Fantasy Island
The train journey is taking forever; bored, she starts spinning one of her fantasies.
Someone’s holding a gun to her head.
“Kiss either one – you choose.”
She opens her eyes.
Opposite her sits a vicar with a monumental overbite; next to him a fat man, drooling as he dozes.
“Kiss??? You mean properly? Like…tongues and things?”
“Yup.”
She looks again. The vicar’s engrossed in his pocket bible; the fat man snoring.
“Too gross, no way.”
The safety catch clicks off.
“Then you all die.”
Eyes still closed, the fat man speaks.
“For chrissakes woman, do something … I think he’s serious.”
I’m hoping that’s a railway station at the bottom of the picture, but in any case, Rochelle exhorts us to write about ‘what we see’, so I have. On this first get-together of the Friday Fictioneers for 2015, can I wish all friends and colleagues a very happy, healthy and successful year. I’m over the moon this morning as I just heard I’ve won another competition, this time in Writing Magazine. I hope I’m not peaking too early… 🙂
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
The vicar with the monumental overbite had me reeling. Such a clear picture and a clever story. I read it twice and it was even better the second time.
Congratulations on another win. You’re becoming quite a tour de force and I’m proud to know you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! 🙂 The winning story was one I’m proud of, and I don’t often say that, because I almost always see something I could have done better. I’ll let you know when it’s published.
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Such a vivid story, I was there on the train. Great work, Sandra.
Big congratulation on your win, what a way to start a year.
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Thank you!
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First congratulations on your win. .it has to be well-deserved. To me this one talks about connected fantasies.. or is it really the fat man and the vicar that’s fantasy.. I hope at least she doesn’t have to kiss that vicar.. it’s not easy with such an overbite…
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I’ll take your word for that Bjorn, about kissing the vicar. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Well, if she kissed the Vicar then she would only have to put her lips on half of his mouth. 😀
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I see you’re someone who likes to think things through logistically… 🙂
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Yes Sandra I’m afraid so. I am one of those “dull” analytical types. LOL!
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Dear Sandra,
Congratulations on your win and on this stellar little tale of fantasy and forced foolery. I like the fat man. Kiss him. (The priest is a cold fish and has previous instructions proscribing having much in the way of fun.)
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you Doug. Fat man, cold fish – eeny meeny… not sure which way to go. Maybe I’ll take your recommendation. 🙂
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Very entertaining! Some choice…
It’s all innocuous until the last line. Terriffic. And congratulations on the good news!
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Thanks Emmy. Glad you liked it.
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Oh, this is so brilliant. I was absolutely sure at the beginning we were inside her head. And then I was absolutely sure we weren’t when the sat man spoke, and now I have no idea. And well done on the win – you deserve it, with writing like this.
Claire
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Hi Claire, whilst I was having a coffee in the shopping centre, I was observing someone at a nearby table – not fantasising I hasten to add – and it struck me how funny it would be if the object of your attention suddenly made it clear that they knew what you were thinking. And how uncomfortable that might be… the realisation that someone could be privy to your thoughts, dreams and fantasies. Thanks for reading and your lovely comment.
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And Sandra’s back in fine form! Monumental overbite vs. drool? Talk about caught between a rock and a hard place.
Many congratulations on your well-deserved writing award. No, definitely not peaking, just continuing the ascent!
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You’re very kind Barbara. So what’s it to be for you? the overbite or the drool? 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting
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I’d make the fat guy wake up, go brush his teeth, and then I’d close my eyes and think of England. BLECH.
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Oh my! Dreams really do come true!
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Be careful what you wish for Joseph… 🙂
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I try to be. Sometimes those dreams just slip out and become reality and that is a really scary thing!
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Great tale, powerfully written.
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Thank you Elephant. Still reeling from your last line. 🙂
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I could see the two men- weather I wanted to or not! (and congratulations!)
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Well at least you don’t have to kiss one of them Roger. Thank you!
