October 19 - Tooth Goblin

A bit of bone for a bit of treasure.  For centuries the Tooth Goblin had collected teeth according to the pact.

But the humans had developed all sorts of prejudices, so something had to be done.

A pair of costume wings, a sprinkle of glitter, and a rebranding to "Fairy".   Soon, parents were placing teeth beneath pillows themselves.  They even encouraged their children to look forward to his visits.

And every night, the old goblin returned to his lair, emptied his pockets, and carefully pressed the newest acquisitions into his gums.

He had the most beautiful smile.

Sometimes the tooth hurts, dear fiends!
But our goblin's never had trouble finding someone to put a smile on his face!

Mwaheheeheheheee! *snort*

(view other Sam Cremeens inspired balloons!)

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 18 - The Tell-Tale Toe

I awoke with a start. There it was again! That dreadful pounding, as though some hideous little heart had taken residence beneath my sheets.

Throb. Throb. Throb.

I dared not move. Even the slightest stirring of the sheets brought unimaginable agony.

For seven days and nights the terrible pounding tormented me. Then, as sudden as it had begun, it ceased.

So tonight, I shall celebrate my deliverance. A fine steak, a bottle of wine, and perhaps a second helping.

I deserve it.

A tale of woe and toe (and Poe, don't you know), dear fiends!
But will our poor victim ever figure it gout?

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 17 - Cymbal Monkey

MAN
The shopkeeper couldn't tell me where it came from.
It didn't have a price and no one remembered putting it there.
But something told me I had to have it.
Now I'm not so sure.
I'm almost certain I left the key beside it and not in its back ... 

MONKEY
I can't warn them unless they turn the key.
I've tried to show them.
I don't think they understand.
I'm afraid they'll be next.

Poor little monkey.  Designed to raise the alarm, but they won't let him.

I guess that's a cymbal of what's to come!

Mwahahahahahahaha! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 16 - Mr. Dippel

I asked Dave Brenn for help making a zombie.

He showed me a technique he'd learned years ago from the caretaker of an old cemetery on the outskirts of Darmstadt.  He wouldn't say much about what happened there, but he gave me two rules.

Never give it a name.  And whatever happens, make sure it's popped before sundown.

Honestly, it all seems a little bit overly dramatic.

Besides, Mr. Dippel came out great.

At 8pm, there were three soft knocks on my door.

Almost courteous.

Then they jiggled the handle ...

 

Tonight's tale puts a new twist on name-calling,
Arose by any other name, but still smells as rotten!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

(view other David Brenn inspired balloons!)

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 15 - Nozzlehead

You solved the puzzle.

You summoned us from beyond the boundaries of your world, beyond the fragile limits of flesh and reason.

We have such exquisite suffering to share.

I am Nozzlehead, Keeper of the Lamentation Sphere.  You have opened a doorway between our worlds, and I have come to collect what is owed.  One final breath.  Such a small price, wouldn't you agree?

And to think, you had so many left.

It seems our little puzzler is embarkering on a hell-raising adventure!
Nozzlehead has promised a ... breathtaking experience!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 14 - Charon

Do you have any idea how long we've tried to raise that fare?  It's just that ancient pacts are notoriously difficult to renegotiate.

Then in 2025, a handful of wealthy men who hadn't touched a penny in decades decided to stop making them.   They convinced an entire nation that minting its own pennies had simply become too expensive.

A remarkable achievement, really - there wasn't even a vote. Fifty-six million dollars freed up for some sort of big, beautiful budget.  

And just like that, the ancient pact was broken.

My fare rose to a nickel.

I've already put a deposit on a luxury 26-foot pontoon with a 200-horsepower Mercury and reclining captain's chair. I'm calling her The Trickle Down.

Ahhh, fiscal responsibility!
Saving pennies for the living while nickel-and-diming the dead!
It's enough to make you want to roll over in your grave
... to look for loose change!

Mwahahahahahaa! *snort*

(view other David Brenn inspired balloons!)

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty:

October 13 - Balloodoo

October 13th.

My experiments have thus far failed to substantiate any of the natives' more extravagant claims.

They insist that the figure must never be inflated by its maker, but this is plainly another of their silly superstitions. Mine has remained beside my bed for three nights without incident.

In the meanwhile, though - I have developed a rather stubborn sinus infection.  The pressure is quite extraordinary, but I expect the antibiotics will take effect shortly.  I trust my next report will find me in better health.

Ah, Balloodoo! A little-known branch of voodoo.
It's positively breathtaking!

Mwaheheeheheheee! *snort*

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Tales from the Other Other Side of the Sty: