Duke Thorsen - Noah's Archipelago

November 4, 2022: Nickelback Baby

November 3, 2022November 4, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Ursula, Duke, and Adam are all sitting on the sofa. Duke and Adam are playing video games while Ursula sulks with her arms crossed. She says "I have to write a dumb essay about my family." Duke replies "Sucks to be you" and Adam quips "Says the Nickelback baby." Duke retorts "I may have been conceived at an early Nickelback bar gig, but at least I'm not a homecoming game accident." Offended at least somewhat, Adam sneers "Pfft! At least my mom was a cheerleader, not a Cheers waitress." Without missing a beat, Duke says "Dad says she was good at doing the splits, yes." Adam growls; Ursula scowls and writes down "Both my brothers were mistakes."

Duke might be the little brother but he has the bigger mouth. True story: Nickelback was the house band at the bar my brother worked at in the late 90s, prior to them getting signed and getting famous.

October 10, 2022

October 24, 2022October 10, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

September 9, 2022: King Noah the First

October 29, 2022September 9, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Noah is on the little fishing boat with his son Duke. Noah looks at his phone and says, "Hey, Duke! Ruth Says the Queen died!" Duke replies with a simple "mmm..." Noah grins and continues: "So now Charlie's King." Duke again replies with "mmm..." Noah, eyes closed and smiling, says "Lucky bastard... I wish I was King... just sit around all day cutting ribbons... dressed like a pimp in furs and jewels..." As he speaks, we see him imagining himself as King in two scenes: one wearing all purple, shirt open as usual, with the Imperial state crown on his head as he cuts a red ribbon and leers at the boobs of a woman standing next to him at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The second thought bubble shows Noah in a purple Speedo with the purple ermine-trimmed imperial robes on his shoulder. He's wearing a gold jewelled crown and is carrying a gold goblet and a gold sceptre with a platinum orb on top. All encrusted with jewels, including Noah. He grins and says "Bring me the royal flip-flops; I'm going to the beach!" Back in reality (sorta) Noah adds "And if Queen Ruth nags me to mow the lawn more, off with her head!" Duke scowls as he looks at his daydreaming dad and thinks "Ah yes, the five wives of King Noah the First..." but says only a final "mmmhmmm."

“Bring me the royal flip-flops” might well be my favorite line I’ve ever written.

Lake Fishing with Duke, Part 2.5

October 29, 2022September 8, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Noah and Duke are in Duke's little fishing boat. Towards the bow of the boat, Noah is stretched out along the bench across the boat, feet up on the side of the boat and hands tucked behind his head. He is fast asleep and snoring. At the stern of the boat, Duke sits with his fishing pole and a serene smile, thinking "Ah, peace and quiet... finally..."

Noah’s gotta make sure he’s on top of his beauty sleep.

Lake Fishing with Duke, Part 2

October 29, 2022September 7, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Noah is standing up in his son Duke's boat in the middle of the lake. He's got binoculars up to his eyes and excitedly tells Duke, "Hooboy, Duke! I see some nice juicy ones over by the shore!" Duke, nonplussed, looks at one of his gadgets and replies "Fish finder says there's a school under us." Grinning, Noah replies "School, huh? Then cue up 'Hot For Teacher'!" Duke looks over his shoulder towards Noah and says "Wait... binoculars? What are you looking at?" We then see through Noah's binoculars that there are two pretty women in bikinis lying on the beach. Noah, slightly embarrassed by Duke's annoyance, says "Oh... um... nothing."

No luck with the fishes so Noah’s going for better catches.

Lake Fishing with Duke, Part 1.5

October 26, 2022September 6, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Noah is standing up in his son Duke's small boat in the middle of the lake, almost leaning out such that he might fall overboard. He's holding his fishing rod, bent with pressure as a tiny fish pulls on the line and Noah says "I'm telling you Duke: this one's a monster! For real this time!"

Forget Jonah and the whale, here’s Noah vs. the tiny yellow perch.

Lake Fishing with Duke, Part 1

October 29, 2022September 5, 2022 by Pyra Draculea

Noah is on a small boat with his son, Duke. Both have fishing poles and Noah brags to Duke "I got a good feeling, Duke. I think I'll get a real big one today!" Duke, nonplussed, replies "Uh huh." Noah continues "Got my lucky spinner, too" and he holds it up. Duke replies "mmmhmm..." Next we see Noah with his feet braced against the side of the boat, straining and leaning back while reeling in the rod, saying "I got a bite! He's huge! He's fighting like a champ! This might be a record!" However, what he's actually hooked is a teeny tiny yellow perch, no more than 3 or 4 inches in length. Noah, disappointed, says "Oh." Duke glances over his shoulder and deadpans "Very impressive, pops."

Better luck next time, Noah.