I’m well aware I’m repeating myself,
but truly the ever-rising standards of each week’s offerings both excite me and
give me a colossal headache trying to pick what must, by custom , be
labelled ‘winner’. I trust you all realise that if you are not named it means
you are likely little more than a whisker away from being so. At least this
week, there were suggestions from some of you as to which ought to win, and
since I agree, I’m declaring David T’s
‘South of the Border, Down Mexico Way’ this week’s number one but would also
honourably mention Zaiure’s ‘Hammer & Seal [4] and newcomer Timewalkerauthor for ‘At the Edge’.
Next week will be the last week I
have this problem for a bit, but I’m delighted and relieved that Patricia has agreed to step into the breach
from 18th October until ~22nd November, and will be hosting, posting words and
picking winners.
Words
for next week: cauterise miracle Tosca
Entries
by midnight Thursday 11th October,
words and winners posted 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.
Well done David T for gaining top place this week, and to Timewalker and Zaiure for their honourable mentions. The creative writing offered on Prediction just keeps getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Terrie. The writing here is so good. It's a lot of fun to participate in this forum. Congrats to the winners.
DeleteAs I am quite lazy, I will just plagiarize Terrie's comments and add my own heartfelt congratulations to them. Loved the stories, and I am excited to such works from the new guy!
DeleteCongrats David T, and well done Timewalker! Thank you for the mention as well. :)
Deletecongratulations to the 'honorable mentions' - brilliant writing as always.
Deleteintentus adjunctus
ReplyDelete“I see you cauterized the wound. Clever.”
“Thank you. Unnecessary, I know, but you know me.”
“She seems so peaceful. By some miracle, I keep expecting her to rise up.”
“Yes, it took some doing to wipe the scowl from her face.”
“May I ask why you did it?”
“It’s been brewing for years now. Howard do this - Howard do that - must you chew so loudly? Oh, I see the police are here. It goes on and on. But when she tried to get me to sit through Tosca for the third time, I snapped.”
Very nonchalantly put. Very good dialogue and lovely use of the prompts.
DeleteDarkly humorous John. Great use of speech to convey the action meant I didn't even look for, or notice, the prompts until Jeffrey mentioned them: Then I went back for a second read.
DeleteThe nonchalant delivery of this works so well, smooth as malt whisky, then that after-kick.
DeleteVery curious who he is talking to before the police arrive. Excellent, smoothly written dialogue.
Deletenice one, nothing spelled out, all there just the same. Good writing.
DeleteThe nonchalance with which you often deliver your submissions is enviable. I loved this one.
DeleteAn eerily humorous conclusion, John, and you masterfully lead the reader to it. Nicely done!
DeleteJeffrey here. Congrats to David T for his excellent story. Huzah’s for Zaiure and Timewakerauthor for honorable mention on their good stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Patricia for being our substitute teacher. Does that meanwe can sit where we want?
David T's South of the Border is an excellent choice for the top prize. Congrats, David, and a thumbs up to Zaiure and Timewalkerauthor for their fine entries.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBEAUTIFUL EYES
ReplyDeleteIt was a miracle. She chose me.
I dearly love her - especially her hauntingly beautiful eyes, which are the color of wisteria and sparkle like twin diamonds. I’m awestruck each time I see them.
But, she suddenly announced she was leaving me.
Her betrayal didn’t rival Floria Tosca’s, but it hurt deeply. Nothing terrestrial or celestial could cauterize my wounded heart.
Well, that’s not exactly true.
When the shock dissipated, I said, “Fine, but you can’t take everything with you.”
Now, each time I look at the jar of preservative on my bedside table I see her beautiful eyes.
What a macabre ending. The rest of the story is pretty good to. Well done J.E.
DeleteBrilliant.
DeleteI was hooked in by the romantic flavour of the opening lines and started to commiserate the loss of love. I knew something horrific was coming, and there it was - cleverly taking me back to the opening lines by reminding me of her eyes in a shocking twist.
"Well, that's not exactly true."
DeleteAnd that was the moment you knew this was about to take a wild turn. Well done.
Horror done well, J.E.
DeleteVery enjoyable read with lots of little cool tidbits.
Ugh. Just as we begin to pity the poor man, you do that to us!!
