I’m off travelling again for the next ten days,
from the North East to the South West, an area visited only a handful of times,
and not for ten years. Since a second television series has just begun I
anticipate seeing references to ‘Poldark country’. I re-read the first five of Winston
Graham’s wonderful novel last year and found them just as enjoyable as when
reading them in my teens. Couldn’t bear to watch the tv series as the
characters are already so vivid in my head. As, of course, are the characters
created here, week on week; I firmly believe it is more enjoyable to be able to
exercise my own imagination, fired only by your words.
Yet, for me this week, the stand-out piece was Patricia’s haunting ‘Tempus Fugit’.
Poignant and thought-provoking, it struck many chords, not least of which was
awe at fabricating in from the prompts on offer.
Words for next week: fancy
taunt visit
Entries by midnight Thursday
29th September, new words posted on Friday 30th
but
I’ll ask each of you to nominate your personal winner because I’ll be staying
with family in circumstances which might not allow time to do my usual summary.
Congratulations Patricia, I very much enjoyed reading 'Tempus Fugit' a very skillfully written piece.
ReplyDeleteBusy week coming up, so if I don't do this now it won't be in time...
ReplyDeleteWreckage of a Rendezvous
It seemed Emilio liked Sicily, and his father did too.
"Yeah, yeah, you go to Marsala, visit your Aunt Vincenza. She's a tough one, fix those fancy ways you got. Good idea, Tony!"
I started to wonder about that, if they both liked it there had to be something wrong. Even Lorenzo's little pig eyes seemed happy. Then I saw the pain on Emilio's half-covered face and it clicked. "Fancy" was his father's taunt, that trip to the French restaurant wasn't him rebelling against years of pasta. He was meeting someone, maybe even the guy who bashed in his skull.
Much enjoyed this, differently interpreting each time I read and finding different depths.
DeleteAgree with Sandra definitely a multifaceted read
DeleteIndeed yes. Something a little different to be found with every read-through. And each one a gem.
Deleteperfect gem. How to write so much with so few words.
DeleteAll's Fair
ReplyDelete"Well, fancy seeing you here! Visiting family and saw the announcement I suppose? Nice of you to drop by but I won't ask you to stay."
Same cavalier attitude. Same arrogant posture. Same taunting smile.
No kiss. No hug. Not even a handshake.
"Need to be getting inside now. She'll arrive any second."
I crumple the bloodied veil in my coat pocket.
Wouldn't count on it.
Lovely, under-stated evil - read once, read twice and thrice to fully appreciate.
DeleteI Love how darkly pleasing this piece is.
DeleteI so love killer last lines, they don't come better than that.
DeleteYeah, that does it. As with the others I read it a couple of times, then saw the title and realized that it fit so perfectly.
DeleteMust say that win was quite a surprise. The wealth of talent here is so amazing that it's always such an honour to be included among the top submissions.
ReplyDeleteChange of focus [201]
ReplyDeleteJohn Pettinger’s experience of nine-year-olds having been confined to arresting taunting, foul-mouthed delinquents, he fancied he saw in Aleks’ eyes, in his sturdy acceptance of what must have been a much-disrupted life, a basic morality akin to his own, only to remember Valdeta’s courage, facing a forced marriage: nurture undoubtedly played its part.
To Aleks, ‘I’ll go, but need to find somewhere for you –‘
‘I go too.’
‘Have you a passport?’
‘Cherriman gave me one –‘
‘Likely illegal –‘
‘Got me in –’
‘Might need to smuggle you out.’ A small risk compared to potential annihilation from visiting Cherriman.
As always, insightful dialogue and this time, even more delightful between adult and child. Aleks is adding much to this serialization for me.
Deleteit is the dialogue which is outstanding in these serials.
DeleteTriangle [Threshold 133]
ReplyDeleteMy crude accusation hit stony ground. Ricocheted. For a fleeting moment I was revisited by the heavy pregnant fear of our first encounter. Heard again Burke’s taunting of sacrifice. Saw once more Ravenscar’s eyes express a fancy to wreak violent death.
A weary part of me almost welcomed it until I thought of the indignity of backing down against a dog.
Cathra sensed my anger. Immediately aligned herself with Ravenscar, her growl soft but unmistakably menacing.
Ravenscar muttered an exasperated, brief, incoherent prayer, then rasped, ‘Silence, bitch!’
For a moment neither she nor I knew which of us he meant.
Such a turncoat Cathra has turned out to be. Couldn't help but snigger with that perfectly delivered last line.
DeleteWoah. Double-edged sword to this one. And yet, so very in sync with the manner in which this serial progresses. Each episode is different, but each also echoes with the same atmosphere and character as what went before. Not easy to do, I'm sure. I know I can't do it!
Deletehere we are again with another killer last line, following a fantastic read.
DeleteKursaal (Episode Thirty Nine) -- "Dickie Dawkins"
ReplyDeleteDickie Dawkins owned and operated Artful Dodgems. The attraction was a favourite of all jack-the-lads who visited the park and fancied themselves the next Mario Andretti. The youths made lewd gestures to females both young and old, and taunted the elderly who were assisting their grandchildren to steer.
Dickie was extremely lax when it came to scheduled maintenance of his bumper cars. More often than not, some of the conductive poles shorted, delivering a painful and occasionally fatal electric jolt to the passengers.
