Gather around the desert campfire for it will be one of the last on Mars. There’s yet a few tales to tell from the sandstone region of southern Utah, but this week, we are focusing on the audience. That’s you. That’s me. That’s every person who gathers to hear the tales.
And more. Who gives audience depends upon where each writer focused this week. It’s always lively around the campfire so let’s find out.
The following are based on the March 23, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write about an audience.
***
The Joy of Childhood by Norah Colvin
The cool grass teased her toes and the breeze tugged at her skirt, begging her to dance. She flung wide her arms to embrace the world as she lifted her face to the skies. They smiled approval and she began to sway. Her fingertips tingled with expectation as her gentle hum intensified, summoning the music of the spheres to play for her. And play they did. She twirled and swirled to their rhythm singing her own melody in perfect harmony. Suddenly she was done. She clapped her hands to silence the orchestra and went back to her sandpit friends.
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Surprise Audience (from Miracle of Ducks) by Charli Mills
Danni met Peter at the archeological site when a bus pulled up.
“Guess what? We have a school field trip. I told the teachers we’d have Q & A with an archaeologist.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Danni.
“This way, I knew you’d show up. It gives us a chance to tweak your Little Ranger Program. It’s sound, but not kid friendly. Time for you to learn your audience. What age, are you thinking?”
“Is this a cruel test?”
“Kind of. How old?” Peter folded his arms, grinning at the kids.
“Can I look at their teeth?” asked Danni.
###
Prime Time Dad by Pete Fanning
I hated sharing my dad. But his sitcom was a smash and Dot said I was lucky. She convinced me to smile for the cameras and hold his hand in public.
The man on television smiled and laughed and offered worthy advice. The one at home was short tempered and stressed. He smelled of brandy, smoked cigars, and sometimes called me Randy—the name of his onscreen son.
Dot always rolled the television out and we’d watch the show. Then one night I started crying. Dot wiped my face and consoled me.
She said Dad was a great actor.
###
For the Watchers (Jane Doe Flash Fiction) by Deborah Lee
“So, the roof will be done next Friday,” Torry confirms. She makes a note to drive by and check on Wednesday. At some point she needs to go through the inside, see what needs to be done. She’ll need a heavy cleaning crew and painters at the least. Then the fun stuff: choosing flooring, draperies, a living room suite. Patio furniture. Wet bar.
It all depends on how you carry it off. She is not in reduced circumstances; she is living in the investment house she intends to flip.
Always leave your audience thinking you meant to do that.
###
The Audience by Allison Maruska
The audience cheers from the other side of the curtain. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the moment. Months and years of hard work and sleepless nights have all led to this.
Cameron smiles. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely.” I smooth my skirt and take his hand, and together, we take the stage.
The crowd erupts. My heart pounds upon seeing joy on so many faces.
Cameron waves and takes his place on the edge. I stay at the microphone, and after another calming breath, I utter the words I’ll say many times in the coming years.
“My fellow Americans…”
###
That Man by Anne Goodwin
Say I’m out walking the corgis, repatriating the Elgin marbles, having a sly fag out the back. I’m pinning a gong on a Muslim, completing my tax return, composing a Tweet. Say I’m out shopping for gold-plated bath taps or up in the Highlands shooting grouse. Say it in Mexican Spanish, received pronunciation or Cockney rhyming slang. Say it with a smirk or a smile, in buckles and breeches, wearing a crown or bearskin or a yellow toupee. I don’t care what you tell him, or how, but I will not grant an audience to that man.
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Flash Fiction by Joe Owen
Brent didn’t like this moment. It took him longer to unpack his instrument than most. But he knew he had to do it with care due to his affected limbs. His mother tried more than once to explain cerebral palsy to him and why it made things so much harder for him, but all he knew was that it hurt and made his life much more cumbersome.
Brent slid his hand in the custom loop that would allow him to retain control of the bow and began to play. One by one people gathered to hear his flawless music.
###
Self Belief is a Precious Commodity by Geoff Le Pard
‘You’re really good.’
Mary couldn’t hide her shock. The woman, Sally, was the class star. She had an exceptional eye for imagery – that was what the rather fearsome Brian had said after the first day. ‘Not really. I’m at sea mostly.’
Brian joined them. ‘Stay there then. It’s great.’
Mary wished the encouragement could come with a smile.
