... is where I’m headed on Saturday.
Not to learn about ladders, hoses and extricating stretched bodies from a burning
building but yet another international BSA gathering – 400 attendees if not motorbikes
I’m told. One effect of which is that words will be scheduled for 16th August,
and you once again get to name your favourite entry using the words below, since I’ve no idea about the quality of the
wi-fi, nor how much spare time I’ll have.
Many riches this week, and I thank
you all for your contributions and your comments – some as richly entertaining
as the post themselves – for me Terrie’s
‘Death’s Handmaiden’ rises to the top.
Words for next week: bench counter
obfuscate
Entries
by midnight (GMT) Thursday 15th August,
words posted Friday 16th
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 uses 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.
Beginning
ReplyDeleteTo counter the impact of his questioning she turned her back not realising he’d learned her small-statured drabness hid reserves of determination; her guileless grey-brown eyes, intelligence. On the surface she appeared lucid as the glass of the window she stared out of; clear as the rainwater now lashing against it. But in combining the two, what you got was obfuscation. From the Latin fuscus, meaning dark. A darkness he intended to explore. Exploit.
Because his own rainwater fell – much as he had – ready muddied, against grimy window panes.
He leant back, the creaking of the bench an unnecessary forewarning.
I loved your comparisons of their hidden qualities with such beautiful, evocative phrasing - 'On the surface she appeared lucid as the glass...clear as the rainwater now lashing against it' and the contrast of his 'own rainwater.' That final line also has me holding my breath.
DeleteYou know you're in trouble when it's unnecessary to be forewarned. Let's hope her intelligence and determination are enough.
Deletefascinating observations here, poetic and evocative, good one.
DeleteLike Holly, I loved the comparisons found in this episode. Wonderful set up for what comes next.
DeleteThanks for putting 'Handmaiden' as top choice for the week Sandra, I was working on a few characters for my WIP and she simply rolled on to the page. Sorry I have not posted or commented much recently but I have made use of the summer break and been ultra busy decluttering the house. I won't reveal how much has been dumped or recycled but I found my old note books and have almost finished preparing my smallest bedroom to be my writing space(sigh) super excited here.
ReplyDelete'Writing space' sounds brilliant, and the uncovering of notebooks enviable - I only started writing in 2010, and almost all online. Have to confess, though, the above post is a re-hash of an extract from book 3 of my lover triangles with murders series - the one that has John Pettinger investigating the murder of a gallery owner. Re-introduced me to obfuscation and I couldn't resist re-using it here.
DeleteCongratulations, Terrie!I loved your winning entry.
DeleteCongrats Terrie! I loved Handmaiden. :)
DeleteBeautiful story, Terrie. Small wonder it rose to be the cream of the crop. Such a wonderful painted tale told in words. Congratulations!
Deletecongrats, Terrie, an indication of just how good you are!
Delete‘And you are?’ [Threshold 263]
ReplyDelete‘Too far down the alphabet.’
While, until I knew her better, I’d not counter Abigail’s claim – under Zoë’s rules – to be in charge, I preferred, however it turned out, to sit close enough to any bench – rule or judgement – to influence. Childlike Front girl – Una – had shown strength and initiative enough to get my vote; what I now read in her eyes was intent to obfuscate: wary of Abigail she hesitated to stake a claim. Wary of me, the least-known, she didn’t know which way I’d jump.
Second girl similarly concealed intentions. Not-so-Daffy Third girl got us moving. ‘I’m starving’.
A clever plan to seek influence over apparent rule. I'm very curious how this will play out.
DeleteNothing like the desire for food to get a group moving and to diffuse the tense situation of naming the leader.
DeleteSince her name is too far down the alphabet, I think we can rule out names starting with anything less than D. I would think if it were closer to A, she would have said, "well, close, but a little further down the alphabet."
John, sorry to shock you, but I happen to know she was lying ...
Deleteno lies, no story... of course she was lying and I'm seriously wanting to know why what and when...
DeleteThis is turning into something so very intriguing. Have to admit, I had to chuckle as the "Not-so-Daffy Third girl."
DeleteThe Tally-Man.
ReplyDeleteBenched in dappled shadows of restless obfuscation; he is alone and from the beginning has slipped between worlds and in and out of time.
He is the darkness and light, redemption and release.
You won’t see him coming but you know he is there. His touch brings oblivion.
He is the Tally-Man, the Counter of years.
Slippery and sinister. Lovely use of prompts.
