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 multiple choice prompt is appropriately by multi-talented Claire Fuller, one of my favourite FF writers, and a delightful English lady with a delightfully English voice.
I considered inviting my pink alter ego to comment on the blue badge in the photo, but then decided to go for something more obvious.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on her picture, below.
© Claire Fuller
Click here to hear me read the story: The Bomb
Incoming, yells Phil.
Our heads tilt upwards, we see a giant shadow threatening to block out the sun.
We are dug in on a hillside overlooking the town.
We are surrounded by more enemy soldiers than I imagined existed.
The invaders are swarming through our country, seemingly unstoppable.
We are down to the last few men, almost our entire army obliterated.
But, due to the strategic advantage of our position, we have held them at bay for almost three days.
It seems their patience is exhausted.
What can we do, I ask my friend.
He looks at me, grins.
Duck?
Nothing like a little gallows humor. I enjoyed the piece with its mix of emotions!
A man’s gotta do, and all that stuff!
You’ve always got a smile creator somewhere in your tales, CE.
This was a bit grim but beautifully told. I enjoyed listening to you read it.
It gives me a better idea of how you’re phrasing the words.
Isadora 😎
Your kind words make me smile, Isadora.
As I said to Claire, below, I have been questioning the point of the readings.
Now I will happily continue if they contribute to your pleasure.
Thank you for your support.
And have you listened to ‘Current Story’ at the top of the page?
No, CE, I’ll have to go back to your blog and check out the ‘Current Story’. I always enjoy your writing and readings of your work. Have a super wonderful weekend.
Isadora 😎
My heart is full, Isadora.
Good advice! lol
If somewhat futile…
Humour shining through a tough situation, excellent piece
Thank you, Michael
unusual as always, and witty too! Duck indeed!
Unusual works for me, thank you!
I would say it does, and never change
Love the humor in the face of death.. I think that’s what could make the difference
Albeit briefly!
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
Thank you once again, Kate
You brought us right in and I could just picture the situation.
Nothing better than a little humour when all the odds are against us…
Certainly the second choice for many of us
I think you’d need a good sense of humour to get through that. Sound advice CE 🙂
And a very strong helmet!
Haha yes 🙂
Sometimes it’s the best option.
Or the only one?
A sound plan and a good story.
Perhaps not a great plan…
Nice tension in this piece – with a bit of humor at the end.
Glad you enjoyed, Alicia
Now I know what is Gallows humour. Excellent writing as usual.
Yes, Indira, so called because of the condemned man’s last quip.
e is so much to learn. Thanks for writing such stories.
Gallows humour – such a terrifically important device for service men in these situations. The terror of it is unimaginable. You paint a great picture, C, of impossible odds under seige. I wonder if they’ll survive somehow? Great story
Can you hear them whistling, Lynn?
And always look on the bright side of life…
Even when about to be flattened by a bomb 🙂
Dear C E
there they were – batman and robin on their way to a very important meeting with a very important man, suddenly near Oldham the batmobile starts to smoke and shudders to a halt, “What now” says batman – “run” says robin . And thats what they did 🙂
As M. Chevalier says, Ah yes, I remember it well.
Followed by a mad dash across North Yorkshire looking for a bank!
Nice to see they retained a sense of humour in such adverse circumstances!
Limited choices!
Well, sometimes there’s nothing left to do but smile. Vivid and well paced story.
Very kind, thank you
I almost felt as though I were there. And that’s such a grim twist of humour at the end there. Well done, as always.
Thank you, Sandra, happy to raise even a grim smile!
Excellently rendered. Taut.
Glad you enjoyed.
I was going to say gallows humour too, but Neil beat me to it. Great writing (and reading).
Thank you, Claire.
I have been wondering if it worthwhile, and then you are so charming, so…
Black humour in a hopeless situation. Excellent.
Cheers, Iain
A fine piece of writing, Quack quack,
Thanks, Michael.
Gallows humour!
Gotta laugh!
Dear CE,
At least they’re going out with a sense of humor. Very visual piece. I felt like ducking myself. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
Like the song says, keep your pretty head down…
Thank you, m’lady.