---

[Jim]

---

[Jim]

---

[fizzmaster]

Great stuff, again, Jim! Look forward to the continuation.

[Jim]

---

[Jim]

..

[DrunkenThoughts]

Nice - do go on!

[Jim]

---

[Jim]

"They always come here together, never just one or another,, but most of the time there’s more of those cat people than those other freakies”

Tonya went on to tell us that although they still frequented the Inn, their numbers had dwindled with fewer visits. Heated by the mescal and still reflecting upon the raven-haired woman, I asked - “So why do you call them cat people ?”
“It’s the way they move and act. A few weeks ago I heard 2 of them making purring noises while grinding up against each other on the dance floor”
“Women ?” Flip smiled and added - “Are all the cat people women ?”
“Those two were and most of them are, but sometimes there’s males here too. Long black hair like the girls, but fat and gluttonous. They look like washed-up metal band members, but with those same freaky eyes as the girl kitties"
Flip issued a grating cackle, then inquired about the turnip heads. He lived for this kind of weird unbalanced intrigue.
“Y’all think I’m insane, don’t you ?” Tonya sighed not knowing that Flip and I had already staggered around a good portion of a realm my old departed friend Denny referred to as ‘Weirdsville’
Looking into her glassy, but otherwise lovely light brown eyes, I said - “Insane ? Not at all ma’am, we’ve seen our share of strange shit”
Leaning in even closer from her bar stool Tonya studied our faces for a good half minute, then smiled and whispered - “You’re paranormal investigators ! I knew it !”
“Huh ?”
“You’re here doing research, ain’t ya ?”
Flip howled with laughter then suddenly ceased returning with a - “Nope”
“You’re not paranormal investigators ?” She asked in disappointment.
Pouring a bit more mescal down my gullet, I lit up a cigarette and replied - “fraid not, ma’am”
“Then what are you ?”
“Drunk ma’am” adding - “Among other things. Now what about those turnip-headed freaks ?”
“Well, damn, I thought for a minute there you guys were some kind of paranormal researchers”
“Was that after you thought us to be cops or feds ?” I laughed. - “ No I don’t think you’re crazy. You’re just somebody that lives in a crazy world trying to come to terms with just how crazy it is”
“Crazy or something else” Flip hissed with a twisted grin.
“Whatever it is, it’s in here now, Flip” Nodding my head to Tonya I asked her to continue describing the turnip heads.
“They always wear those tall hats, but sometimes their women wear big wigs, like the one I had on earlier”
“Then how do you know they have turnip heads ?” I whispered.
“From what my friend Luanne said,,”
It must have been a mirthful mescal-mangled mindset that prompted my interruption - “Luanne ? Flip weren’t you once sweet on one of your cousins named Luanne ?”
The Birdman shot me a venomous glare and hissed - “Her name is Lorene, you jerkwad”
Apologizing to Flip I chuckled - “My mistake” then bade Tonya to continue.
Chasing down a gulp of mescal with beer, Tonya said - “Last December Luanne and her ‘date’ decided on hitting the lounge here for a little dancing and drinking,,”
Flip, somewhat cock-eyed snookered blurted out - “Who the hell would take a date here?”
“Flip, shut the fuck up” Tapping Tonya’s hand I then said - “Please excuse my friend as he never ever has patronized such establishments. Please go on Tonya,, what did Luanne say?”
Rolling her eyes at me, she took another good quaff of beer, lit a cigarette and went on - “Well it happened when Luanne and her date were on the dance floor,,”
Flip snickered and demanded - “And just what were they dancing to ?”
“Damn it, Flippy ! Let the woman speak ! Shit !”
“I want to know what they were dancing to. What song ?”
“Why the fuck for ?” My words were loud enough to turn heads and bring Baxter back around - “Ahhhhhhhhh eevereethang cool ?”
“ Everything’s alright Bax, get us another round of everything,, please” Tonya said while shaking her head at us.
“Why the fuck for ?” Flip loudly whispered - “Such small overlooked details are often the most important”
If this was indeed a serious concern which Tonya had sought to confide in us, Flip and I were swiftly becoming much too slammed to attempt any meaningful, level-headed reasoning. Despite all of the weirdness, I was rather enjoying this foul weather evening well over a hundred miles from home.

