Or did shyness keep you from stating
a preference? Last week's words
certainly threw up a challenge (you are not alone in cursing the person who
chose them!) but at least I can say, with confidence, that my favourite this
week, for its elegant subversiveness, was Patricia's 'The Before Times'.
this week’s words are: casual inherit salubrious
Entries
by midnight Thursday 29th October, new words posted Friday30th
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.
Congratulations Patricia I loved The Before Times, such deliciously dark tones.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Patricia. Well deserved accolades.
DeleteA splendid entry, Patricia! Congrats!
DeleteThank you for the accolades. Always such a delight...not to mention surprise...when I find myself at the top of such a talented heap...!!!
Deletesorry for delay, life got in the way a bit, but here goes, Patricia, congrats on a fine story!
DeleteChange of focus [397]
ReplyDeleteSliding, solitary and naked between his far less salubrious sheets, conscious of Philly Stepcart just a wall away, John Pettinger forced himself to consider parental responsibility. While he could not be blamed for the circumstances of Aleks' early upbringing, now really was the time to start thinking about how Aleks might perceive his occasional forays into casual sex.
Nowhere near as bad as Aleks' mother, of course! Neither quantity nor quality.
Then he recalled an earlier conversation, about one of the perpetrators of his own much earlier and far murkier moral inheritance.
He'd talk to Philly about Raptor over breakfast.
I'd have trouble being naked in bed with a house guest just a few feet away. Perhaps Pettinger was hoping for a nocturnal knock at his door?
DeleteI'm wondering what Philly was doing on the other side of the wall. Perhaps she had company.
DeleteI'm with Jim. Just what WAS Philly doing on the other side of that wall?
DeleteI do enjoy the complex nature of Pettinger - and am intrigued by the hint of 'his own much earlier and far murkier moral inheritance'
Deleteit is the darkness in Pettinger's past which holds the attention, so carefully dripped into the story week by week.
DeleteNever Ending or Beginning on an Ever Spinning Reel
ReplyDeleteIn the swampy sediment that was once the somewhat salubrious suburb of Surbiton some surly socialists sang The Internationale, emphasising the line about uniting the human race. A stirring oratory on liberation from repression was delivered. Defiant fists were raised.
The irradiant alien coils which were the true inheritors of the Earth paid them scant, casual attention. As they spiraled to ascent a woman cocked her rifle and was swiftly consumed by a devouring blue light.
The others fled, boots splashing though the paraffin hued puddles.
The coils vibrated. An echo mocking the song.
The first sentence was fun to read, the word somewhat especially. The aliens seem to have everything under control, devouring anyone who even attempts to revolt. That should keep the whiny little earthlings in check.
DeleteAs well as the teasing of the tale, this has started a semi-sensed, sussurating earworm somewhere in the nethers of my brain.
DeleteI always admire good science fiction tales since I'm total rubbish at them personally. And what an inspired use of "Windmills Of Your Mind" for a title.
DeleteWhat an enjoyable offering David - wonderful imagery that hints of the past as well as the future making me want to know how this all started and what the aliens doing. So much to like about this.
Deleteso clever and such good use of the title and prompts!
Delete'...consumed by a devouring blue light' is just one of many splendidly vivid images, David! A very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Patricia - well deserved under the humbug clause LOL
ReplyDeleteHERO
Colm managed to pull his shot at the last minute, sending the arrow into a tall crystal beside Caolin’s head.
Caolin casually twanged it. “Well that wouldn’t have been very salubrious.”
“What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
Caolin looked hurt. “Here to rescue you. Mary reckons you’re worth having about.”
The tween had inherited his father’s sarcasm before he’d been orphaned.
But Colm could do that.
“And you were going to find your way back how?”
Caolin pulled out a handful of tar lumps he’d collected here and there.
“They don’t seem to like eating the black stuff.”
This was a very entertaining read. I liked how Caolin remained calm when the arrow twanged beside his head.
DeleteQuite the novel entry, Perry! tar lumps... very unappetizing.
DeleteNecessary quality of a hero, insouciance, leaving me avid for more.
