Today's hardboiled adventure features our tarot gumshoe, Irving "Squishy" Buggs.

"The dame, the detective and the emperor"
 - a rolicking, tough as nails, tabloid featuring the major arcana.



It started like most mondays did for Squishy, a thudding hangover behind the eyes, the stale taste of lipstick, tobacco and falafel. The Sunday buffet at the Hanged Man, an all night, exotic, striptease, hookah bar and pita pit was just too good to pass up!   That tzatziki!

That's where I met her.  Why do I always notice the dames with damage?  Beautiful and fragile, she grabbed my attention like a prostate exam.  Suddenly, my world changed - I didn't know what was up or down, right or wrong, and I didn't care.  All I know was that her lipstick was a terrible color for her skintone.  Dames!  I had to tell her, but how?  I felt like a fool.  Do I stand up and interupt her act?  The strength she showed in handling that huge boa was daunting, but my damned devotion to the color chart wouldn't let me!  Even though she was the star I stumbled up to her like a besotted lover, mumbling praise and offering a ride; I think I said "My chariot awaits!"   What was in that hookah!?!

Check back soon for further adventures of "Squishy" Buggs!!!