The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
Just One Call
Just one call.
For people like him, that’s all it takes to solve a problem.
Not that he actually contributes anything to the solution, of course.
No, the recipient of the call does everything required; he delegates, provides support, manages and monitors.
And reports back, when necessary.
Sometimes the reports are unnecessary, as the media do that part of the service.
If, for example, a rising political star is making the shareholders nervous:
Controversial politician’s plane lost at sea.
Or a high-tech rival is threatening the bottom line:
Business mogul in fatal car crash.
Then he smiles, and authorises payment.
And now he has made the call to organise his daughter’s wedding.
He’s very happy that she’s getting married.
But he doesn’t want her to be married.
He is much more interested in taking control of the widow’s new interests.
So he makes a second call.
Now he is standing in front of the church just paces away from the happy newly-weds as family and friends shower them with rice and confetti and good wishes.
The official photographer is cheerfully snapping every possible combination of bride and bridesmaids, mothers and aunts, children and grandparents, doing his utmost to ensure that everyone is included.
All this is happening because of just one call.
Almost a mile away, at a 14th storey window, through a telescopic lens, I focus only on the groom.
Also after just one call.
Pingback: His Name Is Warrior – Tales from Glasgow
Brutal! And yet not something I cannot image could really happen. So well told.
Well, I guess I stand alone as the only one who was not surprised. It was these three lines that gave it away:
He’s very happy that she’s getting married.
But he doesn’t want her to be married.
He is much more interested in taking control of the widow’s new interests.
Right there I knew the groom was going to get whacked.
That doesn’t matter in the least to me. It was brilliant writing and I enjoyed your story immensely, CE.
Absolutely brilliant! As twists go, that’s has to be your best ever!
Now, you may recieve one call for me. Hopefully, you’ll charge me mate’s rates!
Not expecting that… as usual. Hah!
What Sally said (‘cept the part about surprises… ok a little of that part too)
tantalizingly tense and terse tale told to a trio (at the moment)…. all out of Ts
I like the faux linearity of the narrative… though, imo, the faux is appreciated only on the second read through. your creating a momentum is subtle but effective, yo
Pingback: Beloved Stranger – Tales from Glasgow
What Jenne said. That was so well-done. Yes, you never cease to surprise.
Now that was crafty – the reveal of the narrator as first person not until the third last line in this beautifully – er – crafted story. (Hm, sometimes I wonder about words.)
It’s always fun hoping for a twist – and you never cease to surprise.
Masterclass.