Phoenix Square

By Paul Barlow

Phoenix Square is a bunch of buildings made over centuries in Chameleon Bay. In the last century it was popular as a destination point for artists and as a holiday favorite. Troy, the lead has lived over a century, so not everything should be taken seriously from this unreliable narrator. Troy meets up with his sis, Lucinda to catch up after a long estrangement.

Mr. Whitworth, the owner is in the bar annoying the writers. He plans to cook the 1st meals of the newcomers, and Bonnard, an artist, explains Whitworth's temperament to another guest, Whitworth wishing to be everything for everyone. Troy is accepting of Whitworth's ways even though it seems to get old, despite his tendency to host drunken contests after hours. Early in the morning Troy decides to wander the grounds, and he sees his sis and Jack doing the same, q'ing their motives as they knock at people's doors and spoke to them on the street.

As Troy attempts to enjoy his stay by going to the beach offseason, and whatnot, Luc and Jack seem to stay unimpressed. Jack is getting flustered by the noise at night, Troy investigating when he hears some repetitive thumping, Jack silencing him in the hall. They waylay another artist dragging a wood sculpture, and goes back to his business regardless of knowing how loud he was being. Upon hearing Jack's problem, Whitworth gives him soothing ear plugs and considers the matter solved.

Troy's journal notes of how adult Luc had become to Troy, and Jack's revelling in his bad mood didn't affect her resolve. Troy decides to chat with the guests who annoy Jack, 1 man loving the female body, Pygmalion, and wanting to give women goddess-like power. He insults Troy's sis, but asks forgiveness before continuing with what his art was about. Pyg sets them up with drinks at a whore house, he having the lady set up an intro platter for Troy.

Troy has an eye opening experience beside ho and Pyg, whilst Jack thinks he has a chance getting under Luc's skirt. When Troy returns, Luc decides they must go hit up Aunt Amelia for cash. They go see her, and after introing Troy, has him wait for her outside, she able to get Aunt to provide a wad. Meanwhile, Jack is feeling spurned by Luc and takes it out on the drink, running up a nice tab.

Luc stops his drunken climb, and tells of knowing where to dig tmw. Troy puzzles over his sis's motives, and then a glimpse into Luc's past with Aunt Amelia shows why she had an understanding with her. Troy notices Luc and Jack leave next morning to where she believes her grandparents had buried their money at their home. Troy decides to bother Pyg whilst he's attempting to pork his wooden female sculpture.

Meanwhile, Tally plans on filling in more shelves with books, Whitworth at 1st surprised the man could even read so many. Luc next learns what event Whitworth had invited Jack to being a religious seeming sort. When Luc scoffs at his resolve, she's sad to see him finally leave her. Luc then sees the skeletons of her grandparents wishing they'd met her when they were alive.

A letter from Bonnard follows regarding what he'd revealed to Troy of his fam's sordid background, but this also containing their lost fam fortune. As Troy is being led to where Luc was digging, Jack is checking out Whitworth's speech, he inviting Jack onstage. Luc is dealing with her grandparents complaining of their living relatives disregard as Jack is getting berated by Whitworth for not paying his rent, and getting thrown out, as well as ending the brothel's business. Troy discovers Luc as the grandparents leave talking ill of her, she having collected some family jewels.

Jack's final revenge seems to be to start a fire, which Troy, Luc and group see as they return from the house, Luc discovering only a cross and brooch. Troy is having 2nd thoughts about his reunion with Luc, but this ofc being interrupted by the fire, Tally inquiring of Whitworth his plan on saving his books, the fire crew being the answer. Luc is becoming more upset with Jack's more than likely demise. Only he was suspected dead, Whitworth planning to rebuild and allow Tally to put his new books there.

Troy wanders to a man's bed accidentally, and must turn away his sexual advances, instead telling of planning to start a place where people could feel safe. Luc meanwhile, goes to the whore house, Troy feeling rid of her, since she didn't seem to care about his welfare. Luc has begun residency in the brothel, which apparently could set their ladies up with a pure life later, and career. A doc, Llewelyn helps Troy out by allowing him to apprentice for him, this also being when Troy sees the notice of Luc's new job.

The doc dismisses it, thinking rightly, most hoors have a stage name, they reaching their next client, where Troy is able to freshen up as doc deals with the elderly patient. Luc listens to a John gab as Jack vows her death, she making clear she didn't care about the man to fear falling for him. Tally is then discovered dead, they suspecting a lady they wished not to scare off. As the doc is told to hus up, the old lady is carried by an odd fairy-like creature out the window, Troy uncertain how to take this.

Doc advises he take it with a grain of salt for fear of devolving into crazy town. The doc then ditches him, so Troy wanders to the beach where he chats to a widow, Copperwheat, and she allows him to come to her place after sharing how she believed her hubby was killed by a sea monster. Pyg meanwhile, creates a new wooden female who speaks, she becoming angry when realizing she could only hear him, his wife stopping him from chasing her. The wooden female returns to the sea as he's dragged back into becoming an accountant.

Luc is interrupted by Jack in her hooring room, he explaining how an animal pelt had melted to his burnt skin, she still denying affection for him, and then killing him with her magic brooch. Troy stays with the widow, Luc making him feel truly untethered, as she again deals with accidentally murdering someone, leaving as the hoors argue over who the man had loved best. As Whitworth is about to go down for Luc's 1st murder, she's pointed out and tries to make a run for it. Luc escapes by being the 1st lady to row to France, a pic being taken of her running with Whitworth being arrested behind her, and Troy watching alongside Copperwheat.

He and she soon marry, which makes him the man of Phoenix Square. Odd story, and only gets sci-fi weird well past midway. Ok to pass.