Friday 7 December 2018

Shock horror! (sort of)

It did come as a bit of a shock to be reminded this time last year I was bed-bound and barely able to walk, thanks to some vicious South African infection. No less of a one was that seven weeks later I walked eleven rough-country miles, although not by choice! This week, I found making a choice from a shortlist of six almost as difficult, not least because I cannot find anything in the way of common qualities to use as criteria.

So what I did was ... throw a dice. And the dice selected, from my list of six equally-merited pieces, Terrie’s 33rd instalment of the SAS Diaries. The other five were David W’s ‘AGAIN’, David T’s ‘Ticks and Crosses’, Bill’s ‘Lips’ and either Patricia’s ‘Things that go bump in the night ’ or ‘Can do’, but I thank you for all of them.

Words for next week: contagion graft mercy
Entries by Midnight (GMT) Thursday 13th, words and winners posted Friday 14th December
  
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.


175 comments:

  1. Congrats finalists. I don't blame Sandra for rolling the dice. There were so many great stories his week.

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    1. I'd be rolling the dice all the time.There are so many excellent offerings every week I could never choose just one.

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    2. Congrats Terrie and the rest of the finalists!

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    3. Congrats to our plethora of honorees from last week. On a good note, I have found a job. So with my spirits lifted I hope it lifts my writing as well.

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    4. Congrats to all for last week and Jeffrey for finding a job! Well done!

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    5. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 December 2018 at 23:57

      Like most said... last week was rife with splendid tales. Congrats to all who had numbers on the dice that was rolled.

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    6. Good luck with that new job, Jeffrey.

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  2. Ragged Breath

    “…and may God have mercy on your fucking souls,” the priest said as he limped away from the podium. He waved off Guido’s graft envelope.

    “Nobody disrespects a Braganini,” Guido said and shot him in the back of the head. It didn’t matter really; he’d be dead in a week. They all would.

    Guido kissed the casket, one of many lined up with nowhere to go. A woman came to him and spat in his face. He shot her, of course, and then tried to kick the smile off her dead face. “Goddamn contagion,” Guido said with an untidy cough.

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    1. What a great opening sentence. Visceral and spot on imagery from the start of the story to the end. What a wonderful first offering for this week. Thank you John.

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    2. Interesting when murder has a slight ring of mercy. Very nicely done as I look at the bar being set a little higher.

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    3. Black humour, at least to me. Nice.

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    4. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 22:34

      Talk about a miserably desperate time! You really nailed it, John.

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    5. deep nasty black stuff, just what I need. Trying to cope with a new kindle - a million years from my old one - resorting to the only book which opened, RF Delderfield, and longing for the blood guts and darkness of the crime thrillers I need to access. This will do fine in the meantime...

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    6. This conjured up shades of The Mob for me, but in an historical setting. I don't known why and it really doesn't matter because I loved the way this read.

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    7. Definitely a visceral scene. Absolutely horrible, but this image was powerful - 'He shot her, of course, and then tried to kick the smile off her dead face.'

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  3. On reaching adulthood

    This my second time I know what I’m about. No need to follow in my mother’s steps; no fear of what I no longer see as grafting of animal onto human but accept is what we are. The moon no longer speaks to me of painful contagion; my howl no longer holds a plea for mercy.
    I have reached my adulthood. I know what I’m about.

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    1. A most enjoyable vignette. It has a coming of age feel. Tight writing and good use of the prompts.

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    2. Whatever it is that reached adulthood, I want no part of it...except to read about it (hint hint).

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    3. Coming of age. One should know one's self, yes? Very nice, Sandra.

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    4. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 22:27

      "My howl no longer holds a plea for mercy" creates a very ominous feeling, Sandra. I don't think I want to know what you're about.

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    5. I have to confess this arrived in my head, fully-formed, as a result of reading a single word elsewhere and remembering the prompt words. If it happens again, you'll be the first to hear.

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    6. always good when that happens! Like this a lot. So much going on we can follow in our imaginations.

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    7. Brilliantly flowing descriptive account of a special coming into adulthood Sandra. So smoothly written I was not aware of the prompt words until afterward. I really liked this.