DeleteI was also feeling sorry for the man initially, and then received that horrible, gut-wrenching final line! Lovely description of her eyes at the beginning.
Deleteso devilishly nasty!
DeleteLovely...if macabre...twist at the end. The "color of wisteria." How beautiful is that?
DeleteA Homespun Tale: A Short Fictional Autobiography
ReplyDelete“Matthew, again you’re in my office? How many times has it been?”
“Twenty-one but who’s counting, Mrs. Tosca.”
“It’ll be a God-given miracle for you to create a cauterized work of art.”
“The last God-given miracle was the 69 Mets, so there’s hope.”
“Don’t be facetious with me, young man! You need this to be professional.”
“Like Cummings, Joyce, McCarthy, Saramago, Proust, Faulkner, Diaz, and Stein?”
“You’re far closer to Timothy Dexter.”
“Infamous is still famous. I’m having fun and laughing, I’ll get there, Mrs. Tosca, and don’t you worry.”
Cleverly written Jeffrey.
DeleteOnly dialogue, and it moves the action along brilliantly.
Tongue in cheek humour too. Really makes me,as a reader, want to read on to find out what happens next.
A rather ambitious and optimistic young Matthew you have here. Well done and enjoyable.
DeleteA fun back and forth between the characters. Despite it being entirely dialogue, I got an excellent sense of the scene. Well done!
DeleteMarvelously executed back-and-forth dialogue. Had to chuckle at the fact of "infamous" still being "famous."
DeleteA mirroring of interest [Threshold 223]
ReplyDeleteTosca, the mare I rode, in appearance badly miscast but by temperament as hoity-toity as the operatic heroine she was named for, had the hots for Raven’s stallion much as I did its rider. Her sidling over-close incurred Raven’s wrath, directed at me; he misremembering I as adept at riding as he.
A narrow descent necessitated single file. Tosca insisted on leading which the stallion took exception to. The ensuing barging – a miracle we suffered only scratches which needed staunching rather than the cauterising Raven named it – distracted us from the unwelcoming committee awaiting our arrival at the ambush-perfect entrance.
Lovely images of the horses barging each other in an effort to be the one in front and wonderful parallels between horses and riders. Not only are the horses and riders distracted by the goings on, so is the reader. Great hook, with a final line that keeps our interest. Who is waiting in ambush and what do they want …..
DeleteNice imagery, you described the location perfectly.
DeleteI really liked that the mare didn't read the stallion well enough to know he wouldn't like going second through the narrow pass. But all that waffling was nothing compared to the waiting ambush. Exciting stuff.
DeleteThe interaction between the horses seemed very fitting for the riders. It was the perfect distraction for the waiting ambush, and now I'm left in suspense anticipating the next installment!
Deletecleverly done, Sandra!
DeleteYou always seem to move this serialization along with what appears to be very little effort. And yet, the story expands and is never static. I particularly liked the fact that Tosca "had the hots" for Raven's stallion as much as our protagonist has for the stallion's rider. Says it all really!
DeleteProbing both the riders' and the horses' minds is brilliantly done, Sandra!
DeleteAn interesting episode indeed, Sandra. "Hoity-toity" creates a great image.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 25- A Voice In The Dark
ReplyDeleteThe stench almost cauterised every breath they took.
As the tunnel widened, Nigel gave silent tail signals, to fan out.
Something moved ahead. ‘I know yur there,’ said a small voice.
The platoon froze.
‘Darft buggers, I kin hear y’ breathing, y’know.
’Ave yu’ come fer the stuff? Its ‘ere, in the corner.’
Nigel took a chance. ‘Yeh, Clancy’s got the rest of it at ‘Dillo base-burrow. It’s gotta be readied for action.’
‘Thank gawd you’ve come. Tosca’s me name, an’ I don’t fink I can take this stench much longer. A miracle, that’s wot it is, a bleedin’ miracle.
As always, Terrie, your precise choice of language works to perfection. Very nice!
DeleteEnjoyed the 'silent tails signal' and as usual, you've humanized them so well. Very nice use of the prompts.
DeleteThese stories are such fun to read. You really make this unusual world come alive, Terrie.
DeleteSuch a skill with voice you have - wonderful stuff, and I was awed by your use of cauterise - without that as inspiration Pettinger would still be languishing, unwrit - thank you.
