Since I cannot be sure of having time enough to pay proper attention, I'm offering another free choice week: please nominate your
personal favourite from last week's offerings.
Words for next week: chair
industrial string
Entries
by midnight (GMT) Thursday 22nd August,
words posted Friday 23rd
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.
Congrats, Patricia, for getting your first vote for The Shooting Star. You can't beat the Celestial Alchemist as a compelling character. I also liked Jim's DECISIONS, DECISIONS and Terrie's The Tally Man. So many good stories, it's so hard to choose one.
ReplyDeleteThe Shooting Star & The Tally Man are my top picks.
DeleteI have to agree with you and Holly John, Patricia's 'Shooting star' has a dark yet ethereal quality about it that makes you go back to it and read it again and again... so its my choice for this week . Also did you notice that Patricia gave us four separate entries for last week. How does she manage it?
DeleteThe other thing I know for sure is that it is so very difficult to make one single choice for a top pick which is an indication of just how good and varied everyone's entries are.
Definitely Shooting Star for last week. Others came close but that one edged ahead for me. And yes, it is very difficult to choose!
DeleteViolet the Violist
ReplyDeleteThe second chair violist sat poised, head up, chest forward. Her hand movements were smooth and measured, her notes clear and precise. Half way through Strauss’s Don Quixote, the C string, 5th position was struck by the first chair, causing a mechanical click from above and a container of industrial drain cleaner to tip from the rafters and fall on his head.
After much ado and reassurances to the audience, not to mention cleanup, the conductor spoke.
“Violet, please move up a chair.”
Suppressing a smile, Violet took her seat.
Definitely don't want to get on Violet's bad side! I have a very clear image of her poised, smug self in my head right now.
DeleteDear me! The vindictive little hussy, pulling strings like that!
DeleteClever insertion of the prompt words John and I had to smile a little too at Violet supressing her smile what a little schemer.
Deleteoh that was clever!
DeleteI think Violet has intentions that perhaps none of yet fully realize. I truly loved Violet's suppression of a smile. You go, girl...!!!
DeleteAfter considerable thought (so many excellent entries), my vote goes to John's Love and Marriage.
ReplyDeleteAfter much consideration and several re-readings of last week's offerings, my top choice goes to Terrie's "Tally-Man" with Jim's "Decisions, Decisions" a very close second. And what immensely difficult choices they were...!!!
ReplyDeleteStrings [Shepherdess Part 4]
ReplyDeleteFor all their terror, the people of Shylan Lake didn’t once wail or plead as the Twelve stood among them. Prayer-filled eyes looked to Haera for preservation. Their trust was misplaced, but today, it seemed Gabari, the True One, was paying attention, for it was only the Temperian, the industrial machine that ate souls and killed gods, that could pull Haera from her isolation.
“Fine,” Haera said, looking past Ashanai to the onyx face of Esdras. “Pluck your strings, you old spider.”
Esdras stood up from his chair, hooded eyes glinting. “Your sword looks thirsty, Godslayer.”
“Enough chatter. Let’s go.”
A thirsty sword... very ominous. This is some adventure, Holly. Very enjoyable.
DeleteSo rich in imagery, this series. A vicious sort of sumptuous.
DeleteSo much to like in this Holly, the dialogue was great, the prompt words melted into the tale wonderfully. More please .
Deleteit has absorbed the prompts so well I had to struggle to find them. Nicely done.
DeleteI'm with Antonia. Superb insertion of the prompt words as to make them all but invisible. Have we identified who "the Twelve" might be? If so, I somehow missed it and would request be directed back to the Part that provided such information. And if not...then the question remains tantalizing.
DeleteGathering Magic
ReplyDeleteHe stroked her hair as she stretched out in the black-bone chair.
‘How industrious, my dear.’
She was stringing tiny skulls onto dried sinew.
A fairy skittered from its hiding place and searched for escape.
‘Oh, it’s easy father,’ she moved in a blink of glittering of stardust, ‘See.’
Holding the limp body by its tiny wings, she kissed it.
It shrivelled like a withered leaf.
Peeling off its skin with her teeth, she watched the sparkle of magic fall away and drift into the air around them.
‘Pretty,’ she giggled, dancing back to her seat with the prize.
Horrifying but utterly fascinating. I loved the imagery of 'stringing tiny skulls onto dried sinew' and how the fairy shriveled at her touch. I'm very curious what she's gathering the magic for and who she is.
