Friday 5 August 2016

Tales of Tardis Quantity

As a serial serialiser myself, I have long appreciated the several others that run on this site, offering twists and turns for a regular cast of characters. This week, however, my especial admiration has been for two complete and very individual tales: Gita’s ‘Her contribution’ and Jk’s ‘The disgraceful widow', each of them seeming several times larger than the number of words it took to tell them. I declare them this week’s joint winners.
Thank you to all of you who take time to comment – such acknowledge of other’s posts is part of why this site is so successful.

Words for next week are: packet shore zodiac 

Entries by midnight Thursday 11th August, new words and winners posted on Friday 12th 

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. Serialised 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 you prefer.

62 comments:

  1. Congratulations Gita and JK, I really enjoyed both of these clear winners.

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  2. Well done Gita! I loved the atmosphere you created with so few words.
    Thank you Sandra & William :)
    Now to get my thinking cap on again :)

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  3. Not in the Stars But in Ourselves

    It was well known that Nancy Reagan consulted her astrologer every morning for a reading. From the various planets moving through the 12 zodiac houses (work, health, love) she constructed her day. The question in newsrooms everywhere was, "Does the president himself make policy based on astrology?"
    Nancy equivocated. "He might merely shore up a decision made with his staff. He delayed just one little old trip to the Middle East when Mars transited his 9th House (foreign trips).”
    But one White House insider revealed that every single briefing packet on Ronald Reagan’s desk contained a post-it note from Nancy.

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    1. Whoa! So pithy and clever

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    2. Read this many times - as Jk says, very clever, and subtle.

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    3. Nicely done, very much enjoyed that.

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  4. Nicely done Gita and Jk. Well deserved accolades indeed.

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    Replies
    1. congrats, Gita and JK! Sorry for the delay, been a rough week.

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  5. Inheritance [Threshold 126]

    Tiny waves murmuring onshore swiftly resolve to muttered conversation. Vetch and Ravenscar. I checked: the packet still beneath my pillow.

    Ravenscar asked. ‘What do you know of your mother?’
    ‘Beautiful. Craved admiration.‘
    ‘Didn’t get it from your father?’
    ‘She lacked cleverness. He badly disappointed –’
    Ravenscar, halting Vetch’s would-be defence, ’How did she treat you?’
    ‘Well enough. Until one of her Zodiac interpreters warned I’d usurped her in my father’s affection –‘
    ‘Not for your looks, surely?’
    I lifted my chin. ‘For my intelligence.’
    ‘Demonstrated by getting pregnant –’
    ‘Propagating the species!’
    ‘– breeding with a beautiful halfwit. Repeating history.’

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    Replies
    1. Barbs and insinuations flying like arrows here. Magnificent manipulation of words.

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    2. oh Wow, what an instalment! what can anyone say?

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    3. A killer risposte with that final line.

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  6. Change of focus [192]

    Next morning, DC Henry Moth, too young to have known O’Donovan, entered the blind-dark Incident Room. To the collective groan, ‘Why’re all the lights off?’
    Reek of last night’s drink and, when he peered more closely, evidence of hungover embattlement. ‘You look like an episode of Z Cars, all black and white –‘
    Growled, ‘You’re too young to’ve remembered that –‘
    ‘My Dad had a Zodiac –‘
    ‘Well-off was he? They cost a packet –‘
    Henry grinned, began cheerfully whistling.
    Instant chorus of ‘Shut up!’ Pettinger admonished, ‘That’s not the proper theme tune!’
    ‘Just testing; it’s ‘Stranger on the Shore”’

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    Replies
    1. Came back to re-read, after my initial comment on the Acker Bilk reference! I loved this. As always, the dialogue exchanges here are superb. Can't remember the "Z Cars" theme now and must go look it up or it will drive me ... as my mother used to say ...doolally.

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    2. love the nostalgia in this - lots of memories in such precise dialogue.

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    3. I can only echo previous comments, and enjoy the nostalgia of perceived un-complicated times. Loving your work.

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  7. Forgot about dates for the Rio Olympics. The vast majority of my spare time will be spent in watching the events, so I may be taking a hiatus for a couple of weeks. If easy inspiration hits without taxing my imagination overly much, then I'll post but if not...see you again week beginning August 19th. In the meantime, keep up the excellence!

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    1. Forgot to say, that I will pop in to comment regardless. And thank you already for that Mr. Acker Bilk memory, Sandra.

