Pages

▼

Friday, December 28, 2012

708 Fulton



 708 Fulton.  Strange, that name.

 Having received an urgent call from an oddly familiar voice to meet there, Douglas entered.  It turned out to be a small but comfortable coffee shop boasting a stained glass image of the sun rising behind a cup of hot coffee, seemingly symbolic of one of the few things in life George truly enjoyed.

 As he sipped, George felt 708 Fulton to be a place of respite from his inadequacies, failed dreams, and the entire cold godless universe.    

 "Never heard of this place before," he said to a passing barista. 

 "Little wonder, my friend. 708 Fulton is heaven, dude."

 "I'm in heaven?"

 "Different for every person."

 And the universe was no longer cold for one Douglas Fulton Smith.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo prompt above and story beneath, the above  is my contribution to this week's installment of the Fabulous Friday Fictioneers' and Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show. (Note: Other than that one song, I pretty much hate Neil Diamond.)

I came in at 123 words this week, not too shabby but still off the mark. We'll see what the new year brings.

Happy New Year, Fictioneers! 

at

33 comments:

  1. tedstrutzDecember 28, 2012 at 2:51 AM

    This is really good, Perry. I thought you were being a bit heavy with the Cold Godless Universe thing for poor George, but the last line makes up. This is one of those stories that unfolds with each new line.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 4, 2013 at 12:05 PM

      That Cold Godless Universe part touched my heart.

      Delete
  2. Perry BlockDecember 28, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    Thanks, Ted.

    Yep, "cold, godless universe" could be somewhat of a cliche. In general, I fall over myself a bit when I try to write quasi-seriously because I'm really most comfortable with humor, but it's fun to take a crack at it every now and then.

    Have a good holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsDecember 28, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    Dear Perry,
    I'll forgive you for "cold godless universe". You redeemed yourself with the stellar ending.
    Thanks for your kind comments on mine. Funny. I'm usually the class clown in my social circles but I rarely write humor. Go figure.
    Shalom and happy new year,
    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 28, 2012 at 8:58 AM

      Well, of course, the views of my characters don't always necessarily reflect mine, but at least for now Douglas' conflicts work out nicely.

      Thanks for you comment about the ending, and go crack up that class!

      Delete
  4. Douglas MacIlroyDecember 28, 2012 at 5:39 AM

    Dear Perry,

    This story was a deftly written tale and one of your best, for me. A perfect ending to Douglas Fulton Smith's life. I loved the way you wove the name into the warp and woof of the tapestry. Loved the mood you set and the mystery you spread before us and then solved so supremely.

    That's it, bud. All out of compliments......but you deserve more.

    Aloha,

    Doug

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 28, 2012 at 9:01 AM

      Thanks, Douglas. Huh, that's the name of the character. Not intentional.

      I have two problems with the piece. It's a bit like a fair to middling Twilight Zone --- a good ending but not one of the most original. And I don't like the word "featuring" in the second paragraph. Should be stronger.

      But if I deserve more, bring it on!

      Delete
    2. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsDecember 28, 2012 at 5:39 PM

      I was actually thinking of a particular Twilight Zone, Perry but refrained from referencing it because of my tendency to do that.(Sue me, I own the definitive box set) However, since you brought it up. It reminded me of a particular episode with Sebastian Cabot as the death angel.

      Delete
    3. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 12:00 PM

      Sure, that was the dyed white-bearded Sebastian Cabot in "A Nice Place to Visit," also starring Larry Blyden.

      Actually it reminds me more of "A Stop at Willoughby," especially with the tie-in of Douglas' middle name to his ultimate destination.

      Here you go, Twilight Zone fan, you might like this one ... http://bit.ly/10AWQ7I

      Delete
  5. Sandra CrookDecember 28, 2012 at 6:27 AM

    Second one in a row I haven't understood - must be the atlantic divide. :( I did however enjoy the change in style; you should do this more often. Nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Perry BlockDecember 28, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    I never felt so isolated from the mother country!

    I'll strive to close the cap in further posts. Thanks for writing, Sandra!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Reading PleasureDecember 28, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Nicely written, Perry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 12:10 PM

      Thanks! "Nice" is my middle name. (Not really,but it seemed to fit.)
      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  8. janetDecember 28, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Good job!! I think all the kudos have been handed out, so just re-read them when you're done with my comment and have someone else pat you on the back so you don't risk breaking your arm. :-) Have a happy new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 12:11 PM

      Kudos? Sounds like something you didn't want to have in high school.

      Thanks for writing, Janet, & Happy New Year!

      Delete
  9. K.D. McCriteDecember 28, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    Well done, Perry. (You think they might serve sweet tea?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 12:12 PM

      No. Just booze disguised as coffee.

      It is my idea of heaven, after all.

      Happy New Year, kd!

      Delete
  10. ParulDecember 28, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    I didn't quite follow all of it. I liked the style and I liked the heaven angle - that's very unique.
    Wish you a splendid 2013! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    Hey Perry,
    Can't believe you got serious and wrote a transcendental story. I kept waiting for the punch line. Once you get a reputation . . . But a good story. Wonder if Fulton Sheen is in there too. Ron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 6:48 PM

      No, don't expect Fulton Sheen any time soon.

      Charlie Sheen, maybe. Is that unserious enough for you?

      Happy New Year, Ron!

      Delete
  12. Tom PoetDecember 28, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Well if this is heaven I hope the guy is right and it is different for everyone....Cause I am thinking more along the lines of a nice cabaret. I did enjoy this style. Good job.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 6:50 PM

      I am thinking more along the lines of beachfront property, maybe with a nice coffee place nearby.

      Wherever, have a good new year!

      Delete
  13. AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Yep! Why not?

    ReplyDelete
  14. billgncsDecember 28, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    I hope heaven comes with free refills, or at least takes credit cards. A fine story. Have a great new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 6:54 PM

      I believe they do take Aftercard.

      Have a great new year!

      Delete
  15. AnonymousDecember 29, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    hmmnn not my idea of heaven but i do love your story ^^

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousDecember 29, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    well thought out. I could see heaven as a coffee shop. I've always said my idea of hell would be a math class, followed for a foreign language class, followed by a day long trip to the amusement park.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 30, 2012 at 7:15 PM

      Math class would be hell enough for every unrepentant Nazi on the planet!

      May your new year see no trip to Disney World or French 101...

      Delete
  17. BoJanuary 5, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    I imagine a coffee shop would be good to have in heaven. Great piece.

    ReplyDelete