Dripping Crackers

By Mike Zimmerman

Dying’s easy. Comedy’s hard. So goes the life – and death – of Neddy Stuart, one of the most controversial comedians of all time. We could see what happened onstage with him every night: in-your-face performances as pure in their rage as any in the history of shock comedy. But what happened later, after the curtain fell? What happened in the basement of his home that one horrifying night?

Tabloid reporter Bolton Marston has sworn to tell the tale on national TV. But as he assembles footage and interviews chronicling Neddy’s disturbing life story, Bolt sees something no one else has seen. Discovered a truth no one else has found. And only then will the laughter finally stop.

This story received Honorable Mention in the Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror anthology series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mike Zimmerman
• Release date: Sep 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465754455

Mike Zimmerman

Mike Zimmerman is a graduate of Oakland University in Rochester Michigan where he studied History, Political Science, and Social Studies. He is a published author in Renaissance Magazine and likes to write both fiction and non fiction in his spare time.    Mike has moved near Phoenix Arizona with his wife, daughter, son, and the family dog Sonny. Some of his hobbies include coaching and playing basketball, sand volleyball leagues, watching movies, going to concerts, and “old school” video games.  

Book preview

Dripping Crackers

a short story

by Mike Zimmerman

c2011 by Mike Zimmerman. All Rights Reserved.

Smashwords Edition

Bolt siphoned smoke into his lungs with a thick sound. His attention was rapt on the screens before him, and be barely noticed Tom's grimace from his right. The smoke was itchy and tough in the cramped editing room, in their mucous membranes like soap, and if Tom and Lydia didn't like it…

Cue my intro, Bolt ordered. Tom coughed in reply and punched a button.

Bolt's image came up, holding a microphone while standing in front of a modest brownstone.

Ham, muttered Tom. Lydia cleared her throat from behind them.

Onscreen:

"I'm Bolton Marston, and welcome to Media Fog. Tonight, we'll probe the twisted, yet frighteningly original world of Neddy Stuart, who police think murdered his live-in girlfriend, Jennifer Jacobi and then killed himself. However, proof of his suicide is sketchy. If Stuart -- controversial experimenter in the broad lines of dark comedy—indeed committed the crime, what caused this torrential slash-and-burn comic mind to snap? For now, no one seems to have any explanation. All we can do is try to find one of our own. Join me, Bolton Marston, tonight on Media Fog."

Tom punched a button, holding Bolt's image frozen onscreen.

Good enough? Bolt asked.

Good enough, replied Lydia.

I can't be more poetic about this fascination, said Bolt.

Say huh? asked Tom.

Bolt smiled. That's what Neddy said to me when I interviewed him last year when I asked him what his muse was.

I remember, said Lydia. Why not run part of that now?

Already planned, said Bolt. "This will be a great episode, Lydia. The stuff I have