Tag: R.T. Slaywood Page 1 of 6

On November 8, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 58: Into the Night

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #58
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: November 8, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work. This plan doesn’t go so well, they end up stealing a book that contains (for lack of a better word) a malignant presence (something like a demon or nasty djinn), and things have gone really poorly since then. It’s almost like they’ve been cursed.

What’s Into the Night About?

This is basically fallout from the last episode. The team regroups and starts to plan how to use the power source they now possess, as they plan, Bonaduke takes umbrage at the way they’re treating him and throws a fit (maybe I’ve just spent too much time with an 18 month old lately, but that’s what it read like to me) and walks out.

So, what did I think about Into the Night?

Bonaduke has been hard to like before…but this might be him at his most petulant. Self-destructive and rash is one thing, but acting like an entitled brat is a whole different kettle of fish. This whole episode felt forced, like Slaywood realized the last two episodes weren’t leading the story where he wanted it to go–or maybe he just changed his mind–and this episode is him yanking the narrative steering whieel hard to one side to send it screeching down another road. It just didn’t feel natural.

I am plenty curious about the new direction, though, so there’s that. I don’t have much more to say about this one than that.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 57: Dealing with Shadows by R. T. Slaywood: I Didn’t See That Coming

On October 17, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 57: Dealing with Shadows/a>

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #57
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: October 11, 2024

“Got it, got it.” I said.

“So what about you Bonaduke, what do you want now that you’re up to speed?”

This time I was the one wanting to change the subject.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work. This plan doesn’t go so well, they end up stealing a book that contains (for lack of a better word) a malignant presence (something like a demon or nasty djinn), and things have gone really poorly since then. It’s almost like they’ve been cursed.

What’s Dealing with Shadows About?

We ended the last episode with Bonaduke making a rash move to summon the entity trapped in the book they’d recently appropriated. He wants that demon to give him some information that his fellows are withholding.

The demon will, but for a price. The rest of the episode consists of Bonaduke considering it and everyone trying to talk him out of it. He’s really not listening to everyone, he’s primarily thinking.

So, what did I think about Dealing with Shadows?

I had certain expectations going in to this one. Slaywood confounded me on every point. I’m so happy he did. What looked like it was going to be yet another “Bonaduke makes a rash move and then spends an episode or two cleaning everything up (or trying to)” kind of thing, ended up being Bonaduke thinking things through and making a considered decision–that is going to take some time to sort out.

It’s a new approach for the man, and I’m ready for more of that.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 56: What We All Want by R. T. Slaywood: That Seems Like a Mistake…

On September 20, 2024

After the episode I read yesterday, I didn’t want to wait a week

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 56: What We All Want

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #56
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: September 20, 2024

“Got it, got it.” I said.

“So what about you Bonaduke, what do you want now that you’re up to speed?”

This time I was the one wanting to change the subject.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work. This plan doesn’t go so well, they end up stealing a book that contains (for lack of a better word) a malignant presence (something like a demon or nasty djinn), and things have gone really poorly since then. It’s almost like they’ve been cursed.

What’s What We All Want About?

The guys go around the room, talking about their goals/desires for the circle and why they want to lock horns with the Omnicrats. One idea seemed sort of…odd to me, but I can accept it working for this world. The other two make a lot of sense. Then they ask Bonaduke what he wants.

And we get the exchange above and it moves on from there…Bonaduke confronts them with some of his theories about what’s happened in the last few weeks. They try to respond, but he’s not buying it (I’m not sure I blame him) and then he takes a step to get some answers that seems like a bad idea. Like someone lighting a match in the control room of the Hindenburg bad.

So, what did I think about What We All Want ?

This was interesting–even the bits that seemed strange (even for Fantasy fiction), and it helped me understand these guys so much better.

And then Bonaduke and his self-delusional, self-destructive brain took him down the path at the end of the episode and…eh. Things will be a hopping in episode 57, I bet.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 55: Cursed by R. T. Slaywood: ANSWERS!! Explanations! Backstory!

On September 19, 2024

After a 2 month break, I’m back to this. Hopefully, I can pick up the pace and catch back up…

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 55: Cursed

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #55
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: September 19, 2024

“Out of curiosity, have either of you taken the time to explain what we’re doing?” Om asked the others.

“I’ve been busy.” Zero said

“Same.” Alan added though less convincingly.

“Honestly I’ve gotten used to it.” I said and leaned back in my recliner.

“Well I commend your patience. Ok, first let’s call the circle to order. Then we’ll go over what has happened up to this point.”

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work. This plan doesn’t go so well, they end up stealing a book that contains (for lack of a better word) a malignant presence (something like a demon or nasty djinn), and things have gone really poorly since then. It’s almost like they’ve been cursed.

What’s Cursed About?

So, it’s been three weeks of everyone licking their wounds from the last episode (good time for me to take a break from the series, too, it turns out). Bonaduke hasn’t had much to do to recover, but the rest have.

At the end of the three weeks, the team—well, circle—meets in order to regroup and move into the next phase. The meeting starts with the above interchange, and then…hold on to your hats, readers. The characters explain things to Bonaduke and the reader! Not in the kind of detail that I’d like—but enough. Then they start looking to the future.

So, what did I think about Cursed?

