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Friday Fictioneers – Downtown Train

(Author’s note: I decided to go a whole different direction with this than I was originally thinking. This one has a little bit of a different feel to it. You’ll understand when you read…)

© David Stewart

Downtown Train

by Miles H. Rost

Patrick walked out of the hobby shop, happily clutching the bag that held his latest treasure. Robert, his longtime friend, scrunched his face in a puzzled expression.

“So, tell me this again. You’re building…”
“A bullet-style train setup in my garage. Since I don’t have a car, I figure why not use the garage for something hobbyish.”
“And this train is…”
“A KTX-Cheongryong, or KoRail Class 16000. 2 control cars and 4 motor/passenger cars.”
“Isn’t that excessive?”
“Nah. It pales compared to Rod Stewart’s setup.”
“THE Rod Stewart?”
“The same. Seems like a lot of celebs are railheads.”
“Y’don’t say…”

(Little known fact: Rod Stewart has two different rail setups in his houses in LA and England. He’s one of the big names mentioned as a celebrity who is also a rail enthusiast. Others include Michael Jordan, Roger Daltrey, and Elton John.)

You know you want to, so why not? Click the box frog!

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Friday Fictioneers – Return To Innocence

(Author’s note: It’s been one day over 6 months since I last posted here. Part of the reason is that I was going through a massive bout of writer’s block. But more deeply, I was going through a longer-wave episode of depression. It’s not the clinical stuff, but it’s a family history where when it hits, you can’t do anything but wait it out until it releases. So now, back to it, 6 months later.)

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Return To Innocence

by Miles H. Rost

Parking his car next to the old cabin, Patrick walked around to inspect the place.

Everything he remembered about the cabin of his youth rang true, believing what was being seen. He smiled while relishing the idea of taking three weeks and just detoxing from the “civilized” world.

He walked behind the cabin, into the spaced woods and noticed the various patchwords of spider webs. A memory that he shared the space with a species that knew his presence.

He raised a hand, and gave a whistle. A small, pillow shaped spider looked at him from their perch and waved.

Possible likeness of said spider, saying “Howdoo!” (image used only for imaginative purposes, it is not mine)
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Friday Fictioneers – Wet Hours

© Jennifer Pendergast

Wet Hours
by Miles Rost

A drop of sweat plinked down upon the hot wooden plank, evaporating slowly.

Paul sat in the large sauna, taking his time letting the steam work through his lungs, helping to bust up the crud he got from one of his flock.

He leaned back, his shoulder resting upon the hot wood that made the base of the upper level.

As the seconds rolled by, the sweat drops rolling down his face, a thought passed across his lobes and resonated through his skull. The whole of his humidity-drenched being cried out a great old chestnut:

“Is it worth it?”

Go ahead. Click the frog. Join the fun.

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Friday Fictioneers – Electric Blue

(Author’s note: Fall is starting to come in early to the Pacific Northwest. It is also my second favorite season. But, as a nod to the soon to be departing summer, here’s today’s Fictioneers!)

© Dale Rogerson

Electric Blue

by Miles H. Rost

At one moment, a nice and fluffy cloud in the sky.

Five minutes later, a roaring rainstorm with blue lightning cleared the beach. (1)

Patrick wanted to enjoy the beach one last time before returning to university, and being stuck in a small shelter in a rainstorm wasn’t fun.

Until he looked to his right.

Huddled up next to him, gripping his arm for dear life, was a striking beauty in an electric blue bikini. (2)

“Scary?”
She nodded.
“I’m here. Hold on as long as you like.”

After 10 minutes it was over.

After 15 minutes, he had a date.

(1) – Thank you, Walter.
(2) – You should really hear the story behind the song, as told by John Oates. Look it up.
Oh come on, you know you wanna see more!
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Friday Fictioneers – Victoria

(Author’s note: Injuries are never fun. Nor is being on a new health plan. Losing weight, feeling good, but dealing with injured appendages. Here’s a throwaway story, as I really couldn’t come up with something that would do the picture justice. Enjoy!)

© Brenda Cox

Victoria

by Miles H. Rost

Introductions were always the hardest part of being a new student.

For Nigel Liew, it was even worse.

The questions would always come: “How can you speak British when you look like that?”, “Do you know Uncle Roger?”, “What do you think of Beijing?”