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    8. Magnificently crafted tale with a minimum of words. Not easy to do and, like I said, you do it magnificently.

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    9. Smooth and powerful. I love how the character's sense of acceptance could be felt, and wonder what it might mean for her and the world. Loved this line 'my howl no longer holds a plea for mercy'.

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  4. Surprise is not always attack [Threshold 227]

    Raven put his arm across my shoulder , simultaneously glancing behind. Grafted pride onto warrior confidence and addressed the Norseman,
    ‘This is –’ Faltered as he recalled he did not yet know my name, before continuing, with merciful approval, ‘the mother of my child.’

    The squeeze of his hand, his barely buried amusement told me he’d seen through my attempt to conceal that I was pregnant. I had not expected such reaction to my carrying a child he’d near-refused to breed for the supposed contagion of his ancestry.

    Now all I had to hope was we would survive this meeting.

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    1. Even goddamn Raven doesn't know her name? This is my favorite Threshold to date. You throw us a bone now and then, but this bone is like the femur or something equally large. Very well done, Sandra.

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    2. I have yet to go back and read all the episodes so far, but I am enjoying the updates as we get them!

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    3. John, thank you.
      David, the problem with reading several back episodes in one sitting is that they very soon become indigestible. I've no idea how to overcome this and, similarly, find it impossible to inject this concentrated level of ... whatever, into my novel-writing. Weird, innit?

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    4. cliffhanger stuff here, do they/will they survive? Write on, Sandra, write on...

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    5. What an enigma Raven is.... He doesn't bother to find out a girls name but can tell he's gotten her pregnant.... says he doesn't want children... yet is apparently protective of the mother to be. Makes very addictive reading though.

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    6. Arghhh...I thought at last we might be given a name. I should have known better! Yet another fascinating aspect of Raven's personality revealed here. What a complex character you have managed to create.

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    7. I think I know what you mean, Sandra, about having a hard time carrying this into your novel-writing. I have the same problem. There's something in these distilled scenes, some kind of magic, that's hard to carry through into something bigger/longer. I don't know. :)

      The mystery continues! Fascinating how Raven reacted, and I'm also hoping they get out of this meeting.

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  5. I like how you're showing the change...growth in Raven. Thought that Grafted pride is an excellent phrase.

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  6. A Home spun Tale: A Short Fictional Autobiography-7

    Bursting pipes, fire alarms, and sprinklers ushered everyone out of the school. A dubious mercy, leaving the freezing school in drenched sleeping clothes, for most, on a hot August night.
    “I’ll catch a contagion for sure,” said Zepplingal, wrapped in a blanket.
    “Unlikely, we were using protection,” JaDragon replied.
    Later they were allowed back to the cafeteria.
    “I’m Sgt. Alwyn, of homicide. Earlier tonight, your friend A-List was killed. We just found Animal-Slayer dead in her room. She’d had pink fur and bands of shell grafted to her body. Like a pichicego from her native Argentina, she froze to death.”

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    1. Wonderfully descriptive images Jeffrey, and skilful dialogue that moves the action along at speed. You packed so much into the 100 words. Love the Pink Fairy reference.

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    2. I laughed at JaDragon's answer to Zepplingal's reference to a contagion, though I don't think that's the one she was talking about. I looked up pichicego, so now I understand Terrie's Pink Fairy comment. Cool story.

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    3. Very interesting story. Love the cross-references!

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    4. Very descriptive and as entertaining as always. Nice job with this serialization, Jeffrey.

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    5. Descriptive and unique. I also laughed aloud at JaDragon's answer. :)

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  7. The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry - 35

    The doorkeeper motioned to Atlas’s lump hammer, but this was not the kind of place Atlas usually frequented; he was not about to part with his precious hammer. He growled threateningly and, mercifully, the doorkeeper backed off.
    Or’rite big fellah, keep the bluddy fing, I don’t wanna fight wiv y’ mate.’ he said hastily, heaving open the door.
    A faint smell of rancid contagion filtered out.
    Undeterred, Atlas entered the cavernous dark.
    Inside heaved with sweaty bodies. Wine bowls clanked and rolled on the floor and grafted to the grimy walls hung pelts and skins of many animals.

