Mary E. Lowd - Ecto-Cafe (Lyrics)

Based on Mary E. Lowd's short story "Ecto-Cafe" from her anthology "Paw Prints Beyond the Moon". Listen on all platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/maryelowd/paw-prints-across-the-moon Read the story: https://deepskyanchor.com/ecto-cafe/ Read the book: https://marylowd.com/books/otters-in-space/#pawprints More music: https://marylowd.com/music Lyrics: Ripley's glaring from the driver's seat "Hurry up, we've got a monster to beat" But I'm so hungry, been up all night Just need some chai and I'll be alright Walked into the cafe, neon sign says "open" Ring the bell, nobody's there Then a creature rises up, bread dough and glopin' "Can I help you?" - gives me quite a scare It's a bread golem barista Drippy, droopy, melting in the light It's a bread golem barista This is gonna be a weird night "Two cinnamon rolls and a chai, please" "Sweet or spicy?" it gurgles at me I'm trying not to stare at its doughy face While Ripley's tapping her wrist in that car, no grace The golem brings my pastries in a box I tear the corner, take a little peek Green ectoplasm with glowing red eyes "Naw, naw, nom!" - the cinnamon ghost shrieks All the pastries are possessed Every muffin, every bear claw too All the pastries are possessed What's a hungry yellow lab to do? The golem goes back to get my chai I jump the counter, gotta check it out In the kitchen, milk and tea on the floor Spirits sizzling, starting to sprout I pull out my protonic wand Wave it at the bread dough guy He drops the carafe of chai, drops the milk carton Now I've got three ghosts to pacify Chai phantom rushing like a shadow Milk ghost kissing my muzzle - blech! Coffee spills, becomes a tornado This is turning into a wreck The coffee-geist is bouncing off the walls Jittery and overcaffeinated All three spirits blend into one A dirty chai demon, animated I hate dirty chai If you want coffee, get coffee I hate dirty chai Why put espresso in my tea? The bread golem's chasing them with a cup "Get in here!" it gurgles around It wants to serve, wants to be a good barista Wants to get my order down "I'd like to change my order," I say "I'd like some... coffee cake today" "We don't have that!" the golem cries "Would you like me to tell you how?" I reply "You need coffee, spices, milk" - I point up at the cloud "And a basic bread dough" - I point at him The golem slumps, then raises gloopy arms "Come here! I need you!", it cries, light going dim The dirty chai descends on me But the bread golem jumps in between Kneading the beverage demon inside Mixing brown swirls with pastry white It wobbles toward the oven door "You'll have to take me out before I burn," it warns Climbs right in without a pan The dough glows red, the mouths all shriek Then golden brown in just seconds flat I slice two pieces of this coffee cake Drop some money, grab my hat Back in the car, Audrey's amazed "This coffee cake is still warm and good!" I taste the chai spices, feel the buzz The bread golem barista understood Ecto-cafe, ecto-cafe Where the pastries come alive Ecto-cafe, ecto-cafe At least I got my chai (kinda) Ripley peels out with squealing tires "Took you long enough," she says But I've got caffeine and coffee cake Ready for whatever's ahead Ecto-cafe Where the spirits want to serve Ecto-cafe Got more than I deserved #SciFi #ShortStories #BookSoundtrack