'Once They've Got a Taste For It...' (3033 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: crap:fiction
Rating: 1.96 on 80 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Circe <feral_pet.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2004-05-18 09:16:00 EDT
May, 1974.
The man known to the police and media as Charlie Dylan had been a quiet man. A model neighbor. 'He always minded his own business', said Myra Stevens, who lived across the road from him. Given all we know about serial killers, that should have been a dead giveaway right there. But when police raided his house on the fifteenth of May, suspecting him of drug possession, they were stunned and repulsed to find the rotting, fetid mess of limbs and bones and severed heads in Charlie's bathroom. The bath was filled to the top with congealed blood. One officer threw up on the spot and never lived it down. Two others handed in their badges that same week. From the time of his arrest until his execution two years later, Charlie would never be drawn into conversation on that topic, or any other. In fact, the only words Charlie ever said again were 'The bath made me do it.'
---------------------------
May, 1980
Hold the baby carefully. Make sure she can't slip away, slip out of your grip. Babies can drown in a teaspoon of water. She'd heard that somewhere. Face blank, eyes dull, she lowered the baby into the water. Lorraine. She never thought of the baby as Lorraine. She was just 'the baby'. The squalling, dissatisfied little thing that had disrupted her life.
Wash the baby's hair. No More Tears. Ha. She's still crying, she's always crying, no mere shampoo can stop her. Tiny scrunched up face furious and red, squalling incessantly, wriggling frantically, as she did every night. As she would tomorrow night. And the night after that. In that one bleak moment of epiphany, Lorraine's mother saw her life stretching out before her. It was a desolate wasteland of repetition and despair.
So slippery with the soap, and the bubbles, and the wriggling. So easy to just.. let her slide out of your hands. So easy not to pick her up - easier, in fact, than reaching out for her. 'Your father left because of you,' she said suddenly, watching the tiny form flailing beneath the surface. Satisfied that she'd explained herself, Lorraine's mother sat by the bath and watched dispassionately.
It was over surprisingly quickly.
---------------------------
May, 1986
Elizabeth Perkins lifted one leg out of the sudsy water and watched the way the candlelight reflected on her wet, tanned skin. She loved the bath - she always had a bath before her dates with Alex. She liked the way the perfumed bubbles seemed to leave their scent permeated into her skin. She smiled, thinking of Alex. So tall, and funny, and perfect. She hummed a little as she picked up the razor beside the bath, and snapped the plastic safety guard off the bottom, and opened the vein on the underside of her forearm with one smooth stroke. She lay back and watched the sweet scented bubbles turned pink. The thousand reflections of the lone candle slowly shaded from yellow to orange.
She closed her eyes.
---------------------------
May, 1992
Jeffrey Baez always washed his dog Skipper in the bath. Sure, there were folks who called it unhygenic, but he loved Skipper and wouldn't subject him to a dousing with a cold hose. He talked to the Labrador, as he always did, while he washed and rinsed and made sure the good old boy was as clean as a whistle. 'Yeah, you're a good dog. Good old boy. You like that scratching behind the ears, don't ya? Yeah, I know.' Jeffrey had never married, and at the age of fifty, had no children. He and Skipper were all each other had, and Jeffrey was happy with it that way.
Skipper turned his head, and lunged, and opened Jeffrey's throat with his teeth. The last emotion Jeffrey registered as he slumped forward and dimly heard his blood pattering into the dirty water was surprise.
----------------------------
May, 1998
He loved it like this - loved being in the warm water with her legs around his waist and his mouth on hers and the soft breathless sounds of her moaning filling the air. He tangled his fingers in her wet, soapy hair and moved inside her, feeling her body react to him with familiar passion. Water sloshed over the side of the tub and onto the floor as he moved faster, harder, and her legs tightened on him, and she was crying out his name into his mouth, and it was the easiest thing in the world to lift his head and move his hands to her slender, beautiful neck. Her eyes, heavy lidded and sleepy looking with pleasure, widened with shock when he pushed her under. He held her down while she kicked and fought and tried to scream, succeeding only in letting the water into her lungs.
Eventually she was still.
---------------------------
May, 2004
Lisa examined the bath carefully. Salvage yards were notorious for trying to sell off cracked or broken tubs, but this one looked in top condition. It was old, and there were stains around the plughole that were probably rust, but it should scrub up nicely. It'd look great in the upstairs bathroom. She'd always wanted a bath in there.
User Reviews
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-12-19 19:32:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sigh
I miss Circe
Submitted by ticklish_squirrel (user info) at 2006-12-19 19:29:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
*gulp*
Submitted by Doodles (user info) at 2006-12-10 15:54:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow
Submitted by Rocktsrgn (user info) at 2005-01-10 14:12:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucking A...
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-01-10 13:47:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Circe...
