Author Archives: archetypalrocker

Here’s an extract from a crime novela I wrote around the time the last Blockbuster Video closed.  Darryl lives with his aunt Sophie Westburne.  Darryl and Dodge, both in their early twenties, work for Dodge’s uncle Stan McKay at Stan’s video store, Video Vampire.  Stan has become the chief suspect in a series of murdersContinue reading “MOVIE NIGHT”

Here is another in a series of micro-stories I wrote featuring smokers.  Let me know what you think.  I’ll post a fresh piece tomorrow, hot off the press.  Stay home,  wash your hands and be sure your neighbours are in good shape. by Jerry Donaldson about 500 words Standing on the balcony of his 14thContinue reading “GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS”

I wrote this one a couple years back for one contest or another.  Let me know what you think.  I’ll post chapter 3 of  “Terminal A” later this week. by Jerry Donaldson about 1,200 words The young couple sat side-by-side on a bench near the little park’s wrought iron gates. In the 1910s, when theContinue reading “TEN WEEKS”

Today’s offering is an extract from a hard-boiled detective novelette I wrote a while back.  I am currently working on a second Randy Niles story entitled “Old Stories Buried Deep”. The hard-boiled genre is not for everyone.  Let me know what you think.   by Jerry Donaldson about 1800 words I’m Randy Niles and I’veContinue reading “COFFEE SHOP QUICKY”

I started this story a couple of years back and ran out of direction.  I’d appreciate suggestions.  About 4500 words By Jerry Donaldson A rusty, jagged sunrise collected in the east, orange and violent. It was 4:45 am and a new day was barging in. I’d been up half the night, sitting on the backContinue reading “THE RUST BELT”

Chapter 2 .  .  .   Then her right hand dropped limp into her lap and her left slipped gently from his neck to his shoulder.  She reluctantly allowed his lips to leave hers.  He dropped back against the seat cushion, took a deep breath and stared across the crowded cafe. Dazzled, she thought, he’s dazzled! Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE”

by Jerry Donaldson about300 words The long, hot slog up to the tiny clearing took us all day.  We arrived just as the sun dropped into the trees. We did our best, like we’d been trained.  Smitty and Gonzales took picket duty.  They sat back to back watching the tree line, M-16s ready and spareContinue reading “THE BEACON”

by Jerry Donaldson 499 words (I wrote this in 2015.  It’s riff on the Lulu Lemon thing that was in the news a couple of years back) “Who?” “It’s Gertie.” “Sorry, say that again?” “Leonard, it’s Gertie, dammit! Give your head a shake, man.” “Gertie, it’s–wait a sec—it’s 3:30 in the morning. I’m sleeping.” “NotContinue reading “It’s Gertie, Dammit!”

by Jerry Donaldson 1,200 words On Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.  Al Crawford had his dog put down at the Hillside Veterinary Clinic.  Nearly 15 years old, Charlie was blind, arthritic and worn-out.  Al paid his bill and left. Charlie’s had been a good life. Dogs usually die before their owners.  Some men might outliveContinue reading “PARALLAX”

by Jerry Donaldson 501 words In the large, well-appointed boardroom of the Hackman Tobacco Company, way up there on the 45th floor, it was 1965.  The Smallest Ad Man slipped in and gently closed the door behind him.  The nine men sitting around the boardroom table watched him.