DeleteA black-bone chair... how appropriate for this girl. Skinning fairies and stringing skulls.This chick is a baddie.
DeleteYe gods and little fishes! What brilliant evidence of your imagination and writing talents. 'Peeling off its skin with her teeth' is an unforgettable image.
DeleteI'm wondering what kind of a father this girl has? The image of a little girl skinning a fairy with her teeth then giggling is indeed chilling!
Deletefull of fantastic images!
DeleteMagical in the darkest of possible terms. I simply adored this. So many phrases to admire, but I particularly liked "a blink of glittering stardust," especially when associated with movement. I really would love to know more about this fascinating liquidator of fairies.
DeleteAn Interlude in the English Civil War
ReplyDeleteThe Peckham Rifles found themselves on an industrial estate with two small factories. One which had been engaged in the production of deckchairs, the other balls of string for horticultural application.
They set out a dozen deckchairs in a semicircle and watched as the sergeant found ingenious ways to torture their prisoners with nylon string. A party atmosphere ensued.
“Wish we had cola and crisps,” sighed one of the thirteen-year-old conscripts.
A drone came in low. A bullet took out the side of his head. Everyone ran for cover.
War is hell. Especially this one. What ever happened to the Geneva Convention. Very horrific images with this, David. Well done.
DeleteI sort of feel I should apologise for offering words that incite such horror ... but, on second thoughts, prefer to sit back and enjoy.
DeletePeople do nasty things during war. It's even more horrible with young teens.
DeleteCleverly evoked images of how dreadfully war can affect the people involved in it. And, as Holly pointed out, sadly horrible when its young people. I was so involved in the story I had to go back and look for the prompt words.
DeleteKids at war... reminded me of the Nazi army near the end of WWII. This tale made me shiver at the thought of adolescents with a mission to kill. Nicely done, David.
Deletedefinitely creepy and vivid.
DeleteThe horror would emerge no matter what the words were, Sandra !!
Very horrific and with an uncomfortable ring of authenticity. What a gut-kicking turn of events from wanting "cola and crisps" to a bullet through the side of the head. Talk about the stuff of nightmares...!!!
DeleteThe Virtues
ReplyDeleteThe Virtue sisters are horrible, and you didn’t hear it from me. No, you probably heard it from every person this side of Thorson Street.
Temperance, a red-haired she-demon, threw a chair through Miss Maloney’s sitting room window. Honest to God, if there were an industry for overblown acknowledgments, Temperance Virtue would be top brass.
And Patience, that blue-eyed banshee once stabbed Penelope Thatch with a knitting needle because she was taking too long to hand her string.
Oh, the stories I could tell you, but it’ll have to wait because Kindness is headed over and I’m outta here.
Clever one, Holly, with the three virtues. I wonder what color Kindness will brandish.
DeleteLoved the voice in this!
DeleteKindness's impending visit, no doubt, does not bode well for you, Holly. What have you done to fuel her anger? A well-crafted tale!
DeleteThis just ticked all the boxes for me.
DeleteLike Sandra I, loved the voice and the clever imagery. Its the sort of story you know is not going to end well for someone but you keep reading because its so enticing.
another horror ridden tale, (thank you!) which left me wanting more.
DeleteIf we are lucky, we'll get to hear about the exploits of Kindness, assuming our protagonist can make good her (or his) escape. This has serial continuation written all over it.
DeleteChange of focus [341]
ReplyDeleteWithout doubt the mother was stringing out the nappy-changing process. From a plastic-lined bag she deployed an industrial quantity of wipes and ointments with the sleight-of-hand ability of a street corner ‘find the lady’ trickster.
Iris, somewhat optimistically, Pettinger thought, undid three buttons on her shirt and sashayed up to Smith. In vain – his eyes remained glued to the suspect nappy. As did Pettinger’s.
Pettinger also had the sense to keep watching when Iris tripped over an abandoned pushchair, fell forward and momentarily interspersed herself twixt Smith and suspected drugs.
Pettinger, extra-large evidence bag to hand, pounced, grabbed and sealed.
I can picture this deft, quick handed (now you see it, now you don't) mother. Having another woman with three undone buttons fall into you would make for quite a diversion, doubly so.
DeleteI loved your comparison of the mother to a street corner trickster. Clever image! It's a fun, action-packed scene with a lot going on.
DeleteLove that you have made the icky job of nappy changing into something intriguing and good example of tricky police team work.
Deleteyes, very neatly done, Sandra!