“I’m serious y’all !” Tonya informed us. Flip and I were now all ears as there’s nothing more dead certain than a serious drunk, especially when she just paid for the last round.
“Well from what Luanne said, one of those freaks was drunker than hell and out on the dance floor,,” Casting a glance at Flip she continued - “And no, I don’t know what song was playing either. Anyway, Luanne told me how this freak stumbled back into the wall, catching her hair on a big plastic Holly wreath. Before she managed to get the wig back on, Luanne saw her head”
I think both of us asked at the same time - “What did she say it looked like ?”
“Like a turnip, or better yet a potato, with thin white hair sticking out in a topknot”
“So we could also call them potato heads ?” I laughed, then inquired about how they talked.
“I’ve never heard them say a word, it’s always the cat people who do the talking, ordering drinks, or food, or else telling curious onlookers to move along”
Reflecting upon Tonya’s trade, I asked - “You haven’t had any professional dealings with them, have you ?”
“Hell no !” She sharply returned - “I’d rather spend my time with drunken strangers like you, than to hook up with any of those freaks, no matter how big the benefits are”
Flip managing a somewhat serious moment himself inquired - “What about the Inn’s other guests ? What about the local patrons and staff ? What about the cops and local press ?”
Shooting down a whole triple shot, Tonya replied - “The local cops don’t come here unless there’s a disturbance and management and staff appreciate the business and tips,,, the guests here are mostly party types,, drunks, druggies, cheaters and a few business women like myself, but please understand I usually stay clear of those government people and damn sure don’t service the freaks”
Gulping down my mescal, I asked - “Any idea where they come from ?”
“Most of their license plates read Virginia, DC or Maryland, sometimes New York”
Snockered, Flip suddenly issued a slurring, spit sputtering - “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
As this strange couple got up and walked by, allowing us a clear gander at them. I had already got a good look at the cat woman, but it was the other’s facial features that sent a chill down my spine. I had never seen a nose, mouth and eyes like that on another living person. His face and hands were the color of old ivory and beneath his small pointed chin was loose baggy yellowish skin which reminded me of a Lizard’s crop.

Seeing the couple had their winter wraps, Flip always being the friendly type bid them goodnight as they walked out without a word..

[Jim]

Almost teetering off my bar stool, I threw down another good measure of mescal and asked - “And you say there’s more like that critter ?”

“They mostly stay in the deluxe rooms, but sometimes have to settle for less, there could be more of them besides those two. This weather is probably keeping them and the other riff-raff away from here tonight”
Flip calmly lit a cigarette, called out for more mescal and told me to relax.
“Relax ?”
“Yeah relax. You about fell off your perch, when those critters passed by”
“Did you see that mug ? That kind of shit doesn’t go good with a man’s drinking”
Flip laughed and reminded me - “Human-like non-human critters, they ain’t the first ones we’ve come across”
“So what do you think, Flip, alien or domestic devils ?”
Paying our bartender, the Birdman spoke to Baxter in an Elvissian dialect many of us had mastered by watching The King’s full-length featured films from the 60s - “Ahhhhahaaythere, man,,,wherrrya thank those strange Kats arrr from ?” To my surprise Baxter took no offense and replied - “Ahhhhhhhhidon’t know, man, maybeeeefrom around Alpha Centauri way, man,,, maybeee theeeey arrrrr somekindaa crazee Canadians”
Getting in on the act, I added - “Wow, thaaats wild, man,,, way-out”
Having enough of this silliness, Tonya asked - “Are they Reptilians”
“That depends on what your definition of Reptilian is as I’ve seen better looking Skinks and Copperheads”
Turning around and taking notice of Kate attempting to dip into our strange conversation, Tonya suggested we move it on over to a table.

Although some distance away from the Northern Virginians our new bar room companion still spoke in a slurring whisper - “I don’t usually discuss anything pertaining to my clientele, but last month I had a date with a young man from Charlottesville who saw some of those freaks, while he was at the vending machines, getting us some mixers. After he got back to the room we talked awhile about the turnip heads”
“So what were his thoughts concerning these critters ?” I asked while motioning over the barmaid as it was time for something to level-out the mescal.
“Hi, my name is Jenny, what can I get you ?”
Requesting a large Zombie and slipping a twenty in Jenny’s’s fingers, I asked my companions - “Tonya ? Flip ? Name yer poison” Both opted for more mescal, and chasers.
As Jenny sped away Tonya leaned in and told us that her date from Charlottesville referred to what he saw by the soda machine as a Reptilian - “He told me about some websites that have a lot of information about these Reptilians. I read some of it,, and it freaked me out”
Having breezed through some of those sites I said - “Yeah I’ve read some of that stuff too. Aliens, Reptilians and spooks of all sorts,,, who can tell for sure ? Maybe they’re not alien. Maybe they’ve been here all along. In an evolutionary sense, who knows what branch or tree some of these critters have slid down from”
“Like that cat woman” Flip asked.
“Like anybody, Flip. Like the critter years ago up at Big Meadows” I then prodded Tonya for more information regarding these strange visitors - “What about the turnip head women, surly you’ve seen a few ?”
“A few”
“Well what do they look like ?”
“Double ugly, like that one you saw a little while ago”
“What about their bodies ?”
“Tall, thin and boney, why ?”
“What about their tits ?”
“What ?” Tonya was somewhat taken aback.
“Have you seen any hint of breasts on the females ?”
“Why, wanna do one or something ?”
“Maybe after a couple of Zombies” I returned - “No really, I’m trying to make a call”
“What kind of call ?”
Watching Jenny approach with a tray full of beverages, I replied - “ To determine if these turnip heads are of a Mammalian variety, instead of Reptilian”
Clamming up until after we were served, Tonya told us - “Well I do remember one of those hags bending down to get her purse long enough to see some slab looking boobs and a bra”
Taking a long quaff from my drink, I said -“Hair and tits, they’re Mammalian alright, but probably evolving from a different species. My theory is some of these weird types have been around a lot longer than us”
“What about the cat people ?” She asked.
“Homo Sapiens” I returned - “Probably selectively bred as to be servants of sorts”

