Blog Archives

Harsh Justice, by Fliss Zakaszewska

31/8/2017

The eunuch stood, head bowed, hands extended on the granite top.

“Despite the operation which made you fit to guard my wives, you were caught pleasuring my… um, 37th wife… manually.”

The sultan stretched back, robe flowing by his side, and nodded sharply. The axe fell; the eunuch staggered, blood gushing from his now stumped wrists.

“Never will you touch my wives,” sneered the sultan.

The eunuch swayed, then threw himself at the sultan’s groin, teeth bared. The guards pulled him away, his master’s genitals in his mouth.

“Nor will you, majesty,” were his last words as he died.

Nothing And Everything, by Don Tassone

30/8/2017

Growing up, he had nothing. His family of ten was packed into a tiny ranch home. They shared beds. They took turns wearing donated clothes. They couldn’t travel as a family because they had only one car. They often had Sloppy Joes for dinner.

Now he sat alone in his magnificent, ocean-front house. He took a sip of Gaja Barbaresco, which always helped him digest filet mignon.

Through his sliding glass doors, from the beach below, came the happy cries of children playing. They reminded him of his childhood, when he was too young to know he had everything.

Boys Will Be Boys, by Eric Smith

30/8/2017

Two brothers fenced in a vacant lot with swords they’d ordered from the back of a cereal box. Two friends wearing private-school uniforms passed by in the gathering darkness and asked to play with the swords. Soon, the four boys took turns fencing, a gambit that ended with the two private-school friends competing. The rubber protector fell off a sword, and its exposed steel point penetrated one boy’s chest to the heart. He died instantly, though the others first thought he feigned injury. After confiscating the swords, detectives grilled the surviving boys for hours before releasing them with a rebuke.

In Good Hands, by Charles Boorman

30/8/2017

“Something about mother’s sudden death puzzles me” said Mildred into the telephone. “I understand” replied Dr. Schneider. “Let’s talk. Make an appointment to see me.” On the way, lost in thought, Mildred ran a red light.

She woke up staring at a fluorescent lamp on the ceiling. Someone bent over her; she recognized the face. “Hello Mildred. You had an accident. You can’t move or speak but I know you can hear me. We need to operate immediately but before we put you under,” smiled Dr. Schneider, “I want you to know I’m going to take care of you personally.”

Road Trip, by Russell Conover

27/8/2017

Ron was beyond excited about his cross-country road trip. He loaded the car and headed out.

The mountains were so massive and colorful that he felt insignificant. The rivers and lakes eased his mind and calmed his mood. The shining sun and brilliant sky brightened his day, in more ways than one. The winding country roads were a departure from civilization. The towering trees allowed Ron to reinstate his connection with nature.

Best of all, Ron really NOTICED all these items around him, after having taken them for granted for so long. He breathed deeply.

Road trips--the ultimate escape.

Harvey, by Bobby Warner

27/8/2017

"Son, you ain't never gonna amount to a hill of beans!"

Harvey looked through the visitor's window then dropped his eyes as his father scowled at him.

"You don't have a bit of gumption. Just think of what you could have been, if you had tried. Didn't I always preach to you to think big and go after the big jackpots in life? You're always gonna be a good for nothing!"

Harvey only had time to murmur, "Yes, Pa," before the guard tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Time's up, son. Gotta take your dad back to his cell."

Too Much Noise, by Don Tassone

26/8/2017

“We’ve determined these two ancient tribes lived alongside each other for years,” the archaeologist said. “Then suddenly, they wiped each other out.”

“Why?”

“We’re not sure. But we have a theory, based on their instruments.”

“Instruments?”

“Yes. They stretched animal skins over hollowed-out tree stumps.”

“Like drums?”

“Yes.”

“But what could drums have to do with their demise?”

“We discovered thousands of worn-out and torn animal skins, preserved in the permafrost, all along the border between these peoples. It appears they bombarded each other with noise. At some point, we suspect, they simply couldn’t take it any more.”

Faded Blue Numbers, by Sankar Chatterjee

26/8/2017

August 12, 2016, Auschwitz-Birkenau Death-camp, Poland:

John Meyers was standing at the end of the old train-tracks where he had come out of the boxed rail-car. While Nazi-guards held back their barking German-shepherds, notorious Dr. Mengele was selecting his subjects for inhumane research. Mr. Myers rolled his shirtsleeves, looked at the faded blue numbers etched on one arm; Dr. Mengele spared him due to ill-health!

August 12, 2017, Charlottesville, USA:

White neo-Nazis, wearing swastika-armbands, waving Nazi-flags, and chanting racist slogans were parading in broad daylight. From sidewalk, Mr. Meyers raised his arm protesting “Never Again”. Revealed blue numbers witnessed history.