DeleteThis was so entertaining but screams for a continuation. Colm and Caolin could be such fascinating characters.
DeleteThank you all - wonderful to get such feedback from accomplished writers.
DeleteI have to agree with all the above on this Perry - very moreish so hope there will be a continuation.
DeleteThanks Terrie, I'll try
Deletedefinitely would like to know more about these strangely charismatic characters.
DeleteIn Sickness and in Health
ReplyDeleteBethany stood casually, reading the will.
“So, do you inherit the house or not?”
“With some stipulations, yes,” Peter said.
“Stipulations?”
“You know, taxes, maintenance concerns, that sort of thing.”
“But you can sell outright?”
“Well,” Peter said. “I suppose, but it’s been in the family for generations.”
“Maybe one generation too long,” she said. “How’s your tea?”
After the coroner left, Bethany called her attorney.
“Cynthia, it seems Peter consumed something insalubrious to his health. That almond allergy thing he must have forgotten about. Let’s move forward with the sale. Peter would have wanted it this way.
So glad I'm not a member of Bethany's family. So cold and callous, this woman! Good one, John!
DeleteHow many times are wrongdoings diverted by that "would have wanted it this way" ?
DeleteShades of "Arsenic and Old Lace" brought delightfully into the modern century. I do think Peter should have been more on the ball in this instance.
DeleteDefinitely a cold, calculating, woman and what an excellent example of dialogue showing the action. Brilliant.
Deletenice one, so much remaining unsaid by the characters but enough for us to appreciate the nastiness of what's going down there.
DeleteSteve Ferlazzo and Woody Jennings lay prone atop a hill overlooking an area inherited from Steve’s father Nick.
ReplyDelete“Dark tonight, eh, Woody?”
Woody nodded as a deep rumble drew their attention.
“A noisy pick-up,” Steve murmured.
The truck appeared then stopped. The driver hurried into the headlights. He looked quickly around after staring at the dead deer at his feet.
A shot slammed into the driver’s chest; another pierced his forehead, leaving a healthy splatter of brain upon the truck’s grill.
Woody casually pulled a flask from his coat. “I propose a salubrious toast to another good road kill, Steve!”
I neglected to enter the title: ROAD KILL REDEFINED.
DeleteI love the casualness of this. You gotta love these guys, despite what they're doing. Nice one.
DeleteSo vivid, that "The driver hurried into the headlights".
DeleteThis was marvellous. Such crisp and on-point writing. That Steve and Woody are forces to be reckoned with, that's for sure.
DeleteI really enjoyed this tightly written, clever, twist on the road kill theme.
Deletewow, what scheming individuals! Nice one, Jim!
DeleteThe Book From The Sea
ReplyDelete1
Prekor barely glanced at the book when he and Malook inherited it along with their uncle’s sizable and salubrious fortune. It was in a language he did not recognise. The cover was scratched and sooty and pages were stuck together in places with dry rust-coloured liquid that stank of the sea.
Prekor was glad he had inherited the plush warm mansion and not the cliff-top castle-keep and sailing vessel that had gone to Malook.
He tossed the book casually to his brother, ‘A memento of the old man, it smells like something from that old brig he willed you.’
Nice, Terrie. I seems you are setting up foe more to come with this. You left a lot of cool little tidbits floating around that should prove interesting to delve into,
DeleteYou can go a long way with a book - look forward to seeing where you take us with this one.
DeleteAnother amazing serialization from your talented plume, Terrie. I'm so looking forward to where this one goes. Nice to see you back, by the way.
Deletegood to see you back and with the temptation of a whole new serial based around a 'book', not a computer programme... isn't that good?
DeleteLosing track of days.
ReplyDeletePlease don’t think, because I’m absent on occasion, I take a casual view of this wonderful site. It’s simply that the job I do comes with inherited baggage and often occupies my time more than I would like.
Also of late I have been preoccupied, as have we all, with this insalubrious germ that is quietly creeping among us without conscience. It has changed our daily routines, taken friends, and for me, halted the progress of much needed surgery. However, next week I, at last, have a consultant appointment and hope my treatment will continue moving forward.
