Friday 8 April 2016

And not a mention of a goat

Bill’s Black Widow – this week’s standout winner – was a fully complete and satisfying  story in 100 words. The joy of reading such perfection is much enhanced when, like me and Pettinger, William and his butter knife this week, you’ve tried umpteen times to arrange words which not only incorporate the prompts but contain a bit of a buzz. Now and again, words assemble themselves with ease and almost without input, and I’m tempted to put it down to luck, but in truth I see it as a small reward for the constant practice put in the rest of the time. And for not so much a buzz as a kick, Patricia’s ‘Tough love’earns‘ an honourable mention.

Words for the coming week are: Shakespeare, six, pattern

Entries by midnight Thursday 14th April , new words and winners posted on Friday 15th

Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

64 comments:

  1. Congratulations Bill fine writing in Black Widow a clear winner when I read it. Congratulations also to Patricia the switch back executed (quite literally) in "Tough Love" bowled me over.
    I fancy a whimsy with this weeks words. We have a saying in that part of the country "It's black over Bills Mother's." A saying I heard often as a little lad, I was told recently in a pub in Dudley this referred to A storm coming from the direction of Mary Ardens house. Food for thought.

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  2. congrats Bill, superb story! and congrats Patricia, the two of you helping keep the standards so high I wonder that the Captain and I ever reach the dizzy heights of a mention!

    Interesting prompts this week, looking forward to tackling them with the grumpy Cap'n alongside me, as always.

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  3. Taking part in a tragedy [Threshold 109]

    Some six days or so ago Ravenscar, using Shakespeare’s words, declared desire for me.
    In the sixteen hours since O’Bedrun led me to his chamber I doubted – if it truly had existed – it still remained.
    He beckoned.
    Heavy-eyed and sore I crossed the black and white restored-to-chessboard tiles.
    Softly, requiring me to step even closer, ‘Do you now repent? Or, like Desdemona, are you determined to pretend possession of a “pattern of excelling nature”?’
    Belatedly, I registered menace. Answered, with guilt-fired denial, ‘I’ve never pretended to be other than I am! Do you now, like Othello, mean to kill me?’

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    1. I really like the inherent agency of this character. She owns her business. The Shakespeare work was well woven as well!

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    2. don't you just hate people who can use a theme from a Shakespeare play and make sense of it? Me, I know nothing about him (thank goodness) other than I can't read a word of the plays without wanting to edit them so they make sense... and as for his assassination of Richard III...
      so this is good, clever, and carries the story on well, now I've done ranting!
      BTW, the Captain agrees with me, see his entry this week...

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    3. Antonia, the year I started grammar school was a Shakespeare anniversary and we were treated to a lot of snippets of acted-out plays, the only way to deal with Shakespeare ... and I saw Robert Lindsay play Richard III as well as Hamlet - wonderful sense.
      But I confess this was slung together using a dictionary of quotations.

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    4. The Shakespeare references were expertly incorporated and the entire piece moved forward very nicely. I always have to read these particular installments more than once since they're always far more complex than they first appear and I tend to miss much first time around.

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    5. Loved this , in particular the inter play between the two characters jousting with Shakespeare.

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  4. Great job, Bill. That was a truly entertaining story and well worth top spot on the podium. As an aside, I look forward to William's interpretation of "whimsy"! I also send a resounding "pshaw" in Antonia's direction. Like her Captain has ever fallen short of attaining "dizzy heights"!

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  5. Cripplegate Junction/Part 41-What's In A Name?

    "Ah, Elsie's delivery boy," said Violet. "Hamish, is it?"

    "Hamnet."

    "Yes. After Shakespeare's son, I'm sure. He died so young. Such a tragedy!"

    She picked up a bread knife with a rose-patterned handle. "I just love Shakespeare." She said with a wistful smile. "'Is this a dagger I see before me?'"

    Hamnet took a step backward.

    "Did you bring the clotted cream?" asked Violet anxiously. "I'm all at sixes and sevens today and can't find it." Her expression brightened. "The Station Master will remember."

    As the Canteen's rear door closed behind her, Hamnet made a bolt for the platform.


    ---------------------------------------------------------
    To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit:
    http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
    A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
    ---------------------------------------------------------

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    1. Ah ... lovely and clever and made me smile.

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    2. I like the unspoken drama here. Hamnet says so much without saying anything but his name.

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    3. another intriguing character setting instalment, this grows week by week and is fascinating.

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    4. As Chris said the unspoken drama is the keynote of this piece. Tension!

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  6. Change of focus [174]

    On the doorstep, DC Henry Moth adopted a pose, one arm outstretched, the other to his forehead, and declaimed (no other word for it!) ‘”Is there no baseness we would hide? No inner vileness –?”’
    DI Pettinger, not to be out-ranked in erudition, ‘Shakespeare?’
    ‘Tennyson.’ In duplicate.
    Project Jezebel’s instigator impressed enough to invite them in. Over cups of tea – Willow-pattern cups and saucers, six custard creams presented on a plate – she spouted a stream of sugar-coated self-justification which, when stripped of bible-backed exhortation, was no more than a vitriolic detestation of doing what came naturally. Paid for or not.

