I suspect that even if I offered a trio of sweet innocent words you will all manage to find a gruesome use for them. At least two from last week were anything but, and given the parameters of this site, the nightmare-evoking entries were only to be expected.
That said, Patricia's
cliché-heavy 'Mode Of Expression'
was a joy, but this week's top place
goes to Jim for the too-long-lasting horror of his 'Last Stand.' This
week's words come from my credit card statement.
Entries by midnight Thursday 6th May,
new words posted Friday 7th
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.
Nicely done and well-deserved, Jim. Thank you for the mention, Sandra.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Jim.
Deletenice - supremely entertaining and skilful
Deletecongrats, Jim!
DeleteCongrats Jim! And well-deserved mention, Patricia. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Lobsterman
ReplyDelete(just fishing around for a start to a character I’m trying to develop)
“Red sky in morning, mon,” said Manny as he looked southward from the bow of his skiff.
The teal, clear Caribbean water began to roil as the winds picked up. Hurricane Drake loomed, due to make landfall later in the day. Manny started the Evinrude and motored to shore, ignoring the last of the lobster traps.
“Grab the shovels, mon,” he called out to his cousin on the dock. “The beach is about to be reshaped, significantly.”
“But tourists are walking the beach. I told you… bury her someplace else.”
“Well, we didn’t, mon.” Manny fingered his dreadlocks and trembled.
Look forward to you discovering more ...
Deletewow, another killer last line, in every respect.
DeleteHindsight is 2020, eh, John. Perhaps a burial at sea next time.
DeleteNicely done, John. You have quite a talent for accents and revelations.
DeleteNo Way to Settle an Argument
ReplyDeleteSo, boss, let me be clear about how Bob lost his ear.
We was having this heated debate regarding which is the most significant film about people what get shrunk. Jimmy here is batting for Fantastic Voyage. But Roscoe is adamant it’s Honey I Shrunk the Kids. Then Bob comes in completely left field with Professor Popper’s Problem, staring Charlie Drake
Jimmy says he’s making that up.
Bob gets up and clocks him on the conk.
That’s when Roscoe pulls his shooter. I know there’s blood all over your new upholstery. But we’re going to get it cleaned.
Oh, no ... did I really want to be reminded of Charlie Drake? I think not.
Deletenice one...
DeleteCharlie Drake was not truly appreciated, says me, he took a lead part in a dramatisation of David Copperfield and was brilliant.
Wasn't Charles Drake also a regular on Raymund Burr's Perry Mason show? I seem to remember his deep voice.
DeleteI remember Charlie Drake (if it's the Charlie Drake I'm thinking of) mostly for his: "Hello, my darlings." Seems like every comedian back in the day had a catchphrase. Loved the "clocks him on the conk" observation. Classic...!!!
DeleteChange of focus [424]
ReplyDeleteWhile SOCOs searched the locus for evidence of how and when, DI Pettinger sought witnesses, and since a significant number of the Feathers Inn regulars had been gawping over the gate, a visit to the pub clearly the next step.
Most such-named pubs refer to the heraldic 'Ich Dien'. Not this one. This landlord had a passion for mallards. Every wall of every room in the pub was decorated with ducks and drakes – wallpaper, paintings, prints and photos. Only the hanging signboard outside lacked the bird and bore instead a circle of scattered feathers.
The landlord explained: 'Post duck rape.'
now that's a really good way of introducing the prompts!
DeleteMagnificent creative use of the prompts. But knowing the source, I am not surprised.
DeleteLosing my mind? [Threshold 347]
ReplyDeleteWhether the skull of whatever reptile I thought I'd seen had been lightning-incinerated or not, it was becoming increasingly clear that what once passed for my brain had lost a significant part of its functionality. Else why would I imagine I could feel, in the dark, for a crumble of bones, scattered on sands of a desert, when there was no way of discerning their colour? And, in doing so, had stupidly lost touch with the quad-bike?
Another flash.
In the silence between that and the thunder, a shout: 'Dra-a-a-k-e'
Raven's voice.
I remembered he did not know my name.
good continuation here, I love 'a crumble of bones' especially.
DeleteWhat a most enigmatic continuation. This just gets better all time.
DeleteDISTRACTION
ReplyDeleteColm’s sketch seemed to depict some sort of advance towards the melted electric pylon off in the other direction.
Sally spread inverted clawed hands, accompanying the gesture with a ‘what-the-hell?’ grimace.
Colm fought back laughter at her clearly clueless expression and jabbed a finger in Caolin’s direction, followed by an exaggerated beckoning.
Shrugging, she punched the boy’s thigh and got his attention.
Scowling, Caolin crabbed his way closer to examine the ad hoc diagram, then grinned, immediately grasping its significance.
He stood, hurling a pebble so that it bounced off each projection indicated in an elaborate ducks and drakes manoeuvre.
There is something very appealing in this small-scene observation
Deletea neatly wrapped up scene, Perry, tight writing.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to describe a certain kind of movement..."crabbed." I'm going to have to remember that one!
DeleteON THE PROWL
ReplyDeleteThe shapely neon female butt on the bar’s signage made it clear that THE GOLDEN HIND did not refer to Sir Francis Drake’s 16th century flagship. Still, this seedy saloon will be my flagship, so to speak, for a time anyway.
