Friday 17 January 2020

January going on … and on


As do, thank goodness your contributions of comments and posts to this site – a rich bag this week. Nevertheless, not an easy choice for winner, so I’ve opted for two to share the honours:  Jim for his ‘Hiding in plain Sight’ and Holly for The Elders.

Words for next week: eighth filth shadow

s Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 23rd January, words and winners posted Friday 24th

 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.

101 comments:

  1. Congrats Jim and Holly. I enjoyed your stories very much.

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    1. Thank you, John! I'm honored. :) And congrats to Jim as well!

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com18 January 2020 at 18:24

      Thanks, John, and many kudos to you, Holly.

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    3. Jim and Holly, congrats to you both on such excellent and superb stories. Well worthy of such a choice.

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    4. jdeegan536@yahoo.com19 January 2020 at 16:27

      And many thanks to you, Jeffrey.

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    5. congrats to both of you for such good reading!

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  2. The Bray Chronicles

    Barty Reed trembled as he rummaged through his mother’s things: scores of newspaper articles about serial killings and Moroccan victims; a faded wedding photograph of his mother and a handsome man. He opened a filth encrusted envelope. A marriage certificate: Bartholomew and Rebecca Bray. A birth certificate: Bartholomew Bray II, Barty’s own birth date recorded; June 8th, 1989.

    He intently read a recent article about a bombing and his apparent father’s death in Las Vegas.

    As his mother bled out on the shadowy bedroom floor, Barty packed a bag and set out; confusion and unmitigated revenge in his heart.

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    1. Were all the previous stories flashbacks? Enjoyable narration and a son who's learning the ropes with on the job training.

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    2. So who is Barty II going to enact his revenge upon? Impressive lot of back story in this, but I looked for date of papa's death in vain.

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    3. The "apparent death" did not go unnoticed, John. I'm still not totally convinced. Nonetheless, brilliant way to continue the saga.

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    4. I like the thought of someone with confusion and unmitigated revenge in his heart, it means nothing will be beyond his imagination...

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  3. The Bray Chronicles

    Barty Reed didn’t know the first thing about serial killing. The first woman he tried it on screamed so loudly, Barty ran away. Two nights later, he tried again, only to be kicked in the balls by a filthy transvestite prostitute. It wasn’t until his eighth attempt that he was even able to draw blood.

    Barty fumed at his ineptitude; until he made an important discovery. He’d kept his mother’s things, including the news articles; his father’s legacy. The reporters were fond of disclosing the method of operandi.

    He set out again, keeping to the shadows, realizing practice makes perfect.

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    1. A second dose of the series, thanks you. A very apropo last line and also an enjoyable read.

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    2. I suppose, by definition, he had to get a few under his belt to achieve 'serial' ...

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    3. Perhaps Barty's heart isn't truly in it? Living up to Bartholomew's legacy is indeed going to be something of a challenge...but at least Barty has made a start. So glad you didn't totally abandon this fascinating serial.

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    4. it's too good to be abandoned, some interesting revelations here and a good use of the prompts too.

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  4. Great work, Jim and Holly. Such well deserved wins. I'm not surprised that Sandra couldn't choose one above the other.

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  5. The Consequence of Sticky Fingers

    The Filth are after me.
    I found the Eighth Gate.
    Hey, I’m an opportunist thief. When I saw that big, stonking ruby I yoinked it.
    Now the Trans-dimensional Felonies Division want my balls on a skillet. The ruby is a religious artefact. I’ve gone and caused an interspecies crisis. The residents of Gate Eight are pissed off. Giant carnivorous termites tumbling through day and night.
    My old Ma is livid. Turfed me out on my arse. No one wants anything to do with me or the bleedin’ ruby.
    All I can do is stay in the shadows.

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    1. David, I enjoy this humorous story. I almost thought there was an Inferno reference with the Eighth gate. Giant carnivorous termites, what a good choice as aliens.

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    2. Such a strongly individual voice in this, 'yoinked' especially expressive.

