Blood Moon

By Mr. Green Stuff

The Blood Moon is a story that follows the adventure of two young men who manage to get themselves into all kinds of kooky situations while pursuing some careers in the music industry.

Originally, the Blood Moon was called the Mix & Scratch or The Hookup, a story about two wannabe entertainers who manage to get themselves into a lot of amusing situations while navigating their way through the streets of Chicago, but the author also wanted the story to be mysterious, amusing, and appealing to lovers of R&B, hip-hop, rock, or rap music. So he changed the title to the Blood Moon after reading about a mysterious Blood Moon that would be passing over the United States at that particular time.

Then he developed the characters. Mix evolved into Jimmy Lacquer, a communication student at a local junior college; and Scratch became Marvin Chuckles, a happy-go-lucky sound engineering student, who is one of Jimmy’s classmates and one of his closest friends.

Together they form a group called Mix & Scratch, and they embark on a journey to pursue their musical careers. Along the way, they meet Michael Snuggles, a self-proclaimed prophet of the entertainment industry, and Mr. Bee Bee or Boom Box, a mysterious little agent who takes them under his wings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644624937

Book preview

Road Dogs

Somewhere in a local nightclub, on the far south side of Chicago, a talented and unheralded young entertainer is anxiously waiting backstage for his chance to reach out for instant stardom when the announcer walks out onto the stage, and he introduces the next act.

Announcer. So without further ado, here he is, ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Mr. Snuggles.

And upon hearing those words, an obviously nervous young man walks up to the microphone and he sings a song that he wrote for this very auspicious occasion.

Michael. When I’m alone and I have nothing else to do, I have visions of the times that I spent all alone with you. I can see your soft eyes and your lovely face calling out to me from an enchanted place. Baby, set it out…

Unfortunately, the end of his performance, Michael only receives some mediocre applause from the audience. Then at the conclusion of his performance, the announcer walks out onto the stage, and he introduces the next act.

Announcer. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s fast, he’s pretty, and he’s light on his feet. Put your hands together for the Heavyweight champion of hip hop, the incomparable Sugar Rhythm MC and the Knockouts.

And with that introduction, a young man who is dressed up in a very unusual outfit walks out onto the stage. Then while wearing a robe, a pair of trunks and some oversized boxing gloves, he steps up to the microphone, and he begins to recite the lyrics to his latest compositions.

Sugar. My name is Sugar Rhythm MC,

I am the boxer with the beats

And when I’m rappin’ on the mike

I will have you rockin’ in your seats.

At first, the audience laughed incessantly at the entertainer’s unique appearance or his unorthodox delivery but when he begins to recite the lyrics to his poem, the laughter immediately turn into admiration and respect for the artist. And it wasn’t long before the audience was shouting out some words of encouragement.

Audience. All right, boy!

Nevertheless at the end of Sugar MC’s stellar performance, a dejected Mr. Snuggles marches into his manager’s office with a list of gripes, but before he could tell Raw Dawg that he is moving on if he is not booked with some of the better venues. Sugar marches into the office with his own list of demands.

Sugar. Raw Dawg, where is my money?

Then annoyingly, Raw Dawg looks up from his desk, and he says.

Raw Dawg. Boy you must be punch drunk. You got your check!

Sugar. That was chump change! Where is the five hundred dollars bonus that you promised me?

Raw Dawg. Like I told you before, you’ll get it when I get it! I just need a few more days to come up with the money.

Sugar. Raw Dawg, That’s exactly what you told me six months ago! So tell me, exactly when am I going to get this bonus?

Raw Dawg. Don’t worry, you’ll get it. As long as I owe you, you’ll never be broke.

Then Sugar MC fires back.

Sugar. That’s not good enough!

So Raw Dawg reaches into the top drawer, pulls out a revolver, and he places it on the top of his desk. Then he looks into Sugar’s eyes as he mumbles.

Raw Dawg. I said that you’d get your money when I get my money, and not a minute before that. Now get out of here!

Sugar. Okay. I see what you are doing; but you are not going to get away with it, I’ll be back!

Raw Dawg. And I will be right here waiting on you too!

