Last week’s challenge: “A Smattering Of Settings“
I dig the random word challenges.
It’s interesting to see what bizarre alchemical narrative computations take the simple lead of these words and change them not only into gold but, rather, a bevy of precious metals.
And so, that’s what’s popping its head up at the hole this week.
I’ve got eight words.
I want you to pick four.
These four must be represented in the fiction you write.
The words?
Cape
Joke
Senator
Hamburger
Laser
Gloves
Funeral
Motel
(If you care to know where I get my random words: this random word generator!)
You have, as always, one week (Friday, August 31st, by noon EST) to write up to 1000 words. Post at your online space, then link back here in the comments so that we can come check it out.
Find your words, and get to slinging ink.
Chrissy says:
That’s meant to be “hamburger”, right? Just making sure as it’s in the list. There might be a hambuger clan or something we’re to write of 😉 Maybe I’ll actually get one done this time…
August 24, 2012 — 9:13 AM
Darlene Underdahl says:
The Joke:
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=178
August 24, 2012 — 1:41 PM
Bronson O'Quinn says:
So, do we have to do “hambuger”, or can we fix your typo?
As a bonus, I’d rather use “Hamburglar”, so what’s the call on that?
August 24, 2012 — 3:58 PM
Jon says:
Well, this isn’t my “real” entry, but I couldn’t resist. “Pick 4” is for wimps…
—
“Get Cape out, he’s a joke!”
Senators manager Joe Kuhel looked up at the heckler. “The whole team’s a joke, son. Go be useful. Get me a hamburger.”
The heckler, a time traveler in search of a simpler life, flushed as red as one of the lasers that wouldn’t be invented until 5 years after his 1955 death of, as it was phrased in the Times, mysterious circumstances. Still, you couldn’t fault his passion for the game. The mourners would wear baseball gloves to his funeral in the courtyard of the motel he was found in.
August 24, 2012 — 4:22 PM
Louise says:
So, this is mine:
http://ontheedgeofinfinity.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/flash-fiction-entry-words-cape-senator-gloves-motel/
Had great fun writing it.
August 24, 2012 — 5:24 PM
Shiri Sondheimer says:
I had a baby recently. ‘Nuff said.
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/this-just-in/heroes/
August 24, 2012 — 5:29 PM
Maggie says:
395 words. Used all 8.
============
I think it’s a joke the first time I see it. The headline is in thirty-point, all caps: SENATOR DEAD IN MOTEL. I know the name. Everyone does. I put out a contract on the bastard just yesterday. My boys are good, but they’re not that good. No way is this clown dead yet.
The broad who shows up after the paper isn’t quite so much of a joke. She looks like a Dresden doll, big blue eyes in a pale face. There’s too much rouge and too much hair, but her eyes are stone-dead. She sits primly on a chair I didn’t offer, smooths out the grey half-cape, and folds her hands over her matching purse. Honest-to-god kid gloves. I thought they’d stopped making those.
I ask her how she did it. She starts speaking. My hamburger is growing cold, but I’ve forgotten all about it. Her story borders on ridiculous: the ambush at a funeral, hijacking the limo, losing the Secret Service tails, evading cops and other contractors and finally hustling the guy into a cheap motel where he’s summarily dispatched. It sounds like every terrible spy novel I’ve ever read. The only thing missing is flipping through lasers and pressure sensors.
I watch her for a good, long time, munching on my cold burger. The grease has congealed, but I’m not picky. She gives me the stare from those porcelain eyes, and I know she’s telling the truth.
“Prove it,” I say anyway, and she twists the snaps on her purse, withdrawing a fistful of glossies. She lays them on the table, and I examine each one. They’re graphic, detailed, and clearly outline her process. I push them back, dust the crumbs off my hands and nod.
I cut her a check for the full amount, plus bonus for promptness. She picks it up delicately, places it in her purse, and closes it again. She doesn’t have a spot of blood on her anywhere, which might be more impressive than her speed. I scratch my chin, considering. My business isn’t pretty, but hers definitely is. The boys would murder me, but they’ve been slipping of late anyway. This might get them back on their game.
Aw, hell with it. You only live once.
She’s halfway through the door. “Hey,” I call, and she glances over her shoulder. “You lookin’ for a job?”
August 24, 2012 — 6:33 PM
Louise says:
Hmmm, my previous comment seems to have gone. Here’s my entry again.
http://ontheedgeofinfinity.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/flash-fiction-entry-words-cape-senator-gloves-motel/
L
August 25, 2012 — 4:41 AM
Louise says:
So now it returns…. strange. Sorry for what looks like unnecessary multiple postings!!
