Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Thin fingers, unnervingly strong, grip my wrist.
“Put it back. It’s not for you.”
“It’s for sale,” I protest, “it’s priced.”
She prises it from my fingers, returns it to the shelf.
Seething, I drift over to the jade carvings, still hankering for the obsidian globe.
Another customer swoops gleefully on the globe, pays and leaves the shop.
I glare at the owner.
There’s a squeal of brakes outside, a sickening thump, and I see the obsidian globe rolling back into the shop doorway.
The owner shrugs and smiles.
“It wasn’t your turn,” she says, “Shall I hold it for you?”
Phew! I thought that was me done with Friday Fictioneers for good this morning, when I had my first encounter with Block Editor – I’d wondered what you were all talking about. Hopefully I’ll be able to retain this Classic mode, if not… 😦 The words ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ spring to mind. Thanks to Rochelle for her work as leader of Friday Fictioneers, our happy international band of writers.
castelsarrasin 
Ohhhh Sandra! Love this. I would like to think she no longer ever wants the globe…
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Wow! You’re up early! 🙂 Thanks for reading Dale. x
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More like I woke up snd couldn’t fall back asleep!
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I fear she may not have any choice about the globe now, And even if she moves to another town or country, I’m sure the shop will be there when the time comes
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At least she’ll have a moment to prepare herself. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Neil.
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Well-written!
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Thank you Reena.
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Yeeeks! Well told
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Thanks Sue. Hope all is well with you.
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I’m fine thanks, Sandra. And you?
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Lovely descriptions, so much said in so few words
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Thank you, Michael.
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I’m utterly impressed that you do spooky and creepy as impeccably as you do everything else. Another little masterpiece.
And I’ve been fighting with WP for ages over their new ‘improved’ editor, but to no avail.
They refuse to accept that it is counter-intuitive and difficult to use, for those of us of a certain age, at least.
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You said it right there, CE – counter-intuitive. First thing my husband said about WP when he tried to create his own site. I got a tip from Rochelle to create the document with just a title, opt for the Classic Mode, there’s a little + and then close and re-open it. It automatically comes up in Classic.
And thanks for your lovely comment. You always make me blush… or maybe that’s just the hormones.
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Dear Sandra,
Oy. That last line sent a chill from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Brilliantly told.
Glad my tip WP tip worked for you. But what a pain.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is. And so unnecessary. I just don’t have the time or the will to have to go through it all again. Thanks for reading the story and the tip.
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I wouldn’t.
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No, I agree. Thanks for reading.
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Can someone please give that globe to Trump. 🙂 Seriously, your story is seriously good, Sandra.
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🙂 I try to make a point of avoiding commenting on politics on my website, but sometimes I am sorely tempted. Glad you liked the story.
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And I never miss a chance to make a dig at Trump 😉
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Creepy! I think I’d leave that obsidian globe alone!
As for the Block Editor, now that I’ve been using it for a while, I’m comfortable with it. I decided to go with it because they’re just going to keep tweaking and fiddling and coming up with things that make very little sense and I figured I may as well go along for the ride 🙂
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Good for you, Linda. It’s frustrating the little fiddling alterations they insist on incorporating. Sometimes it’s hard enough to find the time to post without having to re-learn how to do it. Thanks for reading.
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That globe sure acts quick! “Yes, put it on hold for me. I’ll be back in 2075 to collect it.” 😉
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And in 2075 you might just be asking for another couple of years, and then another couple more. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Of course I will…
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She really doesn’t want that globe now, does she?
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I think not.
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Keep on keeping on. This is great
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Thanks, Josh.
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I’ve often thought I’d like a piece of obsidian stone for its protective qualities, but now I’m having second thoughts! WordPress, the latest swear word.
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Thanks for reading Keith. Yes, WordPress not in my good books right now.
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They can hold it for a good while! Good story Sandra. I’ve made my peace with block editor after spending a bit of time getting used to it, hope you are able to stick with it!
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As I’ve managed to retain the Classic I might leave it until I have more time. Just like the new froggy thingy… 🙂 well, it’s not new any more I guess.
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I’m coming to expect this kind of genius from you, Sandra, the kind that makes you sit back and go, “Whoof! That packed a punch!” Exquisite readerly joy here 🙂
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Many thanks, Dora, for your lovely comment.
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My pleasure entirely.
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At least she knows what portends death and can more easily sidestep it. Good, harrowing tale. Good luck with the block editor, I went over to it last week and have been struggling with it ever since.
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I’m hanging on for the Classic for a while I think. I’m frustrated enought right now. Thanks for reading.
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You’re welcome.
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I think she needs to settle for the venomous opal necklace…
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A better choice by far. Thanks for reading.
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Instead of death as a skeleton with a scythe, you give us a shopkeeper with an obsidian ball. Wonderful! Great twist!
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Many thanks, Penny.
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Shock, horror. A little Stephen King crept in here.
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Yes, I remember some of his work along these lines. Thanks for reading.
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i don’t think she’ll be interested anymore even if it’s free. 🙂
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Well played, Sandra! I really enjoyed this tale!
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Thank you!
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OOoo my…this is a keeper…wow!
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Thank you! I have been to your site and commented but that captcha thingy said it had expired and it wouldn’t accept it. Sorry, enjoyed it anyway.
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Oh, that little story got my attention. Well done, Sandra.
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Many thanks, Bill.
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Wow, that packed a punch, great stuff. Block editor is a bloody nightmare but I seem to be getting used to it, but can guarantee Im not using it to its full extent. You’ve just got to try and make it work for yourself, you’ll get there.
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Messing about with WordPress is just about the last thing I want to do right now. Thanks for reading.
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Wow! That shopkeeper knows her stuff. It’s like she had a crystal ball 😉
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I think she’s the guardian at the gate. Thanks for reading.
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Oh! Wonderful! Run away. DO NOT BUY THE OBSIDIAN GLOBE!!!!
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I’ve a feeling when the time comes there will be no choice. It will find its own way into her purse.
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All of us have a globe waiting for us…
Somehow I’m still using the same admin console and editor I started with in 2011. Shh, don’t tell anyone 🙂
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Yes, I’m still using the old stats page. If I ever lose the bookmark I’m sunk. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Shocking in that the owner knows the outcome and deals the hand of fate for the unsuspecting.
We all love the idea of something mysterious on those curiosity shops and make up our own superstitions to please our beliefs.
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Yes, there’s many a tale to be born whilst meandering through these shops. Thanks for reading.
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I hope she never returns to that shop. As always, brilliant story, Sandra.
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Many thanks, Brenda.
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Clever and spooky in equal measure: well done!
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Thanks Rob!
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Ooh! I got chills.
I thought I was the last person to get the new editor. I guess they rolled it out in… blocks.
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🤣
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I’m intrigued by the shopkeeper. Wonder what her story is?
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A great, chilling story.
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