The Long Gallery is destroyed. Heirlooms and furniture are reduced to dust. The pool table in the centre of the room has perished. Only the portraits have survived, generations of the family she hastily married into.
Her husband waits in a chair, ignoring the laminated sign that reads DO NOT SIT ON THIS CHAIR – IT IS VERY OLD. She assumes he is responsible for the blaze, a desperate attempt to save their estate from dwindling visitor numbers and financial ruin.
Without warning he lunges at her, armed with a pool cue, the final element of his insurance claim outstanding.
***
A 100 word story based on the photo prompt from the Friday Fictioneers.
Photo (c) J Hardy Carroll
Worth more dead than alive, that is the horrid truth about life insurance policies. Good write.
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A great “what do you mean we?” story
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Grim! (And he won’t collect a penny if he does her in with a pool cue.)
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Yes I did consider that, but I quite liked the image of the pool cue and the implication that a sense of desperation had taken over. Thanks for reading.
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I expect she “tried to escape the fire but tragically tripped and fell on the pool cue” 🙂
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Neat spin at the end.
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That’s what happens when you push the aristocracy to the edge! I wonder if he’ll get the chance to collect? Well woven tale
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I enjoyed this creative and a little twisted take on the prompt.
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Oh, that’s terrible! It didn’t surprise me, because you did an excellent job of painting this sinister character in just a few words that hinted at more to follow. Well done.
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Great characterisation of a twisted mind.
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Great ending!
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I wonder why she married so hastily? I hope the fact that her body won’t be burned is enough to hang him.
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Methodical, isn’t he? Not to mention cold-blooded.
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Eight ball in side pocket. I’d say his rack is short a few balls.
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I did not expect that ending,
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I’m thinking he has gone beyond desperation…all will not end well for her — or him!
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I was surprised by the ending. I could see him sitting in the chair, hair disheveled, a bit of soot on his face. What a b*****d.
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I think he’s definitely gone ‘over the edge’. I hope she has good reflexes. It would be justice if he falls, bangs his head, and dies from the injury. Good writing, Hombre. —- Suzanne
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