little ego stroking never hurt
anyone, right? Okay, I've always made two
different types. They taste similar enough, but one uses
more of the high end imported ingredients and is usually for special
occasions. The other is just as good but less costly to
(18:45):
make. Let's make your new students the special batch.
She went on to meticulously explain the two different
recipes, having him repeat it to her several times to make sure he knew
the right combination of color coded jars. Okay, I got it, he
said, frustrated. I'm sorry, she said. You know how
important these cookies are to me. Yeah, I know, he responded.
(19:07):
Lastly, my filing cabinet has some paperwork I need you to mail
in to the DA for me. I told my public defendant about it,
but you know how they all but ignore appeal requests for cases they feel
they can't win? Okay, sure. What's in it?
Just some information I started to put together before my trial that I never
had a chance to give to the attorney, but maybe it can help with the
(19:29):
appeal request. There's two thick manila envelopes
already sealed and ready to go. One is a copy and says copy on
it just so I could keep track of what was already submitted. So you just
have to mail the one. Time's up, inmate chimed in. CEO
McNeil. I'm on it, hun. I'll make you proud. Promise.
Charles responded and they said their goodbyes.
(19:51):
CEO McNeil put the cuffs on and led Sarah back to her cell.
As always, she stopped in front of her cell and turned to face
him before walking in, making sure her straight blond hair
brushed his face as she spun around. I see the way you look at me,
McNeil, she told him as she stared raptly into his
eyes. What are you talking about, inmate? Go into your
(20:13):
cell, he responded. He did check her out though.
All the guards did. Visitors did too. She
was easily the most attractive woman in the prison, the type of woman
that would own a room just from walking into it.
Yes sir, she told him. I'll do
anything you say, she said salaciously as she
(20:35):
moved half a step into his personal space. He cracked half
a smile. She reached down with both hands still in
handcuffs and gently grabbed onto the now
obviously bulge in his officer blue pants.
Ooh, she said with a seductive rasp
in her voice as she fondled him for a bit. You
(20:58):
know, you could do whatever you wanted to me if it weren't for all these
cameras around. She licked and bit her
bottom lip. Then she let go and took a step backwards into her
cell seal. McNeil didn't say a word as he slid the red steel
door shut. She poked her hands out through the door's
opening and he removed the restraints, caressing her
(21:21):
hands before letting go and closing the opening.
On his way home, Charles passed by the storage unit to pick up what Sarah
told him he needed for the cookies and also grabbed the manila envelope to
mail in the day before orientation. He followed her instructions
precisely and went on to make a large batch of raspberry
drop sugar cookies. They were a hit at the
(21:42):
orientation. Most of the students in the lecture hall took
one on the way in and another on the way out. He thinks they may
have even distracted some of them from taking part in the usual rumors,
but he still overheard a few of the students on their way out after class.
Did you hear his wife is in jail? I heard she killed kids or
something. Yeah, I know, but I heard she was insanely
(22:05):
jealous and she caught him cheating with a student and she killed her.
Hmm. I think I'll flirt my way to an A then.
They all giggled and laughed. You're both wrong. I
looked up some old newspapers last semester in the library from around the time it
happened. She was fired from being a nurse at a local hospital where they
used to live. They said it was negligent or something.
(22:28):
Then months after they investigated and found that three or four of the patients that
died under her watch were actually poisoned. Holy shit. Are
you serious? Yep. You can look it up too.
Wow, what a sick bitch. This was actually
less commotion about his wife than he was used to overhearing,
so all in all it was a good day. He grabbed his messenger
(22:51):
bag and noticed he never mailed Sarah's evidence for the appeal.
On his way off campus, he passed by the main office and tossed it in
with the outgoing mail batch. In the days that followed, a
few flirty looks and winks were shared between the inmate and the
co, but aside from that, it was business as
usual at the Muncie doc. Charles missed the
(23:13):
next Wednesday visit as expected, but was
predictably already on the visitors list for the third Wednesday of
the month. Soon enough it was visiting Wednesday again
and Charles approached the double paned glass eagerly, waiting for Sarah
to walk through the double doors that separated the visiting area from
the housing units. The room was filled with inmates, visitors
(23:36):
and measured levels of mixed emotions. She walked in and locked
eyes with him instantly as she approached him with an ear to ear
smile, he lit up like hids. With the phone already up
to his ear. She sat down and picked up the phone on her side.
Hey stranger, she said playfully. Hey you, I've missed
you, he responded. How'd your orientation go? She
(23:58):
asked. It went great and your cookies were a hit.
I did hear murmurs of the usual rumors though, he told her.
It's okay, she responded. After their visit, Seal
McNeil led Sarah back to her cell as he normally did.
This time when they got to the front of her cell, he grabbed her by
the waist on either side and pressed himself up before behind her.
(24:20):
She welcomed it with a flirty moan. He took in a deep breath of
her essence and whispered into her ear right before he began to nibble
on her neck. I disabled that camera up there.
Fit in the work order for it, which won't be looked at until The Sunday
after next NCL Jenkins
is on a 15 minute break. What was it that you were saying
(24:43):
about me doing anything I wanted to? Sarah turned around to face
him with a mischievous smile on her face. She used both
hands, which were still cuffed, to grab McNeil by the belt
and pull him into the cell with her. They
maximized that 15 minute window of privacy and quenched the
pent up sexual frustration they'd been flirting with for weeks.
(25:06):
By Saturday night there were at least half a dozen of these
visits mixed with plotting and scheming. Are you sure
the evidence you had him submit is enough? He asked her as he zipped up
his pants and she wiped her mouth. I'm positive,
I'm positive there's so much self incriminating information in
there that he should be arrested before next week is out and I'll
(25:28):
be released pending his prosecution. That could take weeks.
Months even, he responded. What if I can't wait that long?
Be patient, baby, she told him. We'll be together in
increments longer than 15 minutes. Soon enough, she reassured.
I have a better idea. We'll stage an attack of you
on me, he explained. My carelessness coupled with your
(25:51):
cunningness would make for a good escape. What about your
job? You can't be on the run with me, she said. That won't
be an issue. The most that will happen is a fine and or
suspension. Then by the time they arrest him, they'll be so
eager to sweep your escape under the rug that they'll acquit you of
all charges and streamline his sentencing. I love a
(26:13):
man that can take charge the way you do, she agreed.
They settled on Friday during her yard time. He came
back later that evening before his shift was over and they hammered out an
outline. By Thursday night they had every angle measured and every
wrinkle of doubt ironed out. Friday morning routinely came and
went when the sun fell midway down the sky. McNeil went over to
(26:36):
Sarah's cell to escort her outside. As he loosely placed the
bracelets around her wrists without securing them in place, he tells
her, remember what I told you. Don't crawl back
into the car until after I go back in to ring the
alarm. It's very important that I follow protocol.
Stay low to the ground, then wedge yourself between the back
(26:58):
seat and the trick trunk I told you about. Just pull down
that yellow strap to open it up. They will search
my vehicle, so don't make a sound or move around
until I let you out. This could take hours,
sir, yes sir, she said playfully. They walked out
to the yard as they normally did. McNeil unlocked the gate that led to the
(27:21):
employee parking lot to, quote, get a pack of smokes
from his red O2 Mustang. On cue, Sarah loosened
her cuffs, wrapped it around her fist like brass
knuckles, and clocked CEO McNeil twice, drawing
blood from the back of his head, which would later require aid stitches,
while his back was turned, and she ran toward and
(27:43):
into the three miles plus of forest opposite the parking
lot, which surrounded the Muncie doc. McNeil
eventually sat up and stumbled through the mess hall with blood trickling down
his ear and neck into the CO control room to
sound the alarm Inmate escape. Inmate escape,
he repeated, out of breath in an Oscar worthy performance.
