The weekly task of choosing prompt words is not exactly onerous, I aim for one that works as either verb or noun; something with a bit of a kick, and, sometimes, that I know will challenge in the expectation of enjoying the skill with which you accept this. 'Espalier' was a light-hearted choice of something whose prettiness might cause some head-scratching – I certainly did not anticipate the breadth of ghastly invention with which it was used. (Nor, I have to confess, the gore!)
So thank you, one and all, for the entertainment. As I am sure
you can appreciate, choosing a favourite from this wealth of possibilities is a greater level of challenge.
Perry deserves a mention for his 'Not mushroom for error' – humour all my
family but me excel in – but after much
reading and re-reading, it is the elegance of Patricia's 'The girl next door' which
stayed longest in my mind.
Words for the
coming week: applaud court flood
Entries by midnight Thursday 16th December, new words posted Friday 17th
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.
Congrats Patricia. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteTrue Love
ReplyDeleteApplause rang out in the courtroom as the verdict was read. Faces shone with relief. Tears flooded expectant eyes. Even families of the victims smiled broadly. The debonair killer, as he’d been dubbed, was free to continue.
Outside, a woman spoke to the News 8 camera. “I’m so happy.” Cheers all around. “I want to be next.”
“Did you see that dimpled smile?” said another. “I want to drink it in.”
A roar erupted when the courtroom doors opened. The crowd parted and the debonair killer walked away, his felt beret atilt.
A handsome killer can get away with just about anything these days. I suspect, however, that he hasn't seen his last courtroom. A good read, John.
DeleteI sincerely hope someone comes to their senses!!
DeleteBrilliant and utterly chilling. Sounds like his charisma is quite high!
DeleteImpressive inclusion of the prompts, John, and...as always...a most inventive and entertaining tale.
DeleteGRIP
ReplyDelete‘Many have heard of the mermaids,’ Eoin began, as the tourist trade began to flood into The Anchor, ‘but none dare speak of the Conger Women.’
The locals applauded with eye rolls and elbow nudges as the fisherman with skin like weathered canvas gathered ears via a voice rough as storm breakers on a craggy shore.
‘There’s no courting with them limber creatures.’
His wife adjusted her skirt self-consciously.
Texan got up to order a round and staggered against her.
‘Pardon, Mam, Guinness is powerful here.’
She smiled, unconcerned – thick black tail surreptitiously wrapped around the base of the seats.
Wonderful description of the fisherman!
DeleteI also loved the description of the fisherman as well as the wife's black tail. :)
DeleteLovely use of evocative language. Loved the mythological aura surrounding this.
DeleteDeath In The Afternoon
ReplyDeleteCenter court. Main attraction.
Enter celebrated performer amid a flood of fanfare and applause.
Resplendent in oro and escarlata, he is a daredevil and risk-taker.
Enter his lumbering target, tossing head and pounding sand.
Enraged, agitated and confused.
Deafening roar is hushed as life force drains within a fountain of blood.
But not from the bull.
A very creative approach, Patricia. Your short, crisp use of language set a wonderful tone. Well done!
DeleteCould feel the heat of the encounter in this one.
DeleteI'm always jealous of your titles, always perfectly paired. :) The rhythm of the piece goes very well with the bull fight too.
DeleteYours was the perfect choice for last week's award, Patricia. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for the kind comments on my top podium last week. I'm always surprised to even get so much as a mention among such a talented crop of plume-wavers.
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful working of the myth, Patricia.
DeleteCongrats!
DeleteBetter the Devil you Know
ReplyDeleteAfter the flood all the strange and exotic creatures who’d been refused entry to the ark held court on the high mountain top where they had taken refuge.
The Cockatrice spread her leathery wings and crowed. “Elephants. Can you believe he saved bloody elephants?”
“And giraffes,” hissed the Hydra.
“You have to applaud the sheer audacity of the man,” said the Manticore. “Choosing kangaroos over us.”
“I guess we’ll finally have to throw our lot in with the Great Beast,” sighed the Centaur.
“I was hoping you’d call,” said the cloven hoofed one, appearing in a puff of sulphur.
Oh! - what a fantastic kick of an ending!
DeleteA clever piece and I also loved that final line.
DeleteOh yes...!!!! Those mythological references were classic and I loved the comments given by each. Great ending as well. Who could ask for anything more? And just as an aside, did you know there are no unicorns left because they refused to enter the ark?
