Friday Fictioneers. It starts every Wednesday, led by Rochelle of the Purple Fields, and has one picture (by Ted Strutz this week) accompanied by a 100 word story. Like what you see? Click the froggy below to see the other participants’ work and click here to see past entries of mine!
Photo by Ted Strutz
The tools reminded him of hours spent in the dentist’s chair, unfriendly hands delving into his teeth and gums. He suppressed a shudder and took a deep, cleansing breath to regain the necessary calm. The boat was pulling away, bound for a harbor booze cruise despite the leaden sky.
He hummed the theme to “Gilligan’s Island” as he cut a circle out of the glass, careful to sever the safety mesh, too. His silenced rifle fit perfectly as he sighted down the barrel, aimed, and squeezed the trigger. The man on the deck staggered and slipped beneath the pewter waves.
Helena will be keeping track of the body count this week. Direct all complaints about bloodshed to her. Jessica B. Bell, on the other hand, likes bloodshed. I suggest you don’t rile her up.
Vers Les Etoiles 
HA! Thanks for the shout out, darling. You know, I don’t think I’ll be able to participate this week unless my workload decreases — I’m very busy at the moment. But yes, I saw this picture and my first thought was “A lot of people are going to be tortured and/or killed this week, aren’t they?” And then I heard Sir Lawrence Olivier constantly repeating “Is it safe?” and then you had to look up that cultural reference on the Interweb (hint: Marathon Man)
The dentist always makes me want to murder people. Ahem. Hypothetically. Fictionally. Where’s my lawyer?
Well, now I don’t have to look it up…
A deep cleansing breath hey? So he can effect a very dirty deed. Nice one.
He probably took some minty-fresh mouthwash on the way out of the dentist, too! Glad you enjoyed it.
Liked this 🙂
Thank you!!
booze cruise Lovely.
Clever to use the glass.
I once got in trouble drinking beer on that boat… WSF frowns on that… unless you buy it from them.
Sounds like like a not-so-boozy booze cruise!
What is it with rifles this week? I’m far too peaceable. I hope at least it was the booze-cruise organizer who went swimming. Nice take on it.
I don’t know! I usually don’t read others’ before I write mine. I think it’s just the view–it’s secluded and can seem a little sinister if that’s your bent.
Hannah, The way he thought about the dentist, I’m wondering if that’s who he shot. Good story and well written. 🙂 —Susan
Could be, could be! Thank you–glad you enjoyed it!
A cold-blooded murderer terrified of the dentist, wonder how many times that happens in real life. Good story, different direction than most, and still so close to the photo.
Even the bad guys have to be afraid of something! Thank you–glad you enjoyed it.
I like the way he finds the time to muse about previous visits to the dentist and hum tunes while he calmly blows someone away!
Don’t worry, I know better than to rile Jessica B Bell 🙂
Even assassins get a little nervous sometimes! Glad to hear it, no one wants to see angry Jessica.
Actually I think this was the first body this week.. somehow I only kill people in idyllic settings.. and these pewter waves (love that) were too obvious for a dark setting.
I think there may be some other bodies, but I didn’t use “death by dentist” so, I’ll give myself points for that. I love using color in stories but I’m always afraid to overdo it–glad you liked it!
Dear Hannah,
A tale of a fateful trip….
Sorry, but you subtly started it.
Great tale, huge mystery. Tell us more.
Aloha,
Doug
I was trying to think of some way to have a Gilligan-esque title, but I felt that was taking it too far–glad you caught it though! Thanks for reading, Doug.
Dear Hannah,
I’m surprised he didn’t shoot the dentist. Or was this Gilligan finally offing Skipper? Or perhaps the professor doing in Mr. Howell? Killer story.
shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
I wouldn’t be surprised if Gilligan snapped…but the Professor was always a sly one, too. Thanks for reading!
Hannah
I liked the use of the word pewter – it suggested not only the colour, but a sinking weight. Well told 🙂
Thank you! I really liked that line (if I do say so myself) and I’m glad it worked for you. Thanks for reading.
Beware of men with good teeth and sniper rifles!
Pewter waves – yep!
Even bad guys have problem teeth. Not sure if I’d want to be the dentist who riles this guy one too many times. Interesting take on the prompt…
Very true—his dentist may want to watch out. Thanks for reading!
Dear Hannah, Wow, you have it all, plus a dead body! Good story, well told, and I do love the color pewter because that’s exactly how the sea looks sometimes. Start the body count this week Jessica! Love your story Hannah, – you are such a good writer! Nan 🙂
Thank you, Nan! I’ve been trying to find some better colors to spice up descriptions since I catch myself using the same ones over and over. Thank you so much for reading!