18 Comments
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Yolanda D.'s avatar

That was f*ing unbelievable! At first, I couldn't believe they were treating you and getting away with it. Then I realized it was just a dream! 🫶

C. James Desmond's avatar

Thank you, Yolanda!

Matt Cyr's avatar

Love this. Pacing is great. I would’ve been fine with another false ending to the dreams. I know you’ve mentioned HSJr in some of your live sessions. This def has some of that Tappy Tibbons vibe to it, maybe some BEE too with the Paul Allens and Patrick Batemans taunting him. Can’t wait to read the book.

C. James Desmond's avatar

Thank you, Matt! High praise indeed.

Matthew E Meurer's avatar

Damn. If the people who say that the 'afterlife are like dreams' are correct. This has got to be one of the lower circles of hell.

C. James Desmond's avatar

Indeed.

This is my hell.

Thanks for the comment, Matthew.

Cheap & Crass's avatar

This is a mood! This hit hard! Bravo.

C. James Desmond's avatar

Muchas gracias, amigo.

Anja (Anya) Peerdeman's avatar

That was fantastic ❣️ I want mooooooore 🤗🤗 Bartender, next chapter ! 😜

C. James Desmond's avatar

Thank you, Anja!

Rachel Victorianna's avatar

Nightmares are an interesting side effect of working in a restaurant. You have not embellished here. Every restaurant related nightmare I’ve ever had is as intense and disturbing as the one you describe here. Elevated prose. I always appreciate your writing Connor. Well done!

C. James Desmond's avatar

That's restaurant work!

Thank you, Rachel!

Themes and Deviations's avatar

Waitress nightmares. In the weeds. My wife still has them occasionally even though it’s been 30 years since quitting the “service” industry.

C. James Desmond's avatar

It’s a rough life, brother.

Thanks for reading.

Tristan Ruark's avatar

That’s some heavy shit weighing on your psyche brother. Again man the flow is so good. If it makes you feel better I’m sick from reading it in a moving bus. I started when we were stuck in traffic and couldn’t stop when we started rolling.

C. James Desmond's avatar

Thank you, Tristan! Glad it... made you sick. (I am.)

Heavy indeed.

Victoria's avatar

That was so stressful, man. Well done, I look forward to reading more. Love learning new words, too - "mise-en-place" - everything in its place - a phrase I crave daily.

C. James Desmond's avatar

Thank you, Victoria. It's a common term in fine dining.