It’s been a while since I’ve made a “Wednesday’s Words” post. This week I’m going to use it to share a short excerpt from one of my WiPs.

King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate has been around for a while, but like my other old short stories it’s getting an overhaul. Some of them are requiring a little more work under the hood than others. This one only required some minor tweaking here and there.

Expect to see the entire collection in a boxed set perhaps in February.

This particular story will also be released as a separate freebie a week or two ahead of the boxed set’s publication. I don’t yet have either of the new covers to share with you, but below are the covers from this story’s original incarnations.

     
(1st & 2nd Edition Covers)

The first edition of King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate was published in eBook and print formats on April 13, 2009 at eXcessica in the Like Magnets, We Attract anthology, edited by Jaye Valentine.

The second edition was published in eBook format on October 8, 2009 at Smashwords.

Blurb:

Blaine is a well-dressed, high priced attorney, and George is a hairy mountain of an auto mechanic. This odd couple meets up one evening on a slow night at a bar. The pickings are slim. Slim enough for these opposites to eyeball each other and ask themselves just how bad they want to get laid.

Pleasantly surprised by the evening’s outcome, Blaine is faced with a dilemma. Should he throw caution to the wind and pursue George, or steer clear of that unexpected distraction to his carefully structured life.

Excerpt:

Blaine sat down on an empty barstool between a likely prospect and King-fucking-Kong. He cocked his head, summoning the bartender as he ran freshly manicured hands over the textured cashmere of his Kiton pinstripe suit, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles.

“A Skinny Pirate, please.”

The bartender quirked an eyebrow but otherwise kept his face expressionless. “Coming right up.”

Blaine’s peripheral vision picked up movement to his left. King Kong was looking him over. He turned his head to the right, ignoring the hairy behemoth, to check out his hopeful hookup for the night.

Maybe a couple inches taller than himself, the man was casually dressed in freshly pressed khakis and a clean navy polo shirt. His dark wavy hair was neatly trimmed, and his hands, while not professionally manicured, were well maintained.

The man concentrated on a Screwdriver, studiously ignoring him, though. The bartender placed the drink in front of him, and he slapped some bills on the bar.

“Why’s that called a Skinny Pirate? Looks like rum and Coke to me.”

Blaine sighed and turned to the muscle-bound hulk. “Because it’s made with Captain Morgan rum and Diet Coke.” He picked up his drink and spun on the stool to cast his eyes over the room. Nothing. No singles, anyway. The patrons all appeared to be part of a couple.

King Kong turned on his seat and brought a domestic longneck up to his lips. The man was big and hairy—except for his bald head—but basically clean, albeit slightly rumpled, in jeans and a snug T-shirt. Minute traces of grease stained his cuticles, and his goatee could use a trim.

“Not much hope out there. I’ve already scoped the place.”

Blaine glanced at the guy on his other side. Maybe there was still a chance.

“Preppy there’s got someone that’s going to be joining him.” King Kong shrugged. “I already tried.”

Blaine heaved a sigh and took a more thoughtful look at King Kong. How bad did he really want to get laid tonight?

King Kong grinned. “Feelin’ desperate, are ya?”