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    1. Such delightful - smooth and inventive - uses of the prompt words, an example to us all.

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    2. I'm thinking Atlas must feel apprehension with the animal skins hanging about. Nice images to go with this fine story.

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    3. Again, another great episode of the Armadillo warriors. I really should read all of them, but alas, laziness is a terrible thing...

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    4. there's something special about 'cavernous darkness' reminding us there is more than one type. This works well.

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    5. Your descriptions make this place so easy to imagine. Difficult to choose a favourite phrase from among the many gems, but I think "rancid contagion" must top the list.

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    6. Excellent job creating such a vivid, sensory scene. I have no trouble picturing the surroundings, hence my current wrinkled nose. :)

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  8. Good dialect dialogue. Nice descriptions of the setting, makes it much easier to see it in my mind.

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  9. Patchwork People

    In the aftermath of the contagion we were divided into two camps.

    Those who could be mended by means of extensive skin grafts were patched and processed. For those whose flesh had rotted to the skull the swift mercy of euthanasia.

    With our patchwork faces we can no longer tell who had been a tick or a cross. But old wounds fester. Therefore, our truths remain unspoken.

    The hollow and the hill remain haunted by horror of past atrocities. We squat dazed in the square, fretting about what monstrous mischief they may next send our way.

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    1. How quickly you move the reader from the bedtime comfort of the titled 'patchwork people' to a scene of near incomprehensible horror. And this reads like the prompts were bespoke for you.

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    2. Mischief is such a foreboding word as you used it. I'll second Sandra's opinion of your use of the prompts.

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    3. I'm not sure which camp I'd rather be allocated to. I suppose if my flesh had rotted to the skull, euthanasia would be the best bet. This was really good. Loved the images of the patchwork faces.

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    4. Very clever premise, very well executed. Bravo!

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    5. very deep imagery here, if I can use that as an expression. It's what my fingers wanted to say, so it has to be right...

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    6. I really like this, it so easy to imagine the horrors of contagion and people with patchwork faces. Cleverly done David.

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    7. "Patchwork people." What an amazing concept. I cannot wait to see where this will take us next. Brilliant use of the prompt words, by the way.

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    8. A horribly vivid scene and an excellent title. There's something about them squatting dazed in the square that's sticking in my mind.

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  10. Squatter’s Rites-13

    “I’ve some questions for you.”
    “Be quick, it’s exhausting for me to be visible.”
    “You’re dead and many think ahote don’t exist.”
    “I’m not living as you undead know it. You accept trees, that breath carbon dioxide and octopuses that have ten-thousand more genes than you are alive. Many even believe that aliens exist when there’s no evidence they do. I’m not living as it’s understood. Look at our good points. We give you no contagions, accept no graft, and can show mercy. There aren’t many of your kind who pass those three tests.”
    “Ahote, I’ll help your journey.”

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    1. Well, I certainly hope aliens exist; I need them as characters. Clever using the prompt words in the one sentence.

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    2. Good points. I can maybe see a debate a little further along.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 22:21

      Those good points certainly are good ones. We could learn a lot from Ahote. A good read, Jeffrey.

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    4. As always your use of clever dialogue moves the action and the story forward and it feels so easy and right when you insert the prompt words they melt invisibly into the conversations.

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    5. As I've said before, you certainly have a talent for moving a story along via dialogue alone. Great use of the word "graft" by the way. I think that definition slipped by most of us.

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    6. An interesting conversation. I also enjoyed how you used 'graft'.

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  11. Unexpected Opportunity

    “I always get the unmerciful graveyard calls, this one at old man Yasgur’s farm.”
    Ray got out and looked around. “
    “A UFO crash my ass.” He radioed in.
    “Lucy, is there any information about missing planes?”
    “No. I’ve called Sarasota Springs and Fort Drum as well.”
    “Thanks. It was a prank call. That Renaissance thing starts Friday.”
    “Ray, don’t catch a contagion from little green men or women.”
    “How much graft did you get to say that?”
    He almost walked into it, in-front of the Bethel Woods Museum. A boomerang shaped object had crashed.
    “I know it’s not ours.”

