The track held nothing for me, no dame in a fascinator or the pound of hoof beats could pull me from this stupor. So I walked along the boardwalk, rain slicking the creaking wood. A seafood shack styled as a golden ship, a rinky dink cafe ablaze with the Big Apple's skyline, none of it drew me in.

Like a beacon in a storm, a club marquee flickered in the evening fog—it had been hours since I left the office—smoke pouring from the doorway. Names in broken bulbs announced the act, missing letters like teeth punched out. The lilt of oboes, the mournful wail of a trumpet, and the syncopated groove of a vibrakzzkt oozed out as a patron was tossed out the door.

My life was about to change that night, and all it took was some gin and an evening with Ellington and the Empties.

Visit the website | Join the discord | Follow us on Twitch

Social Links

Eric is MrTheHuman

Gianni is GianniDiCrosta

Nate is HeroicHeadgear

Phil is Phil Bothun