(28:06):
The other COs fell in line and followed the proper protocol to
begin the search. There would be failed escape attempts at Muncie
on a quarterly basis. Some stressed out in
Maine would try to climb the fence or get boosted over a
wall, but it would always end the same way. The dogs would
sniff them out of the bush and they'd spend a month in the hole. Not
(28:28):
this time, though. By the time Warden Glenn came down to give the search
order and speak with McNeil about what happened, Sarah had
safely crawled into the back of the Mustang, entering from the far
side away from the camera, and wedged herself into the concealed
compartment, which was scent proof. McNeil purchased the
car from the PAPD repo auction. The previous owner was
(28:50):
a quote importer exporter.
After an exhaustive search that yielded no results, including
the thorough search of all employee vehicles in the lot, warden
Glenn interrogated CEO McNeil one last time while the prison nurse
finished stitching him up. The media is going to have a field day with
this. How could he be so fucking careless?
(29:13):
I was attacked, boss. I didn't even see it coming.
By a woman half your damn size that
you failed to properly inspect and secure.
I did inspect and secure the inmate. I have no idea what she hit me
with. A rock, maybe. A rock wouldn't cause a wound this narrow and
deep. Nurse Kelly chimed in. Regardless, this happened
(29:35):
on your watch. You can't be trusted to do your job properly right
now. And we need to show a swift and precise response to this
situation for when the media gets a hold of this.
I understand, boss. McNeil responded remorsefully.
You're suspended for a month without pay. Effective
immediately upon your reinstatement, you go into two
(29:58):
weeks of inmate protocol refresher training, also without pay.
Understood? Yes, sir. And again, I'm
sorry. By the time he finished that sentence, Warden Glenn had
already walked out of the room. After gathering a few things from his locker, he
went out to his car, opened up the trunk and placed the box in
it. Got in, started it, and off he went,
(30:20):
as he normally did. After clearing the guard at the Muncie entrance, he
pulled over so that he could go back and speak to Sarah.
Babe, I was beginning to think you forgot about me.
Sarah responded jokingly. Do you need anything? I'm sure there'll be
a checkpoint further ahead and we can't risk a camera spotting you, so
I can't let you out until we get to my apartment. No, I'm fine.
(30:43):
He kissed her on the lips and closed the compartment back
up. There was a checkpoint about a quarter mile after the
far street surrounding the prison. McNeil approached, slowed,
and lowered his window. How's it going, Torres?
McNeil. Tough one today, huh?
Yeah, you won't be seeing me around for a while. They
(31:05):
finally get rid of you? Taurus said jokingly.
Not that easily, man. A month and a half, no pay,
McNeil responded. Ouch, Taurus
said. Keep your head up, buddy. Shit happens.
Thanks, man. Good night. They made it to the apartment
unnoticed and laid low for a few days between
(31:28):
their 50 shades of grayish sexcapades. They would
watch television, waiting on breaking news of the escape to
materialize, but it never did.
The Muncie doc was under code Red lockdown. That
meant no one in or out. They had a skeleton
staff that was housed on premises for a few days
(31:50):
and kept every inmate caged 24 7.
They'd search for news online and nothing.
Sarah also accessed Charles's emails. He used the same
password for everything and read through some of the flirty
emails he had going back and forth with a student,
Amy Lessig, who was in search of some one on one
(32:13):
tutoring. She recognized the address Charles gave Amy
from the return address on the holiday cards he had sent her in the past.
Sarah, now a short haired brunette, took the Mustang and
drove over to Charles's apartment. After stopping by the storage
facility. She had another key stashed close by.
(32:33):
Was right before dawn on the fourth day after her escape
and the day where her grand plan, years in the
making, would finally come to fruition. Charles woke up and
made his way into the kitchen to drink a glass of water from the tap.
His eyes look worried as he stares out of the window above the sink.
Like they haven't gotten enough sleep. And no, they're not going
(32:56):
to. Sarah has already made her way into the apartment.
At this point she slides up behind him and he
feels the precise piercing pinch of a syringe on the right
side of his neck, Dexter style. About 30
minutes later he comes to as his vision deglazes
enough for him to evaluate his surroundings. His arms
(33:18):
and legs are tie wrapped to one of his dining room chairs and his mouth
is cliche ly duct taped next to
him. Amy is similarly secured but still not
conscious. Sarah is facing them while sitting
on top of the island in the kitchen. So who's
this? The student of the month? Sara said
(33:39):
sarcastically. You selfish son of a bitch.
Is this what you've been doing while I've been suffering alone?
You should Be ashamed of yourself. You told me you
changed. You told me Beth was the last one.
Footnote number two. Beth was a co worker of
Charles back at Wilton Capital. After
(34:02):
snooping through his credit card statements and emails, Sarah pieced
together and pretty much caught him red handed. He was
having an affair with her. After a brief
separation, Sarah wound up forgiving and consoling
Charles when she found out that Beth died
suddenly of liver and lung failures.
(34:24):
What? You want to explain?
Sarah hopped down off the counter, walked over to Charles
and yanked the duct tape off his mouth in one fluid motion that
almost took his lips. He yelled,
what the fuck did you do to her? Amy. Amy, wake up.
Oh, I'm sorry. Amy can't come to the phone right now.
(34:46):
Sarah says, what did you do? Sarah?
Amy? She can't hear you, asshole.
What I injected you with was a nap. What she got.
Well, let's just say it's a bit more permanent than that.
That that slutty cunt won't ever hear you again.
I can't fucking believe you. You're a
(35:09):
monster. The cops are gonna find you.
I know everything. I won't keep my mouth shut. You crazy bitch.
What are you even fucking doing here? How are you here right now?
Said Charles. Newsflash. Cheating, Charlie.
I'm out of prison permanently.
(35:29):
Besides, they didn't find out why perfectly
healthy Beth suddenly had health problems, did they?
She smirked maniacally as Charles gasped in
disbelief. She walks around behind him
and slides her hands down the front of his chest. She leans
in and whispers into his ear. And your father's
(35:52):
aneurysm. That was
me too. She duct taped his mouth again as
he squirmed and screamed and cried about what he had just heard.
I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen here. Within the next few
hours or so, you'll wake up surrounded by cops
that have a warrant for your arrest based on an
(36:15):
anonymous call from yours truly. They'll
read you your rights and book you. It will soon enough come
to light via the manila envelope that you mailed in
for me. That you are
responsible for each of the deaths that I was
convicted for. You did meet me at the hospital for lunches
(36:37):
within three days of each of the deaths of my
patients. Remember that you used me to finagle
connections at the hospital behind my back to get the ricin and the
syringes that you use. It was a shame about poor Beth
too. She was tired of being the other woman
and she was going to expose you and your affair. There's
(36:59):
the motive for her unexplained death. Should I continue?
Did you happen to notice your class size go down for a bit after cookie
day? That's because you began experimenting on students
by dosing them with non fatal portions of ricin.
Oh, wait. But there's nothing here in this
apartment linking you to any of this, right?
(37:22):
Oh yeah. You also gave them the location
of the storage facility you've been going to fairly often, which has
syringes like these and dozens of containers
with different levels of rice and doses. And the
best part, your favorite fingerprints. And
only your fingerprints are all over the place.
(37:46):
And little Amy here, her death will
be the cherry on top for them to build their case. As
for me, it won't matter that I've slipped out of jail a
bit sooner than expected. It'll all be swept under the warden's
rug over at Muncie. Warden Glenn
was on the phone with the district judge. I'm calling in a favor,
(38:08):
Terrence. Again, the judge responded.