DeleteI also enjoyed your use of cauterise at the beginning. These characters are so interesting and fun.
Deleteyes, great fun, they come over well.
DeleteThe names you choose for these guys is truly inspirational. Each one carries its own characterizations which are so fitting. Love that you used "darft" and "buggers" and the "silent tail signals" conjured such an amusing image. I adore this serialization.
DeletePursued [5]
ReplyDeleteAella cauterised the wound with calm efficiency. She eyed Glimmer’s sweat-beaded face as she set aside the heated fire poker, and set to work bandaging her shoulder. “It’s a miracle the bolt didn’t go through your heart.”
Glimmer’s grimace softened. “Lucky for me Tosca employs the cheapest, not the best.”
“I don’t understand why she’d send the Collectors after you. You don’t gamble.”
“I had to do everything I could to find Sayla’s brother…”
“Ah. Does Sayla know?”
“No!” Glimmer blurted. “No. She still does not know about his…crimes.”
“I hardly believe it. Kalen always followed the rules. Always.”
Good dialogue moving the scene and good placement of the prompts. An enjoyable and well written story.
DeleteYou write so matter-of-factly, it's so easy to read and tells so much with just a few choice words. For instance, Glimmer's sweat beaded face during the cauterizing tells us exactly how tough she is with no further words needed.
DeleteAnother calm but rich evocation of another world - John's comments usefully help me realise how you do it; I totally lack analytical ability.
Deleteit's tight writing, always envious when I read that.
DeleteNot a surplus word within sight. Neat and tightly wrapped indeed. Look forward with much relish to what comes next. The serializations here are worthy of being featured in the old Saturday Morning Pictures I went to as a child. Anyone remember those? Or am I dating myself too much?
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 159 - Waiting And Watching
ReplyDeleteGeorge wandered onto the platform. Whether by cauterization, natural coagulation or some other means, his head wound had finally and miraculously stopped bleeding. Nevertheless, he continued to wear the blooded dressing like a badge of honour.
Among the passengers waiting to board the train, two young ladies, apparently siblings, noted his arrival.
"Poor soldier," said the sister in white, all pathos and poignancy. "Who knows what appalling horrors he has faced while doing his duty?"
The sister in red, insensitive and indifferent, rolled her eyes at the show of sentimentality.
"You are more melodramatic than Sarah Bernhardt in Tosca!"
-------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------
I greatly enjoyed the conversation between the sisters. Good descriptions and use of prompts. A very good installment, Patricia.
DeleteThe rolling of the red sister's eyes was the clincher for me. Some rather comedic tension among the sisters.
DeleteOh, poor George indeed. "all pathos and poignancy" says so much.
Deleteentertaining as ever, Patricia! A deft touch with dialogue there.
DeleteI loved the contrast between the two sisters as well, and their descriptions felt very fitting.
DeleteThe Last Chance Saloon
ReplyDeleteThe Outlaw lurked within the gloomy ruins of the ancient saloon. Jagged moth trails etched his Stetson, gossamer spider web draped from the brim to his shoulder. Roaches danced like pets on his lap. By some miracle his breath still rattled.
He recalled me in a befuddled manner.
“Fifty years gone a drunken doctor cauterised your shattered knee.”
I cranked up the gramophone and sat before him. He placed his hand on my head like a father. As Tosca played we cried for O'Brien and Three Crows - and a little boy stolen by a bad prairie dog.
So vivid and so moving, David, and what a great description of the Outlaw. Excellent!
DeleteExcellent descriptions to provide a intriguing setting.
DeleteYes, that is a bad prairie dog, stealing children. Cool story, David.
DeleteThis is heart-breaking! And, yes, the "moth-trails" detail adds to the painting of a wonderful picture.
Deletethe moth trails are simply magical as a descriptive touch.
DeleteAnother intriguing installment for us to enjoy. Some incredible images depicted here. Those referencing "jagged moth trails" and a "gossamer spider web" were so easy to picture.
DeleteI love the descriptions of the Outlaw. Very vivid and striking! Patricia called out all my favorites. :)
DeleteOpposites Attract
ReplyDeleteThat our love abides is a miracle.
We have nothing in common...well, virtually nothing.
He likes classic opera. Tosca, The Barber of Seville and Rigoletto.