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    2. So glad you managed to make your presence this week.

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  8. Cripplegate Junction/Part 57-Derailed

    Constance opened George's abandoned kitbag containing the usual soldier's fare: tin of tobacco, packet of rolling papers and postcards from foreign shores. And then, she found the medallion.

    A gift to her brother decades before, the obverse bore Saint George's image astride a rearing steed; the reverse, zodiac sign of Taurus and George's birthdate, April 23rd, also the feast day of his namesake. She dangled the pendant between her fingers, remembering her big brother...staunch childhood champion and savior. She whistled to the Rook perched on the Signal Box.

    The bird swooped, accepted the trinket and carried it to his Nookery.


    --------------------------------------------------------
    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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    Replies
    1. How clever - and thank you for allowing it to ferment in between Olympic activities.

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    2. LOL. Olympics or not, I am obviously too addicted to allow the moment to pass. I will doubtless return with a "Kursaal" installment and a stand-alone before the deadline is upon us. I am a lost cause!

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    3. it is clever, how do you do it?

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    4. As per my comment above, so glad the Olympics didn't prevent your contributions. So many opportunities are opened with this piece that I long, no ache for the next instalment.

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  9. Match Made In Heaven

    Chosen to be the presenter of his "Welcome" packet, she considered it an honour. She had not expected to see him again so soon. Just a little over a year.

    She knew in her heart they were soulmates. Both born under the Zodiac Sign of Gemini, governed by "The Lovers" Tarot Card. No doubt it was always meant to be.

    The sight of him crossing the ethereal shoreline left her even more breathless than usual. He smiled, debonair and charismatic as ever. They linked arms.

    "I have missed you, Mr. President."

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    Replies
    1. Intriguing and, to me, mysterious, but I thank you for it, fellow addict!

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    2. If nobody else picks up on my obscure subtlety, then I will reveal all before Friday.

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    3. Don't admit it too soon - I'm enjoying the wondering ...

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    4. your writing is always smooth and always intriguing! this is no exception.

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    5. They always were destined to be together, and maybe that's how it works when your love is torn. Loved this piece.

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  10. The jealousy of Scorpio

    He just had to be an Taurus, one of the zodiacs “don’t mind me, I’m just here to break some hearts” squad.

    Oh, he was a heartbreaker anyhow, those downturned lashes hiding eyes that were packets of mischievous midnight. Only one eye narrowed with his lop-sided smile. I’d worn my new dress, all demure watercolour flowers, he could see me blushing down to my ribs.

    He tempted away any innocence I had, along with my reasoning. A small part of me wondered how he would explain away the score marks from my nails.

    He belonged to my sister.

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    1. Delicious detail, in 'one eye narrowed' and 'watercolour flowers' and a killer of a final line. Lovely.

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    2. Magnificent tale of vengeance wrought by one who had only be governed by Scorpio. As a fellow Scorpion, I can truly appreciate the emotion. (And as an aside, I will NEVER accept that Pluto is not my planet!)

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    3. I like the hinted menace in this, very nicely done. Good writing, JK!

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    4. Such Delicious darkness of control and deceit. I love it

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  11. Kursaal (Episode Thirty Two) -- "John Splice"

    "The Tarn," located just beyond "The Orbitor" with its zodiac-themed suspension cars, was the Kursaal's oldest aquatic ride and had not been updated or renovated since its inception. Operated by former merchant seaman, John Splice, it offered a waterbound experience aboard the replica of a vintage packet boat.

    "The Tarn" appealed to those of advancing age, elderly persons with no desire to sample the more thrilling rides. Indeed, the park's younger patrons appeared unaware of its existence.

    "All ashore that's going ashore," Splice announced at the commencement and conclusion of each trip.

    The proposition was never accepted.

    Never.

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    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. Yet another subtly creepy addition to what the Kursaal has to offer, and yet again you've used prompt words in ways I hoped would be thought of (but could not manage myself). This, too, insidious in its ending.

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    2. another clever instalment! like it a lot.

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    3. Love the re-enforcement of the last line. A fine piece, the prompts I had to look for consciously. Bravo.

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  12. Untitled

    A crisp packet bobs on the ocean along with other litter,
    The detritus that covers the shore turns me angry and bitter.
    I wander further to the lighthouse in the shadow of Beachy Head.
    Where I find you blue, twisted, and broken on the rocks. Dead.