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    1. Oh good, the aliens exist again. But, how would a boomerang shaped vessel ever get anywhere? A nice lighthearted story, unless the vessel contains hostiles.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 December 2018 at 19:51

      Great use of dialog to tell this tale, Jeffrey. Not easy to do, but you pulled it off masterfully. Nicely done!

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    3. Again your excellent use of dialogue telling the story is so evident Jeffrey. I always look forward to reading your offerings.

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    4. I know Yasgur's farm was the site of Woodstock. Could it be that the referenced "Renaissance thing" is the very festival itself? I like the way you often combine fact with fiction.

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    5. An excellent use of dialogue to drive the story. I love a good alien tale, and that title has me curious. :)

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  12. Restoration, LLC

    My profession is a merciful one. The bereaved bring me the remains of a deceased and I create for them an exact replica...alive once more, of course...appearance and bearing prior to any demise, contagion or disfigurement.

    A DNA strand from here. A chromosome or two from there. A few skin grafts to complete the perfect picture. Anyone would be hard pressed to tell the difference and the gratitude of my clients is so satisfying.

    What happens to discarded body parts, you ask? Well, that would be to divulge classified company secrets. But perhaps we could discuss it over dinner?

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    1. Actually, I think not. My digestion is already shot to pieces reading this unsettling self-justification.

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    2. You should pitch this as a movie idea. Really well done. I can almost hear the frying pan sizzling.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 22:15

      I might have to bring a barf bag to this dinner, Patricia. Very nice... I wasn't expecting your ending.

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    4. I imagined this being read by Vincent Price. Loved the narration and it provided a small chill as well.

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    5. Wrong evening to read this, not feeling 100%, but I'm stuck with these images now!

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    6. You are so skilled at delivering that last skin shivering line that makes a reader go ….. eeewh…… Brilliant.

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    7. Horrible but super intriguing. I love the conversational tone of the narrator.

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  13. Change of focus [306]

    Thereafter things happened fast.
    Rowena assumed ‘Bollocks’ referred to her. She swung the gun around; simultaneously pressed the trigger.
    By a mercy, for which he felt he’d be offering daily prayers for decades, the bullet missed Pettinger and buried itself in a cactus, showering unwisely-grafted flowers.
    Filip disarmed Rowena. Thrust her towards her father who reared back like she was plague-contagious.
    She made to run. Pettinger, eschewing Filip’s ‘flatter her’ advice, grabbed her.
    From the house door, a pale-faced boy erupted, shouting, fast as a second bullet. Having only heard the shot, he’d yet to learn his father had survived.

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    1. I loved the sequence of the missed bullet. Lots of action here. Very enjoyable.

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    2. Do we know that the second bullet missed? Though unusual it was well written, "...unwisely-grafted flowers.

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    3. an episode packed full of action - moving along as fast as the bullets you write of.

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    4. Talk about packed with action. What an achievement given the selection of prompt words this week. But then again, you never fail to please.

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    5. I really enjoyed the action in this scene, and loved the phrasing of 'the bullet missed Pettinger and buried itself in a cactus, showering unwisely-grafted flowers'. Awesome imagery!

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  14. The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry - 36

    Sarg’s eyes watered, ‘Let’s throw out this contagious mess an' talk again after,’ she suggested.
    Tosca shook his head, ‘this camyflag took fer eva to put t’gever an, it’s all but grafted on. I ain’t getting’ rid of it not fer all the tics in me tail, but, ifin there’s a place t’ store it’d be a mercy t’ slip outta it an’ take a dip in a stream.
    ‘ We’re in the middle of a dry spell,’ reminded Nigel, ‘so not much in the way of streams about. Might manage a puddle tho.’
    Tosca heaved off his cankerous armour.

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    1. 'not fer all the tics in me tail' - just one example of your exhilarating imagination (and ability to share it).

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    2. I have a feeling about this odoriferous armor. Looking forward to hearing more about it. Such a great series.

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    3. I'm rather envious of your success with this series. Very well written, planed out and your installments flow very well.

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    4. Sandra nailed the best line here, it really works!