DeleteA weighty, beautiful, and dangerous piece. Loved 'Benched in dappled shadows' and 'has slipped between worlds and in and out of time.'
DeleteReally nice, Terrie. I wish there was a way to slow down the Tally Man as the years do seem to go by faster and faster.
Deleteoh, like it!
DeleteYour pieces are always intriguing and make for such an exciting read. This is certainly no exception and I adore the notion of a "Tally-Man" keeping tabs and taking names.
DeleteCountered [Shepherdess Part 3]
ReplyDeleteIt was a trick, wasn’t it? A measure of Ashanai’s dark humor? Indeed, as the tall woman laughed, her lips drew back to expose her teeth. If she’d been anyone else, Haera would have mistaken the grimace for a smile.
“When?” Haera asked, her voice calm like a windless sea.
“Does it matter?” Caeradin asked, Trina still dangling from his arms, forgotten.
Dathasha, sitting with her Icethorn cat on the bench outside the inn, cocked her head, blind eyes finding Haera. “They obfuscate our visions. Rip free the Wheel. Counter all the good we’ve done.”
They had never done good.
A lovely demonstration of how to create pin-pricking tension.
DeleteThese are some bad ass women. I like the humorless laugh, always good for a brief description without explanation. You do this well, showing without telling. Another example is Trina dangling in Caeradin's arms, forgotten. So cold.
DeleteI liked that 'forgotten' sitting there, isolated, cold as John said. It's tension building and very good it is too
DeleteAnd the mythical quality continues. What a wonderful image accompanies the description of the "Icethorn cat."
DeleteThe Shooting Star
ReplyDeleteEventually, they found their way to his laboratory: broken promises, unrequited love, shattered illusions, abandoned hope, lost desires. From his work bench, he fashioned them into something beyond the sum of their separate parts.
The large countertop was carved with symbols of faith long since forgotten by the obfuscated creatures inhabiting the blue planet below. He worked untiringly, attaching each creation to a refurbished tail of squandered vows before releasing it into the void.
The Celestial Alchemist raised a hand in farewell.
"Be forceful and strong, little one," he whispered. "Grant a wish. Fulfill a dream. Compose a fantasy."
"refurbished tail of squandered vows" - just how lovely a phrase is that?
DeleteOtherworldly and captivating. Sandra picked out my favorite line, though I loved that entire paragraph as well as the idea of a 'Celestial Alchemist.'
DeleteThe Celestial Alchemist must have some tricks he uses to stay sane after working on broken promises, unrequited love, shattered illusions, abandoned hope and lost desires all day, not to mention squandered vows. I can only imagine what this creation must be... something sinister for sure. Superb, Patricia. One of you best.
DeleteOutstanding. Nothing less than that will describe it.
DeleteThe Celestial Alchemist is a great creation and, considering a vast number of the Earth's population today, he's been creating and dispersing "little ones" since time began. A very novel and entertaining entry, Patricia.
DeleteChange of focus [340]
ReplyDeletePettinger experienced a wry sort of pleasure examining faces concentrating on the defaecating babe. Its mother (if indeed she really was) appeared resigned (or anxious to counter any implication she was incapable) . Blonde Iris was on the point of pulling crime-scene gloves from her pocket. Smith – ah, Smith was pale.
Babe extracted from the Moses basket, mother laid it on a bench conveniently placed for mourners to mop tears and admire the floral tributes.
First unwrapping, stink perfumed the open air. Smith went sweaty-white, wondering whether plastic-coated nappy would obfuscate the plastic-coated wraps? Or – even worse –shit permanently permeate.
Well, you made it unmistakably obvious that Smith is utterly useless in this circumstance. I loved Pettinger's 'wry sort of pleasure.'
DeleteThis was an entertaining little tangent, Sandra. A difficult subject for entertainment, but you pulled it off. I thought I was completely done with these types of tasks until my little grand daughter threw up last week when I was watching her at my house. I tried to get her to clean it up, but she wouldn't.
Deleteone of those ghastly earthy necessary happenings, nappies, beautifully disposed of - in every way.
DeleteI'm afraid I must be counted among Smith's number when it comes to the changing of nappies. You're never fully prepared for that "perfumed stink" are you? Yet another wonderful episode and one in which I see Pettinger stays magnificently detached.
DeleteAn excellent example of filling a fairly simple scene (the tending to a diaper) with curious layers. I loved the imagery of Blond Iris reaching for her crime-scene gloves. Definitely a suitable time! :)
ReplyDeleteDECISIONS, DECISIONS
ReplyDeleteCounterattack… with an army of one?
