AFTERLIFE - 100 word story

The Friday Fictioneers photo of people queuing in the rain prompted me to revisit and rewrite one of my old stories...

PHOTO PROMPT © Na’ama Yehuda

AFTERLIFE

The last thing Bert remembered was his scolding wife.

Now he was queueing, in the rain!

Who knew?

'Morning, Bert. Name's Austin. How d’you want to return?'

'Return?'

'This new to you?'

'Course it's new...' Bert paused in astonishment.

'Ah! This is my fourth death. What’s it to be: guy or gal? I tried womanhood in 1840. Spent a miserable life in domestic service.'

‘This is so sudden.’

‘That’s death for you, Bert. Male or female?’

Images of his wife snarling over monthly unmentionables, childbirth and menopause flashed.

‘Male please,’ said Bert.

‘Good choice,’ said Austin.

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 attempt 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 redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

SUNNYVIEW CARE HOME - 100 word story

The book and glasses offered for this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt triggered a return to a story I wrote some years ago. Here's my re-write.

PHOTO PROMPT © CEAyr

SUNNYVIEW CARE HOME

“He’s dropped his trousers again,” someone shouted.

Lillian sighed.

Alfie blocked the television, bare-arsed. Elderly ladies fussed and clucked. Jany came running.

“He’s gone doo-lally,” said Lillian.

Jany pulled Alfie’s pants up. He shuffled sideways like a startled crab.

“Keep still before you fall and break a hip,” said Lillian.

Alfie whimpered.

“Hush, Lillian. You’re scaring him.”

Why am I here? thought Jany, irritation mingled with compassion.

Why am I here? thought Alfie, confusion mingled with fear.

Why am I here? Lillian's anger with her husband mingled with despair.

And Alfie's book sat like an accusation.

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 attempt 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 redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

DISGUISED - 100 word story

Loved this week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt. Never mind the shelves - it was the plant that sparked my imagination.

PHOTO PROMPT © Penny Gadd

DISGUISED

When Xognan was posted to the planet called Earth to study the highest life form he was aghast. The project would swallow nine million xano-years of his life and he regretted signing up with Planet Discovery. He'd only done it because the pay was good.

Xognan wasn't overly happy with the flimsy disguise he'd been given either.

Hey-ho.

Now he sat high on a shelf in what these lifeforms called a 'house'. Fine filaments on Xognan's limbs caught microscopic bacteria to feed on. He nervously relied on the lifeforms to water him.

And he studied their behaviour with undisguised astonishment.

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 attempt 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 redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.