This week it seemed to me each piece posted was
very soon eclipsed by the one that
followed it – such a rich experience reading them one after the other, but as happens
less often, for me there was one stand-out piece which ultimately eclipsed the
rest, and that was Jim's 'The worm' – The opening sentence such a feast of language and
description: I trust we'll see more of Gork.
Words
for the coming week: elbow flash sock
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.
Entries
by midnight Thursday 3rd March 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.
Well done Jim a worthy winner for this week
ReplyDeleteAnother good one, Jim. Well done.
DeleteCongrats, Jim!
DeleteCongrats, Jim,another killer story from you!
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 180
ReplyDeleteAtlas stanced with Armi and Tosca as the motley group of gerbils elbowed each other, chittered, and flashed nervous glances in the direction of the pangolin contraption.
Nigel joined them, D’yu reckon these sock-pawed, mangy, gerbils will come over t’ our side, Tosca?’
‘Dunno mate, but they ain’t got no luv fer rats or weasels I kin tell yuh that, an’ they’ve spotted our furry invalid n’all.’
Atlas grinned ‘Shall I bring Moses and find out where their loyalties lie?’
Nigel gave a barely visible nod,’ Warn the little fur-ball of the plan before he gets here, will yu?’
Love the sock-pawed gerbils, and the poetry of the pangolin contraption.
DeleteTheir conversations are always so fun to follow. Loved the imagery of the gerbils elbowing each other. :)
DeleteGreat conversations, as usual. Love the way they talk. You captured the gerbil's mannerisms really well.
Deleteit does sometimes feel as if you are writing about humans, it all seems so natural!
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 181
ReplyDeleteSarg’s teeth flashed white in the gloom ‘I need yuh t’ get Denzil moving an’ down to those new tunnels by mornin’,’ she told Spade-paw, ‘even if hes crawling on his elbows, you get im there. I’ll check on yuh both in the morning.’
Spade-paw nodded again.
Sarg squared her shoulders and strode decisively out of the burrow.
Near the higher tunnels, she located a couple of soldiers. ‘Check the surface, get any stragglers safe in Base-Burrow even if yuh have t’ sock sum sense into ‘em t’ do it,’ she commanded.
Saluting swiftly, the pair scuttled off above ground.
Sarg's authority is impressive.
DeleteSarg does seem to have everything in hand!
DeleteAs Kipling once wrote... the female (a.k.a Sarg) of the species is deadlier than the male.
Deletethe second instalment ccofirms the comment on the first one!
DeleteCornelius’s Corner
ReplyDeleteLittle known children’s illustrator Peter Pennella managed to stuff three pounds of elbow macaroni into a two-pound sock, earning him a spot on a semi-famous children’s podcast hosted by Cornelius Brown.
“Thanks for having me,” said Peter. “Do you mind if I call you Corny?”
“Cornelius blinked. “Not at all, as long as I can call you Pee Pee.”
The flash-brawl propelled the podcast into the number one slot within the hour. Despite the G rating, the show surged.
The following week, the podcast aired with millions tuned in.
To be continued…
Cornelius’s Corner II
The crew paced nervously, waiting for airtime. The pressure loomed heavy.
Cornelius Brown introduced his new guest. “Well, Miss Lovethong, I’m sure my listeners have no idea who you are,” (They did, actually.) “But I’ll guess your movies are normally viewed after bedtime?”
“Thank you, Cornelelious, but I’m afraid I have no elbow macaroni or no sock.” She flashed a brilliant smile.
A ruckus erupted and Peter Pennella, brandishing an Uzi while struggling to focus through two blackened eyes, opened fire.
The following week, the podcast aired with billions tuned in.
The things people are drawn to watch! Very inventive John, again.
DeleteI wouldn't want to be a member of the crew, as I imagine whatever must be coming in the next podcast episode.
DeleteMiss Lovethong... I love that name. So appropriate. Nice, John.
Deleteoh clever one! It could happen yet, people, watch out...
DeleteLucy in the Sky with Mortars
ReplyDeleteThe wind sock changed direction. Toward New Brighton a lightening flash lit the sky as a storm rolled in .“Saknussemm’s scabby elbow,” cursed the bosun. ”That’s all we need.”
The Lucy ascended, cigar shaped balloon casting a long shadow over the Mersey.
On the deck of the gondola gunners loaded shells.
“Hold,” cautioned the Sergeant at arms. “Choose your moment carefully.”
Chimneys toppled as the monstrous horde of mechanical beetles came clattering over the rooftops. The caterwauling of fleeing factory girls rose skyward from the quay. The rain came down hard as the first volley was launched
So pleased to see 'windsock', which I couldn't find space for, and this vivid piece of action lively as the title.
DeleteA striking image imagining the mechanical beetles swarming over the rooftops. Excellent title. :)
DeleteI can't think of anything I'd least like to run across than a giamt mechanical beetle. Nice one.
DeleteSuch a dire situation. Could be that doomsday has arrived. Very nice!
Deletevivid images here which need to be removed... after savouring them for a while...
Delete029 Ellis
ReplyDeleteJasper’s face flickered, as flashbulbs spattered at the press conference; shadows jumping weirdly across his eye sockets. Journalists shouting, pressing, elbowing to get close to the front. His demeanour was calm, he had his professional mask on.
It was only knowing him (and rewinding the tv clip) that I could see the worry. He looked hunted when he should be the hunter; solving the puzzles and tracking down the perp.
I thought, “He can’t do this alone”. The sentence became an ear-worm, I couldn’t shift it. And I couldn’t tell if I meant it for Jasper or the unknown killer.
