Your story had this kind of mysticism mixed with sci-fi, Max. It was reminiscent of something like The Outer Limits, which along with The Twilight Zone, were very influential in bringing horror and sci-fi noir to audiences. Do you remember the first time you encountered the noir style? How did it affect you as a writer?

Honestly, I don't remember the first time I encountered the noir style, but I've always been intrigued by the morally ambiguous, self-serving, anti-hero-type characters who fit so well into that genre. In this story, I tried to weave horror/sci-fi into that sense of inescapability. At first, Ben doesn't seem like the typical anti-hero. He's defending the honor of the girl he loves, after all. However, when we find out about his future (or past?) we realize Ben's stuck inside a self-serving vengeance loop. He has a chance to go back and change things—maybe even save the world, now that he knows how it ends—but he chooses to waste his chance on revenge. That inevitable path to self-destruction makes him perfect for a noir tale.

I'm glad you mentioned mysticism. I think a sense of wonder is always lurking beneath the surface of my stories. I really enjoy leaving the reader with questions that force them to confront their deeply-held beliefs and what they know about the world.

Yes, your other stories seem to hint at this deeper world, where the reader is left to fill in some of the blanks themselves. I think it's an important thing not to underestimate the intelligence of your readers. One thing I saw you mention is that you liked to build on mythology. Which mythologies influenced your work here?

Daphne is the Greek goddess associated with wells and springs. When Ben first meets Daphne, she's carrying a bucket of water which is sloshing all over her feet. She signifies life, not only to the desert, since water is so rare and precious, but to Ben as well. She's the only thing he's ever cared about. The Madame, her foil, represents death. Unlike Daphne, who gives life so freely, the Madame hoards hers, using it for control. The anchor and the diving bell, which Ben finds adorned on the gate to her fenced-in mansion, have no place in the desert and serve as reminders of the life-giving secrets hidden behind her doors.

Wow, that's really interesting. I'm fairly well versed in mythology, and even I missed that one. Glad you answered that for me. And it lent itself well to this neo-western vibe that you built your noir feeling on. Which elements of noir do you find the most satisfying to weave into your stories? (i.e. dialogue, characters, narrative, etc.)

They're all important, but the narrative for me is the most fun. Things like the sense of foreboding the vultures create, the existential crisis Ben experiences over the uselessness of names, and the soul-crushing inevitability of Ben's ultimate self-destruction were really fun to weave together.

Do you see yourself coming back to the noir/hard-boiled style in future works? And speaking of future works, what projects have you got on deck for your readers?

Definitely. I have a soft spot for Ben and Daphne now, and an even greater hatred for the Madame. I'd love to explore their world further.

I'd love for readers to check out my novel, the Client, which is now up on Wattpad. It's the story of a small-town public defender who gets more than he bargains for when he's appointed to represent a mysterious drifter named Lester Crowe for the murder of a high school girl. Problem is: Lester isn't an ordinary client. He just might be the Devil himself. Astute readers may recognize Lester Crowe as Lee Cutter, who rolls into Junction City, Kansas with his Carnival of Wonders in my short story The Deal, which has been optioned by TNT. In that story, Lee makes a Faustian deal with the townsfolk in return for rain. In the Client, he makes a similar deal with broken attorney Jack Price. You'll have to read to find out the terms, though. I've got someone really cool in the works regarding my manuscript, but I can't spill the beans yet, but I hope to be able to announce what's going on very soon. If you check it out, let me know what you think!

Sounds awesome, Max! I really love the idea of shared universes and alternate realities. Thanks for being a part of our noir collective!

Check out more of MaxShephard 's twisted horrors, magical realism, and Southern gothic (my favorite!) in The Client.