Saturday, February 12, 2011

Flush Fiction: A Bullet for Bouchcon

(click to enlarge)

Here it is, the Worst Short Story of 1982, from the tenth issue of my old DAPA-EM zine, Defunct. I'd be tempted to call it the worst story of the 80s, or even of all time, but I ran an even worse one in 1983. 

So who is this Todhunter Lewis dude? His identity remains a mystery. As you may know, Todhunter was the middle name of both Rex Stout and W.T. Ballard, so it's possible he was some no-talent shirt-tail relative. Or not. 

Since this tale was aimed at members of DAPA-EM, last names of some characters were not stated. Everyone knew who they were. But for the record, the gang featured here includes 1982 Dapa-Emmers Art Scott, Bob Napier, Bill Crider, Walter Albert, John Nieminski, Dorothy Nathan, Kathi Maio, Steve Stilwell and Marv Lachman. I think the guy with the beer bottle in his mouth is Bill Trojan. And the guy wearing the yellow pajamas is Brian Trainer, a hard-core Portland Wolfean who never got around to joining the apa. (For a definition of DAPA-EM, see Thursday's post HERE.)

Read at your own risk! Recommended procedure: Click on each page to ENLARGE, then hit the Back button to return to the post - OR - open each page in a new window.









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7 comments:

  1. mybillcriderFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    A classic tale! I remember that convention well, and so does Judy, mainly because of the trip across the street to Tommy's Joynt.

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  2. Cap'n BobFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    I thought this was going to be a work of fiction. I think the guy with the bottle in his mouth is Pronzini. I could be wrong. But where's Brian? Anyway, a lot of fun and a harbinger of the award-winning work you're doing now.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    This is a blast, thanks for sharing it. Oh to have been in the apa then, instead of only joining fifteen years later, in 1997. At the time you wrote this, I didn't know mystery conventions even existed, I was only aware of SF cons.

    I hope this one finds it's way into The Collected Stories of D.E. Lewis!

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  4. Evan LewisFebruary 12, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Far as I know, Rick, this story comprises the Complete Works of Todhunter Lewis. I do know of a later story (a Shot Scott adventure) by "Tod Hunter." Not sure if he's any relation.

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  5. Charles GramlichFebruary 12, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Cool. I'll bookmark this for later.

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  6. GeorgeFebruary 12, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I see the first glimmer of talent in this epic tale that would burst into the Robert L. Fish award winner.

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  7. Evan LewisFebruary 12, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Todhunter won a Fish? Ain't life weird?

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