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Dusty Cantina, Librarian, Gunslinger


8 episodes


Solo Western Serial Audio Book


Synopsis:

Dusty rides into the surprisingly literate town of Dry Gulch.

The town is rife with book discussions about Consuela, the Bandit Queen of California, government document cataloguing and other local libraries “cheating” at ILL: as well as, of course, drinking, card playing and pistol play.

Dusty is adept at it all. Using few words and a quick draw, Dusty shows the good folk of Dry Gulch what good librarying is all about. Now the bad folk of Dry Gulch have just been notified they have notified their items are past their due date.

Dusty is in town.


Language: English

Format: Audio Book

Continuity: Serial

Writing: Scripted

Voices: Solo

Genres: Western, Comedy

Completion status: Finished

Not tagged: [Maturity] [Creator demographics] [Character demographics] [Country of origin] [Transcript] [Content warnings]

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Episodes:

Chapter 1: Dusty Rides into Town

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 01:57:02 +0000

In the first episode of the podcast "Due Date: The Legend of Dusty Cantina," titled "Dusty Rides into Town," speakers Dan McLaughlin and Margaret E. Schmidt explore the arrival of Dusty Cantina in the fictional town of Dry Gulch. The narrative unfolds on a Thursday, detailing Dusty's entrance into a saloon, where he interacts with the locals, including a bartender and a young shoe-shining boy. The episode highlights the town's modest setting, characterized by a public library and a saloon with a faded past. Dusty's presence signals impending change for Dry Gulch, as the townsfolk begin to realize that his arrival will alter their routine lives. The importance of this episode lies in its blend of storytelling and character development, setting the stage for future episodes while establishing Dusty as a pivotal figure in the town's narrative. The episode serves as an introduction to the themes of transformation and community dynamics, emphasizing the significance of Dusty's role as both a gunslinger and a librarian.

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Chapter 2: Dusty Joins a Book Club Discussion and Drinks

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:21:56 +0000

In this episode of the podcast "Due Date: The True Legend of Dusty Cantina, Gunslinger Librarian," the writers include Dan McLaughlin and Margaret Elland Schmidt, with McLaughlin also serving as the narrator. The discussion revolves around a fictional book club meeting at a saloon, where characters engage in a humorous debate about the merits of a book titled "Consuela, the Bandit Queen of California." The narrative highlights the interactions between Dusty, a strong female character, and a group of men, particularly focusing on a character named Seymour, who attempts to assert his masculinity through drinking contests and opinions on women in saloons. 

This episode is set in a fictionalized Old West environment, emphasizing themes of gender roles and literary critique. The importance of this discussion lies in its exploration of societal norms and the subversion of traditional gender expectations, as Dusty ultimately outdrinks Seymour, challenging the notion of male superiority. The episode serves as a commentary on both literature and the dynamics of power in social settings.

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Chapter 3: Dusty Plays Cards and Discusses a Book

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 04:23:19 +0000

In this episode of the podcast "Due Date," the speakers include Dusty Cantina, a gunslinger and librarian, and several characters such as Handsome Dan, Forgettin Henry, and Lonesome Paco. The discussion revolves around a friendly poker game in a saloon, where Dusty engages with the other players while also referencing a book titled "Consuela, Bandit Queen of California." The episode features a blend of storytelling and character interactions, highlighting themes of camaraderie, competition, and the complexities of personal histories.

The events take place in a fictional saloon setting, where Dusty demonstrates her skills both in poker and as a sharpshooter, ultimately winning the game. This episode is significant as it showcases Dusty's character—her confidence, wit, and ability to navigate social dynamics in a male-dominated environment. It also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and community in shaping identities and relationships within the narrative. The episode was written by Dan McLaughlin and Margaret Elland Schmitt, contributing to the ongoing legend of Dusty Cantina.

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Chapter 4: Dusty Defends Documents

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:03:58 +0000

In this episode of the podcast "Due Date," the speakers include the narrator and characters Dusty Cantina, Mayor Percy Baker, and Honest Mike, among others. The discussion revolves around a tense confrontation between Dusty and Mayor Percy, who is depicted as a menacing figure. The scene unfolds as Dusty returns to Dry Gulch, where she encounters Percy, who taunts her and threatens to destroy a government document, referred to as "ephemera." Dusty intervenes, drawing her gun to prevent Percy from committing a federal crime by igniting the pamphlet. This moment marks the beginning of a rivalry between Dusty and Percy, highlighting themes of justice and the importance of preserving knowledge. The episode is set in a fictional Western context, emphasizing Dusty's role as a protector of documents and her assertive character. This narrative is significant as it illustrates the clash between authority and individual integrity, showcasing Dusty's commitment to her values in a lawless environment. The episode serves to develop the storyline of Dusty Cantina, a unique character blending the roles of a gunslinger and librarian.

