... and. it seemed, of exceptional quality this week, each post requiring several readings before I could be sure (sure-ish) which merited the number one slot. In the end, I decided on John, for his double offering of 'The Lobsterman' which brought much needed sunshine to the greyness of the past few days. As ever, though, I thank you all for posts and for comments, which brings even more cohesion to the site.
Words for the coming week: bloat pocket wonder
Entries by midnight Thursday 3rd June
new words posted Friday
4th;
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.
Your entry, John, certainly deserved the top spot. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, John. Wonderfully entertaining submission.
DeleteYes, well written and well done John. Definitely an enjoyable episode.
Deletemore congrats from me, John, brilliant storyline going here.
DeleteWaltzing Matilda
ReplyDeleteOnce a jolly swagman fell for the lovely Matilda.
“See how my pocket bloats with wonders,” he said. “Give me your hand in marriage and share my treasures.”
Conceited Matilda sneered in distain. “I could have any man I choose. Take your cheap junk and get out of my hair.”
Not one to be discouraged the swagman produced a magical tin whistle from his deep, deep pocket. Matilda swayed to his enchantment. Triumphantly he took her by the scruff of the neck, hurled her into the black folds of the pocket and spun on his heels till he vanished.
A clever and entertaining twist on a well known song David. Made me smile although i am a little concerned for Matilda -stuffed into a pocket.
DeleteThree cheers for the swagman, who you've made into a hero!
DeleteMatilda's haughtiness proved quite costly with this encounter. Very clever, David!
DeleteThis was a most entertaining take on the Australian ditty. Nicely done. I love these types of interpretations.
Deletevery cleverly twisted, David!
DeleteGreatly entertaining, David.
DeletePrivate Conversation
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you came. It's been forever since we had a nice long chat.
Who are they? Nobodies with bloated egos and deep pockets. Look at them, noting in their files that they believe I am talking to myself again. Small wonder I find them laughable.
Do have a seat. There is so much to catch up on.
Crikey, just 58 words but such thought provoking and sinister conversation. Brilliant, Patricia.
DeleteCreepy indeed.
DeleteGreat use of the prompts!
Deleteit's been a week of seriously creepy stories, and then they find their way in here too... so clever.
DeleteIt seems your MC is in the right place, in therapy perhaps, though the feeling isn't mutual.
DeleteA ROMANTIC EVENING
ReplyDeleteCocktails, a delicious meal, a romantic setting… a wonderful surprise from a loving husband. These thoughts drifted warmly through Linda’s mind as Rudy helped her from her chair.
“This is so unexpected,” she whispered. “I feel like Apple Annie from Pocketful of Miracles.”
Rudy chuckled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“I’m a bit bloated, but I sure did, honey.” Linda ran a hand through Rudy’s hair. She spoke in a voice rife with passion. “Is there something I can do for you now?”
Rudy leaned back.” Yeah, you can do the dishes.”
Rudy is expected to be hospitalized 3-4 weeks.
She waited 'til after to do the dishes?
DeleteNow that'll teach Rudy to take advantage of a romantic time when it's offered. Wonder if those dishes ever did get taken care of.
Deleteoh I like it!
DeleteA romantic interlude interrupted. Nice one, Jim.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 147
ReplyDeleteSarg re-thought and refined battle-plans and tried to relax by wondering what else the enigmatic Pink-Fairy might have concealed in the pockets of the bag he carried.
His talents had already marked him for the Armadillo Spy Pack (A.S.P.), and as she dozed into sleep, she resolved not to let him refuse.
Slumbering restlessly, dreaming of the battles of her youth, of fallen comrades and bloated corpses of enemies, she woke before dawn to the scent and sound of someone outside her burrow.
‘Sorry t’ disturb yu’ Sarg but there’s summat you might wanna come see on the surface.’
I'm admiring the deceptively simple - but SO effective - language in the telling of this tale.
DeleteThis was a stunning episode with totally spot-on dialogue and musings.
Deletethe dillos continue to come alive, which is a major feat and you do it well.
DeleteDreaming of the battles of her youth, so Sarg. A wonderful episode, Terrie.
