As previously stated, #DKMasquerade and #AKChickenChick are collaborating to run a bar in Chicken for Dust to Dawson week. I love how a lot of people have already jumped into the spirit of things and started developing characters. Many of you have asked, what is the “Panty Cannon.” Well here is a little story I wrote to introduce the infamous cannon and give credit to a couple of creative characters so far. Enjoy!
“Don’t worry, running the café and gift shop will be a breeze, Aly.” Ashley assured their new hire. “For the most part you’ll just be ringing up orders. For some reason my parents have a hell of a time with our new credit card system.”
Aly nodded and smiled. The woman had rolled into town the night before and saddled up to the bar. She had an air of mystery and loneliness about her as she sipped a beer and poked at a bowl of chicken noodle soup. When a German tourist asked her where she was from or where she was going, she gave vague, listless answers. Her eyes kept drifting to the help wanted sign above the bar. When Ashley asked her if she were looking for a job for the summer, the woman’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. While mom and dad were doing an okay job running the café, they could definitely use some help.
Ashley got the impression that Aly was on the run from something, but out here in the 40-mile, half the population was. When a slick TV crew came to Chicken a few years back, wanting to cash in on the reality show craze, the miners ran them off. Half of them have outstanding felony warrants, and the other half? Well, let’s say they’re not the social type. There’s a reason they chose to live in the middle of nowhere.
“What’s that?” Aly asked, pointing at the big iron tube sitting on the corner of the bar as Ashley poured her a beer.
“That’s the panty cannon,” Ashley replied with a smile. She found herself blushing inexplicably as the dark-haired man at the back of the bar caught her eye and grinned. He’d rolled in late last night and rented one of their cabins for a few days.
“The panty cannon?” Aly asked. Then her eyes went wide as she pointed to the thousands of shredded panties stapled to the ceiling. “Ah, explains a lot.”
“Yeah, if a girl—or a guy, give up their goods, we blast them off in the cannon, then we collect the shreds and staple them to the ceiling. As you can see,” she motioned with her hands, “it’s been a tradition for years.” Ashley cracked an ale and took a swig, trying to cool the heat in her body as the dark-haired guy continued to gaze at her.
“So, how many are yours?” Aly asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Ashley choked on her beer. Can’t wait until Liberty gets here. He’d be just her type. Or maybe yours? Nah. Liberty likes the bad boys. You don’t. Right?
Thanks for reading! This weeks prompt word will be LIBATION. What does your character choose to quench their thirst? Beer? Whiskey? Coffee? Plain water? Or are they quenching a different sort of thirst entirely? I look forward to reading the posts!