Especially enjoyed the 'spattered' flashbulbs.
DeleteI can feel the tension in this piece. I also loved the beginning description.
DeleteLike Holly, i was pleased by the opening lines. Nicely set up.
Delete'...as flashbulbs spattered...' creates such a vivid picture.
Deletethere is tension here, flashbulbs adding to it, they bring a sense of urgency to the act of photographing. Really good piece.
DeleteGleam [Threshold 385]
ReplyDeletePeering ahead, I spotted a solitary, elbow-branched tree silhouetted against the fading light; the merest flash of water at its base. Raven checked the SatNav, nodded and veered to head that way. I, now in his slipstream, felt grit invade my mouth and eyes, as every naked portion of my skin, from sockless ankles to unwrapped throat smarted from the sting. Raven veered again, bid me halt.
'I did see goggles of a sort –'
Yes! Within one of his panniers. Plus bottles containing water.
We parked. Shoulder to shoulder, backs to the wind we settled ourselves for the duration.
I'm often amazed how this tale could be taking place now, in the age of satellite navigation, or decades ago or centuries ago. You combine action, aignst and amore well.
DeleteIt does feel like it could take place in multiple times. The final line is threaded with suspense and I'm eager to know what happens next.
DeleteMarvelous tone to this, Sandra. It really emphasizes the drama.
DeleteChange of focus [462]
ReplyDeleteRecognising parental panic in the flash of John Pettinger's green eyes; the sudden absence of experienced police authority, Philly removed her elbow from his grasp and reached into his pocket for his mobile. Scrolled through Contacts for Aleks' number. Input it into her own phone and listened to the dial tone. Red disc went to green.
Aleks' 'Philly' was relieved: he did like, did trust her. Eschewing accusation, 'I thought you'd be hungry by now –'
His guttural, Khakbethian reply unintelligible. Hearing incomprehension, he translated: 'Enough to eat my socks!'
'Tell me where to pick you up.'
'The police station.'
This worked out, but Pettinger really should password protect his phone. I'm concerned with the guttural Khakbethian reply from Aleks.
DeleteIt's fun to see how unprepared Pettinger seems with his parental duties. A departure from his usual confidence. I'm very curious how Aleks found himself in the police station.
DeleteIt appears that Pettinger had better get his act together. Great opening sentence!
Deletetough guys often end up not so touch and Pettinger shows signs of letting go... unless he can get himself together...
DeleteTHE WORM II: RETURN TO THE HILL
ReplyDeleteElbows on knees, Gork sat on his haunches by the moat, checked the surroundings for danger then stiffened as the dream reappeared… the dream of him returning to the grave covering that worthless Worm Eddie Potter, whom he had killed with a rock-filled sock on this date three years before.
Gork couldn’t comprehend this compulsion to return, and, like a man who had just jumped from a bridge, he couldn’t go back. He needed reassurance that the Worm was rotting away in his tomb. Confirmation, he believed, would put an end to the dream.
He rose and crossed the moat.
The "man jumped from bridge image" metaphor is brilliant.
DeleteSandra picked out my favorite line too. You really can't go back.
Deleteyes, me too with that sentence.
DeleteReturning to the scene of the crime is never a good idea. But, if the grave is empty, is there a crime? Nicely done.
DeleteDivining a Direction [6]
ReplyDeleteErd’s green journal ignites with a white-hot flash, nearly burning off Felicia’s eyebrows.
“What the hell, Vera!” Rach says, having elbowed Felicia clear.
Unconcerned, Vera shoves up her blue-tinted goggles and waves a hand over the smoking ash. She hums then purses her lips. “They went north.”
I grimace and flick another flutebeetle off my sock — the noisy pests are everywhere in Beska’s Mill — before gesturing at the distant mountains. “The Dragonriders are that way.”
Rach raises an eyebrow. “So?”
“I may have borrowed something from their commander and forgot to give it back.”
“Hah. Only you, Maya.”
Despite the danger, I think the group will head north. That's where the action will be. Staying tuned...
Delete"I may have borrowed something" - loved this throwaway line!, one of several in this conversation.
ReplyDeleteIt appears this is another fine mess Maya has gotten her mates into!
ReplyDeletecleverly done and good use of the prompts
DeleteContinuation of Stop The Week...
ReplyDeleteThe week has exploded, things selling which have been here forever. But… it’s obvious no one wants the Batman sock and mug set… so far anyway… it’s only been here three years… we thought it would sell in a flash. People are not crowding into the shop so they have to elbow their way round, but it’s looking better, long may it last… and we have to hope the total of £3000 for energy is a wild dream on someone’s part… then sales will crash. Or, is there a chance that with money so tight they will look for bargains?
Glad to see the uptick. I can't believe nobody wants the Batman socks.
DeleteI'm also surprised that the Batman items haven't been snatched up!
DeleteBatman items are no-sellers? What has the world come to? Nice to learn that business has improved, Antonia.
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteI am full of sadness at seeing a head of state act in such a manner, it seems to have happened in a flash, suddenly he is there, elbowing people out of the way and ignoring diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem. A sock-full of kindness would stop this massacre in its tracks but who is there to hand this out and who will he take notice of? I can only say that it will continue for a while yet, for reputations are at stake and positions of high authority are being evaded and even changed. Be patient and pray.
It really is a sad thing that's happening.
DeleteIt seems we never get a chance to breathe easy.
DeleteHow sad it is that the world is run by a band of bumbling buffoons!
ReplyDelete