Season One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”
After the Apocalypse26 Jun 2021

Season One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”

“I don’t like it.” KJ said.

“Of course you don’t.” the old man said in return. “Besides the obvious answer that the world has gone to hell, why not?”

“There’s too much smoke. Why would there be so much smoke this many weeks in? Who’s burning stuff and why are they doing it?”

“Maybe it’s a barbeque.” The old man joked. “Yah know, short ribs, beer… It does smell like cooking meat.”

“Maybe they’ll barbeque your scrawny ass, old man.” She countered. “It smells more like plastic or tires or something.”

Bill sniffed at the air and didn’t seem pleased with what he smelled, but for now he could only pace and offer up an occasional worried whine.

...

Greetings my survivor friends. How’s the apocalypse treating you?

Special welcome to my daughter, who pitched in with the typo hunting in this episode. Thanks for the great Father’s Day card!

I am stunned and amazed that here we are, episode 19. Who knew we’d be able to pull it off. This chapter was fun to write. I think we have a clear understanding of who these characters are – so I can drop them into situation and let them speak for themselves.

We see our female protagonist Janet, a.k.a KJ the Killer, slipping into that ambiguity that the end of the world forces on people. We see the old man teetering on the brink of reality and sanity. We see the world thrashing about in the worst types of reactions that befall humans.

The question is which way will they all slide? What will they choose? Do they even have a choice?

We introduced that there is a ‘big bad’ roaming around as the world starts to coalesce around survivors. The ‘big bad’ is more than an antagonist to create narrative tension. The big bad is an alternate blueprint. He is the dark side of humanity that is always just outside, peering through that little window shaped like a porthole in the front door of civilization waiting for us to make a mistake.

And that’s always the tension with humanity.

Civilization is a chaos suppressant. Civilization sees chaos as evil. All our religions have a manifestation of chaos, from Loki, to the Devil, to Coyote – there’s always that tension between order and chaos, or more pedantically, good and evil.

If you don’t have that tension, then the story is just action without purpose. Or horror without purpose. Or comedy without purpose. And when the narrative fiction falls into that space you lose interest in the fate of the characters and all the action in the world can’t keep it going.

You need stakes. Unless there are stakes. Unless there is tension. There is no compelling narrative.

And that’s the fun part of creating a dystopian, apocalyptic universe. You get to decide how that tension of good versus evil is resolved.

Anyhow… enough with the ontology.

And speaking of Coyote the mischief making chaos god of some Native Americans - Here’s my reading list tip for you this week. The Tony Hillerman books about Navajo police detective Joe Leaphorn? I’m not a big mystery fan, but I started listening to these on audio book when I was commuting from my home outside Boston up to an office in Quebec City Canada.

It’s a long drive.

I would get books on tape at the local library for the ride. Hillerman was an Albuquerque New Mexico resident and did a great job describing the Southwest US cultures, and in particular the Native American mythologies. The audio books, if you can find them, are read by Native American voice actors and the cadence of the read is amazing.

There ya go – grab some Hillerman audio books for your summer vacation.

In two weeks we will present the last chapter, chapter 20, in this first season. Then we’ll take a pause to turn the first season into an e-book, a paperback and an audio book. I’ve got a copy editor to work through the scripts and I’ve got a couple artists working on cover art.

I’m recruiting a book launch team and typo hunters. Come over to FaceBook and join the After the Apocalypse group that can be found by searching for “OldManApocalypse” – all one word – and pitch in.

I’m asking nicely. I could use the help.

I’m happy with how this season and the overall format came out. We’re up over 11,000 downloads now. That’s not bad for 6 months in as an indie podcast.

The format lends itself to binge listening. The short consumable episode length and consistency allow people to just queue them up and march through them. Another irony of the podcasting world is that what took me 6 months to produce takes you a couple days to consume!

I can keep up with this fortnightly cadence and still produce a decent quality product. Unfortunately for you I have a full-time job and other things to attend to or I would be cranking out a season monthly!

The next season we are going to add more compelling characters to the universe, we are going to add situations and institutions and threats that test our survival skills.

So stick with us after the break. I hope all of you up in my hemisphere are enjoying your summers and those of you in antipodal hemispheres are enjoying your winters.

As always I could use your support on the Patreon page to keep paying the bills. And I can use your participation on the facebook group at oldmanapocalypse.

And of course keep leaving 5-star reviews on iTunes and keep telling your friends.

And together, we will keep surviving.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(118)

Season five, Epilogue

Season five, Epilogue

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Epilogue...This is an epilogue to the whole series to tie up loose ends and character arcs. It has four scenes that jump forward in time. ...It had been four weeks since the battle. It had taken that long to decontaminate the DC from the drug filled drone spray. Still, Mags eyed her coffee suspiciously. “It should be fine.” Brent reassured her, “We sprayed enough water on this place in the last few weeks to melt an iceberg.”“I know.” She said, “I just don’t want to get dosed. I don’t have time in my schedule for an acid trip.” She looked at him and made a vague circular gesture that seemed to include the whole world. “We’ve got so much to do.”...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Jul 23min

Season five, Episode twenty – “Released”

