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    Weirder (Novelette)
    Weirder (Novelette)
    Weirder (Novelette)
    Ebook52 pages48 minutes

    Weirder (Novelette)

    By Chad Schimke

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Summary
    Henry Hill, a young magician, joins a sideshow operated by Irene Ham, a bearded lady. He then becomes an apprentice to an old-fashioned performer in the vaudevillian tradition. The mettle of each sideshow freak is tested along the way, leading to a shocking conclusion.

    Characters
    Irene– The owner-operator of a touring show.
    Henry– A teenaged magician that performs stage magic.
    Otto – An old fashioned performer in the vaudeville tradition.

    Quote
    What is normal? It’s human nature to look down disparagingly on anyone that’s different or unusual. But, the human oddity draws a crowd; spectators recoil in horror, draw in with morbid fascination, openly stare at the deformed, can’t look and can’t look away.

    Locations
    Circus Grounds, Big Top, Carnival Sideshow, Suburbia.

    First sentence
    “May I have your attention please?” The ringmaster wore a long red coat embellished with gold braid and stovepipe hat. “I’m your host tonight!” He cracked his whip and spoke into the microphone. “We’re glad you came to see the sideshow.”

    Themes
    Misfits that were formerly outsiders become insiders, under leadership that juxtaposes masculine-feminine characteristics.

    Notes for parents
    PG – Mild suspense and horror.

    More books like this
    Black Ferris by Ray Bradbury (Short Story), Very Special People by Frederick Drimmer, Spurs by Tod Robbins (Short Story).

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherChad Schimke
    Release dateJun 19, 2012
    ISBN9781476256474
    Weirder (Novelette)
    Author

    Chad Schimke

    Chad Schimke’s newest novel ‘Secrets’ is available now through Torquere Press. He has read at San Francisco’s Litcrawl--part of the Litquake Festival--for the past three years: 2014, 2015 and 2016. His short stories have appeared twice in 2014, in Psychopomp special anthology issues via Artifice Comics, with 'Hallowseve' appearing in the Halloween issue and 'Midwinter' appearing in the Christmas issue. His article, ‘Writer’s Survival Guide to Living in San Francisco’, was featured in the ‘Artist Survival Guide’ chapbook via Adobe Books in 2014. He is the founding member of the Alabama Street Writer's Group, which has been meeting since 2012. Prior to that he self-published three works of fiction, also in 2012. He holds a total of three advanced degrees from the College of Santa Fe and San Francisco State University. He has a large social media following on Twitter and Blogger; including radio interviews, appearances and guest blogging. You can often find him at a gallery opening in the San Francisco art scene. Coming soon: He is currently working on a short story collection tentatively entitled 'Horrordays'.

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    Reviews for Weirder (Novelette)

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    • 3/5
      “Weirder” by Chad Schimke is, indeed, weird. Ostensibly about a small circus, “Weirder” focuses on what has been called the “freak show” or “sideshow” of a travelling carnival. The story begins with several of the unfortunates considered “freaks” expressing mutual discontent with the owner/operator of the circus to which they owe some allegiance. As a result of continuing discussions, the bearded lady decides to break away and start her own circus, with the help of the petrified man and a few of the other stars of the show. The new circus enjoys some success, which is only enhanced by the addition of a puppeteer who approaches the bearded lady one evening after the performance, in search of a position.Meanwhile, a teenage boy is going through a rather typical period of readjustment after his mother remarries a former military man. The new step-father is far stricter than the boy’s biological father was, and the boy does not like it one bit. Unfortunately his biological father ran off and his whereabouts are unknown. The boy, while visiting the circus, engages another boy his age in conversation. This second boy is one of the carnies in charge of a game on the midway, and the two youngsters hit it off from the start. Later in the evening the carnie goes to visit the townie, and arrives just in time to see the step-father slap the boy across the face, prompting the boy to run out the back door and away from home. He ultimately joins the circus and leaves town. He has become something of a practiced magician, and his act is thought to mesh well with the puppeteer’s performance. But this is where “Weirder” gets weirder. Some very bizarre things happen, with very unexpected results. To say more would be a spoiler, so I’ll just say this story will have you sleeping with a night-light for a few nights. I recommend it.
    • 4/5
      It's odd, it's weird, and it gets, you guessed it, even "Weirder." I loved this book; just like the title suggests, it is a bit weird to read, but the story is good, and off at times, but a wonderful addition to my slightly off collection. I would highly recommend it for teen boys - in that weird moment kind of read. Love it. Keep it up!
    • 3/5
      I received this book in a giveaway from librarything.com. I can say this book was definitely different. It was a nice short story with some interesting twists, especially towards the end. I like how it gave a super short story for almost every character. It brings it all together. I can't wait to read his other books so I have something to compare it to. if you want a quick read that has a little "weirdness" to it, this is one of them.
    • 5/5
      I really liked the book…it has a fresh new store line. I feel in love with the characters, especial the bearded lady…-What a Lady. I don’t know how she could fall in love with Pinches, like I said...What a Lady.It was fun going to the “Carnival” and getting to be part of the troupe…going behind the curtains and being able to be part of the family. I could almost smell the cotton candy and popcorn. You showed us that it is true dedication and love that is needed to be a carnie. The only problem I had was it was too short…I wanted to be a carnie longer. I want to see how it turns out…hopefully there will be a Weirder 2…Weirdest. Thanks Chad, I had a ball.