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    3. I too enjoyed the voice of your character. It never pays to yoink a priceless artifact. They're so hard to get rid of and make an honest profit.

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    4. jdeegan536@yahoo.com21 January 2020 at 00:21

      Damn! An honest thief can't get away with anything anymore! This was an enjoyable read, David!

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    5. "Giant carnivorous termites" got me suffering from shivers up and down the spine. Yikes! This was so innovative. It's amazing what talented writers (such as yourself) an create from three seemingly unrelated prompt words.

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    6. oh brilliant one, someone so off the wall surreal and yet feels like someone I might know...

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  6. Pathways

    Traveled paths, semi-beaten.
    Finding new beginnings,
    divergent roads, virgin experiences beckoning me.
    Hidden by night’s clouds,
    Does the moon know it spins?
    Its shadow eclipses my trails.
    No Polaris to guide me
    I lose my way in,
    woven dreams and ethereal rapids.
    Echoes of my past or future dreams?
    If one thinks it’s great but another filth,
    are both true?
    I harken back to memories past.
    Rings in my brain, that show my age.
    For me to win, would rank with the worlds eight wonders.
    I need to remember at every turn;
    Only I write my stories that you enjoy.

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    1. Loved the semi-beaten path and the shadow eclipsing your path. Strong wording there. Nice language skills in this.

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    2. Nicely done in a poetic manner, Jeffrey...something you execute very well. Love those galactic references.

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  7. As lights approached [Threshold 284]

    By my eight year it was mostly over. ‘It’ being … well, my parents used a variety of euphemisms, presumably to conceal what had changed. But because I didn’t remember much before then; was aware only of their underlying fear (and convinced they made more of it than was justified since my mother’s oft-repeated ‘Filth!’ applied as much to my knees as the Marauders‘) I felt no specific fear of the approaching vehicle. Surprised only by recollecting the initials ‘SUV’.
    And was too fascinated by the elongated moon-lit shadow of the man who descended to think I ought to fear.

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    1. Sandra, I liked the back story here and felt a little melancholy feel to this good reading story.

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    2. It's apt that she endured Marauders in her past. Kind of explains her current arrangements. The man in the SUV should prove interesting...

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    3. Just spotted - that was, of course, intended to read 'By my eighth year.

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    4. A mysterious man emerging from an SUV. This gets more intriguing with every episode and certainly keep us hanging on, hankering for more.

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    5. and where next for this intriguing serial, I wonder?

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  8. Back To Square One

    On the morning of the eighth day, he was no more than a shadow of his former self. Filthy, hungry and exhausted, he should have rested on the seventh but, like so many previous attempts, the finished product had been another epic fail and he could not unwind. Yet again, he would have to start over.

    He sighed. He cursed. He flexed sore muscles.

    With crossed appendages (and bleary eyes equally as crossed), he sincerely hoped to get it right this time.

    "Let there be light...!!!"

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    1. Lovely first line and a very interesting and well written twist on the story. One for consideration, I'd say.

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    2. That HAS to be telling it like it was!

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    3. I too tried to think of a creation story with the eighth day and all but my muse failed me. I'm glad now I didn't as this is superb. It does seem improbable something as complex as light could be conceived in one day.

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    4. Patricia, this is flat out brilliant!

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  9. Change of focus [360]

    Not having counted, but aware Aleks usually appeared at his bedroom door after the eighth ring, Pettinger seized and silenced the strident ringtone, the huskiness of his ‘Pettinger’ announcing, to his guilty ears, he’d spent the night indulging in filthy sex. The involuntary movement of Sally’s hand; her duvet-shadowed face still dormant, threatened to distract, until his sergeant’s words impacted.
    ‘Bollocking Christ, Ben! Say again –‘
    Ben Brickwood duly did.
    Whereupon training kicked in. Up, pee, shower, dress. Mind processing information, decisions to be made.
    Then, aware of Aleks, silently taking it all in, ‘Hello son.’
    ‘Another murder?’
    ‘’Fraid so.’



