I am a bit late to this week’s gathering of the Friday Fictioneers, a community of writers who contribute a 100-word story based on a photo prompt.
Thanks to our gracious host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and to Shaktiki Sharma for this week’s cool photo.
Ahem…I went over just a tad. I had a hard time ending it….
Sci-Fi (106 words)
The Interview
Addison fell into the hot seat.
Across from her, Gemma sat with her feet and knees touching. She held no resume. None was requested and Addison hadn’t sent one at such short notice.
Basking in a glow of stillness, Gemma resembled a touched photograph, except for her lashes which moved like the wings of a butterfly in slow-motion flight.
Addison formed words to questions she didn’t hear. Voices echoed. Something about data analysis.
“I studied philosophy,” Addison stated.
“How is it that you know you’re here, Addison?”
Addison jolted upright. “I don’t.” But then she knew that she did. Her insides hurt, raked and combed through.
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For more stories from the talented Fictioneers, click here.
Mysterious and beautifully written Amy. More Gemma, more Addison please!
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Holly. So nice of you to stop by!
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Welcome back, Amy. “How is it that you know you’re here, Addison?” is a glorious line. It made me snort my coffee
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What a glorious comment. Thanks so much for that, Neil.
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Dear Amy,
I could so relate to Addison focusing on Gemma’s eyelashes. It sounds like something I would do. A bit of ADD and creativity…sometimes I think they’re twins. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wish I had long lashes. My son has them and sometimes I’m just mesmerized by them. I want them! I think lashes would be a useful focus for ADD and creativity. Hey, why not? Thank you, Rochelle.
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Great story, Amy! Hope all is well with you! 🙂
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Hey, Kelly. So great to see you. It’s going pretty good, just busy. I’ve missed you!
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Hi long-lost blog buddy!!! Miss you too! Glad to know all is well! Send some of your West Coast warmth my way, okay? If I have to wear mittens outside one more day I will scream! 🙂
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Spring is definitely in the air, Kelly. I was outside today in the yard pulling weeds. 🙂 I hope it warms up quickly for you!
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Love the immediate sense of uncomfortable mystery. Beautifully creepy!
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Thanks so much, Jen. What a lovely comment! Glad you liked it.
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I enjpyed your imagery though I didn’t understand it!
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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Liz, even when it didn’t make sense. I didn’t exactly give it away here. So glad you liked it!
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From the first line, time slowed and I was transported into that interview “room”(perhaps dimension). I enjoyed the description of her being a still photograph with the exception of her lashes moving. Well done!
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So thrilled you liked it, Goroyboy. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you!
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Now I want to know exactly what’s going on! Great descriptions, Amy.
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Thanks so much, Dale. Glad you enjoyed it!
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I wonder what’s going on? It doesn’t sound good, though.
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Thanks. I don’t think it’s good either. This probably isn’t going to end well, Ali.
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deeply mysterious, incredible reflection, elegant lines and words…simply a powerful and excellence post.
I am sharing it on my Facebook Social Blog Page, please visit and like the page.
https://www.facebook.com/Mihran.Kalaydjian.public/
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Wow, Mihran. Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for much for your lovely comments. I’m so honored to be featured on your Facebook page. Thanks a lot!
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Oooooooo brilliant Amy. I loved this
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Thanks so much, Laurie! Glad you enjoyed it.
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This made me feel itchy and uncomfortable! Which, to me, means it’s a very well written piece.
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So kind of you to say, Alicia. Thank you!
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It was like a still life portrait with a bit of existentialism to stir things up. I am now nicely stirred up to know more 🙂
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Existentialism, why yes! Thank you, Joy. Glad I could stir things up for you. Thanks for stopping by.
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I got a perfect picture of those eyelashes. A complex and interesting piece, Amy.
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Thanks so much, Sandra. What a nice thing to say.
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Eyelashes are fascinating. I often find myself staring at people I know that have amazing eyelashes. Really I’m not staring at them but at their lashes. I’m told it’s very disconcerting when they catch me. Apparently, it feels like I am looking right through them. This is a wonderful piece, Amy.