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    5. You do realize that with these double-dosed entries, we will now expect them every week? "Cankerous armour." What an image. I envy the way you can churn out two episodes in one week. I'm usually hard pressed to come up with one that's in any way cohesive!

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    6. Sandra called out my favorite line. Very imaginative and fitting! 'Cankerous armour' is also an excellent phrase. :)

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  15. His hybrid roses were lovely, with various blooms grafted onto wild stock. They were sturdy and novel, even among experienced rose growers. The old man carefully clipped and stroked them, as if they were his children. Taking care of his special creations was a contagious undertaking, and he was well aware of this fact. There was mercy in his ancient and rheumy eyes as he examined each bloom, smiling as he gazed at each tiny face, eyes no more than dots, mouths opening and closing in screams barely loud enough to be heard. They were very special hybrids, after all.

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    1. Horribly creepy, all the more so for being buried in beauty.

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    2. You come up with some really good ideas for your stories.Very unique and well done.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 22:09

      Very special hybrids indeed, David. You masterfully describe how meticulous and dedicated this fellow is. Well done!

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    4. Did one of his 'children' find it's way to Skid Row? David, you've a very well written story and excellent prompt use.

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    5. Dang it! I didn't even think of Audrey, Jeff!

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    6. oh evil thoughts among beautiful flowers -

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    7. Innocent opening... chilling conclusion... Clever David. I do enjoy reading your work

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    8. Oh yes. Classic horror at its very best. This would easily fit into any anthology of that genre, regardless of decade. This is a timeless premise.

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    9. Ooooh that made me shiver. It was such a beautiful scene at the beginning! Excellent horror and excellent descriptions of the flowers at the end. Yikes. :)

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  16. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 19:24

    CONSCRIPTION 6: SHOWTIME

    I entered NIGHTHAWKS and melted into the contagious gathering of grotesque freaks, each staring spellbound at four youngish people lashed to high-back chairs. Leather straps secured their foreheads to the chairs, totally immobilizing them.

    The freaks chanted, “Crutch! Crutch!”

    Like a gimpy ghost, a hunchback limped into view. His right eye was clouded; his withered left hand looked grafted to his wrist. A domed serving platter sat balanced on his right hand.

    The crowd howled mercilessly as Crutch reached for the dome with his withered hand and lifted it with the practiced slowness of a master sadist.

    He shouted, “Showtime!”

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    1. Another which ought to carry a health warning! Or at least 'do no read while eating' Such gruesome characters brought to too-vivid life.

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    2. This is really good. What a joint Nighthawks is. I find myself wanting badly to know what's in the domed platter, but then, it doesn't matter if you reveal it or not. Just the presentation told quite a bit.

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    3. Such brilliant descriptions and dialogue have built a wonderfully believable atmosphere and scene inside Nighthawks. You have also created a sense of suspense and cleverly set the reader up for an anticipatory horrific next episode. Most enjoyable. Thank you.

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    4. Another series that I'm envious of. You tease at the horror and with good but minimal dialogue and very well placed and used prompts.

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    5. lots more nastiness for me to think about until I get to the crime books... thanks, this is one brilliant episode!

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    6. Oooh...Oooh. What's beneath that dome? What horrors does the serving platter hold and what will be done with them? Brilliant continuation and choice of words.

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    7. Nasty and horrible, and well done leaving us to wonder what's on the platter.

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  17. THE SEARCHER

    Mercy has no home here, in the venomous voids of twilight-sky,
    But, held within its ringlets, the plague dog sounds a hollow bark
    That transforms into a whimper, and then a howling cry,
    Against contagion curled in stinking curtains, rolled within the icy dark.
    And bitter pearls of sickness glitter dangerously, and lie
    Against a rusted sword that echoes with a bloodied mark.
    But, grafted to its spiked and coiling hilt, Medusa’s stony, serpent-eye
    Searches, ever- hopeful through the endless, shadowed, starless arc.

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    1. Nice imagery and alliteration. Not sure if it's a descriptive, an ode, or a prophecy. Which ever it is, your poem is very enjoyable.

