50 Word Thursday #55 – A Valid Recycling

“… after that, he had to make his way all down the parade to the West Pier” – Brighton Rock, Graham Greene.

 

It was a place she liked to hang out with her mates; A spot on the beach by the neatly painted huts. It was early in the day and more or less deserted. There she was, looking gorgeous as ever. As he walked over to her, trying to act cool, with his guitar hanging from its leather band from his shoulder, she called out to him.

“Hey, Dave, what are you doing down here?”

Her friends, Debbie and Sally, sniggered. One even said sarcastically, “What a surprise!”

He had practised for days to be able to play the guitar with total accuracy and he’d written a song, just for her.

Slowly he strummed out a riff and sang her his song.

Jane stared for a minute then she and her mates burst out laughing.

He felt humiliated. After that, he had to make his way all down the parade to the West Pier, and just like in a movie, where it had been deserted before, suddenly the beach was packed. He felt everyone was laughing at him.

When he got to the pier, he sat dejected on a bench and looked out to sea.

After a while, he heard a soft, gentle voice and looked up into a pair of beautiful green eyes.

“So, can you really play that guitar?” she asked, smiling.

“Yeah sure. What’s your name?”

“Elaine”.

Then he sang her his song, changing the name from Jane to Elaine.

It fit perfectly. A valid example of recycling.

[250 Words]

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge. It’s not too late if you want to have a go too, just click on the link below:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/01/16/50-word-thursday-55/

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/01/21/your-daily-word-prompt-accuracy-january-21-2020/

FOWC with Fandango — Valid

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/21/rdp-tuesday-movie/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/21/riff/

50 Word Thursday – To Lust and Scheme

“It was Heather who had made the whole thing work.” – Death of a Gossip – MC Beaton

 

She just couldn’t help herself, as the marriage guidance counsellor leaned forwards, she touched his knee. She just wasn’t made for fidelity; it wasn’t her temperament. She needed the thrill of the chase, the brush with danger and risk of discovery.

He was handsome, with such lovely eyes and had to be ten years younger than her husband. As he coughed and gave a crooked smile, feelings of passion and lust erupted inside her. It was all part of her scheme, to run off with this hunk and leave her husband.

In his deep voice, the counsellor spoke: “So, Heather, Steve, I think I can see what the issue is here and I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”

A few weeks later, Heather was shocked to find her husbands note. He had run off with the marriage guidance counsellor.

Walking in a beautiful tropical garden, hand in hand, Steve turned to Sam and said “In a way, it was Heather who had made the whole thing work. I had been determined to make it work and would never have left her if she hadn’t made a pass at you. Then I realised, I didn’t love her anymore, I loved you.”

[200 Words]

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge, this week hosted by Deb Whittam,

Click on the link to take part in the challenge, you have until Wednesday.

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/50-word-thursday-54/

 

I have also incorporated the following word prompts:

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/11/scheme/

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/lust/

 

FOWC with Fandango — Brush

 

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/your-daily-word-prompt-temperament-january-12-2020/

 

50 Word Thursday – The Dating Game

“Tom could see her tears s she wrote it.” The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

 

He’d taken her to the Zoo, it was her wish and he’d been determined to gratify it.

He was totally besotted. Her golden hair and the way she blushed when he flashed her a winning smile.

Sitting together in the Zoo’s café drinking milkshakes, into which he blew bubbles through a straw to aerate it.

Tom found it hard to tell her how he felt. He thought she knew, but it was the scary moment for him to declare himself. He’d written her a note which he passed across the table with a pencil for her to write a response.

She read the note and gasped. She picked up the pencil and scribbled her answer.

Tom could see her tears as she wrote it.

Then she got up and suddenly ran from the café, leaving him alone.

He glanced down at his note and realised he’d got her name wrong.

[150 Words]

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge, this week hosted by Deb Whittam, click on the link below to see her post:

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2020/01/03/50-word-thursday-53/comment-page-1/?unapproved=13226&moderation-hash=d2ad3aab69ba4c64cda21183c0099997#comment-13226

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/zoo/

 

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/rdp-tuesday-aerate/

 

FOWC with Fandango — Scary

 

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/your-daily-word-prompt-gratify-january-7-2020/

 

 

Action Resolution

January is the time to contemplate the year ahead and many make new year’s resolutions. I have written a poem about my thoughts on the New Year and my own resolutions. 

 

My new year’s resolution,

As I contemplate new beginnings

Is to worry less about the execution

and just accept my loss or winnings.

 

Life’s too short to hesitate,

to feel vulnerable, give in to fear.

To stand paralysed until it’s too late,

Before you know it, you’ve lost another year.

 

So, don’t make idle promises

That you don’t intend to keep,

Just resolve to be more active,

For what you sow, you shall one day reap.

 

Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 04 January 2020. 

 

I have included the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/04/resolution/

 

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/04/rdp-satuyrday-new-beginnings/

 

FOWC with Fandango — Vulnerable

 

Finish the Story 2020 #1 – The Mystery Coach

The image is from Peter H from Pixabay.