Thanks for the update, Terrie. Clever to stick to the prompts. Good luck with your medical needs.
DeleteLike John, I thank you for the update and keeping fingers crossed for the progression of the surgery.
DeleteLove the way you incorporated the prompts into this update, Terrie. Much luck on the upcoming consultation.
DeleteI think we're all resenting the virus for getting in the way of illnesses and conditions that were there before the virus took over - hope all goes well with the consultation.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 122
ReplyDeleteThe contraption flattened a swathe of grass behind it as the platoon shoved it into the clearing. They were in time to hear the bubble of snot and blood as Mossy landed a hefty paw-clout across the face of Vark-leader, Aubrey.
The remaining Varks lay puking and retching at Tosca’s insalubrious scent.
Tosca hummed innocently while Armi and Trub paced with casual menace in front of drunken Pangolins huddling fearfully against the base of a large aloe-patch.
Nigel spat with disgust as he viewed the broken cactus-gin pots and half-demolished termite mound. ‘What feckin’ mess ‘ave we inherited now?’
I'm dying to hear more about the contraption. A nice continuation of a wonderful story.
DeleteBreathe again - the 'dillos are back.
DeleteAnd the 'dillos return as entertaining as ever, having lost not one whit of their charm. I think my favourite phrase from this particular installment is the "hefty paw-clout across the face."
DeleteI feared we'd lost the dillos when it went silent and was mourning their passing but here they are as feisty and difficult as ever!
Delete'We've beer?' [Threshold 322]
ReplyDeleteRaven, who seemingly had inherited more knowledge about vehicles than he'd been willing to admit, had earlier investigated the various boxes beneath a white-creased, green tarpaulin in the back of the SUV, a plastic one of which contained brown-filled bottles swilling in an insalubrious green-weed soup.
'You first,' I said, unwilling, despite my thirst, and with no more than a muttered 'Thought women were trained to do the spit or swallow', he removed the top, took a pseudo-casual mouthful, swilled and declared it only marginally unpleasant, 'But unlikely to do us harm.'
Not stomach-wise at least.
I think I rumbled the double entendre here. Nicely done! However, personally, I think I'd be inclined to spit...or possibly not indulge at all in such a "green-weed soup."
DeleteMildly unpleasant... none for me, thanks. But the effects of the brew should prove interesting. (Did i use effect right?). I enjoyed Patricia's double entendre mention. I'd say more about it, but should restrain.
DeleteYears ago a friend and I made a batch of beer. Unpleasant memories you've resurrected here, Sandra.
Deleteoh oh, best keep that liquid away from any foolish person who might want to try it for a dare or something equally foolish...
DeleteDaddy's Girl
ReplyDeleteNot easy growing up with only one parent. Dad does his best though. He says Mother was a real angel, so I always picture her lounging casually on a cloud playing the harp, but I know that's a stereotype. There are no actual photographs.
We live a salubrious existence, me and my Dad, and I'll inherit the family business eventually. Till then, I'm working on passing all the aptitude tests. Took trial by brimstone the other day and came through without so much as a blister!
My reward was a lovely custom-made toasting fork.
I believe Mother would be proud.
Enjoyed the contrast of the light-hearted narration and the subject matter.
DeleteI'm not sure how proud mother would be but dad sure is lucky the daughter has no problem with fire and brimstone. Clever entry, Patricia.
Deleteoh I like this! So casually related as if it were an every day thing...
DeleteSnap: An offer of help?
ReplyDeleteThe voice so far from habitual slow-honey casual, Theo didn't immediately know it for Lars'.
'Rob? It is true?'
Theo's 'Yes', weighted with grief, with guilt too great to bear, was little lightened by recollecting their friendship longer than his eldest son had lived. A friendship now besmirched; having sucked them, no matter innocently, into the insalubrious world of drug dealing. A world whose only inheritance, for the honest and innocent, was death.
Theo found himself suddenly uncertain as to where Lars' loyalties lay.
But Lars' stark, 'I find who,' restored trust.'