How much leverage do you think you have with me, exactly? Enough to
call this in. And trust me, the alternative would be worse
for all of us. All I need is a signed arrest
warrant and your word on a swift, no jury
sentencing, said the warden. Even if I was willing to cut through the
(38:30):
red tape and expedite this, you know I can't give you
an arrest warrant without PC. I'm looking at all the PC
you'll ever need in the form of a full confession letter, along with
corroborating evidence, which my guy is already checking out,
responded Glen. Okay, so why not go through the
proper channels? The judge asked. It's better you don't
(38:52):
know, responded the warden. I'm not sure what
you think I owe you for introducing me to your buddy with the underground
casino and massage joints, but it's definitely not
enough to get you a blank check in the form of an arrest warrant.
So tell me, what's the urgency about,
Judge? There was an escape a few days ago. A successful
(39:14):
one? The judge asked, surprised.
Yes, Warden, Glenn continued.
Remember the nurse that killed a handful of patients last year?
Her. But if this confession from the husband
and evidence checks out, he's taking the rap for all of it
and more. And you buy this bullshit? The judge
(39:36):
asked. Seems a bit convenient.
Belief isn't a requisite. Belief isn't a requisite of
my job, Judge. If it checks out, it checks out.
She'll be released, he'll be sentenced, and nobody will be the
wiser. Okay, Glenn, you have a verbal arrest warrant
granted. If this blows up in your face. I won't back up or
(40:00):
document this though, said the judge. Don't worry,
Judge. We'll clean this up on our end. Soon you can go
back to your table games and happy endings stress free.
Oh, and Terrence? Yes? Give my best to Marie and
the twins. Back at the apartment, Sarah grabbed a
fistful of Charles's hair and yanked it back. They lock
(40:22):
eyes. You did this to
us. Don't you forget that, she told him as she leaned
in and kissed him on the lips over the duct tape.
She squeals a few drops from the syringe as she flicked it
and then shot it into his neck. Sleep tight, baby,
she whispered. She tied Amy's wrists to the headboard in the
(40:45):
bedroom to make it look like an intense sex scene gone
awry. She made sure his fingerprints were on the ricin
needle and then she vanished.
He came to as his apartment was being raided for his arrest.
He tried to explain, but they saw it as resisting and
they clubbed the back of his knees, dropping him to the ground, and they
(41:07):
cuffed him. Eight months later,
Charles laid on a cot in a cell not dissimilar to the
one Sarah was once in, Reading the Count of Monte Cristo.
A prison guard approaches DeFranco, you have a visitor,
said the guard, but Charles didn't respond.
(41:28):
DeFranco, he said as he pulled out his club and banged
it against the cell bars. I heard you, Jimenez. Trying to read
here, he responded. It's not a request, you smug
asshole, said Jimenez. In 10 minutes you'll be escorted to the
visitor's room. Charles thought it was another reporter or
attorney trying to make a name for himself with a high profile
(41:50):
appeal case, albeit an unwinnable one, but
in the public eye nonetheless. Boy, was he wrong
as he walked into the visitor's room on his side of the ballistic
glass. The CO on duty tells him, your visitor
is hot as fuck, by the way. Oh yeah? Charles
responded uninterested. Yeah, you miserable prick,
(42:12):
the CO responded. Charles signed into the room and
walked over to window number nine, where a redheaded woman with big
sunglasses on sat on the opposite side. He
knew who it was in the depths of his soul before his
brain finished processing. As he sits down and picks up the phone.
She removed her glasses, her piercing blue eyes
(42:34):
unapologetically staring back at him.
You heartless bitch. I could kill you.
Charles opened up strong. Oh Charlie, so
much aggression. Haven't you done enough killing already?
What would your father think if he saw you this way? Sarah
responded. You're a sick, evil person. How
(42:56):
do you have the gall to show your face? I just
didn't want you to worry about me, darling. I wanted to let you
know that I sold the house and I'm moving to Florida.
What? My father's house. You
didn't. You couldn't. Charles responded in disbelief.
My house actually. Remember how transferring the deed
(43:18):
into my name would benefit my appeal? Well, it
did, she said mockingly. I'm leaving tomorrow.
Just wanted to say goodbye, Charlie. Make sure you sit and
think about what you've done to me. And if any of them were worth it,
said Sarah. She hung up the phone,
stood up, blew him a kiss, put on her
(43:40):
glasses and walked out of his life forever.
Charles was livid, yelling and screaming,
slamming and breaking the phone against the glass. You fucking
bitch. Come back here. Come back here. The
guard runs over after combing it in on his walkie talkie,
Charles nails him with a right hook to the jaw which catches the guard
(44:03):
by surprise, but only stuns him. The guard pulls out his
club and jams it into Charles stomach and then elbows him in the
nose. Two other guards rush in and help wrestle Charles to the
ground. He's still irate. It was
her. She was here. It wasn't me. God
damn it. Listen to me. He yelled out as he cried from passionate
(44:25):
rage and physical pain. The nurse was called and comes in with
a syringe that they used to sedate him. He wakes up in a slightly
bigger room, restrained to an unfamiliar
bed. The time that has lapsed between is a mystery to him.
Has it been hours? Weeks? Months? He can't
recall a thing between then and now, but he picks up where he left
(44:47):
off. It was her. She was
here. It wasn't me.
Let me out. Let me out of here.
A nurse turns to the doctor in charge of the psych ward for
instruction. Continue to sedate him as long as these
hallucinations continue. Yes doctor, she responded
(45:10):
as she approached Charles to sedate him. All that was said before
things went dark again was don't you stick me with
that. I need to go to Florida.
Let me out. It was her. It was really her.
She needs to be stopped. Hours later
on Interstate 64, a red headed woman could be seen
(45:32):
alone at the wheel of a red 2002
Mustang flowing through the traffic
carefree, heading towards Florida
with all that she needed in the trunk
and some of what she no longer had use for in a scent proof
compartment.
(45:54):
And that folks was episode 281
of the Spun Today podcast. Hit me up and let me know what you guys
thought of the short story Ball and Chain. Again, to
read the updated version of that story and how it evolved
after going through the professional editing process, check out my short
story collection Melted Cold, which you can find on Amazon or check
(46:16):
out via my website spunsuday.com build books
again, the title of that short story collection is Melted Cold.
It is a story that I've contemplated Spoiler
alert. Writing a part two for
and just following that crazy serial killer to
different states and seeing what iterations her
(46:39):
appetite for killing takes. So in my mind,
potentially a part two to that story within a
future short story collection. And just a reminder before I let you
find Folks, Go Please check out the new Spun Today shop
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(47:23):
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know, check you guys out next time. Peace.
What's up folks? Tony here. I hope you're enjoying the Spun Today
(47:46):
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(48:09):
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(51:01):
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(52:39):
I love you Aiden. I love you Daddy.
I love you Grayson. I love you Daddy.
What's up folks? What's going on? Welcome to the Spun Today Podcast, the
only podcast that is anchored in writing but unlimited in scope.
I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and I appreciate you listening. This is
episode 281 of the
podcast and it is a technically a
throwback episode, recording this intro that you're
(00:41):
listening to right now, as well as the outro in present day. But I'm
re releasing and resharing an older short story of
mine that I previously recorded as an audiobook. So the middle
chunk of the episode, the story itself was released in, for
example, the first time, I believe, was episode 14
of the podcast, episode 1 4. But I'm re recording the
(01:02):
intro and outro for it because I wanted to add some, some context around
the story. So first off, the origin of the story is
that it is, I want to say, the first and
maybe only story that I have written
via a writing exercise. So if anybody's read
Stephen King's On Writing, which listeners of the podcast
(01:25):
are probably sick and tired of hearing me reference it. But it is
a great book just from writing and creative
perspective. At the end of it, there's a bit of a call to action
from Stephen King and a writing exercise, writing prompt, if
you will, that he puts out just to start
flexing your writing muscles and playing with a
(01:48):
different type type of idea. And I'm going to paraphrase,
but it's essentially, it was essentially to think of a
role that typically goes to a male
or male protagonist, or a role that typically goes to a female
protagonist and then flip the gender. Thinking back,
it's a very progressive of you, Stephen King,
(02:11):
but essentially flip the gender and then
write the story from that person's
perspective. So I decided to write this serial killer murder
story. And you know, to me, typically serial
killers are usually male. So in this story, my protagonist is a
female and I had tons of fun with it. It's interesting
(02:33):
to write from a perspective that's not your own. Makes you, makes you think
more. Makes you, or not necessarily more, but just differently.
