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 Jennifer Pendergast.
© Jennifer Pendergast
As I have just arrived in Scotland to escape my idyllic life on the Med, time is short so this is a rerun, and there is no reading.
Bonnes vacances!
Trained
It is the only way to travel.
Jumping a freight train is more difficult nowadays.
But few things are impossible for a resourceful guy like me.
And the benefits make it worthwhile.
It is cost effective.
It is fast and reliable.
It is better than driving.
You can enjoy the scenery, beautiful in this part of the world.
You don’t get pestered by annoying fellow-passengers.
You don’t have the hassle of security checks.
You have a high level of anonymity.
These last two are crucial to someone with my lifestyle.
Like I say, it is the only way to travel.
I like the positivity of your traveler, an overwhelming vote for riding that freight train.
Well worth a second airing. Enjoy your time in Scotland – a bit cooler perhaps than what you’re used to?
Remonds me of the 1930’s in America when hobos used to travel all around on freight cars. This must have been what they thought — or one of them anyway. Great work, CE!
Make that “reminds.” 🙂
Being anonymous on a freight train allows you to escape the quarantine rules as well.
A good piece. I like the title pun.
Thank you, I appreciate when a reader picks up the little things!
Ah, though good jumping skills and some evasive maneuvers are probably handy, as well … 😉 Nicely traveled, this one!
Our narrator has skills in abundance, Na’ama.
He is well trained and well travelled!
Seems so … (though I’m totally cool not necessarily traveling with him … 😉 )
Sounds lovely – apart from having to do it this way because of his “lifestyle”…
Pros and cons, Ali, we all have to find a balance, don’t we?
A true train story…traveling in a loop back to the beginning…wonderful!
I am delighted you picked up on that, and very happy you enjoyed.
Thanks to you, I now have Elizabeth Cotton’s croaky voice singing in my head!
I did ask her to pay you a visit, Keith!
I enjoyed that story, new or not. Oh the tugging joy of such total freedom. Well done.
Thanks Bill, it’s good to feel the tug sometimes, reminds us we are alive.
I’m alive and I like it that way.
I enjoyed the carefree tone of your piece. Bonnes vacances en Écosse !
Merci, Gabriella. Il pleut, comme d’hab, mais c’est trop beau!
J’ai vécu près de Stirling un an au milieu des années 80. Je me souviens encore de mon arrivée. Il a plu pendant plusieurs jours d’affilée. Mon premier achat a été un parapluie.
Rire. C’est l’Écosse!
There is a menacing underbelly to the story as I wonder what his lifestyle is. I also wonder if the title is a verb of a sinister sort. (Only say this because I know what you like to write about.)
The title is a pun, yes.
Is the menace just in your imagination, or…
Lovely story, Ceayr
Thanks, Neel
Ever the romantic!
I have my moments, Neel…
I do love trains, though I’ve never jumped a freight. Nice piece.
Ronda
Trains are cool, aren’t they, Ronda!
I’m imagining all sorts of things: A political assassin? A successful cat-burglar, jewel thief? Or just your run-of-the-mill psychopathic killer?
I am just happy to have sparked your imagination, LInda!
Dear CE
Always nice to revisit once in a while. I’m vacationing as well. Enjoy the haggis.
Shalom
Rochelle
Whether stories or homeland, it is always interesting to go back.
Haggis and scones, bagpipes and soft Scottish rain, it is heaven on earth.
Interesting lifestyle he has chosen, I wonder if through necessity or just plain pleasure. Enjoy your visit, sorry about the rain.
Always an ulterior motive, Iain.
And I am pure drookit here!
We’re at Prestwick beach today, watching the rain come down after a quick paddle in the sea!
Now there’s a thought I have never thought before. I’m thinking if the freight train is carrying mangoes, that would be a special bonus 😀
If my words provoke a thought, JJ, then I am content.
Welcome home. If you do encounter a security check, you can always fall back on the immortal words of Oscar Wilde “I have nothing to declare but my genius”
Laughing.
Or ‘my somewhat limited writing ability’!