I prefer classic rock. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath.
He embraces French cuisine.
I'd rather have a good old English fry-up.
He devours the works of Shakespeare.
Give me a tawdry, trashy novel any day.
In short, he is cultured and I am unrefined.
And yet, he cauterizes again and again to prolong suffering.
I am far more merciful. I allow them to quickly bleed out.
I enjoyed the balancing act or maybe version of the scales of justice. Your title is spot on and good placement and use of the prompts.
DeleteThat twist at the end is just chilling. I love it.
DeleteLove the format of this. A really horrific and unexpected ending. Good one.
DeleteOh - you tricked me! Again! So very skilfully.
DeleteOpposites attract, or so it is said. But if I were this fellow, I'd be mighty careful. A great tale!
Deleteoh this is good!
DeleteWhen We Die In Dreams
ReplyDeleteIt was a miracle so few were dead or badly hurt. I gave instructions, took vitals and tried to do well, everything. I was a medic, before. I couldn’t cauterize bloody wounds, there was nothing to use. I could help, and some would live. It was “Tosca”, and I was Scarpia. No one else seemed to be doing anything, just me. It was as if they were already gone, and could no longer be bothered. On to the next one, his face untouched. No hope, so very dead. Then I knew why no one listened or obeyed.
He, was me.
Excellent last line and a great lead in to it. Very good story, Dave.
DeleteWhoa, that was a shocker. How traumatic that would be, dreaming or otherwise.
DeleteThank you John and Jeffry!
DeleteThe title itself near a novel. And the whole of it nearer an epic. So strong.
DeleteThank you Sandra
Deletevivid writing and depictions, Dave.
DeleteAn incredible piece of strong writing. And so very "out of the box." As Antonia said, this was "vivid" and to echo Sandra, "epic." I really have nothing to add to those comments...except to say "Magnificent."
DeleteThank you all. I hope I can do even better from now on, and that they will be accepted and enjoyed!
DeleteSquatter’s Rites-8
ReplyDelete“We’ll find a judge to marry us and then go back and get them out of my house?”
“Lord, it’ll be a miracle to get through this.”
“Why?”
“Marriage is like the opera Tosca. Take what you hear and see with a grain of salt. Love cauterizes the wounds of our deprivations.”
“Okay, love takes time.”
“True and we’ve got two months to get it right. A couple in love made the spell, the same is needed to remove it. We need to talk.”
“What about?”
“Do you believe in ghosts, magic, and me? Please don’t lie to your fiance’.”
Delightful, Jeffrey. I Enjoyed reading this.
DeleteI seriously fear for this couple - poles apart for all their good intentions.
DeleteNothing like getting your marriage off on the right foot. I loved the nameless dialog.
DeleteTotal dialogue. As I've said before, most definitely your strong point and so very enjoyable.
DeleteThe Rainbow Warrior-3
ReplyDelete“No miracles today, Proeliator. You four finish him, the rest... kill the mortals.”
“You will all die if by God’s grace, I can give unto thee!” Valen shouted. The Pazuzu disappeared, heading down the path labeled gardens.
They charged, he spun Sacramentum Arcus. It glowed like the sun as they reached him knocking to his knees but were incinerated by the multi-colored disk.
Valen lept, landing among them. One slashed his left leg, it cauterized immediately. He planted his bident into a skull, then slashed another’s legs. There was more blood in the dirt than in the opera Tosca.
Oh, I like this. I really should go read the earlier entries--sorry I missed them on the first pass.
DeleteLots of action here. A warrior's life has got to be a bitch.
DeleteThis Valen fellow is quite the warrior, Jeffrey. Good, crisp storytelling here!
DeletePacked with action to the hilt. Very nicely composed and great use of the prompt words.
Delete(Posted this before, but realized I left something out, and had to delete and repost.) Thank you all for the compliments, and the honorable mention! I considered not posting this week--"Tosca" threw me off for a bit; I'm not really familiar with the opera. But, after some quick research, I decided to give it a try anyway. I'll call this False Hope.
ReplyDeleteThe battle still thundered nearby. The surgeon put on Tosca to drown it out. The soldier on the table, despite his pain, managed a grin of thanks. Future amputees needed distraction.
