Tag Archives: friday fictioneers

Soshi’s Magic Teleporting Divorce Machine

sukkah

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

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“A little early for Sukkot,” Brad chuckled to himself.

“Very funny.” Soshi winced at another of his jokes criticizing her Judaism. “We could use it as a sukkah, but it would make a nice outdoor playhouse for the kids.

“I don’t know.” He gazed upward. “It kind of looks like rain.”

“Just step inside and tell me what you think.”

Brad reluctantly walked into the center of the structure. Soshi quickly took a small remote out of her pocket and pressed the red button. Instantly, Brad was beamed into a different reality.

“Laugh your way out of that one, Brad.”

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The Last Interview of Mister Bill

mister-bill

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

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Mister Bill’s plush body sat in a trendy Hollywood restaurant. The interview about his career was finished, but awakened dormant memories of his 1970s glory days at SNL. Sure, the stunts were dangerous, but money and fame didn’t come cheap.

It nearly ended in 1980, but Chevy rescued him from a garbage can. After that he moved to L.A. By the end of the 1990s, it was over. He’d been surprised by the journalist asking to see him. His old nemesis, Mister Hand was so old now.

“Guess it’s time we both retired.” Bill held his dear friend’s wrinkled hand.

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The Tree Where The Elves Live

tree

PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

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“It’s just a fake door, Jillian. Elves don’t really live in the tree.” Ten-year-old Sam strode towards the trunk.

“Don’t,” the eight-year-old girl cried. “If they get mad, they’ll cast a spell on us.” She ran to her brother and grabbed his arm.

He shook her off. “Watch this.” Sam gripped the knob and pulled away the little door exposing only bark. “See?”

“You’re no fun,” Jill pouted.

“Let’s go get an ice cream,” Sam offered.

After the kids marched off, the knothole popped open. Two elves poked their heads out of the window. Pip asked, “Are they gone yet?”

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A Brief Errand in Time

cotton

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Miles Jackson strolled past the bistro to The Cotton Exchange. His contact said he had to depart from someplace that existed both now and at the target date. He wouldn’t have much time once he arrived, which was ironic. But in 2024, he couldn’t walk down the streets of Wilmington dressed like a Civil War era slave.

The vaccine was secure in his pocket. Miles knew that ten-year-old Caleb would be in a house just two doors down on the morning of August 16, 1862. He had to inoculate him for the Yellow Fever so his ancestor would grow up.

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Solved: The Locked Room Murder Mystery

susan

PHOTO PROMPT © Susan Rouchard

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Stephanie’s grandfather had been murdered in his study. The police said the room had been locked from the inside. No one could have gotten in or out.

He was strangled by hand so it wasn’t a suicide. The police determined the murderer could not still be in the room.

Steph knew better. She had been part of his writing since she was six and old enough to compose her first childish mystery.

She worked through the stack of books on his desk. The one he’d received by mail just before he died; his latest novel. Grandfather’s killer was hiding inside.

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A Rose for Amélie

bridge

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

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His name is Alec Plisken now. Periodically, he found it convenient to change identities. That didn’t mean he could change his past.

This night he stood on the Pont de Pierre. His steady hand placed a red rose on the walkway. This was where his wife had fallen.

There was peace now, but not so in Nazi occupied Bordeaux in 1940. He had been sent to England not realizing his beloved wife would not escape France, even with a falsified Portuguese visa. This is where she was shot and killed by the fascists. Unlike him, Amélie was not an immortal.

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No Dancing For Me

door

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

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Jeffrey stood at the bottom of the steps confronted by a barrier and closed doors.

“The bloody thing’s closed. Dodged that one,” he said aloud.

He was turning to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard her say, “Where do you think you’re going?”

He gritted his teeth behind his lips, then choked out, “It’s closed, Marcia”

“Keeps folks from sleeping on the landing. I can unlatch it and have a key.” She pulled him up the steps.

“I don’t want to dance,” he complained.

“Come on. It’s fun.” The gleam in her eye was evil.

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Visiting Mom

roger

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Every morning, she opens the window and walks out onto her small balcony. Her apartment is the only one like it.

Every morning, I wait for her to come out and I watch her. I keep my curtains shut so she doesn’t know she’s being spied on. I’m still deciding what to do.

Nineteen years ago, she went to have an abortion. The baby survived and was born, but she was told it wouldn’t live long. She left without another thought.

Should I confront her, tell her I’m the son she abandoned, or use my rifle and kill her now?

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So This Is Romantic?

beach

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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“Come on, Scott. What’s the point of renting a beach house for a week if we don’t walk along the beach?” Jeannie tugged at her husband’s arm, coaxing him along.

“What’s the point of freezing my ass off? It’s March, not July. What possesses those nuts to bundle up under some tent just to watch the waves?”

“Spoilsport. This is supposed to be romantic.”

“Watching the ocean through the window with a roaring blaze in the fireplace is romantic.”

“Some romance. You just want to be writing that story of yours. I should never have let you bring your laptop.”

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Death by Incense

gas

PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

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Henry only needed to turn the gas back on for a little while. He’d arranged for the stove to have a significant leak. Rachel would smell it, but he would tell her she’s imagining things. Then he’d go outside pretending to tend to the garden.

When she came out complaining of a headache or dizziness, he’d suggest she stay with her sister Jeannie for the weekend. Anything to get rid of her and her damned nagging. Then he’d fix the leak, air out the house, and finally be able to relax.

He didn’t count on her lighting an incense stick.

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