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Chapter 5: Dusty Learns About Joint User Cooperative Agreements

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:27:53 +0000

In this episode of the podcast "Due Date," the speakers include Dusty, a gunslinger librarian, Medium Mama, and Mayor Percy. The discussion revolves around a tense confrontation in a saloon where Dusty confronts Mayor Percy about a government document that he claims to have checked out legally. The narrative unfolds with Dusty brandishing a pistol, demanding answers about the document's origin, which leads to a revelation about interlibrary loans and a joint user cooperative agreement. The scene highlights the importance of resource sharing among libraries and the consequences of misusing such agreements. The episode, written by Dan McLaughlin and Margaret Elin Schmidt, emphasizes Dusty's commitment to protecting books and documents, showcasing her as a legendary figure in the community. This episode is significant as it illustrates the intersection of literature, law, and local governance, while also providing a dramatic and entertaining narrative that underscores the value of libraries in society. The events take place in a fictional setting, contributing to the ongoing story of Dusty Cantina.

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Chapter 6: Dusty Learns the Lay of the Land

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 22:40:33 +0000

In this episode of the podcast "Due Date." the speakers include Dusty, a gunslinger librarian, Medium Mama, and Mayor Percy. The discussion revolves around a tense confrontation in a saloon where Dusty confronts Mayor Percy about a government document that he claims to have checked out legally. The narrative unfolds with Dusty brandishing a pistol, demanding answers about the document's origin, which leads to a revelation about interlibrary loans and a joint user cooperative agreement. The scene highlights the importance of resource sharing among libraries and the consequences of misusing such agreements. The episode, written by Dan McLaughlin and Margaret Elland Schmidt, emphasizes Dusty's commitment to protecting books and documents, showcasing her as a legendary figure in the community. This episode is significant as it illustrates the intersection of literature, law, and local governance, while also providing a dramatic and entertaining narrative that underscores the value of libraries in society. The events take place in a fictional setting, contributing to the ongoing story of Dusty Cantina.

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Transcript


Chapter 7: Dusty, The Lariat Kid and the Yellow Pencils

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 01:58:46 +0000

In this episode of "Due Date: The True Legend of Dusty Cantina," the speakers include Dusty, Mayor Percy, and various townsfolk, including a character referred to as the Lariat Kid. The discussion revolves around a mystery involving government ephemera that Dusty's father ordered and her mother cataloged. The narrative unfolds as Dusty interrogates Mayor Percy about a one-legged librarian who possesses a wagon filled with pamphlets and unique yellow pencils. The setting is a saloon in a drought-stricken town, where tensions rise among the patrons over library issues and the scarcity of these pencils. The importance of the episode lies in its exploration of community dynamics, the significance of libraries, and the humorous interactions among the characters, reflecting the challenges of rural life. The story highlights Dusty's keen observational skills and her determination to uncover the truth, showcasing her role as a gunslinger librarian. This episode serves to entertain while also emphasizing themes of curiosity, community, and the value of knowledge.

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Chapter 8: Dusty Hits the Trail

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 22:37:24 +0000

In this episode of "The True Legend of Dusty Cantina: Gunslinger Chapter Eight," the speakers include Dusty, Mayor Percy, Medium Mama, and several townsfolk from Dry Gulch. The discussion revolves around a storytelling session where Dusty seeks information from Mayor Percy about a one-legged librarian, who is suspected to be her father. The narrative highlights the community's participatory approach to storytelling, with humorous exchanges about the complexities of cataloging government documents. The episode takes place in a saloon, where Dusty, armed and assertive, encourages the mayor to share his story while managing the lively crowd's interruptions.
This episode is significant as it showcases the blend of humor and drama in the storytelling tradition of Dry Gulch, emphasizing themes of family, community, and the quest for knowledge. Dusty’s determination to find her father adds a personal stake to the narrative, illustrating the importance of familial connections in the face of challenges. The episode concludes with Dusty and her companions setting off on their journey, leaving the saloon's patrons to deal with the aftermath of the mayor's mishap.

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Transcript