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Ewwwwww, you’ve now polluted my day completely, but so deftly and with that soupçon of uncertainty as to whether real or not. So happy for you about the win. You’re on a richly-deserved roll (although that sounds a bit as though you’re posed on a rather large bit of bread.) Ah, well, you get my drift.
janet
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A richly deserved roll sounds just the thing! Thank you Janet. 🙂
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Congrats on another win – there’s a reason for them, you’re writing is brilliant, understated (the monumental overbite, for example, tells us everything without wasting time or words) and clever. Another masterful story this week, thank you for sharing it.
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Awww thanks Jennifer. I’m blushing here. Sheesh!
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Well, Sandra, this was a wonderful bit of hilarity! Got me thinking about Mel Brooks style humour. That last line was just great.
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Thank you Helena, good to see you back here. 🙂
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You’ve really packed in the imagery in this piece and it flows brilliantly. The ending packs such a punch as well, I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
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Thanks Carol! 🙂
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Okay, that gave me a good giggle… Particularly since I was thinking ‘just kiss the gunman then!’
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He’s gay. 🙂
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Hmm, there’s only one way for that to end then: she gets shot and he spends the next 24 hours switching between body disposal and teeth brushing.
Poor guy, that’s no way to live vicariously.
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Ah, I do love train travel but this is too much. Very clever.
I assume you do know that every time you win a competition, lots of others experience the pangs of failure!
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Thanks for reading Patrick. Yes, I know all about the pangs of failure… 🙂
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First, congratulations on the win, Sandra. You are a wonderful writer, and the accolades are well deserved.
This was a great response to the photo prompt this week. On seeing it, I wondered how many people unfamiliar with Chicago would notice the L tracks in the shot. Glad to see that you did. I felt compelled to write fairly literally from that point myself. Although we all have different backgrounds and experiences, it seems to me that trains are a universal topic, one on which we all have a story to tell.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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The lower building just looked like a station to me. Sometimes the photo prompts are a mystery to me, but there you go… write what you think you see. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Absolutely! When I first started playing along last year, I was frequently flummoxed by photos that were completely out of my personal experience. Then I began to embrace the idea of writing from whatever experience or topic the picture brought to mind. With a group of writers from around the world, this is the only way that we could possibly all respond to every photo prompt. Literal takes on each photo would be impossible (as well as incredibly boring).
Thanks for being an astute observer and creative force, Sandra. I always enjoy what you bring to the table.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Sandra,
That was great. I like the line, “like tongues and things?” 🙂 Congratulations on the Writing Magazine win. You definitely deserve it.
-David
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Thanks David, glad you liked it, and thanks for the congrats.
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Excellent piece, Sandra. Pulled me right inside the page. Oh, and congrats on the Writing Mag win. I subscribe so I’ll need to read your latest masterpiece 🙂
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Not sure when it will be published, maybe next issue or the one after that. Thanks for reading.
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Sandra, this has been the most entertaining thing in my life in quite some time! I laughed while I read it. I laughed at the ending. I laughed after I read it and I laughed some more with each comment! Haha! Thank you so much! If laughter is the best medicine, then I do believe my arthritus should be healed. Haha!!
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If I can make someone smile…. 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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You did! 🙂
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Congratulations on the win Sandra! I’m sure it was very well deserved! 🙂
Secondly, I feel for someone to have daydreams like that is almost sadistic! I’m personally very indulgent in all of mine.
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You never know what turns people on… 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Can she just kiss them on the cheek?
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Nope! He’s been very specific, and it’s non negotiable.
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one of your best. not a word wasted. very, very smooth.
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Thank you. I struggled to get this into 100 and still was three or four over.
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Congratulations on your win, and on another intriguing little 100 worder here. I’ll vote for the fat man – he’s obviously on her wave length.She can wipe his mouth first.
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Perhaps she could do it through a tissue… he never said anything about contact. Thanks Margaret.
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Congrats on the win and thanks for the story, it made me laugh.
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I’m pleased about that Dawn. 🙂
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Hi Sandra! Congratulation first. I would like to read your winning story. In this FF, you made it more interesting in last line. Loved it. Wish you a Happy, healthy and successful New year.
