(Author’s note: I am finally back at home after a week and a half with family, and traveling on the Empire Builder. Next set of challenges are coming, and I’m working quite hard on bringing them forward. Otherwise, onto today’s fictioneers!)
© Yarnspinnerr
Blue Hotel
by Miles H. Rost
With an audible crack, his ankle released pressure.
A long drive behind him, and another forthcoming, Harvey knew he couldn’t continue with it.
Running from one city to another, collecting the markers and contracts from Las Vegas bookies, it was not the life he promised for his wife, Celestine.
He looked up at the ceiling in his hotel room, wondering where he went wrong. Realizing the futility, he picked up the receiver.
He dialed. And waited for the beep.
“Starlight, I’m on my way. Called in my markers. I’m done.”
He walked out, slips of paper peeking from the wastebasket.
Music and Fiction 
Great character piece
Thanks!
No one leaves!
This ain’t the Hotel California! XD
Sparse and to the point. You have to know when to quit!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
That’s correct!
Regret and desperation. Amazing you did it all within 100 words!
I work with what I got. 🙂
Perfect character and story for a seedy-looking place.
It does work, for sure.
Just hope nobody comes after him.
“Empire Builder?”
The Empire Builder is the Amtrak train that goes from Portland (or Seattle) to Chicago. I recently took it on my trip back to my homestate.
Usually, in this kind of business, there’s no way out. I’ll wish him luck, though.
Well done, MIles
Quite. Thank you! 🙂
You conjure up a vivid picture of the man, and the monotony of his work. I love his pet name for his wife!
Kinda fun to work with pet names! 🙂
Love the contrast of his tenderness toward his wife against his loathing for his job.
It’s a tenuous balance.
Oh! I hope he makes it. Not always easy to get out.
Quite.
Love the story and the song.
That’s the point of Music and Fiction! ^_^
It might not be that easy to get out, but at least he’s trying.
Working hard…or hardly working? XD
Guess that’s the end of him!
It’s not the end. It’s not the beginning of the end. Maybe it’s the end of the beginning…
I wonder who the boss is going to set after him. You have captured the despair of the character very well.
Yep. 🙂
I like how you brought out the conflict for Harvey and a solution – in such few words.
I work with the material given, and do my best with it.
I doubt it’ll be as easy as that for him
More than likely!
Interesting. Obviously a man used to causing harm, coming to realize that such things can’t last forever. Well done.