Just as we were going over more possibilities, Kate and Don moved over to the empty table beside us. Leaning over the plump little strawberry blonde said - “I couldn’t help but catch bits and pieces of your conversation at the bar. Sounds interesting what in the world are you guys talking about ?”
“Science Fiction” Flip laughed and suggested the three of us drink-up so as to continue this discussion back at our room - “We got Crown and cold beer”

Tilting back our glasses then bidding the nosey couple goodnight, we made way to a more private setting..

[Jim]

As the three of us were walking out Baxter was just going into his Karaoke rendition of Clam Bake. Exiting the lobby, I felt not the cold as a good fire burned within me. Flip was snockered as well, staggering precariously upon the ice-slick walk “Ahhhhhhwoooooooooooooooo !” He howled - “Splitting the scene Daddeeeeeeeeoh !”

It wasn’t even 9:00 yet and the both of us were fucked slam-up. I took full notice of that fact during my last trip to the restroom. Rising from our table, my legs turned a little rubbery thus resulting in tripping on a chair leg almost sending me crashing into an older couple’s night of trapped, but otherwise enjoyable libations. A last second swirl and sidestep kept me from falling on their table. Outside I became overly cautious, broken bones don’t tinge well with a night of glorious guzzling and for some reason, that last Zombie was not enough. Tonya followed a few steps behind us. No doubt from plenty of all-weather practice, Our new friend, bounced over the walkway's cracks and crumbles with relative ease.
Catching the Birdman from slipping I said - “That’s no way to split the scene, daaddeeeeo”
“And how !” He laughed - “Like I’m already there, man”
“Oh, I can tell. Guess you’re ready to call it a night, eh ?”
“Oh hell no,, I’m just ready for more comfortable surroundings”
“Ahhh, you’re having trouble walking and want to sit down”
Mishearing us, Tonya thought we were calling it a night - “Well great. I thought we were going to have some drinks”
“Got beer and booooooooze” Flip slurred - “And you’re welcome to join us “ Attempting a wide hand sweeping bow, the Birdman’s foot slipped forward upon slick patch of ice sending him backwards hard against yet another motel room door. Struggling myself in yanking Flip to his feet, I dropped him when Tonya issued a short loud scream. Backing away from both Flip and the door, I beheld a horrible sight. Someone had pulled the curtains open as if to see who was outside. Her jaw dropped in terror, Tonya mutely pointed to what was beyond the window glass. There clad in what looked to be black silk or satin pajamas, coldly glaring at us was the cat woman. She bared her teeth like an angry Leopard and was poised as if to bound through glass.

But it was what sat upon their king-sized bed that really freaked me out.

Hatless and shirtless it’s monstrous, oddly elongated head was thrust forward as to better peer through both glass and frozen mist. Underneath a thin protruding brow were strange deep-set eyes flickering a terrifying red light. Beneath a nose that appeared to be just large nostrils, a thin gash of a lipless mouth and strangely pointed chin, it’s crop was partially inflated like a Toad’s and looked to be flushing in a purplish hue. Flip crawling away from the door, looked up seeing only the cat woman and not the critter sitting down shouted - “Sorry lady, I slipped !” and at that, the curtain swiftly closed.

Advising Tonya to step over the frozen puke, we entered our lodging. Immediately she took notice of the bottle of Crown Royal and asked - “Snakebite medicine ?”
“Gotta have a backup plan” I returned - “Never know where there’s gonna be reptilians”
“Oh my god !” She exclaimed, asking us while nervously lighting up a smoke - “Did y’all see that thing ?”
“Whadda want, beer or whisky ?” Flip slurred, staggering around with a Dutch brew in one hand and a clear plastic motel cup in the other.
“After laying eyes on that freaky-deek, I’ll have both” She replied. I must admit, after that bit of motel window Tom-Peepery, I was ready for a good slug.
“We need ice !” Flip announced.
“Go out to the machine and get some, that is if you trust your stride” I laughed while wrenching the plastic cup from his boney fingers. Pouring Tonya a large one, I then fixed myself up.
“Are you guys really hikers ?” She asked before taking a big gulp of the dark amber hued liquor. Grabbing the beer from Flip’s other hand I provided her with a chaser, if needed - “Sorry for asking, but there’s been a lot of weirdoes around here lately”
Pointing to my Dogwood walking stick with a carved antler Hawk’s head I assured her - “We’re just hikers, ma’am”
Looking about the deplorable condition of our room, Tonya sighed - “ I’ve really been thinking about switching locations, but a lot of my regulars request this place, because it’s out of the way”
“A place where most normal folk shun” I added.
“I’ll say” Flip chuckled, then inquired about what we saw in the window. After a brief description, the Birdman pulled out his pistol and waved it around a bit.
“Put that damned gun away, Flippy, I think we’re safe enough for now”
“A place that normal people shun !” Flip laughed - “Weirdoes ?, we’re weirdoes alright, but not that kind of weirdo !”
“Speak no more of those devils” I said - “Let us enjoy what’s left of the night”

Convincing this intoxicated and still very freaked-out woman to join us for a little Whoodee was rather easy. Tonya told us she smoked upon occasion, tonight being one.
“Well at least I now know y’all ain’t cops” She said upon an exhale.
Issuing a mirthful bark, I informed her that some of the biggest dope heads were cops and other government employees. Hearing that, Tonya giggled and said - “Guess you’re right” Then went on to entertain us with a little tale of how she had an affair some 9 or so years ago with her boss and city councilman, - “A big coke-head, his wife caught us at this very motor lodge”
Something clicked deep in my booze addled brain as she drunkenly swore - “Fuck that bastard !”
“Yep, sho-eeenuff did, eh ?” Flip cackled.
“You know that prick fired me the next day, hoping to get back in his wife’s good graces”
For some odd reason, I became rather interested - “So what kind of work were ya doing back then ?”
“I was a secretary at a car dealership, he owned the place, or was about to. His daddy was getting ready to retire”
“And his wife caught y’all fooling around here at the Inn ?”
“Sure did and after that, his wife took him to the cleaners”
“I’ll bet sheeee did” Flip slurred then ask her - “Did you take up escorting after that ?”
“Not right away” Tonya returned - “For awhile I lived off the money, both ’Brad’ and his daddy paid me after blackmailing the both of them for me not to speak of our special working arrangement”
“Daddy too ?” Flip hissed in twisted delight.
Just when she was about to reply, I laid my hand over Tonya’s, looked into her eyes and informed her - “Yeah that Saturday morning, after Brenda caught you here, I thought she was going to claw my eyes out with her puke coated fingers”
Tonya chuckled - “Hot tempered little wildcat,,,,” Then her mouth opened in sudden surprise - “How do you know Brenda ?”
Pouring a fair measure of Crown down my gullet, I leaned back in my chair and reflected a bit.

I truly felt this was one of those long journeys that had come full circle.

“Several of us were holed-up down the road at the Colony House, that Friday evening because of a rain storm”
Leaning forward, boldly matching my stare with glassy red, yet otherwise beautiful light brown eyes - “Oh ?”
Pouring us all another round, I continued - “Two of our party went up to the Inn’s lounge that night, where they hooked up with Brenda and somehow managed to get her down at their room at the Colony House, after they got kicked out of the bar”
Taking another draw off Flip’s pipe, Tonya laughed aloud then asked - “So did Brenda revenge fuck you guys or something ?”
“No she drank too much, got sick and puked all over our friends’ room. We had a hard time bringing her around that next morning”
Placing her hand over mine, Tonya smiled - “Small world, ain’t it ?”

Very much caught up with the altitude the three of us sat drinking the bottle dry, then finishing what beer remained. Sure we belly-ached a bit about the state of this mountain top Inn, but after another go at the Whoodee, we praised this location as a truly charming, out of the way place that would surely leave lasting memories.

[fizzmaster]

Great story, Jim. I like how it ties into the other story at the end. Nice little horror touch for Halloween, as well!

[Resident Asshole]

Yeah, very nice man.

[Jim]

Thanks, y'all.

I've often thought of returning to The Inn. Even though it's run down there's a certain feeling about that place. It's a good location to to 'get up there'

[fizzmaster]

Hey, Jim, check it out, I wrote a short story for Halloween! Check it out: http://fermentedfilm.blogspot.com/2010/ ... n-bog.html

[beerkegbilly]

nice story