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I’ll put a copy on the site when it’s been published in the mag Indira, maybe a month or two off yet. Thanks for reading.
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Railway stations are great places to daydream, thought I question her subject matter 🙂
Congratulations on the win!
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In her defence, she was reeeeealllly bored! Thank you. 🙂
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Brilliant – I did not see that coming. Nicely done.
KT
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Thanks KT:)
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Sandra, congratulations! Your writing is always so excellent, so dynamic. No doubt your winning story is much deserving of the attention!
Love this one. Clever and funny, but with a slight edge, as the reader wonders what exactly is happening. Just fantastic! Happy New Year to you and those you love. 2014 was infinitely better for me, with all of my FF friends alongside me. 🙂
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Thanks for reading Dawn, and a very happy New Year to you too.
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I think he is serious. Choose the fat man! And congrats on your award!
DJ
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Thank you! I think she may…
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Congratulations, Sandra! How exciting to win a competition! Love your header photo and the web. Enjoyed your story, poor girl!
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Thank you. Nice to see you back. 🙂
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This is going to be happening sooner than we think so – we’d best get our odd little fantasies out of the way 😛 I enjoyed this piece, Sandra.
I’m thinking about you the last few days.
Ellespeth
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Why thank you Ellespeth. 🙂 Glad you liked it.
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That took me by surprise – excellent!
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Thanks Liz. 🙂
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When fantasy meets reality. Can she kiss the guy with the gun instead?
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Outstanding, Sandra. I’m deeply emulous of your gift for writing.
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Ah, and the gun makes an appearance. A vicar with a monumental overbite. That’s great. Congratulations on your winning story! That’s wonderful, Sandra. What a way to start the new year.
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You never disappoint, Sandra! Another twist to start the new year with a smile. 🙂 Always such a pleasure to read your work. Happy 2015!
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Thanks Judee! 🙂
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I loved this Sandra. I was on that train! The imagery you painted was just perfect – the vicar with the ‘monumental overbite’ – I’m sure i know him. Brilliant writing.
Congrats too on you win, I take Writing Magazine so will look out for your story.
Dee
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If it comes out in next month’s edition I’ll be away and won’t see it until March. Shame! Glad you liked this story, Dee and it was lovely to have you back again this year.
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It would be a shame to have to wait, I can always scan and email it to you if you’d like, just let me know.
Dee
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That would be great Dee. Thanks. If it’s in the Feb edition perhaps you could contact Rochelle for my email address (if you don’t already have it). I’ll email her to tell her it’s OK.
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Hi Sandra I have an email address for you, I’ll send a test just to make sure it’s the right one, then if your story is in the Feb edition I will send it on to you.
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Many thanks for that Dee. You’re a star! x
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nice story, happy new year
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Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
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Congratulations on your win. Tis was an enjoyable read. Easy to wipe the drool off…..or maybe provide the Vicar with a new topic for a sermon…..
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These things can be resolved… 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Dear Sandra, Wonderful and creepy. You captured everything with this story. I’m scared and haven’t been on the L in years. Great job! Nan 🙂
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Thanks Nan, glad you liked it.
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Sandra, Congratulations on your win. Your story made me laugh. Thanks for that.
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Thanks Honie, Happy New Year!
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I loved this story, Sandra! These 100 words (I wish I would have thought of them!) are a great beginning for much longer story and if you ever write it I look forward to reading it!
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Thanks Michael. Yes I don’t think I’m quite done with this idea yet. 🙂
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This was a fun tale…great use of dialogue.
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Happy New Year, 2015, Sandra and Congratulations on the story being. Looks like the new year is of to a great start for you. Funny and creative story. 😀 Her daydreams have taken on a touch of reality. Welll done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I am sure someone has told you already that that is the el train (elevated train…a subway elevated on tracks) in Chicago. That sign, 66, is the beginning of the famed Route 66. It is a touchstone of our popular culture. 🙂
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