necessitated by a new SIM card which proved my phone was at fault, and trying to set it up and deal with the differences has made me exceedingly bad-tempered. So I am more grateful than ever for your continued patience and participation and suggest incompetence vanish cross as words for next week
Entries by midnight Thursday 25th July, new words scheduled Friday 26th
Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the 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.
A SERIOUS MISUNDERSTANDING
ReplyDeleteI considered Randy Dobson a valued friend, but respect for him totally vanished upon discovering he crossed me by telling people of my incontinence.
It’s depressing enough to have this embarrassing malady, but to learn that everyone in my social circle now knows of my problem produced a woefulness far beyond humiliation.
I caught Randy alone and slit his miserable throat. “That,” I said gruffly, “is for broadcasting my incontinence to the world!”
Randy’s voice bubbled through the blood filling his throat. “I… I mentioned your INCOMPETENCE… INCOMPETENCE!”
“Just as bad,” I said while shoving the knife into his chest.
A mention of a need for anger management might've been less fatal for Randy.
DeleteAngry retribution dished out with a hint of darkly horrific humour and savagery. I enjoyed the word play mix up , made me smile and wince at the same time .
DeleteThresholds new [30]
ReplyDeleteThe aggression of Acker’s ‘feisty’ accusation, underlining our mutual connection to Egesa, caused all my (admittedly incompetent) attempts to disentangle ancestry and inheritance to vanish from my brain. Raven had stated these were his cousins. If, as claimed, they were also mine, then Raven and I must share some genetic cross-pollination, Yet both Acker and Gulch had skin as pale as mine plus – and more importantly! - I’d no desire (nor intention) of relinquishing what may have become a ‘forbidden’ cousinly relationship with Raven.
But now not the time for temper. More important to persuade Raven of its rightness.
Betting there will be some fun sorting this relationships muddle out but i can guess Raven, like Eynd, will not want to give up the relationship they have in favour of a less romantic one .
DeleteI love the phrase 'genetic cross-pollination. A real conundrum seems in the making.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 280
ReplyDeleteCrossness evident, Sarg said, ‘If someone aint pulling their weight I’ll get the bottom of it, soldier. Incompetence and laziness got no place in the situashun we’re facing.’
The soldier shrugged, ‘maybe there’s trouble with them civilians, Sarg. A couple wuz squinnyin’ and caterwaulin’ as I left. Mighta started a ruckus.’
‘Hmmm, maybe. No excuse fer not sending yer relief. I'm off there now and will send someone back directly. You’ll have t’ hang on a bit longer. Ok, soldier?’
With an affirmative salute, the soldier vanished into his camouflaged scrape.
Snout twitching anxiously, Sarg hurried toward the underground troop
Good to see Sarg knows what she's doing.
DeleteWith Sarg in charge, hope springs eternal.
DeleteIf You Want a Job Done
ReplyDelete'What sort of incompetence is this?' demanded the knight. 'Whosoever crosses this bridge shall vanish into oblivion. Is that not what you said?'
The wizard nodded and hid his wand sheepishly behind his back.
'Yet here comes the ogre, all bandy legged and large as life.'
'Wrong leaves accumulating in the camber of the bridge,' explained the wizard. 'Interferes with the traction of the spell.'
The ogre roared and brandished his axe, kicking up leaves as he came.
‘Sorry,’ said the wizard. ‘Unforeseen circumstances.’
The knight shook his head, unsheathing his sword. 'Down to me as usual then.'
I read this in gold and scarlet, and wonder whether the Wizard's name is Aslef.
DeleteSo creative, David! It appears the knight should be used to this untoward situation.
ReplyDelete