Season five, Episode twenty – “Released”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode twenty – “Released”...The truck roared down the highway towards Defender. Janet gripped the wheel and focused on the road. The old man held the grab handle and rested a calming hand on the dog’s head that had been thrust under his arm from the back seat. He was trying very hard not to worry about how fast she was pushing. "It would be nice not to die in an accident on an abandoned road!” The old man shouted over the road noise as Janet took the Defender exit off the highway. She squeezed at high speed between a wrecked bus and a derelict semi. The old man visibly stiffened as the tires protested in a plaintive squeal. “Don’t worry.” She replied, “I’ll get you there in one piece…(pause) Probably…” She added with a wink. “Goddamn woman!” The old man cursed and held on tight as they bounced onto the two-lane access road. “Going to get us all killed.” ...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Jun 36min

Season five, Episode nineteen – “Consumed”

Season five, Episode nineteen – “Consumed”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode nineteen – “Consumed” ...The King was quite pleased with himself and was pleased with the outcome of his work. He leaned back in his chair and took a swig of high-end whiskey. In the old world this would have been a luxury brand. Very expensive. Something he couldn’t get. Unless he stole it from some rich asshole. It wouldn’t be wasted on him intentionally. That world hadn’t made any luxury for him. Now this bottle and everything in the DC was his. Hell, everything was his. As far as he could see and as far as he could reach, it was all his now. ...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Mai 31min

Season five, Episode eighteen – “Swarm”

Season five, Episode eighteen – “Swarm”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode eighteen – “Swarm” ...Liam and Zooey had opted to stay with Mag’s group when the Kaiju – as Paul was called – left. They had gone to Defender with the old man. Now Liam was equal parts glad and anxious. Glad that he had an opportunity to make an impact, potentially turn the tide of the conflict with his drones, and anxious that it might not work. He knew everyone on Mag’s team had doubts. Doubted the feasibility of this drone attack plan and they were skeptical he could pull his part of it – the drones - off. The plan sounded too much like science fiction, or a James Bond plot point to most of them. But it was all they had....Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Mai 30min

Season five, Episode Seventeen – “Moving Day”

Season five, Episode Seventeen – “Moving Day”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode Seventeen – “Moving Day” … “Good to see you.” Mags said to the old man, shaking his hand and simultaneously rubbing the big dog head that had been enthusiastically pushed into her lap. The entire team was now gathered to decide on what to do next. What action to take. Bill knew what actions he would take and he took them. He executed a happy round of greetings to his old friends and associates, gathering head scratches and pets. Then he ambled off to curl up in a grassy patch of shade at Janet’s feet where she stood leaning against a wall watching the proceedings in silence. Mags watched him go about his work and wished she were as sanguine and confident. They were refugees, gathered here, at the Zoo. The King had chased them from their fortified farms and agricultural community at the Distribution Center. Now they had to decide what to do. Her vision of the future was dead. ...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Mai 31min

Season five, Episode Sixteen – “Exodus”

Season five, Episode Sixteen – “Exodus”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode Sixteen – “Exodus” … The Corporal angled behind an oak tree and rolled prone into the tall grass. He came to rest with the barrel of his rifle pointing uphill towards the command tent where The King had just executed Ottweiller. Far enough to be out of sight, close enough to shoot pursuers. He had just been witness to a brazen coup d’etat. ‘What a cluster..’ He thought, as he waited there in the grass and slowed his breathing and watched to see if he would be followed, “Totally SNAFU’ed”...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Apr 31min

Season five, Episode fifteen – “Cuckoo”

Season five, Episode fifteen – “Cuckoo”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode fifteen – “Cuckoo” … The sun was beginning to push its light into the sky in the east. Mags knew by the feel of it that it was going to be another hot and humid summer day. The air was thick, and it felt like breathing through a wet towel. On normal days she would be glad to greet the dawn. Today the brightening sky reminded her of the awful deadline she faced. The new barn smelled of hay, animals, fertilizer and tractor grease, as she entered and made her way to the front. The barn was a symbol of what they were building as a community. Only in cooperation and with a common vision of the future could such a barn be raised. It was a triumph of her leadership, proof that real, physical progress could be made when they pulled together. That anything was possible. But now it felt more like a mocking tribute to her failure as a leader. ...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlWebsite -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comRunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Apr 36min

Season five, Episode fourteen – “Barrage”

Season five, Episode fourteen – “Barrage”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason five, Episode fourteen – “Barrage” … Although it was still a few hours before dawn, the room felt stifling and warm. This time of year, the late summer heat that accumulated during the day never really cleared out during the night. Like an old family home, the distribution center had seen much. The cafeteria sat in benevolent judgment of the people now gathered in it for yet another convocation of conflict. The room had a familiar, lived in feel to it. The carpets were worn and stained, as were the ceiling tiles, as water from the storms leaked brown through the sun-cracked asphalt roof. There were messy piles of boxes stacked against the walls. Many of the fluorescent bulbs were burned out or blinked a feeble yellow on their way to death. It seemed like years, but it had only been a few months since the fastidious force of John Tasker, the original DC manager, had kept everything spic and span. Mags’ people were too busy trying to stay alive and working to build a new future for the niceties of scrubbing the carpets. ...Buy a book -> https://booklocker.com/books/13731.htmlAmazon -> https://www.amazon.com/After-Apocalypse-Story-Pandemic-Survival/dp/0977234207Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypseYouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@cyktrussellPatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse RunRunLiveWebsite -> https://www.runrunlive.comPodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/runrunlive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Mar 30min

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