Friday Flash Fiction
  • Home
    • About Friday Flash Fiction
  • 100-Word Stories
  • Longer Stories
  • Poetry
  • Authors
    • A-C
    • D-F
    • G-I
    • J-L
    • M-O
    • P-R
    • S-V
    • W-Z
  • Submissions
    • 100-Word Submissions
    • 500-Word Submissions
    • Poetry Submissions
    • Technical Help
    • Writing Good Flash Fiction
    • Terms & Conditions >
      • Duotrope
    • GDPR Compliance

Thinly Veiled Anger, by Don Tassone

19/3/2021

13 Comments

 
Masked shoppers queued up in a self-checkout line that stretched back to the toilet paper.

Other shoppers needed to get through the main aisle, but nobody in the self-checkout line budged. Trying to squeeze through, a woman clipped a man standing in line. He wheeled around and shoved her cart.

Somebody pushed him. Somebody yelled. Somebody threw a punch.

The self-checkout line broke up. Masked shoppers began running out of the store with items tucked under their arms. Somebody knocked over a clerk. A security alarm sounded.

The manager had to call the cops to restore order.
13 Comments
peppermint
19/3/2021 07:07:57 pm

Sadly this could happen in this crazy world.....probably has!

Reply
Marie Johnson-Ladson
19/3/2021 07:17:22 pm

Great story!

This Pandemic is really playing on people nerves and patience.

Reply
Jennifer Duncan
19/3/2021 07:40:06 pm

Lots of stressed people these days. I hope people will feel better when spring arrives. Well described escalation.

Reply
Peggy Gerber
19/3/2021 08:56:51 pm

People do crazy things when they are at their breaking points.

Reply
Krystyna
19/3/2021 09:00:17 pm

The ‘new’ normal of our times. Well described, Don.

Reply
Kathy K.
19/3/2021 11:09:51 pm

Road rage has gone indoors. I believe anger, or wrath, is one of the deadly sins. Now we know why.

Reply
Pamela Kennedy
20/3/2021 12:14:47 am

Well done, Don.....sadly, there is so much truth to this story...

Reply
Sue Clayton
20/3/2021 12:40:58 am

Frustration flayed to the bone in this piece, Don. I do hope it wasn't something you witnessed, but it could have been.

Reply
Paritosh Chandra Dugar
20/3/2021 05:42:00 am

Frustration cracks the coating of civilization making people behave in a wild and disorderly manner. The reality of current times. Very well written, Don.

Reply
Mary Wallace
20/3/2021 01:55:16 pm

Perhaps the tension we all feel is because masks make it difficult to see expressions.

Reply
Don Tassone link
21/3/2021 10:49:38 am

Thank you all.

Reply
Susan Reid
25/3/2021 09:41:12 pm

Don,
Good illustration of how Americans are losing civility around the country.

Reply
Don Tassone link
26/3/2021 12:51:22 am

Thank you, Susan.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    "Classic"
    100-Word
    Stories

    Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013,
    ​100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

    Normally, 100-word stories are scheduled for 07.00 BST (GMT in the winter) on the following Friday.

    Subscribe to Newsletter
    We occasionally send out little newsletters running competitions – and subscribers are also our voting panel. If you'd like to join us, please click the Subscribe to newsletter button below.
    No spam, we promise!

    Friday Flash Fiction
    Rules
    Kinda obvious, really...
    • Fiction only
    • Stories of 75-100 words only
    • Don't be nasty or cheat
    • Include your name and a story title

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013


Picture
Website by Platform 36

Photos used under Creative Commons from YLegrand, Tony Webster