This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Two people are playing chess. One person can read minds, the other person can see the future.
‘I know the result is surprising, the funeral is a surprising affair. A double funeral! I like the floral arrangements of chess pieces. When I advance this piece she will be surprised.’
‘What is he thinking about? Double funeral! I can read him like a book, he wants me to take the offered pawn, well I’m not going to! I’ll move this Bishop over here and take him by surprise.’
‘Ha! I could see that coming and I saw her next move. I wonder what she would make of the fact that her husband didn’t bother to attend her funeral. My wife attended and the rest of the family. I wish they hadn’t shed so many tears over my death. The way she brought that Bishop into play was a cheeky move. We will soon need a Bishop to conduct our double funeral.’
‘What’s that nonsense? Is he crazy? We are playing an important match here and all he can think about is death. Utter bloody nonsense. At the back of his mind there is a foggy area where the future should be. Perhaps he is right to be thinking about death. He’s certainly not considering a result in his mind. That line of thought and checkmate move wasn’t a bad idea, I think I’ll have to block him here, I’ll play my Rook allowing me to mate him in three.’
‘How did she figure that move out? Anyone would think she was a mind reader the way she can outplay my most obscure lines. Any minute now it will be curtains for both of us. Lady, if you can read my mind; start praying now. I will bring this pawn into play to bring the endgame closer.’
‘What the heck? I think he’s onto me. Here goes my unplanned assault…..…….. Bloody brilliant!’
“Checkmate!”
A shout came from the audience as a man dressed in battle fatigues rose and sprayed both players with an automatic machine gun; killing them both instantly.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
The Dawson sisters were identical twins. Judging by looks; it was hard to tell one from another. Yet somehow, it was easy, once you got to know them well. One of the sisters was extremely introverted by nature and the other sister developed exactly the opposite characteristics. I will let the story unfold and allow the reader’s natural judgement to separate our twins. It was the time of the school Christmas pantomime; which was to be ‘Cinderella,’ this year. The twins, Cleo and Marie, were desperate to be in their first stage show. They went to the audition together, where the only roles left were the ugly sisters. Everyone agreed they were far too pretty to be cast as ugly sisters.
The girls were devastated; they begged, pleaded and made such a scene. It was then, their dramatic acting abilities became clear.
Cleo was particularly vociferous; ‘We will be perfect for the parts as we’re real sisters. We won’t even have to act the parts. Will we Marie?’
Marie had her thumb in her mouth and simply nodded, having wiped away some stray tears with the back of her hand.
Mr.Soames, the English teacher shrugged, then suddenly said,
‘I can see you would be perfect for the part of one of the sisters Cleo, but would Marie be capable of playing a bully? Both of the ugly sisters bully Cinderella.’
Marie still had her thumb firmly lodged in her mouth and she seemed to be about to answer when Cleo responded.
‘Of course she can! it’s only a play not real life.’
Miss Eagleton the casting director decided to send them to a makeup artist to work magic and make them appear ugly.
The professional makeup artist threw her arms up in the air, and shouted. “Impossible! I cannot work with these girls. How can I be expected to change Beauty into the Beast, twice?”
Once again, between them, the two girls created such a scene, Miss Eagleton quickly caved-in and agreed to do her best. Make up was applied liberally, wigs were added to create an effect of individuality. Everyone agreed that she had done her best but the twins would have to act even more ugly to complete the effect.
Cleo was a natural actress and she was able to portray herself as ugly as she could possibly be, in everyone’s opinion. Marie got through the transformation almost without uttering a word.
Then fate stepped in, Mr Soames received a message from his star of the show, Eve Simpkins, informing him that she was unable to play Cinderella as she had developed laryngitis and her voice had become gruff and masculine. Mr Soames then announced there would be some changes in the cast.
‘Eve Simpkins will be recast as one of the ugly sisters and one of the twins will play Cinderella.’
A voice from the group enquired, ‘Which one of the twins have you got in mind? The bossy sister or the quiet one?’