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    1. Uh oh, who is the victim now? For Pettinger to refer to sex as filthy, it must have been quite a romp. Very entertaining, Sandra.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com21 January 2020 at 00:02

      The 'filthy' sex invites an intriguing number of prurient possibilities, Sandra. Too bad that work at times interrupts it. A nice read!

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    3. So, you give us "filthy sex" and then fail to elaborate, Sandra. How typical of your decisions to provide us just enough information to send the imagination into fifth gear. Pettinger never fails to entertain, that's for sure.

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    4. definitely something going on here we aren't being told about, but then Pettinger's always doing something like that, sneaky devil that he is.

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  10. Alex saw her in the bed? Oh well, kids. Pettinger and murder a seemingly automatic connection. Good continuation.

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  11. The Cambion Proposal: #8

    Watching from the shadows, well not precisely, but from one of the fake statues eye slits, Melthane saw the delegation being presented to her father.
    This will be fun to watch. My father being forced to treat ‘filthy’ merchants as equals.
    The chamberlain banged his staff and said,
    “Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to present to the court of King Ruthan the third of Xanthos, Zindar, the eighth Pash-Mir of Tagzig Olmo.
    This is unusual, though all show mixed colors for this Pasha, but they have only red when they look at the guard to his left.

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    1. I can see Melthane watching the proceedings from inside the statue. Very amusing. The 'ladies and gentlemen' sentence is quite a mouthful; so many unusual names. I wonder what the guard to the left is up to?

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com23 January 2020 at 16:38

      I wonder if such subterfuge common practice by Melthane? And I wonder if "filthy merchants" is strictly her opinion? An enjoyable read, Jeffrey.

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    3. This continuation of your "mythical" serialization brings even more intriguing characters. Nicely done, Jeffrey.

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  12. Snap: Theo asks Calum a favour

    Theo’s shadow, back-lit from the hallway, purposely forewarned; his son possibly partaking of some pre-sleep porn. But no.
    ‘Calum –‘
    ‘Aye?’
    ‘I’m told this –‘ Theo angled his phone,‘–was taken by someone at your school. Could you find out who?’
    ‘Can try.’ Fingers already busy. ‘What year?’
    ‘Third.’
    A dizzying cascade of pages, then the one he sought was isolated, one-eighth size. A new-married couple.
    Urgent, ‘Can you –?‘
    ‘Cool it, Pops. It was Kally –’
    ‘”Kally”?’
    ‘Kerry Ann Logan. Bit weird. But okay.’
    ‘Could you… do me a favour?’
    Well-practised filthy chuckle hinted at 'Dirty Old Man. ‘Aye.’

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    1. I should have said, as with last week's 'Need's must' this another fleshing out of plot and character elements of the latest (number 5) in the 'Love triangles with murder' series, currently titled 'Snap is not a children's game'. Far from likely to provide a coherent whole at this stage.

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    2. It was nice of Theo to give Calum a little warning in case the boy was doing a little self-dating. I'm intrigued by Kally and what she may have posted.

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    3. Your stand-alones are always such a treat. Each one is a little gem in its own right and this is no exception.

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  13. Good story, not familiar with the series but I like the father-son interaction. That's good character development.

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  14. Bump in the Night #4

    “Jim honey,” April said. “Stay in the shadows with your cowardly self. We women will settle this.”
    Mary’s hands glowed a purple gray as she floated down the stairs.
    “Impressive, I’ll bet Jim doesn’t even know what you are. Tsk, tsk, keeping secrets from your spouse. You two deserve each other.”
    April’s whip lashed at Mary who blocked it, creating orange and blue sparks.
    “You’re filth! My apologies to banshee’s everywhere for insulting them.”
    Eight minutes, a broken table, three chairs, and the grandfather clock later, April’s whip and outfit fell to the ground. Mary’s bleeding body next to them.

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    1. That was an expensive little battle with lots of collateral furniture damages. Is Mary also a ghost? I was thinking she is real but she floated down the stairs, so I'm not sure. But then, she's bleeding, so the floating may have been the way she moved down the stairs. Entertaining story, Jeffrey.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com20 January 2020 at 23:53

      A very visual entry, Jeffrey. Some great verbs (glowed, lashed) serve to clearly present this chilling scene. Well done!

