A Junkyard Outside Yearning (Story #163)
Episode notes
This is the Solitaire Story I wrote on 9/1/26. This is one of the ones I wrote in the mini-legal pad, but unlike others from that set this one expanded nicely in the typing phase (so no double feature this week). In this story, a professional photojournalist heads to Yearning, Montana in pursuit of a lifelong dream. He strives awkwardly to make inroads with the locals, including an attractive but acerbic coffee shop proprietress and an old lady hermit-type who seems content to dwell in a junkyard on a hill outside of town. The photojournalist suffers some expensive and embarrassing losses and reversals, but by the time the story ends he seems to have changed for the better, and/or found some inner peace (maybe.)
Apologies in advance for character name inconsistencies and the kind of bizarre, quasi-witchy voice I picked for the old lady at the end. I forgot she had dialogue and didn't really think ahead, which I hope is more fun than obnoxious. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Patreon link in case anyone wants to keep tabs on the big (not that big) update I plan to get out tomorrow, as mentioned during the outro of the episode: