“The Potato Farm” tells the story of August’s foray into potato farming, his often uneasy partnership with Collier, and his intermittent interactions with Bud and Paulette. It’s slated for the next issue of the Black Scat Review. Here’s how it begins:

THE POTATO FARM

August entered the Camisole Tavern and approached Bud and Paulette, who were sipping porter at the bar.
“I’m starting a new business,” he announced, his face flushed with excitement.
“You could say hello first,” remarked Paulette.
“Hello,” said August.
“And what is it?” Bud asked.
“It’ll make me as rich as a king,” said August. “I’ll have vast wealth at my disposal, and won’t have to borrow small sums from my friends.”
“And what is it?“ Bud asked again.
“A potato farm,” August said.
“What a dumb idea,” Paulette replied.
“Far from it,” said August. “Just tell me, what’s in that bowl?”
“Potato chips,” said Bud.
“Which,” said August, “are not made from carrots, or buckwheat, or some other agricultural product, but from potatoes. Potatoes can be boiled, baked, fried, and mashed, even by an inexperienced cook. They sell like hotcakes. In fact, you can make hotcakes from them too.”
“We know all that,” said Paulette.
“You don’t even need yeast,” added August.
“True enough,” said Paulette, “but you know nothing about farming.”.
The bartender, a gaunt and wizened man named Collier, glared at August. “Buying a drink, or just disturbing the peace?” he asked.
“I’ll have a small vodka,” replied August with a smile. “That’s made from potatoes too!”
“Yes, we know,” said Paulette.
Collier set a glass before August, and retreated to his paper at the end of the bar.
“Here’s to my new career,” crowed August, brandishing his drink.
“You know nothing about farming,” Paulette repeated.
“I can learn,” August said. “How much are potato trees, anyway? Do they sell them by the dozen, or is it all metric now?”…