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    3. That must have been some violent interaction. Of course the women will settle things. They always do!

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  15. Night Shades

    We realized after the eighth twilight that nobody would bring us freedom. We will be forced to dwell in our own filth until, one by one, death grants release. I refuse to be the last survivor. To witness with each passage of time...whatever that time entails...the demise of my comrades.

    And so, I have determined to be the first to embrace the shadows.

    Such is the destiny of every coward.

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    1. Embrace the shadows... very nice. Possibly the only alternative in this case.

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    2. This is very deep, Patricia. And, yes, 'embrace the shadows' excellent.

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com20 January 2020 at 23:45

      Apparently, this coward will die but once. A delightfully dreary tale, Patricia!

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    4. Freedom implies slavery. I do wonder how he'll embrace the shadows. Maybe he can be their Nat Turner. Good story, Patricia.

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    5. intriguing, lots of ways to read this, all of them fascinating.

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  16. Turn About

    For the eighth time in as many hours, he plunged his manhood, ignoring the blood and filth that pooled beneath her. She didn’t bother to scream this time.

    “You are so sexy,” he said, adjusting her wrist bindings. “Such a beauty.”

    She said nothing.

    An hour later, he returned. The bed was empty, the ropes dangling. His eyes darted from one shadow to the next until he felt the pain and all went dark.

    For the sixth time in as many hours, she plunged the broom handle deeper and deeper, ignoring his screams for mercy.

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    1. This, I have to say, is depravity. Skillfully done, but depravity nevertheless.

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    2. jdeegan536@yahoo.com20 January 2020 at 23:41

      One wonders how long this blood-letting will continue. Skillfully crafted depravity, John!

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    4. Tis said that you reap what you sow. Excellently crafted macabre story.

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    5. Depraved...well, probably...but one hell of a story for all that. I've said this before, but I'll say it again...You go, girl!

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  17. jdeegan536@yahoo.com20 January 2020 at 23:30

    HENRY and I

    Henry VIII had six wives; I have had but four.
    Henry cared little for his wives; no one can say that of me.
    Henry, the filthy bugger, forced his wives to live in the shadow of his huge presence; I did no such thing with mine.
    Of Henry’s wives, three died while wed to his Highness; coincidentally, three of mine found eternal peace while espoused to me.
    Henry VIII had two of his wives beheaded for adultery, albeit alleged; such a cruel edict never crossed my mind!
    I strangled my first three wives; I am about to dispatch the fourth.

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    1. Neat and very, very nasty. Well done Jim!

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    2. Such a clever one, Jim. Funny what a prompt word evokes.

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    3. If you want something done right, do it yourself. Looks like the macabre stories have two excellent stories for consideration this week.

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    4. So very clever, the mingling of past and present. The Age of the Tudors my favourite of English history. Such colourful characters. You have captured Henry's way of thinking perfectly.

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  18. Kursaal (Episode One Hundred Ninety One) - "Maximillian Corviday And The Mimic"

    From a tender age, Maximillian Corviday, current Kursaal owner, had been a song-and-dance man. Even before his eighth birthday, he'd joined his father on the boards, bringing down the house with a soft shoe shuffle.

    From filthy workingmen's clubs to sophisticated music halls, the young Maximillian with his exotic features...cobalt eyes, olive skin and wheaten curls...was a crowd favorite. He always finished his act with a unique rendition of "Me And My Shadow."

    How his shadow, while yet following its owner across the stage, managed to execute distinctly different dance steps remained a beguiling enigma.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    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: Maximillian Corviday has featured in previous episodes.

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    1. Such a smooth execution of the prompts here, too.

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    2. It makes sense that Maximilian would possess a magic shadow, much like his famed livelihood. Love the Kursaal and all the marvelous words you've written about it.

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    3. Campbell Sherrin would be proud. Your stories, like beautiful spring flowers drawing both bees and compliments.