‘I’m choosing the quiet one. The thumb sucking sister is perfect for the part. If we can keep her thumb out of her mouth.’
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
The eccentric billionaire Marc Farquharson, hosted a worldwide annual literary competition, ‘The M.F. Powerful Pen award.’
The first prize was £100,000 with £50,000 going to the runner-up. The competition, open to all and sundry, is hotly contested around the world. The winner and runner-up are chosen by a public vote in the world press, with television and radio shows collecting the votes. The prizes are presented by some influential businessmen and entrepreneurs, who are each presented with a very ornate fountain pen. Known unofficially as the note taking nonsense pen, it’s as highly valued by the recipients, as the acclaim that arises from winning the cash prize is by the writers. Competition to be invited to present the awards is always fiercest among the elite in the global business community.
Shortly after last year’s competition, the world financial community became aware of some serious business leaks of sensitive information that could only have originated from inside sources. Insider trading was suspected and private security firms were called in to investigate; sadly, without pinning down the cause. After an intensive investigation by a little-known but respected firm of investigators; certain parallels became evident between the ‘M.F. Powerful Pen award.’ and many of these seemingly obscure, random, leaks of information.
A separate investigation was launched into the wheeling dealing billionaire Marc Farquharson, without any questionable results turning up.
A breakthrough occurred when a team of specialised financial investigators, headed by an intrepid lady sleuth known as Marg, discovered a bugged fountain pen in the office of a dot-com millionaire, who immediately informed the authorities. All the literary prize pens presented by the organisers of the ‘MF Powerful Pen award’ were collected by police, and Farquharson was arrested for financial fraud. The case against him is underway but proof is virtually impossible, as he denies all knowledge of these bugs and pins the blame on the Chinese manufacturers of these extraordinary pens.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Jill was shaken by this incredible offer and replied. ‘Thanks for your faith in my abilities, I guess you have done your homework. I will certainly need time to think things through. Meanwhile as a possible candidate, can I suggest you cut the extra alcohol and alleviate the ache some other way. Relaxation or Yoga as opposed to burpee workouts.’…..
Several days later, Jill was catching up with an old friend following a high power conference. Simone Leipzig was also a financial analyst, they’d known each other since college and this was a rare get-together. Simone was a slightly overweight lady, with blonde hair and grey eyes. She countered her height challenge by wearing extremely high heels and raised her hair with a high hairstyle. She also power-dressed with a slim grey striped two-piece suit, with unobtrusive, slightly padded shoulders.
‘Hi Jill! Lovely to see you, it’s been weeks. You’re looking so well, what’s your secret? What did you think about the downturn in the market valuation of these four major companies?’
Jill grinned when she heard these quick-fire questions, she was aware of Simone’s sharp mind from their previous meetings.
‘I’m fine thanks Simone!, How are you? I have some news for you and I’d really like your advice.’
‘I’m thriving well Jill, I’m still the chief exec. at ‘Mine Be,’ among my other interests. How can I help? Let’s have coffee together now. I’d love a latte with a piece of cream cake.’
They were soon seated together in a nearby bistro and a cheerful waitress brought their drinks to the table.
‘Simone, I have been offered an interesting proposition by Richard Donleavy as a high power PA, with interests as a partner in several of his offshoot companies.’
‘Hold on Jill. Do you mean the Richard Donleavy, who features in the financial pages so frequently? However, did you come to meet him?’
‘It’s a long story Simone. Do you think I should take the bull by the horns and accept this offer? I’ve done some intensive checking and exploration and his financial standing is incredibly sound.’
‘From what you’ve said Jill, I would jump at the chance, it almost sounds too good to be true. I’m sure you’ve done your homework and taken independent advice.’
‘Yes I’ve spoken to David Jennings my solicitor and he’s promised to check the contract wording for me. He specialises in corporate law.’
‘Go for it Jill! You know where I am in the unlikely event you will need my advice or support.
‘Of course! Thanks Simone; That’s just so reassuring, I’m aware that ‘Mine Be’s‘ a government set-up that works in tandem with the revenue department. I’m meeting Richard tomorrow and I intend to give him my answer.’
