Season One, Episode Nineteen - “The Gauntlet”
After the Apocalypse26 Juni 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.

Avsnitt(124)

Season three, Episode eight – “Desecration”

Season three, Episode eight – “Desecration”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode eight – “Desecration”...Wili parked the hybrid behind the library in a secluded spot screened by trees. She smiled because she had an affinity for libraries. From all the times she used the library as her refuge growing up in the city.Libraries were her safe spot. Her sanctuary. She wanted to look inside. She was drawn to go inside. Even though there wasn’t much to be cleared from a locked-up library. It was in her nature. Her job, the job of her crew, was not to reminisce in libraries. It was to systematically clear the residences and commercial buildings, to find any survivors and to take inventory of what was still there. ...Subscribe 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/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Dec 202231min

Season three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”

Season three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”...Two more suicides. (One breath pause)The small, electric lamp cast a dull, industrial, patch of light across the desk blotter where Mags worked on paperwork. The desk was cluttered. She was very tired. She lifted her hands and rubbed her tired eyes with balled fists. She was feeling worn out and knew she should probably get some sleep. ...Subscribe 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/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Nov 202237min

Season three, Episode six - "Trap"

Season three, Episode six - "Trap"

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode six – “Trap” (Janet thinking) “Damn that old man is a machine!”(One breath pause)Janet took a deep breath in through her nose and blew it out her mouth. She was struggling and the old man was pulling ahead. She straightened up and pushed her hips forward into the hill. She pulled another large breath in through her nose so that it filled her lungs and expanded her abdominal cavity. She blew it out and focused, squaring her shoulders and bringing her hands up higher towards her ears and relaxing into the effort. They were running hard towards that opening in the woods they had seen from the water tower. Moving fast to gain an advantage over the person on the bike. LinksSubscribe 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/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Nov 202224min

Season three, Episode five – “Stealth”

Season three, Episode five – “Stealth”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode five – “Stealth” ...The old man sat on the metal grating of the water tower walkway. His feet dangled over the edge. He stared out into the morning landscape, lost in thought, like a medieval gargoyle brooding over a Paris bawdy house. ...Subscribe 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/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7beCyktrussell at gmail dot com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Okt 202234min

Season three, Episode four – “Hoodies”

Season three, Episode four – “Hoodies”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode four – “Hoodies” ...A rider in black stops hard on the gravel road.A well-used, flat-bottom Vans shoe slaps the ground and takes his weight.The big, knobby back tire bites and slides before grinding to a halt.Dust rises.He dismounts from the bike with the fluidity and grace of an athlete, lays it down gently on the shoulder and stands up straight. He is hard and lean from both his youth and his months of riding....Links... https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypse https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypse https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypse https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypse https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RH https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse cyktrussell@twitter.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Okt 202231min

Season three, Episode three – “Rabbit”

Season three, Episode three – “Rabbit”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode three – “Rabbit” ...Bill stood guard over a cowering bundle of misery. The man had greasy, shoulder-length hair that hid his face in dangling matts like a dinghy washed up on the shore by storms, buried in seaweed, forlorn and abandoned. He wore dirty and frayed workpants that looked like they had not been changed since the apocalypse began. Out of these pants jutted scuffed boots with worn heels. A loose, tattered winter jacket capped off his sartorial splendor. It fit like a trash bag and hung open to reveal a stained black sweatshirt with a picture of a cartoon rabbit that might have been the March Hare from Alice in Wonderland....Subscribe page on https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Sep 202226min

Season three, Episode two – “Ossuary”

Season three, Episode two – “Ossuary”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode two – “Ossuary” ...The afternoon sun pulsed orange behind distant clouds as it sank toward the horizon like blood draining from a wound. There was an earthy, sickly-sweet smell that lingered across the plaza, chased by a lackluster breeze. “Yeah, we got some strange shit here,” the old man said, as he examined the bone monument in front of the town courthouse. “Agreed,” Janet confirmed as she stole glances around at the quiet buildings. “Something doesn’t feel right.” ... https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypse https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypse https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypse https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypse https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RH http://tee.pub/lic/8MubRv7yeAwMy Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merch Store -> http://tee.pub/lic/8MubRv7yeAwMy Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.com https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Email List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Sep 202236min

Season three, Episode one – “Bones”

Season three, Episode one – “Bones”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode one – “Bones” The old man rolled over and brushed his head against the side of the nylon tent. It took a moment to shake off the velvet fog of a good night’s sleep and remember where he was. He shook the sleeping bag off and curled forward, grabbing clumsily at the zippered entrance. His stiff hands and knees protested as he crawled out to where he was clear enough to stand. He unfolded upright with a customary grunt and grinding of joints. He stretched his arms over his head to lengthen his spine, inhaled deeply of the cool morning air and looked at Bill the dog. “It’s not the Marriott,” he said to the dog, who was eying him from a guard position outside the tent, “but it beats sleeping in the mud with the chiggers.” ...Outro S3 E2https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypseHello my survivor friends. Welcome back to season 3 of after the apocalypse. Did you enjoy your vacations? Did you miss me? Have seen the new subscription option on Acast plus? You can pay me a pittance to get the shows early and/or ad-free now. Email List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7bePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> http://tee.pub/lic/8MubRv7yeAw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Sep 202231min

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