This past weekend tenants of the Tarantula Arms boarding house on Rue du Bayou were asked to move out, because the business is closing. The sudden announcement came as a shock, although as of this writing, most of the tenants have moved into new quarters, well before the deadline of March 23.
Mrs. Ethel Varnish, the former owner of the establishment, agreed to an interview. Seated outside the Green-Eyed Fairy next door to the Tarantula building, she downed a large whiskey before exclaiming, “I can’t wait till that thing comes down! The crumbling walls, the spiders, the odors! The underwear,” she added darkly. “I’m shut of all that now, thank goodness.”
This reporter expressed surprise on hearing that the building was to be torn down. “Oh, yes,” said Mrs. Varnish. “Lost it in a card game at Shooters & Liars. Best thing that ever happened to me, doll-face. The new owner must be pretty savvy to see that thing ought to come down.”
Photograph provided by Mrs. Ethel Varnish, taken in New Toulouse Algiers, overlooking the old city wharf, circa “2009ish, I think”
Where will she live? “Miz Ethel” paused to light a cigar. “Well,” said she, glancing down the street, “I suppose I’ll go to St. Louis to visit with my cousin Poppy for a while.” She puffed away, gazing into the middle distance for some moments. “I can’t stay away from New Toulouse too long, though. Believe me, sweetie, I’ve tried.”
Jack Mondieu, Ace Reporter, is a figment of your imagination.