And obviously you want to do it justice. You, you want to avoid,
you know, just like cliched tropes
and you want your work to be engaging and at
the end of the day, just a good story that people want to read. And
(02:54):
hopefully I delivered on that front and I revisited this story actually
to include it as one of the short stories within
my short story collection that I published, Melted Cold,
available now. Go to spun
today.combooks for all the
links if you're interested in checking that out, but
in revisiting the story for that project. I had
(03:18):
the story, as I told you guys in prior episodes when I put
together Melted Cold. That's my first time
working with a professional editor. So the story that you're gonna hear
now, the audiobook version of it, it's the same foundational
story obviously, but there is an
updated edited version of it available again
(03:41):
in my short story collection Melted Cold.
So if you're interested in seeing how the story evolved once
going through that process, it would be a good comparison to compare this audiobook
version to that and just apologies in advance. I always like to whenever I
re release older episodes, I like to apologize for the sound
quality. This one in particular. It's my 14th
(04:04):
episode ever. You know, now I'm on episode 281
and my understanding of just like the final mixing and leveling
out the audio, different ways to export to maintain the
quality, you know, that's I picked up
things along the way and upgraded equipment, so
on and so forth. So you may notice a difference between
(04:25):
the this intro and the actual story.
But again, it shouldn't not be listenable from an
audio quality perspective. And apologies again in advance.
That said, wanted to remind folks to visit the brand new
fourth wall Sponsored A shop. You go to my
website sponsored a.com click on the shop menu item up at
(04:48):
the top of the page and you can check out some cool new merch like
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limit yourself, right? Add some really nice quality embroidered
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(05:10):
the old hoodies and T shirts like the podcast verse
anybody design. You can check out the official Spun Today
notebook in a ton of different colors as well. So on and so forth.
Again, go to spunter.com and click on the shop
menu item up on top. That would be a great way to help support this
show. And last but certainly not least, before we jump into the episode, I
(05:32):
want to tell you guys about one additional way that you can help support the
Spun Today podcast if you so choose. And then we'll jump right into the
short story. For
my fellow writers and creatives out there, a really cool way you can. Help support
this show is by going. To spunterday.com
support and clicking on the prowritingaid banner. If you're
(05:53):
a listener of the show, you know that I use prowritingaid to pre edit all
of my writing before. I put it out or before I. Ship it off to
my editor so that it is in as
pristine condition as I can probably get it.
ProWritingAid offers a great toolkit that helps you polish your
work with easy to use grammar checks and the writing assistant that also
(06:15):
looks into things like pacing improvements, typos,
punctuations, and much more. Go to sponsored aid.com
support click on the banner for prowritingaid and check out their
free option as well as their different tiers of paid
options. Spontane.com Support.
(06:35):
Ball and Chain By Tony Ortiz
Written Mar 1st, 2015
they sat across from each other on either side of the ballistic
glass, rotary style phone receivers in hand.
He listened intently, as he usually does during these weekly
(06:56):
visits, and she did most of the talking.
Time's up, inmate, said Seal. McNeil,
wrap it up. Sarah looked over her shoulder at him
with a sarcastic, acknowledging grin. Charming guy, charles
said. They pressed their hands up to the glass as they traditionally
did at the end of these sittings. We'll be together soon enough,
(07:19):
said Charles in an attempt to reassure her that their next appeal attempt would
pan out, and they said their goodbyes. CEO McNeil reshackled
Sarah to lead her back to her cell. After inside
with the steel door shut, she stuck her hands out of the opening
that she receives her meals through and had those cold metal
bracelets released. Aside from Charles's tri monthly
(07:41):
visits, a daily shower, and an hour they allowed for
walking around in the prison yard alone, this
6 by 8 foot cell was her world, accompanied only
by one book per week that she could order from the prison library
and by the reoccurring nightmares she'd have about her sentencing.
(08:02):
Footnote number one will the defendant please
rise? Said Judge Mueller. Mrs.
DeFranco, you stand here before us seemingly
remorseful, but your endless stream of manipulative tears
couldn't drown the sorrow that these family members feel.
They have lost a loved one by your hand. The fact of the
(08:24):
matter is that four people lost their lives while another remains in a
vegetative state. We have reason to believe beyond the shadow of a doubt
that you poisoned your patients with the ricin that led to their eventual
deaths. You plead ignorance, but I see deliberate
malpractice. You plead inexperience, but I see
malicious intent. I hereby sentence you to life in
(08:46):
prison without the possibility of parole. She'd relive
this moment almost every night, expecting a more lenient outcome
each time, and would wake up in a cold sweat when
she didn't get it. You'd think she'd be batshit crazy by
now, shouting, being irrational, acting
out like the other lifers in this block. But she wasn't.
(09:09):
She was actually a model inmate. There was an eerie
calm about her, like she was in on a joke
that went over everyone else's head. It's only
been eight months since her sentencing, but that's about seven and a
half months more than other inmates take to lose their shit.
On his way home, Charles ran a few errands, as he routinely did after
(09:32):
visiting his incarcerated wife. Although
the trips back home were shorter now, after the move, it still seemed
like a lot to leave behind. A house which he
inherited after the brain aneurysm induced seizure
claimed his father's life three years prior, the staff
accountant position at Wilton Capitol, and
(09:54):
the neighborhood he grew up in. He wasn't passionate about his work, but his
job was actually enjoyable at times. Still, it was a
bit much to give up for the sake of more frequent visitations. But he was
in there with her. He was loyal to a fault, if there is such a
thing. Selfless, obedient, one might even
say. Plus, Sarah rarely ever
(10:15):
didn't get her way. She wanted him to reopen her bakery,
but closer to her, all he needed to find was a storefront and she
would teach him all her recipes during his visits. Life revolved
around her before. Why should it not now? Charles's world was
now scheduled to exist outside and around every other Wednesday
and the final Friday of each month. All days in between were just
(10:38):
fillers. His days now consisted of submitting appeal
requests to reopen Sarah's case, consoling his
estranged wife, and carrying out her wishes to make her happy
before this new reality they led. Normal enough cookie cutter
lives. Charles was an accountant and Sarah ran a small but
thriving bakery in town. She was known for her
(10:59):
complimentary raspberry drop sugar cookies that
she would indiscriminately give away to anyone who asked,
even non paying customers. Many a day, frustrated
parents came in to yank their freeloading 8 year olds out of the bakery.
The kids would sneak away to get their sugar fix when the elementary school
across the street would let out for the day. Ms. Sarah, Ms.
(11:22):
Sarah, can I have a cookie? They would ask excitedly.
Okay, but just one more. I wouldn't want to ruin your supper.
She responded while giving them a playful wink. She was loved. Even
the aggravated parents would take one of these delicious bite sized
sugar cookies to go when they came to get their kids. Most
of the parents school Staff and faculty were regular
(11:45):
customers. All birthday cakes and bunches of
cupcakes to reward a class for good behavior were purchased at
Ms. Sarah's Bakery. Business was
good and she was happy doing what she did. She was much
happier than when she worked at the hospital. Charles, on the
other hand, didn't hate his 9 to 5,
(12:07):
but he didn't love it either. After
work he would clock in a couple more hours per week taking care of the
financials for Sarah's Bakery. Pro bono of
course. But this he did love
gave him a sense of purpose. He was really good at it too.
