Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The World's Only Singing Bird (FF)

©Luther Siler
FF-Flash Fiction

Henry Squawkster was disillusioned, dejected, and half passed out on the floor of his backstage dressing room.

"I cannot do the act as the World's Only Singing Bird one more time," thought Henry. I cannot face another audience! Every day's an endless stream of cigarettes and magazines ..."

"Get up and get yourself together!" barked Henry's manager, Herbert Cohen. "The audience is depending upon you."

Cohen shoved Henry onstage with his guitar. Near feverish with booze and exhaustion, Henry gazed through the wire mesh fence into the audience of calico, Siamese, and alley cats, all licking their chops.

"If only I could perform in front of an audience of humans," muttered Henry, "instead of this damn social media world of cats!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, Henry tawt he taw a puddy tat and he did, he did taw a puddy tat!  A whole audience full of them too. True, Henry has a lot of fans, but most of them are fans of his flavor, not his musical favorings.

Henry hitting the bottom is what I saw this week in the picture prompt above as part of the Friday Fictioneers Weekly Traveling Variety Show & Concert. Offerings of the other Friday Fictioneers are available by buying your ticket, taking your seat, and clicking here.

Good for Henry, he made it through another performance. No, Henry, don't give autographs!

32 comments:

Alicia said...

Poor Henry! What a life. And no autographs for sure. Very fun.

Perry Block said...

Well, I can get you one.

Sandra Crook said...

I'm trying so hard not to make a comment about pussy cats. :( Poor Henry.

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields said...

Dear Perry,

You have me humming Homeward Bound. Intimidating audience that. I'm afraid he has little more than a wing and a prayer.

Happy Hanukkah/Chanukah/Chanikah...

Rochelle

Anonymous said...

Sometimes social media is like a alley of cats. Poor Henry. Fun read.

brudberg said...

Thank god for wire mesh... a little bit like Blues Brothers :-)

Perry Block said...

I think you didn't try hard enough!

Perry Block said...

Talk about a rough crowd, they'll eat you alive. Maybe he can get a job as Paul Simon's new partner.

Perry Block said...

Thank you! Actually I think cat pictures are tailing off. But not fast enough for Henry.

Perry Block said...

Hadn't though of that but you're right. Let's hear Henry Squawster in a rousing version of "Rawhide!"

Anonymous said...

Was this before or after the Broadway production of "Cats?"

plaridel said...

i can relate. as a bird, he's toast. in the audience's eyes, he's food. :)

Perry Block said...

I think before. Andrew Lloyd Weber saw Henry's next show and some unexpected interaction with the audience and wrote a song about Henry, called "Memories."

Perry Block said...

You could say they just ate up the act!

Anonymous said...

I really felt for Henry. Your dazzling portrayal of the uniqueness of the dejected chicken, dehumanized in the nefarious current world context of electronic jibber-jabberish, can only lead to an utter outcome of depression and self-defecation, and, ultimately, in chicken-shit.

I am sending you the last of my regards...
Randy Rooster

Unknown said...

Funny stuff. I loved the Simon and Garfunkel lyrics.
Meow,
Tracey

Russell said...

I can't wait to see the video of this. Perry behind poultry wire. It has a nice ring to it. Especially, around the holidays.

liz young said...

Poor little bird-brain.

Unknown said...

Poor bird. Life isn't fair. Those cats get all the glory, too, especially on the Internet. Great job, Perry.

Perry Block said...

The last? I'm still waiting for the first.

Perry Block said...

Too bad for Henry, it's "Hello Darkness, my old friend."

Perry Block said...

Sure, whey shouldn't I play Henry? I've got the disillusioned, dejected, and half passed out on the floor part down pat.

Perry Block said...

Yep, the guy could have really soared in another business.

Perry Block said...

Yeah, but boy can Henry Squawkster sing. I mean, boy, could he sing.

Dawn said...

Oh, that was funny Perry!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Dawn. The late Henry Squawkster thanks you too.

P.S. Joshi said...

No, Perry, Henry should definitely not try to get autographs, unless he wants to commit suicide. I wondered where those internet cats go when you don't see them. Well done. :D --- Suzanne

Perry Block said...

When do you ever not see them? Thanks, Suzanne.

Unknown said...

LOL. Good story. Poor Henry. Had to laugh at No Henry. Don't give autographs.

Subroto said...

Ha! Ha! Henry should have performed to the music of Victor Squawkster

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Irene. Oh Henry, then No Henry.

Perry Block said...

Yeah, he sure should have ... wait! Is there such a guy?