DeleteOh how I do love the opportunistic Pettinger. I didn't even notice the prompt words, so invested I was in the reading of the episode. Didn't bother to go back and check. I'm sure they're there and frankly, I enjoyed this so much, I really don't care if they're not.
DeleteSustenance [Threshold 264]
ReplyDeleteFood more pressing a problem than choosing a chairman; we allowed Not-so-Daffy Third girl to lead us south, towards a once-industrial zone. Likely more provisioned; potentially more dangerous.
But long before then we came to a single-storey Aussie-reminiscent, tin-walled building, its rusty corrugations shaded by silver and vermilion stringy-barked eucalyptus trees. Eyes observing blue-tinged smoke, well-tuned noses smelling steak, we congratulated Not-so-Daffy who admitted it was her family home.
Despite the apparently unifying effect of other than spiritual salvation, I privately decided food then go our separate ways. Last through the door I heard the whicker of a well-known horse.
Sandra, that second paragraph was filled with excellent descriptions that really set the scene. I wonder if Not-so-Daffy girl knows Raven? Could be fireworks.
DeleteI enjoyed your descriptions of the tin building surrounded by eucalyptus. My mind immediately conjured the Australian landscape. Excellent ending there too with the 'whicker of a well-known horse.'
DeleteExcellent cliff-hanger. I am anticipating what intrigues may come next.
Deleteintrigues a-plenty, methinks, this has sent the story onward with the possibility of many more twists and turns.
DeleteWhen it comes to descriptive passages and you are truly on your game (which you invariably are), you have no equal. Ah...a "well-known horse." Has Raven finally entered back into the picture?
DeleteViolet the Violist 2
ReplyDeleteGym class, 2003: fourteen year old Violet stood awkwardly in the calisthenics line, her tampon string dangling at her thigh. The girls snickered, the boys roared with laughter.
The following day, the boys were bussed to the clinic with second degree chemical burns after industrial strength drain cleaner ended up in the jocks.
“I have no idea,” Violet told the principal. She sat in the wooden chair, fingering imaginary scales on her viola as the principal paced.
One by one, the boys returned to school.
“Perhaps you’ve been rendered impotent,” Violet said to one shaky boy in the hall.
Oh dear ... I'm peeking through my fingers, dreading what other revelations we'll get about Violet's upbringing.
DeleteViolet seems to approach everything with a truly terrifying calm. I agree with Sandra, I expect it's going to get much worse.
DeleteCould it be that this school has another Carrie on it's hands? Steven King would love this!
DeleteThis girl does love her drain cleaner. I really like the spark of dark humour you tease the readers with. I don't for a moment think she will hesitate to use drain cleaner again if anyone or anything gets in her way. And no, I will not be inviting her around to my house.
Deleteit's not easy writing teen level, this is so well done it makes it look easy.
DeleteI agree with Jim. Shades of "Carrie" here, but Violet is far more in control of her powers. I liked the first installment very much and this one even more. I can only reiterate, "You go, girl!" And you said you couldn't do serials...!!!
DeleteRoadkill
ReplyDeleteFrom the rocking chair, Loretta watched Junior race across the yard. He tugged at the string holding up pa's cut-down Levis, legs pumping like the industrial camelback that lowered flood waters.
"Lookee, ma," he hollered.
"Where'd ya git that?" asked Loretta.
"Highway 154."
"Pitch it! We ain't resorted ta road scavengin' jist yet."
"Lemme 'splain," begged Junior.
"Best do as I say," warned Loretta.
"Aw ma," muttered Junior, tossing his treasure into the bayou.
He'd fought boys way bigger'n him to pry that half-eaten sandwich from Bonnie Parker's fingers after them Texas lawmen done shot her and Clyde stone dead.
A fascinating story tying in Bonnie & Clyde. I enjoyed the accent of both characters and the comparison of Junior's legs to the 'industrial camelback.'
DeleteGreat voice and a reversal of your trademark killer final, this one letting us exhale with relief! I Googled 'industrial camelback' but am no wiser, I'm afraid.
Delete"Camelback" is a type of pump that can be used to lower the water levels in times of flood. They were once used quite extensively in areas of Louisiana, especially New Orleans which is below sea level and prone to extensive flooding during a hurricane, as was the case when the levees broke during Hurricane Katrina.
DeleteCool story Patricia. If he'd been able to pinch Clyde's Tommy-gun, that would have been quite the prize. Well done.
DeleteThanks Patricia!
