The Phantasmagoria: Volume 1

By Roberto Scarlato and Dana Joseph Wilson

It is said that there is a universe close by adjacent to our own. A place where anything is possible. Where illusions become reality and the delicate fabric of time becomes torn to reveal the weird, strange or unexplainable. This is The Phantasmagoria.

 

Stories:

Blake's Escape

A group of misfits plan to jump an unsuspecting patron at a local bar. However, they soon get more than they bargained for as night falls.

 

Ellie's Tale

Imagine where the phenomenon of deeply meaningful connectivity amongst souls meeting the grit of the individual's sole/soul survival…A constant attraction and repulsion where the highest achievements exist simultaneously with the most detrimental and destructive self sabotage.

 

One Last Glimpse

Imagine a machine that can predict the future. Only this machine has nothing but a crank and a stack of pictures. Charles Goodard finds that in this tale, the price for the future is a mere nickel but the cost may be more than he could handle.

 

Strike That, Esrever Ti

Can a once whimsical wisp of light restore the eminent perpetual darkness of many? When does accountability have the opportunity to restore that which was meant to be? Yet even more-so… How can time relapse so to consummate the originally intended purpose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roberto Scarlato
• Release date: Nov 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223555513

Roberto Scarlato

Roberto Scarlato is an author, blogger and audiobook narrator. He writes speculative fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, romance, horror and crime. Scarlato grew up in a small suburb of Chicago, where his love of a good story was cultivated by shows like “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Twilight Zone.” A bibliomaniac from the moment he learned to read, he began weaving together his own tales at an early age.  In November 2014, Scarlato quit his day job. He now writes and narrates full time. He married his high school sweetheart in 2010 and they have a daughter.

Book preview

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Dedications

To anyone who has ever dabbled in the mystical art of imagination

Dana Joseph Wilson: I’d like to dedicate this first volume of Phatasmagoria

To my Godmother, Magdelan Treuil for always being consistently supportive from the very beginning abs for instilling the awe inspiring passion for the natural and unnatural worlds... to my father for the great teacher he has been with language, communication and quality efforts as an artisan and engineer. 

To my mother who has been unwaveringly loyal and sacrificial from the beginning.

The following names have inspired much of the content:

Meredith Jane Pedersen

Beth Lucy Dalton, 

Michel Marie Adams,

Karen McCormick, 

Jonathan Cook,

Narles Chixon (Charlie)

For the times when I needed a bit of support:

Jon & Suzanne

Mike Benson

Catman Whiting

Steven Edwards

Steven Bradshaw

And of course, 

Stoff!

To Roberto Scarlato

for being an excellent writer, author, creative motivator, and consummate collaborative professional. 

And all who have been consistently supportive over the years Cynthia West, Nicole Hebert, Brian Van Blunk , Jeremy Guinn, Dylan Arends and several others. You know who you are and you know who you aren’t

Introduction

There is a universe adjacent to our own. A place where anything is possible. Specifically: the weird, strange and unexplainable. That is the universe we will embark upon together.

A long time ago, I was infatuated with shows like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In my writing journey, I have been told that my stories have that feel.

Then, in March of 2021, I had the pleasure of meeting Dana Joseph Wilson. He was also a story enthusiast. I had coached him on audiobook narration and he narrated my short story Reality Check.

We kept in touch on the phone and floated the idea around about collaborating on a short story collection in the same vein as the mystery and horror shows of yesteryear. Sometimes we would talk on the phone four time a month to kick around ideas and check on each other’s progress. It really was a blast. And now, you hold the product of our labors in your hand. Or, you are possibly listening to the audiobook. Thank you for taking the time to preview both of our imaginations in action.

Blake's Escape

Written by Roberto Scarlato

10:43pm

There were rumors around town that he had killed his own brother in a drunken rage. But to the four onlookers from booth #5, Blake Stiltz looked like any other average barfly.

He was wearing a red plaid flannel and dirty jeans. His brown dress shoes were worn down to the heels, which couldn't have been good for his back because he was hunched over his current drink. His hair a brown mop of wavy hair, looking like a hilltop among all that plaid. His shoulders were broad but average strength.

The four, especially Chad, the leader, observed Blake through the cigarette smoke he kept puffing. He glugged another pint of Guiness and motioned the bartender to keep em coming. Chad and his friends, Sheila, Abigale and Bruce, were pretty much three sheets to the wind. Working on their fourth. And when that moment arrived, well, people usually have a habit of getting pretty bad ideas in their heads.

Blake, up at the bar, took another shot and belched, ushering for more. He was already twelve shots into whatever the hell he was drinking.

Again, like any other barfly.

But not to Chad. Chad had noticed a good deal. If he hadn't been kicked out of grade school when he was young, he might have made a fair detective. His teacher always remarked that he Had an eye for detail and a bonus one to boot.

See, Chad noticed a ring on Blake's finger. And that ring was at least four crisp Benjamins. The gold necklace he scratched at was Italian gold. Pure stuff. A least a grand. And, lo and behold, sticking out of his back pocket was a bulging fat wallet. With the corners of three bills poking out. Chad tilted his head and confirmed they were three hundreds. This was at least a two grand payday ripe for the picking.

When Chad was ready, he extinguished his cig in the crowded ashtray where many a desperate and yellowed fingers had touched, and shushed his party so that he could be heard.

11:32pm

What gives? Bruce sniffed, after Chad had shoved him. You nearly knocked over the pretzels.

You need to hush ya shitheel, because I got one helluva idea.

Yeah, I bet, Bruce sniffed again. His nose was bulbous and his eyes were dark brown. His hair was dirty blonde due to the fact he hadn't showered in four days. You always get your ideas.

And they always pan out.

Yeah, barely.

Let the man speak! Abby giggled.

Thanks, ya cooz. Anyway, check out Mr. Lumberjack over at the bar...but don't make it obvious.

Bruce complied.

What about him?

He's walking around with at least a few grand.

Looks like he's sitting to me, Abby once again giggled. Hard.

Keep it down. Anyway, I figure the four of us can take him.

No, Shiela whispered, I heard he killed his brother. She parted the long red hair from her face and took another sip of her dirty martini.

That's just talk. They never proved it was him. Besides, look at him. Right now he couldn't kill time if he were staring at a watch.

Bruce snorted. What the hell does that mean?

It means this would be easier than the last