Meticulous like no other. Sarah was an
(12:29):
amazingly artsy baker. But the business wouldn't have been in the
green without Charles's oversight.
In about two months time, with the savings they scraped
together, the rental income from Charles father's home and
the part time gig as an adjunct accounting professor over at the
local community college, pacc, he leased
(12:52):
out a storefront. Her determination and his
tenacity were making the dream of Sarah's Bakery too come
to fruition. It was about a quarter of the size of the original
but meant the world to her. Her happiness was his main
priority, so he shared in her elation. On that Wednesday,
she gave him detailed instructions on how to set up the place, what
(13:14):
equipment to order, paint, decoration, and just
general organization. It turned out to be a cozy little
bakery, a mini replica of its predecessor.
In just under three weeks he brought pictures in to press up against the
bulletproof glass. She loved it. She was
very pleased. Charles learned a couple of her muffin
(13:35):
recipes, corn and blueberry, and a
handful of recipes for assorted cookies. That same day
after the grand opening, business wasn't what you would call
booming, but it was doing rather nicely in their new,
less densely populated location. Charles estimated that they
should be turning a profit inside of six months. He had this strange
(13:57):
quirk about never tasting anything he baked, but his baking
wasn't half bad. Who would have thought? When you gonna
teach me the sugar cookie recipe? He asked. I think they'll be a hit
again in time, hon. And I know they'll be, she
responded. I just don't want that to be the primary reason customers are coming
in this time. We need to win them over first. And
(14:19):
we will. They were both right. Midway through month
four, Sarah's Bakery 2 was in the green, barely
covering all of its costs, but building up a loyal client base and turning
a small profit nonetheless. It's time to
debut our raspberry drop sugar cookies, babe. And
I'm so Proud of you, by the way. You're doing a great job, she
(14:41):
told Charles. We're doing a great job, babe, he
corrected her. You know this doesn't exist without
you. So tell me how to make those delicious bites of bliss.
You can't be upset with me, she told him. Upset?
Why would it be upset? Charles asked. Because I never told you about my
secret stash, she said. But I couldn't afford to let my recipes
(15:04):
get out. I never told a soul. Okay,
he said shortly and with a surprised look on his face. Where
is it? Sarah went on to explain that she locked away certain
recipes along with some rare ingredients, some
spices and sugars that were imported from overseas in a storage
garage a few miles from their old home. Charles was definitely
(15:26):
surprised and upset. This type of deception made him
livid, but given the circumstances, he let it go.
Following her direction, he was able to retrieve the key to the secret
location from an unused old mailbox behind
the shed of their old home. He went to the 24 hour access
storage place a few miles away and located her lot
(15:48):
number 109. It looked like those little garages you see on
reality shows like Storage Wars. He opened it up and
went inside. It was pretty well organized. You
can tell she frequented fairly often. There was a few shelves with
color coded unlabeled bottles and jars on them. Some were filled
with a sugary like consistency and others
(16:10):
looked to have a flower like texture. There was a desk
and the small filing cabinet where she apparently safeguarded her recipes.
He was taken aback by some of the medical supplies she had there.
Stethoscopes, scrubs, syringes and boxes
of latex gloves. He wrote it off as supplies she took from the hospital
gig before she began to bake full time. But how long has she been
(16:33):
hiding this place then? It's been a long day filled with information
he was still processing, so he decided to call it a night and get some
rest. He went home and to sleep. Tomorrow
would be another day. Charles was upset about Sarah's secret
place, but knew he could never stay mad at her.
Still, on his next visit, the final Friday
(16:55):
of the month visit, he let her know he wasn't going to make it to
the next one. She knew his passive aggressiveness all too
well and without skipping a beat she told him what he needed to
hear in order to go through the motions of his little revolt a bit
faster. She pouted and batted her ocean blue eyes at him
and in an innocent little girl voice asked, why
(17:16):
baby? Because the fall semester starts in two weeks
and orientation is a bit earlier than usual, with most of my time
dedicated to your bakery. Our bakery, she interrupted
in that same manipulative voice. He continued. I
haven't been able to put a lesson plan together yet. Sarah gave him a sad
face through the double paned glass and Charles cut his eyes away in
(17:39):
dissent. I'm so proud of you baby, she told him.
You're juggling so much. I'd be lost without you.
I know you have other responsibilities and can't just focus on keeping
me happy. I'll miss you terribly, but I
understand. Damn, she knew how to run that game so well. I'll
definitely be here for the next Wednesday visit afterwards though, he assured her.
(18:02):
I knew you wouldn't break my heart for too long, baby, she responded.
Just remember that you're mine. These kids are lucky to borrow you.
I know hon, he responded. And you're all mine.
That's right, she said, smiling back. I hate them for taking you
away from me, but I do want you to make a good impression on your
first day. Let's make them a batch of the sugar cookies. Think I'm ready
(18:23):
for those? He asked. I know you are. My baby can do
anything he sets his mind to. A little ego stroking never hurt
anyone, right? Okay, I've always made two
different types. They taste similar enough, but one uses
more of the high end imported ingredients and is usually for special
occasions. The other is just as good but less costly to
(18:45):
make. Let's make your new students the special batch.
She went on to meticulously explain the two different
recipes, having him repeat it to her several times to make sure he knew
the right combination of color coded jars. Okay, I got it, he
said, frustrated. I'm sorry, she said. You know how
important these cookies are to me. Yeah, I know, he responded.
(19:07):
Lastly, my filing cabinet has some paperwork I need you to mail
in to the DA for me. I told my public defendant about it,
but you know how they all but ignore appeal requests for cases they feel
they can't win? Okay, sure. What's in it?
Just some information I started to put together before my trial that I never
had a chance to give to the attorney, but maybe it can help with the
(19:29):
appeal request. There's two thick manila envelopes
already sealed and ready to go. One is a copy and says copy on
it just so I could keep track of what was already submitted. So you just
have to mail the one. Time's up, inmate chimed in. CEO
McNeil. I'm on it, hun. I'll make you proud. Promise.
Charles responded and they said their goodbyes.
(19:51):
CEO McNeil put the cuffs on and led Sarah back to her cell.
As always, she stopped in front of her cell and turned to face
him before walking in, making sure her straight blond hair
brushed his face as she spun around. I see the way you look at me,
McNeil, she told him as she stared raptly into his
eyes. What are you talking about, inmate? Go into your
(20:13):
cell, he responded. He did check her out though.
All the guards did. Visitors did too. She
was easily the most attractive woman in the prison, the type of woman
that would own a room just from walking into it.
Yes sir, she told him. I'll do
anything you say, she said salaciously as she
(20:35):
moved half a step into his personal space. He cracked half
a smile. She reached down with both hands still in
handcuffs and gently grabbed onto the now
obviously bulge in his officer blue pants.
Ooh, she said with a seductive rasp
in her voice as she fondled him for a bit. You
(20:58):
know, you could do whatever you wanted to me if it weren't for all these
cameras around. She licked and bit her
bottom lip. Then she let go and took a step backwards into her
cell seal. McNeil didn't say a word as he slid the red steel
door shut. She poked her hands out through the door's
opening and he removed the restraints, caressing her
(21:21):
hands before letting go and closing the opening.
On his way home, Charles passed by the storage unit to pick up what Sarah
told him he needed for the cookies and also grabbed the manila envelope to
mail in the day before orientation. He followed her instructions
precisely and went on to make a large batch of raspberry
drop sugar cookies. They were a hit at the
(21:42):
orientation. Most of the students in the lecture hall took
one on the way in and another on the way out. He thinks they may
have even distracted some of them from taking part in the usual rumors,
but he still overheard a few of the students on their way out after class.
Did you hear his wife is in jail? I heard she killed kids or
something. Yeah, I know, but I heard she was insanely
(22:05):
jealous and she caught him cheating with a student and she killed her.
