Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is supplied by J Hardy Carroll.
© J Hardy Carroll
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Fast Cars
I sit on my balcony, dreaming in the sunshine.
I think back to those younger, wilder times.
Lots of friends, some long gone, some still around.
Still there if I need them.
Sometimes we reminisce.
Fast cars and fast women.
Well, fast cars, anyway.
Now life moves more slowly.
In fact, it has all but stopped.
We are in lock-down.
A great plague sweeps the world, and we are forbidden to leave our homes.
So I sit outside.
The sun is pleasant on my face.
I am warm.
Maybe too warm.
Am I feverish?
In panic, I start to cough.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Fast cars I well remember them, mine was an MG. It was fun. I enjoyed your story. Sadly the commenting side of my mind is in lock down.
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There is always that cough … that itch that will not leave.
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I, too, had fast cars, and searched for those mythical fast women. Your reading of the poem was excellent, enhancing the piece. We have lived long enough to experience a worldwide pandemic. Here’s hoping most of us survive; todays prognostication is that the coronavirus will infect up to 80% of us.
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Thank you, Glenn, always a pleasure to welcome a new reader, especially when they arrive with such kind words.
Stay safe
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Loved the reading. I liked the way you give us two contrasting halves, then an extra worry about now/the future. It’s a journey. Here in Cheshire we hope to arrive at a destination as soon as possible.
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Thanks, Patrick, I’m glad the whole package worked for you.
Cheers
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Our minds went to the same thing this week. Stay well!
Ronda
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Thanks, Ronda, I’ll pop over shortly
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Try going through the menopause during this with constantly fluctuating temperature. Probably too much information?
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Just a tad, dear lady, just a tad!
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Great take on it and oh so real at the moment. Stay safe x
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Thank you, Cathryn Anne, on both counts.
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The sun is a good defense against COVID, so I hear. I’m glad this piece was fiction, CE 🙂
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Well, the weather is beautiful, and I have a sun-scorched balcony, so things could be worse!
Thanks, Linda.
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Things have slowed to an absolute crawl. Hope things get better soon. Be safe out there!
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Even my internet is falling down!
Now that would be a calamity.
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I can relate to the anxiety your MC feels at the hint of an imagined fever in the midst of this pandemic.
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Thanks, Fatima, I think lots of us worry too much.
Sensible precautions, and stay safe.
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I have allergies. Now, every time I sneeze in public, I feel the need to tell everyone around me, “No, just the pollen.”
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Me too, Alicia, whatever the wind brings in starts me sneezing!
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It was nice knowing you.
Your spirit will live on in your short stories.
Or you could order a pizza and soda. That cures just about anything.
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I don’t think they are delivering!
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Maybe not, but the pizza man is.
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Laughing. I suspect we live in different cultures!
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Are you suggesting miss communication even on our blogs?
Different cultures indeed. Laughing.
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is it time to worry? i guess so. time to head to the emergency room.
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Nah, worrying is for wimps!
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You’ll be okay, CEA – you have us!
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Hmm, yeah, okay…
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Quick, go and get a 1000 toilet rolls!
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What are people doing with them, Keith?
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God knows!
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Oh boy. Every time I cough at the moment I start to worry…
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No point in worrying, is there?
We’re all going to die, it’s just a question of when!
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Great muse, I especially liked the last line because if someone coughs, or mention coughing I tend to come out in sympathy, like yawning when someone else yawns.
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Keep your distance, Michael!
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When I first read about this, WebMD said it was a cold. “No big deal. This happens every year, Bird Flu, H1N1, SARS, MERS…” Then, there was no toilet paper. “Stupid people are panicking.” Then, San Fransisco shut down. “What?” Then, our lord and savior, Amazon.com shut down. “WTF?” Now, paranoia seems like the only rational response.
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I must admit that the toilet paper scenario utterly baffles me.
I think we need to panic more rationally
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Allergies … 😉
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I do get dreadful hay fever!
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🙂
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Stay safe, these are trying times.
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You too, Iain, my thoughts are in Scotland, of course
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They closed the pubs tonight – we’ll see how that goes down with the locals…
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Hmm, dry or dead, your choice.
I know a few who’d take the second option.
All cafes, bars and restaurants here have been closed since last Friday.
The weather is beautiful and there are no tourists.
It would be perfect if only I could go out!
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Stay safe. If you’re really desperate, my novels are free as ebooks from Amazon and Smashwords for the next few days…
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You capture the descent from tranquil reflection on past pleasures to nail-biting anxiety all too well. Take care of yourself CE!
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Thanks, Penny, you too
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The thoughts of many during this time.
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Sadly so, Colline
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Great reflective monologue. Chuckled a bit. Life can change so fast.
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Got to laugh, don’t you, or there’s no point to anything
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No words are truer 😀.
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Current mood of the world well-captured.
The last line… I pray that all is fine.
We don’t want any more ‘cases’. May all be well. Stay home, stay safe.
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Thanks, Anita, you too.
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Panic not, have a whiskey or brandy, and enjoy the sunshine.
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I’m not one for spirits, Mike, but I have sunshine on my balcony most of the day!
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Dear CE,
All too real. You’ve captured the rising paranoia and the isolation. I’m grateful we have social media.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Or not.
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I have had internet problems the last couple of days, I think the system here is overloaded because everyone is at home and online.
So cheer up, things could get worse!
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Thanks, I feel so much better now.
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Laughing. My job is done!
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Every little tic and symptom will be a moment of panic. Well captured
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Oh yes, the panic is only just beginning, Neil
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Let’s hope this remains fiction.
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Sadly, Anthony, it already isn’t for so many
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