“It will be a miracle, you know,” the surgeon said, laying out his instruments. Scalpels flashed in the bright light—and the soldier realized the tray held no hypodermics, no vials…no anesthetics.
“You mean,” he managed, “I might walk again?”
The surgeon laughed. “No, of course not.” He switched on the cauterizing iron. “I mean, it will be a miracle if you survive.”
The surgeon has terrible beside manner. This poor guy now won't have the drive needed to fight through his injury. Very well done and well written.
DeleteYeah, if you get that doctor, I recommend getting a second opinion ;)
DeleteMorbidly enjoyable. Terrible bedside manner, then again my dad the doctor would talk about some surgeries on spaghetti night. A well written story, Timewalkerauthor. Concise with nice prompt use.
DeleteThere's a time and a place for straight-talking and this wasn't it. But so very entertaining for the reader. Thank you.
Deletethis is horribly gory and perfect for horror writing!
DeleteI can picture the sinister look on the doctor's face, timewalkerauthor. Here's a fellow who really enjoys his work. This was a good read!
DeleteNow there's a surgeon who inspires confidence! I'm glad you reconsidered posting. This was a great contribution to a week's worth of excellent stories.
DeleteChange of focus [302]
ReplyDeleteBatiste Balincek’s approach was stately, eyes cold enough to cauterise all thought of appeasement. Putting Pettinger in mind of a tyrannical, lust-driven Scarpia; the thought of Valdeta as his Tosca unbearable. Behind him, the unwisely-empowered boy impersonating Aleks – the word ‘catamite’ came unexpectedly to Pettinger’s mind – waved the gun around in a manner suggesting only a miracle would prevent him killing.
Even so, Pettinger opened the car door. This time Filip did not halt him. He got out. Straightened up. Said, in the language of his birth, ‘I am Yanno Petzincek.’
Batiste Balincek looked him up and down. ‘You are?’
Excellent descriptions to set the scene. Haven't seen catamite in a while. Simple yet very well placed and chosen words for the dialogue.
DeleteTotally innovative use of both the prompt words and the novel incorporation of "Tosca," which was far from an easy word to use in a unique fashion but you managed it admirably. Same can be said for "cauterise."
DeleteI like the contrast of Balincek's cold eyes and cauterise, even though my computer wants me to use a 'z' in cauterize. You built the tension here very well and it was quite chilling when Pettinger announced his name.
ReplyDeletethe 'z' is American, isn't it? My spell check wanted to change it - I won that battle.
DeleteThis is a good episode, Sandra, covering ground and bringing the characters out even more.
Kursaal (Episode One Hundred Thirty Three) - "Thicker Than Water"
ReplyDeleteLudmilla Bartók and C.C. Sebastian were half-siblings. Same mother, different fathers.
Overseer of the First Aid Station, Ludmilla was responsible for treatment of her prize-fighting father's unfortunate challengers. She didn't necessarily approve of cauterization or sutures to accelerate healing and often relied upon the body's own miraculous curative powers.
C.C., the sun-shy Nocturnal Manager of the Ticket Kiosk, frequently visited Ludmilla after his shift. She ensured he never went hungry.
To the strains of Puccini's Tosca, C.C. dined to his satisfaction but stopped before the feasting went too far.
Mindful of Ludmilla's therapeutic reputation, he was a conscientious brother.
---------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Ludmilla Bartók, Laszlo "Bruiser" Bartók (Ludmilla'a prize-fighting father) and C.C. Sebastian have all featured in previous episodes.
Confess I'd forgotten C C Sebastian, but you, your reputation (as a writer) managed to send my mind into uncomfortable realms despite the apparent innocence of the tale.
Deleteyes, me too!
DeleteA well written and soft episode, nice descriptions and use of prompts.
Deletethis week's words gives me a chance to have a moan... customers... grr...
ReplyDeleteStop the Week, I want to get off (17)
‘Got any vinyl?’ is the new weekly request. Nope, we gave it all away, including the recordings of Tosca. No one wanted them. Vinyl is now big again… Apart from (deactivated) firearms, the week has been dull. It needs a miracle to shake it up; the weather’s nice. The next person who asks ‘busy?’ will find their mouth cauterised. If we’re not busy, we’re going out of business. Right? Then there’s ‘you need a bigger shop!’ like we haven’t heard that a thousand times in the last five years… no we don’t. That means more rent, business rates, overheads…
And used so skillfully too ... We still have 4 feet of vinyl, plus what the children left in the loft and say they can't give house room to because they don't have a player.