Hmm. I think I'll flirt my way to an A then.
They all giggled and laughed. You're both wrong. I
looked up some old newspapers last semester in the library from around the time it
happened. She was fired from being a nurse at a local hospital where they
used to live. They said it was negligent or something.
(22:28):
Then months after they investigated and found that three or four of the patients that
died under her watch were actually poisoned. Holy shit. Are
you serious? Yep. You can look it up too.
Wow, what a sick bitch. This was actually
less commotion about his wife than he was used to overhearing,
so all in all it was a good day. He grabbed his messenger
(22:51):
bag and noticed he never mailed Sarah's evidence for the appeal.
On his way off campus, he passed by the main office and tossed it in
with the outgoing mail batch. In the days that followed, a
few flirty looks and winks were shared between the inmate and the
co, but aside from that, it was business as
usual at the Muncie doc. Charles missed the
(23:13):
next Wednesday visit as expected, but was
predictably already on the visitors list for the third Wednesday of
the month. Soon enough it was visiting Wednesday again
and Charles approached the double paned glass eagerly, waiting for Sarah
to walk through the double doors that separated the visiting area from
the housing units. The room was filled with inmates, visitors
(23:36):
and measured levels of mixed emotions. She walked in and locked
eyes with him instantly as she approached him with an ear to ear
smile, he lit up like hids. With the phone already up
to his ear. She sat down and picked up the phone on her side.
Hey stranger, she said playfully. Hey you, I've missed
you, he responded. How'd your orientation go? She
(23:58):
asked. It went great and your cookies were a hit.
I did hear murmurs of the usual rumors though, he told her.
It's okay, she responded. After their visit, Seal
McNeil led Sarah back to her cell as he normally did.
This time when they got to the front of her cell, he grabbed her by
the waist on either side and pressed himself up before behind her.
(24:20):
She welcomed it with a flirty moan. He took in a deep breath of
her essence and whispered into her ear right before he began to nibble
on her neck. I disabled that camera up there.
Fit in the work order for it, which won't be looked at until The Sunday
after next NCL Jenkins
is on a 15 minute break. What was it that you were saying
(24:43):
about me doing anything I wanted to? Sarah turned around to face
him with a mischievous smile on her face. She used both
hands, which were still cuffed, to grab McNeil by the belt
and pull him into the cell with her. They
maximized that 15 minute window of privacy and quenched the
pent up sexual frustration they'd been flirting with for weeks.
(25:06):
By Saturday night there were at least half a dozen of these
visits mixed with plotting and scheming. Are you sure
the evidence you had him submit is enough? He asked her as he zipped up
his pants and she wiped her mouth. I'm positive,
I'm positive there's so much self incriminating information in
there that he should be arrested before next week is out and I'll
(25:28):
be released pending his prosecution. That could take weeks.
Months even, he responded. What if I can't wait that long?
Be patient, baby, she told him. We'll be together in
increments longer than 15 minutes. Soon enough, she reassured.
I have a better idea. We'll stage an attack of you
on me, he explained. My carelessness coupled with your
(25:51):
cunningness would make for a good escape. What about your
job? You can't be on the run with me, she said. That won't
be an issue. The most that will happen is a fine and or
suspension. Then by the time they arrest him, they'll be so
eager to sweep your escape under the rug that they'll acquit you of
all charges and streamline his sentencing. I love a
(26:13):
man that can take charge the way you do, she agreed.
They settled on Friday during her yard time. He came
back later that evening before his shift was over and they hammered out an
outline. By Thursday night they had every angle measured and every
wrinkle of doubt ironed out. Friday morning routinely came and
went when the sun fell midway down the sky. McNeil went over to
(26:36):
Sarah's cell to escort her outside. As he loosely placed the
bracelets around her wrists without securing them in place, he tells
her, remember what I told you. Don't crawl back
into the car until after I go back in to ring the
alarm. It's very important that I follow protocol.
Stay low to the ground, then wedge yourself between the back
(26:58):
seat and the trick trunk I told you about. Just pull down
that yellow strap to open it up. They will search
my vehicle, so don't make a sound or move around
until I let you out. This could take hours,
sir, yes sir, she said playfully. They walked out
to the yard as they normally did. McNeil unlocked the gate that led to the
(27:21):
employee parking lot to, quote, get a pack of smokes
from his red O2 Mustang. On cue, Sarah loosened
her cuffs, wrapped it around her fist like brass
knuckles, and clocked CEO McNeil twice, drawing
blood from the back of his head, which would later require aid stitches,
while his back was turned, and she ran toward and
(27:43):
into the three miles plus of forest opposite the parking
lot, which surrounded the Muncie doc. McNeil
eventually sat up and stumbled through the mess hall with blood trickling down
his ear and neck into the CO control room to
sound the alarm Inmate escape. Inmate escape,
he repeated, out of breath in an Oscar worthy performance.
(28:06):
The other COs fell in line and followed the proper protocol to
begin the search. There would be failed escape attempts at Muncie
on a quarterly basis. Some stressed out in
Maine would try to climb the fence or get boosted over a
wall, but it would always end the same way. The dogs would
sniff them out of the bush and they'd spend a month in the hole. Not
(28:28):
this time, though. By the time Warden Glenn came down to give the search
order and speak with McNeil about what happened, Sarah had
safely crawled into the back of the Mustang, entering from the far
side away from the camera, and wedged herself into the concealed
compartment, which was scent proof. McNeil purchased the
car from the PAPD repo auction. The previous owner was
(28:50):
a quote importer exporter.
After an exhaustive search that yielded no results, including
the thorough search of all employee vehicles in the lot, warden
Glenn interrogated CEO McNeil one last time while the prison nurse
finished stitching him up. The media is going to have a field day with
this. How could he be so fucking careless?
(29:13):
I was attacked, boss. I didn't even see it coming.
By a woman half your damn size that
you failed to properly inspect and secure.
I did inspect and secure the inmate. I have no idea what she hit me
with. A rock, maybe. A rock wouldn't cause a wound this narrow and
deep. Nurse Kelly chimed in. Regardless, this happened
(29:35):
on your watch. You can't be trusted to do your job properly right
now. And we need to show a swift and precise response to this
situation for when the media gets a hold of this.
I understand, boss. McNeil responded remorsefully.
You're suspended for a month without pay. Effective
immediately upon your reinstatement, you go into two
(29:58):
weeks of inmate protocol refresher training, also without pay.
Understood? Yes, sir. And again, I'm
sorry. By the time he finished that sentence, Warden Glenn had
already walked out of the room. After gathering a few things from his locker, he
went out to his car, opened up the trunk and placed the box in
it. Got in, started it, and off he went,
(30:20):
as he normally did. After clearing the guard at the Muncie entrance, he
pulled over so that he could go back and speak to Sarah.
Babe, I was beginning to think you forgot about me.
Sarah responded jokingly. Do you need anything? I'm sure there'll be
a checkpoint further ahead and we can't risk a camera spotting you, so
I can't let you out until we get to my apartment. No, I'm fine.
(30:43):
He kissed her on the lips and closed the compartment back
up. There was a checkpoint about a quarter mile after the
far street surrounding the prison. McNeil approached, slowed,
and lowered his window. How's it going, Torres?
McNeil. Tough one today, huh?
Yeah, you won't be seeing me around for a while. They
(31:05):
finally get rid of you? Taurus said jokingly.
Not that easily, man. A month and a half, no pay,
McNeil responded. Ouch, Taurus
said. Keep your head up, buddy. Shit happens.
Thanks, man. Good night. They made it to the apartment
unnoticed and laid low for a few days between
(31:28):
their 50 shades of grayish sexcapades. They would
watch television, waiting on breaking news of the escape to
materialize, but it never did.