DeleteChange of focus [452]
ReplyDeletePhilly Stepcart couldn't help but applaud Aleks' logic, bleak and simplistic though it was. She wondered whether to humanise it; bring in notions of love but introducing the rituals of courtship felt too fairytale (especially as she suspected Aleks' had been brought up on a diet of gruesome Khakbethian legends; where wooing was of the werewolf variety.) Similarly, was it her place (not yet having attained the status of wife, never mind "responsible mother" ) to flood his innocence with details of condoms; contraception? Especially suspecting it was the lack of that led to his existence.) Which reminded her …
Loved the phrasing of 'where wooing was of the werewolf variety.' It's easy to imagine what Aleks might think goes for courtship.
DeleteNot so sure Aleks falls completely into the "innocence" category in this instance, but best to err on the side of possibility. As always, continued development of character studies play such an important role in this serialization.
DeleteCockiness earns just reward [Threshold 375]
ReplyDeleteI was quick – spread branches offering rope-like rungs. similar to rigging on some on multi-masted Middle Ages sailing ship – made it easy. Even so, Raven's applauding me – from ground level! – like I was a contestant in a joust or tourney in in the court of Henry Eighth felt more than a little patronising. Then he stepped backwards, began what was undoubtedly a "running jump" and overtook me at speed, reaching the top of the wall in seconds.
The appearance of his head above it brought forth a further flood of shouting. Swiftly followed by a shower of sky-aimed arrows.
e(The sharp-eyed among you might notice the numbering of this is somewhat erratic, for wehich I apologise.)
I could feel her irritation at Raven's applause feeling patronising. And how annoying how quickly he scaled the wall! :)
DeleteThis came with such a "swashbuckling" feel that I'm almost....but not quite...now associating Raven with Errol Flynn. I love the way these episodes of Threshold always move with such fluid actions.
DeleteIt is with heavy heart I must let you all know that Jerry Gaither has passed from this world. He leaves behind a loving wife children, and many, many friends. He was devoted Christian, husband, father and grand-father. Good bye Jerry, it was great to know you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this David - a loss to many, from what you tell of him.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss, David. It is an especially difficult time of year to lose a loved one but you will always have your memories.
DeleteMy sympathies, David. Jerry sounds like a great fellow.
DeleteVery sorry to hear.
DeleteBEWARE
ReplyDeleteCarrots for microphones, a CPVC pipe saxophone, a plywood guitar… these are the accoutrements of The Carrot-Tones, “Rowdy” Randy and Jimmy “The Juice,” a duo whose butchering of DOO-WOP and ROCK-and-ROLL music produces a flood of boos and vehement demands that they be euthanized. So abominable are their attempts at vocalizing that their motto is “Music That Makes You Wish You Were Deaf.” They have never heard applause. Instead they adroitly skip about a stage, court or arena while dodging an endless bombardment of rotting fruit and vegetables.
WARNING: Shape up or The Carrot-Tones could appear at your next bar-b-que.
A band to be avoided at all costs.
DeleteSounds like they don't mind it at all/embrace it with how they 'adroitly skip about a stage.' Weaponized music!
DeleteIf they come to my town, I'd certainly buy a ticket. What an imaginative interpretation of the prompts. Congratulations.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 176
ReplyDeleteSarg’s snout wrinkled, ‘Everythin’s gotta be ready to move in two nights.’ She told the Digger-‘Dillo
‘No problem Sarg, I’m diggin traps on different levels. I got a plan t’ flood water down into the first trap but not the second, nufin’ll come through that. There’ll be plenty of room fer folk, ‘specially ones who kin elp wiv digging. Mind you, they’ll ‘ave to keep quiet when the traps are first sprung if yuh don’t wanna court exposure to them feckin’ rats.’
Sarg stifled a snort ‘I warrant there’ll be no cheering or applaudin’ from anyone on that watch.’
Well-planned revenge. Can't wait to see how it pans out.
DeleteHope the traps work as intended!
DeleteI feel anticipation mounting in leaps and bounds. What a grand scale story this is turning out to be.
DeleteOf Choice
ReplyDeleteNot all imposed fines are pecuniary and given your financial situation, I believe you will come to applaud that ruling. I see you are baffled. Mind flooded with possibilities, perhaps? Maybe the jargon has confused you. Allow me to clarify.
The penalty for a transgression isn't always enforced by way of monetary reparation. Your offense, for example, is punishable by a different method altogether, which is not to say you won't have a voice in the matter. After all, this court is not without compassion.
Now, which limb would you prefer to lose?
Chillingly precise. And excellent use of the prompt words.
DeleteYikes, that is not a court I'd like to find myself in. It's always so creepy when they sound so calm & 'reasonable' about it too.
DeleteA great lead-up to your splendidly sinister last line, Patricia.
DeleteQueen's Tears
ReplyDeleteThe witch queen’s tears filled the open chamber in a flood, washing away knights and seated lords, servants and seekers. Those who didn’t hit the court’s marbled walls fell screaming off the tower’s edge. Everyone but the Horned Man, who strode forward through the surging water as it drained around him. He began to applaud.