I’ll discreetly drop in THE GOLDEN HIND now and again over the next couple weeks to assess the quality of women who conduct business there. Being a hooker wasn’t enough for me; my women had to have a certain brashness… a rather significant sauciness about them.
Loud, shameless whores were easier to attract, and more fun to dispose of.
Entertaining bit of market research, Jim, and enticing opening sentence.
Deletegood depiction of the scene in the pub and another killer last line.
DeleteA discriminating character to be sure. This is a person who knows exactly what he wants and apparently, knows exactly where to find it. This was, in a word, delicious.
DeleteThe Joys of Mediumship no 53
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a strange week, car needed attention – it was clear it was shedding water at a significant rate – I ended up driving the garage van, (no courtesy car) imagine… diesel, manual, driven by men… dials not working… mine, complete alternative but I had Antony there to join in our favourite songs (the power of love is one) and to make sure it was an adventure. I expected Francis Drake to say his journeying was an adventure but I feel he wanted more from it than that… I almost felt disappointment. He didn’t stay long enough to find out.
Good choice of music by you and Antony. Power of Love... was that Air Supply? That Russell fellow has some great voice.
DeleteI believe "Power of Love" was by Huey Lewis and The News. From one of the "Back to the Future" films, maybe? Personally, I'm only comfortable when driving a stick shift. Not sure that came across as I intended....
DeleteStop The Week: I Want To Get Off (154)
ReplyDeleteThe new items were closely followed by another gift from our Landlord, brand new illuminated revolving display cabinet which found itself in the shop window full of silver jewellery and items to sell on commission. How good is that, no need to buy in for the cabinet. It’s a significant part of our display and it’s clear it will succeed, 3 items sold this morning. Sold a large painting of dinghy racing round the island, way below the ships Drake had but I sense his interest of all things naval. Those who talk with me do not go far away.
Another note of cheerful progress!
DeleteThings definitely appear to be on the upward swing, Antonia. Personally, silver jewellery is my favourite, much more appealing to me than gold, although I do have something of a fondness for rose gold. That new illuminated revolving display cabinet sounds so attractive.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 200
ReplyDeleteOne of your leading newspapers, one who takes a deeper look at some stories, is 200 issues old. I am 200 comments old, if we are judged by what we do and say. There is a significance in these outlets coming together this week, a time of protest, of relaxing of rules, of disaster in India where it is clear they are not capable of controlling the significant number of sufferers who are unable to access oxygen. The authorities are playing ducks and drakes with lives, skimming the surface to see who can sustain the momentum.This is all so wrong.
I feel for the inhabitants of India. I have a personal affinity for that country since it is where the Rom originated from and thus, where some of my ancestors hailed from. No doubt this current pandemic is taking its toll on everyone...in more ways than one.
DeleteIndian citizens certainly deserve better - trying times or not.
DeleteStill Waters Run Deep
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasant enough lake, not really significant in the overall scheme of things. Water seems clear but is actually quite murky at its depths. We came here as children to skip stones across the surface. Called it "playing ducks and drakes."
I was competitive even then. Never could outdistance Trevor, though. Most annoying since he was a total retard. Politically incorrect statement these days, but nevertheless....
A trusting kid who never saw it coming.
I wouldn't focus on the lake too much if I were you.
It's really not significant in the overall scheme of things.
Trevor, it seems, should have been paying more attention to his competition. Very nice, Patricia!
DeleteSuch whispering evil in this Patricia - a hallmark of yours.
Deleteit's the hidden nastiness which comes out at the end of your tales that is so magical, Patricia. I've missed these little pieces from you.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 259 - Duck Duck Goose
ReplyDeleteClive Bailey watched a trio of birds wing their way over the rapidly approaching arches. They reminded him of the three plaster ducks in flight that once hung upon the wall of an elderly spinster aunt's parlor. He thought the ornaments were ducks, though they could have been drakes, he supposed, or even geese. He never could tell the difference and species was probably insignificant anyway.
The open-close-open-close beaks of the gliding birds clearly reflected the fact that they were quacking or honking or otherwise making noise, but Clive could hear nothing.
Perhaps they too were made of plaster.
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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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Lovely image to feast my mind on.
Deletewe actually sold a set of flying ducks not long after we opened the shop, having said they would never sell... very quiet but descriptive instalment.
DeleteKursaal (Episode Two Hundred Twenty Eight) - Picaroon Lagoon: The Gift Shop
ReplyDeleteThe sudden appearance of a Gift Shop at the Picaroon Lagoon amusement ride created some significant excitement. It had materialized overnight and seemed to be a work in progress since initially, the sole offerings were picture postcards. Strangely, the images resembled the "Golden Hind," Sir Francis Drake's sailing ship, rather than the attraction's own pirate vessel, "Maid of Malakut."
Almost all of the postcards clearly displayed the holiday greeting: "Salutations From Southend-On-Sea," which was something of a conundrum, given that the Kursaal itself was located nowhere near this seafront destination...home of the world's longest pleasure pier and Cliff Lift Funicular.
--------------------------------------------------------
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: Picaroon Lagoon and "Maid of Malakut" have both featured in previous episodes.
Thus presenting us with several strands to tangle ourselves up in.
DeleteI like that this is a mini holiday guide to Southend on Sea and I like the overall feeling of this instalment, too.
Delete