Week 672 of #ThursThreads was a little different this time. Not many entries, but the judge this week is a big fan of giving feedback.
If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to David A. Ludwig for judging this week. Follow Siobhan Muir on Bluesky or check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Mark Ethridge
- David A. Ludwig
- Siobhan Muir
- Silver James
- K.R. Van Horn
Mentions
Mark Ethridge | Website
David says: I absolutely love the worldbuilding and concept of Cylinders.
Siobhan Muir | Website
David says: I love the fun energy between Ryan and Andrew. Also, very nice splitting of the prompt.
Silver James | Website
David says: This was a fun scene, and I’m a sucker for magic books.
K.R. Van Horn | Website
David says: Truly beautiful wordplay with an excellent voice.
winner announcement
Week 672 Winner
David says: There’s a quiet weight to this piece that kept me coming back to it. The character voices were strong as usual, and I loved the Jimmy Buffett reference. But what put this one over the top for me was the repetition of Harold’s head gestures, forgetting he was on the phone.
The Liquidator
He’d given it a lot of thought.
Frank, his Financial Adviser for twenty-seven years, was, to say the least, skeptical. “You want to liquidate all of your assets, Harold?”
Harold nodded. Then remembered he was on the phone. “Yup. The works. Maybe keep a small percentage for, you know, day to day living.”
“Harold, we should talk about this in person. I’m sensing…”
“Sensing Frank? Dollars and Cents maybe. That’s the sense I’ve been asking of you, Frank… nothing else.”
He was sorry that he was being brusque with Frank. They’d always had an amiable and professional relationship. Cordial. Now there was a word that had passed into oblivion.
“Of course. You’re the client. I’ll respect your wishes…like I believe I have always done. It’s just, you’re not exactly Bill Gates…or Buffett.”
Frank was surprised that his request was being compared to Bill Gates. “I know I’m not anything like Bill Gates, Frank, but what’s that Margaritaville guy got to do with anything?”
Frank laughed. “Warren, Harold. Not Jimmy.”
“Oh, yeah. Another billionaire. Didn’t know about him.”
“Harold, if I may, I know you’ve suffered quite a loss this year. Forty-five years of marriage and then…”
Harold shook his head, once again forgetting that they were on the phone.
“I don’t want to talk about that…”
“I know, Harold. Okay. Look. It’s your life. I hope you’re happy with this decision you’ve made.”
Harold doubted he would ever be happy with anything ever again.
“Thanks, Frank. Gracias.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY-EIGHT TIME WINNER Bill, and all who wrote! Don’t forget to claim your badge, Bill, and display it with pride. You certainly earned it!
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