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    2. Your writing is always so painterly, creating a visual feast, with the added ingredient of action. Enviable phrasing here.

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    3. Nobody strings words together like you, Terrie. Funny how something so tragic can be so beautiful.

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    4. it's so obviously your work, your stamp is on it and that's the mark of a brilliant writer.

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    5. A beautifully composed piece of poetry. You have such a skill in compositions such as this. And to think, you are also credited with creation of those adorable 'dillos. I have to ask. Are you a published author?

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    6. Gorgeous imagery and so much rich phrasing to choose from. I loved 'venomous voids of twilight-sky' and 'grafted to its spiked and coiling hilt, Medusa’s stony, serpent-eye
      Searches, ever- hopeful through the endless, shadowed, starless arc'. I love how it's so poetic, but rich with fantasy.

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  18. jdeegan536@yahoo.com10 December 2018 at 21:59

    You are a marvel, Terrie. The choice of language, the alliteration, the vivid images created ... simply marvelous.

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  19. Kandar-25: Arrogance and Illusions

    “Master, consider this. Maybe the tower’s wards aren’t as we thought? That would be a good defense. Make everybody think powerful magic protected the tower. It would spread like a contagion,” Papa said, showing no mercy to a grape.
    “You give Lord high and mighty too much credit. That would require subterfuge and intrigue. I was born with them, he wasn’t.”
    **
    “Ikarus, Rafton find uniforms for yourselves. I’ll wear the sergeants. I have an idea. Who wants to volunteer as a bound gang of grafter’s?”
    Ten volunteers were disguised as prisoners. They headed out of the Harpy’s Maiden.

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    1. This mission sounds like it could succeed. Great idea to use disguised prisoners to multiply your numbers covertly.

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    2. You are on a roll this week, Jeffrey. So many treats for us to read and ponder.

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    3. That would be clever indeed to pretend the wards were sufficient, but a big gamble that seems about to go sideways. Also I love the name 'Harpy’s Maiden'.

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  20. Pariah

    The marks are indelible grafts upon the skin. An indication of contagion. Not fit to reside among those of a more pure lineage. No mercy shown here but there must surely be tolerance on the other side of the fire.

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    1. A gateway for the imagination to escape through.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 December 2018 at 01:03

      A lot pours out of these few words, Patricia. Excellent!

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    3. A thought provoking reminder of the flaws of humanity, all tidied up in such a small bundle.

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    4. Just 40 words and you cleverly incorporate the prompts so skilfully.A wonderful example to us all.Your short offerings are always packed full of everything that shows a masterly grasp of how to write concisely and informatively.

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    5. Branding the unwashed mongrels. All wrapped up in a small package. An awesome story.

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    6. Short and brilliant, and I love where my imagination goes with that ending line 'on the other side of the fire'.

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  21. La Belle Dame...

    Fear of contagion no barrier, potential risk was well worth here-and-now gratification. Most ladies found him unappealing but he was prepared to pay for the privilege of their indulgence. Somehow, he'd lucked out with a true beauty this time. And, she came with an amazing bonus. Took him to her bosom without necessity for monetary compensation.

    Skin-on-skin. Flesh-on-flesh. A virtual grafting of two bodies. The experience was exhilarating and she promised yet more delights to come.

    "Have mercy," he murmured, breath labored.

    She smiled. Continued her fatal seduction, fully aware mercy was the last thing he wanted...or would ultimately receive.

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    1. Oh, this is so very ... seductive. And suggestive. And good. Even tho it is also rather naughty.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com11 December 2018 at 19:22

      'virtual grafting of two bodies' creates quite an enticing image. And, ah! The power of beautiful, seductive women. I enjoyed this.

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    3. Hey, we all have to go sometime... might as well enjoy the journey. Such a wordsmith you are, Patricia.

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    4. more tight incredible crafting of words.

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    5. Cleverly woven tale. Mostly enjoyable Thank you Patricia.

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    6. Those five who commented before me, left little for me to add. Such enjoyable reading each week, I don't mind the crick in my neck.

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    7. 'A virtual grafting of two bodies' really does create a striking image, and hints at a fascinating sci-fi world.

