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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Episode 1: Previously, on Magik Beans...

"Let me guess," the blonde haired man said, appraising the family of bears standing across the counter from him. He pointed at the Father Bear, or at least the one he assumed was the Father Bear, given the smart looking tie it had around its neck. "You want one that's too big, and too hot." He pointed at the Mother Bear, whose feminine eyelashes, lipstick and apron had given her away. "You want one that's too small and too cold." Finally he turned his index finger on the small bear standing between the Mama and the Papa, ostensibly Baby Bear. "And you want one that's juuuuuust right."

"Actually," the Papa Bear replied, "I'll have a low-fat, half-sweet Caramel Machiatto, she'll have a hazelnut flavored latte, and my son will have a Strawberry Italian Soda."

"Oh," the blonde haired man said, and called out the order to the dark haired girl working the coffee machines.

Andrew Weazle took the money the bears paid with, smiling as he threw the gold coins into the wooden chest beneath the cash register. They always reminded him of the Leprechaun gold and the journey to the Pole, and of Silke. He wondered how she was doing; it had been months since he'd seen her, and weeks since he'd had word of her. In the last letter that had been dropped off, (delivered by a group of prudish witches who were vacationing in their neck of the woods, wanting to celebrate the Spring solstice somewhere that didn't involve acts of wanton sex in fields of grain) she'd written of an increase in Wolves moving boldly through the Deep Dark Wood, and would be on patrol until further notice. She'd closed by saying she didn't know when she would have time to write next.

Big Bad Wolves and Deep Dark Woods. A little over a year ago, Andrew would have thought that good subject matter for a Master's Thesis, but in the year since he'd traded the coffee shop's night deposit for magic coffee beans, resulting in the growth of a massive magic tree which turned out to be a gateway to the World Tree, permitting travel between other universes, he'd been nearly killed a succubus who had made a clone-like replica of him; nearly killed by a contingent of rebel Leprechauns, traveled to the North Pole on a magic train, where he'd narrowly averted ecological disaster on several planes of existence.

Which was to say nothing of what had happened after he'd gotten home. None of it came close to the intensity of those first three months that the Tree had forced its presence into his life, but there was certainly never a dull moment at Magik Beans. The name of the shop, like the coffee beans that had grown the Tree overnight, was a gift from Father Christmas. Another reality he'd have scoffed at once. Knowing there really was a Santa had certainly made the past Christmas a lot more fun. He'd left out more than just cookies and milk. A thermos of a bold Christmas roast with a spicy taste to it along with a bag of 'Fireside' pipe tobacco. The old man had left Andrew the treasure chest in return; it would only open for Andrew or Lara, the dark-haired girl who was handing the finished coffees to the Three Bears.

9 comments:

Mike Perschon said...

Okay, so for those of you who might have missed it, this is the following Spring, not the one Lara and Blackout 'brought'. And I'm taking a bit of the Philosopher One's advice by not forcing myself to finish an episode. Instead, I'll just write until I run out of time, and if I haven't finished the idea, I'll pick up where I left off in a week. Might mean shorter episodes, but it will also mean that they'll be more comprehensive, and not as much a thumbnail sketch.

the philosopher one said...

I enjoyed every word you did write. What do you mean by Elemental in reference to Andrew's moment of becoming one with the tree? I have only heard of elementals in relation to their being demons or formless void. I thought that his fusion with the tree was more of a kether moment, but my understanding of what you are doing with this tree is limited.

Phil said...

Moar Pleaz!

Unknown said...

it's so good mike. i'm so glad that you're started up again. i dont care how long your episodes are...every single one leaves me wanting more. which can only mean one thing...you're doing things right.

peace out from the coast...
cort

Anonymous said...

some how i always pictured 'baby bear' as a girl bear..not sure why...I'm very excited to read where the story goes...
-luKe DuchArmE

Carl said...

Mike, where's the next episode. You're killing me here. Oh well, I assume (snce it is you) that there is good reason. Can't wait to see it. Later.

Anonymous said...

However life is treating you right now, know that we care, understand and are here for you.

Mike Perschon said...

Soon.

I'm currently editing up my thesis for submission to my faculty adviser. Then there's the new teaching job, which requires a lot of prep. And the biggest thing of all, getting ready for the new baby. So life looms large, but once the thesis is out of my hands, I'll have time for Magik Beans. Thanks for the patience everyone.

Soon.

the philosopher one said...

I hereby move to change Mike's name to Mr. Popular!...votes from the Southern States do not count of course.