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 Trish Nankivell.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Widow
I am concerned.
I have been hired by an insurance company to investigate a widow.
Her first husband was a rally driver.
He died in a high-speed crash.
Her second husband was a motorcycle racer.
He had an unfortunate incident with a tree.
Her third husband was an accountant.
He had a fall while walking in Glencoe.
Each of these men was quite wealthy, and very well insured.
The insurance company is unhappy.
Three large payouts to the same beneficiary makes them understandably suspicious.
I have studied her carefully.
And I am concerned.
Because she is an extremely alluring lady.
Alluring is usually good for a free pass or four.
Knowing we men, I’m sure he’ll take the chance!
Bet the farm, Ali!
She may be alluring, but he’s in no danger, he’s only an insurance investigator! Now, she may pull the wool over his eyes. Or, she’s a very unlucky woman. After all, the first two died in reasonable ways for their careers, and falls can happen to anyone.
You see the best in everyone, Lisa, and that is very sweet.
But in my stories…
Darned insurance companies, they never like paying out🙂
Especially when a pattern emerges!
Heheee. what an evil little woman… he better watch out, indeedy! LOL! Merry Christmas!
Oh Bear, evil is a bit strong, I think she’s more pragmatic!
All the best to you too!
Well, in her defence, walking can be quite a dangerous activity for sedentary office-bound types 😉 I reckon he is safe, because what rich guy would do the dirty work of a PI?
I don’t think she needs any more defence, Fatima, she is already alluring!
Hello husband number 4! Great flow to the story, C.
Thanks, Tannille.
Wedding bells in the near future…
Gosh! Men!!!!!!! They never learn, do they?
To be fair, JJ, some of us don’t really try …
Hmm…. well, one cannot say they were not amply warned … 😉
Nice one, C.!
Happy Christmas!
Thanks, Na’ama, all the best to you too!
🙂
I wonder how many exes the investigator has had? Perfect job to pick targets.
Oh how cynical!
But in this case, at any rate, he is the allured!
he can try to seduce him, i don’t think she’d be interested in a lowly investigator. :
She has her ways, Plaridel, and everyone is insurable!
Love the story. Hopefully the insurance company found a very poor man to investigate her. Seems like that’s the only hope they (and he) have. 🙂
-David
Laughing.
Ladies like that tend to get their men well insured, just in case…
Hmm, he should be concerned, and if he’s husband number four, keep one eye on her at all times.
Excellent last line!
Sometimes, Brenda, a man’s gotta do…
Lure, allure, and better endure! Lat line was a killer, Ceayr.
Laughing.
Thanks, Neel!
Either she’s very unlucky or a skilled mechanic!
I don’t think luck plays any part in it!
Her fourth husband was a successful investigator. Bye-bye. Next ….!
A retired gent from down on La Manche, perhaps?
Oho, watch it, there, young fella. You’re right to be concerned. Could be this lady is one of the fabled Sirens of mythical fame.
But, Linda, being led astray is my favourite pastime!
🙂
Investigator beware.
Good advice, I think!
He he he! And so should you be concerned, young man. Very nicely done.
We all have to go sometime, Trish.
Oh, fun photo, thanks!
Dear CE,
She sounds like a must to avoid.
Shalom,
Rochelle
But men, y’know, m’lady, easily allured!
As the others say, I’m not sure he has what she is looking for. Of course, he may prove me wrong and he may well be a scintillating catch. Briefly.
It’s all about the insurance, Sandra.
For the lady, brevity is the soul of profit!
Insurance Investigator? I suspect he hasn’t the money to tempt her. On the other hand, if he’s looking for a quick marriage and a quick payout, she would be very alluring to him…
Maybe he’s well insured too, hmm…
Ha ha – great last line, CE. Loved your take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Glad you enjoyed, Susan
Damn! I meant Hitchcock of course
Ya dancer!
Laughing.
Freudian slip, Neil?
Wonderfully Hitcock. He’s probably safe–he doesn’t seem rich enough
To be in the same comment as the great man is beyond praise.