So reluctantly, Sugar walks out into the corridor; but a few minutes later, he comes marching back into Raw Dawg’s office with a huge baseball bat in his right hand. Then he looks boldly into Raw Dawg’s eyes; and with a stern look upon his face, he says one last time.

Sugar. Raw Dawg, I want my money and I want it right now!

And apologetically, Raw Dawg politely says.

Raw Dawg. Oh, I didn’t know that you meant that money; I got it right here!

Then Raw Dawg reaches into his jacket, pulls out a stack of one hundred-dollar bills, and he throws it down on the top of the desk. And obligingly, Sugar man picks up the stack as he says.

Sugar. Thank you, that’s all you had to do!

So at the conclusion of their little altercation, Sugar MC turns around; and with a renewed sense of self-esteem, he walks victoriously out into the corridor. Then after regaining his composure, Raw Dawg solemnly turns around; and he give Michael his undivided attention.

Raw Dawg. I am sorry about that little incident over there, but it’s like that sometimes. So what can I do for you?

Michael. Do you hear that audience out there?

Raw Dawg. Yeah, so what about it?

Michael. Those idiots out there prefers that mumble jumble that Sugar is giving them more than they like my soulful ballads!

Raw Dawg. Okay, so what’s the big deal?

Michael. The big deal is that you promised me that you were going to get me out of these two bits nightclubs and into some better paying venues, but look at me, I’m still here!

Raw Dawg. And I will, but the audience is not the problem. It’s your performance.

Michael. What’s wrong with my performance?

Raw Dawg. Your delivery is boring.

Michael. What do you mean it’s boring?

Raw Dawg. For one thing you’re too rigid. You look like a robot out there, but you also got to face the facts kid that R&B music is passé. No, it not passé. R&B is actually dead.

Michael. That’s just a cop out and you know it.

Raw Dawg. Michael, baby would I lie to you? This thing isn’t just about you, everybody in the organization has experienced some type of obstacles or stumbling block at some point in their careers; it comes with the territority; and just like everybody else you can overcome them, but you have to start at the bottom and work your way up to the top.

Michael. This is ridiculous. During the past twelve months, I did just about everything that you asked me to do. I went to these kiddies’ parties where I dressed up as a clown and I was thoroughly humiliated by a bunch of little brats who put some ice cream down my pants. And I also had a gig at one of those sleazy nightclubs where a bunch of unruly customers threaten to tar and feather me for dressing up as a singing cowboy. So what’s next? Am I supposed to dress up in another one of those ridiculous looking outfits and dance around the buses or subway stations like a little monkey begging for loose change? No I won’t do it. This buck has to stop somewhere, and I am stopping it right here and now!

Raw Dawg. Michael, baby, you gotta’ believe; your big break is coming, try to hang in there for a just few more days!

Michael. I can’t help it; I’m sick of this place, and I’m sick of you too!

Then Raw Dawg tries to ease some of Michael’s anxiety by encouraging him to make a small investment in his future that he believes will surly pay him some big dividends in a relativity short period of time.

Raw Dawg. Well, if it means that much to you, give me one hundred dollars.

Michael. Give you one hundred dollars, for what, so you can rip me off again?

Raw Dawg. Hey Michael baby, publicity costs money, and it is going to take at least that much just to get your name out there so that the people will know who you are.

Michael. Okay, but this time you better be on the up and up or you are going to be wearing pumpkin head!

Raw Dawg. So, now you want to go upside my head because your career is not where you want it to be?

Michael. Yeah, if it’s necessary!

Raw Dawg. Well, if you are going to do that just give me the money, and let me show you what I can do for you.

Michael. Not a chance!

Raw Dawg. Come on Michael; baby, you can trust me! Give me the money; it’s not for me, I need the money so that I can start a marketing campaign for you. First, we’re going to get you name in some of the major newspapers and magazines. Then we are going to run some advertising campaigns on some of the local radio and television stations or on the Internet; and before you know it, your name is going to be up there in lights for the whole world to see! And before you know it, the money is going to be rolling in because everybody is going to be spending big money just to see you, Mr. Snuggles!

Michael. Quit jiving me man!

Raw Dawg. I wouldn’t string you along like that kid; I’m telling you Michael; this is a chance of a lifetime! All