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  22. Cripplegate Junction/Part 168 - Relativity

    "Long time no see, Cousin Clive," said George, straightening his battledress blouse.

    "Merciful heavens, is that really you?"

    George nodded, cheeky grin grafted onto his face and so contagious Clive Bailey was compelled to reciprocate.

    "Been looking for Constance," said George. "Must must be here somewhere. Can't board without my sis!"

    Marmalade, tail high and jaunty, wove his way along the platform carrying a lavender tassel between his jaws.

    "That's from Constance's parasol," announced George, marching military-style toward the feline.

    Marmalade shook the frippery as though it were a rag mouse and waited for the soldier to join him.

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    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. jdeegan536@yahoo.com12 December 2018 at 23:48

      I am anxiously looking forward to more of this very engaging adventure, Patricia!

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    2. Merciful heavens.. what a great phrase. Marmalade sure does seem to know a lot.

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    3. and you say I'm an a roll...a lightly burned and one that never got any butter, in comparison.

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    4. Marmalade continues to be my favorite. :) I love all the personality coming through with 'tail high and jaunty' and 'Marmalade shook the frippery as though it were a rag mouse and waited for the soldier to join him'.

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  23. What a delight: 'cheeky grin grafted onto his face and so contagious Clive Bailey was compelled to reciprocate.' As is the whole of this.

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    1. oh oh, what has Marmalade been up to and where will he take George and what will he find there... (LOL)

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  24. Stop the Week, I want to get off (26)
    This week has been far from hard graft, it’s been slow in every way. The bright point came (in every respect) with a customer holding a boxed light bulb and asking ‘does it work?’ I hope that particular contagion, idiocy, isn’t catching. Most people are down with rotten colds, including those close to me, I will need mercy if I succumb. Meantime, Christmas ticks ever closer and the sense of ‘must get on’ increases too. We should all stand back, take a deep breath and go –it’s supposed to be fun! Why isn’t it fun? Anyone have an answer?

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    1. 'Fun' is an over-hyped commodity. Just do what you want to do.

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    2. My daughter asked me a while back if, in lieu of gifts, I give money to help finance music lessons for the little ones. I will. And I'll also give my son money to help finance his new guitar. My son is pretty good at guitar, but have you ever sat through a piano recital by a 5 year old? But at least my shopping time will be much less this year, so I guess I'm happy.

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    3. I'm not sure the Christmas season was intended to be fun. What I find irritating is that most places get geared up for Christmas about two months ahead of the event. Regardless, your little "Stop The Week" submissions continue to be the star on the top of any tree.

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    4. I know how busy my wife and daughter are with their store, so I can easily imagine what you and Shaun are going through. That and the plain nature of these vignette are like a tree with snow on it before the wind comes. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

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    5. I laughed aloud at the customer's question about the light bulb. And yes, why isn't this time of year more fun? I've been feeling like I'm behind in some way, struggling to catch up. Not how I like to feel during my favorite time of year.

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  25. I will be back tomorrow with The Mad Italian's offering. He is waiting for the result of the vote tonight. It's getting a tad tedious now!

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  26. Kursaal (Episode One Hundred Forty Two) - "Best Laid Plans"

    Grafted via the cerebral cortex in the womb, Ruby and Rita Deviant were founding members of the Scorned Sisterhood, an association of Arbuthnot Jester's spurned ex-lovers.

    Upon hearing of Lenny Jester's desire to bring about the inexorable demise of his younger brother, they put their heads together (not a difficult accomplishment) and offered their Vanishing Cabinet as a potential tool. Arby was a contagion and philanderer who should be shown no mercy, the conjoined twins declared (albeit unconvincingly). Lenny readily agreed as he inspected the contraption.

    And when he failed to partake of dinner at the cookhouse later, nobody noticed.

    --------------------------------------------
    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: The Deviant Twins (Ruby and Rita), Lenny Jester and Arbuthnot Jester, as well as The Scorned Sisterhood, have all featured in previous episodes.

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    1. The Deviant twins - such a force to be reckoned with! I trust Lenny will survive after doing penance of some sort.

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    2. oh oh, this contraption is a danger to all, I do believe! nice one, Patricia.