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What an eerie kind of thought that to stare at their lashes is to look right through them. I think it’s quite fitting for my story. My son’s eyelashes are to die for and I always stare at them. They’re a gift, aren’t they? Thanks for your wonderful comments, Michelle. It’s always a pleasure to see you here.
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Lovely mysterious piece Amy.
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Thanks so much, Michael. Glad you enjoyed it.
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This was great… made me think of Descartes in the end… cognito ergo sum… maybe it’s those eyelashes.
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Perfect, that’s what I was trying for, Bjorn. Maybe eyelashes is all it takes. Forget thinking. I do think it’s possible to think too much. Thanks a lot.
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Vivid. That last “raked and combed through” made me cringe. Such discomfort.
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Thanks for sharing that with me, Magaly. I really tossed that ending around quite a bit. Glad it was cringe-worthy. Excellent. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
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i don’t know but it feels like addison was drifting in dream state and about to lose control.
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I think you could be on to something, Plaridel. Addison was definitely not herself.
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Great atmosphere and mystery. Sinister!
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Thanks, Miranda. That’s so wonderful to hear!
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Good to see you back on the blog prowl. In terms of the story, the unknowns are Obama’s fault.
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Thank you, Frank. I try to get back. Thanks for stopping by! Obama is still making headlines, isn’t he?
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Well, it was Obama’s fault that you haven’t posted much of late. … Hope all is well with you and your family.
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Just so busy…there’s not enough time in the day, Frank. Other than that, things are good. Hope you are doing well too.
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Hang in there!
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Ah! those eyelashes. Makes me want more, your story, that is. Well done.
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Thank you so much, Neel. That’s great to hear. I’d like to write more for this one.
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Poor thing! I know that raked and combed through feeling. Ugh.
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Yes, she’s not happy. Thanks, Dawn.
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Multilayered and mysterious, beautifully written.
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Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.
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This story feels like a few of my own job interviews (or exams) when I wasn’t feeling secure about the topic. I love the attention to detail while the important stuff just rushes by, and the philosophical questions.
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Thanks, Gah. I always dread job interviews and exams too. I had some interesting job interviews but none quite like Addison’s. I did have one once where I walked out. That was definitely my most memorable.
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Oh dear, that must have been something. I’ve had awkward situations, but never that bad…
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It was the absolute worst! This guy was a real jerk like something out of a movie. Even while it was happening I thought that. Like is this for real??
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Girl! I love your weird flavor of writing. You have such a knack for your genre.
Glad to still have you in my inbox!
Love,
Shalagh
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Oh, nice to hear girl! Thank you!! I’m glad you’re in my inbox too. Sorry I haven’t been blogging much. I will stop by soon.
Love, Amy
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Glad I checked again and saw this one… though Friday was hardly late! I’m always late, and barely keeping up these days!
I liked the sense of mystery and and almost sci-fi here. The lashes, the attraction, the strange sense of reality…. all combined with something that also feels real and familiar. Wonderful, as always, Amy!
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Hi Dawn! So good to see you. I always feel like everyone is done by Friday. I’m glad that’s not the case, especially with you. Thanks so much. Such great comments. I feel like I succeeded. I’m trying to expand this, but I’ve no time. But that’s my short-term goal. 🙂 I’ll be by for a visit soon.
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Your mind is a wild and interesting place, Amy… I look forward to going deeper! 😉
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Awsm post
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Thank so much and thanks for the visit!
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This has such a beautiful and ethereal quality to it – not what I’d expect from an interview. Particularly love the line, ‘Gemma resembled a touched photograph, except for her lashes which moved like the wings of a butterfly in slow-motion flight.’
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Thanks, Sarah. Glad you liked that one. I tried to get it just right. Thanks for reading. x
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I’m running very late to respond to this Amy – I love the eyelashes, so nicely done 🙂
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Thanks, Dianne. You’re so sweet to run late for me! xoxo
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Deep! Loved this 🙂
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So nice to hear, Ken. I’m continuing this one! Thank you.
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