The queen looked up, eyes wild with anguish, stained glass cracking as she clasped the Messenger’s broken body to her chest.
“See?” the Horned Man said, delight plain and dry as sun-bleached bone. “Your powers have not forsaken you.”
So good to see you back again, Holly, and in as stunning form as ever.
DeleteThank you, Sandra! It's good to be back. :)
DeleteYou have been sorely missed, Holly. So delighted to see you back and with such a gem to boot. Loved the image of knights, together with other peerage and peasants, being washed away.
DeleteThank you, Patricia! :)
DeleteNice to have you back, Holly... and with yet another very imaginative tale!
DeleteSTINKY
ReplyDeleteDooney sat on a battered old school satchel he had found on the return journey from the rat incursion and applauded as the generator kicked into a higher pitch.
‘There,’ Finbar said, rising and wiping greasy hands with a rag, ‘that’ll flood their nasty pink ears for them. They’ll not be the courting the disaster that’ll bring.’
‘Stinky,’ Dooney indicted.
‘Eh?’ Finbar raised his ram and sniffed at the pit.
Dooney laughed held a crooked wrist at his waist, wiggling his fingers. ‘Stinky.’
Finbar’s brow furrowed for a moment, then uncreased as he grinned. ‘Ah – our visitor? Yes … very.’
Intriguing exchange of dialogue, Perry. I was really hard put to ferret out the prompt words. Very nicely done.
DeleteA fun exchange! I also didn't notice the prompts, they blended into the story so easily. :)
DeleteThe ‘60s style’ lady has visited the shop twice. To silent applause she walked the length of the shop and disappeared through the back wall. The shop was a well-known pharmacy, one elderly lady shared her memories which flooded back and said ‘I see they blocked the door up, then.’
ReplyDeleteRecently a friend and her mother came to ask for mediumship advice. I talked of my ‘mystery’ lady and in unison, they said ‘Dolly Denton!’
I’ve been told I will see spirit as clearly as I see ‘living’ people. Now I know I can.
What memories a once pharmacy must hold!
DeleteI just love this. I researched the name but found no "Dolly Denton" that appeared to fit the bill. Presumably this is a local spirit? Do you have any more information about her?
DeleteIt's always fascinating to think of the history that surrounds older places, especially when they have changed from one thing to another.
DeleteThe shop is craziness personified. We had a table and six chairs which no one wanted. Then suddenly three people wanted it, sold the whole set and cleared the floor for a veritable flood of looks-like-brand-new garden tools… which I can’t stand up! That would be courting danger for sure, chain saws and leaf blowers falling on customers… so there I am, trying to get rings out of the revolving stand, trying to deal with the customer who bought goods two days ago but had no cash – and we do not take cards – applauding myself when it all worked out…
ReplyDeleteLove - and admire - the energy in this, imagining the difficulties of persuading garden tools to behave (so much so it didn't occur to me t0 look for prompt words
DeleteThis was a lesson in organized chaos, Antonia. Every day seems to bring something new.
DeleteIt definitely wouldn't be good if chainsaws were falling over. It's fun to imagine all of the items that are in your shop!
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing any more as a mad Italian, in the face of overwhelming odds the country persists in being mask wearers, not to mention government officials who are panicking as only they can. Meantime there has to be restrictions if the flood tide is to begin to ebb even as the scientists – God preserve us from them, would I not applaud their going… continue with their slogans and fear mongering. You can live with the virus, you have lived through a lot. The truth is, Nature needs to clear the planet every so often…
I have been thinking exactly the same of late as the sentiment expressed in that final paragraph. Isn't it a case of history repeating itself?
DeleteHow true that last line of yours, Antonia!
ReplyDeleteEllis 023
ReplyDeleteI didn’t expect to be so bored on night out with the DCI. I picked at some salad, while Kurt slowly read my report, nodding occasionally. Envying all the courting couples at other tables.
A desultory applause of rain against the café windows.
“Are you sure you can’t remember anything more?” he asked eventually. “We tailed Petrol’s car to the warehouse on Silver Street.” I shook my head.
“And there was no, erm, intimacy?”
“No”
“I wonder what you were doing there?”
You and me both, I thought. Outside blue lights reflected in a puddle, and Kurt’s phone vibrated
"...blue lights reflected in a puddle..." is a magnificent visual and the "desultory applause of rain" an equally magnificent audio reference. All in all, at the risk of repeating myself, a magnificent episode.
Delete"desultory applause" a joy, as is the addictive nature of this serial.
ReplyDelete