Dear...
You worry me.
IN a rather scary way...
But g'damn.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2004-09-07 11:31:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have to walk by my bathroom door to get to my coffee pot.
My mug is empty...
You suck!
Submitted by SPECIALk (user info) at 2004-09-05 03:21:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow.
Submitted by NSFW (user info) at 2004-09-05 03:20:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-09-05 03:06:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I got a few comments on the title, Mike. My original idea was that the bath, having tasted blood, wanted more. I grew up in the country, and it's a saying about dogs who've killed livestock: "Once they've had got a taste for it, they'll never stop." My mind made some sort of connection and hence, ill-fitting title.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2004-09-05 01:04:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is well worth a +2. Nice job of writing.
What's up with the title? It didn't seem to make sense after I got through reading the excellent post. I know...the taste...got it, but the post really didn't seem to fit the title.
The Jeffrey Baez portion was too abrupt for me. I can't tell you how I would change it though,or if I even would.
I like the way you think Circe. You have a great imagination. People who write dark stuff tend to get shunned by others as being to "fantastic" or "creepy". It takes a certain amount of courage to write stuff like this. You have to reach down into that part of you that really wants to be left alone. You have to open that part of your brain that has the do not disturb sign on it. Most people avoid those parts of themselves. I think it's because once you go there, it's hard to shut it back up again.
It is a misunderstood genre and it makes people think we are crazy.
You do a much better job at it than I do. Take that as a compliment.
Don't listen to me though, I have no clue what I am talking about.
Submitted by Soley_Trinity (user info) at 2004-09-03 10:30:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love your shtuff.
Submitted by NoahsArk (user info) at 2004-09-03 10:16:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2004-08-20 17:51:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've now read everything you have on here, and... I think I'm in love.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-07-24 04:27:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by the_lone_stranger (user info) at 2004-07-24 01:52:25 (#)
Ranking: 2
I just read that backwards - from bottom to top. It still made perfect sense.
Fucking. Awesome.
______________________
Strange you should say that - at one point in the editing process, it was going to be posted that way. I decided against it, because I needed that first paragraph and that ludicrous line - 'The bath made me do it' - to set the not-quite-serious tone.
Submitted by TeleMaster (user info) at 2004-07-24 02:48:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That was really good, keep it up!
Submitted by atz (user info) at 2004-07-24 02:25:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Evil bathtub.
Submitted by the_lone_stranger (user info) at 2004-07-24 01:52:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I just read that backwards - from bottom to top. It still made perfect sense.
Fucking. Awesome.
Submitted by gibberish (user info) at 2004-07-11 16:12:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome.
Submitted by Naery (user info) at 2004-07-11 16:03:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
so ass-kicking even my ass hurts.
Submitted by Fartman <Fartman.at.hotmail.com> at 2004-07-02 12:57:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Kicker of all ass indeed. I'll have another helping of Circe, please.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2004-06-06 07:04:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Can't believe i missed this. Fantastic.
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-05-27 02:34:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You should, that guy is a dickshit.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-05-21 11:45:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Ahh well, it had to happen. (Well. Get it? No? Don't blame you.)
Submitted by theWELLofZION (user info) at 2004-05-21 11:01:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cool story!~
Submitted by hendrixjrr (user info) at 2004-05-21 10:25:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I thought it was pretty good, but everyone below me seemed to like it more than I did. Don't want to ruin your streak.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2004-05-21 03:32:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2004-05-21 03:26:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This post made me want to keep my tub, but kill my dog. Bizarre.
Bravo either way you smart, sexy, woman-thing.
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-05-20 23:56:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
the baby bath scene in particular was very well done and disturbing - i have a small child so could relate very well to it all
this, and your sycophantic best in show nomination for shandy, definitely earns you protoge status.
even more brownie points can be gained if you can tell me how to get the fucking frog acute thing over the e in protoge.
Submitted by jcricket (user info) at 2004-05-20 19:51:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
great piece of writing.
the baby scene reminded me of the baby scene in the joy luck club.
I wasn't quite sure about the title though...
"once they've had a taste for it..."
i suppose that "demonic tub of killing death" was already taken...
that tubs got to have some type of mileage on it.
that's a long ass time to survive.
good stuff
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2004-05-20 04:34:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You ARE a feral pet, dear author.
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2004-05-20 04:25:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This could easily be a published short story.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-05-19 21:31:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Staccers - only because it happens to be May, and because what with the possessed bathtub thing, and 666 being generally accepted as the devil's number... I don't know, the idea had a quirkiness that appealed to me.
Thanks to everyone who rated this - I'm honestly lost for words.
Submitted by Staccers (user info) at 2004-05-19 17:41:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
and why every six years?
Submitted by Staccers (user info) at 2004-05-19 17:37:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
why are they all in may?