Strange that only the loudmouthed yobs ever unwittingly chose to ride such defective vehicles
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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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Dickie not as thick-skinned as he seems. I thought this name especially apt - pictured him immediately (probably based on Dodgem Operators I Have Known). In fact I think this one of my favourite episodes in its richness of evocation.
DeleteLove that name Dickie Dawkins, I could imagine Dennis Skinner saying it. I Must admit I have struggled how to deal (legally) with foul mouthed yobs. Chasing them down the street hoping not to catch up with them never ends well. I certainly prefer the Dickie Dawkins method.
Deleteyes, I love the name too! An excellent instalment, Patricia!
DeleteYou may notice the prompts from the week I was away on Holiday, have come along to play.
ReplyDeleteALPHA
All Hail to thee the Alpha Male, self proclaimed as superior.
More refulgent than the sunlight as it shines from your Posterior.
Only fancy words may visit your perfect lips to taunt
all those who fail to meet the uncompromising paradigm you flaunt.
You think all others are imperfect, you're the only immaculate exception,
perfectly protected in a bubble of self deception.
You believe that folk revere you, like your words are Vatic.
If ignorance were bliss, then you would be ecstatic.
The truth is they Convulse in laughter at your vanity.
Your narcissistic purview is a blight upon humanity.
Sounds as if you spent a large part of your holiday people-watching, William, and making notes therefrom. Puts me in mind of that Lyn Anderson song.
DeleteGobsmacked! Nuff said!
DeletePatricia, me too.
DeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #44
ReplyDeleteA Fun Voyage for Once
Today I finally get to visit the Land of Rainbows. It is home to the very reclusive rainbow people. Their neighbors have a terrible hobby of tormenting them with fancy but cruel taunts. They are magnificent craftspeople; they make the most elegant garments in all the Seven Lands. The Lands of Storm, Ice, and Fire, the three that border the Land of Rainbows, are malevolent, indifferent, and belligerent, respectively, towards the rainbow people. Luckily my mother’s kingdom has allied itself with the Land of Rainbows, you see we have more power than those three combined.
Such a dreamscape you have treated us to this week Rosie. So very clever that they an Elusive people.
DeleteThis serialization would make for a truly lovely graphic novel which would appeal to both child and adult on varying levels. Some of the images are really enviable.
Deletethe imagery is incredible, Rosie, so well depicted.
DeleteLovely depiction of a magic world.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 64-Photographs And Memories
ReplyDeleteThe Conductor was revisiting the vintage group photograph found in the Signal Box when the Station Master materialized at his side. Efforts to hide the picture came to naught.
"I was assured all such ancient memorabilia had been destroyed," said the Station Master. "How very disappointing not to have been told the truth."
Relinquishing the treasure, the Conductor did not respond.
"How many faces do you recall, dear boy?" taunted the Station Master. "Most if not all, I fancy!"
He tapped the image peering from an upper storey window.
"And that one in particular, I'm sure, jogs your memory."
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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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I love this episode!It shows up even more of the characters in the story.
DeleteIntrigues who is in the window. Great hook at the end, although I'm always looking forward to more cripplegate junction
DeleteNice mysterious turn, unless it's all misdirection? We'll have to see...
DeleteIntriguing hints and descriptions.
DeleteInfinity 166
ReplyDeleteAt last! New sails, resplendent so they are with their indigo sigils, taunting the others out there on the high seas, right fancy so they are. I be shutting down this visit and getting out where the wind is fresh and the crew do a job instead of womanizing and drinking and stuffing and lazing around all hours of the day. Time they got themselves fit so I be sending them up the rigging.
And the Cap’n, you be asking… I be in my cabin writing my journal for the voyage so I remembers it all when I gets home.
A reflective but happy captain, back on the high seas where he belongs.
DeleteThis is a lovely installment. Full of anticipation and enthusiasm. And the legend continues....
DeleteA little bling for the ship never hurt anybody. And I'm glad the Captain keeps writing it down ;)
DeleteYes, indeed - may he continue writing for many a tide yet.
Deletecongrats, Patricia, sorry, been distracted this week, 3 palpitation attacks in 2 weeks, car gave out on me Monday night, it's all sort of gone pearshaped. The captain should have come a lot earlier than he did but I've got little to nothing done, just not felt well enough to sit here.
ReplyDeleteTonight has been a delight, made me feel good about working once more. It's surprising how easy it is to get out of the habit of writing or editing every day. Especially when there are cats to play with...
My favourite this week is Cripplegate Junction 64. A delight.
Sorry to hear you have had a tough week Antonia, hope you have a better one next week.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your trials this week, Antonia. Hopefully things will improve soon, if not already. Not sure where my vote is going to fall. I'm wondering if all the tales have posted for one thing. Don't want to jump the gun. I guess I'll give it another couple of hours and then return with my ballot.
DeleteI'm guessing everything that will be posted this week is now available. That being a given, my vote goes to: Triangle [Threshold 133].
ReplyDeleteOops I nearly forgot to vote. I'll add my vote to Triangle [Threshold 133]
DeleteMy favorite is Wreckage of a Rendezvous.
DeleteTough choices. I like a bunch of them, but I love All's Fair so that has to be my vote.
DeleteI can only be glad I didn't have to choose this week!
Delete