The Muncie doc was under code Red lockdown. That
meant no one in or out. They had a skeleton
staff that was housed on premises for a few days
(31:50):
and kept every inmate caged 24 7.
They'd search for news online and nothing.
Sarah also accessed Charles's emails. He used the same
password for everything and read through some of the flirty
emails he had going back and forth with a student,
Amy Lessig, who was in search of some one on one
(32:13):
tutoring. She recognized the address Charles gave Amy
from the return address on the holiday cards he had sent her in the past.
Sarah, now a short haired brunette, took the Mustang and
drove over to Charles's apartment. After stopping by the storage
facility. She had another key stashed close by.
(32:33):
Was right before dawn on the fourth day after her escape
and the day where her grand plan, years in the
making, would finally come to fruition. Charles woke up and
made his way into the kitchen to drink a glass of water from the tap.
His eyes look worried as he stares out of the window above the sink.
Like they haven't gotten enough sleep. And no, they're not going
(32:56):
to. Sarah has already made her way into the apartment.
At this point she slides up behind him and he
feels the precise piercing pinch of a syringe on the right
side of his neck, Dexter style. About 30
minutes later he comes to as his vision deglazes
enough for him to evaluate his surroundings. His arms
(33:18):
and legs are tie wrapped to one of his dining room chairs and his mouth
is cliche ly duct taped next to
him. Amy is similarly secured but still not
conscious. Sarah is facing them while sitting
on top of the island in the kitchen. So who's
this? The student of the month? Sara said
(33:39):
sarcastically. You selfish son of a bitch.
Is this what you've been doing while I've been suffering alone?
You should Be ashamed of yourself. You told me you
changed. You told me Beth was the last one.
Footnote number two. Beth was a co worker of
Charles back at Wilton Capital. After
(34:02):
snooping through his credit card statements and emails, Sarah pieced
together and pretty much caught him red handed. He was
having an affair with her. After a brief
separation, Sarah wound up forgiving and consoling
Charles when she found out that Beth died
suddenly of liver and lung failures.
(34:24):
What? You want to explain?
Sarah hopped down off the counter, walked over to Charles
and yanked the duct tape off his mouth in one fluid motion that
almost took his lips. He yelled,
what the fuck did you do to her? Amy. Amy, wake up.
Oh, I'm sorry. Amy can't come to the phone right now.
(34:46):
Sarah says, what did you do? Sarah?
Amy? She can't hear you, asshole.
What I injected you with was a nap. What she got.
Well, let's just say it's a bit more permanent than that.
That that slutty cunt won't ever hear you again.
I can't fucking believe you. You're a
(35:09):
monster. The cops are gonna find you.
I know everything. I won't keep my mouth shut. You crazy bitch.
What are you even fucking doing here? How are you here right now?
Said Charles. Newsflash. Cheating, Charlie.
I'm out of prison permanently.
(35:29):
Besides, they didn't find out why perfectly
healthy Beth suddenly had health problems, did they?
She smirked maniacally as Charles gasped in
disbelief. She walks around behind him
and slides her hands down the front of his chest. She leans
in and whispers into his ear. And your father's
(35:52):
aneurysm. That was
me too. She duct taped his mouth again as
he squirmed and screamed and cried about what he had just heard.
I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen here. Within the next few
hours or so, you'll wake up surrounded by cops
that have a warrant for your arrest based on an
(36:15):
anonymous call from yours truly. They'll
read you your rights and book you. It will soon enough come
to light via the manila envelope that you mailed in
for me. That you are
responsible for each of the deaths that I was
convicted for. You did meet me at the hospital for lunches
(36:37):
within three days of each of the deaths of my
patients. Remember that you used me to finagle
connections at the hospital behind my back to get the ricin and the
syringes that you use. It was a shame about poor Beth
too. She was tired of being the other woman
and she was going to expose you and your affair. There's
(36:59):
the motive for her unexplained death. Should I continue?
Did you happen to notice your class size go down for a bit after cookie
day? That's because you began experimenting on students
by dosing them with non fatal portions of ricin.
Oh, wait. But there's nothing here in this
apartment linking you to any of this, right?
(37:22):
Oh yeah. You also gave them the location
of the storage facility you've been going to fairly often, which has
syringes like these and dozens of containers
with different levels of rice and doses. And the
best part, your favorite fingerprints. And
only your fingerprints are all over the place.
(37:46):
And little Amy here, her death will
be the cherry on top for them to build their case. As
for me, it won't matter that I've slipped out of jail a
bit sooner than expected. It'll all be swept under the warden's
rug over at Muncie. Warden Glenn
was on the phone with the district judge. I'm calling in a favor,
(38:08):
Terrence. Again, the judge responded.
How much leverage do you think you have with me, exactly? Enough to
call this in. And trust me, the alternative would be worse
for all of us. All I need is a signed arrest
warrant and your word on a swift, no jury
sentencing, said the warden. Even if I was willing to cut through the
(38:30):
red tape and expedite this, you know I can't give you
an arrest warrant without PC. I'm looking at all the PC
you'll ever need in the form of a full confession letter, along with
corroborating evidence, which my guy is already checking out,
responded Glen. Okay, so why not go through the
proper channels? The judge asked. It's better you don't
(38:52):
know, responded the warden. I'm not sure what
you think I owe you for introducing me to your buddy with the underground
casino and massage joints, but it's definitely not
enough to get you a blank check in the form of an arrest warrant.
So tell me, what's the urgency about,
Judge? There was an escape a few days ago. A successful
(39:14):
one? The judge asked, surprised.
Yes, Warden, Glenn continued.
Remember the nurse that killed a handful of patients last year?
Her. But if this confession from the husband
and evidence checks out, he's taking the rap for all of it
and more. And you buy this bullshit? The judge
(39:36):
asked. Seems a bit convenient.
Belief isn't a requisite. Belief isn't a requisite of
my job, Judge. If it checks out, it checks out.
She'll be released, he'll be sentenced, and nobody will be the
wiser. Okay, Glenn, you have a verbal arrest warrant
granted. If this blows up in your face. I won't back up or
(40:00):
document this though, said the judge. Don't worry,
Judge. We'll clean this up on our end. Soon you can go
back to your table games and happy endings stress free.
Oh, and Terrence? Yes? Give my best to Marie and
the twins. Back at the apartment, Sarah grabbed a
fistful of Charles's hair and yanked it back. They lock
(40:22):
eyes. You did this to
us. Don't you forget that, she told him as she leaned
in and kissed him on the lips over the duct tape.
She squeals a few drops from the syringe as she flicked it
and then shot it into his neck. Sleep tight, baby,
she whispered. She tied Amy's wrists to the headboard in the
(40:45):
bedroom to make it look like an intense sex scene gone
awry. She made sure his fingerprints were on the ricin
needle and then she vanished.
He came to as his apartment was being raided for his arrest.
He tried to explain, but they saw it as resisting and
they clubbed the back of his knees, dropping him to the ground, and they
(41:07):
cuffed him. Eight months later,
Charles laid on a cot in a cell not dissimilar to the
one Sarah was once in, Reading the Count of Monte Cristo.
A prison guard approaches DeFranco, you have a visitor,
said the guard, but Charles didn't respond.
(41:28):
DeFranco, he said as he pulled out his club and banged
it against the cell bars. I heard you, Jimenez. Trying to read
here, he responded. It's not a request, you smug
asshole, said Jimenez. In 10 minutes you'll be escorted to the
visitor's room. Charles thought it was another reporter or
attorney trying to make a name for himself with a high profile
(41:50):
appeal case, albeit an unwinnable one, but
in the public eye nonetheless. Boy, was he wrong
as he walked into the visitor's room on his side of the ballistic
glass. The CO on duty tells him, your visitor
is hot as fuck, by the way. Oh yeah? Charles
responded uninterested. Yeah, you miserable prick,
(42:12):
the CO responded. Charles signed into the room and
walked over to window number nine, where a redheaded woman with big
sunglasses on sat on the opposite side. He
knew who it was in the depths of his soul before his
brain finished processing. As he sits down and picks up the phone.