With that last line of the quotation above, Om is now my favorite character in the series. No contest. Yeah, I’d have a appreciated more details, but after the drought we’ve been in since Bonaduke was taken off the streets by them, this little bit of information was enough.

I can care about the circle, I get an idea about their goals and what they’re trying to avoid. I want to see them succeed for reasons beyond “they’re who we’re spending time with.” Yes, I want more—but I’m greedy that way. I’ll take what we’ve been given.

And it’s tantalizing to think we might be getting a better idea of their goals in the next episode, too.

Beyond that, it was good to see the group take some time to recover. To slow down, and not just bounce from escapade to escapade.

All in all, one of my favorite episodes thus far.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 54: Dantalion by R. T. Slaywood: Countdown

On July 19, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 54: Dantalion

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #54
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: July 19, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Dantalion About?

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy…how do I summarize this? So the little contraption they assembled to take control of the book and free Om worked. Largely, anyway. And not exactly how they thought it would. But…it worked.

The downside is, they freed a malevolent presence in the process. And I’m not sure that Bonaduke or any of the others is really up to dealing with him/it. And…what exactly it wants is pretty vague.

So, what did I think about Dantalion?

You can really tell that Slaywood was having a blast writing this one–and he was really into the frantic pace, filled with action. As he should’ve been.

The downside to that is that he didn’t proofread or anything–so many more mistakes than normal (and, I’m aware that I’ve complained about them before, this is a higher degree). They were primarily distracting enough that they took me out of the moment–just so I could make sure I understood his meaning even when the words didn’t allow it.

But the rest? Good storytelling–plenty of happenings, some degree of telling us what’s going on, and clearly a bunch of people who are in above their heads.

This was a fun one, and I hope the trend continues.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 53: Connection by R. T. Slaywood: Things That Make You Go “Hmm…”

On June 28, 2024

Been a bit (okay, a month and a half) since I dipped my toe in these waters…

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 53: Connection

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #53
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: June 28, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Connection About?

There are two parts of this episode really. In the first, Bonaduke chews on some of what he’s learning and applies it to the circumstances around his family’s death, his childhood, and more. He’s starting to make some connections and then is interrupted by his compatriots and the need to free Om.

Bonaduke asserts himself more than he usually does—and everyone responds to it (at least they allow it). Om might not be free—or even closer to free*—by the end of this episode, but we’re starting to get a clearer idea about the powers that this motley crew are tangling with.

Whatever is (mostly) in control of Om tempts Bonaduke to cast his lot in with them. But, at a cost, he refuses and employs a gambit he’d been cooking for a while. It seems to work but before Bonaduke can enjoy the taste of victory, he’s told that was only step one to freeing Om.

* Have an earworm for free with this post.

So, what did I think about Connection?

I’d have been closer to satisfied if each part of this episode had received a full one (or three) to fully develop. But that’s not what we got, so…

I wish circumstances, his patience, other things going on had allowed Bonaduke to spend more time thinking about and thinking through the first half of things. I just really want these answers, and am intrigued by the possibilities.

On the other hand, I’m also intrigued by what’s brought up at the end. This could be pretty cool. I’m concerned that Slaywood is going to fall back on his half-baked and vague “here’s an explanation, but not really” and convoluted hand-waving in the general direction of answers before going off in some other direction. I’m hoping to be proven wrong.

)

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 52: Separation by R. T. Slaywood: The First Step

On April 18, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 52: Separation

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #52
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: April 18, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Separation About?

Before they get to the bicycle part, Bonaduke and co. need to get the book they went to steal out of Om’s hands. He’s clearly possessed by something. Or whatever is going on sure looks like a posession (it’s either a matter of perspective, or a distinction that we may get fleshed out later), so we’re going to go with that.

Whatever is (mostly) in control of Om tempts Bonaduke to cast his lot in with them. But, at a cost, he refuses and employs a gambit he’d been cooking for a while. It seems to work but before Bonaduke can enjoy the taste of victory, he’s told that was only step one to freeing Om.

So, what did I think about Separation?

I really wanted this episode to go longer, dividing up this part of the story is really grating.

That said, this was an effective installment and I’m eager to see what Step 2 will be. Don’t have much more to say than that–keep it coming.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 51: Come Around by R. T. Slaywood: Bonaduke Gains a Friend

On April 16, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 51: Come AroundAround

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #51
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: April 16, 2024

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better. And then his new…friends? Acquaintances? People who keep popping up in his life?…start explaining exactly what’s going on to him while they set up a new HQ and try to teach him about his abilities (and everyone tries to understand them) while they try to fund their further work.

What’s Come Around About?

So, we start off wrapping up the big action stuff from the last episode and then we rejoin things sometime later as Bonaduke regains consciousness (if you needed a hint how that action ended up). A good deal happened while he was unconscious and Om is not in good shape.

But the rest have come up with a solution so crazy that it…just…might…work. I’m not going to pretend it makes sense to me, but maybe when I see it in action. It involves a strange machine powered in part by Bonaduke on a bike. No, really.

So, what did I think about Come Around?

Is it too late to buy Slaywood a Grammarly subscription?

There’s some fun stuff here—I’m really not sure where he’s going with a lot of this, but whatever. The ride will keep us guessing.

The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 50: What Goes Around by R. T. Slaywood: Magical Attack Dogs Would Make Lousy Pets

On March 28, 2024

The Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 50: What Goes Around