Jill and Richard met in his city office the next day where Jill tentatively accepted his offer, subject to signing the contracts.
Richard invited her to lunch where they raised two glasses in a toast to celebrate their new business relationship. Richard chose a glass of Spicy Pumpkin Tonic. Jill was surprised when he said,
‘I took your advice and stopped alleviating the ache from my morning burpee accident, with alcohol and turned to a course of hypnosis. What will you have?’
‘I’ll have the same.’ said Jill; laughing out loud.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
An emergency ambulance was summoned to transport Richard to an exclusive private hospital. Jill was a frequent visitor during the slow weeks of intensive physiotherapy treatment and they became good friends. Richard never fully recovered from this untoward injury and needless to say he has never taken part in any further burpee sessions again…..
Several weeks later Jill and Richard met for lunch at Grimaldi’s, an exclusive Italian restaurant. Jill was somewhat puzzled by this invitation, yet flattered, as she still had hopes their friendship would develop into something special. She had chosen her outfit with care and together with a fresh hairdo by Simon, her personal hairdresser, she looked absolutely stunning. The gold coloured two piece outfit she wore matched her newly coiffured hair perfectly.
Richard was already seated when she entered the restaurant and he instantly jumped to his feet when the restaurant maitre d escorted her to his table.
‘Hi Jill! I’m so glad you could make it, I’m sure you’re always busy in your line of work.
Thanks Luigi. Can we order the wine now? Oh! and bring me another double gin and tonic. Would you like a drink Jill?’
. ‘Yes please, could I just have a glass of fruit juice?’
‘Of course, Mr. Donleavy. I will inform the wine waiter.’
‘How are you Jill? Thanks for coming, it’s so lovely to see you again. May I say you look absolutely beautiful.’
‘Why thank you kind Sir. I’m fine. More importantly; how are you? Have you fully recovered from that nasty fall you took during that unfortunate burpee session?’
At this moment the wine waiter arrived with the drinks and the wine list. Richard turned to Jill, smiled broadly and said, ‘Red or White? They do a very good Chianti or an excellent Chardonnay here.’ He quickly consumed the gin with just a tiny splash of tonic.
Jill was somewhat taken aback by this but she smiled and after a moment’s thought, she said, ‘Chianti is probably too heavy for me at this time of day. Can I have some Chardonnay please?’
‘Certainly Jill’, Then turning to the waiter he said, ‘Would you bring us a bottle of your best Chardonnay and another double gin, please, I have enough tonic for the moment, thanks.’
The waiter arrived and they both ordered their choices of meal from the extensive lunch menu.
‘Sorry Jill, you asked if I had fully recovered from the accident. Well sadly, I still get spasms of pain during the course of the day. I’ve been prescribed painkillers from my Doctor, but they aren’t strong enough. I find a few glasses of alcohol alongside the painkillers go some way towards alleviating the ache.’
As if to accentuate this, the wine waiter arrived with the drinks and Richard took a sip of neat gin before the wine waiter opened the bottle and poured a small amount of wine for Richard to taste.
‘That will be fine thanks.’
Jill was shocked to hear Richard was still in pain. She sympathised with him, but she gently pointed out the dangers of becoming reliant on alcohol to alleviate his aching pain.
Richard nodded and said, ‘I know Jill, I have an interesting proposition for you. I’m aware that you are a brilliant financial analyst in your own right and you are successful. I’m an extremely wealthy man and I’m in need of a person of your calibre to act as my personal PA. This will not just be any ordinary PA job, I will pay you double the amount of money you earn now and you will automatically become my partner in several of my business ventures. Obviously you can take as long as you like to think things over before you make your decision. Please try not to take too long though.’
Jill was shaken by this incredible offer and replied. ‘Thanks for your faith in my abilities, I guess you have done your homework. I will certainly need time to think things through. Meanwhile as a possible candidate, can I suggest you cut the extra alcohol and alleviate the ache some other way. Relaxation or Yoga as opposed to burpee workouts.’
johnandmargaret1607 