Mary looked at her painting. To her it seemed a mess. They were just being nice.
‘Here,’ Brian called the class to Mary’s easel. ‘See how Mary’s addressed the subject.’
Mary stared forward, face burning. She wasn’t ready for an audience.
###
All the World’s a Stage? by Jules Paige
Limping she wondered if she had an audience. So many
expect everyone to be at the peak of health. They just
don’t know and should not judge about anyone except
themselves. Age that relative number that insurance surveys
like to give you when they only ask limiting questions without
room for any explanations.
Was it before, during or after the snowstorm that she pulled
a muscle. Why does it take so long to heel? Why are stairs,
Getting in and out of the car, sitting, standing or even sleeping
so difficult? Thankfully there isn’t an audience for every grimace.
###
Nickilai by Roger Shipp
It started with a suggestive “look”.
It quickly escalated into “yo’r mama’s”.
Now, here behind the textile plant, Nichilai, my best friend, was hell-bent to defend the honor of his family.
Stupidity encircled us… in all shapes, sizes, creeds, and colors.
We were the new-ones. Dad had been recently promoted … a low-level executive position. He had finagled an associate’s position for his nephew, Nichilai’s father.
Family was important.
Defending family… a duty.
More and more were gathering. Bets were being places. Taunts were being tossed. No one here actually cared about the outcome…
Just Nickilai.
And his honor.
###
Audience by D. Avery
Val and Lauren were getting coffee in the kitchen.
“Such sophomoric writing. It was painful.”
“OMG, right? Horrid, trite clichés.”
She knew they were talking about her. She knew she should not have tried this.
Red-faced, she slipped past and rejoined the rest of the group.
Noreen smiled at her. “I truly related to the girl character in your story.”
“Yes”, said Linda. “Your story is raw yet, but powerful. Do you think she will ever get rescued?”
She lifted her head. “Definitely. She might even liberate herself. She’s the type that won’t keep her light under a barrel.”
###
Softness by Sarah Brentyn
Sand shifts under our feet as we run to the sea. It sparkles in the sun.
My chest hurts when I see her smile. It’s been so long.
It’s petty of me but I’m glad I am the one who brought her here, made her happy.
“What are you thinking?” I sit in the slender beach grass.
“Softness,” she looks at the distant mountains lost in mist. “Everything is soothing. Muted and soft. Yet…they’re here.”
Shadows pass over us. Two of the winged beasts. She’s right. We are never alone—we have an audience. And they are always watching.
###
Captive Audience by Scarlett Sauvage
James scanned the crowd – his captive audience – searching for the faintest hint of compassion. He found none. They just sat there, staring at him through the glass – faces like ice carved into sombre death masks. They watched as the guard strapped him into the chair and hooked up the electricity. Some sneered, some smiled, but most just stared blankly, as if he were some other species, not made from the same type of flesh and bone as their family members. He prayed for the phone to ring – a last minute reprieve. It never came. Sometimes, justice got it wrong.
###
Left Hangings by Bill Engleson
“I’ve not seen something like this before.”
“Times have changed. You lock ‘em up…they cost you. You stretch their worthless necks…you’re done with them.”
“You make it sound so…so business like.”
“Retribution is a simple business transaction, I find. In my line of work, and it once was profitable family work, for My grandfather was the Snapper…”
“The Snapper, eh!”
“That’s what they called him. A mortician by trade but a man who appreciated a law that was absolute. His services were in high demand.”
“But public executions are a sideshow.”
“That they are, my friend. That they are.”
###
Audience by Pensitivity
They came from Japan and America, standing in a row over the bridge with their cameras at the ready.
Fascinated by the workings and complexities of controlling the water, they asked questions before snapping and zooming in to their heart’s content.
No matter ‘The Star’ of their little show was running herself ragged with paddles and gates.
At the end of the performance and ready to vacate the lock, she stood tall and asked for a round of applause for being their entertainment.
As she took a bow of thanks, she muttered to herself,
‘I should’ve passed the hat!’
###
The Paper Magicians by Gordon Le Pard
There was certainly an impressive audience for whatever was to happen. No one knew what the two men in the middle of the square were trying to do.
Some people said it was magic, certainly the way the two men were carefully tending a fire under a huge paper bag looked diabolical.