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-05-19 17:23:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nicely done.
Submitted by wazzawazzayo (user info) at 2004-05-19 14:23:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Whoowee! That was a tough one to get through, you got me feeling it right in the pit of my stomach. Thank you.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2004-05-19 14:23:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just wanted to tell you, yesterday I was in the bathroom going potty, and I looked over at the bathtub.... thought of this post and got chills. Then I ran away.
Submitted by cwl989 (user info) at 2004-05-19 14:19:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That was awesome.
Submitted by indigogecko (user info) at 2004-05-19 14:07:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
sheeeee-it. shivers still running up and down my spine. damn you're good.
Submitted by Magicaddict (user info) at 2004-05-19 11:27:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
A very interesting idea well expressed.
Submitted by Captain-Cretin (user info) at 2004-05-19 05:03:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Showers only for me after reading this.
Submitted by Trishtopher (user info) at 2004-05-18 21:27:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is why I come to Uber.
Damn...
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2004-05-18 21:24:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
-2.
Submitted by Electro (user info) at 2004-05-18 21:18:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hell, this is too good to break the +2 chain... Heres a +2 Bonus.
Submitted by kireisarah (user info) at 2004-05-18 21:10:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Brrr.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2004-05-18 20:10:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
good. ya know, that would have been a good ubermadness title. youre a selfish person.
kidding.
Submitted by Val (user info) at 2004-05-18 20:03:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
wow today is bath tub related death day. weird. +2 you are a very articulate writer, write more.
Submitted by Disektor (user info) at 2004-05-18 19:52:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bathtub related deaths are awesome.
Speaking of which...
Submitted by Falconer (user info) at 2004-05-18 15:20:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Welcome to awesome, population: This post.
Submitted by ktcschick (user info) at 2004-05-18 15:12:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ohhhh, creepy.... loved it!
The baby one was a tad ichy though... it's hard to see/read things with babies getting hurt or killed. But very effective.
No baths... only showers this week! Guess that won't necessarily help, huh? sigh...
Submitted by simplychilled (user info) at 2004-05-18 15:09:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent post! Mental note: take showers from now on...
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2004-05-18 13:46:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Da-ham kid. Wow.
Submitted by SausageKing (user info) at 2004-05-18 13:05:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Extremely well written and very creepy.
Submitted by Swik (user info) at 2004-05-18 12:22:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bah, "technically" I murdered each and every one of those nuns..er...nevermind. Funny thing is as I typed that I was like hmmm, wonder if this is a girl, but went with it anyway.
Here have another +2
Submitted by shark25 (user info) at 2004-05-18 12:21:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
good work
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:51:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
CAN'T SLEEP TUB WILL EAT ME
Submitted by AlwaysAnEagle (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:49:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was amazing. Great work!
Submitted by Coyote (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:42:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is as far above the typical +2 post as that typical +2 is above a 0... you get at least a +4 for this. And, for once, I'm glad that my apartment doesn't have a tub.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:35:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Swik - thank you... though I am technically a girl.
Submitted by drky (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:32:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Loved it...
Submitted by Swik (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:28:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You are all fools! The bathtub is merely a pawn of the most diabolical of all demons and horrors, the kitchen sink! I mean, it even has a whirling blade of death, some try and call a garbage desposal, but it desposes of flesh just as well....
Bravo man, good read
Submitted by Creepy_guy (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:16:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Simply amazing...
Submitted by antiLemming (user info) at 2004-05-18 11:10:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:58:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, everyone.
Ainkara, as long as it's not a demonically possessed spa, it should be fine. I think. I hope, anyway.
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:56:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well.... I never want to have a bath again...
Would a spa be fine you think?
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:37:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
no comment necessary.
Submitted by Awko (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:24:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
And that people is the reason why I don't bathe.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:14:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Kracka (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:11:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
outstanding
-Black Ninja
Submitted by Philst82 (user info) at 2004-05-18 10:04:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Liked it.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:52:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow. Holy shit. Oh my God. Wow. One of the best ever, Circe, one of the best.
Submitted by Dufflady (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:50:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good read.
Submitted by freebie (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:49:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
man that's good.
Submitted by hairycoo (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:46:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
think I need a new job.
Submitted by hairycoo (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:46:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GOOD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Submitted by DraconianKing (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:45:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for this being fuckin' weird/creepy/making me want to take a bath with you
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:36:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, guys... Rixes, FUCK! I wish I'd thought of that.
Submitted by Rixes (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:32:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Kickass, but no electrocution?
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:32:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yet another gem that will go unnoticed on the cigarette butt-strewn shoreline of uber.
Submitted by Bellebrown (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:30:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great reading. I really enjoyed that.
I feel like having a bath... but I enjoyed that.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2004-05-18 09:24:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent. Be proud.