Liars' League

The Persistence of Mnemosyne by Michael Skansgaard

The Persistence of Mnemosyne MP3

Read by Gabriel Moreno

On her breath I smelled alcohol and lust—which are really the same smell. She was American, and therefore she was the kind of girl who believed that all Europeans are French and all moustaches are irrefutable proof of a man's sexual prowess. Mnemosyne was young enough to be my daughter, and yet wise beyond her years—behind every adolescent fantasy there is an element of truth, no?

 

1% Inspiration by Brigid Mahony

Read by Grace Cookey-Gam & Tim Larkfield

Dear Living Life, Loving Life Magazine,

My name is Alan Stone and I’m applying to be a regular columnist. I love your magazine, especially the stories where the groom runs off with the bride’s sister. I’m always like, LOL!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours applyingly,

A. Stone

 

The Schoendecker Archive by Joel Blackledge

The Schoendecker Archive MP3

Read by Gloria Sanders

 

Passing under the redbrick arches of Tidemarsh University, it is impossible to ignore the famous architecture that styles its buildings to resemble the subjects studied within the respective departments. The Institute of Zoology is a rabbit, the School of English is a stack of books, and the Film & Media Department is a camera (its windows call to mind the frames of a reel). The fresher’s eye eagerly devours every edge and corner of the place; even the jaded doctoral student will admit to its ingenuity and undeniable charm.

 

Last Night by Peter Higgins

Last Night MP3

Read by Jim Cogan

What kind of a name was Meredith, anyway? Meredith. You couldn’t be a famous painter with a name like that, could you?  Meredith Walker.  He shook his head a little.  He wondered why he was here. Her little front garden was full of what his father would no doubt call crap, but which Meredith called Art. Michael was still undecided, but he knew why he was here: he had to say goodbye. But of course it wasn’t goodbye. He’d still be coming home for things like Christmas and holidays and things like that. Right? Right.

 

The Island of Kevin Quickfingers by Alan Graham

The Island of Kevin Quickfingers MP3

Read by Tony Bell

Although the Caribbean Sea was calm, I still managed to spend most of my journey to the Island lying sick on the floor of my cabin. All thanks to fear and nervous excitement. I still couldn’t quite believe that someone like me, who never won anything, had triumphed in the most important competition I had ever entered.

I’d lost friends since winning, obviously. Other bitter members of the fan club couldn’t quite accept that I was the one worthy enough to travel half-way round the world and conduct an interview with the great man himself – Kevin “Quickfingers” Smoothby. Guitarist with the band Galadriel Overdrive. Only the greatest, most mind-expanding and musically proficient progressive rock band ever to record a track capturing the history of the steam engine via the medium of a fifteen-minute guitar solo.

 

I Married a Lunatic by Thomas Kearnes

I Married a Lunatic MP3

Read by David Mildon

The city’s emergency response unit has threatened to sue if Billy dials 911 again. No more calls about terrorists, no more calls about secret missions for the CIA. I love him so madly, I let my mother die alone after a long rain. Billy and I lost all but one photograph of her. On the back, she wrote her last words: Please, son, don’t make my mistake. Don’t ruin your life over a man. When Billy kisses me, I forget myself. He wants to visit the drive-in across town, and only a closed vehicle can convince Billy to indulge a crowd. They might scan my brain, he says.

 

 

Our next event: GENIUS & MADNESS, Tuesday 12th July

EUREKA! The stories have been chosen for this month's event, GENIUS & MADNESS on Tuesday 12th July. We've got naked artists & obsessive scientists, Apple "geniuses" & prog-rock guitarists, crazy love & beautiful misfits: now all we need is you! (And you can tell us if you're coming by clicking on the link above for the Facebook event ...)

WINNING STORIES for GENIUS & MADNESS
1% Inspiration by Brigid Mahony *NEW AUTHOR*
The Schoendecker Archive by Joel Blackledge *NEW AUTHOR*
I Married a Lunatic by Thomas Kearnes *NEW AUTHOR*
Last Night by Peter Higgins
The Island of Kevin Quickfingers by Alan Graham

(We are also currently in negotiations regarding a mystery sixth piece, so watch this space ...)

As ever, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start and entry is £5 on the door. Tickets include a programme, sweets, and the chance to win FREE BOOKS in our justly infamous interval literary quiz. Seating is first come first served - so it's a good idea to get there a bit ahead of time if you want a good table - but if you have a party of 5 or more you can reserve a table by calling 07808 939535.

The venue is downstairs at:
The Phoenix
37 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0PP

(The Phoenix is 5 minutes' walk from Oxford Circus tube station, which is on the Victoria, Bakerloo and Central lines). Map here