
Phil Watson is a down‑on‑his‑luck gambler whose nights are haunted by a bizarre, sentient nightmare that takes the shape of a horse. When the creature finally confronts him, it boasts an uncanny ability to out‑play any card game and a fierce desire for recognition. Intrigued and desperate, Watson hatches a plan: why not turn this restless specter into a champion on the racetrack?
The two strike a curious bargain—Watson will give the nightmare, now christened Incubus, the trappings of a real thoroughbred, while the creature promises to bring him the winnings he’s been missing. He envisions forged papers, a glamorous debut in the winner’s circle, and a life where the once‑unappreciated nightmare finally enjoys the spotlight. Their unlikely partnership sets the stage for a witty, high‑stakes adventure that blurs the line between myth and the world of horse racing.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York, NY: King-Size Publications, Inc., 1953.
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-12-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1922–2000
Known for witty, offbeat science fiction and later mystery novels, this American writer brought a sharp sense of humor to magazine stories and longer fiction alike. She also worked as a crossword puzzle compiler, adding another layer to her love of wordplay.
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