I’m travelling today, and won’t be
home until late, so herewith words for next week. Winners to be posted sometime
Saturday.
And apologies - Craigievar Castle was a wonderful location for a writing retreat, in part (unexpectedly) because it totally lacked any sort of signal. I've commented on last week's entries and doubt anyone will dispute me naming David's 'There’s a Seuss Loose Aboot This Hoose' the winner.
And apologies - Craigievar Castle was a wonderful location for a writing retreat, in part (unexpectedly) because it totally lacked any sort of signal. I've commented on last week's entries and doubt anyone will dispute me naming David's 'There’s a Seuss Loose Aboot This Hoose' the winner.
Words
for next week: augment Eve* surgeon
*Eve to be used as a name, not a noun (so not just at the start of a sentence)
*Eve to be used as a name, not a noun (so not just at the start of a sentence)
Entries
by midnight (GMT) Thursday 14th November,
words posted Friday 15th
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.
The Bray Chronicles
ReplyDeleteThe lead guard rushed into the young prodigy’s office and saw the mutilated body on the floor. He gasped and laid his weapon at the feet of Bartholomew Bray.
“No need,” Bartholomew said. “Today is the eve of greatness and you will need this.” His augmented nose twitched, bringing to mind the Shaman and the anesthesia-less plastic surgery in the Nigerian hut.
The guard picked up his weapon. “I will tell the others.”
Bartholomew nodded and sat at the desk. “There are not, by chance, any more Moroccans in the town, are there?”
Bartholomew, it seems, cannot overcome his penchant for Moroccans. Yet I doubt that he wants to.
ReplyDeleteThe continuing escapades of one Bartholomew Bray...and how entertaining they are. Bartholomew does indeed have something of a preference for Moroccans. How nicely put together this installment was.
DeleteAh ... Sorry, John, I intended "Eve" to be used as a name, not noun (so not just at the start of a sentence).
ReplyDeleteNicely done, David. A true imaginative and innovative winning piece if I ever saw one.
ReplyDeleteTriple Threat
ReplyDeleteI am Eveleen. Exotic dancer. The surgeon's knife never used to augment my magnificent attributes. But what you get may well be more than what you see. Be warned.
I am Evie. Daddy's angel. Daddy's princess. I can do no wrong. My father is a great and powerful personage. He doesn't object to my profession and understands females are a necessary temptation. He is cognizant of man's weaknesses.
I am Eve. My given name in honor of my mother. Daddy says I resemble her although he doesn't talk about her very much. I believe she was rather fond of apples.
This gets richer with each reading - subtly done.
DeleteThe three faces of Eve, perhaps? I liked how you tied in temptation with the whole thing.
Delete100% agree with John's comments. Very cleverly done.
DeleteA SHOCKING REVELATION
ReplyDeleteWhat I stared upon was nauseating. A woman, Eve Brooks, lay naked in a pool of blood. Her chest was stitched with stab wounds; her neck a shredded ruin. Horror was vastly augmented when I looked at her face. I gasped upon realizing that her eyes had been removed with surgical precision.
Vomit rose in my throat.
The door flew open. “Drop it and raise your hands!”
Shocked, I stared wide-eyed at the swarm of police pouring in. “What?” I shouted. “You think I did this?!”
I then looked at my hands. Both were bloodied; my right held a knife.
Oh, sneaky twist!
DeleteI loved it when he said, "What?" to the police. The officers must have raised their collective eyebrows.
Deletenice twisty piece!
DeleteShocking revelation indeed for both the protagonist and the reader. Again, this would make for a wonderful episode of Twilight Zone or Black Mirror or any similar anthology series.
DeleteApples Are Not the Only Fruit
ReplyDeleteIn order that they might survive the dense gravity of the new world the selected Adams and Eves were suitably augmented. Surgeons removed several ribs. Inches were sliced from arm and leg lengths. Titanium rods inserted into spines to keep their squat little bodies rigid.
Their Eden was a settlement by a sluggish river in a bonsai forest of dwarfish trees and pigmy shrubs.
It became instantly apparent that environmental factors caused fornication to be a tedious and exhausting affair. Their paradise already irreversibly lost they therefore conspired to devise some wholly original sins.
This is a triple-decker of nightmare horrors; ones that continue to grow after reading.
DeleteTedious fornication does not bode well for populating the earth. They might want to rethink that. The bonsai forest is so intriguing. Great piece, David.
Deletecongrats on top honours last week, David,and thanks for this intriguing and very dark piece!
DeleteA marvelous use of language in this entry, David. Your take on reproduction was very clever.
DeleteThis was so intriguing that I read it several times in order to appreciate the full impact. You are on something of a roll with these innovate dark pieces lately, David. Oh...and great title!
DeleteChange of focus [352]
ReplyDeleteGratitude had John Pettinger reach for the bottle of The Surgeons Ball whisky left from New Year’s Eve; pour himself and Sally two fingers, then augment that with a third before it occurred to him there was a potentially tricky conversation to be had.
‘Mr and Missus? It’d take more than a false declaration on a census form to make it true! We could put it down to –‘ He halted as a belated need for tact impinged.
Sweetly, eyes gleaming with something unreadable, ‘My ignorance?’
‘Or a jumping of the gun –‘
Bollocking Christ! What had he just said?
How many times have I must have augmented my whiskey pour with a third finger? So easy to do. Loved the belated need for tact. So often the case.
DeleteRed face here - belated realisation I've disobeyed my own rule re Eve. :-(
DeleteSo, to clarify, "Eve" must be used as an actual name of some sort. Not associated with a holiday or any other such use of the word?