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    1. That "in duplicate" makes the scene. Vibrant!

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    2. like this, a brilliant instalment. I do like Henry Moth, he's a true character.

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    3. Can't help myself. I still experience something of a delight in the Jezebel character. She sounds like a more judgmental Miss Marple, especially given the Willow-pattern crockery and custard creams...an image straight out of a St. Mary Mead drawing room in some but respects.

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    4. Please delete "but" from my response. I was going to comment differently and forgot to take out that one little word.

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    5. The icy perfect nailed fingers of this piece have lifted the skin off of me and left me raw (that's a compliment BTW).

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  7. Kursaal (Episode Sixteen) -- "Benny, Lenny & Arbuthnot, The Jester Brothers"

    Patterned after Shakespeare's "Globe," the Sixpenny Theatre was home to the rakish Jester Brothers who performed on the outside stage thrice daily. Their act was also threefold: amusing anecdotes, daring acrobatics and humorous antics.

    Benny was unsurpassed at sword-swallowing and Lenny was a consummate juggler, but Arbuthnot was the trio's true lady-killer.

    Despite being dwarfen and missing two fingers on his left hand courtesy of a knife-throwing incident, the debonair Arbuthnot was a firm favourite with the fair sex.

    It was said that the female had yet to be born who could resist the sensual charm of "Adorable Arby."

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale, please visit:
    http://www.novareinna.com/kursaal.html
    A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
    ---------------------------------------------------------

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    1. Who doesn't like a little Arby's? lol. I like the use of threes in this - it gives it a bit of weight that makes the payoff even better.

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    2. Yes, indeed, The irresistible dwarfed figure in my past was called Fred, but ...
      Ahem. Really inspired use of the prompts and a stunning addition to your ever-growing cast. Well done Patricia.

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    3. agree completely - these character outlines say so much in so few words.

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    4. An interesting and exciting picture in words. A bar where I used to work hosted an evening for the cast of the pantomime (snow white), Dopey (who clearly wasn't) confided in me (with a wink) that where the ladies were concerned he didn't go short. True story.

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  8. Thanks so much, Sandra - lately I haven't been feeling the same level of inspiration as a few months ago, and I've discarded a couple of potential entries that I didn't think were worthy. I'm not sure where to go with this week's words, but we'll see what comes...

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  9. Dispatches from abroad

    There was little time for reading during the Season. There were plays to finish, iambic patterns to tighten, Will-bloody-Kemp to keep in check. Still, the more popular writings of the day found their way to the troupe.

    Published in parts that he read in six different periodicals, the tales of the Virginia Colony by the intrepid Captain Smith made Shakespeare feel wistful.

    Oh, to be in a new world, with knowledge of the old. To consort with the exotic, and make the land over in your own image ... Will smiled. Such thoughts were destructive, oftentimes becoming an uncontrollable tempest.

    How awful.

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    1. I realise I should have held onto this set of prompts for a couple of weeks.Lovely, informed tribute this, and smooth;y inserted prompts.

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    2. like this, smoothly written, unaware of prompts (always a good thing) and overall, exceedingly good.

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    3. Such a unique piece and one that was absorbing to boot. Like Antonia, I was hard pushed to even be aware of the prompt words, which is always the hallmark of a superb tale.

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    4. Enchanting and poetic, who would not want to consort with the exotic.

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  10. Cutting A Long Story Short

    "Time for a change," announced Lachesis eying Atropos' shears.

    Atropos frowned. "Ask Clotho."

    "The allocation pattern is crucial to the myth," reminded Clotho for the sixteen thousandth time that century.

    But Lachesis lunged anyway, tripping the fleeing Atropos with her yardstick.

    The scissors arced gracefully before the blades severed Clotho's threads.

    "By Jove, we're in trouble," said Clotho, peering down from Mount Olympus. "An Elizabethan youth holding a quill just slumped over a blank parchment." She shoved Atropos. "Go see who it was."

    Atropos scanned the tablet of names.

    "William Shakespeare," she grimaced. "Hope he wasn't destined for anything important."


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    1. Oh, oops... nice twist of the story threads, there!

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    2. of course he wasn't... was he?
      this is clever!

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    3. I need to research my goddesses ... yes this was clever indeed, fresh and entertaining.

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    4. and re-reading,have to say how perfectly illuminating was "shoved".

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    5. I love-slash-am-scared-to-death of the fates being fallible. Such fun!

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    6. A fait accompli, that thankfully never was, but a clever enjoyable piece.

