Not Doctor Who, but his mode of transport (if that is what the police box is). Every one of this week's hundred-word entries, told a bigger tale than the words it used. Perry handled his large cast of characters with aplomb and plenty tension in 'Caution'; Julia's 'Ellis 027' came with a rich back story, and Jim's 'No further questions' successfully trapped a cocky defendant. David's 'Lost Apollo' was epic, as was Holly's 'Dungeon crawl'. Took a while to separate David and Holly, but I eventually awarded top spot to Holly. As usual, I thank you all for your participation, especially the all-important comments, acknowledging our words have been read.
Words for the coming week: common cynic magpie
Entries by midnight Thursday 3rd February, 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.
You, Holly, certainly deserved the top spot! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteLots of enjoyable reads all around!
DeleteThank you so much! I enjoyed all of your stories last week. :)
Deletecongrats, Holly!
DeleteFit for a King
ReplyDelete“A pie of blackbirds?” the King shouted as two dozen magpies struggled in the sticky, confection laden dessert. He addressed the commoners who stood around the royal table, “Whose idea was this?” he bellowed. “And whose head shall roll?”
“Twas I,” said the cynical pastry chef.
“Guards!” the King called.
“But Sire.” The chef said, trembling. “Any King can be served fruit pies.”
The King contemplated. “Speak, Knave.”
“Well, Sire, imagine the notoriety of being the first to venture forth. The first to break tedious traditions.”
The King hesitated before taking his first bite.
Fabulously inventive take on the nursery rhyme!
DeleteThat pastry chef due for promotion, surely!
Deletesome serious fast thinking going on there!
DeleteThe desire to be the first is strong! I loved the dialogue, and it felt like the chef gained confidence between once the king allowed him to explain. :)
DeleteSing a Song of Pig Pens
ReplyDeleteSing a song of pig pens
A dark and murky sky
Twenty maggoty magpies squashed up in a pie
When the pie was open those birds began to stink
Wasn’t that a nasty trick to make a cynic think?
The King was in his mounting house rutting with his maid
The Queen went to the treasury and carried out a raid
The Chef was on the common, rolling up a joint
Thinking that his dodgy crust had made a proper point
A great little bit of poetry here, David. How does one obtain a mounting house? Sounds intriguing. Regarding Sandra's comment below, pay no attention to it, even though i tend to agree with her.
DeleteHmm... this is some messed-up kingdom all right, beautifully described in this poem.
DeleteI'm not a big fan of rhyming poetry, but this could well convert me - so skilful, David.
Deletethis is clever! Good one, David!!
DeleteImaginative and very clever, and that final line is perfect. I can imagine the chef's attitude perfectly. :)
DeleteI seem to have written something that mirrors John's piece. We must have had telelpathic connection.
ReplyDeleteTelepathic connection with John? I'd get that seen to if I were you, David!
DeleteKEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT
ReplyDelete“These days it’s not uncommon for certain people to brazenly endorse cynicism," said the man holding a magpie.
"Oh?" I questioned while twisting my wrists beneath the cuffs securing them to the wall. "Me included?"
"Yes, given your derisive attitude toward magpies."
"Surely you jest," I chortled. "A stupid bird?"
"Stupid… our national bird? Perish the thought! Magpies are extremely intelligent creatures, and they resent being ridiculed by those of your ilk."
"Like I give a damn!"
“They also enjoy feasting on the most unusual items.”
The man pried open my jaws for the magpie, which began devouring my tongue.
Never disparage while under restraint. A chilling and entertaining piece, Jim.
DeleteUgh - such a gruesome thought!
Deletepeople really do need to think before they speak... good one!
DeleteThe narrator seems incredibly calm and defiant despite being chained to the wall. I probably won't be able to look at a magpie again without shivering. :)
DeleteA Matter of Trust [2] Continuation of 'Dungeon Crawl'
ReplyDeleteWe’re all panting on the floor, laughing hysterically.
“What’s one more death scare?” Rach says, her toothy grin as reassuring as a mind-drunk werecat.
I chuckle, wiping sweat from my eyes. “Traps are common as coin down here. Vera? Still have the gem?”
