JETHRO’S ACE OF HEARTS
a thirteen-part story, EXCLUSIVE to Trapped By Monsters
story (c) Sam Enthoven / illustrations (c) David Melling, 2009. All rights reserved.
-Second Slice-
‘So sorry to trouble you,’ Mr Theophilus continued, his green eyes twinkling kindly. ‘But I couldn’t help noticing that t-shirt you’re wearing. It’s not… is it?’
‘An Official Jack the Ripper Fan Club t-shirt?’ said Jethro, swelling with pride. He was a very fat young man – the reason we were interested in him – so this was an impressive sight. ‘Yes! Yes it is, actually.’
‘My,’ said Mr Theophilus in a tone of respect. ‘That’s quite a difficult item to lay one’s hands on, I understand.’
‘Well, you know…’ Jethro’s shrug was casual but his ears were turning pink. ‘Why? Do you want one yourself?’
Mr Theophilus grinned his widest grin, displaying to perfection the gleaming whiteness and splendid condition of his teeth. ‘Oh, good heavens no! T-shirts aren’t really my line.’ His eyes locked onto Jethro’s and, almost imperceptibly at first, he began to nod. ‘I am interested in Jack the Ripper, though. Specifically, the man behind the myth. May I enquire: do you have a theory as to who he really was?‘
‘Well,’ said Jethro, finding himself nodding too, ‘I’ve, er, read all the books, of course. It’s kind of a hobby of mine. You know, serial killers.’
‘The mystery of the Ripper’s true identity,’ Mr Theophilus declared, ‘has now vexed the world for a hundred and twenty years!’
‘Yeah!’ said Jethro. ‘And sometimes the books have pictures!’
Mr Theophilus blinked and the nodding stopped for a moment. ‘Quite,’ he said. Then his eyes locked back on Jethro’s again. ‘Young man, would you like to know the answer?‘
03/11/2009 at 2:21 pm Permalink
I am loving, loving, LOVING this! The story has me gripped already, Sam, and David your artwork compliments it perfectly.
Can’t wait to read more.
03/11/2009 at 2:56 pm Permalink
Thanks, Barry!
I’m currently planning to post the next bit this Friday, at 12 noon GMT.
There’s some truly stunning artwork from David lined up for future posts, so: Everyone who can see this? Do please keep checking in!
03/11/2009 at 3:20 pm Permalink
Friday? FRIDAY!?!
Oh, you tease!
03/11/2009 at 4:00 pm Permalink
Bwaha. BWAHAHAHAHA!
Seriously though: right now I’m thinking Mondays and Fridays would be nice regular spots to post the remaining eleven slices of JETHRO. We’ve always got plenty of other stuff going on at TBM. But if anyone reading this (apart from Barry! ;p) thinks that twice a week for the remaining episodes is too stingy / too slow, I’m listening! Leave a comment either way.
All best,
Sam
04/11/2009 at 4:44 pm Permalink
Glad you like it Barry. Sam made me do it though. I was all for drawing the characters as a family of rabbits. Hey, I do picture books for a living, what can I tell you?
04/11/2009 at 4:46 pm Permalink
Sam – maybe 3 times a week would be better? Just a thought:)
04/11/2009 at 9:04 pm Permalink
Yes, Monday, Wednesday and Friday would be perfect. Which means GET PART 3 POSTED NOW!
No pressure, though.
Ahem.
05/11/2009 at 2:28 pm Permalink
Hah! We’ll see if you’re so keen once you’ve witnessed the full horror of Slice Three (noon tomorrow) and Slice Four (noon Monday)