Music

  • Flossin’ (With Welding Wire)A Multisyllabic, Whimsy, Stream of Consciousness RhymeBy:Emmitt Owens(Index #01032026) [Verse 1]In the age of alarm clocks, I missed the cueHit snooze on myself, let the weird come throughStatic in my bloodstream, dial-up soulTryna download peace on a cracked flip phone Pajama-pants swagger, Jordans feel newSlingin’ spaghetti out the window of my confused Read more

  • SIGNS THE DEVIL HOLDS: Volume IV (1950-1970)A Documentary History of American Moral PanicBy: Emmitt Owen(Index #11032025 – 11062025) ─────────────────────────────── LEGAL & FAIR USE STATEMENT ───────────────────────────────     This book is a work of documentary history and cultural commentary.    It incorporates short quotations from publicly available materials for purposes of analysis, education, and historical discussion under the Fair Use Read more

  • Unbreakable Spirits, Robin Songs, and Childhood Fears    The clock had just struck ten on this Friday night at Chill n’Fill, and the weekend energy was already crackling through the air like electricity before a storm. Behind me, tonight’s painting had appeared as Norman Rockwell’s “Saying Grace” from 1951, that tender scene of a grandmother Read more

  • Bob’s Great Hot Dog Roller Caper    I arrived for my Tuesday shift at Chill n’Fill to find Bob crouched behind the counter like a surgeon preparing for the operation of a lifetime, surrounded by what appeared to be the dismantled remains of our hot dog roller. Tools I’d never seen before were spread across Read more

  • Another Night at Chill n’Fill: The Prophet of Unnecessary Predictions *A Special Edition: Pop-Up Story*    It was early Tuesday night at Chill n’Fill, and I was three hours into my shift when Bob decided tonight was the night for what he called his “Grand Unveiling Ceremony.” Through the front windows, I could see him Read more

  • The Trans Am (1982)

         I was five years old when I learned how to start a car. Not just any car… a 1980 Trans Am, dark purple, with T-tops that offered glimpses of Arkansas sky and an exhaust system that announced our arrival half a mile before we appeared. That Phoenix emblazoned across the hood might as Read more

  • The Card Hunter, The Minister, and The Modern Shaggy    Jennifer called in sick AGAIN. This marks the seventh time this month, which I’m pretty sure qualifies her for some kind of absenteeism world record. Today’s excuse was “car troubles,” which is both entirely plausible and completely suspect given that she used the same excuse Read more

  • Profanity, Politics, and Paranormal Activity      Jennifer called in sick again with what she claimed was “a severe case of food poisoning,” which is either genuinely unfortunate timing or the most transparent excuse I’ve heard since my roommate said our cat deleted our rent payment. Whatever. More questionable night shifts for me, Karlee, professional sarcasm Read more

  • Bicycles, Energy Drinks, and Candy Thieves    The Three’s Company theme song suddenly blared through the Chill & Fill’s ancient sound system, its jaunty, upbeat melody filling the store despite nobody pressing play. The cheerful tune about “come and knock on our door” and “three’s company too” echoed across the empty parking lot, creating an Read more

  • Metal Heads, Mountain Dew, and Midnight Mischief    Thursday night at Chill & Fill was unusually quiet. The one-eyed polar bear sign had been upgraded again—this time Bob had added a small plastic guitar to the bear’s paw, claiming it gave our mascot “rock star appeal.” The bear now looked like a pirate sailor who’d Read more