The Exterminator’s Apocalypse, Part one, The Rats

The Exterminator’s Apocalypse, Part one, The Rats

Introduction: Season 6, Episode one

Welcome Survivors to the August 1, 2025 inaugural edition of “The Apocalypse Café”.

For those confused, befuddled and wandering pilgrims that are wondering what exactly they are listening to, let me ‘splain’.

Let me sum up! After the Apocalypse is an apocalyptic story that I created and published 100 plus episodes over five seasons. That story started with episode 1 season 1 at the beginning of this feed – so if you’re new, go back to the beginning and state there.

Since we completed the narrative arc that we had planned now we are presenting stand-alone apocalypse stories that we plan to drop monthly. So, for my surviving listeners, give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Today, format-wise. I will read an introduction, insert an ad-break to pay off the jailers, and then step off stage to let you enjoy the story.

So let’s get on with it!

Today’s offering is the first of a 3-episode story arc by Patrick Rushbrook that introduces a couple of fun characters struggling to survive and make sense of an apocalypse that is alternately comical and horrifying.

It is written and adapted by Patrick Rushbrook.

Patrick Rushbrook is a self-described “middle aged white guy in Kentucky with a beautiful wife and two teenage daughters, who writes silly stories to entertain himself instead of doing more productive things with his spare time.”

Patrick had always been interested in writing but isn’t exactly a self-starter, so he didn’t take up the craft until age 39, after finding Reddit’s nosleep page. Growing jealous of some of the wildly successful, yet terribly written stories there and craving reddit upvotes to satisfy his fragile ego, he ventured into the game where one of his early stories was the first iteration of the Exterminator character. In 2024, Patrick achieved the title of “professional writer” by earning an incredible $400.

In addition to his literary endeavors, Patrick is also a professional drummer and an un-professional guitarist, where he’s earned a grand total of $75 and a t-shirt that was three sizes too big.

You can find Patrick on Instagram at patrickrushbrookwrites

But the best place is at his Author Subreddit - r/ hgtv_neighbor

Patrick and I worked together to vet an audio performer for this series and landed on the voice you will hear today reading the work – Austin.

Austin C. Baker is a storyteller and experience designer from Plymouth, Indiana, with a lifelong passion for narrative and creativity. From writing comic books and filming backyard skits as a kid to designing immersive events and ghostwriting fiction, Austin has always sought out meaningful ways to connect with audiences.

He holds degrees in Experience Design, History, and Strategic Leadership & Design from the University of Indianapolis, where he also spent several years teaching. Alongside his design and writing work, Austin is an actor and voice actor, bringing characters to life across screen and audio.

Today, he runs BDP XD (https://www.bdpxd.com/ ), his own experience design studio, while also continuing to write and teach professionally.

So without further data loss, after the break, let’s sit back and enjoy “The Exterminator’s Apocalypse, Part one, The Rats”.

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Jaksot(130)

Season 3 Episode 14 – The Kaiju

Season 3 Episode 14 – The Kaiju

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 14 – “The Kaiju”...The Kaiju sat hunched over a laptop on a workbench staring intently at the screen. Luminous green letters and numbers played across the lenses of his glasses. He paused to push the glasses higher as the reflected characters scrolled across them like mini-versions of the computer screen. It created the impression that the glasses were alive and animated with the rising code. That he was somehow the extension of the programming. He would not have been able to tell you exactly when they had started calling him ‘The Kaiju’. It was a label borrowed from Japanese. Literally translated, it meant ‘strange monster’. ...Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Maalis 202340min

Season 3 Episode 13 – Loose Ends

Season 3 Episode 13 – Loose Ends

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 13 – “Loose Ends”...It was the day after the escape. Tasker squinted into the large mirror on the driver’s side of the work truck they had taken from the DC. This truck was bigger than a standard pickup. But it was smaller than a dump truck. It was one of those trucks that crews of workmen might have driven out to fix downed power lines before the apocalypse. The back and sides were wrapped in sheet metal lockers and there was a large, predatory bull-bar mounted on the nose like the bronze ram of an ancient trireme. “They’re a ways back now. We should be able to make it across the bridge without having to deal with them.” ...Links Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Helmi 202331min

Season 3 Episode 12 – “The Patrol”

Season 3 Episode 12 – “The Patrol”

