In the Altered States of America, warped perceptions are king and melodrama runs high. In this original series from Brooklyn-based illustrator Mike Reddy and writer Matthew Newton, a new short story is published each day throughout the month of July.
“Yo! Yo! Give the money to the monkey, not to me,” Muggs said, rolling his eyes in disbelief. The young man with an outstretched hand full of crumpled bills lowered his head in embarrassment and shuffled over to Pedro, who handed him a DVD. It was like this everyday. Muggs’ temper had grown exceedingly worse the last few weeks, ever since he learned his mother was coming to town for a visit. Pedro understood his friend’s concerns, the two had been business partners and roommates for over a decade, but it didn’t make working with him any easier. Muggs’ mother believed he was a successful day trader in Cheat City’s financial district. And the reason she believed such a story was because it’s what her son had told her each time they talked on the phone. As the years wore on, the lie became increasingly complicated. “#%@!!!” Pedro shrieked. “I know,” Muggs said, “I should have told her the truth years ago.” That’s when Muggs spotted two Cheat City police officers strolling down Bootlegger’s Alley. “Hide all those loose bills, Pedro,” he scolded. “Last thing we need is to get popped before Mom gets here.”
