An Evening at the Local Playhouse

A high-contrast, black-and-white image depicts a tense scene in a smoky jazz club. A large, calm man in a suit stands at a bar, gesturing with a hand that prominently displays a brilliant red diamond. From the shadows, a scrawny, watchful man emerges, his eyes fixed on the red gem.

THE HAMMER FILES: The Merchant Traveler

This entry is part 2 of 6 in the series An Evening at the Local Playhouse

The Traveler’s Tale The big traveler lumbered to the bar, pulled up a stool that groaned under his weight, and ordered a beer. He wasn’t subtle,

A low-angle, black-and-white shot from the back of a smoky jazz club. In the foreground, a gaunt, tense man stands by a payphone, his back to the viewer, one hand on the receiver, the other clenched. He's looking over his shoulder toward a large, calm man sitting at a bar stool, a glass of beer in hand.

THE HAMMER FILES: Weasel and the Big Man

Jack Hammer3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

This entry is part 12 of 6 in the series An Evening at the Local Playhouse

The Weasel’s Play Weasel and the big man talked for a while. Weasel was all smiles and easy conversation, but I could see the wheels turning behind those

Three noir gangsters stand in a smoky lounge. The man on the left holds a black satchel. The image has a stark, graphic novel feel, rendered in black and white with a focus on deep shadows.

THE HAMMER FILES: Lenny Bent’s Silvery Limo

Jack Hammer3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

This entry is part 13 of 6 in the series An Evening at the Local Playhouse

Lenny Bent’s Silvery smile Lenny Bent came through the door. The sight of him was enough to tell you he was a man of power. He had two suited thugs with

A graphic novel style, high-contrast, black-and-white image shows a brawny man with his back to the viewer, holding a revolver. He is pointing it at three noir gangsters who are facing the viewer. The scene is dominated by deep shadows.

THE HAMMER FILES: Count the Play Dough

Jack Hammer3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

This entry is part 14 of 6 in the series An Evening at the Local Playhouse

The Count “Now we count,” said the big man, and Lenny opened his package wrapped in his signature brown paper. Anyone who knows Lenny knows he

A graphic novel style, high-contrast, black-and-white image of a noir private eye seen at his desk sitting with his feet up on the desk as he stares at the twinkling city lights outside of his window.

THE HAMMER FILES: The Greatest Show on Earth

Jack Hammer3 weeks ago6 days ago03 mins

This entry is part 15 of 6 in the series An Evening at the Local Playhouse

The Curtain Call I did a brisk two-block walk from the lounge to my office, to get the details down before even a single one could disappear in a fog. I

Jack Hammer

THE NEWZ DESK

The Desk of Jack Hammer

An Evening at the Local Playhouse

THE HAMMER FILES: The Merchant Traveler

THE HAMMER FILES: Weasel and the Big Man

THE HAMMER FILES: Lenny Bent’s Silvery Limo

THE HAMMER FILES: Count the Play Dough

THE HAMMER FILES: The Greatest Show on Earth

Jack Hammer

THE NEWZ DESK

The Memoirs