PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Lin has just enough time for last call when she and a gust of Arctic wind blow in to Mancini’s.
“Just enough time for last call!,” the bartender yells.
“Whiskey sour!,” Lin yells back as she walks to the jukebox to play, “Misty.”
Peripheral vision notices them, there in the shadows, slow dancing.
She’d recognize those rattlesnake boots anywhere.
“One of a kind, just like me, baby!” he’d said the night they met.
She’s been tracking the b*st*rd for five years.
Lin eases the .45 out slow and begins raising it.
His bullet hits her first, right between the eyes.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the lively host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Ooops. After five years on the chase announcing your presence by shouting across a bar is a little careless…
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I agree! After 5 years maybe she wasn’t quite on guard anymore? Plus, she was hunting him across the land. I guess the odds say eventually she would walk into a joint with him in it. We see where all of that wasted time (not to mention her carelessness!) got her…
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What an intriguing ending
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It was a tossup between who was going to get who for me. I think he deserved it more but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.
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Yes, life is not fair, as they say.
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Wow…that took a turn. At first I thought of It’s A Wonderful Life because of Martinis. Did she get a shot off?
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Oh no, I didn’t realize it was a place in that movie. I think I’ll change it.
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Oh you don’t have to do that….It gave it an atmosphere! I could see it happening in there! It’s alright.
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I changed the name of the place and the drink she ordered. I can’t have a story like this set in a place that exists in “A Wonderful Life.”
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Ok…I didn’t mind though… I liked the story regardless!
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No worries, Max.
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“”…and we don’t need any characters around to give the joint atmosphere. Is that clear?”
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How I love that movie! Great quote. One of the only movies where I actually shed a tear…at the end when I read “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.
Thanks for the wings”
Love Clarence.
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I don’t wait for the end. They start early. My daughter and I watch it together every year.
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Thanks that makes me feel better.
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<3
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Steve, one can only do so much in 100 words :) I thought the two other characters: the mind-reading bartender, and the drapeworthy moll he’s shuffling the dancefloor with have at least some character…
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I wasn’t criticizing your story…just going with Max playing with “It’s a Wonderful Life” and how the bar changes from Martini’s to Nick’s and becomes a very different place. That line was from the bartender. (The line starts with “We serve hard drinks for men who like to get drunk fast.”)
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Ah, can you tell it’s been awhile since I saw the movie? I remember now that you mention when he went back in time to Martini’s and when he saw it would become Nick’s. Sorry I wasn’t following that thread. :)
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I don’t expect everyone to watch it every year and memorize the dialog. ;)
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:)
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p.s. No, I don’t think she did. It was so abrupt. She thought he was wrapped up in a slow dance in a dark corner. Like Trent said, maybe she shouldn’t have yelled across the room.
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Yea I didn’t figure she did…like another comment said…it was careless of her.
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And you thought Nick’s was rough.
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You know…if she would have named it Nick’s…it would have fit perfectly. Awesome….
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OK, now I need the scoop on Nick’s :)
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Oh….that was Martinis IF George wouldn’t have been born….it was a bad place. That is where George got hit by the teacher’s husband.
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Thanks for the explanation, Max. You know this movie so much better than I could hope to.
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I’m not sure I want to brag about it lol…I’ve seen it probably 15-20 times….
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:)
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Like Max, I thought it might be the scene from Its A Wonderful Life, in Martini’s Place. That kind of stuff happens every weekend in small town Texas. Jukebox, beer and firearms are good for most country songs.
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LOL, Phil. Sounds like a good place to live for a six-shooter.
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Of all the bars in all the world ….
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Yep. Casablanca quote is what I’m thinking that’s from?
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Well at least he hadn’t forgotten her, even if he had done her wrong. But as Neil says… of all the bars… Great take.
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Sandra, thank you, and sorry for the late response, I found your comment today when checking spam folder. WP does a good job usually but sometimes…
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Something tells me I wish she’d have shot him first.