The bag was filling with smoke, and it was moving!, perhaps there was a demon in the bag.
One of the men called to the other, a rope was cut – somebody screamed and fainted as bag rose above the crowd!
The conquest of the air had begun.
In 1783 the Montgolfier brothers launched their first balloon from a square in Paris.
###
The Honcho by Reena Saxena
His plane had crashed into this desert. Habitually, he opened his mouth to swear, and condemn all, with the filthiest words. The corporate honcho was known for his foul mouth and intimidating manner. He stopped at the sight of a tribal group, moving ominously towards him. The brutes were armed with spears and knives.
The honcho was speechless for the first time. The social recluse had never interacted with anyone other than his tongue-tied team. The obliged slaves just bowed in obeisance, as he reviewed their performance and hurled insults. Overpowering this audience would need a totally different strategy.
###
Queen’s Final Performance by Kerry E.B. Black
They gathered for her final performance, to cheer the Queen’s last bow.
She stepped upon the stage, humbled head bowed. Her costume recalled a younger, simpler maid. No warble betrayed her presented lines. “You see before you a woman who commends herself to your mercies. I’ve made mistakes. Who among us has not?”
Their voices rolled into an oceanic wave, crushing her words beneath theirs. Her stomach lurched as she took the mark, center stage. Their faces blurred before her tearful vision.
She recalled days when they loved her. She knelt, neck outstretched, before the axe-man and met her fate.
###
Dresden by Jeanne Lombardo
When I’d finished speaking, the air in the hall felt like a single, collective breath being held. Then clapping surged, a hard rain on a tin roof.
Several fellow Germans made their way to the podium.
“Very fitting, Doctor,” one said, his voice breaking. “I’ve not thought about those days in so long.”
“Your story is my own,” said another. “No one has talked about what happened to us after the war.”
Last was the distinguished head of a large hospital. Blinking through tears, he took my hand. “Thank you,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”
My own throat closed.
###
Target Audience by Sherri Matthews
Adored by millions, rave reviews splashed across every newspaper. The audience, mesmerized by her performance fell at her slender feet, her talent a gift to the world.
She stared at the portrait commissioned by her husband almost fifty years before and sighed.
“Was that really you Grandma?”
She nodded silently as she admired her once large, firm breasts, shimmering blonde hair and flawless complexion.
Talent? It was never about the talent…
“Fancy an ice cream?” she said, smiling down at her grandson. She might not have the tits and ass anymore, but she had the only audience that mattered.
###
Wow! What a great variety of audiences, and reasons for audiences, there are. It’s interesting to make the connections and follow the threads that you have highlighted through your organisation of these stories. Thank you for beginning with my piece about the joy of childhood without the need for an audience, and finishing full circle, with a child, a grandchild being the most important audience. I wouldn’t have thought of the gallows or gas chamber, but of course they do draw their own audiences. And so many other interesting ones as well. A great read. You are roping in some fine writers, Charli. People are enjoying the challenge of your prompts and responding in ways that show thought and originality. Awesome!
Oh, Norah, you’ve made me so happy, picking up on that thread! Sometimes it fades and sometimes it’s chunks (like these five and those four), but this week had a full circle. Yes, lots of diversity and I think it’s most impactful when that diversity comes out. I think it also happens when writers are feeling comfortable (trusting) and follow the flow. It brings out the best in writers, and yes, we’ve roped a good crowd of them! Thank you for all your encouragement and participation, Norah.
I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t lassoed me early on, Charli. Your support and flash fiction challenges are such a big part of my blogging experience, I can’t imagine existing in the blogsphere without them. Thank you generous lady.
Norah…I feel exactly the same way as you. And Charli, this is a fantastic compilation, the flow of the stories, it tells its own story from start to finish. Wow is right…
So sorry I missed participating in this gathering; but, now I have had the pleasure of being part of the audience to enjoy the excellent pieces written here. As always, diverse and thought provoking prose have come from your prompt, Charli. Well done everyone.
Well, Ann, from that perspective you didn’t miss a thing! Thank you for your audience participation.
OMG! I can’t believe I missed one!
Last week and the first part of this week were crazy at work. I probably missed a lot more than this.
I would’ve been a tough challenge, too, and many did well with it.
Some weeks are crazy like that! Must have been in the atmosphere. 🙂 Hope you have a saner week (me, too)!