DeleteThat was my initial intention but I think I'd better back down on that ... say it has to be a capitalised word, e.g. holiday, real or imaginary. So John's 'eve of greatness' would be permitted if it was Eve of Greatness.
DeleteApologies for the confusion.
Well, that makes life a little easier this week.
Deleteexcellent instalment, Sandra, really is.
DeletePettinger never fails to intrigue, entertain and occasionally amuse. Another amazing installment within an exceptional serialization.
Delete‘Are we nearly there yet?’ [Threshold 277]
ReplyDeleteIdly, making conversation as we skirted woodland, heading south-west, ‘What made you name me Eve?’
Raven laughed. ‘To augment the innocence Victoria’s mother was struggling to believe?’
‘If we were wed, there’d be no loss of innocence –‘
‘There’s still some to whom black and white’s abhorrent. Who’d summon a surgeon rather than risk progeny –‘
‘Or allow me pleasure –‘ I shivered as a stray cloud obscured the sun.
Several minutes passed in silence, then, with caution, he said, ‘Would you want us to be wed?’
‘Yes.’
Amused, ‘You’d have to give your name.’
‘Not necessarily the correct one.’
Dang, not necessarily the correct one. A top notch entry, Sandra. I enjoyed every word.
DeleteIf this is, by chance, nearly there, what will you do next? I look forward to finding out.
there goes those killer last lines again... so much being said by omission here.
DeleteSo much could be going on in those several minutes that passed in silence. Much food for thought here, Sandra.
DeleteOh, oh, oh...so close and yet.... Dare we hope that the huge reveal might be in the offing? Loved the humour that came with this episode.
DeleteThe Procedure
ReplyDelete“The surgeon will be with you shortly.” Her name tag read Eve.
“Thank you,” I said, a little nervous.
“Oh crap,” she said as an augmented bottom lip fell into her coffee.
“Is that the work of Doctor Safaris?”
“Yes, but he’d been drinking that day.”
Doctor Safaris walked in, hands and lab coat bloodied. “Next,” he slurred.
I rose and followed him into the OR. This cut-rate insurance has got to go.
Took a second read (diverted by that dive-bombing bottom lip) ... but yes. Very clever.
DeleteYou get what you pay for, eh John? Clever indeed!
Deleteoh very funny, John! I love killer last lines and that's a goodie!
DeleteYou can always be relied upon to pull a creative and amusing rabbit out of your talented hat, John. This one was priceless.
DeleteYour entry last week was an EXCELLENT choice for top honors, David!
ReplyDeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 211 - Connections
ReplyDeleteBorn November 15th, Eve of St. Gertrude (Patroness of Felines), Marmalade was a Scorpio Cat. Secretive and devious, he possessed a penchant for telepathy sharper than any surgeon's instrument. This psychic rapport was particularly strong with Poppy. They shared a birthday and mystic bond, augmented by mutual affection. Consequently, Marmalade located Poppy's carriage without verbal summons.
Although initially unnoticed by Poppy, Clive Bailey was immediately perceived by Marmalade, who greeted Clive with purrs and head-rubbing against pin-striped turnups. Poppy too suddenly realized Clive's presence and treated him to a charming smile.
Blushing at the female attention, Clive found himself tongue-tied.
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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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poor Clive, all of a dither at the attention. Lucky him, though, when he thinks about it, Poppy and Marmalade?
DeleteAll it takes is a smile from Poppy to get Clive blushing. Maybe he's a little shy, but I think he's a great guy. A nice character driven story this week, Patricia.
DeleteThe best might be yet to come for Clive. I hope he doesn't blow it.
DeleteMarmalade as Cupid? Don't quite see it, unfortunately, which doesn't bode well for poor Clive
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (71)
ReplyDeleteEve is one of our customers. Her loving husband, Winston, calls her Evie. He’s a Scot; she’s an American… life is interesting when they come in, this mix of accents. It’s been the usual topsy turvey week, days of nothing, days of madness. The good days augment the meagre income I get from the government so are very welcome. The storage boxes yielded goodies, including loads of boxed games for kids. These are elaborate and feel as if you need to be a surgeon just to open the things. What happened to simplicity? Some toys were new, what a waste!
There are so many variations of the American accent. It must get confusing over there when we visit. I echo your thoughts on packages that are difficult to open. I get so frustrated sometimes, I want to throw it.
DeleteSimplicity... a much missed luxury, Antonia. You are so right!
DeleteYes, a board game bought for my grandchildren took half a day to read the rules and, four years later, they've never played the game yet! Pencil & paper and there's a wealth of games you can play.
DeleteAnother fascinating scenario, Antonia. Board games can be tricky things, often far too complicated to be enjoyable. Personally, I can't stand Monopoly...takes forever to play and far too cutthroat for my taste. However, on the other hand, I love to play Clue.
DeleteThe Mad Italian (130)
ReplyDeleteThis world needs to revert to the simplicity of life personified by Adam and Eve, wandering in a garden, enjoying the sunshine and flowers, augmented by a surreptitious bite of something forbidden. That was the downfall of man.
It would take someone with a surgeon’s skills to cut their way through the endless rhetoric coming from the politicians, now resorting to court cases because the poor things were excluded. They should try being me for a few hours, someone everyone wanted to shut up, basically. I never thought I would say that about myself, so much for internal dialogue…
Yes, I would think the Italian would have had his critics in his day. Like today, there were likely backward thinkers spouting off all the time.
ReplyDeleteI love this self-reflective aspect of Leonardo's character. I do believe this is among my favourites of the Mad Italian's musings.
ReplyDeleteNo "Kursaal" episode this week. I ran out of time...!!!
ReplyDelete