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James, thank you and I agree with your wish.
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Well dammit! She mighta been pissed at him, and he was more ready for her than she for him! That took an unexpected and fabulous turn. Well done, you!
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Dale, thanks and happy you enjoyed the story and the turn. :)
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My neck is back to normal now… ;-)
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Well that didn’t go as planned. Well done.
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Thanks, Athling :)
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Shake, rattlesnake and roll!
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LOL, Glyn. Great comment. Sounds like something that he needs to put on a business card, like Paladin put “have gun, will travel” on his.
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Aw! The bad guy managed to escape her gun, and he’ll probably get off with a self-defense plea. Curses. Foiled again :)
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Linda, my guess is he’ll sneak out before popo arrive and get off altogether… Thank you for reading :)
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I kept telling her, shoot first and play Misty later. Good one, Lisa. :-)
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LOL Bill! Why didn’t you have her covered!? Thanks :)
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I let my guard down. :-)
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:)
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I guess he may have a string of broken hearts looking for revenge and is always armed and ready!
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You know, Iain, that is probably exactly the case. Thanks for reading :)
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While I know of the movie (“It’s a Wonderful Life”), others who commented clearly know it in detail. That said, I like your story, even though the “bad guy” got away.
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Thanks, Christian!
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Harsh ending! (K)
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Seems like she should have moved on a long time ago instead of gambling her life (and losing) by chasing after this snake in snakeskin boots.
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Agreed!
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Wish she was faster & more careful.
She had tracked him and that could have been his end.
Well narrated
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Anita, thanks much for reading and your comment.
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A shame she didn’t notice the rattlesnake boots before she yelled across the bar! Good shot, Lisa!
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Keith, yes it is :( She got careless and it did her in. Thanks for reading.
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WOW … I was cheering her on when she noticed those boots.
I guess she was mesmerized that she had found him. Oh my …
I wish it had gone the other way but your way is stellar writing, Jade.
Have a good weekend … Isadora 😎
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Isadora, sometimes I wonder where these stories come from! :) Thanks!
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Woah that was anticlimactic. I don’t know what the backstory was, but that’s what makes this piece intriguing.
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OP much appreciated feedback. Thanks!
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Oh no – no happy ending for her, but she is at least ended her long search, great write Lisa 🙌
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Ange, thanks :)
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Another unexpected fantastic ending! A home run, Lisa!
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Thanks, Nancy!
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Wow. Great atmosphere. I can imagine the bar, the dancing, the jukebox music – the rattlesnake boots!!. And I love your opening para. And that ending! Terrific stuff.
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Glad you enjoyed the story, Margaret. Thank you :)
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Dear Lisa,
Fun fact. Misty is my husband’s and my song. We had it sung at our wedding and our 50th anniversary celebration. ;) And then there’s your story. It didn’t end well for Lin. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, neat that Misty is your and your husband’s song. I think of that movie, “Play Misty for Me” with the woman stalking a DJ played by Clint Eastwood. I can see him in rattlesnake boots back in the day.
Thanks for reading and your comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Wow, what a twist. That makes it so good, much better than the other way around. You really painted a great atmosphere here.
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Michael I think this is you. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the way it worked out.
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Oops I think this is Gabi after scrolling up. Same comment and thanks again :)
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That was me above. WordPress is getting weirder and weirder.
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Excellent twist, like her, I didn’t see it coming.
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Thanks, Dawn!
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You can’t outdraw a guy wearing snakeskin boots. After a five-year search, maybe last call at a bar isn’t the time to make a move, but hindsight is 20/20.
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In her case it was Fhindsight (Fatal hindsight.)
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I love how you always go your own way with the prompts. Great ending.
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Thanks, Someone :) I’m easy-going but my Muse has a mind of her own.
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Oooooo damn. What an unexpected ending. Either way 5 years is a long time to hunt.
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Thanks, Laurie!
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Lisa a fantastic story with a wonderful twist! <3 totally loved it!
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He he! Thanks!
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