Jekyll The Jester

By Jamie T. Hines

"A clean city is a happy home" is the town's motto, and if it had an ambassador, his name would be Michael "Jekyll the Jester" Looper. He's not your average, everyday fifteen-year-old boy. He's a soon-to-be internet sensation with a nose for crime, oodles of confidence, dazzling charm, and a well-established prankster.
But after witnessing a crime on camera, he, his best friend Hardy Williams, and other quirky friends take their knack for improvisation and devotion to their beloved small town to a whole new level. Lawlessness can't go unanswered as far as Michael is concerned. Donning his Jekyll the Jester persona, he and his eccentric pals use their internet savvy, dogged determination, and Michael's gift of gab to follow the clues and nab the perpetrators. Find out what happens in this laugh-out-loud, gritty, and light-hearted story about a teenage would-be detective and his goal to keep his city clean and safe!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie T. Hines
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781957033044

Jamie T. Hines

Jamie Hines road to publication was bumpy. Writing had always been a hobby for him. He never entered contests or won awards, but he knew how to create an incredible story and write a plot. His plotting skills led to many submissions to soap operas that went nowhere. After years of dabbling in sports in high school and never fully committing to any one sport, he pursued a degree in advertising but never really felt passionate about that pursuit. What he took away from his college experience were skills that would follow him to his long-time career, where he works in a facility for troubled teens. There, he’s found a “home.” He has never had children of his own but considers the many children he guides, cares for, and oversees daily. This job, besides writing, has been one of the most rewarding things he’s done. When he’s not working or dreaming up new stories to share with the world, Jamie enjoys life in his upstate New York home.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Saturday Morning

Haha, old buddy, old pal, Michael said, then clapped his hands together two times, this is going to be our best prank reel yet!

Haha sat at the computer in Michael’s garage, in the corner that he liked to call the Editing Bay, and made the last few keystrokes to render a video edit. I agree, we’ve totally outdone ourselves this time. Also, I think the new title sequence is killer.

Were you able to fix the sizing and placement of the two J’s? It’s important that they’re perfectly symmetrical on the screen.

Yeah, yeah, Haha shook his head. I know—your OCD. Don’t worry, both J’s are perfectly spaced, there are four video clips, I arranged them in two sections of two, and I split the two jokes you told, one before each section, I also used two second fades between every edit.

You’re the best, Michael slapped Haha on the back two times. If you think working with me is tough, imagine living inside my brain.

I’d rather not, Haha laughed his high-pitched, contagious laugh and Michael joined him. To tell you the truth, your obsession with two’s gives this video a nice rhythm. Probably no one would notice but me, but the cuts all match the beats of the music and I get a feeling of perfect symmetry when I watch it.

That’s making lemonade out of lemons, Michael said. Hopefully Sadete will share our appreciation of symmetry. If she agrees to show this on Fascination Street, we could become internet celebrities like her.

That would be sweet. By this time next week, Jekyll the Jester could be a household name. Not to mention, Sadete is the best-looking girl in our high school that either you or I have ever spoken to on a semi-regular basis. If we go viral, the two of you might be the next big power couple.

Dare to dream, my friend, Michael tapped the top of the computer monitor two times.

But, I can only show you the door, Haha said in a serious voice, it is you Michael—or at the very least, your alter-ego Jekyll—that must walk through it.

Yes, Sensei, Michael said.

What time is Sadete supposed to be here anyway? Haha asked.

Any minute. She posts new episodes of Fascination Street at 9 a.m. every Saturday, Michael looked at his watch, it’s quarter to ten now.

There were two sharp knocks on the garage door. Haha jumped in his seat, Two knocks! That’s a good sign! he winked at Michael.

Michael walked over to the wall and pressed the garage door opener. As the door rose, they