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  11. Monologue

    Looking for some quiet at the bar, but not tonight. That sonofabitch Flaherty is gassed, and ranting. "'Nother thing, we get no respect from da cops. Leas' once a week, I walk outta here, dey rough me up. 'S my family, see? Dat's da pattern. Well, no more!" He's no Shakespeare, that's for sure. We've heard it before, so the hush in the room makes me turn around; now he's waving a snubnose. "I got six bullets, for six cops." Two quiet steps behind him, his head turns, his jaw's in just the right spot... six bullets? Meet one fist.

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    1. beautifully done, Bill, lovely last line!!

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    2. Such a vividly depicted scene and the action flawless, resonating with the final punch.

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    3. I am constantly in awe of the atmosphere that accompanies these installments. The dialogue is always on point and the descriptive passages just sufficiently detailed to create an image for the imagination to tinker with. To echo what has been said above, that last line was an absolute killer.

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    4. Sometimes actions speak louder than words! Great characters here.

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    5. Love the interplay, and an excellent last line to knock em' dead.

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  12. Infinity 142.
    Someone brung me a book of Shakespeare’s plays, six of them anyways. I’d done my shift and thought I’d take a look. So I did, then went up on deck and heaved it over the side. It sank fast, like someone grabbed it. If there be a mermaid or merman out there with a taste for idiocy and fancy words none can countenance, they be welcome to it. I did say thanks to the person who brung it but said don’t be making a pattern of it, what one likes another hates. Always has been that way, always will be.

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    1. I did check (after posting) that Shakespeare came before the Captain, should have also checked the Captain's education :-).
      Such well-woven prompts.

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    2. this is on Wikipedia, it fits with the way he talks:
      The 17th-century rise of Britain's American colonies and the rapid 18th-century expansion of the Atlantic slave trade had made Bristol an important international sea port, and Teach was most likely raised in what was the second-largest city in England. He could almost certainly read and write; he communicated with merchants and when killed had in his possession a letter addressed to him by the Chief Justice and Secretary of the Province of Carolina, Tobias Knight. The author Robert Lee speculated that Teach may therefore have been born into a respectable, wealthy family.

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    3. I think Captain Teach entered my consciousness, as did many others, via 'Girl' magazine - have to say I'd always assumed him far from illiterate.

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    4. Have to be solidly behind the Captain on this one. I never really "cottoned" to Shakespeare and only read what was absolutely necessary to sit exams. The more I find out about the Captain, the more I find him to be intriguing. A character with so many facets to his personality and you portray him so expertly, Antonia.

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    5. So absolutely true to a character that has become steadily more real as these have gone on. Nicely done!

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    6. Interesting article I've been reading this morning about how much have shakespeare's puns and witticisms are missed in modern society because of the change in language, I will post a link to the article below. Back to the piece in hand; I've said it before but the captain has many depths.

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  13. It's all how you view it.

    His words have been read
    His words have been checked
    His words have been researched
    But no pattern appear
    Even after the bard himself could not find them
    The six items in his name
    Shake speare ear pea hake reaps.

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    1. I'm sure that's not what you intended but this seems to be muddying the pro- and anti-Shakespeare arguement with a vengeance, Laurence. Clever stuff.

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    2. This was so very clever and, for some reason, gave me a chuckle. Very nicely done.

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    3. Never thought of it like that! Clever stuff.

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    4. Nice work Laurence, Clever, witty and deadpan as ever.

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  14. Rhyme and Punishment

    A Pattern emerged from six years old,
    I’d be the son to break the mold.
    Long before I learned to Rhyme,
    T’was then began my life of crime.

    I lived near where they buried the bard.
    I dug him up, it wasn’t hard.
    My mum said I was easily led,
    But t’was I that stole dear Shakespeare’s head.

    I plonked his bonce on the kitchen shelf
    In hope I’d gain his poetic Wealth,
    Alas (a word he knew too well)
    the shelf did break and William fell,
    Into a stewpot bought in the east
    And made quite a poetic feast.

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    1. Zounds, indeed - topical and tight-writ tale chock-full of wit and rhyme, if a little squeam-making at the end.

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    2. Delightfully macabre, and not a little gross. Love this, William.

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    3. Absolutely, utterly and totally hilarious. This was wonderful. Given time, if I could manage to overcome my awe, I could mayhap conjure even more words of admiration.

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    4. Oh, so *that's* what happened to it ;)

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  15. I wrote this earlier and completely forgot to post it. Oops!

    The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #20
    Stars are Rainbow-Colored Too


    Someday I’ll write down a pattern for my fingerless mitts, I’ve almost finished the sixth one. We like to hover above the trees in the evenings while Natasha reads and I crochet by the light of the moon. She finished Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night the same evening I finished the rainbow mitts, my current favorites. They’re just so cheery and colorful. I’ve worn them every day since, even while picking stars out with the green laser.

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    1. This delightful in every sense, Rosie, and the voice so brilliantly captured.

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    2. a delight! So lightly done and yet so meaningful.

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