Balancing the need for bookcases against the likelihood of getting back to printmaking, and wondering about disposing of it, I have looked out the manual for my etching press, and, since it's sitting there, used it to select next week's prompt words. Fewer posts don't mean an easier choice for top place. In the end I chose John's 'The summit', for his insistence on the correct use of trilogy (and apologise for the lazy misuse in mine).
Words for the coming week are: key lubricate unwanted
Entries by midnight Thursday 25th
March, new words posted Friday 26th
Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or
poetry using all 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.
CHANGE
ReplyDeleteCaolin shook off the unwanted distraction and scrunched up his forehead.
“Got a problem, mate?”
He didn’t bother turning. Una had a grace which made it look as if even the ground on which she performed was lubricated, for in reality the surface was cluttered with debris which should have guaranteed a stumble.
Dermot pursued. “The key to getting the girl is letting her know you want her.”
Caolin cast over his shoulder. “What?”
Dermot rolled his eyes. “Not the kid … HER.”
Caolin followed the thumb jerk. He hadn’t realized he’d thought that way about Sally. He WAS only eleven.
"Una had a grace which made it look as if even the ground on which she performed was lubricated" - magic!
DeleteThe stage, cluttered with debris reminds us (without being told) of the world where this is taking place. Nicely done.
Deleteit's this kind of descriptive writing which makes authors stand out...
Deletecrime novel I am currently reading..
she banged her fist up and down on the desk... (I will be leaving an Amazon review...) such a delicate touch, Perry, the kind of writing I truly appreciate.
I have to agree with all the above, this is such a great read.
DeleteThank you all. Your feedback gives me hope and pride. Gonna have to watch that second one - the ground beneath me ain't lubricated.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 137
ReplyDeleteClancy sucked the green berry as he ran, ‘Cor, it bluddy stinks.’
It’s an unwanted side effect, but its good fer lubricatin’ the throat .’ Cinereus told the pangolin, ‘The key thing is, it leeches out the need fer what yer hankerin’ fer.
Swaller it an yer’ll feel better.’
‘Better do, ‘cos it tastes feckin awful,’ muttered Clancy, sucking hard.
Cinereus chuckled, then addressed the trailing Varks and pangolins, ‘Anyone sufferin’ the same issue as Clancy, trot on up here and get a little more help.’
He deliberately neglected to mention the permanent effect of the berry.
Aha - very Machiavellian.
DeleteI'm struggling to remember what it is Clancy's hankerin' for. Not that it detracts from the joy of this story.
DeleteThe dreaded side effects. All the good remedies have them.
DeleteCinereus is quite the altruistic fellow with these berries. The cad!
DeleteClancy,the Pangolins and Varks were all rather well oiled on cactus-gin and beetle-blood wine Sandra - the berry should stop their hankering for more and keep them sober on the mission.
Deleteseems to me these guys want everything their own way - and then some and they're about to have a few shocks... good to see them back here again!!
DeleteUnderworld Endorsement
ReplyDeleteDude, this guy is spooky. He’s got alchemy in his fingertips.
Get him a key. An old key. An unwanted key. A key that’s caked in rust. Then give him something to lubricate it. Engine oil. Baby oil. Cooking oil. He can lever any lock. Yale, Chubb, whatever. When he flicks his wrist it’s like magic. Bam! The door opens, and he’s in like Flynn.
Then the weirdness really kicks off. He holds out his hands, spreads his palms and swag just flies into them, like he’s got magnets under his flesh.
You want a thief? He’s your man.
Yeah, but I bet he'll cost ya! - Instant entry to this underworld.
Deletesounds like a good guy to know.
Delete'Spooky' is an understatement for this guy. I think I'd look elsewhere.
Deletesomeone with those skills would cost a fortune and really, you couldn't 100% trust them, could you... nice one, David, lots of tantalising thoughts here.
Deleteoh, this is so good.
DeleteThis guy sounds like a fellow you can trust... or perhaps he's being oversold. Very interesting, David.
ReplyDeleteThey call him Furlough Fund?
ReplyDeleteBlacker thoughts [Threshold 341]
ReplyDeleteStared into blackness and silence.
Closed my eyes.
Re-opened them
Stared into blackness and not silence: ticking.
Unwanted thoughts of claws on wooden floors.
Idiot idea of rubbing sight into blind eyes before belatedly realising they likely in need of lubrication.
Ticking more likely cooling engine.
Maybe best start it again, before it got too cold.
I reached to where I guessed the key would be. Misjudged the distance. The angle.
Knocked it with the side of my hand.
Joggled it from its keyhole.
Couldn't, in the blackness see it drop.
Heard two ticks, then it must've landed. In silence.
A great tension builder. An unusual writing style for you, this. I like it. The thought of rubbing dry eyes with the thought of establishing sight is chilling.
DeleteThe short, crisp use of language is very effective, Sandra. Nicely done!
