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.
Today’s photo by Douglas M. MacIlroy is a rerun from a time Before Adam, when it inspired the following little tale.
Which subsequently found its way into my sensational book, Medville Matters, the first ever collection of Sound Bite Fiction, available for purchase on this page now!
It also, somewhat bizarrely, features my old friend Al Forbes, who hosts a great 200-word photo fiction challenge every Sunday.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
© Douglas M. MacIlroy
The Body
There is a body in the corner.
A girl, with what looks like a broken neck.
Forbes’ trademark style.
I can’t help her, so I ignore her.
I hear Forbes’ voice through the door to the living area.
Sounds like he is organising the clean up of this latest tantrum.
I push the door open, softly, slowly.
The phone goes down.
I pause.
Then hear the clink of glass.
He is preparing a drink.
No surprise there.
Johnny Walker on ice, I know.
I push the door open.
Cough.
He turns, surprised.
I shoot him, twice.
That is my job.
I like it when murderers are disposed of like that – fast and clean. Terrific story.
Good job!
Very Bogart! Very cool. I feel like I’ve seen a whole movie.
This was great. Very noir. Reminded me of the narration in Sin City. Loved the last line.
Thanks, Thom, noir was pretty much my aim here.
Glad it worked for you.
Oh, nice one!
Oh, thank you!
You’re welcome!
Good story, C.E. I could see someone like Humphrey Bogart walking out of that room. I love old film noir and the pulp fiction novels that gave it life. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne
Humphrey Bogart.
I am flattered beyond words, Suzanne.
Thank you.
Lovely. Very Pulp Fiction.
Thank you, Patrick, love the movie.
That was quite the twist at the end. (The first time around for this prompt was before my time.)
Glad you liked it, Kevin.
Geez, CE, I hope you let him finish his drink first.
C’mon, Russ, you know what hard liquor does to the liver.
He could have all sorts of problems in later li…
Oh.
Very dark. Well-described. The narrator’s voice is coldly calm and measured. He knows what he’s here to do. Brutal!
A man’s gotta do…
Glad you enjoyed, DoD.
🙂
WAY cool, C.E.! This was awesome! I love a good mystery, suspense, yes, but the character voice and dialogue really shone. Excellent!
Wow, I am somewhat overwhelmed, too many compliments to process in one tiny brain.
Can I just say, very sincerely, thank you.
And very happy you enjoyed so much.
You are MOST welcome. Be well, friend!
Having read your fabulous Medville Matters, I had a sense of Déjà vu! Just as good here as it is there… 😉
Medville Matters?
Oh, that old thing.
Available up a bit and on the right of this very blog.
I wasn’t going to mention it, of course, but…
Hee hee.. well that’s why I did!!
Your cheque is in the post.
Grazie mille
Sounds like this guy truly deserved it. Well written.
Thanks, Mandibelle,
Strangely, in reality, Al is a genuine sweetheart.
😀🍧
Mandibelle, I have an embarrassing confession to make.
I don’t know how to make wee faces and I have no idea what your second one is.
Not very bright, sorry.
Aw. That’s okay CE. On my iPad, there is a key on the keyboard that has has a smiley face on it. If I press it, I can through many many little faces and items and select which one I want.
I haven’t figured out how to do it on WordPress from my computer. The second symbol is a bowl of ice cream. I was just wishing you a good day 🙂 Don’t be embarrassed. Many people don’t know how.
You are too sweet, Mandibelle, because I love ice cream!
In a former existence I wrote this:
https://anelephantcant.me/2012/09/04/i-scream-ice-cream/
I hope you enjoy.
It’s really beautiful. Captures such a joy in childhood and of trying new things and having adventures; especially trying ice cream flavours. Thank you for sharing I enjoyed it a lot.
I wonder where Al had gone RIP
It wisnae me, mister, a big boy done it and ran away
Love this. I like how the bare bones construction seems to add to the story, heightening the noirish quality. Great last line too. Very nicely done 🙂
I cannot tell you how much pleasure a comment like this gives me.
Thank you, Lynn.
A pleasure to read, ceayr – really 🙂
Shucks, Lynn, you can call me C.
And thank you – really.
Thanks C! 🙂
You wrote the back story to this prompt brilliantly.
How very kind of you, Liz.
When I see ‘brilliantly’ I go all unnecessary!
Oh I do remember the time when Al upped the body count every week… was it you who put the end with this tale? Love it that I was on vacation when this picture was featured the first time… all stories are new to me.
He had to be stopped, Bjorn, it was a weekly bloodbath.
Glad you are having fun.
Amazing. My first thoughts were Dragnet too! Beautifully (and menacingly) articulated. But then you do that so well.
Preening and strutting here!
Thank you, Sandra.
Dear CE,
This piece is so Dragnet. I can hear Jack Webb (or Dan Aykroyd) narrating it. Love the ending line. So matter of fact. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I am too young to remember that.
But happy that my 100 words brought back memories and conjured up voices.
Or maybe we are on the same medication?
So much to say to that, isn’t there?
Just ignore me and I’ll go away!
A good job done. And well written too.
Thank you, sir, most kind.
A gritty noire offering. I wish I’d seen something so dark in the promot
Thanks, Neil, but I sometimes wish I didn’t!