    Book preview

    Weirder (Novelette) - Chad Schimke

    WEIRDER

    Chad Schimke

    Copyright 2012 by Chad Schimke

    Smashwords Edition

    DEDICATION

    This novelette is dedicated to misfits everywhere.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Chad Schimke is the author of two novels; Picker and Pieces, along with two short stories; Walker and Weirder. His work is available on Amazon, with digital art by Solis (heartofsolis.com) on select titles. He pens character driven stories that unfold in iconic settings. His fiction crosses genres to explore crime, occult, eccentrics, transformation, paranormal, suspense, history, science and spirituality. Read his blog about San Francisco (and beyond) for weekly updates: art installations, sociohistorical topics, literature reviews, writing reference, performance theatre and free downloads. Chad Schimke was born in Webster, South Dakota in 1967 and was raised in Lobo Canyon, New Mexico. He is a graduate of the College of Santa Fe and San Francisco State University. He resides in San Francisco; he is currently working on his next novel and short story.

    CHAD SCHIMKE ON THE WEB

    * amazon.com/author/chadschimke

    * chadschimke@gmail.com

    * chadschimke.com

    * chadschimke.blogspot.com

    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording, photocopying or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electric piracy of copyrighted materials. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

    RINGMASTER

    May I have your attention please? The ringmaster wore a long red coat embellished with gold braid and stovepipe hat. I’m your host tonight! He cracked his whip and spoke into the microphone. We’re glad you came to see the sideshow. The ringmaster announced each act and a spotlight turned to illuminate each performer.

    The hobo! The clown was dressed in torn clothing, derby hat, white face, red nose and giant yellow shoes. His act was filled with physical comedy and sight gags.

    The trapeze artist! An exceptionally fit young man was dressed in a blue singlet with white piping. He carried a balancing pole while he crossed the tightrope.

    The petrified man! The hideous sideshow freak was covered in physical deformities textured like rough brown stone.

    The puppet show! The puppeteer wheeled out an ornate wooden box and stepped inside. His hand puppets, a married couple named Punch and Judy, hit each other with sticks while trading insults.

    The magician! The magician elicited a volunteer from the audience, a women that stepped inside an elaborate wooden box; he sawed her in half in front of the captivated audience.

    Giant versus dwarf! Finally, the ringmaster stood between them, to demonstrate the shocking difference in size. The dwarf was billed as the smallest man, while the woman was billed as a giant.

    CARNIE

    The first time Irene Ham showed up at Allen Homestead’s trailer; she was with her mother. The teen’s face was covered by a hat and veil. Her mother had sharp Native American features and stick-straight, long glossy hair. The mother scarcely looks old enough to have a daughter this age, Allen thought to himself.

    We came to America for work. The woman labored along, searching for correct English phrasing. I clean houses … I tried to get my daughter to work with me. But, she gets upset- because everyone stares at her. It’s causing a lot of problems at my job.

    Well, let’s see what you’re talking about. Allen had an idea, but seeing was believing.

    If you can get her work, she said. "I’ll be so

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