DeleteGreat dialogue really moves this story along and creates some brilliant images of events both on the highway and when Junior arrives home .
DeleteI especially enjoy entries with clear, sharp dialog. This is a great example of such writing, Patricia!
Deletevery sharp dialogue, I've been reading a crummy (but highly rated by the reviewers) crime novel whioh would have benefited from dialogue like this!
DeleteCoping with teenagers
ReplyDeleteShe clomped into my sitting room, industrial steel-toecaps threatening the polished smoothness of the floor, threw herself into a recently-upholstered chair whose slender legs I feared for. I watched her face, bovine and puzzled as what I was listening to impinged. Took pity. ‘It’s Bach. Air on a G string.’
Features sprung apart. ‘Ain’t you s’posed to shave, before you bother wiv one of them. And can’t see any pole dance getting much of an uplift if she’s dancin’ that slow – though doin’ it wiv a dog’s a bit of a novelty.’
She’d lost me. Again. ‘...Dog?’
‘Barking you said.’
Loved the reference to pole dancing. A very witty and funny bit, Sandra. What this woman would have industrial steel toecaps on for is a mystery, but it worked well here.
DeleteThe conversation between speakers completely out of sync with each others train of thought is not only cleverly done it also provides great imagery. I chuckled reading this.
DeleteThe steel-toecaps reminded me of the gal in the movie FLASHDANCE, who worked as a welder while pursuing a future as a dancer. However, the pleasant picture of her dissipated the deeper I read into your entry, Sandra. Well done!
Deletevery vivid images here - will try and lose them before I go to sleep...
DeleteI read this twice and then once again to fully absorb the clever wording. As John pointed out, this was as witty a piece as you could hope to find.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 201 - No Smoke Without Fire
ReplyDeleteBelching industrial strength fumes, the train huffed, puffed and threatened to engage pistons while still remaining stationary. The platform now held only a smattering of waiting passengers, yet carriages remained far from fully occupied.
Clive Bailey found himself in his First Class compartment once more with no recollection of reboarding.
From the Railway Arches came a miniature procession led by Marmalade, tail fluttering like a triumphant pennant. Close behind, a small blonde girl hauled a pushchair containing the head of a blue-eyed china doll and a young boy dragged a red engine by a length of ragged string, chanting:
"Chugga-Chugga-Choo-Choo."
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To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit:
http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
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Title certainly sets us up, and the doll's head in the pushchair is eerie.
DeleteSometimes, I get the impression Marmalade is the only sane one in the bunch. He seems to have an agenda with all his tail fluttering missions. For instance: what would the toy train dragging boy be doing following Marmalade around, and where's his mother? I think only Marmalade knows.
DeleteAs Sandra says what a loaded title.
DeleteDarkly cryptic at the beginning and with a seemingly innocent yet unsettling ending you keep a reader glued to this tale, Patricia.
Marmalade is definitely the star of this serial - and here he is leading a small procession of oddities that makes everything else look normal...
DeleteMAKING A LIST
ReplyDeleteA string of four murders had the city cloaked in fear.
At the scene of the latest, Detective Rudy Dobson stared at the note containing the crossed-out words INDUSTRY LEADER, PHYSICIAN, PROFESSOR, BANKER, words that matched the occupations of the four victims found over the past six months. He glanced at the banker, who, like the others, was lashed to a high-back chair with his throat slashed.
Detective Dobson looked off, wondering what occupation might appear on the note at the next crime scene.
He detested his boss, so he decided that POLICE CAPTAIN would appear on the next note.
Hmm ...
DeleteI very much like the opening line.
I do so like reading your entries. Tight and well written imagery that always ends with a little sting in the tail to draw the reader back in.
DeleteThere would be satisfaction in investigating your owner murders. High entertainment with this one, Jim.
Deletenasties going on, the nastier the better for me, and the possible wish fulfillment of the detective adds to it.
DeleteMuch food for thought here. Somehow, I don't think Santa is in charge of this list. Lovely incorporation of the prompts that slotted into the story with comfortable ease.
Delete"Strings 'n' Things"
ReplyDeleteIndustrial District. Unlikely setting for a fanciful boutique, but such was the location of Petunia's "Strings 'n' Things."
Petunia sold all manner of whimsical merchandise fashioned from twine, cord, thread, etc., etc. There were crocheted bikinis in every colour imaginable that provided minimum coverage for maximum exposure. Chair cushion kits complete with embroidery silks, canvas and homespun fringing. Both but a small sampling of what "Strings 'n' Things" offered.
