Short Haired Wig and Other Stories
by Neil D. Martin

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The Ritz Hotel stood on the corner downtown for decades. Once a proud beacon of the upper classes she hosted, the hotel has fallen on hard times. Hookers stroll the strip in front of the entrance where members of high society once promenaded down the avenue. The year is 1970. Outside, it’s the Age of Aquarius. Long hair, rock and roll, free love and the peace movement are the tone of the day, but inside the Ritz it’s as if it had never happened. Tiger the bouncer prowls the halls looking for trouble but has a knack for disappearing should any real trouble start. Betty, the front desk clerk, takes crap from no one and rules her tiny fiefdom with a practiced hand. Liz Lyons, the three hundred pound transvestite comedian can’t seem to get good room service. It all adds up to a rude awakening for Rick, a fifteen-year-old kid from the suburbs. Nothing in his sheltered upbringing has prepared him for the things he sees and the people he meets as the Ritz’ newest bellhop. Check out http://www.shorthairedwig.com/

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"Lots of laughs...lots of substance, too...I cried." Len Wyatt, author of "Crossings" "Great characters, funny stuff." Doug Jamha, watercolorist at large. "wordy" Garrison Pon, author of "Them Ole' Puberty Blues."

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Neil D. Martin was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He has been a bellhop, a parking lot attendant, a construction worker, a mailman, a professional musician, a sculptor, business owner and an ESL conversation facilitator. Neil was a founding member of Captain Nobody and the Forgotten Joyband. Neil currently resides with his partner, Sandra and their son Connor in Edmonton, where he crafts custom neon signs for fun and profit.

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Neil D. Martin