Music that, for me, never fails to evoke the hectic excitement of a funfair at night. Our local funfair arrives in the autumn, but there's plenty of pink blossom and new leaves bursting out to give a Spring-like cheer. And I'm sure I wasn't alone in cheering David's inspired and joyful 'Extract from the Encyclopaedia of Unusual Substances' which is how I managed to restrict myself to a single winner this week, but nevertheless thank you all for your participation.
Words for the coming week: boot persuade
puncture
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
Congratulations, David! Your entry was exceptional!
ReplyDeleteYes well done David, I have to agree. A stand out entry.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 185
ReplyDeleteArmi watched the group as steady foot drumming continued to puncture the quiet of the tree lined, grass-booted glade ‘Looks like that’s settled then.’
‘Yup, but what ‘ave they settled? Gerbils is a strange bunch,’ sniffed Tosca, ‘an’ they smell funny ‘n all.’
Atlas stifled a smile. ‘I ‘ope ‘es persuaded ‘em t’ join us.’ He shifted his lump-hammer to the ground with a soft thud and the foot stamping ceased.
‘We follow the Yahmud.’ piped up the scrawny gerbil.
The ‘Dillos’ looked baffled.
Sensing their confusion Moses said, ‘it’s settled then; we follow the big warriors with flat pelts.’
As always, such clear, vivid writing from you, Terrie. A pleasure to read.
DeleteI'd rather smell a gerbil that an armadillo any day, but who knows? That was cool when the thud of Atlas' hammer quieted the group.
DeleteYes indeed, the shifting of the lump hammer very effective, Terrie.
Deletethese short effective phraees make this serial come alive.
DeleteI can easily hear the silence when Atlas thumps his hammer on the ground. :)
DeleteTHE WORM VI: THE DREAM
ReplyDeleteGork awoke suddenly as his annual dream reeled backwards to the night when he had stared into the hole at Eddie Potter’s lifeless body.
But tonight, Potter clawed dirt from his face. His eyes burned fiercely; a twisted grin split his bloodied mouth. “You’ll come back, Gork,” he said calmly. “When you do, I’ll be waiting.”
“That didn’t happen!” Gork shouted. “I killed that miserable Worm and booted him into the hole!”
But he needed confirmation that tonight’s deviation was merely a glitch in the dream that had momentarily punctured reality.
A return to the grave would surely prove persuasive.
Yes, I agree that returning to the grave is the right thing to do.... NOT. An entertaining tale you weave, Jim.
DeleteI'm also thinking surely not, but much enjoying the way this tale is developing.
Deletetwists and turns, and some vivid word pictures... great stuff, Jim, more please!
DeleteLoved the phrasing of his dream 'reeling backwards.' Clever use of 'puncture' as well.
DeleteI agree what a wonderful opening sentence followed with heapings of well wrought imagery. Great writing.
DeleteA Tour Guide’s Briefing
ReplyDeleteHumans are frail creatures. Their fundamental flaw is no exoskeleton. Too many exposed parts. If you reward them properly they can be faithful and obedient.
They have a propensity to cruelty toward one another. It doesn’t take much to train one to understand that the subtle puncturing of a lung or the perforation of an eardrum can elicit more pain than a crude boot heel to the head. It’s relatively easy to persued one to torture another. A few cheap gadgets will suffice.
Enjoy. Back on the shuttle by 5pm. We leave promptly.
This reminded me of a Twilight one episode, How To Serve Humans. Perhaps those UFO sightings are for real. This was a good read!
DeleteJust another stop for the shuttle. Humans can be so entertaining. You create such wonderous settings, David.
DeleteA deeply disturbing train of thought, David.
Deletedefinitely disturbing and I want more, please...
DeleteDefinitely disturbing, though humans can be horribly cruel to each other. A chilling final line that ties it all together.
DeleteWhat a well crafted and unsettling point of view from the alien perpective. I enjoyed the skillful use of the prompt words too.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 186
ReplyDeleteSarg marched the two ‘Dillos back to the meeting burrow.
‘See,’ said one, ‘yuh kin hear the kerfuffle through all that dirt.’
‘Oy, you mangy-mouthed lot in there,’ bellowed Sarg, ‘I ain’t in the mood t’ persuade yuh, so stop yer squinnyin’ an’ listen up.’
There was instant silence from behind the dirt.
‘You lot WILL be respectful and WILL do what yer told.
Do I make myself clear?’
She turned, ‘Come mornin’ you puncture a hole in the burrow and get them bellyachers to the new tunnel. Boot em in the arse if yuh gotta, but get ‘em there.’
Sarge is so no-nonsense. I would definitely do whatever she says.
Delete"squinnying" a brilliantly descriptive word, as John's "no nonsense" is for Sarg.
DeleteYou leave no doubt, Terrie, that Sarge is no one to mess with.
Deletesomeone has to be boss, Sarge does it remarkably well!
DeleteI'd be hard-pressed not to follow Sarge's orders myself.
