By the way, I will be at the West Virginia Book Festival with physical copies of Beer Run and Beer Run II on October 19, 2024. I’d love it if anyone came to buy a book or just chat. Here’s this week in Pandemonium.

August 19, 1692—Four men and one woman are executed for Witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. As the events in Salem become common knowledge in Pandemonium, John Winthrop Jr. assures the Witch community that the Strangers have no plans to enact similar measures in their commonwealth, swearing upon the Bible. Satanic High Priest Horace FitzB’lial reciprocates, casting a spell that guarantees his life would be forfeit should any curse or hex be made against the Strangers. FitzB’lial dies three days from a broken neck. No known cause is found, but his head is found completely reversed.

August 20, 1934—Pandemonium Motor Speedway opens on the mainland, as Witch speed demons now need another excuse to put their lead feet to use after the end of prohibition. The site of many great races, the tract changes its name to Pandemonium Motor Park in 1984 when it is given the opportunity to host a NASCAR race. Dale Earnhardt refused to race in a venue with the initials PMS.

August 21, 1858—The Stephen-Douglas debates begin, which bring national attention to the Republican Party and Abraham Lincoln, who eloquently argues against the expansion of slavery into the western territories. In Pandemonium, the slave owning Witches burn Lincoln in effigy, and their slaves secretly whisper about the possibilities of freedom. The Strangers whistle nervously and pray there isn’t a war.

August 22, 1965—Opening Day begins for the new single-A minor league team, the Pandemonium Sorcerers. The game ends in a dugout clearing brawl caused by an errant pitch striking Sorcerer clean-up hitter, Brian Fields, in the head. The Sorcerer’s fall short, 14-2.

August 23, 1788—Seeing the demise of the semi-state of Franklin, the Town Council agrees to table any discussion of Pandemonium declaring independence from the State of South Carolina. Prior proposals stressed the sacrifices made by Pandemonium residents in the war and the fact that Pandemonium pre-existed the state of South Carolina.

August 24, 1996—Hurricane Andolio makes landfall in Pandemonium, a Category 5 storm. Televangelist Jerry Falwell claims it is God’s judgment on a town dedicated to the enemy. A strange judgment as Witch neighborhoods survive largely unaffected, while significant damage occurs in the Fieldhand and Stranger sectors of town.

August 25, 1835—The Pandemonium Lament opens its doors. The Lament remains one of the oldest continuing newspapers in America. Alas, it’s first edition prints the Great Moon Hoax on the front page, claiming that intelligent life had been discovered on the moon.