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. 

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65 comments:

  1. Anonymous16 May 2018 at 12:03

    I liked "champagne brave"

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    1. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 15:48

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

      Delete
  2. Michael Wynn16 May 2018 at 12:17

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

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    1. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 15:49

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

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  3. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields16 May 2018 at 12:17

    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. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 15:51

      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.

      Delete
  4. Linda16 May 2018 at 12:58

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

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    1. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 15:52

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

      Delete
  5. Iain Kelly16 May 2018 at 14:23

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

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  6. Anita Sabat16 May 2018 at 15:14

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

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    1. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 15:53

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

      Delete
  7. Lynn Love16 May 2018 at 18:09

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

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    1. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 19:47

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

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  8. Unknown16 May 2018 at 18:37

    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. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 19:48

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

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  9. Courtney Wright 16 May 2018 at 20:43

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

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  10. Susan A Eames16 May 2018 at 21:42

    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. Alice Audrey16 May 2018 at 23:30

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

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    1. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:22

      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 Silver Fox16 May 2018 at 23:38

    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. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:23

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

      Delete
  13. Keiths Rambling17 May 2018 at 02:32

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

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  14. Subroto17 May 2018 at 03:08

    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. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:24

      Oh very good, Subroto! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  15. draliman17 May 2018 at 07:51

    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. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:27

      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. :)

      Delete
  16. Penny Gadd17 May 2018 at 09:45

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

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    1. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:27

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

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  17. Spicedmullings17 May 2018 at 13:52

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

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    1. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:28

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

      Delete
  18. lisarey1990@gmail.com17 May 2018 at 22:44

    Fun read.

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  19. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 10:30

    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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  20. liz young18 May 2018 at 13:11

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

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    1. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 20:37

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

      Delete
  21. Jaya18 May 2018 at 15:42

    "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. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 20:38

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

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  22. Russell Gayer18 May 2018 at 16:05

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

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    1. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 20:40

      Thanks for your feedback, Russell - powerful stuff indeed!

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  23. Alicia L. Jamtaas18 May 2018 at 18:05

    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. Susan A Eames18 May 2018 at 20:41

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

      Delete
  24. Unknown19 May 2018 at 03:03

    Haha! Champagne brave! 😅

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    1. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 09:41

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

      Delete
  25. Dale19 May 2018 at 17:16

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

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    1. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 17:36

      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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  26. Brenda Cox19 May 2018 at 18:25

    A delightful story. To each his own! =)

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    1. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 18:46

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

      Delete
  27. Luccia Gray at Rereading Jane Eyre19 May 2018 at 19:40

    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. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 21:02

      Thanks Luccia - appreciate the feedback. :)

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  28. Helen Baggott19 May 2018 at 21:28

    A lovely twist.

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    1. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 23:19

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

      Delete
  29. Donna B. McNicol19 May 2018 at 23:09

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

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    1. Susan A Eames19 May 2018 at 23:19

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

      Delete
  30. brudberg20 May 2018 at 17:00

    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. Susan A Eames20 May 2018 at 17:27

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

      Delete
  31. Vivian Zems20 May 2018 at 18:05

    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. Susan A Eames20 May 2018 at 18:55

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

      Delete
  32. Helen Laycock20 May 2018 at 20:58

    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. Susan A Eames20 May 2018 at 22:04

      Thanks for your kind comments, Helen - much appreciated.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous20 May 2018 at 22:06

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

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  34. Susan A Eames21 May 2018 at 10:23

    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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  35. Anonymous21 May 2018 at 13:40

    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. Susan A Eames21 May 2018 at 14:14

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

      Delete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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