The Living Novel: Missing Madam Z

By Cate Morelli: When I woke up that morning, all I could think about was a cup of coffee and a hot bath. It was a bleak Tuesday in New York in November, a grey-washed day like any other. Or so I thought…

By Cate Morelli: So, now, back to that bleak Tuesday in November…The year was 1992. My errands went smoothly, and after having a quick lunch, I headed downtown to my appointment with Madam Z. By then, the day had partially cleared…

By Lewd DeVred: If you were wondering who that shivering guy was – the one sitting on the curb on E. 12th st. all morning, looking disappointed and confused – it was just me, Lew. Lewis Edward DeVred III, to be exact. Yeah, it’s a fancy name, maybe. But, I’m a pretty simple guy…

By Cate Morelli: The bar across the street from Madam Z’s studio was what appeared to be a local throw-back from the 1950’s, called “Ted’s Place”. From the outside, it seemed like the kind of neighborhood dive that few women ever ventured into, unless…

By Lewd DeVred: Leaving the warm cocoon of the bar that night was like being slapped in the face with a frozen porterhouse steak. Having forgotten what season it was as we basked in the tropical temperatures that our drinking and banter had induced in equal measure, I didn’t think to put my coat on, […]

By Cate Morelli: From the beginning I had three different perspectives, or vantage points, from which to watch the scene unfold…

By Cate Morelli: Lew didn’t answer after I called out his name a couple of times, so I assumed that he was in the shower. I laid in bed for a while longer, still mulling over the dream I had just had, prior to abruptly awakening…

By Lewd DeVred: We settled into a cozy two-person seat on the subway, heading south towards Brooklyn, and it wasn’t long before Cate dozed off with her head resting on my shoulder. As I sat there wide awake myself, I was confused by the barrage of emotions that were churning inside of me….

By Cate Morelli: Invigorated after my chilly afternoon bike ride, I was happy to be home with my errands successfully completed, and even a few unexpected surprises in tow. Lew met me half-way down the stairs and, avoiding my gaze, smiled slightly as he took the packages I was carrying…

By Lewd DeVred: I got up from my stupor, stumbling and still confused by the crazy hash-induced dream that I had had. It almost felt as if my body didn’t belong to me, like it had some other mind of its own, as I groped in the dark, oddly compelled, searching for Cate’s lute…

By Cate Morelli: I woke up that Thursday morning in a profound fog. I was in my bed, naked, under the covers, but I had no recollection regarding how I had gotten there. My last clear memory of the night before was of seeing Lew, utterly enraptured,…

By Daphne: When I awoke with a start, the clock next to my bed said 3.10 A.M. The room was cold, and I lay there for a moment, paralyzed by fear, convinced that I had heard a loud scraping noise coming from the apartment below. Her apartment…

By Cate Morelli: There was a small crowd gathered in front of Madam Z’s flat when I arrived at Daphne’s place, still shattered, a little after 10 AM. Caressed by the sun’s rays, Madam Z’s now electric blue front door gave off a glittering iridescent display, reflecting and throwing the light with such intensity, that […]