Today’s Random Flash Fiction is brought to you by the random number generator. For anyone that hasn’t been here for a while I categorize my flash fiction by how many words it contains. Then I use a random number generator to choose a few from my ridiculously long list. So enjoy the chaos.
-269
The Mall
Theodore McAllister shook his head as he wandered through the Riverside Mall, the day after Thanksgiving. He had agreed to meet a former patient that wanted to catch up on life and all that that entails. He stopped in front of Waldren’s WORLD of BOOKS, glanced at his watch and entered the unique bookstore.
He browsed the new release tables and then moved towards the medical section. Theodore thumbed through the section stopping on a book titled Fantastic Antone Succeeds: Experiences in Educating Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a book he had advised on many years ago. When he is out and about, which isn’t often given his busy pediatric practice, he likes to see if it’s still being shelved.
Theodore made his way down to the food court to meet Rebecca Johnson.
“Dr. Teddy?” A charming female voice asked from a table next to the Orange Julius stand. “Rebecca Johnson?” Theodore asked, approaching the young lady.
“Yes, have a seat. Thanks for coming.” Rebecca said, sounding a little nervous.
“I haven’t been called ‘Dr. Teddy’ in a while.” He said, taking a seat.
They chit-chatted, caught up on family and friends. After talking to Rebecca, Theodore continued to walk through the mall, he passed a specialty shop. Stopping to look over the display window, where Charcuterie Platters were being advertised. Cutting boards layered with cured meats, hard cheeses, assorted nuts, and crackers. Some had a variety of olives, pickles and veggies with dips on them.
Theodore glanced at the prices, shook his head and mumbled to himself. “Back in the day we just called them Relish Trays.”
-128
Decor
There was a warm breeze on this early September morning at the Ridgeway Flea Market, rows and rows of treasures laid out on tarps in the empty field waiting to be discovered. As Michael made his way through the rows, he stopped in front of Mrs. Jacobs area. There it was an antique black cast iron headboard, with ornate curves and decorative edging.
“How much for the headboard?” he asked Mrs. Jacobs.
She looked it over and then looked him over.
“$35,”
Michael agreed and took the headboard home. He set it up and attached it to the wooden bed frame he had restored.
“There, I hope she likes it,” he said to the empty bedroom.
He headed out to the train station to pick up Nancy.
-386
Unearthed
Dr. Sebastian Collins’ area of expertise was in Ethnoarchaeology, the study of ancient tools and their uses, so when he received an invitation from the University of Sydney to participate in an archaeological dig on Easter Island in September of 1967 he was beyond ecstatic.
Sebastian was quickly approaching his 45th birthday and Easter Island was high on his bucket list of places to explore. Being invited to do it on the University’s dime was just icing on the cake in his eyes. On the morning of September 24th 1967 Dr. Collins arose with the sun, he made himself a strong cup of black coffee, dressed, shaved and packed his knapsack for the day.
Shortly after noon the team arrived at Rano Raraku, the archaeological site home to the Moai, huge statues that were hand carved by the Polynesians that inhabited the island in early 1200 AD. Sebastian was taken aback at first as he gazed around at the heart of ancient Rapa Nui civilization, surrounded by hundreds of abandoned Moais scattered around.
After hours of digging in a sectioned off area, Dr. Sebastian Collins’ three foot long forest green foldaway shovel hit something, that was clearly not rock or soil. He used the shovel to create a trench around the hidden object. Then leaning down over the top of the newly found object he brushed away at the loose soil gently using his fingertips. After a moment of staring at his find, he carefully removed more soil from around the object.
He took a moment and retrieved his 35 mm Canon camera and snapped a few photos before attempting to excavate the item from the ground. Working his hands around the spherical object he slowly and cautiously removed it from the ground. Setting it upon a clean, unfolded handkerchief he took in what he had unearthed.
It was without a doubt a human skull. The mystery of this particular find however was that there was a Toki, the simple handheld chisel used by the Polynesian Rapa Nui of Easter Island to carve the giant Moai figures, protruding from the back of the skull. Dr. Sebastian Collins’ stood up and took many more photos of his discovery. Already writing up his dissertation on the ancient Polynesian Rapa Nui People of Easter Island in his head.
-256
A Cup of Joe
The deep sea fishing boat christened Yellowfin, rocked back and forth on the open waters of the Atlantic. Shane made his way down below deck to escape the bone chilling winds. He took a seat next to the kitchenette where Captain Geoffrey Miller was attempting to fill his French press.
When it came to coffee Captain Miller was incorrigible. It had to be done his way every time, his tedious behavior of grinding the fresh roasted coffee beans to a medium coarse fineness, the water had to be filtered and brought just to a boil before pouring it over the grounds in his precious French press.
Then he timed how long it steeped for at exactly four minutes before pushing the plunger down to strain the coffee. He then poured it into his special coffee mug that was light grey in color and had a yellowfin tuna painted on it. He would then clean his French press and place it back in its safe place in the cupboard and make his way back up to the helm.
Shane patiently watched all of this and then after the Captain had left, got up, grabbed a plain white diners mug, tossed a scoop and a half of instant coffee into the bottom and poured what was left of the warm water in the kettle into the mug. Gave it a quick stir and downed it. ‘Mmm.’ He muttered to himself as he rinsed the mug out and made his way back up on deck.
-126
Absolute
“Now to be clear, you absolutely want this experience?” James stared at the message, reading and re-reading it. The want to answer honestly knowing that this decision, crossing this line, giving into desire. May alter his life forever.
He was on track, finishing up his apprentice program, getting a spot with a good company that ensured his financial future. He’d been with his first love for over three years now and it was good, comfortable.
But that little voice that liked to make itself known every once in a while. Was nagging, pulling him into those once in a lifetime opportunities. The computer chimed with a new message, pulling James back to attention.
“I’ll need an answer soon.” James took a deep breath and responded.
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