After a whole day of answering nothing but inane questions, Nigel was about to leave the classroom.

“Hey, Nigel.”
He looked back at a blonde haired kid with a smile on his face.
“What music do you like?”
“Garage rock. The Kinks. “
“Ever heard of “Victoria””?
Nigel’s eyes lit up.
“I thought no one would ask!”

Go on… read more!
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Friday Fictioneers – Sundown

(Author’s note – Nothing to report. Just keepin’ on.)

© Jennifer Prendergast

Sundown
by Miles H. Rost

Gordy sat in the shadow of the sunset, the orange glow flooding through his writing room window. At the kitchen table, he tapped his pen against his nose.

He was at home, working on his album. His gal was out on the town, wanting to spend time in the city. His mind wandered to where she would be… or even who she was with.

Jealousy on his mind, he put the pen to paper, describing his woman and describing what he’d do to any interloper.

“Sundown, you better take care if I find you’ve been creepin’ round my back stair.”

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Friday Fictioneers – Live and Let Dye

(Author’s note: None. It’s the middle of spring/the start of summer. Let’s read!)

© Liz Young

Live and Let Dye

by Miles H. Rost

“Red Cabbage?”
“Diced.”

Paul checked a box.

“Onion Skins?”
“20 sets of red, 20 sets of yellow.”

Another box checked.

“Oranges?”
“6 bags of mandarins. I ate them all and saved the skins in the freezer.”

Paul raised his eyebrows, then chuckled as he checked the box.

“Carrots?”
“3 pounds. Shaved. Should be able to dye 3 pounds of cloth.”

Paul smiled as he checked the final box.

“Alright. We’ve got the stations set up, the stoves ready, safety prep done.”

He took a breath.

“Melinda?”
“Yes?”
“Bring in all the children. Let them to dye to their hearts content!”

Oh come on now, how did you not expect a picture of fruit to not have some connotation to the work of dyemaking? (Kidding!)
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Friday Fictioneers – Island Rain

(Author’s note: Hey, everyone! Getting back into the game. Hoping to start posting every week again, and maybe drop some other story ideas on here. This month is going to be further work on my first book, at least a rough draft. We’ll see how things work. I have a goal of getting it off to an editor by the end of April. We’ll see what happens. Anyhow… here’s today’s fictioneers!)

© Me!

Island Rain

by Miles H. Rost

A laundry cafe.

Not exactly a typical thing to see, but in Korea, they’ll make a cafe or bar out of anything. It seems like Korea catches waves earlier, then moves on quickly. America doesn’t usually have things like this.

While sitting and waiting for my wash to dry, I sipped on a cup of yuzu tea, the sounds of jazz fusion music in my ears. The fact I was able to find this place during my month off from teaching was helpful, as I could work through the evening on my writing.

I could stay in this place forever.

You know you want to click it.
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Friday Fictioneers – Golden Brown

(Author’s note: None. Have been dealing with some stuff the last week, mostly environmental. Here we go for this week!)

© Lisa Fox

Golden Brown

by Miles H. Rost

“This is your office, you have two windows, so that should be enough light for you.”

The new professor, with newly salt and peppered hair, finally felt as though he arrived.

“And the furnishings I have in storage?”
“We got the moving company to go and get them. They should be here within the hour.”
“Then it looks like there’s nothing left. Thank you.”

The professor walked in as the administrator took his leave.

He walked to the window and sat on the ledge. He smiled, watching the falling leaves that matched the color of his students’ hair.

Golden Brown.

Go ahead. You know you want to read more from others.
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Friday Fictioneers – Shinto

(Author’s note: After a wonderful birthday weekend, I am recharged and ready to go for 2023. Hopefully able to get back to doing these once a week. Enjoy today’s fictioneers!)

© Fleur Lind

Shinto

by Miles H. Rost

Evening hauls were not the best for Sadao.

He was more of a day person, and loved his music. But with the salaryman lifestyle not to his liking, he needed a way to make ends meet without living at home.

He passed through the urban Takasaki area, carrying Canadian beef on his way from Ota to Nagano. As the sun went down, he flipped on the radio.

“A trip from the past in America. This is the band Hiroshima, with Shinto…”

Sadao smiled, settling in for the last leg of his first run.

It would be a good night.

From the “Odori” album, 1980.
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