I benched that proposition.
Retreat… with an ocean at my back?
I deep-sixed that option.
Surrender… after hearing the tortured screams of my captured comrades?
I ditched that idea.
Obfuscation captured my mind and sent it reeling into a realm heretofore foreign to me. I tried to shake it, but befuddlement clung to me like a prolonged hangover.
An escape then materialized.
I had one bullet left.
Well, Jim, thank you for the entertaining read. I liked it when he benched, deep-sixed and ditched the options one by one. I agree, his final option was likely the right one for the situation. Very nice.
DeleteOh, so logical, so neat - and so horrible a process to have to go through. Love how you used obfuscation.
Deleteclever use of thought processes to tell the story. Love it.
DeleteThe abrupt nature of the composition works so well here. And what a killer of a last line. We all strive for those killer last lines don't we? This is a prime example of how it's done!
DeleteI agree with Patricia. Excellent final line and I enjoyed the pacing of this piece.
DeleteThe Eternal Mourner
ReplyDeleteI like it in the cemetery. It's peaceful with an aura of tranquility. The stone benches can be uncomfortable but some come with recognition plaques that make for interesting reading, although many of the dedications are obfuscating to me.
Grief mingles with the scent of funereal flowers. Somber, woebegone and grave (if you'll excuse the distasteful pun). To counter, however, the mood can occasionally be one of relief. A sense of liberation.
Still plenty of room left in this City of the Dead.
So many empty burial plots.
So many waiting spaces.
So very little time.
So little time... such a brilliant way to end this story. The Celestial Alchemist could use some of this guy's mojo for His creations.
DeleteContemplative, with the kick of inevitable truth.
Deletethis is a sort of mystical look at the graveyard and yet, there is more to it than that, underneath the rhetoric are some deep thoughts.
DeleteA dark, mysterious twist at the end. I loved the line 'Grief mingles with the scent of funereal flowers' which suited the atmosphere perfectly.
DeleteI'm wondering what the speaker has in mind? A pleasantly dreary piece, Patricia.
ReplyDeleteLove and Marriage
ReplyDelete“Must you continuously obfuscate?” Charlie said.
“I have no fucking idea what that means,” Sheila said, slamming her glass. The stem shattered, spilling merlot on the counter and across the tile floor.
“It means to muddy the waters, dear. Here, let me help you clean up.”
She kicked the bench seat, toppling it at Charlie’s feet. “And pick that up while you’re at it, asshole.”
Charlie stared with narrowed eyes.
“At the risk of muddying the waters,” Sheila said. “Are you going to screw me or not?”
Charlie took her hand and they hurried to the bedroom.
Bigger risk (of losing the opportunity) was that 'dear' ...
Deletesex and violence, theme of my current book. Now to see if I can knock it into any kind of shape to match this perfect piece of writing.
DeleteFor some reason, I'm left with wondering the exact purpose of going to be bedroom. Yes..yes...I readily acknowledge the obvious, but can't help feeling there's more going on here. Told with your customary flair and originality, John.
DeleteI'm also curious if this will play out in a different way than might be expected. It doesn't sound like a happy marriage for sure, though Charlie still reached for her hand.
DeleteTrue love can overcome many obstacles, but as you so masterfully suggest, so can sex, eh, John? Thank you for the entertaining read!
ReplyDeleteKursaal (Episode One Hundred Seventy Five) - "Through A Glass Darkly"
ReplyDeleteThe Obfuscation Orb was the property of the Kursaal in toto, not any one particular individual. Often seen on the counter of the Ticket Kiosk at the Main Gate, that was by no means its permanent home.
The Orb was found (nobody could remember when or by whom) within a small lacquered chest beneath a bench in The Mysterium. Had it always been there? Nobody knew.
Unlike a Crystal Ball that predicted future events with clarity, the Obfuscation Orb presented a muddied picture. Clouded and frequently baffling.
It was unwise to gaze upon its rarefied reflections for very long.
---------------------------------------------------------
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 Mysterium has featured in previous episodes.
I've just finished reading all seven books in Stephen King's Dark tower series, which features glass balls in boxes, they're always dangerous and always life threatening and it seems this one is too.
DeleteA brilliant use of obfuscate. very enjoyable. I think that's twice I've mentioned brilliance with you this week. Sorry for the redundancy.