'I beg you. If you know –'
This was a grim picture but portrayed with an elegance of writing that is the trademark of your creativity, Sandra.
DeleteI agree with Patricia that your language skills emphasize the grim world of drug dealing.
DeleteThank you both. Taking advantage of this week's prompts enabled the long-corked end of the fifth in my 'Love triangles with murder' series to be shifted. Hopefully, at 95K+ words, the end of the first draft is now nigh.
Deleteit's surprising what can jolt a book back into motion, best of luck with the first draft.
DeleteClass writing.
Knife Skills
ReplyDeleteHe’d inherited the knife from his mentor.
Nothing that man did was in anyway salubrious; nonetheless his style and cunning were admirable so Jack was determined to outdo the old bastard if he could. Expertly, he used the knife to rip open both cloth and flesh, working intently to rearrange organs, until shrill whistle-blasts warned him time was up.
Those bloody peelers had no respect for an artist at work
Casually wiping blood from the blade onto the dress remnants, he stowed the knife in his bag, and, with a satisfied smile, vanished into the shadowy maze of London alleyways.
Superb evocation, beautifully writ.
DeleteAlways a sucker for any tales involving Red Jack. This one was exquisitely composed. You are definitely on a "return roll" this week, Terrie.
DeleteI never understood the police whistles. They must have warned many a criminal to hasten their departures. Clever horror writing, Terrie.
Deletea fine story to add to the Red Jack collection, Terrie, more more more please.
DeleteYou hit the mark with the insidiousness of drug addition, Sandra.
ReplyDeleteWhoops! The above was meant for Sandra's An Offer Of Help. As for Terrie's Knife Skills, we now have a motive for Jack's diabolical acts. Like father, like son, eh, Terrie? Loved the artist at work line.
DeleteThe Joy of Mediumship 28
ReplyDeleteA surprise for me this week, Jeff Buckley casually wandered in, bringing me Hallelujah and a huge smile. He last came in 2008… no excuse, just playing music, chatting with others, helping those on this side of life, investigating the spirit realm, which he tells me is salubrious, and working out what skills he has inherited that will take him on in his spirit life, when he is ready. Meantime he‘s having too much fun – making up for his mere 31 years in our lives. It’s a beautiful message and just what I needed, a book progresses.
Perhaps the most moving rendition of "Hallelujah" ever, with k.d. lang's version a close second. You encounter the most fascinating of souls, Antonia.
DeleteLoved that guy. Im glad he's still crooning.
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (121)
ReplyDeleteSofas and more to come, dolls and huge teddies this afternoon, doll’s cot and dolls’ dolls… how do I keep the shop looking salubrious when there is such a mixture, some of it needing remedial work, too… I act casual, as if this is a normal happening - oftentimes it is! The surety is that no other person could inherit and run this shop; it has a charm of its own when browsers admit they come to talk rather than buy. I have time to talk and so many need it. Lockdown was bad on many levels, outside of us.
More than once I find myself, in my need for clear floor space, feeling overwhelmed on your behalf - unnecessary I am sure, (but finding space for a suddenly-arrived sofa ... ?
DeleteWhat an utterly fascinating stock your store does hold, Antonia. Oh, the stories so many of those items could tell...!!!
DeleteHuge teddies... I'll admit I thought of a very big lingerie item at first. It's go9d to hear the optimism in your words, despite the lockdown.
DeleteThe Mad Italian (180)
ReplyDeleteThe Houses of Parliament should be the most salubrious of places but the venom, the jibes… need I go on? All this compounded by social media which is a scourge of your time and set to increase as the days go by. Casual comments are snatched, passed on, taken out of context and someone inherits the bitterness pervading nearly everyone right now. I cannot understand the reasoning that says ‘I must go out and drink even though I may die from meeting someone…’ but then, it is supposed to be a free world. I would wish it was.
Desperation is something that comes to everyone at one time or another, I suppose. To some, the desire for human contact is stronger than in others and often appears well worth any associated risk. I tend to belong more to the introverted category.
DeleteIt's interesting to contemplate how past prominent figures would respond to social media. Likely the same as the Italian.
ReplyDelete