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.
This week’s cheery prompt photo comes courtesy of Dale Rogerson.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Dale Rogerson
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Big Wheel
Fairgrounds are interesting places.
Even gangsters tend to let their guard down a fraction.
Portuguese Tony has a smile and a word for everyone, but his eyes never leave the group ahead.
The Capo is relaxed, having fun with his grandson, but surrounded with bodyguards.
The crowds part, and queues disappear, when he approaches.
Tony speaks into his phone.
The Big Wheel is on the big wheel, he says.
On the balcony of an empty holiday apartment 400 metres away, I groan silently.
Even his accent doesn’t make it funny.
But I raise my rifle, and focus carefully.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Ha. Humor almost like an eyeroll. Love it.
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Exactly what I was trying for!
Thanks, Sascha.
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🙂
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Pow! Right between the eyes!
He’ll never know what hit him.
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Yeah, serves him right.
Probably.
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In front of his grandson? Wow, they really want the Capo dead. And the Big Wheel should know, never ever let your guard down, especially if Tony is your enemy. Nice atmosphere C and I like the pun – shows Tony has a sense of humour! Always wary of fairgrounds – too much over the top ‘fun’ to be genuine 🙂
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Rite of passage for gangster brats, Lynn!
I agree about fairgrounds, I have written a few nightmare scenarios in them over the years.
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They’re seedy places, ripe for criminals and ne’er do wells. Tony fits right in 🙂
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You’re not a big fan of our Portuguese chum, are you, Lynn?
Amazing how I can read your mind!
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He’s a fascinating character – a survivor, for now. But one day he’ll over reach, a younger man will rise up to take what’s his and he’ll be fertiliser. The natural life cycle of such men.
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I think it’s funny. What a humourless gunman.
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Yeah, but you’re an Aussie, you think everything’s funny!
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🤔 Pondering that one. But just so you know – Mum was born and bred in Glasgow and Dad hailed from Holyhead. Myself – born in Portsmouth. So what’s your next theory on my tastes?
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Your Mum’s okay, but other than that I’ve got nothing to say!
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like cinema playing in my head. Very well written!
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Thank you, Jade, that is my objective
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He better succeed otherwise someone is going to be on a wheelie bin.
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Relax, never known to miss!
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Est-ce que tu préfères viser la tête ou viser le coeur ? 😎❤
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La tête, je pense, ça fait un plus gros bazar
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Brilliant, I’m pleased Portugese Tony is here, FF wouldn’t be the same without him!!
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Oh don’t you start, I am sick to my back teeth of him!
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Am willing to adopt!!
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Sounds like Portuguese Tony wants to take the Don’s place. Reminds me of the las vegas sniper-style mass shooting. Hope you stick to just the one hit.
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Are you kidding? Tony has no big ambitions, he is a laid-back dude
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That would be a tough shot, I’d think… but I suppose he’s a professional!
Great story, I’d love to hear more tales of Portuguese Tony!
-Rachel
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A snip for this guy.
Thank you, Rachel, but I need to get rid of him, he is getting on my nerves!
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Chilling… Nowhere to run…
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Nowhere to hide…
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Eek, imagine being trapped on a big wheel unable to move while someone takes pot shots at you…
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Eek, just one shot, probably
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Portuguese Tony is now making you do his dirty work! What next?
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And he has taken over my blog!
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i bet he’ll miss as the wheel keeps on turning distracting his view. 🙂
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I’ll take your bet. Wheels fill up one chair at a time.
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Sounds like the Big Wheel is about to lose a top banana….
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Laughing. Top banana is a new one for me!
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🙂 Glad I got a laugh! 🙂
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I like how PT makes the most of every opportunity. Time bonding with family and taking out a competitor – what great multi-tasking!
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I like how he now has become PT, and has worked himself into a full-time position here!
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Love PT… and now you are working as a team… aim well and not for the kid.
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He seems to have caught the imagination, somehow. Thanks, Bjorn
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Chilling story! Enjoyed it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Great, Susan, thank you
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I look forward to my weekly fix of PT! It wouldn’t be the same without him.
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I really have to get shot of him, he is driving me crazy!
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I met this Russian guy in Salisbury, he might be able to help.
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You really have it in for Portuguese Tony. I wonder how he gets out of this.
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He is in no danger, the Capo is a dead duck
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This sounds like a scene from a movie. It had me riveted from beginning to end.
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How very kind of you, I am happy it worked for you.
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Dear C.E.
I wonder if the wheel will start and cause him to miss. That would cause a turn of events, wouldn’t it? Well aimed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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These wheels move up slowly, m’lady.
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The story of Portuguese Tony winds in an unexpected direction. I’m glad you’re retaining him as a character – for the present, at least. The line “Even his accent doesn’t make it funny,” is hilarious!
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He is a hard guy to get rid off, Penny. Glad you found it funny.
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As soon as I saw the title, I knew it was going to be Portuguese Tony. Loved it!
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This sort of comment will go to his head, you know
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Sounds like the big wheel is about to have a fatal flat.
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Laughing.
I never get tyred of jokes like that!
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The last line flipped the scene so well! 😀
Excellent flash! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed!
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Tell me you’re not going to kill off Portuguese Tony. He’s appeared before in your stories, hasn’t he?
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It’s okay, Neil, he’s not the target
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