Trees surrounded the house like a cage. Tangi asked the realtor, “Why has this house been on the market so long? The price is more than right.” Inhaling visibly, the realtor answered, “Mechanically it’s sound, and there are no liens.” “That’s not what I asked.” “Once an offer is made, I’m able to disclose specifics,”…
Category: Friday Fictioneers
#FF — lullaby
Tourists returned to the village of Hualong, after enduring five years of rigidly enforced international travel restrictions. Three years prior, laissez faire attitudes and practices had killed or disabled twenty million worldwide. The vaccine was developed from a tropical fungus that could be easily mass-produced. Mae could hear them in her upper apartment over the…
#FF — Dark Passage
Southwest circuit was from Albuquerque to Phoenix to Vegas to San Diego to L.A. — and every truck stop in between. The Fleetwood rolled 365. Rick maintained a stable of six girls, earning enough to keep them looking pretty with plenty of substances to keep them pliable. More than six became a pain in his…
#FF — A scout finds her purpose
The Belafonte was rounding Cape Horn, headed back to Pescespada Island, when Vikram called out to Pelé, “You’re not going to believe what I’m seeing!” Pelé joined Vikram at the underwater observation porthole; his eyes grew wide as he gasped. “Go get Steve and everybody!” Soon the entire crew was gathered around, agog. Were they…
#FF — Heavy Metal
At age four, Timmy rarely spoke. From the many crayons, he chose only blue to do his scribbles. He seemed tuned out and didn’t make eye contact. Sometimes he spontaneously tantrummed. Maya sought help. Conventional opinions and treatments ranged from his being an idiot that needed confinement; to he would grow out of it so…
#FF — home sweet home
Her childhood passion to go off-world continued into adulthood. Back then the only way for the working class to do it was to join Space Force as a trooper. As a new recruit she qualified for space station landings and orbiting Earth. Marcia’s last bump in rank allowed her to live in Mars barracks. Orienting…
#FF — An edge
Supposed to be til death do they part, maybe it would have been if either would have been more tolerant; less critical. While they figured out neither were either, two sons were born. She was a lousy wife, a good mother, and a sloppy housekeeper. He was a lousy husband, a decent dad, and determined…