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    3. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a cabinet like this at times. In Arby's defense, it seems it would be would be difficult to remain with conjoined twins for a long period, depending on their mutual demeanor, I suppose.

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    4. Rod Serling would have made a great narrator for this episode.

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  27. The Mad Italian 85
    And so, all the graft the Prime Minister has put in will end in a year as she walks away from the contagion – hatred, misunderstanding, disloyalty, self serving, which shows no mercy to those who fail to maintain their strength. But then, in the face of bitter opposition, how could anyone be capable of that? It’s a cancer that eats into the heart and is the downfall of many a politician in many an era. My sympathies are with her at this time, moderated only by the certain knowledge in a short time she will walk free of it all.

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    1. I can feel the Italian's frustrations on this matter. A satisfactory conclusion seems to be getting farther and farther away.

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    2. Politics...a subject that I never fully grasped to be honest. I'm sure the entire process could use something of an overhaul. Perhaps our Mad Italian could be a guiding light in that regard.

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    3. As I understand it, PM May was a one pony PM, Brexit was her issue and sometimes getting what you wish for isn't any fun, just like all those here who voted for a certain President.

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  28. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep all the strings of my two serializations together, to say nothing of moving toward satisfactory conclusions. I do believe I will be looking for a gratifying finale to both, prompt words permitting, very soon. It is my hope that I won't have to just abandon them hanging in mid-air...

    However, I do think I'll give Marmalade an escape hatch to further adventures. I have become ridiculously fond of the wee fellow!

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    Replies
    1. I sympathise, Patricia, I brought The Blacksmith's Wife' to a close at 41 episodes, fearing to bore people. HOWEVER, I then had to write a parallel involving the blacksmith's brother. 90 episodes if I remember rightly before he was polished off. And the current two just keep running, despite my ending Threshold once - only no-one noticed. ;-)
      But none have a cast as large and varied and characterful as yours; I imagine you with a massive fie of notes, and wish you luck if finding a ending is what you really want!

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    2. It's definitely tricky. I've started many serials, and then abandoned them mid-story. Sometimes I try to go back, if I feel inspired. I have too many stories floating in my head. :)

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    3. I've put all my serials in their one one page file. That way I can see the episode #, prompt words and my story just by scrolling that one file. Then again this was a new idea that I had when I tried to find the Khandar series that I went back to.

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  29. This is news indeed, Patrica. I look forward to where you take these finales. I personally find serials difficult as I've tried to continue some of my stories but get bogged down by uncooperative prompt words and general lack of motivation. Good luck.

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  30. Poison

    I could feel my bladder loose, as he stared at me with dead, gray eyes. A different time I might have felt shame, but all I felt now was terrified confusion. He was dead, wasn’t he?

    The contagion had done little to detract from his beauty. The purple scars looked more like filigree grafted atop his skin, than the ravages of poison.

    “Don’t bother begging for mercy, Anna.”

    Mercy. Mercy was already lost to me.

    “I will burn them all, Anna. I will raze them to the ground.”

    He was wrong, like before. I had already destroyed them.

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    Replies
    1. Your submissions are always a joy and pieces to be relished. What an image is that of "filigree grafted atop his skin." I do so love the word "filigree."

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    2. Very goo duse of the prompts along with some good writing.

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    3. Like Patrica, 'filigree' is in my top ten, and she has hughlihighl my favourite phrase. 'A joy to read' indeed

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  31. By the way, for a few weeks now we've been following the as-yet-unnamed villain, Rosebud & co. are off elsewhere.

    The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #159
    Beware Fire


    Oh, I like this train! It’s huge and all mine. Such are the perks of villainy, everyone behaves like I’m some sort of contagion. None of the huge crowd try to board. Good, no need to show mercy. Off to that one forest, with the grafted rowan/apple trees.

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    Replies
    1. An enjoyable story but with one caveat...why was it empty and that's a good hook for the next story. Good tight writing.

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    2. What a treat - a second strand to follow while Rosebud is elsewhere. Thank you

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  32. I can almost see Rosebud's delight at the prospect. As ever, this is essentially different from anything else on offer and a total gem.

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