Friday, 28 July 2023

Not quite eighty years of ‘Satisfaction’

 But as with Mick Jagger, the pleasure measures up, and this week no exception. Nor is, of course, the difficulty of choosing, but in the end David’s  ‘The Wizard of Combustion’ most accurately hit the spot for me, which is not to say all other entries lacked in any way. Regrettably, I could not bring Pettinger to perform so well.

Words for the coming week: blind pivot youth

 Entries by midnight Thursday August 3rd, new words and winners 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.

19 comments:

  1. Well done ,David, an excellent offering for last week .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A splendid entry, David, deserving of the top honor.

      Delete
    2. many congrats to Terrie for keeping this going, And ...

      Delete
  2. The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 234

    Temporarily blinded by trickling rat-blood, Sarg shook her head, and clenched her claws as another 'Dillo fell under the sea of rats. Some pivoted and skittered after the ‘Dillos into the trap-loaded tunnel.

    The merciless onslaught of retreat continued in a frenzy of tearing teeth, bloodied claws, fur and scales until only Sarg remained.

    In the mayhem she had fallen into a youthful rookie blunder, cutting off her means of retreat as she backed up against the lip of a deep pit. She gritted her teeth and her shoulders sagged.

    Rats shrieked menacingly and Moloch's eyes glittered in the darkness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As ever, a wonderful choice of verbs, and disbelieviing Sarge will not rally.

      Delete
    2. That you so skillfully continue this series speaks volumes about your talent, Terrie.

      Delete
  3. A Change of Career?

    The wizard regretted taking on the youth as his apprentice. The boy had no appreciation whatsoever of the joys of combustion. He was blind to wonders to be found in a pivot piston.
    On the other hand, the vehicles loved him. On his approach they would purr their engines and swish their wipers, gushing out joyous plumes of diesel smoke from their exhaust pipes. Wherever the boy went, they followed in convoy, till he washed them with his sponge and polished them till they gleamed. Perhaps then he was destined to be a car-herd rather than a wizard?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A flawless second episode with the wizard of combustion

      Delete
    2. I wasn't expecting a follow-up to your previous entry, David. This is good stuff!

      Delete
  4. Writing doesn't get any better than this. Well done, David.

    ReplyDelete
  5. [Threshold 445]

    Not for the first time, Raven put me in mind of one of Elisabeth Frink’s blind-eyed ‘Stone Tribute’; warriors whose black columns of throat betrayed a youthful reluctance to show fear.
    My gaze unwavering I attempted to force some acknowledgement. Failed.
    Allowed Indigo Eyes to raised me from the ground, to enclose me in his arms, and ascertain my balance, before steering me, still uncertain of my breathing, to pass within a foot of Raven. Close enough to feel the heat of him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm... could it be that you are enjoying this?

      Delete
  6. BIG MOUTH

    Was I stupid or simply careless? My mind reeled with that question when this happened. The answer, however, is irrelevant.

    I wanted to kill my wife Anna. Why? I had grown tired of her. A year ago, blinded by soaring hormones and youthful exuberance, we had married. But that was then.

    Her back was to me when I raised the gun and called her name, but I froze when she quickly pivoted and pulled the trigger of the gun she held.

    I fell to the floor watching blood drain from my chest.

    Anna laughed. “Shouldn’t talk in your sleep, Randy.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suggest Randy could do with surgery to more than his chesf.

      Delete
    2. Succinctly written (I need to practice this more) You have incorporated the prompt words brilliantly and painted such clear images for the reader .

      Delete
  7. Mirror-gazing
    In her early teens, when Lucy Longland began her career, she hadn’t been blind to the fact her youth was a valuable USP, especially when it came to attracting clients wealthy enough to pay what she charged. Her eagerness ensured her experience quickly exceeded that of her peers (and often her clients!) but the pivot to her success had been her willingness to take men of forty-plus years to her bed. Now approaching that age herself; those she’d practised on becoming other women’s husbands, she’d been forced for the first time to wonder how long she could go on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (a 'critical process' on my laptop having died, I can't access Pettinger and am resorting to a one-off (while attempting to write the beginning of my current wip)

      Delete
    2. Mr Pettinger is taking advantge of the small current respite from the WIP - I will be waiting for the deivery any time - or whatever the Royal Mail delivers of us as all, it will give Pettinger plenty of 'sorry about that'; thoughts, all false...Of ciurse.

      Delete
    3. tearing teeth and blooded clsws and smashes intp tries into dillo' skulls and

      Delete