DeleteThe Lobsterman
ReplyDeleteManny Johnson shielded his eyes from the sun as he navigated his skiff into the corral pocket. This was his favorite spot, a wondrously fruitful lobster paradise.
“Bingo, mon,” he said as he pulled up the trap. His mood quickly changed when he saw two bloated Caribbean lobsters, belly-up. He’d lost track of time. The police, the hurricane, Kathy Lomax, his own guilt…
A crowd gathered on the beach. Manny motored in, knowing what he’d find.
A body, tangled in algae coated netting festered.
“Catch anything?” the detective called from shore.
“Yeah, mon. I have two, just for you.”
Set me picturing and wondering ... and feeling the heat.
DeleteNo love lost between Manny and the detective. I'm anxious to see where their enmity ultimately leads.
DeleteI think I may have said this previously, but Manny is turning into one fascinating character. Lovely little mystery scenario you're creating here, John.
Deletethis instalment comes in the week when a casual visitor to far off places 'rescues' two orange rare lobsters from the fire - as it were - and gives your story a fuller feel for me. Loving it.
DeleteKursaal (Episode Two Hundred Thirty) - Two Of A Kind
ReplyDeleteDespite bloated ticket prices and what Maximillian Corviday (Kursaal owner) deemed second rate attractions at best, the Travelling Circus continued to drum up amazing business. Arbuthnot Jester maintained it was thanks to the remarkable talents of one Paulette Merlot, pocket-size burlesque dancer, but there was much talk of a juvenile act billed as "The Wonder Twins," rumoured to have perfected the art of disappearing and then reappearing in totally unexpected locations.
Ruby and Rita Deviant, sisters conjoined at the cerebral cortex and themselves consummate illusionists, volunteered to infiltrate the Circus and investigate the phenomenon.
They failed to return.
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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/kursaal.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
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NOTE: Maximillian Corviday, Arbuthnot Jester, Paulette Merlot and The Deviant Sisters (as well as The Travelling Circus) have all featured in previous episodes.
Thus ensuring we come back next week in the hope of finding out where they went to.
DeleteYes! Sandra nailed it, where are they??????????
DeleteYou have a way with words, Patricia. Nicely done.
DeleteChange of focus [428]
ReplyDeleteDespite – or perhaps because of – being born into Khakbethian royalty, and having witnessed brutality and immorality at first hand, from each and every of his closest kin, John Pettinger was scornful of Derek Nickle's bloated belief blind-eyed leniency was his birthright. Charged with the murder of Toni Forsyth he denied he was guilty but his pockets, emptied at the custody desk, contained both the knife used to carve his misspelt message and a list of local journalists. In addition, hands and arms were blood-blistered and bloated. Thanks to the wonders of forensic science, an ilex-allergy was proved; his conviction assured.
One cannot help but wonder at such a wealth of evidence and whether or not it's all truly legitimate and associated. A tad too conveeeeenient perhaps?
Deletemethinks someone's been a-tinkering...
DeleteNot the smartest murderer in history, but I have a feeling the evidence will begin to unravel as we go forward.
Delete'This your current woman?' [Threshold 351]
ReplyDeleteSome time since I'd been exposed to the cadences of male conversation. The posturing and unsubtle attempts to imply, by a curious variety of means – lengthy intoning of facts, a demonstration of mastery over machines (and/or women) – their bloated member was the larger. Neither man's appearance suggested they suffered from such fragile egos but Cock-tail's question so quickly gave the game away, a pocket psychologist (such as I was not) would find themselves wondering whether he'd been breast-fed or suffered bullying from older siblings.
Raven's upbringing had been damaging, but his laughing, laconic, 'One of several, aye,' soundly denied that.
Male posturing....ye gods, may we be spared...!!!! Great installment, Sandra. The more we learn of Raven, the more intriguing he becomes, to say nothing of our ever-elusive no-name protagonist.
DeleteMen can be such louts, eh Sandra? I loved the 'breastfed or suffered bulling from older siblings' string of words.
DeleteRaven is a complex, convoluted and altogether totally fascinated figure. Looking for more of this serial.