DeleteYou very skillfully inserted the prompt words into this entry, Antonia. Vinyl recordings of Tosca... great thinking.
DeleteSuch smooth insertion of the prompts that they totally disappear within the telling. If I haven't already mentioned (and I believe I have), these little slices of everyday life are totally enchanting.
DeleteI always marvel at how you make real life come across as excellent fiction. My wife and daughter recently went through the same process about a bigger store. An excellent continuation, Antonia.
DeletePatricia asked me to comment on the Remembrance window. It's attracting a lot of attention at the moment. I've got a small table with mirror (reflecting our need not to repeat our folly) jewellery (they are stars in their own right) Why England Slept by JFK, a dice, the pilots diced with death on every flight, and so on. Black candle, vase with poppies on it, French embossed box, clock stopped at 11 AM, cigar box for Winston, models of a Lancaster bomber and a Spitfire... British Legion donated a poppy cross for our window which says it all. I just added a gas mask in its box and hung a tiny flag which says LEST WE FORGET from the stem of a lamp. The window is finished off with For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon, printed on three sheets strung together with bright red ribbon. Even as I write this, 6 copies are churning out of the printer, people wanting them for themselves and for others. One's going in a café in Shanklin.
DeleteNext year I will be working to commemorate the POWs of the Japanese in Burma. My uncle was one of them. He came home with a vow never to speak of it and he never did.
I think this all raises us up above the usual second hand shop. It shows we care, it isn't just a quick way to make money (I wished!)but a way to work with and in the local community of people and businesses. It's a lot of work but nothing good ever came easy, did it? I've been doing advertising work all evening!
Your ongoing interest in our shop is gratifying, the book is coming together, tonight's work is putting the chunks into sections, working out the flow of it. Most of it is rambling but I do that and people like it. Before I began that work I created an ad on Wightbay for the beanie bears I photographed this afternoon, saying one was exhausted (he happens to be lying down) with his efforts to get noticed, another is asleep against a huge (in relation to him) reel of cable, also working hard, another is on a cabinet up on the wall so he's suicidal... and so it goes on. I think that might sell a few beanies... I have them everywhere...
Before you ask, I am not doing a Halloween window. I don't know enough about the traditional original Samhain ceremonies to replicate them and find the grinning pumpkins something of a travesty compared with the real thing. So we will go straight to Christmas after the 11th November. Life has to go on, but as the poem says - at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
The Mad Italian 76
ReplyDeleteAccusations, demands, interference, it is a miracle the political parties are still in existence. Some should be cauterised out of existence but there it is, someone has to buy the tickets for Tosca and only those elite few whose salaries could sustain several families for a year actually go, even if they don’t understand a word.
Whilst all this goes on, there are still people joining Neo-Nazi organisations. It is almost beyond belief that such people still exist but of course there will always be renegades of one kind or another. Just be careful they do not gain power…
Words of wisdom from the wise indeed. Beautiful use of the prompt words and such an enlightening read.
DeleteI wonder what we would think of their politics if we could see it like he does ours?
DeleteJeffrey, Leo dropped by to comment on your posting - he said his time was corrupt beyond belief and you would not recognise any of it apart from corruption. He found it all repulsive and wished he had managed to gain more power to do something about it.
DeleteCongratulations to David T. for an exceptional story last week and to Zaiure for her tale, amazing as always. I'd like to give a special accolade to Timewalker who entered the forum with guns blazing and left with an honorable mention for his initial submission.
ReplyDeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #150
ReplyDeleteA New Dispatcher
“... We have run out of tosca to cauterise the holes in the personality layers. The people no longer trust us. The trains are stopping. It would take a miracle for any supplies to get through. Elephantus I-“
Were these officials elephants in disguise?! Well that explains their ineptitude with coffee cups. It looks like I’ll have to sort the trains out myself if I want to get to Cecily’s.
To me, this sounds like a descent into public-speak lunacy. Wheyher that's right or not, it's deliciously entertaining.
DeleteThis was a fascinating continuation, Rosie. I'm not sure I absorbed the full impact first time around so this definitely demands a second reading.
ReplyDelete