And, for the joy of it, Terrie’s ‘Love letter to Lear’
gets one of this week’s votes, while David, Jim and Antonia
dish up similarly worthy-of-mention
pieces full of nastiness and dread. Thank you all – it has been a good week.
Words for the coming
week: paperclip, scarlet, specimen
Entries by
midnight Thursday January 26th, new words and
winners Friday 27th January
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.
Change of focus [500]
ReplyDeleteTrusting the Incident Room out of bounds for Vanessa Quintain, Pettinger slipped inside. Made for his desk, seized a file, removed the paperclip from the topmost sheaf of papers – not the hoped-for lab report – then pulled out his phone and pressed the scarlet speed-dial button for Philly’s number.
‘Hello, love, I need a favour –‘
‘What?’
‘Can you and Aleks come and meet me from the station tonight?‘
‘Sure. Why?’
‘To, um, to demonstrate I’m domestically spoken for.’
‘No problem. I’ve even got a urine specimen in my bag. Proof I’m pregnant. You’re about to become a Dad again.’
Nothing seems to faze Philly, what a great character and what a brilliantly acerbic reply to Pettinger's request . The prompt words fitted in perfectly.
Deletethe charcters in this potent serial are an object lesson in how to hold the reader's interest. We can all learn from each instalment.
Delete[Threshold 422]
ReplyDeleteDespite Indigo-eyes lack of understanding or coordination of quad bikes, physically he was a moderately impressive specimen of manhood; to look at as well as in the ease with which he (literally) manhandled me.
And he was no more ready for my suddenly contorting my body to paperclip shape, my heels then catching him below his chin as I did so, with sufficient force to cause him to bite off the tip of his tongue. With a soggy yelp of pain he spat scarlet blood across my back and thighs, before he dropped me, face down, onto the ground.
Sounds like someone needs a few sessions in sexual therapy. Your writing, Sandra, thoroughly captures the tension and drama of this scene.
Deleteso cold, so callous and yet there is a fire burnng in these characters, I look forward to finding out what other scheming thouights they come up with.
DeleteMade for each other?
ReplyDeleteAntonia - I like this! it's gor a semi seriousness about it which makes it close to real and I don't much the thought of that...
DeleteClever poem that builds throughout to the brilliantly revealing final verse and at the same time includes the expertly placed prompt words.
DeleteThe Riot Started in Cell Block Number Four
ReplyDeleteWhile excavating the ruins of an office block Hester discovered a box of paperclips. She concealed them on her person and managed to evade being selected by the guards for a random search. That night clips were passed from cell to cell and used to pick the locks. The entire population of the prison reached the room where their husbands were suspended in huge specimen jars. By sunrise the corridors ran scarlet with the blood of the invaders. By noon the insurrection was quelled. But now they knew what was possible. Next time it would be different.
But no doubt as inventively successful.
DeleteHow grim yet wonderfully told!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRhyme time gazette
Issue 8
Wolf, behind bars, pleads ‘I stole no money. The sack-pocket was empty, an’ held together wiv paperclips. I had to wash it before I could use it, honest. Us wolves always get the blame fer bad stuff; Im being set up.’
Just in - duck quartet go quackers when missing duck ,flaunting scarlet feathers, is found at sea in a pea-green boat with owl and pussycat and has formed rival trio for singing contest.
Breaking news -Secret interview with informant reveals exclusive scoop on love triangle. Reporter, Peter Piper also offers additional new specimen of evidence to exonerate Mr. Wolf.
Clever and entertaining conjunction of nursery rhymes with prompts.
DeleteThis brought out a few chuckles from me. Very nice!
DeleteAntonia - this was great fun, lovely use of fantasy and real life, once nyu ;I've worked out which is which...
DeleteThe Artifact
ReplyDeleteWhile Husang was gathering specimens in one of the rock pools she found a small, rusted thing amongst the sediment. By the time she had brought it to her grandfather the sky had turned scarlet. “Paperclip,” he sighed, holding the object on the leathery palm of his head. “I knew these as a boy.” A tear of nostalgia ran down the crags of his cheeks.
Husang whispered this new word.
“Paperclip.”
The shape of its mystery of it felt invigorating on her lips.
The land whale began to bellow, hungry to be fed.
Great idea for an entry, David. Quite poignant actually.
DeleteLovely, especially in its hint of sadness, aligned with poetry. btw, I was unable - probably due to my incompetence, to view your recent Zoom. Hope others were more successful.,,
DeleteAntonia - yes, gently nostalgic and it really comes alive in this piece, too.
DeleteThis has to be my favourite offering this week
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 208
ReplyDeleteScarlet spittle flew and dark blood spattered the ground; the fierce struggle ended rapidly as the outnumbered rat was brutally subdued and held under the weight of Atlas’s heavy hammer.
Twisting like a skewered snake and snarling viciously it scrabbled for freedom but Atlas simply leaned harder on the hammer.
‘Pretty poor specimen of rat-hood,’ observed Mossy, wiping bloodied paws on the grass, ‘you want me t’ kill.’
Cinereus thoughtfully viewed the claw-curved moon paper-clipped behind thin clouds, ‘I have a better idea.' His tone was flinty as he pulled a grubby packet from his larger pouch.
Oh, yes, 'paperclip' as a verb is inspired, Terrie.
DeleteI loved your use of paperclip, Terrie.
ReplyDeleteAntonia - The dead and dying rats wre held against the wall by paperclips, small and large and the final display managed to utilise the specimen rats to their very best use, offering cheap lunches and a chance ro replace the rars whose departure to the nearby kitchen had ruined the imagery.... and after a while the rts themselves were tired of scarlet, no pretty pinks or blues,,,,
ReplyDeleteThe imagery here is so clear and vivid. You make it easy for the reader to SEE what's happening. Nice, Antonia!
DeleteRats paperclipped to the wall - gruesome imagery , but what good prompt word incorporation.
ReplyDeleteThis scene could furnish a nightmare, Antonia - impressively done.
ReplyDelete