 

Teresa Grabs, formerly known as The Haunted Wordsmith, has resurrected her Finish the Story prompt on her new blog.

https://maplesswanderer.wordpress.com/2020/01/01/finish-the-story-2020-1/

The idea is that Teresa starts a story and then tags someone to pick it up where she left off. Then that person tags another to pick up where he or she left off.

Teresa tagged Fandango first, click on the link below to see his post:

Finish the Story 2020 #1 — The Mystery Coach

And Fandango tagged me… So here goes.

Part One

Leslie squealed as Alan removed his hands from her eyes. “Oh, Alan! It’s beautiful!” The coach and dirt path seemed a marriage made in time. How had he done this? Surely he didn’t go all the way to Pennsylvania to buy the coach, but she wouldn’t put anything past him.

“I knew you’d love it.” Alan’s red cheeks matched his hair. Whether it was from the cold or love, it didn’t matter, an entire year’s work and effort culminated in the smile on Leslie’s face. Totally nailed it.

Leslie bounced and clapped, kissing him on his cheek. “Take me for a ride! It’s works, doesn’t it?”

“Of course it does, my love.”

They climbed into the coach. Alan chuckled, looking all around for its key, starter button — something, anything.

Suddenly the coach started and they laughed as it lurched. Leslie was sure Alan was doing this, and Alan was wondering how Leslie was operating the coach. It wasn’t until it picked up speed as it went down the trail and headed for a corner that panic set in.

“Alan? Alan! Stop this!”

Alan pushed and pulled at everything he could see within the coach, but nothing slowed their ride. “I’m not doing this.” He glanced toward the trees and wiped his face. “Should we jump for it?”

“Are you insane!” Leslie slugged his arm as tears formed in her eyes.

The coach turned the corner on its own. Leslie and Alan covered their eyes as …

Part Two

… the coach careened down the trail, picking up speed. Leslie was crying hysterically. “Alan, please stop this thing before we both die.”

“I don’t know how,” Alan responded. “I can’t find a brake.” The two clung to each other, sure that this misadventure would end in disaster, as the carriage continued to bound and bounce down the trail.

A few seconds later, the jostling of the delicate coach caused the left rear wheel to come off of its axle. The coach tipped to one side and tossed the two passengers from the carriage like rag dolls.

Fortunately, Alan and Leslie landed on a grassy mound a few feet off the rocky trail. Both were shaken, but neither was hurt, save for a few small cuts and bruises. Once it sank in that they were both okay, they hugged each other. “That was a close call,” Alan whispered in Leslie’s ear.

Leslie pulled away from Alan and gave him a stern look. “Alan, where did you get that haunted coach?” she asked.

Alan shook his head. “Well, it’s kind of a long story. I saw an ad in the paper,” he said. “So I called and …”

Part Three – My Bit

“… was told it was in a state of disrepair and so if I arranged to pick it up myself, I could have it for just $10. I thought it sounded a bit strange, but I took a leap of faith and hired a pickup truck and drove all the way to Delaware to get it. The person selling it lived on an old farm, with a squeaky screen door and sat outside in a rocking chair chewing tobacco. I thought I’d been transported back in time.”

“You’re pulling my leg,” Leslie said unconvinced.

“No Seriously. After I loaded up the damaged coach onto the truck and gave the strange man his $10, he gave me a sideways glance and said to me, “Beware, it’s bad luck to ride on Sunday’s”. I thought nothing of it at the time, but it’s Sunday today. I think we’re lucky to be alive.”

Leslie looked doubtful but said “Well, how are we going to get home, the coach is busted and we must be a few miles from home. It’s not that busy a road either.”

Alan saw a house off in the distance and pointed it out to Leslie.

“Let’s take a walk over to the house and see if anyone can accommodate us by lending us some tools to repair the coach. Or maybe they could let us use their phone to call some roadside assistance.”

As they walked towards the house, they noticed that it was a rickety old wooden building painted the brightest shade of puce.

“I’ve never seen a puce coloured house, Leslie, have you?” Alan asked sniggering.

“Is that what you call it? I call it Flamingo pink” Leslie giggled back.

“I wonder what kind of fellow lives in a house like this” Alan replied.

Then they reached the front door and knocked…..

 

OK end of part two, now who shall I nominate to continue…

How about Sadje of Keep It Alive?

New Year -Tagged

 

I have included the following word prompts:

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/02/leap/

 

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/02/rdp-thursday-puce/

 

FOWC with Fandango — Accommodate

 

A poem in tribute to Danny La Rue.

 

As he took to the stage

And began to engage

With the frosty audience below,

They started to cheer

But it soon became clear

There was something they just didn’t know

He was dressed in a frock

they were in for a shock

the lights made him glitter and glow.

His face made up so well

They just couldn’t tell

that this was a totally new kind of show.

And he danced and he sang

The show went with a bang

and as the applause started to grow,

he’d finally regale

and reveal he was male,

by speaking in a voice that was low.

