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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!)
Click Me to read more fun stories!
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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.
To join the party, click the frog
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Friday Fictioneers – The Jester’s In A Cast (American Pie)

(Author’s note: National Novel Writing Month is in full swing. I’m at about 17,500 words out of 50,000. I am going to be spending a lot of time coming up with marathon writing sessions, but I believe I am doing well. I now need to work on finding an editor to help with starting out this new venture. Oh well, we’ll see what happens. Anyhow, here’s today’s Fictioneers!)

© Starsinclayjars

The Jester Is In A Cast

by Miles H. Rost

“I don’t know about you, but Bob Dylan absolutely has to be the Jester.”
“How do you figure?”
“Take a look at history. Elvis’s music was big, until Bob Dylan came along. And Bob’s music was the big thing until the Rolling Stones came along.”
“What does Elvis and the Stones have to do with it?”
“Elvis was the King. The Jester stole the King’s crown. Bob Dylan took over after Elvis went through the military. As far as the Stones? Their 1967 album is ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’.”
“So, Mick Jagger is Satan?”
“Don McLean was on to something.”

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Friday Fictioneers – You Make My Dreams Come True

(Author’s note: I skipped posting the last couple of weeks due to my travels down to Houston. I had an absolute blast with people at a writer’s gathering, and at the anime convention across the street. I got a lot of inspiration, just getting back into the swing of things is going to be the important part. Which is why I am posting this story today.

Oh, and to Haileigh, if you’re reading this: Thanks!)

© Roger Bultot

You Make My Dreams Come True

by Miles H. Rost

Geno’s Cheesesteak, a warm afternoon, and the radio.

Harvey couldn’t have had a better day. A paid half a day off due to a delayed component, and his paycheck already cashed and deposited, was the impetus for sitting and having some good food.

The sounds of Hall and Oates wafted through the air, their latest hit adding extra sonic food to his buffet of the day. He bopped his head along to the sound of the Yamaha CP30, slowly enjoying his sandwich.

Finishing his cheesesteak, he stood from the cement seat to leave.

Full belly, full soul, full day.

Yes, Virginia… they were from Philly, too!
Join us! You know you wanna!