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    4. that's enchanting and clever at the same time, being drawn in by the child star and then finding the dark secret he harbours.

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  19. Snap: Joys of transgression

    Duncans of Dunbar. Generation after generation. First-born son of first-born. Him the eighth.
    And did they ever bloody let him forget it?
    They did not.
    First Theo (1878-1936), delivered by horse and cart.
    He born 1962. Approaching fifty.
    As the family firm grew in size – generation after generation breeding, until nigh on every employee a Duncan – its shadow loomed above him, reduced him to insignificance.

    At eighteen he’d escaped. To Bath. City of stunning architecture; of filthy rich and permanently-stoned students.
    Theo found he was still a trader at heart. Took the knowledge quietly home. And kept it to himself.

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    1. A trader at heart but does he trade in hearts?

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    2. I think Theo the eighth will be fine, despite the family bloody reminding him of his lower birth. I love bloody, I wish we used it in the states more.

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    3. This has to be part and parcel of a serialization, yes? You simply cannot leave it there! Quite a wonderful feast of tales from your talented plume this week, Sandra.

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    4. definitely demands for more to be told.

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  20. LIFO

    He was sad and deeply offended by the filthy slurs. The other eight tried to be kind but he was an outcast now. No longer part of the circle, he was unable to summon so much as the shadow of a smile as he took his farewells.

    Dwarfed and humiliated, Pluto wept alone.

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    1. Dwarfed... brilliant. I felt bad when they denounced Pluto. One of my favorite planets it was. I still consider it a planet in my heart.

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    2. I'm with John, We was robbed when they down-graded Pluto!

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    3. jdeegan536@yahoo.com23 January 2020 at 16:29

      How creative, Patricia! Great final line! I am pulling for my beloved Pluto to be readmitted to the circle of planets.

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    4. I am a Scorpio Child and thus, a Daughter of Pluto. I will NEVER accept the fact that my ruling planet has been removed from the equation.

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  21. There may or may not be a "Cripplegate" installment later today. Seems I am running out of time and can't quite get it together!

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  22. Stop The Week; I want To Get Off (81)
    There’s a shadow shutting out the sun, no sales all week, no real interest from customers in anything substantial. Today’s sales, £1.30. Two customers. One bought cutters, filthy with rust, for £1 and the other, three pieces of cutlery at 10p each. One man came in for what must be the eighth time this month and went out again… January is often bad, post-Christmas, pre-credit card bills arriving… so we hope February will pull everything around. I want to send some items to auction next month, if only to refund Shaun some of the money he’s owed. It never ends…

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    1. This does sound much more in tune with the title than most - hope the definitely-lightening days bring customers with money to spend.

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    2. I agree with Sandra, a week you'd likely want to get off of. Have you tried singing and dancing to lure in the customers?

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    3. Sounds like sales have hit something of a slump. The good news is, there is now only one way and that is up. I'm sure you're looking forward to things improving very soon. Regardless, I do so enjoy these little snippets that are very different from anything else offered here. You have such a talent for this type of thing, Antonia.

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  23. The Mad Italian (140)
    The shadow of a semi-abdication is still being cast over the couple who wish to be ‘normal’ while seeking the high life whilst the father proceeds to throw filth at the situation and in some ways make it worse. Meantime the PM looks set to lose an eighth, I think it is, member from his cabinet but those who remain or are appointed will serve him better, for their desire is to be there. There is talk of ‘deals’ with the USA, if they happen it will be a miracle but then… miracles do still happen, sometimes.

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    1. Now's the time to make a deal with the USA. We're all distracted by the impeachment trial and Harvey Weinstein.

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    2. Plus our new Canadian neighbors are making quite a stir...

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    3. Perhaps things might fare better if everyone just ignores their comings-and-goings. I heard a discussion on who would be paid for providing security to the couple once they settle in Canada. In the meantime, I believe plans are in progress for them to return for a little while to complete engagements. Leonardo always manages to keep me up to snuff since I so rarely watch anything on the news channels these days.

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