Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
I have no idea what this week’s enigmatic picture prompt is.
But, thank you, Claire, it does make me think.
And I know what I see.
The idea is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Claire Fuller
Laundrette
The laundrette sits opposite the little café in the square.
I am clueless with these machines.
The instructions, of course, are in French, which today I have trouble reading.
The two elderly ladies are so helpful, so keen to impress the bumbling, charming foreigner.
They explain where to put the washing powder.
I have none?
They provide it.
Fabric softener?
They provide it.
They explain the dials, competing for my attention and approval.
It is all too easy.
Tomorrow I will move on, significantly richer.
And the two ladies?
They will have empty bank accounts, and some very painful memories.
Very funny story. Sometimes “playing dumb” does pay off. LOL 🙂
Boy, you are a tough and cynical lady!
Thank you for your surprisingly upbeat comment, much appreciated.
I’ve been burned by an ex. That’s what makes me cynical. 🙂
Well, since it is confession time, maybe I don’t just ‘play’ dumb, it might be my natural state!
Story with a message ‘ don’t fall for anyone’s charm at first site.’ He is mean doing that to helping ladies.
Thank you, Indira, you are so right.
I will try to behave better in future.
Very funny – a most entertaining spin on the prompt.
Groan!
Glad you enjoyed, Margaret.
I’m thanking my WordPress stars that it wasn’t a photo of a back door. You are a naughty one! 🙂
Whoa, young lady, no smut here!
I think the naughtiness is coming from Down Under (oooh err, missus!)
Smut?!?! All class down here my friend (Except on Monday through to Sunday)!
Oh he is mean! Charming, but mean. I’d probably have fallen for that charm, too. Great story, poor ladies.
Thank you, Gah, I will pass him your number.
Didn’t take him long. He ought to meet Max Bialystock from “The Producers.” Fun story, had me fooled.
I am not sure he has the humour for a Mel Brooks character.
But charm in spades.
Glad you found it fun, and were misled.
I was betting you would feature a morgue, but my guess was a washout.
Who would have thunk that one simple wee tale would unearth the evil punnery in so many people.
Thanks, I guess!
Don’t blame the common potatoes – undoubtedly your own invidious influence.
You are right.
Spuds R Us are not to blame.
I am a perfidious scribe who leads others into evil ways.
I stand properly chastised.
Aw, the dawg!
Hooowwwwllll!!!!!!
LOL
Not very nice is he?
Just a guy trying to get by.
Thank you for visiting, and for taking the time to comment.
Always appreciated.
Those little old ladies are Thelma and Louise so you better watch out. They are coming for you. lol
I do not claim to be a movie expert, Joy, but, as I recall. they ain’t coming for anyone!
LOL! Yes, that is true. They died. 🙁
Another twist at the end! You’re good, CE. And those poor ladies were just trying to do a good deed.
Thank you, Amy, you are very kind.
Can you show me how this works, please…
No clean puns left. I just like it.
Oh thank you thank you thank you, Tracey, I am all punned out!
Those poor ladies, will somebody come to their rescue? Nicely put together, with his true nature revealed in the end.
Nah, they have had it.
Old folks home or the street, that’s it.
Glad you enjoyed.
so very cold hearted, you are! Poor old ladies. But masterfully written as always.
Thank you for the fulsome praise, Samantha.
And don’t waste your sympathy on the old trouts, what about the poor struggling writer?
hahahah, poor struggling? I have my doubts about that
Hey, be nice!
It is jolly expensive to live in paradise.
If you happen to know any wealthy ladies…
no, but I would like to be one!!
If you ever make it, you know where to find me…
only prob is that my hubby has always wanted to be married to a suga mama too!
Okay, we have a plan.
1. Insure him.
2. Bump him off.
3. Bring your cash.
Not so hard, eh?
but I like him!!!
You can’t make an omelette, dear lady, without breaking an egg or two. Small price for paradise, I would say.
ah, you are so cold! I will think of you next time I make an omelette 😉
Excellent and demented. Very well crafted. You set a good example.
Thank you, Melanie, very kind words.
Although I am unsure about ‘demented’!
The character and his scheming are demented. Taking advantage of little old ladies like that.
(sorry, I should know to be more clear with my words)
Guy has to make a living, Melanie, things are very expensive down here.
You’ve spun a sordid tale here. Could it have been a reverse cycle wash?
Oh don’t you start!
Thanks, Joy
Behold the largesse of economic failure.
Beholding like the wind here, Mick
He really needs to come clean.
Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This bring a whole new dimension to Money Laundering… it’s actually just theft.
Et tu, Bjorn.
Oh the wretched man! One must look out for those charmers…
I am not going there with the puns! There have been more than enough, methinks!
Oh thank you, Dalectable!
And may your gods bless you and all who sail in you.
Add’s a whole new meaning to a “Blue rinse”.
Okay, that is it.
I am now making an official complaint to the chief cook and bottle washer, ‘cos she started this!
Cheers, Paul.
I love how you draw the reader in, so we’re almost falling for his soft soap (geddit?) too, and then you wham us with his horribleness like he whammed the two ladies. Nice writing. (And the picture is a library filing system, but it can be whatever you make of it)
Oh, Claire, I thought you were so much better than that!
Bad puns are more Rochelle’s style, don’t you think?
Thank you for your kind comments (apart from the pun), and for horribleness, a great word.
And the photo is great, because I had no idea what it was, kinda opens things up.
It just came out and I couldn’t resist. Sorry!
You are forgiven.
It is all the fault of that Rochelle!
Hey now. My bad puns are very good. 😯
I like the story, but I think the picture is of one of those filing systems where the shelves can be moved back and forth to make room.
Thank you, and I don’t care what it is!
I was thinking, how refreshingly innocent. Damn you for spoiling my day.
And I thought you had been here before, Patrick!
Naughty but nice!
Got to be done, Graham, this is an expensive place to live.
Dear C.E.,
Your story is a funny, but sad reminder that there exists in this world men such as your protagonist. Would that it could be washed clean. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks, Doug.
Sometimes a man’s gotta do…
Dear C.E.
What a dirty little cad he is. Someone needs to send him to the cleaners. You drew me in with so much charm and then went for the kill. Very well done indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Amazing what you can do with a little soft soap.
I do hope the puns stop here, my head is already spinning.
We’re already awash with puns. 😉
Enough, m’lady, you have crossed the (clothes)line here.
I suspect your next comment will be dripping with irony.
Sigh. I’ve been put the wringer with this one. I’m all washed up so I suppose it’s time to fold.
I give up!
It’s good to be the queen. 😉
You rule, fair lady.
Reblogged this on anelephantcant and commented:
AnElephantCant go to the Laundrette
He does not visit such places as those
It’s not what you think
It is just that he’s pink
And AnElephant does not wear any clothes
Did he get clean away?
Made me laugh – not sure I’m proud of that. Great little tale of naughtiness.
Yes, he spun them a tale full of dry humour then washed his hands of them.
I love puns.
I feel almost as though I know this man. Not personally of course… Nice one CE.
Thank you, Sandra.
Sadly, most of us have met him somewhere sometime.
Scoundrel!
Is that better? 😉
Thank you, Dawn.
Do you see how your vocabulary has improved?
You are a wonderful teacher!