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 12 – “The Patrol”...Mac dismounted his ATV like a cowboy jumping off an energetic pony, and examined Zane’s abandoned mountain bike. The handlebars were bent. The sandy ground around the trail was scuffed up from activity. There was a confusion of animal tracks intermixed with footprints. Mac fumed. ...Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Helmi 202334min

Season 3 Episode 11 – The Zoo

Season 3 Episode 11 – The Zoo

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 11 – “The Zoo”...Bill the dog sniffed and licked Zane’s face but got no response. He continued working his nose down the length of Zane’s form, lingering at the upturned Vans sneakers. Satisfied for now, the big dog collapsed with a thump to watch the proceedings. A cloud of dust rose and settled onto his curly fur. Janet looked over the old man’s shoulder as he examined the kid on the ground. “So, did you kill him?” The old man grumbled something under his breath that she didn’t quite catch, and then something she could. “No, he’s not dead. And you're the killer, I'm the doctor. Remember?” ...Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Tammi 202332min

Season 3 Episode 10 – “Panic Attack”

Season 3 Episode 10 – “Panic Attack”

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 10 – “Panic Attack”...A bell rang out.It was calling all residents of the Distribution Center to assembly. Like a ship’s bell, it tolled a sharp, bright clang with every crank of the handle. The citizens were starting to gather in the courtyard behind the administration building. Michael turned away from the office window and let the red curtain fall back into place. In a few minutes he’d have to address the community. They had a right to know what was going on. He would need their support when he responded to whatever happened next. He had to get himself under control. He couldn't let them see his worry and anxiety.The future of the DC hinged on his ability to demonstrate leadership and make the right decisions in the coming hours. ...Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Buy me Coffee -> https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyktrussellSubscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Tammi 202327min

Season 3 Episode 9 – “Exit Wounds”

Season 3 Episode 9 – “Exit Wounds”

After the ApocalypseA Pandemic Survival StorySeason 3 Episode 9 – “Exit Wounds”A warm, bright, morning sun lit up the parking lot. Becca looked at the ragged group of five that had just arrived. There was a middle-aged man, a young woman, and three children. They were like something out of a Victorian slum – Ragged, dirty clothes, long matted hair, and faces smeared with filth. In a previous world they might have been a family, or at least that would have been Becca’s default assumption. But, in these times, a closer inspection would reveal that there was no family resemblance among them. They were not a family in the traditional sense – those had been mostly destroyed by the sickness. They were the new version of ‘family’ created in this desperate new world of isolated survivors who were driven into small communal groups by the chaos. The apocalypse had shaken the world apart and now it was beginning to settle into these small clumps of humanity. To Becca they were all starting to look the same. ...Website -> http://www.oldmanapocalypse.com Subscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Joulu 202233min

Season three, Episode eight – “Desecration”

Season three, Episode eight – “Desecration”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode eight – “Desecration”...Wili parked the hybrid behind the library in a secluded spot screened by trees. She smiled because she had an affinity for libraries. From all the times she used the library as her refuge growing up in the city.Libraries were her safe spot. Her sanctuary. She wanted to look inside. She was drawn to go inside. Even though there wasn’t much to be cleared from a locked-up library. It was in her nature. Her job, the job of her crew, was not to reminisce in libraries. It was to systematically clear the residences and commercial buildings, to find any survivors and to take inventory of what was still there. ...Subscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Joulu 202231min

Season three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”

Season three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”

After the ApocalypseA pandemic survival storySeason three, Episode seven – “The Chaos Outside the Walls”...Two more suicides. (One breath pause)The small, electric lamp cast a dull, industrial, patch of light across the desk blotter where Mags worked on paperwork. The desk was cluttered. She was very tired. She lifted her hands and rubbed her tired eyes with balled fists. She was feeling worn out and knew she should probably get some sleep. ...Subscribe page on Acast -> https://plus.acast.com/s/after-the-apocalypsePodcast on Acast -> https://shows.acast.com/after-the-apocalypseFacebook group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldmanapocalypsePatreon to support the show -> https://www.patreon.com/AftertheApocalypseKindle Vella Story -> https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LTRC8RHMerch Store -> https://www.teepublic.com/stores/after-the-apocalypse Twitter -> cyktrussell@twitter.comEmail List -> https://acast.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a02fed2a783fcc887760255a9&id=e15419e7be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Marras 202237min