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Description

In the dark where two dusty back roads cross a black car sits waiting. The man inside will make a deal he has many times before and will again. He is known in these parts as The Judge. Folk go to him when they have a powerful need, a want that can’t be satisfied any other way. Some are to young to know better, others are desperate and still others just pain stupid. His price is high and many never believe they will have to pay it but the bill comes due eventually. There is no escape. No lead pill that can free you. Once struck the deal is all that remains.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Stories from a HARD PLACE podcast

Chapter 48 HIS FINGERS BLED

2022/06/28

His fingers became sore, then painful until they split and tore, but he played on, harder and better than he ever had.

Chapter 47 MR. JUNE AND MR. SEPTEMBER TALK

2022/06/23

Mr. June and Mr. September stood and watched as Clyde drove away, Jacob at the wheel.

Chapter 46 THE SOUND OF BREATHING

2022/06/21

He woke curled on his side, with the sound of breathing beside him.

Chapter 45 JEAN GETS A VISIT FROM THE JUDGE

2022/06/16

It was quiet and dark, the way he loved it, like his river. Tonight’s group of passengers was downstairs and would be boarded by now, but they would wait for him. Most would be happy to stay on the boat for as long as possible, never in a hurry, afraid of what waited on the other shore.

Chapter 44 SIX-STRINGED TRAITOR

2022/06/14

He kicked the heap of useless timber, then picked it up and flung it across the room. It slammed into the framed photo of his icon, Robert Johnson. It crashed to the floor—bits of glass and wood scattering everywhere.

Chapter 43 MATT ASKS MARY LOU OUT FOR COFFEE

2022/06/09

Skinned bodies, friends bursting into flames; weird smiley dudes offering contracts with who, the devil? How in hell could any of this be real. Could the Devil be real? He shook his head. Next, I’ll be thinking Santa Claus exists.

Chapter 42 AWKWARD SILENCE

2022/06/07

John held his scarred beauty, felt it hum, felt it sing, and suddenly he felt a frisson of fear.

Chapter 41 JACOB FINDS BILLY’S STILL

2022/06/02

Once, the lonely house had been painted light green and white, but now much of the paint was peeled, flaked off, revealing weathered grey boards. Some windows still held glass, reflecting a washed-out and colourless sky.

Chapter 40 WITNESS HIS BECOMING

2022/05/31

John kept his treasure close, between his legs, under the table. He spoke softly as he stroked its magnificent, scarred body.

Chapter 39 ALLEN LEAVES A COIN

2022/05/26

Allen screamed, his arms flung wide and his back bent impossibly until it cracked. The scream changed into a feral howl.

Chapter 38 THAT DARK ROAD

2022/05/24

“What are you willing to trade? How badly do you want the songs? How badly do you want The Sound?”

Chapter 37 A RUNNING DOG

2022/05/19

They crested a hill and stopped. The dust they had kicked up caught them and blew past. Brian rolled down his window to look across the field at Billy’s farm. He had been right. The place was crawling with cops.