L
August 25, 2012 — 4:43 AM
Jeff Xilon says:
Getting my response to the challenge in nice and early this time. I give you:
“The Last Superhero”
http://www.jeffxilon.com/flash-fiction-the-last-superhero-a-flash-fiction-challenge/
August 25, 2012 — 6:37 AM
Stephen says:
Continuing the superhero theme…”The modern (super) man”
August 25, 2012 — 9:34 AM
Stephen says:
dang it…”The modern (super) man”
http://stephenemm.co.uk/flash-fiction/the-modern-super-man.php
August 25, 2012 — 9:35 AM
John says:
http://the-illiteracy.blogspot.com/
August 25, 2012 — 10:40 AM
ChrisWhiteWrites says:
Here’s mine, Justice Served:
https://chriswhitewrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/justice-served/
I used Cape, Hamburger, Senator and Funeral.
Comments and criticism always welcome!
August 25, 2012 — 5:53 PM
Anthony Elmore says:
The Senator’s Funeral:
http://www.barelyok.com/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-cape-senator-motel-funeral.html
August 26, 2012 — 10:02 PM
J.M. Dow says:
The Senator’s Hamburger
http://whirlingnerdish.blogspot.com/2012/08/flash-fiction-challenge-senators.html
August 27, 2012 — 7:49 AM
Icarus Mortis says:
With 312 words, I (ab)used: Joke, Senator, Gloves, Funeral.
Love of the Dead: http://blog.icarusmortis.co.uk/2012/08/27/love-of-the-dead/
Not what I originally intended, but its interesting how ideas mutate.
August 27, 2012 — 8:27 AM
Marla says:
I’ll have mine up tomorrow, Chuckie!
August 27, 2012 — 12:35 PM
Marla says:
looks like i am not the only one who is imagining a senator’s funeral….
August 27, 2012 — 12:35 PM
Adrian George Nicolae says:
Hidden heaven
http://ayoungwriterblog.blogspot.ro/2012/08/hidden-heaven.html
August 27, 2012 — 12:42 PM
P.L. Dodds says:
Thanks for the prompts, going to have fun with these.
August 27, 2012 — 4:40 PM
Josh Loomis says:
Channeling Aaron Sorkin a bit in this one.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2012/08/28/flash-fiction-the-hallway/
August 28, 2012 — 7:37 AM
Marla says:
http://marlarosebrady.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/motel-funeral-senator-hamburger/
August 28, 2012 — 11:29 AM
Leslie says:
I used funeral, motel, gloves, and senator.
My offering: http://lesannberry.com/2012/08/the-senators-secret.html
August 28, 2012 — 1:00 PM
Jim Franklin says:
This is the tale of an HR Manager working for an evil global organisation, performing the interview of his life. I used the words joke, funeral, cape and laser.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2012/08/29/flash-fiction-position-vacant/
Hope you enjoy it and feel like you want to leave a little ol’ comment.
August 29, 2012 — 5:35 AM
Jon says:
“An Act of Valor”:
http://jdparadise.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-act-of-valor.html
Looking forward to seeing what y’all came up with…
August 29, 2012 — 10:02 PM
Jon says:
@Maggie – nice work!
August 29, 2012 — 11:33 PM
Marlan says:
Ok I did one. Been a while, hope you like: gloves, hamburger, motel, and funeral.
http://marlanesque.com/2012/08/29/cargo/
August 30, 2012 — 12:04 AM
Jessica McHugh says:
“Colorless”
http://mcnito.blogspot.com/2012/08/colorless-by-jessica-mchugh.html
August 30, 2012 — 6:22 PM
Kate McCausland says:
First Flash Fiction Challenge: Funeral, Senator, Joke, and Motel
http://write20something.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/flash-fiction-challenge/
August 30, 2012 — 9:20 PM
Beth L. says:
Better (almost) late than never – The Sixteenth Rule, using hamburger, hotel, senator, and joke.
August 30, 2012 — 10:09 PM
Jon says:
You’re missing something, Beth 🙂
August 30, 2012 — 11:52 PM
James Clark says:
Here’s my entry.
As always, it’s rushed and I feel I could do better. Situation normal at the minute.
http://thelongestwayup.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/a-scattering-of-words.html
Words used: cape, gloves, hamburger, motel
August 31, 2012 — 4:04 AM
Casz Brewster says:
I give you: Dog-and-Pony Show
http://www.casondrabrewster.com/?p=841
BTFO!
August 31, 2012 — 5:17 AM
Beth L. says:
Gah, thanks, Jon! This week is just owning me. Still time, though!
http://knotachance.tumblr.com
August 31, 2012 — 8:43 AM
Luke McCullough says:
“Prophecy”
http://technology-hates-you.com/lm3m/entry-for-terrible-minds-random-words-writing-challenge/
August 31, 2012 — 9:58 AM
Kathleen says:
I’m sorry, I’m untitled on this one.
http://unmillemots.tumblr.com/post/30587123068/another-chuck-wendig-challenge
August 31, 2012 — 10:43 AM
Mike says:
This week’s story. I liked cape, it fit one of my regular characters. Then the rest just happened.
http://www.ravensview.ca/ravens/2012/08/stakeout.html
August 31, 2012 — 11:42 AM