DeleteWhatJohn said.
DeleteSo mysterious and fascinating! I enjoyed how the orb does the complete opposite than you'd expect and very curious what happens if you do stare too long.
DeleteStop The Week, I Want To Get Off (59)
ReplyDeleteAn odd thing is happening, not wanting to do anything, because there’s nothing to do. I’ve run out of displays to change, windows can’t be done yet, waiting for Autumn, almost using a counter to mark off the days to my favourite season/ There’s a bench with a loose leg, needs fixing, but an aquarium arrived, needs work… Shaun is ever keen to deal with the new arrivals first. It tends to obfuscate the amount of work waiting but – it’s his way of working. The aquarium was dirty, now shining like new. Going to be a nice one to sell.
I've had work days with nothing to do... makes for a long day. I like autumn as well, the beginning part anyway, until it gets cold.
DeleteAutumn to me always heralds the smell of smoke in the air due chiefly to the fireworks and bonfires associated with Guy Fawkes Night. My favourite season is Spring, but I'd love to visit this little store any time of the year just to browse the treasures held within...and I promise I WOULD eventually purchase something!
DeleteTime on your hands can be tough to deal with, Antonia, especially when running a business. I dislike autumn because it teases me with occasional "summer days" while it's slowly opening the door for winter's gray skies and bitter cold.
DeleteI'm definitely ready for fall and chilly, cozy days. Summer often lulls me too much.
DeleteThere should be a bench mark in the Parliament chamber, one that demands clarity from all members, avoiding the obfuscation they slide into so often to soften their lack of knowledge. The counter will show how few MPs actually turn up for the average debates, only the PM ‘s question time draws a full chamber and then not always. At the moment there is nothing but rhetoric from those who chose to remove themselves from the current government, probably so they could yell their opinions from the sidelines. My question is, how can this be permitted? Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteIs there ever a way to effectively dissect the inner (and outer, for that matter) workings of a government? Perhaps one day, the world will have leaders that actually know what to strive for in terms of the good of the whole. Perhaps...but I think it will be a long time coming. Leonardo has been around long enough to appreciate this, methinks.
DeleteLeonardo is a little hot under the collar this week, and likely justifiably so. In his living days, I wonder if he had to stifle his political views to keep his head. The climate in those times was probably not very tolerant to dissent. And in answer to your last question, no.
DeleteConfidence often covers up a lack of knowledge, as well as a bullish attitude. I completely agree that we need clarity.
DeleteJust a game
ReplyDelete“Sometimes, we make sacrifices,” the rook said, shuffling sideways.
“I had the queen in my sites and you threw me under the bench,” the knight said.
“Then I countered and captured the king’s bishop. Simple obfuscation.”
“A knight for a bishop hardly makes sense. Have you ever been successful blocking a knight? We hop right over.”
“Well, that bishop captured my brother. ”
“So you sacrificed me to avenge your brother? How long have you been at this?”
“Gotcha,” said the black knight to the white rook.
“See what I mean?” said the smirking white knight. “We hop right over.”
Another clever contribution. And so entertaining
DeleteClever and quick. I enjoyed the personality you gave the chess pieces.
DeleteI loved this. To be honest, the game of Chess is Greek to me, but it wasn't necessary to know the rules in order to thoroughly enjoy this exchange. Inspired so many memories...the White Knight in Alice, for example, and the highly amusing Living Chess Game that takes place during Renaissance Festivals. So nicely done, John.
ReplyDeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 200 - Tempus Fugit
ReplyDeleteThe wooden benches in the Waiting Room were now devoid of passengers but a curious obfuscated aura of recent presences lingered.
A "Snakes and Ladders" box containing dice and coloured counters lay on the floor and an empty bird cage showed signs of being inhabited in the not-too-distant past.
Violet peered through the open door. The scene conjured fond memories. Two young children playing the board game and a lemon-breasted canary named Farthing (who had never learned to sing) hopping cheerily from perch-to-perch within his little gilded home.
The latter image brought a melancholy tear to Violet's eye.
--------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------
Once again you create the world of Ladybird. This is lovely. Nd episode 200!
DeleteIt's almost as if these items were placed on the waiting room floor for Violet's sake, causing the melancholy tear. I'm sure the missing children and Farthing are elusive but close. But who is behind the strange goings on?
Deletesome real melancholy here, from the games to the canary... more please! and a continuation of the thoughts?
DeleteA nice contrast of loss and memory.
Delete