Wednesday 16 May 2018

ALCHEMY - 100 word story

A pair of old boots as a photo prompt? I didn't get it - and neither did my character.




PHOTO PROMPT submitted by Courtney Wright.


ALCHEMY


Hannah was bored listening to the artist pontificate about the alchemy of his Pieces.
‘Isn’t he marvellous?’ said Toby.
They contemplated a pair of wrecked boots.
‘I don't get it.’
‘Your approach is wrong. You must embrace the alchemy.’
‘Alchemy, schmalchemy.’ She gulped her champagne.‘What does that even mean?’
‘He’s talking about the magic within his work. When you embrace a Piece, it changes before your eyes: transmutes, transforms.’
‘Yeah, right.’
Across the room a beautiful man smiled at her.
Hannah perked up. ‘Now that’s an alchemy I could embrace.’
Champagne-brave, she was off.



I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE




If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 



65 comments:

  1. I liked "champagne brave"

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    1. Thanks, Neil. It happens when we've had a drink or two, doesn't it? :)

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  2. I love ripping into pretension. I enjoyed this for that reason as much as the fine writing, well done

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    1. Thanks, Michael. I sometimes think we are hoodwinked by modern art. :)

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  3. Dear Susan,

    Sounds like she's in for a night of...um...er...alchemy of a different sort.
    I could feel her pain. As an art student years ago, I used to gag as I listened to other art students try to sound like they actually knew something about the world at the wise old age of 18.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. He he - yes, artists can be very pretentious and cover their assertions by implying that the lack is yours if you can't 'see' the meaning behind their work.

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  4. Leaving poor Toby standing there to admire the artist alone. Huh.

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    1. Yes, well, I don't think Toby suited her. :)

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  5. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Nicely done Susan :-)

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  6. The magic is in the embracing- whether work or person or moment :)

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    1. Yes, I think Hannah is going to enjoy her own sort of embracing. Thanks for commenting, Anita.

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  7. Enough of art - time to make something much more interesting. Cracking story Susan, I just hope her night improved

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    1. Thanks, Lynn. I think she'll have a much more interesting evening! :)

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  8. Haha! Hannah is off to explore her brand of Alchemy. Toby has the shoes to study anyways. Fun read, Susan.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Varad. Toby needs to lighten up! :)

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  9. Champagne can definitely make you bold!! Glad you found something to write about on the prompt!! ;-)

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  10. Believe it or not, the story idea came from Vincent Van Gogh's painting of a pair of old boots. :)

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  11. I think the artist in my story would totally vibe with the one in yours.

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    1. He he - artists are a breed apart (and I don't mean that in a negative way at all - I have original art in my home). Thanks for commenting, Alice.

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  12. The meaning of a work of art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I once wrote a poem that was purposely written to mean absolutely nothing. I posted it on my blog, and as I expected, I received several comments from people who read their own meanings into it.

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    1. Very true! But I think Hannah was more interested in exploring the meaning of the human art she spotted across the room.

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  13. She's in for a spot of alcaholamy methinks! Nice one.

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  14. If I had comment on that boot sculpture, I'd probably say that it's difficult to enter into this work because of how the aura of the purity of line verges on codifying the substructure of critical thinking.
    But I think I like Champagne-brave better. Fun story.

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    1. Oh very good, Subroto! Thanks for commenting.

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  15. That's the main reason for going to art shows, isn't it? Much more sophisticated than a night club :-)

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    1. I dunno - I prefer to go to galleries to simply enjoy what I see. I'm afraid I don't spend time dissecting the meanings - if I don't immediately get it, I move on. :)

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  16. You let the action of your story tell us what the characters are like- nice writing!

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Penny. Glad you liked it.

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  17. Very practical!
    I hope she doesn't learn that fantasy is cheaper!

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    1. I think Hannah knows what she likes. :) Thanks for commenting.

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  18. He he - I had a similar in experience in the Guggenheim - with a white canvas. I was appalled and intrigued in equal measure!

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  19. I agree with her - there's far too much self-conscious cr*p surrounding 'Art'.

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    1. He he - the art world does seem to attract pretentious folk! Thanks for commenting, Liz.

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  20. "Champagne- brave", perfect :) Nice take on the prompt.

    https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-boots.html?_sm_au_=iVV1qsjVFVnfnJDq

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    1. Thanks, Jaya - glad you liked that phrase. :)

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  21. Loved the ending, Susan. Alchemy can be powerful stuff when channeled.

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    1. Thanks for your feedback, Russell - powerful stuff indeed!

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  22. Delightful! I'm glad you embraced the question mark that loomed in your mind when you saw the boots. A very fun story.

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    1. Thanks, Alicia. That's what I love about these Friday Fictioneers photo prompts - you never know where they're going to lead you.

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  23. Haha! Champagne brave! 😅

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    1. Yes, sometimes people need a little something to give them courage - so long as it isn't too much! Thanks for commenting, Shivam.

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  24. I, too, love the "champagne-brave". And let's face it, art is just not for everyone...

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    1. Thanks, Dale - it's so great when I get positive feedback about a phrase that just popped into my head. I only hope I can keep doing it! :)

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  25. A delightful story. To each his own! =)

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Brenda. Yes - each to his own! :)

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  26. Ha! Hanna obviously prefers the classical and tangible beauty of an attractive man to the boring snobbery and old boots! I agree! Fun flash, and great last line, as others have mentioned.

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    1. Thanks Luccia - appreciate the feedback. :)

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Helen - glad you liked the ending. :)

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  28. Ahhh, honesty - until a man steps into view. Love it!

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    1. He he - it happens, Donna! Thanks for the comment. :)

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  29. Ha... sometimes it's hard to understand an artist, and pretending to do is worse... I think Toby needs to find someone else to impress

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    1. Yes, he misread Hannah quite spectacularly, didn't he? :)

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  30. Hannah wasn't really in the mood for the arty-farty talk. At least she understands alchemy on a basic level. A good write😊

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    1. Yes, there's alchemy and then there's alchemy! :) Thanks for commenting, Vivian.

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  31. You see a pair of old boots. You weave a perfect little tale. Your imagination is where the magic lies...

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments, Helen - much appreciated.

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  32. Haha she certainly sees something different! Hope the vision she is focused on sees her back

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  33. He he - I think she stands more of a chance of understanding a beautiful man than a pair of old boots. :)

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  34. Great voice - I think I'm with her. A Piece should stand by itself without all the explanatory malarky. I hope she wasn't too champagne-fuelled to fluff the next bit of the evening :)

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Sarah. I think we'll have to leave the rest of her evening up to our imaginations! :)

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.