The name, Danny La Rue,

Is forgotten, it’s true

For it was all such a long time ago.

At the time he was best

For excitement and zest

A drag act without equal, a Pro.

 

Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 07 December 2019

This Poem contains the following Word Prompts:

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/rdp-saturday-excitement/

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/your-daily-word-prompt-regale-december-7-2019/

FOWC with Fandango — Stage

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/12/07/frosty/

 

The Incongruous Overture – A Silly Poem

This was originally posted a year ago, but I thought it deserved another airing. 😉 

I hope you find it uplifting. 

 

At the Piano, he banged the keys

The audience fell to their knees

It was an Overture most grand

The most bravado piano playing

In all the land.

But something wasn’t quite

The way it should have been, that night.

For while the audience enjoyed the fuss

There was something quite incongruous.

The scene was electric, that’s all right,

But it was quite an awesome sight,

For while they wore scarves and hats,

They were all a bunch of alley cats,

And while it can be said, quite true

That alley cats like music too,

They don’t often like an overture,

There’s something else they much prefer,

Something Jazzy, Sassy, lots of beat,

Something to which they can move their feet.

But this lot sat and watched chief Pussy,

Playing Mendelsohn and then Debussy.

It all seemed like a glorious joke,

Then all of a sudden, I awoke

To the sound of my own cat’s scream,

It had all been a rather silly dream!

As if any cat would listen, acute!

They hate the piano, they prefer the flute.

 

Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 14/December/2018

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/incongruous/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/rdp-friday-overture/

https://fivedotoh.com/2018/12/14/fowc-with-fandango-electric/

 

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/12/03/uplifting/

50 Word Thursday – The Price of Fame

and the words:

“Casting a desperate glance over her shoulder Felicity pursed her lips as the sound of running feet advised that they were still in hot pursuit.”   – Misfire – Deb Whittam.

 

The Price of Fame

Casting a desperate glance over her shoulder Felicity pursed her lips as the sound of running feet advised that they were still in hot pursuit.

As she ran out of the Oasis Hotel and down to the beach, still wearing her high stiletto heels, her staunch and screaming admirers followed.

Kicking off the heels and hiking up her skirts she ran across the sand to make her escape.

It had taken a while to perfect her act but with the passage of time, she had now achieved stardom and a decent wage. However, this mob of fans and autograph hunters that now regularly bothered her every evening after her show was getting her down. If only she could find some private space so she could remove her wig, make-up and sparkly sequinned ballgown and return to being just Kevin Smith rather than Felicity Fawcett, the best drag act in town.

[150 Words]

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge, this week hosted by Deb Whittam of the Blog Twenty Four, click on the link below:

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/50-word-thursday-47/

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

 

FOWC with Fandango — Wage

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/oasis/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/rdp-tuesday-passage-2/

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/your-daily-word-prompt-staunch-november-26-2019/

 

Twittering Tales – Everyone’s Talking

Photo by raw pixel @ pixabay.com

 

It created a stir when the local theatre group decided to perform a play by a keen new playwright who used poetic license to convey his own take on social media.

It didn’t earn much money but it made the point that on the internet, everyone’s talking but not much is being said.

 

[279 Characters]

 

This story was written for Kat Myrman’s Twittering Tales Challenge. Click the link below to see her post:

Twittering Tales #162 – 12 November 2019

 

I have also included the following word prompts:

FOWC with Fandango — License

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/11/18/earn/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/11/18/rdp-monday-stir/

 

 

50 Word Thursday – Wedding Karma.

And the words:

“Only Agatha knew that she might be about to commit bigamy.”   – Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage – M.C. Beaton.

 

The night before her wedding, Agatha dreamt again of the plane crash.

The plane had come down in the middle of a vast jungle, how she’d survived and managed to walk away from the wreckage, she would never know. She had come to rely on her survival instinct. It had kept her going for the many weeks that had passed before she had been found and rescued.

Of course, she had not been alone in that plane, her then husband had been by her side and, of course, the pilot. The pilot had been killed outright.

She had seen that her husband would only have hampered her chances of rescue, with his legs crushed. She had abandoned him in her desperation to survive.

She used to dream of those dark times often, but since meeting Stephen and becoming engaged, she felt she had left the past behind her. Strange she should dream of it now.

Later, standing at the altar next to her millionaire fiancé, a thought flashed across her utterly cold mind. What if her husband had been rescued after all? Only Agatha knew that she might be about to commit bigamy.

Then as she cast an eye across the congregation she saw a lonely figure seated at the back in a wheelchair and just as the Vicar spoke the famous line “If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, he or she should declare it now” Agatha knew karma had come to get her.

[250 Words]

 

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge, this week hosted by Deb Whittam of the blog Twenty Four. Check out the link below if you’d like to have a go of the challenge.

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2019/11/08/50-word-thursday-45/

 

I have also incorporated the following prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/11/12/utterly/

FOWC with Fandango — Rely

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/11/12/rdp-tuesday-vast/