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Ken
Local Historian & Researcher


577 Posts
Posted -  18/05/2004  :  19:53
ONE
Their eyes met with an unwavering steelness, neither of them willing to look
down first; which would be a blow to their manliness. All around a sea of
noise immersed them like waves upon the shore, but for all this; they could
have been locked in their own bubble; which neither one of them was willing
to burst.

As they drew nearer; tiny beads of perspiration could be seen on each brow;
and the clenching of their hands was a sure sign of the tension that they
both felt; but would not let each other see.

Behind them; and on both sides; people went about their own business; completely unaware of the drama that was about to unfold, a drama, that whilst being a common occurrence, was life or death to the actors that were to take part in it, a drama that to the winner; was not so much the physical part
of winning; but a mental triumph that meant he could hold his head uphigh
until his next encounter.

The seconds ticked by as the two players in this modern gladitorial contest
slowly, but steadfastly, drew near to the point of no return. The no-mans-land
between them slowly diminished with each unfaltering step; until a point
would be reached when a decision had to be made. An instant decision.
A decision that once made was irretrievable, a decision that could have a
bearing on his life forever. A wrong decision would mean shame, a shame
that would be ingrained on his memory for ever, and never more would he be
able to walk with his head held high and look anyone in the eye again.

The time had come; as the two combatants halted and looked each other unfaltering in the eye. This was the point of no return, the point when a winner
and a loser would be chosen; and no one wants to be a loser.

Then when an impasse seemed to be the only outcome; the losers eyes
lowered and in a voice that quivered with emotion said " these supermarket
aisles aren't wide enough for two trolleys " as he sheepishly moved aside to
let the winner go past.



TWO
I sat motionless; not daring to move; for even the slightest movement in
these dank humid conditions brought sweat streaming from every pore of the
body. I sat with my eyes tightly shut not daring to look around; for no matter
in which direction I looked; it sent my head spinning; in fact the whole world
seemed to be spinning as if released from its aeons of captivity.

A sweet sickly scent hung around; which at times became overwhelming and
brought on bouts of nausea; which made me long for the sweet fresh air that
I once knew and loved.

Although not alone I was alone; alone with my thoughts which no one else
could share;thoughts which turned to green fields and blue skies; of escape
from my predicament; which although self inflicted; was necessary; but
hindered my freedom. Escape! I must escape.

Time passed slowly by and as I sat; with eyes tightly shut; the slow rhythmic
churning sound all around brought on a hypnotic trance-like state; which
in itself was a blessing; for it allowed me to dream of better times; times
when life was good, times when the air was sweet and cool.

Although in a trance I was always vaguely aware of movement and; at
irregular intervals; distant thudding sounds until a prodding sensation in my
shoulder awoke me from my trance with a start; and a voice said: " Hey mister
your washing's finished "



THREE
A ray of sunshine shone through the window; but a cloud of gloom lay heavily
all around.Although everyone was on; at least; nodding terms; no one spoke;
but just gave a brief sign of recognition.

No sparkle of eyes, just a glazed; resigned stare. No smile; just a tautness
of the lips that said it all. A shuffling of feet and crossing and uncrossing
of legs were the only sign of life; apart from the occasional nervous clearing
of the throat.

Above the rustling of turning pages and the ticking of the clock; could be
heard a dull; monotonous sound and the occasional murmur of voices;
followed by the closing of a door and the fading footsteps of someone in a
hurry.

Then; all at once; without warning; the door opened. All eyes turned and
looked fearfully to the apparition that stood there. The apparition spoke;
in a soft but authoritative voice; the words that no one wanted to hear,
and an audible release of the breath in relief could be heard from all but
one. The "one" stood; on legs that seemed not to belong to him; paused for
a second; looked around with watery eyes seeking solace from all around him.
No solace came; for all other eyes were busily seeking out scratches on their
owners shoes.
The "one"; seemingly all alone in the world; walked unsteadily; with shoulders
drooped; out of the door never to be seen again.

Still the sun shone through the window, but the cloud of gloom lay more heavily now than at any other time, for now you are the "one".

And then; for the last time; the door opened and the apparition said " the
dentist will see you now ".


FOUR
I've stood looking at it for hours, but it just stares impassively back at
me. I've tried walking up to it but I just break out in a cold sweat. Once
I thought of taking it by surprise by creeping up on it when it was dark
but it spotted me and I had to run.

I've had this phobia for years now; and it really depresses me; for I think
I'm the only person in the world who is afraid of it. I've sat for hours on end
talking my way through a course of actions to conquer my fear without
any success.

Day after day I go past it and see other people not afraid; I even asked
someone to come with me once but I shied away in terror at the last minute.
It's now got to the point when it fills my thoughts all day long but if I am to
keep my sanity I will have to do it.

If I walk slowly up to it with my eyes closed and keep saying to myself
"I can do it " over and over again perhaps that will do it.

Today I am going to do it(I think).

Today I am going to get some money out of that hole in the wall.





Author Replies  
Stevie
Mad Woman of Thornton


834 Posts
Posted - 18/05/2004 : 23:15
I've read a good few of these stories with a twist, and 9 times out of ten I manage to guess the endings. However with yours Ken I got them all wrong! The first one I thought was a football penalty shootout, the 2nd one I thought was a tube train, the 3rd I thought was a maternity ward and the last one I hadnt a clue!

More please!Go to Top of Page
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 19/05/2004 : 04:54
It looks as though we might have a fresh strand......


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk Go to Top of Page
BenR
Regular Member


200 Posts
Posted - 17/07/2007 : 11:29
You need to read A Twist in the Tale, a collection of short stories with surprise endings by Jeffrey Archer. My favourite is Clean Sweep Ignatius, about a Nigerian minister of Finance. A classic African corruption story. 

Edited by - BenR on 17 July 2007 11:30:58


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Another
Traycle Mine Overseer


6250 Posts
Posted - 17/07/2007 : 11:38
And  no one better to tell a tale of corruption than Jeffrey. Nolic


" I'm a self made man who worships his creator" Go to Top of Page
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob


3044 Posts
Posted - 17/07/2007 : 11:41
I never saw this topic first time round - thanks Ben for resurrecting it. It's good to have new members rummaging round the OGFB chest and discovering lost treasures.

Wonderful stories, Ken. Have you had any published? If not, they should be. I really enjoyed reading them.Go to Top of Page

Gloria
Senior Member


3581 Posts
Posted - 17/07/2007 : 12:11

Very good. Just spent a pleasant 5mins reading two threads of short stories.




I'd be dangerous with a brain!!!!!
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart


36804 Posts
Posted - 18/07/2007 : 06:36
Wasn't there some trouble about JA plagiarising someone else's stories for his book?


Stanley Challenger Graham




Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk Go to Top of Page


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