Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
This week’s courageous photo – full marks, Al – turns my stomach.
The vile face of bigotry, racism and fascism invariably provokes this reaction in me.
For those of you who know me as a supporter of Scottish Independence, and are confused, please feel free to write to me for an explanation:
ceayr99@gmail.com
And please note there will be no political discussion on this blog.
I will delete any comments in that vein.
Instead I write of a procession, or parade, of a different, more joyous kind.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Corso
Everybody loves a parade.
The annual flower ceremony, or Corso Fleuri, is a highlight of winter.
Here in Medville it takes place on the second Sunday in February, which this year falls on Valentine’s Day.
The floats are usually predominantly yellow, bedecked in the Mimosa for which the area is famous.
This year there is also a profusion of red, from roses, tulips and, especially, carnations to mark the romance associated with the date.
It all looks great.
Most of the participants, who represent local associations, are in costume, and masked.
I am here with the district hunting club, dressed as a French Infantry Fusilier from Napoleonic times.
Midway through the afternoon I get a call.
My wife has collapsed, fallen from the back of her vehicle.
By the time I reach the First Aid Station she is dead.
She has often talked of her allergy to bee stings, and it appears that is the cause of this tragedy.
Spring has already arrived, and butterflies, flies and even mosquitoes are plentiful.
As are, fatally, bees.
While friends try to offer words of comfort, my mind drifts to the life insurance.
And to the ingenuity of my delivery system.
Apitoxin, or bee sting poison, in an ice dart, fired from an air rifle.
Carried by just another man in a crowd.
And in disguise.
———————————————–
Click here to see Medville at its sparkling best.
Copyright Emmy L Gant
Copyright Emmy L Gant
Copyright Emmy L Gant
Great reading youur post
Cunningly told…. He will get what is his, I hope?
How nasty, but what a great twist!
Devious! All about the money!
Ah well, isn’t it always, Donna.
Thanks for visiting.
A-ha! A dastardly deed .. and very ingeniously executed – but is the masked accomplice to be trusted … hmmm – there might be an interesting twist to your story! Nicely written … I liked how everything was innocently set up keeping the reader off the trail until the plot began to thicken!
Thank you, Georgia, but not so nicely written, it seems.
I was that masked man.
Awesome!
You’re quite devious in the plots you hatch through your prose. 🙂 That would be a good one, since it would be totally plausible and totally untraceable.
Devious?
Moi?
Would be cool if it worked, yeah!
Great story there. Ingenious way of injecting it. Never traced back to him (He hopes). As for the photo, I uploaded it and deleted it a number of times, before finally deciding to use it.
Love the photos of the parade. It looks fantastic.
Thanks Al, the story was bubbling under the surface for 2 weeks, I guess!
And the parade is great fun.
Re the photo, see my comments to A Darkened House, below.
Cheers
Ah, gives new meaning to the term “love bite.”
Enjoyed the tale.
(Have no idea as to the true meaning/event of the photo, but I won’t ask you to bring up politics for an unknowing Ameri-Canadian.)
Glad you liked, ma’am.
It is not for me to discuss Al’s photo, but I took it to be a National Front march:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Front_(UK)
They represent almost everything I despise in our world.
Al is a personal friend, and I commend him for his courage in using this.
“Thank you for the explanation,” she replied. “I’ve heard of the National Front and their particularly virulent type of patriotism and politics.
You are right — your friend Al was indeed brave to use such a photograph. In the US, we have equally scary groups.”
I like the no politics comment. I like the photos. Looks like a fun parade.
Not too sure about the murdering husband. Though it is a surprise twist.
Happy to discuss Scottish politics, but not on a fiction blog.
It is an excellent parade, worth following the link, really, to see more of Emmy’s and AnElephant’s photos.
And you don’t give the poor chap an alternative solution, I notice.
If you are referring to this photo, it hit a nerve. We’ve had too many inconvenient protests here. They don’t like it when a policeman kills a black man in the line of duty, but there’s no word when a black gang member kills an innocent child. It bugs me. I’m afraid my mind wasn’t going to a better place.
Phyllis
That was naughty! What’s it worth for me not to tell?
I Protest (that’s my story, not a comment!)
What are you allergic to, Rosey?
A Valentine’s Day massacre of sorts!
Such a clever way to dispose of an inconvenient wife!
Malice aforethought is expertly set up in a festive mood. Super!
And what a surprise to see some familiar photos tied to your story. Thank you.
Jings, Em, bumping off one surplus wife is hardly a massacre.
Glad you enjoyed.
And you can see even more of your excellent photos on that same site!
Another sting in the tale! It hits the spot.
Stings often do, Steve.
Thanks for visiting.