Petunia's best-seller was her own personal creation: shoestrings, available in packages of two, four or six, guaranteed (when instructions were followed correctly) to stretch finances from one paycheck to another.
As ever, your ability to seize upon the quirky leaves me awed and admiring.
DeleteYou had me at crocheted bikini. I'll take a pack of six of the shoestring budgets.
DeleteBrilliant!!!!!
DeleteKiller of a last paragraph, Patricia! I'm sure Petunia's shoestrings sold out in no time.
ReplyDeleteA BALL OF STRING
ReplyDeleteThe ball of string in my living room was five feet in circumference and took three years to build to its present dimension. Friends were baffled by my continuous attention to this project, but most always considered me an industrious sort. Others thought it therapeutic for me after my wife, it was believed, ran off with one of the drifters she coupled with as they passed through town.
Ofttimes in the evenings, I’ll sit in my cozy armchair to enjoy a glass of wine. I’ll smile at my ball of string and say, “I hope you’re comfortable in there, Heather.”
Such a large and powerful tale told in so few words - really enjoyed this.
Deletenow there's a good use for a ball of string if ever there was one!
DeleteThis is what happens when one couples with drifters. I'll remember that. You write to entertain, Jim, that's for sure.
DeleteThis is definitely worthy of a "Twilight Zone" or the new equivalent "Black Mirror" episode. I loved the nonchalant observations of the protagonist.
DeleteStop The Week, I Want To Get Off (60)
ReplyDeleteIt’s been stop/start, now turned around and bigger items are selling. A fridge went today, leaving room for an antique nursery chair to be showcased. I’ve put NFS on an industrial strength vice which Shaun wants for his workshop (whenever…) and tried to tidy the tool centre (tall dresser loaded with tools of all kinds, without success. Tourists from all over the UK are arriving now, missing Cowes Week, sensibly, and just having a good time on a shoe string. Not much money being spent, the sales are coming from the locals… we don’t mind, they’re like friends.
So neat, as ever!
DeleteGlad the fridge went; the antique nursery chair seems more the style of your shop. You should approach Jim on that industrial strength vice as it would be handy in some of his stories.
DeleteDelightful comments and exquisite glimpses into the workings of the shop, as always. I would love to see a picture of that antique nursery chair. I'm sure it won't be hanging around long.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 119
ReplyDeleteHow long before everyone grows tired of the ‘plot to remove the PM’ and they trade their personal beliefs for that which will stand industrialists and others in good stead? The benches and speaker’s chair await the recall of Parliament, when the Queen’s speech will be built on string and paper in the hope of getting at least part of the legislation through. The Brexit talks go on with high hopes and much rhetoric, which seems to be the hallmark of successful politicians. It has been said politics is a business, if it were, it would be bankrupt by now.
Ain't that the truth... comparing government to a failed business.
DeleteHow Leonardo manages to come through with such wisdom and insight week after week is a tribute to his intelligence and savoir faire. Would that we had such a personage around today to help set things straight.
DeleteSadly, politics is all theater these days, and the more drama legislators can make, the more important they feel. You tell it like it is, Antonia.
ReplyDeleteKursaal (Episode One Hundred Seventy Six) - "Up And Away"
ReplyDeleteCinders (a/k/a Convivial Clown) still mourned the death of Capers. Years before, as part of a travelling carnival, she piggybacked him from smog-infested industrial north venues to sweet-smelling orchards of the rural south; sat him in his high chair every morning for porridge; and vowed to protect her little brother. She failed.
Sometimes, Cinders noticed balloons floating high above the Kursaal. They reminded her of Capers, who kept a supply deep in his pockets and encouraged children to ferret them out. Occasionally, tiny figures appeared to be holding tight to the dangling strings.
Surely a trick of the light?
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To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale, please visit:
http://www.novareinna.com/kursaal.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
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NOTE: Cinders (a/k/a Convivial Clown) and Capers (her youngest brother) have both featured in previous episodes.
Not always a trick of the light at Kuraal. Or is it? That's the beauty of this series, you just don't know. Very well done, Patricia.
DeleteTeeters, as so many of your pieces do, on the wrong side of innocence.
DeleteAnd before I sign off for the day, many thanks to everyone who voted for my little "Shooting Star" tale last week. It's always such an honour to be mentioned among such a fine crew of talented writers.
ReplyDelete