DeleteMale posturing can be a form of peer pressure, I think. I'm sure Raven will apologize for his answers. Won't he? A very entertaining read, Sandra.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 148
ReplyDeleteAn’ then,’ said Nigel, ‘ it depends on the contraption’s range. Keep it ‘idden so the enemy wonders where the rocks cum from: Then we’ll use the pilots. By dawn, we’ll be closer, an’ out of sight. We kin pick off pockets of their soldiers when they start runnin’.
Mossy, oversee its timing and firing. Soon as everythin’s bin launched turn it round, dismantle the bluddy thing and git the ‘ell outta there.
Remember, paw to paw combat wiv gerbils ain’t a problem; rats’ll be anuver bag of bees, but them bloaty feckin’ weasels are unpredictable shites, so be careful.’
Loving Nigels authority and grasp of the necessary
DeleteI'm sure there must be some sort of honor and/or strategic medal awaiting Nigel at the end of all this. That's one 'dillo who certainly knows what's what.
DeleteHe's the 'go to' dillo, isn't he? and it's as well they have one, I'm not ready to give up on this serial yet!
DeleteIf I were a dillo, I'd much prefer paw to paw combat with a gerbil than a rat.
DeleteDesolation
ReplyDeleteI have gone as far as I can. Perhaps to the end of the world. And is it flat like the ancients believed? Hard to tell, but I do know it's composed of infinite desert. There is sand in my shoes and my pockets. In fact, there is nowhere those tiny grains have not infiltrated.
Wonder is, that although I have been without food or water for days...or so it seems...I feels no pangs of hunger or thirst. Truth be told, I feel nothing.
And I find myself welcoming those already bloated buzzards that circle the endless sky.
Excellent depiction of desolation here. Sets the imagination wandering.
DeleteMisery and hopelessness abound in this desolate wilderness. Well done, Patricia!
Deletea lovely moody sad piece with the perfect title.
DeleteThe desolate, welcoming buzzards, brilliant indeed.
DeleteThe Joys of Mediumship 57
ReplyDeleteMy excuse this week is migraine, sickness and all, bloated stomach (and mind) and a sense of wonder that after 46 years I still get the damn things… so it’s good to have a spirit in my pocket to talk to or more likely for them to talk to me. For the last few days I have used my companions to cushion me against the waves of energy coming from the Canadian First Nation children as I, and other mediums, send them healing and thoughts and try and find a way to comfort these innocent souls and give them peace.
I'm glad your gift affords some comfort from the migraines.
DeleteMy mother suffered horribly from migraines. Unfortunately, she had no saving respite from the affliction as you seem to have, Antonia.
DeleteStop the Week; I Want to Get Off (2)
ReplyDeleteThe woodwork is painted, there is a small influx of new items, just enough to fill our pockets but not yet a wonderful new supply although it’s promised, yesterday oak coffee table, today should have been fridge-freezer but – it would be the 8th wonder if everything went to plan in our lives. The walls still need painting so a bloated supply would be difficult to cope with. Only a mad Irishman would decide to move when we are in the middle of restoration but then again… this high price time must be good for some. We will see…
I'm so glad to see hope during a pandemic and just after the flood. Good luck to you, Antonia.
DeleteAnd things continue to improve. We can but hope this is the coming trend. It's nice to get some good news regarding your business.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 204
ReplyDeleteThe ban on travel to avoid the virus is amusing to those of us who can flit from country to country, no permits in pockets, just a mind bloated with beautiful scenery, buildings, music, art and voices – so much to see, so much to do, and my channel prefers to stay at home on her island which I admit is beautiful but the people are the same, difficult, contrary, self absorbed – for all that she enjoys her life and that is my aim, and the others who walk with her. ~She says it is all she needs.
This was great, Antonia. It's nice to see the Italian giving credit where it is due.
DeleteWould appear that your Mad Italian is eager for you to join him in his journeys, Antonia. Still, he seems to appreciate the fact that you are essentially a home body when it comes to the many and varied delights the Isle of Wight has to offer.
Delete