Welcome to 'In the Saloon With...', where StorySALOON host Jane Messer meets with an author and actor from the live show for a deep-dive into the writing of the short story and the actor's performance of it. In this episode we talk with Paddy O'Reilly, author of 'Baggage Claim' and Monica Sayers, who read the story live for StorySALOON's May 2025 show.  Paddy's novels and short stories have been published, anthologised and broadcast in Australia, Europe, China, the UK and the USA. Her most recent book, the novel Other Houses, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2023. Monica Sayers is a proud Australian born Chinese artist who works as an actor, director, and voiceover artist. Her many tv and stage roles have included The Messenger, Rake, Love My Way and roles with Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Theatre Co, Belvoir and Hayes Theatre. You can read 'Baggage Claim' online in the journal Overland, Issue 231, Winter 2018.⁠ Jane Messer is the host of StorySALOON Live and StorySALOON Podcast. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au.