    This wasn’t in your Zodiac, God wouldn't want this for you.
    If only you’d taken a moment, and reached out to someone who,
    could help you see through your problems, and accept the beauty that comes with each dawn.
    You'd not be part of this waste, and your family would not need to mourn.

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    Replies
    1. So sad and yet so beautiful in its composition and message. Amazingly vivid images. I was searching for a single descriptive word and believe I've found it: Haunting!

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    2. incredibly sad and beautiful, too.

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    3. A tragic little tale indeed.

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  13. Infinity 159
    The island beckoned and us needed it. We rowed ashore bringing a packet for the tricksy man and he were most grateful for them, too. I didn’t know one of the stones was marked with a zodiac sign.
    We palavered into the twilight, him asking questions I couldn’t answer, not having seen the thing face to face, only got the feel of it, but he said he knew it well, named it and I dare not name it here for fear of drawing it back and cast a strong spell to be rid of it. Now we wait and see.

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    1. Such a smooth rendering of the Captain's voice here, prompts near invisible and him in full, true form.

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    2. Enjoyed this very much, like Patricia I'm loving the idea of a tricksy man.

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  14. This has a wonderful dose of mystique and mystery. The prompt words are virtually invisible. Just adore the idea of a "tricksy man" and loved the use of "palavered." How my mother did love to toss that word around when I kicked up a fuss in my young years: "Behave! What a palaver!"

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  15. Nearly didn't make it thanks to some village idiots in a hot hatch shooting a hill on a blind corner. Thankfully I had my wits about me.

    Little Martyn 1665 Part 10

    After their exertions disposing of two bodies and cleaning up the blood, (some had spattered a crude painting of a packet ship heading to shore) both ladies exhausted, collapsed son stools resting their heads upon the kitchen table, .

    Elsa breathless enquired “So do you think we shall both survive this pestilence, or is our journey to hell written in the stars?”
    “Why should I be privy to that?” came Sagworth’s reply.
    In truth Old Ma Sagworth was a wise woman and more than familiar with the Zodiac and especially the Tarot. That morning Death and the lovers had been turned.

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    1. Lovely Tarot references. And another wonderfully period-feeling piece. This serial is a true delight....and thank heavens you came to no harm courtesy of that blind corner.

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    2. Oh, yes, this ticks a lot of boxes for me, too.

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  16. Should read upon Stools not Son Stools, Apologies still a little shaken.

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  17. As I only submitted one entry last week, I thought I'd make up for it this week.

    Personal

    In truth love can't be based on the zodiac, but it’s a belief to which some cling.
    Back then I was a thirty something, uncomplicated, but looking for someone to make my heart sing.

    Our First date:

    For once I was lost for words, your hand willingly in mine,
    something I had not experienced for a long time.

    Me? Shy! I came across as indifferent and aloof,
    I loved you from the start, but was unable to provide the proof.

    Your kiss goodbye rendered me useless,
    but offered a small Packet of hope to shore up this fragile man.

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    Replies
    1. This made me smile. Brilliant use of imagery and creation of atmosphere. Inspired use of "shore." I struggled to use it in a similar fashion and fell woefully short.

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  18. The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #37
    Assassins, Bank Robbers, Pirates, Same Difference


    The packet boat wandered blithely along, delivering mail at its standard pace while we crept along in its shadow, the wind drowning the whispers of Natasha’s sails. So far we’d gotten lucky. Natasha was ghosting along the shore, inches above the water, when our clouds drifted away. As the full light of the zodiac constellations fell on us the packet noticed the difference between Natasha and a friendly box carrier - and our royal blue flag.
    “Oh no ...”

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    Replies
    1. Aw, don't leave it there!
      "Oh no..." indeed!

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    2. No Rosie, such neatly-inserted prompts and a cliff hanger of a final line - please make sure you come back to post next week.

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  19. Re: Match Made In Heaven
    I promised to clarify. This is a possible afterlife scenario regarding the meeting between a certain blonde goddess of the silver screen and the President to whom she sang a very breathless "Happy Birthday." (If anyone is still wondering, it's Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy)

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    1. Oh, well done me - that's what I (eventually) assumed!

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    2. Did you spot Gita also referenced a president? Her the very first to post and I fear may have got overlooked.

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    3. I must have missed it. I'll come back and take another look tomorrow.

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