“Oh, she has it.” Rach sits, pulling chips of stone from her unraveling braids. “She’s our little magpie, remember?”
“Odin’s Toes, Rach! I’m not going to steal it from you.” Vera stands, snapping with fury. “You’re such a cynic. I lost the map; I didn’t hide it, didn’t sell it. Can we just get out of here?”
Random note...there's a belief that magpies are drawn to shiny things but apparently this may not be case. Still makes for a good story. :)
DeleteI really like your characters. They talk and act just as good characters should. Nice writing, Holly.
DeleteLovely dialogue!
Deletevisions being conjured through the speech of these characters, not everyone does it, but when someone does it brilliantly, like this, it really works.
DeleteThank you all!
DeleteMomentary disillusion [Threshold 381]
ReplyDeleteGiven my upbringing, consisting of ever-recycling promises of good things to come; promises which turned out to be bogus, or, when just within my grasp, were snatched from my fingers like silver seized by spiv-smart magpies, it was no wonder I'd turned out cynical. Not that I was happy to be so: life had been much sweeter when I subscribed to the commonly-held belief all that was required for it to be rich and red and juicy as a bowl of Morello cherries was a large bed and a willing, able man.
Raven once had fitted the bill. In spades.
Once had fitted the bill... some serious contemplation going on. This relationship requires not just a ladder for the ups and downs, but a forklift.
Deletethose last two lines say it all - and unfortunately we've all been there at some time...
DeleteI loved the phrasing of 'snatched from my fingers like silver seized by spiv-smart magpies' and a belief 'rich and red and juicy as a bowl of Morello cherries.'
DeleteBEAR
ReplyDeleteIt was common for Dooney to be taken for granted in that it was assumed he was always there – odd syndrome considering the miscellany of items the boy/magpie managed to accumulate.
Such apparent disregard might have soured a lot of children towards acrimony, but there wasn’t a cynical bone in the lad’s body which might have fostered such a negative emotion.
The disadvantage of such trust was that he saw no peril in the familiar.
The furry creature he encountered on a wander looked and stank like the semi-shredded teddy he’d lost, only much bigger. It was smiling at him.
Oh Dooney - take care!
Deletedefinitely beware! There;s something nasty on the loose!
DeleteUh oh, run away! You set the tone perfectly for the worrisome end with 'The disadvantage of such trust was that he saw no peril in the familiar.'
DeleteChange of focus [458]
ReplyDelete'Marriage! You want a proposal of marriage?'
Such was John Pettinger's breathlessness, it was impossible to judge whether his question was couched in terms of shock, surprise, delight or cynicism. (In truth, Pettinger himself, if asked at that precise moment, would've been hard-pushed to define it. He was well aware the common view, in such situations, was for the putative father to take to his heels and run, pleased at having magpie-seized his chance and hoping not to have to pay for it. But … Philly … as wife? It was very tempting.
Just impossible to judge her true willingness.
Clever use of magpie. I'm surprised that Pettinger seems open to marriage, and his reason for being tentative is understandable.
DeleteOne of the customers’ common things to do is realise most items are one offs. Shaun and I are both cynics after all this time but – we had a boat display item , nothing common in that window at that time, and the customer phoned to ask if we could reserve it for him, he would be in on Monday or possibly Tuesday… He arrived on Wednesday but it sold on the Tuesday, just before closing time.I’d utilised the magpie device, put the best items in the front of the window… take the first money that comes in.
ReplyDeleteBest to move fast when you see an item you like!
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteThe common man dresses in the wildest clothes in this time of your world’s existence. What they call ‘smart’ shows itself not to be when the TV cameras are turned on them. Does your PM ever comb his hair? Or is that the Tory version of magpie…once again I find myself thinking and speaking like the world’s worst cynic but in truth your MPs decisions are creating so many problems that the world would seem almost to be doomed. Certainly the current crisis with gas is a major worry but – it will help you go green.
It'd be nice to have leaders that we can believe in, just once.
DeleteI've decided not to co9ntinue with the third part of my ongoing narratives, as it becomes more difficult to work within the 100 words. The other two will continue, at least as long as Leonardo is prepared to come and talk to me!!
ReplyDelete