Below the Belt: Seven Short Stories That Don't Play Fair

By Owen Woods

"Louisville Law" tells of Bernie Felk as he deals with an upset landlord and his baseball bat. Bernie has to pay his rent but all he has to offer are .45 rounds.

"Pocket Watch" is a take on the tale of old fashioned Western revenge in a time of outlaws and a ruthless gunslinger named Arlo Chance.

"Tar Pitiful" follows a father fighting for his life after his daughter, Gracie, is taken over by a sickly sludge that changes her very being.

"Old Men and Coffee" looks into the morning rush of a Denny's in Denver that is the meeting place for two old friends, Troy and Danny. The meeting in question delves into a nefarious favor.
"The Evisceration of You and Me, of Us" is a take on perspective and its importance as the reader is thrust into a warehouse where advanced beings prod them through to slaughter.

"Smile" explores the events that surround the horrid and weird murder of a little girl off a running path and how a stranger is affected by it.
Finally, "The Journey" explores the realm of a singularity future and the possibilities of exploring the origins of our universe and the origins of Mr. Yen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Owen Woods
• Release date: Jun 22, 2017

Owen Woods

Owen S. Woods is a short story author, novelist, and journalist. He is currently earning his BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment. He has two online publications in the Scarlet Leaf Review “’Till Next Time” and “Junky Stickup.” “Beasty” releases in print on July 1st also in the Scarlet Leaf Review. Owen writes everyday, despite the looming sense of his living in a simulation. You can find him on Twitter @spitefulwoods. You can also check out his blog, full of weird thoughts and interesting controversies over at Story Time with Owen.

Book preview

Below the Belt:

Seven Short stories that don’t play fair

by

Owen S. Woods

Copyright 2017 Owen Woods

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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This is for my parents. All three of you.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Table of Contents

Louisville Law

Pocket Watch

Tar Pitiful

Old Men and Coffee

The Evisceration of You and Me, of Us.

Smile

The Journey

About the Author

-Louisville Law-

That greasy motherfucker knocked on Bernie’s door, asking for rent with that Louisville Slugger for the last time. Bernie sat in his chair, looking at the door, the hollow wooden knocking echoing and vibrating in his ear drums. Each knock sent Bernie into a pit he knew didn’t want to crawl out of again. He knew, at the bottom of this pit, Weber Francis would be waiting. Except, Weber Francis brought a bat to a gun fight.

Bernie! You cheapskate fucker, this is the last time! The thick Northeastern accent turned Bernie’s stomach and sloshed the liquid around inside.

Go away Weber, I said I’d bring your money on Friday. Bernie loaded the magazine of his M1911, breathing on each round and wiping it off, checking his reflection in the brass casing. He thought of the gooks and zipper heads he’d killed with this handgun. Guadalcanal showed no mercy.

You been saying that for three months! Now open this goddamn door!

Weber, for the last fucking time— Three heavy knocks fell on the wooden apartment door, each one sent Bernie back to The Philippines. Each one fell and exploded on his door like Japanese artillery.

Bernie loaded the seventh round and racked it then pulled the magazine and loaded another. Anyone ever tells you to load it otherwise is a fucking idiot and deserves that eighth bullet just as much as the next gook. Wise words from