Deletethis draws you in by its very starkness, and is quite outstanding
DeleteChange of focus 418
ReplyDeleteAvoiding Philly's too-knowing eyes, Pettinger addressed his son's back. 'That elbow could do with a little lubrication!'
Aleks, water dripping to the floor, paused in his desultory dabbing at the egg-yolk on the wall, the stiffening of his shoulders expressing reluctance to admit ignorance as to whether the remark was joke or unwanted exhortation to work harder.
'Elbow grease, lad! Less water, more effort. Find something more abrasive –'
Behind him, Philly sniggered, 'You'll need to demonstrate, John, I'm off to work.' To Aleks, 'I expect it to be sparkling when I return.'
Whereupon she waved a key and went.
Philly is right at home at the Pettenger abode. I think too many young people don't know the meaning of elbow grease. Too bad.
Deletelovely use of the prompts (again) and some visions we might not want to retain, like egg yolk on the wall...
DeleteLast Call for Alcohol
ReplyDeleteAt last, he was sufficiently lubricated, ready to make his move. Thank you, Glenlivet.
He spotted her across the pub. His first attempt with another had been dismissed, an unwanted advance it seemed. Obviously, he wasn’t sozzled enough.
Four more rounds and he was prepared. The key was being comfortable in ones own skin. Show them the true colors. Flaws and all.
He made his approach, tipped his hat, and grinned when she said yes.
“Who’s that leaving with Lizzie Borden,” said a patron.
“Some drunken sot,” said the barkeep. “Don’t know him.”
“I wish him well.”
Oh that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains. Very clever, John.
DeleteAh, I spotted something dodgy with his approach. A lesson about to be learnt.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 138
ReplyDelete‘Sarg,’ said Atlas, ‘The old Archive-Burrows are in a westerly direction from the Palace too, they aint in good shape, so tough diggin’, but we cud do it:
It would give added protection fer our soldiers.’
‘My establishment is even more westerly if you want to confound your unwanted guests further with your underground network.’ added Pink-Fairy.
Sargs eyes glittered as she thoughtfully lubricated her whiskers with spittle, ‘A lot o’ work but a good key-plan. Wait here, I’ll get things started.’ she pushed past Atlas and disappeared into the tunnels where they could hear her scuttling away.
There is so much action and atmosphere in this, I can smell the dampness of the earth. Love 'scuttled away.'
Deleteentry 138???? and still realistic dialogue and an intriguing storyline!!
DeleteAmong others, 'thoughtfully lubricated her whiskers with spittle' is such a great turn of words, Terrie.
DeleteTENDER LOVING CARE
ReplyDelete“Here, Darling, this will lubricate your sore throat.”
“Thanks, Linda,” Rudy whispered hoarsely. “You take such good care of me.”
“Of course, Honey. You’re my husband. I love you.”
“But my illness is getting worse. I must put a great strain on you.”
“It’s no strain, Sweetheart. And make no mistake, I want to take care of you. Now drink up. This is the last dose you’ll need.”
Rudy swallowed the drink. “Horrible stuff,” he mumbled. “My throat feels unwanted by the rest of me. You sure this stuff is helping?”
“Yes, thanks to one key ingredient.”
“What’s that?”
“Anti-freeze.”
Ow! That's really nasty, Jim.
Deletevery nasty.
DeleteA (once thought of as a benign old man) commented that a good way to keep cats away was to leave anti freeze out for them. He hasn't queried yet why I don't stop and talk to him any more...
The Joys of Mediumship 47
ReplyDeleteThe week has been rather busy… decisions on combining books and coping with the images brought by Henry V from the Agincourt battlefield… I needed something to lubricate my body after that! The key is to stay distanced, but it isn’t always that easy, how do you rid yourself of unwanted images of starvation and dysentery? Other than that, it’s been frustrating, Word has a style malfunction going on, bold, oversized, italics, it throws them in when it chooses…and I am constantly resetting it all and then finding 5 pages on there’s more… it is all sent to try us…
Sympathies with Word's two-faced trickeries - and the battlefield images.
DeleteThe two small dolls houses have unwanted blotches of mould which means unsalable, I found them this morning. Just when you think the place is dry,,, something’s lubricated the items! We’re still talking, planning and trying to get someone to come and give us a quote, why are people so reluctant? They could be the ones who get the job, after all. The key is in a reasonable price and the ability to work around big cabinets… but now the worry is an extension to the lockdown, the figures are not coming down, are they? I’m going crazy already!
ReplyDeleteGoing crazy might save you from the madness the world has blindly raced into, Antonia.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 194
ReplyDeleteI wish someone would lubricate the unfortunate hair of your PM right now, it flies in unwanted chaos and adds to the impression he is about to laugh. His bone structure is responsible but it is unfortunate for someone in his position. The key to coping with lockdown and the possibility of an extension is to start doing something you like and finding out if you can make a living from it. Your internet channel has many examples of this and for some it really works. This channel is involved with her books at the moment, her time will come.