Categotry Archives: Friday Fictioneers
Hive Minded
“There’s something wrong. Wrong, I tell you!” Matt swung his bottle of beer around dangerously. He nearly nailed a barmaid as she dashed past. “You always say that, Matt.” Old Man Matheson leaned back so he wouldn’t get clipped. “It’s just…” Matt shrugged. “The city’s got a sound. You know? A kind of buzz. Only lately it’s been a different kind of buzz. They say the North and the South poles are going to flip. Maybe they already did! We’re […]
On the Boardwalk
“I heard you and Liam went on a date.” Alicia glowered at Sally. “We just went on a hike. You didn’t miss anything.” “Didn’t you go on a boardwalk somewhere? I wish Liam would take me on a boardwalk. Window shopping, holding hands, maybe stopping somewhere for an ice cream. It would be like a dream come true for me!” “Not this boardwalk. We went bird watching in the marshes. Part of the trail is wooden. I wouldn’t even really […]
Closed
“Are you sure?” Milton stood to the side of the ornate scrollwork around the entrance as his wife locked the door for the last time. “Yes.” Fran turned the key decisively, sending the deadbolt home. “Isn’t there anything you want to take? I’m sure the new owners would never notice. They didn’t even ask for an inventory before they bought the store.” “I said ‘As Is’ and that’s how they’ll get it. Fifty years of looking at all that junk […]
Last Man Standing
After the war, Timothy felt like the last man on earth. Getting home had been hard. When the army pulled out, most of the force was already infected. He spent a month in quarantine outside of Philipsburg. He probably should still be there, but when he couldn’t find anyone left alive and got hungry he broke out. The first place he hit was a grocery store. The parking lot was full of cars, but no one manned the tills. He […]
Spy vs Spy
Akbar leaned into the alley to make sure the way was clear. Good. No one would see as he dragged the body to the waiting camels. It would have gone off without a hitch if it weren’t for all the blood. “Cut! Who left the blood trail from the previous take? It all has to be done again! Get that extra off the set. Come on, people. We’ve got deadlines to keep. Everyone ready? Take 52, and action!” Akbar leaned […]
Shadow of a Ghost
The lace in the window of the old woman’s house sticks to a frozen window. She used to say she never cried for ghosts, but maybe she should. Death is just a separation. She said she pitied the living more because their grief carried her away. But what of the dead? Would it not be worse for those who loose every connection they had than for those who only lost one? “Any ghost that doesn’t move on to his or […]
Air Space
It was a disaster. Marge shouldn’t have booked her trip to Argentina through the travel company. Left to her own devices, Marge never flew with Jet Blue. She’d already been stuck on the tarmac for three hours. Another twenty minutes and there would be no way to make her connecting flight. At least she had a bit of breathing room since the aisle seat next to her hadn’t been taken. In the old days, when she still traveled with Jane, […]
Death of a Clown
Ronald got fired from his job as a short order cook because of his terrible fashion sense. Next he tried running away with the circus, but crashed the clown car. He lost his job as a security guard when he tripped over his own feet and let a burglar get away. Finally he tried piano tuning. He had a good ear, so things went well on his first couple of jobs. Then he hit a real challenge. With an iron […]
Ye Olde Hermitage
Toby settled in his new digs, then dug out his phone and texted his friends: Toby: Come hang out with me! I’ve got this new gig. Some old fart just gave me a place to stay. It aint much – just four walls and a roof – but it sure beats living in the park. Right? Friend: How’d you land that? Is there noise ordinance or anything? Toby: No way, Dud! It’s a lord. He said he wanted a hermit. […]
Washed Up
Merriam the Mermaid washed up on shore at ten on a Saturday night. The bars along the shore were hopping. She had a little trouble getting her land legs under her, but once on her new feet, she made straight for the brightest lights around. Inside the bar was dark and smoky. She didn’t let that deter her. All she needed was to lure ten men into the sea where her tribe could turn them into dinner. Then a quick […]
Seen and Not Heard
“Don’t say anything,” Mother pushed her into the Quaker’s house for the meeting. “No no,” Mother’s well-meaning friend said. “She should say whatever The Lord moves her to say.” “If you let her get started, we will never hear the end of it. We’ve already had to switch congregations twice.” To her daughter she said in a harsh whisper, “Say nothing! Nothing all.” She was good. For a whole hour she sat in the pews, listening to the grownups talking […]
Shared Dreams
Ted and Anita sat on the deck of her yacht with wine spritzers in one hand and paintbrushes in the other. “No, no. I think this part needs more viridian.” “What are we painting here? A landscape or a UFO? This is exactly why I said co-painting wouldn’t work. You can’t get across a clear vision when two minds are competing on one canvas.” “But the whole point is that we are so closely attuned we can overcome the normal […]
Bird on the Wire
The battery died, but there were three bars of reception where there had been none all day. He knew he wasn’t supposed to touch the smart phone while it recharged. He didn’t care. The more he texted, the more his fingers tingled. Still he clicked on. He told the girl he liked everything he was feeling. It was easier to do it through the phone than in person. Finally, he clicked the send button. Within minutes his inbox filled. He […]
Hieroglyphics
“But what does it mean?” Akron3a traced the lines in the book. There was something familiar about the shapes, but he couldn’t quite place why or how. “It doesn’t mean anything,” Beta425 said with a condescending smirk. “It’s art. That’s what art is all about – stuff that makes no sense. That’s why we don’t have any of our own in the colony. Put that book back in the foreigner’s bag before he notices.” “I guess it doesn’t matter.” Akron3a […]
Elated
Anywhere is fine Among the skyscrapers around the Capital Square Or the tall grasses by Lake Monona I will search for you everywhere As long as your heart continues to turn toward mine When your camera takes you away I will wait When your sails can’t hold wind I’ll call them for you Anytime is fine I’ll rush to your side through snow drifts or rain I’ll hold your books or your hand As long as you are still mine […]
