{
  "id": 13074385,
  "title": "Roadshow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/roadshow",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T08:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Literary Hub",
    "slug": "literary-hub",
    "url": "https://lithub.com/roadshow/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Annie ventured to a liquor store near a Starbucks because she needed cash and because Vera had triggered something that required fixing. Her thoughts returned to her father, but she couldn't make the call. A sinister feeling crept into her, just as it did to Vera. They were both self-indulgent and perhaps more than that, motivated by greed. After consuming some of the liquor, she rummaged through the Salvation Army racks, appearing even more desperate. A cashier eyed her suspiciously but sold her a tank top with a busty cartoon moose holding a beer stein. She left her LeSabre in front of a Chinese takeout place with blackened windows and drifted off to sleep. Upon waking, she found the club's day manager, who was also the night manager and a workaholic. He introduced her to the Girls, Girls, Girls, but she managed to escape him in the restroom. The dressing room was filled with women who didn't seem to appreciate the manager's presence, so Annie settled into a chair, following the house rules. She downed the bottle of whiskey, and when asked about her origin, she claimed to be just passing through. When introduced to Star, she was told that Annie wasn't a DOG GIRL, but Star insisted on showing her the mask. Star was only twenty-two and studying to be a vet. Annie felt a sense of belonging, and as she prepared for her performance, she was reminded of Vera's lips pressed to Tom Selleck's.",
  "summary": "Annie bought a fifth of whiskey from the liquor store beside the Starbucks because money was imminent, and because Vera’s addendum had knocked something loose that needed fixing, the image of her lips against Tom Selleck’s mustache, again and again,",
  "key_points": [
    "Annie sought cash at liquor store near Starbucks.",
    "She scavenged Salvation Army racks, appeared desperate.",
    "Annie performed as Girls, Girls, Girls in club."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}