One-Hit Wonder
A cab driver takes a former pop star on a one-way Twilight Zone–like ride.

What do we want to leave others when we exit this world? What mark could us mere mortals ever hope to make?

An amazing invention? An advance for peace and prosperity? Or would it be enough to just be remembered for something...fun?

Ellery Demarco, in Harker Jones’ “One-Hit Wonder,” had hoped to be adored for his musical accomplishments. But indulging in life’s pleasures can become addicting. Thanks to that - and to Demarco's dismay - his career arc proved briefer than planned.

In fact - now that he's retired - the public knows Ellery for just one song.  Which is depressing, but far from tragic.  Ultimately (whether one's a rock star or a filing clerk) it's the small things in life that count.  So when Ellery takes a ride with a Cabbie out of town, he finds that touch of joy he once lost - reminiscing about his short-lived career:

CABBIE
I’m still going the right way?

They’re in the country. It’s misty and hard to see.

ELLERY DEMARCO
Yeah. I think we’re almost there.

He sighs and looks out the moisture-riddled window. He winces and touches his chest.

CABBIE
You OK, Mr. DeMarco?

ELLERY DEMARCO
I will be when we get there.

They ride in silence for a bit.

ELLERY DEMARCO 
Thanks for listening to me…

CABBIE
This job teaches you to be either a good listener or a good talker.     

Fortunately, Ellery's cabbie turns out to be a bit of both.  During the next leg of their trip, the two shoot the nostalgic breeze like old pals: chatting about songs like Demarco's smash hit "Humma Humma Ding Dong".  Not to mention dishing dirt about who handled the Rock Star life best. And who knew who and what back in the day.

A casual, entertaining conversation: until Ellery reaches inside his trenchcoat and brings something out.

It’s a bullet. He shows the Cabbie.

ELLERY DEMARCO
I found this on my doorstep yesterday.

Cabbie glances at it, then looks again, and it hits him.

CABBIE
Is… does that mean…what I think it does?

ELLERY DEMARCO
It does.

CABBIE
Man. What did you DO?

Ellery confides in the cab driver before reaching his final destination, glad that at least one fan will know what happened. But will he actually?

Rich with an eerie atmospheric vibe, Harker Jones’ “One-Hit Wonder” is a story you’ll want to catch and hang onto for far longer than just one song....