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 industrious prompt photo comes courtesy of Sandra Crook, a class act as a writer and a person.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Sandra Crook
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Deception
You know what Sir Walter Scott said, I ask.
She looks understandably confused.
Of course not, I say, you have no education and no culture.
Her eyes go wide with hurt.
You’re a musician, I nod, what did I expect?
She jerks her head from side to side.
With Portuguese Tony, I add, he’s supposed to be my friend.
She slumps, resigned.
I check the ropes around her wrists and ankles.
The gag doesn’t matter now.
I quote:
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive!
Then I lift her, slip her into the water.
I love the use of the Scott quote at the end there – just wondering who’s been doing the deceiving … And the body count rises with no end in sight. Why should we be surprised with Tony in charge. But he should watch out – those who live by the sword …
Laughing. I’m not sure Tony’s in charge of anything!
The quote from big Wattie was my first thought when I saw the photo, everything else came from there.
And I agree, time for Tony to push up the daisies.
His wayward life will catch up with him in the end. Those who live that life, die that death.
Nasty types, Tony and his mob. This one’s sure enjoying toying with the poor girl’s feelings. Clever linking of the prompt in the WS quote too.
Thank you, Margaret, glad you enjoyed
It appears to be a nice day for a swim. And her concrete shoes are quite fashionable.
Her last words were ‘Come on in, the water’s glug-glug’.
Another one bites the dust…or the water. It seems things are escalating.
Love the idea of someone ‘biting the water’!
Such sadistic glee in the ending… chilling!
Thank you, Fatima, a bit of glee can’t be bad!
So many different takes on this prompt. Loved this one. Didn’t expect that at all.
Thank you, Shirley, happy you enjoyed.
Evil is rewarded by evil. Sinister.
That quote came to mind when I saw that picture too, though I will admit I am uncultured enough to have thought Shakespeare said it. Luckily I looked it up.
I did not realize he was a Scot.
I came across an article
https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/why-dont-we-read-sir-walter-scott-anymore
as I pondered why i was never required as an English major in the US to read more of his work. It also references Mark Twain:
Even Mark Twain, an ocean (a)way, invoked the bard of chivalric romance and grandeur when he characterized the South’s attachment to the past as the “Sir Walter Scott disease. “
Scott was a hugely influential writer, often described as the creator of the first Western historical novels.
His Rob Roy and Ivanhoe are universally known, of course, and his Waverley novels are a landmark in English-language literature.
He was also a poet of considerable ability, his narrative Lady of the Lake and Lay of the Last Minstrel are well worth reading.
Even in the USA, that hotbed of culture (!), he is not unknown, having a statue in New York’s Central Park.
I didn’t know there was a statue in NYC!
From the little I read on Wikipedia, and the bit I read of Marmion, it was clear, Scott was a giant of literature, skilled, prolific and well-loved.
I didn’t mean to scorn his work with that link. Sadly, my education did not include his work, as far as I can remember, but come to think of it, it left out a lot of Austen, Dickens and Twain. Sounds like its time to hit the books!
Love it! Hotbed of culture!😊
I think maybe Tony and his entourage do not really know as much about culture as they pretend.
He is Portuguese, what do you expect?
He is not cultured like you Americans (ho ho ho)
I think that Sir Walter Scott would have approved.
He killed off a fair few in his day, Michael!
“She itched and I scratched.” — line from Sleuth (1972)
Um, yes, dem damn mosquitoes!
🙂
Was her music that bad? 😉 Or maybe something else went bad… It could be anything with Portuguese Tony around.
Great continuation of this character.
-Rachel
Laughing.
Thank you, Rachel, this piece is almost a sequel to ‘These Foolish Things’ 2 weeks ago.
Glad you are enjoying Tony.
Another murder! why?
Ah, that Tony, what can you expect…
You know, I know it’s just writing, but I wouldn’t want to walk home in the dark with you, CE. 🙁
Sandra!
You are a married lady, I would never consider walking you home in the dark!
This is all spiralling out of control. I foresee a final showdown loom-ing 🙂
You never know, sir.
And I am ignoring all puns!
Very clever writing even though it is all evil.
Laughing. Surely ‘all evil’ is a bit harsh, Neel!
Some friend. Nicely written.
My thoughts exactly!
And thank you, Jo
I begin to think that Portuguese Tony is the good guy in your stories…
Like most of us, Bjorn, he has good and bad in him
i could sense he was having fun torturing her. poor girl, she didn’t deserve it.
I don’t judge, I just write!
Hell hath no fury. . . .
Indeed…
That Portuguese Tony has his fingers in everything…..
I’m going to step carefully away from that comment, Violet!
I’ve got a feeling PT will have something to say about this.
Yes, but no one will understand him!
Oy! Us musicians is cultured people, matey!
Good story, CE. I like the way you sneak in a reference to the prompt at the end.
Scott’s words were my first thought when I saw the photo.
And cultured musicians? Surely an oxymoron, Penny!
An innocent (?) victim in your on going battle with Tony. The rivalry needs to come to a head before more people are hurt!
C’mon, Iain, you would stop coming if nobody got hurt!
Dear C.E.
Well woven tale as darkness looms on the horizon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady.
All puns ignored!
I’m relieved Portugues Tony is alright
and wreaking havoc…
Intense. Didn’t see that coming!
Excellent!