PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin
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It had been a long time since Jack had been to Sunset Beach. The ugly yellow paint the caretaker put on the shed two summers ago was already flaking off.
Jack pulled the key out of his pocket and inserted it in the lock. Anyone watching wouldn’t notice, but a series of biometric tests were run to make sure he was part of the Calderone family.
A telltale click told him he passed. Jack slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
So, they wanted a war. Fine. He had all the weapons here he would need to end it.
It’s Wednesday and once again time to participate in the weekly Friday Fictioneers writing challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
The idea is to use the image above as the prompt for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
Sunset Beach is just a small oceanfront section of Huntington Beach, California. I lived a few miles away many years ago and the photo reminded me of the area.
I’ve been reading Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel The Godfather which is where I got the name “Calderone” and the idea for some kind of “gang war” (you’ve probably seen the 1972 film starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino). Given the technology I describe, this story is set in more modern times (I also borrowed ideas both from the 2010 film Red starring Bruce Willis and the 1984 movie The Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger).
“Jack” is the name of my protagonist in my current WIP.
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
To read one of my published works of fiction, go see ICE.
At the end of time, the world is hot and men travel the vast oceans in merchant sailing ships. Captain Ki-Moon Yong of the Star of Jindo has discovered a new horror at the bottom of the world. Can he and the Star escape disaster long enough to warn a disbelieving world?Read the latest review of “Ice” HERE.
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That’s a shivery good story for Halloween month 🙂
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Thanks, Linda.
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Good one. I’m sure that many are having the same sentiments in this day and age.
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Very true. Thanks.
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Seems like such an innocuous building, but oh the contents!
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Innocuous buildings are perfect for such contents. Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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Wow – that took a turn. No simple beach tale today. Well done.
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True, but then look at my influences. Thanks.
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Dear James,
I know where he can use those weapons. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True enough.
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Very good. From peeling yellow paint to futuristic security systems and weapons of war. You covered quite some territory in this, and I was drawn right in.
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Thank you, Margaret.
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I doubt his plan would succeed (seeing the aftermath of the past 2 world wars).
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This is like an old fashioned “gang war.” I mentioned that one of my influences was Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel “The Godfather.” I don’t think you could win or even start a world war from a shed.
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These people of special talents always need a special way to get in. I enjoyed this, James.
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Thanks, Dale.
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War. It’s in our DNA. I love the idea of the test. Nicely done, James.
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Thanks, Bill.
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That does look like a place that could hold an arsenal.
Wonderfully imaginative!
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Thanks, Dawn.
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Could be anything going on in those shacks.
One never knows.
Great write!
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Very true. Thanks.
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I just finished a Puzo binge, “The Godfather,” “The Sicilian,” “Omerta,” and “The Family Corleone.” The last is by Ed Falco but based on an unproduced screenplay by Mario Puzo. I like the sci-fi twist.
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