DeleteNo prize for John this week…
ReplyDelete“The Dog ate my homework. My bike tire was punctured. I couldn’t find my boots.”
The schoolmaster tapped his larger than normal foot, failing to be persuaded.
“How many times, Joey, did I tell you to be on time?”
Joey trembled uncontrollably. The rest of the class swayed, ready to deliver their iconic line.
“No pudding, extra beets for lunch,” said the schoolmaster. “Now get up there and put another brick in the wall.”
Well, that's one way to get out of it, John
DeletePink Floyd would love this one, John!
Deleteoh good one!
DeleteAdding another brick to the wall feels very ominous.
DeleteSuch an enjoyable entry . I was intrigued by the schoolmasters' 'larger than normal foot' - what a great image.
Delete[Threshold 389]
ReplyDeletePink-dreamed ease effectively punctured, we were slow to rise. Slower still to recognise the need to shake sand from collars, hair and boots. Raven needed persuading brute force alone would not solve our predicament; more pressing was to know whether we were bring spied upon. And, if so, by whom, and with what intention?
'Has to be some sort of signal-emitting device, attached to us or to the quad bikes'
'What do you imagine it looks like?'
I shrugged, 'Something alien? Unfamiliar?'
'If to us it will've left a scar –'
'I'm not stripping if they're watching!'
Adamant. 'Me neither.'
tis one thing to say 'I won't' and another when the future depends on what is being hidden - good instalment, Sandra
DeleteLoved the phrase 'Pink-dreamed ease effectively punctured.' I also wouldn't want to strip down if I was being watched, but at the same time, better to know you won't be followed.
DeleteMight want to reconsider stripping down and carefully examining each other. Might be fun, too!
DeleteI always look forward to threshold instalments Sandra and what a great opening line came with this one.
DeleteChange of focus [465]
ReplyDeleteThe usually boot-faced desk sergeant spluttered before choosing to remain unpersuaded by Aleks' confirmation Philly Stepcart was to be trusted, yet had to admit Philly's scarlet-faced embarrassment (at what she assumed would be the unwelcome puncturing of Pettinger's tight-held shroud of privacy; she doubting he'd want the news of his impending marriage bruited around his workplace) suggested there was some truth in the rumour. You had to wonder what the man had to offer – over the years there'd been a fair procession of lithe, feisty, full-of-promise females coming into the station asking for him.
None had ever mentioned marriage, though.
Loved the phrase 'tight-held shroud of privacy.'
DeleteCompact and full of information as usual Sandra. another favourite read for me
Delete"...fair procession of lithe, feisty, full-of-promise females..." Such a beautifully phrased image, Sandra.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jim - good to hear, and very cheering.
Deletethis small section encompasses so much, I've gone over it three times to work out how you did it!
DeleteA Casual Distraction [10]
ReplyDeleteIn the end, it’s Rach’s boot that persuades the demons to leave us alone. Nothing like a kick in the ass from a sword-wielding banshee. For all their fiery bluster, the dragons were more a distraction for us than the demons, and I’m still irked with Aries for blinding us. I’m thinking about puncturing his smug face with something sharp when Felicia hands me coffee.
“See? Good thing I brought the percolator.”
I roll my eyes but can’t disagree.
So,” Aries says, attempting a casual lean against his dragon. “You did enjoy our date.”
I snort. “We’re tracking goblins.”
we're tracking goblins... said with such nonchalance as if we all do it every week, instead of now and then in surprising serials...
DeletePerfect title for such an off-hand furtherance of this tale
DeleteSuch a remarkably worded first paragraph, Holly... clear and precise.
DeleteI do love a bit of sword-wielding banshee, demons, dragons and goblins all held together with a down-to-earth coffee. Great writing Holly.
DeleteThe Strangest Footsteps
ReplyDeleteThere are times when it’s good to persuade someone to go against their principles and do something outrageous, like wearing a boot – only one, a thief ran off with the other – Your face says you would… you know a timely puncture stopped the vehicle and it became a farce. But not for long! The owner of the other boot wanted to do a deal – and so we compromised, I wear them Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, he wears them the other days and, if we feel good, we wear one each.
It confuses those who attempt to rationalise the unrationable.
There was a fun, tangled rhythm to this piece. Loved the switching of the boots between the two of them and curious about the boot thief!
DeleteIt is always a good thing to share, Antonia, as your tale explains.
DeleteThis has an enchanting Lewis Caroll lilt to it. Fantastical nonsensical and leaves me wanting to know more about the boots and the wearers.
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteAre there accusations or persuasions? Is the sound of destruction the future for the terrified, lost, heart-broken people in this area of your world? The bombing has been like a huge boot crushing the life out of infants and elderly alike, destroying buildings and all that was treasured by those now vanished into the emptiness of a strange world. The peace talks are punctured by more demands, more tough stances, by the obvious inability to find something, a quiet moment perhaps, when demands can no longer be met and the outcome will be nothing but sorrow.
So much loss and sorrow. I wish we could will it to end.
Delete