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Dec 19, 2023
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Jimmy Doom's avatar

The sponsor becomes the sponsee

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Patris's avatar

Not your typical Christmas story but maybe a better one, the message: despite the odds against it, Goodwill to all.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

That is the message. I try to practice it year round.

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V Moire's avatar

Wow. This is dark and bright, ugly and beautiful all at once.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you. I can't ask for much more

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Kate's avatar

It's dark and it's gritty. There's power in stories that are hard to read. I really like it.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you. I could feel power in it

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Dee Rambeau's avatar

The daggers of our lives. We stab it with our steely knives but we just can’t kill the beast. Digging out a morsel of light from a dark alley...nicely done Jimmy.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks Dee. It was important to me to write that. Fun too, but important

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Paul R's avatar

As someone who loves the shadows, the shock of recognition would only be compounded by being named. Naming Sammy Leyman removed the cloak of anonymity and humanised what both parties anticipated would be a a mechanical transaction.

A wonderful, if bleak story Jimmy!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Detroit has many silver linings in a cloak of bleak and rust.

I'm biased, but it's the most humane place I've ever been.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Very powerful writing, Jimmy.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you. I work at it. Hopefully I can find a platform that appreciates it.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Looking at the comments there are loads of us who appreciate you.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I appreciate my little gang. I love you guys. The encouragement keeps me publishing every day. But the overall financial picture isn't sustainable. I plateau'd hard. This is my fortieth month on Substack, creating the best short fiction I possibly can daily.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Thankful for your words and hoping an answer emerges. It is such a tough financial climate ... Substack could (and should) do more to push fiction of every hue. Your work deserves to garner the rewards.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

I'm thankful for the opportunity to reach people. I just believed that I'd see steady growth.

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Diana Elizabeth's avatar

Damn. Merry Christmas in however you find joy. It’s not all candy canes and toys. It’s tears and sorrow, anger and regret.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

But it can be a fleeting moment of peace. Crack isn't positive, but that wasn't the worst possible outcome in this one.

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E. Jean Carroll's avatar

GOOD ONE, JIMMY!!!!!!!!!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you, thank you. I felt this one so strongly.

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Joe's avatar

A bittersweet moment from life on the street.

For two, a moment of warmth and remembrance of good times.

For the other, a small plateau in the spiral.

Wow.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks J/S! Bittersweet for sure, but just enough of a moment that it qualifies for a small gratitude.

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appleton king's avatar

got the feel of memoir e.jean called it good one

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thank you. I never had a crack problem but it was impossible to not witness it for a stretch in the 80s and 90s. As recently as last summer I was talking to a homeless neighbor and she sparked one up in front of me.

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Jackson Rezen's avatar

What a weird mix of somber contentment.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Yep. A little dope will do that very temporarily.

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Michael Hardcastle's avatar

Really liked this one, Jimmy.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

Wow, Jimmy, that's some pretty powerful shit, man. Life on the streets is never easy, but that...is a merry Christmas.

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Patty Mallett's avatar

Dark...and light. An interesting Christmas story. Nice piece, Jimmy.

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Thea Wood's avatar

Just discovered your stack. Also in the Detroit area. 🤘🏻

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

My archive has hundreds of stories set in Detroit, over 1200 stories total.

Dive in and let me know what you think.

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Thea Wood's avatar

Wow, thanks!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

You write about women in music and you're in the Detroit area. Are you familiar with Carmel Liburdi?

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Thea Wood's avatar

I can’t believe she wasn’t on my radar until you mentioned her. Digging her music, now following. Will catch a show after Xmas. Do you see her play often?

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Not nearly as often as I'd like. Publishing daily has taken a huge chunk out of my social life. But she's always great when I do see her and I own some of her original artwork.

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Thea Wood's avatar

Nice! Contact me if you go to a show. And vice versa. I’ll meet you there. 🎶😎🤘🏻

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