Love In The Country, by Ann-Louise Truschel

25/8/2017

Lydia had moved to the hinterlands to “live a simpler life.” In
Split Rail Junction, she got more than she bargained for. Her neighbors were more than just simple; most had no more than a fourth-grade education and lived a lifestyle that could only be described as primitive.

“How’s life in the boonies?”

“I’m selling and moving back to the city.”

“But you just got there. Why do you want to leave?

“My neighbor won’t leave me alone. I think he’s ‘in love.’”

“If he’s a nice guy, why not give him a chance?

“Not my type. Not enough teeth.”

Sundown, by Bobby Warner

25/8/2017

He shouldn't have knocked me down and kicked me. Just because I had a few too many drinks. Just because he's sheriff and the fastest one with a gun hereabouts doesn't give him the right to molest folks.

Three months I've been practicing my fast draw. I think I can take him. I'm going to find out pretty quick.

He always come out of Hank's Saloon just before sundown. I'll be waiting. "All right," I'll say. "Let's see how good you are with that gun, because one of us is going to lie dead before the sun goes down today!"

Doing It Together, by Gordon Lawrie

25/8/2017

As Darcy approached, Lizzie tensed: it was bigger than she'd expected. But he had another surprise for her.

"I need help, I've never done this before," he confessed, fumbling for the spot.

"Let me guide you," Lizzie said. She took his hand. "There. That's the place," she reassured him. "But relax, it's not a disaster if it goes wrong."

She leaned back against the wall for purchase. Soon, she felt a judder.

Darcy smiled, but looked at her anxiously. "OK?"

"Perfect," Lizzie said. "One hole drilled, 15 to go. We'll have this IKEA wall cabinet up before you know it."

One Last Shot of Whiskey Before the World Ends, by James Blevins

24/8/2017

In the picture, Terry’s arm was wrapped affectionately around Neil, who proudly held up a freshly caught fish for the camera.

He remembered the bottom of the boat, filthy from the dirt on their shoes. He remembered the fish’s blood on the deck, leaked out from when Neil removed the hook from its jaw.

He tilted his shot glass in the picture’s direction.

“Cheers, mate. One hell of a fish.”

The picture stared back, always smiling.

Terry was no longer sure he knew how to smile.

The world was ending and there was blood on the floor of Neil’s Pub.

A Holy Bed, by Guy Fletcher

24/8/2017

The visitors to the fine 12th Century church were horrified when they came across a homeless man.

"Look, there's a tramp sleeping on the pews, disgusting," exclaimed a middle-aged, clearly prosperous woman.

"At least he has a holy bed," I quipped. They were not amused.

I think they were missing the point of church. It is a sanctuary from a cruel world, nobody sets out in life to become homeless. My world might crumble one day and their cosy existence too.

I lit a candle and prayed his life would improve and stared at the tourists, with a certain disdain.

Natural Man, by Don Tassone

24/8/2017

Bill Sykes always was a natural man.

For example, he ate fresh fruits and vegetables and avoided processed foods, long before it was fashionable.

He wore all-cotton shirts.

He cut his grass with a reel lawnmower.

He used a manual toothbrush.

He washed dishes by hand.

He wrote with a pencil.

He went barefoot a lot.

He had a wood-burning stove.

He never owned a computer.

He always took the steps.

At the end of his life, someone put him on a respirator. When he came to and realized what was happening, he made them pull the plug.

The Weekend, by Charles Boorman

23/8/2017

In the photo, the girl in the red dress sits on a stone wall, hair falling in loose brown waves to her shoulders. Tanned legs bent at the knees, right slightly higher than left as if she is riding side-saddle, she smiles confidently into the camera. One foot brushes the grass, red toe nails peeping out from the shoe.

Years later, long after the girl in the red dress had become his wife, the photographer remembered their weekend by the river that long hot summer – the castle, the trees and the sunshine; good food, fine wine and even better loving.

Silence Not An Option, by Sankar Chatterjee

23/8/2017

All members of the current Committee on Arts and Humanities would resign simultaneously, submitting a sharply-worded joint letter. The members, selected to advise the strongman on cultural matters, had enough of his bigotry. He chose not to denounce unequivocally the hatred and racism displayed by neo-Nazi-s, while parading through a university town. The scholars remembered the history: Nazi-s burning banned books in a bonfire or shattering Jewish synagogues and business-stores on Kristallnacht.

But, why does the letter contain six sections? The sleuths solved the mystery: each section started with a word containing a specific letter for a final word: RESIST!

Stand And Stare, by Paritosh Chandra Dugar

23/8/2017

It was an overcrowded public transport vehicle. The third stop. I see a lady holding an infant tight to her chest and struggling to balance herself amidst the crowd. I volunteer to vacate my seat for the desperate mother. In response, she immediately pulls her first son from behind his father and occupies the seat with him. The sixth stop. The seat next to mine (oh!, sorry, the lady’s) is vacated. I make a move. But smartly enough, she pulls her husband from behind me leaving me only to stand and stare.

The Hero, by Bobby Warner

23/8/2017

Bastards penetrated our perimeter and killed five grunts. I got dysentery but not quite bad enough to send me home. The Commander called me a loser; but on our next recon mission I saved our squad from ambush and got a Purple Heart and a Silver Star, and then they sent me home, a Hero!

Not much call for Heroes, so I bought this nice cart with all the bells and whistles. Now I sell hot dogs all day long. Hey, stop by anytime and I'll give you a foot-long Johnny's Super Hero Hot Dog Special for only two bucks.

Never-Ending Blues (A Cautionary Tale), by Bobby Warner

21/8/2017

Talbert awoke that morning with a splitting head and humongous hangover. He had lost his billfold with all the cash he had.

Note from his wife on the kitchen table: "I took the kids. Going to Mother's and we won't be back--ever!"

Dressed like a bum, Talbert got to work just in time to get fired on the spot.

He returned home and found the mailbox full of bills he couldn't pay. Hopeless, yeah you bet.

Talbert locked himself in the bathroom and hung himself with his big brown belt--and ended once and for all his never-ending blues!

Organized Chaos, by Russell Conover

20/8/2017

“Sheesh, Dan. How can you FIND anything in your office? It’s a total mess!”

“Marsha, I know where everything is! Things are just, kind of ... in random places.”

“Everything, huh? Fine. Where are the files for our newest client?”

Dan lifted a stack of papers and produced the files.

“How about the latest computer software?”

He opened a drawer and removed the CD.

Marsha smiled. “Well, I give you credit. You certainly seem to know--”

“MOOOO!”

Their eyes bugged as a cow walked out from under Dan’s desk, into the hall.

Dan face-palmed. “All right, already! I’ll clean up.”

Brotherly Love, by Ann-Louise Truschel

19/8/2017

"I really like your brother," George's wife said.

"Well, I guess even tough guys have something to recommend them." said George.

"I think Uncle Harry's kinda' sweet, Dad," said little Fay.

"I wouldn't say 'sweet' exactly," said her brother, "but he's OK, I guess."

"Well, in any case, dinner's over," said George's wife. "Kids, clear the table, rinse the dishes, and put them into the dishwasher. George, help me get the rest of Harry back into the freezer."

Infidelity, by Ann-Louise Truschel

19/8/2017

“Wow! Another night; another female! Danny, you’re going to wear yourself out!”

“But what a way to go, huh?”

“Don’t you ever get tired, and don’t any of those babes ever get jealous of each other?”

“Hey, when I come around, I just give them a holler and out they come! They can’t get enough of me.”

“But every night? How long can you can keep this up?”

“I figure I might as well enjoy myself while I still have the chance.”

“Why the rush?”

“Tomorrow I get neutered,” he said as he licked his paw and wiped his whiskers.

An Explosion in Brussels Airport, by Sankar Chatterjee

18/8/2017

Tom was checking the morning headline news online. The major one was about previous day’s terrorist attack inside Brussels airport. Underneath, a spot-photo of a female airline employee, sitting in daze in a waiting area in her blood-stained yellow uniform.

Haunted by the shot, he retrieved it during lunch. Then, he remembered. Past year, on a business trip, he flew in that same airline to Thailand, making a connection at Brussels, while waiting in that same area. Then he remembered some more: it was at the same time and the same day of the same month, only one year ago!

Believe It Or Not, by Gordon Lawrie

18/8/2017

After the events in Barcelona yesterday, I decided that this was more appropriate than the original, which can wait a week.

Let me tell you a story, the old woman said.

Once upon a time, the world's rulers realised that they needed to work to avoid war at all costs. Once, rich people understood that it was good to help poor people everywhere. Once, there were drugs to fight almost every infectious disease. Once, there was ice at both the North and South Pole. Once, people from poor countries weren't so desperate that they crossed dangerous seas to escape. Once, you could walk down busy city streets without fear of terrorist attack.

Don't believe me? Well, it was only a story.

Thought Speed, by Len Nourse

17/8/2017

Len and Ilana’s magic allows them to visit faraway places using ‘thought-speed’. Scientific data suggested it worthwhile to visit Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon with a deep salty ocean and more water than Earth. This presents the exciting possibilities for life beyond Earth." They visited scientists associated with the Hubble Space Telescope and told them of their magic skills and plans. The scientists were most interested, and fitted them with the necessary safety gear and sample vials to survive within the salty ocean. Holding hands in the presence of the scientists using thought-speed they were whisked to Ganymede’s salty ocean.

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