Photo Copyright: Madison Woods
NOTE: If anyone is interested, there’s a literary magazine, CQ INTERNATIONAL, that started a short story competition in the last issue. There’s going to be the second competition. The magazine is online and free. The entry for the competition is also free. The winner’s story is published in the next edition. The magazine is published in the UK, and the editor is Paul White. The link is as follows: http://shoutout.wix.com/so/5LGgR6hs
Here we all are for another week. Today we’ve gathered in a virtual graveyard. Our hostess for this gathering is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re the Friday Fictioneers group. Our challenge this week and every week is to write an original story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by Madison Woods and is a repeat. Thanks, Madison.
To read the other stories by the group, just click on the link given below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for this week’s stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/22-april-2016
Genre: Horror/Humor Fiction
Word Count: 4+100=104
TROUBLE IN THE GRAVEYARD by P.S. Joshi
Two men had been sent to the graveyard on a vital assignment.
“Okay, here’s the mausoleum, Charlie. Hand me the stake.” Bill stepped forward and pulled on some gloves. “I’ll open the door.”
Charlie looked confused. ” I thought you had it. What’ll we do?”
It was one hour before dark.
Bill, always a quick thinker, went to the truck and pulled out a roll of barbed wire.
“Alright, here are some gloves. Let’s get started.”
Count Sucksalot rose, opened the mausoleum door, and turned into a bat.
“But what is this, a cage? How dare these people. No respect!”
Ahha! Quick thinking there. I suppose they could have used some garlic too…
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Thanks, Claire. It wouldn’t have hurt, but they didn’t stick around that long. Car trouble would have complicated things, but he was already caged unless he’d used mind control. That could have been nasty. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Hee, “Count Sucksalot” 🙂 Although he’s probably a cold-blooded killer, I feel a bit sorry for him stuck in the barbed wire cage.
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Thanks, Ali. I know. Poor little bat. I’m so happy you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Actually, the Count’s real name was Draculevsky. He changed it when he came to the States.
Fun, Suzanne!
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Thanks, Kent. I can see him walking into the courthouse and applying for a name change. “How do you do.” He was always such a gentleman. One of my favorite movies was “Love at First Bite”. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Brave men these two, hope they were well paid, the count will want to find them. Like the story Mike
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Thanks, Mike. Yes, it did take bravery. Someone will have to come back and stake him to keep him there. I don’t know if they were paid extra. Probably not if they worked for the city. I don’t know who pays professional vampire hunters. I’m so happy you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Poor Vlad, it sucks to be caged.
But I guess it sucks when he get out too.
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Thanks, Bjorn. Yes, Vlad’s life sucks no matter how you look at it. 😀 — Suzanne
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haha …Count Sucksalot is too funny a name. Fun story Suzanne!
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Thanks, Ansumani. I’m so happy you found the story funny, especially the name. I had fun writing it. 😀 — Suzanne
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barbed wire might work for the time being. they better go back and put the stake in his heart while he’s enjoying siesta. 🙂
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Thanks, Plaridel. Yes, barbed wire is certainly just a temporary measure. The stake would make it permanent. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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I like the name Count Sucksalot, 😀 Good story.
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Thanks, Deborah. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story, especially the name. I enjoyed writing it. 😀 — Suzanne
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Quick thinking. Count Sucksalot is not going to be pleased. Well done.
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Thanks, Sandra. No, the Count is upset, to say the least. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Giggles. No respect for an old man 😉 nice one Suzanne.
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Thanks, Ifeoma. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. Even the Count wants respect. Maybe not only because he’s old but because he’s titled. 😀 — Suzanne
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I’ve always wondered why vampires never seem to be able to climb the Peerage ladder higher than Viscount. It must suck being near the bottom of the ranks. I bet Sucksalot sits in his crypt waiting for the sun to set thinking, “Duke Sucksalot… yes, it has a nice ring to it!”.
Sorry, got distracted. I mean…. bad vampire!
Fun story, Suzanne. 🙂
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Thanks, Chris. You may be right. They probably have ambitions like everyone else. After the first hundred years or so, though, they no doubt become resigned to their title. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Good one, Suzanne. Charlie and Bill pulled it off in the long run. Great take on the prompt. That was fun 😀
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Thanks, Diana. Yes, they stopped him, at least for a while. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. I had fun writing it. 😀 — Suzanne
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If you want to make Count Sucksalot into Count Sucksnomore, you need to think on your feet. Which these guys did, what a great idea. Fun story, I loved it.
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Thanks, Gah. Yes, Bill thought quickly and saved the day. I’m happy you enjoyed the story so much. 😀 — Suzanne
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Dear Susan,
The count’s situation sucks a lot, doesn’t it? Fun take on a tried and true theme.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Yes, with the Count, sucking playing a vital role. You might call it a direct transfusion. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story with that theme. 😀 — Suzanne
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Marvelous story, Suzanne. I loved the title too. As soon as I saw it, I had to stop and read. Now *that’s* what a title should do. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs!
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Thanks, Teagan. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story so much, including the title. I didn’t want to give the story away in the title but had to choose an appropriate one. You have a wonderful weekend also. Hugs back to you. 😀 — Suzanne
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Quick thinking all around! I enjoy a good vampire story with a touch of humour. This is much easier reading than Anne Rice.
Lily
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Thanks, Lily. I’ve only read one of Anne Rice’s books Weird. I’ve got one of Stephen King’s books I’m trying to get up the courage to read. I love the funny vampires like the Count in “Love at First Bite.” My son laughed at the funny little black bat in that one. One of the reviewers said the Count in that one was a Victorian gentleman. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Fun story Suzanne, you got a chuckle out of me this week!
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Thanks, Dawn. I’m happy you enjoyed the story enough to make you laugh. I enjoyed writing it. 😀 — Suzanne
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That was a fun one!
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Thanks, Dale. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Some garlic, a steak and a barbed wire… interesting way to spend the night! Of course, a stake would work better! 😉
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Thanks, Dawn. Yes, it was an interesting evening. It would have been easier, though if Charlie had remembered to bring the stake. Good thing they had the barbed wire. Although I didn’t mention it, they probably did have garlic. I’ve heard no good vampire hunter is without it. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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His comment is more funny considering his state!
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Thanks, Spiced. I know. Can’t you just see a little bat saying such a thing as he flaps his wings? 😀 — Suzanne
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Great job, Susan. I love the characters and their names. We both took the graveyard angle this week, and yours turned out much funnier than mine.
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Thanks for the great compliment, Russell. I read yours and it was really funny also. Your intro was hilarious. Thanks for dropping by to read my story. 😀 — Suzanne
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The Count sounds batty, though this time looks like the stake was rare.
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Whoa, Subroto. The puns are running rampant here. The Count was certainly batty. The stake was not only rare, unfortunately, it was totally absent. Barbed wire saved the day, er… night.
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Such disrespect. Hope he wriggles through. Fun.
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Thanks, Patrick. Having read and heard about the Count, I’m afraid he might. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Count Sucksalot. You’re too funny, Suzanne. I hope the bat breaks free. Somehow I feel sorry for him, too.
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Thanks, Amy. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. I know what you mean. I have a soft spot in my heart for little bats, even the Count as a bat. He probably knows and takes advantage of that. 😀 — Suzanne
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Great story.
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Thanks, Linda. I’m so happy you liked the story. I enjoyed writing it. 😀 — Suzanne
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