She removed her glasses, her piercing blue eyes
(42:34):
unapologetically staring back at him.
You heartless bitch. I could kill you.
Charles opened up strong. Oh Charlie, so
much aggression. Haven't you done enough killing already?
What would your father think if he saw you this way? Sarah
responded. You're a sick, evil person. How
(42:56):
do you have the gall to show your face? I just
didn't want you to worry about me, darling. I wanted to let you
know that I sold the house and I'm moving to Florida.
What? My father's house. You
didn't. You couldn't. Charles responded in disbelief.
My house actually. Remember how transferring the deed
(43:18):
into my name would benefit my appeal? Well, it
did, she said mockingly. I'm leaving tomorrow.
Just wanted to say goodbye, Charlie. Make sure you sit and
think about what you've done to me. And if any of them were worth it,
said Sarah. She hung up the phone,
stood up, blew him a kiss, put on her
(43:40):
glasses and walked out of his life forever.
Charles was livid, yelling and screaming,
slamming and breaking the phone against the glass. You fucking
bitch. Come back here. Come back here. The
guard runs over after combing it in on his walkie talkie,
Charles nails him with a right hook to the jaw which catches the guard
(44:03):
by surprise, but only stuns him. The guard pulls out his
club and jams it into Charles stomach and then elbows him in the
nose. Two other guards rush in and help wrestle Charles to the
ground. He's still irate. It was
her. She was here. It wasn't me. God
damn it. Listen to me. He yelled out as he cried from passionate
(44:25):
rage and physical pain. The nurse was called and comes in with
a syringe that they used to sedate him. He wakes up in a slightly
bigger room, restrained to an unfamiliar
bed. The time that has lapsed between is a mystery to him.
Has it been hours? Weeks? Months? He can't
recall a thing between then and now, but he picks up where he left
(44:47):
off. It was her. She was
here. It wasn't me.
Let me out. Let me out of here.
A nurse turns to the doctor in charge of the psych ward for
instruction. Continue to sedate him as long as these
hallucinations continue. Yes doctor, she responded
(45:10):
as she approached Charles to sedate him. All that was said before
things went dark again was don't you stick me with
that. I need to go to Florida.
Let me out. It was her. It was really her.
She needs to be stopped. Hours later
on Interstate 64, a red headed woman could be seen
(45:32):
alone at the wheel of a red 2002
Mustang flowing through the traffic
carefree, heading towards Florida
with all that she needed in the trunk
and some of what she no longer had use for in a scent proof
compartment.
(45:54):
And that folks was episode 281
of the Spun Today podcast. Hit me up and let me know what you guys
thought of the short story Ball and Chain. Again, to
read the updated version of that story and how it evolved
after going through the professional editing process, check out my short
story collection Melted Cold, which you can find on Amazon or check
(46:16):
out via my website spunsuday.com build books
again, the title of that short story collection is Melted Cold.
It is a story that I've contemplated Spoiler
alert. Writing a part two for
and just following that crazy serial killer to
different states and seeing what iterations her
(46:39):
appetite for killing takes. So in my mind,
potentially a part two to that story within a
future short story collection. And just a reminder before I let you
find Folks, Go Please check out the new Spun Today shop
by visiting spun.com and clicking on the shop menu
item up on top where you'll find an array of T shirts and
(47:01):
hoodies. Nice quality embroidered hoodies, tank
tops, the official Spun Today notebook in a ton of different colors, the official
Spun Today coffee mug also in a bunch of different colors with the Spun
Today logo on it on one side and the catchphrase on the other,
which is start taking steps in the general direction of your dreams
and much, much more. Again, that's spun today.com and click on
(47:23):
the shop menu item at the top of the
website. Thank each and every one for taking the time to listen
to the show. It is much appreciated. Here are a few
additional ways you can help support the podcast in any way that you choose. You
know, check you guys out next time. Peace.
What's up folks? Tony here. I hope you're enjoying the Spun Today
(47:46):
podcast as much as I enjoy producing it for you. Here are a few
ways you can. Help support the show. For my fellow writers and
creatives out there, a really cool way you can. Help support the show is
by going. To spuntoday.com support and
clicking on the ProWritingAid banner. If you're a listener of the show, you know that
I use prowritingaid to pre edit all of my writing before. I put
(48:09):
it out or before I. Ship it off to my editor
so that it is in as pristine condition as I
can probably get it. ProWritingAid offers a great
toolkit that helps you polish your work with easy to use grammar checks
and writing assistant that also looks into things like pacing
improvements, typos, punctuations, and much more. Go to
(48:31):
spunter.com forward/support, click on the banner for
prowritingaid and check out their free option as well
as their different tiers of paid options.
Spuntery.com/forward/support A
great way for my fellow writers and creatives out there to help support this show
is by going to spunterday.com support and clicking
(48:52):
on the Mock Up Shots banner. When I first started writing and
putting out content content, I wanted to think of creative ways to help market
my books. So I would take my own pictures, place the books in different places,
take it to the beach with me, put it out in the snow, and I'd
wind up with a couple good usable images and a bunch
more mediocre ones. And also in the case of the snow example,
(49:14):
a completely soggy book. Then I found Mock Up Shots
in one click, Mockup Shots turns your book cover
into thousands of images, videos,
graphics and more. If you follow me on social it's what I use to
promote my books. You can check them out on Instagram at Spun
today to take a look at the professional creative quality of what
(49:37):
Mockup Shots has to offer. And now for my listeners, you can
get unlimited lifetime access to the
largest instant book mockup archive for
50% off off. That's right, that's
50% off and you can use it for any books
that you currently have available or any books that you will write in the future.
(49:57):
I highly recommend it. It's a great marketing tool. Go to
spunter.com support and click on the
banner for Mock Up Shots to claim your 50% off
discount. You can also support by checking out my writing. Go to
spunter.com forward/freewriting here. Here you'll find
a collection of freely written thoughts which is intended to be
(50:18):
a cathartic, meditative practice for myself, but also winds
up doubling up as motivation and inspiration for
myself and others. You can also go to
spunteray.com shortstories to check out my latest
short stories and also listen to the free
audiobook versions of those stories. You can also support my writing
(50:40):
by going to spun Monthstuddy.com
books and check out what I have available for sale. Currently
available is Make Way for your, which is a collection of
tips for getting out of your own way. It's a great read for my fellow
writers or creatives out there. Also available is
Fractale, which is my debut time travel novel,
(51:01):
and last but certainly not least, Melted Cold, which
is a collection of short stories. Each of the books are available in
all digital formats for your Kindle or Ibook or
any other e reader, as well as paperback
and hardcover options. Again, go to
spuntery.com books and I'd love to
(51:23):
hear what you chose to check out as well as your thoughts after reading spun
today.com books if you're. A fellow
creative, a cool way that you can help support the Spun Today Podcast and actually
be part of the podcast is by filling out my five question
questionnaire located@spun2date.com
questionnaire. Here you'll find the five open questions. Related to your
(51:45):
craft, your art, what inspires you to create, what type of unrelated
hobbies you're into, and what motivates you to get your work done. You
can choose to remain anonymous or plug your website and your
work, and once you submit your questionnaire, I read your responses
on a future episode of the Sponsor Day Podcast. It's completely free at
no cost to you. And what I like to say about it is that if
(52:07):
your responses could potentially spark inspiration in someone else,
why not share that Spun Today.com
questionnaire? And as always folks, substitute the
mysticism with hard work and start taking steps in the general
direction of your dreams. Thanks for listening.
(52:39):
I love you Aiden. I love you Daddy.
I love you Grayson. I love you Daddy.
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