Week 601 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Louisa Bacio for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Siobhan Muir
- Eric Martell
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig
- Patty Dump
- M.T. Decker
Louisa says: First, the humor this week was on point! I absolutely giggled through some of the pieces. Amazing how the everyday prompt inspired such different tales.
Honorable Mentions
Eric Martell | Website
Louisa says: The scenario and interactivity between the couple in Martell’s flash stood out. He captured the mundane of a relationship past due and layered intrigue for conflict. There’s a direct contrast of the old and the sharp novelty of the new job and adventures.
Side note: I had to Google Andy Sipowicz.
Special Mention
Patty Dump
Louisa says: I very much enjoyed the format of Patty Dump’s story with the bulleted points and then unraveling of the storyline.
winner announcement
Week 601 Winner
Louisa says: Can I be completely turned off and intrigued at the same time? Obviously. Morris brought a new level to descriptions with: “The wart on her chin wobbled, the nubbin twitching in a widdershins direction as she whirled the tea around.”
I appreciated the explanation of the new fortune teller’s job – as if it’s everyday work!
Madame Zelda swirled her tea. The contents of her cup were a murky beige spotted with islands of cream, the clots stubbornly refusing to break up. There was thunder in the air, and her additional senses were tingling.
“How was your first week on the job?”
Madelaine pursed her lips and rocked her head, considering the experiences she’d amassed. She’d already learned nothing was what it seemed. And that Madame’s respect had to be earned.
And you volunteered nothing until you had the clients’ cash tribute tucked away in your hand.
Finesse was for amateurs. Professionals did nothing for free.
“It’s been an eye-opener,” she said. “An education.”
Madame Zelda took a drink. The wart on her chin wobbled, the nubbin twitching in a widdershins direction as she whirled the tea around.
“Hmmph,” she said, remaining tight-lipped. “Your mouth’s moving, but you’re saying nothing.” She spat her drink into the cup, not caring if it sprayed her apprentice. She was here to clean, prepare the tent and engage the marks in polite conversation. She’d be her eyes and her ears on the outside, eliciting information, guiding their clients into divulging the information they’d come here to hear.
“Well,” Madelaine continued, feeling uncertain. “Everybody knows this is all a sham, but they still want to believe. The crystal ball and the velvet drapes – they’re window dressing. A feng shui for the unimaginative.”
Madame Zelda shook her head. There was still a lily pad outside on the pond needing a sitter.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY-EIGHT TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mention Eric! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
