It's week 74 of Saturday Centus, that brilliantly devised literary meme forged from the fertile imagination of Jenny Matlock at her blog "off on my tangent."
This week's exercise in micro-fiction has us once again concocting short 100-word stories in addition to a supplied prompt. As usual I am a tardy participant, but I have an excuse - I had to save a house from a burning baby. Yeah, that's the ticket!
This week's clever prompt is "The number you have reached is no longer in service." I found this to be quite a challenging prompt, actually, but I managed to write something anyway. So even if it's awful I only have to live with it until next week's SC post!
The rules for this week are that we have to keep to the word count of 110 words total including the 10 prompt words and no more than 100 extra words. As always, there is no vulgarity or splitting the prompt allowed, but we can use a photo if we want this week.
Here is my entry for this week's assignment. I have entitled it:
When All Hope Is Lost
(dialing)“I’m so depressed.
I’ve been unemployed for 2 ½ years and now I’m completely broke.
The Republicans refuse to pass the President’s jobs bill, but won’t extend unemployment benefits.
(ringing)
Cold.
Heartless.
Bastards.
They’ve slashed education and health services. I can't get job training or medical assistance.
(ringing)
Instead they’re giving billions to their filthy rich donors and corporate masters.
After tomorrow I will be homeless.
I can’t live like that.
(click)
‘The number you have reached is no longer in service. Please check your number and dial again.’
Perfect! That’s the last time I try to call the Suicide hotline.”
He was so depressed, he tried to commit suicide by inhaling next to an Armenian.
- Woody Allen
That would stink.
ReplyDeleteVery clever indeed!
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the prompt...so sad !
ReplyDeleteNeat twist, politically correct telling of the circumstances that leads to someone considering suicide and politically incorrect quote...everyone is covered !
Sad but very real!
ReplyDeleteTom--This one cuts close to home. I think we've finally plunged down the rabbit hole. Hope all is well with you!
ReplyDeleteAnother timely post, Tom. The photo of the phone made me a little queasy.
ReplyDeleteNamaste................cj
Now that is so sad, but also so true. The government could really give a rats ass about the people.
ReplyDeleteIs that the Golden Gate Bridge? Times are hard, my own daughter is at her wits end not being able to find a job too.~Ames
ReplyDeleteUnsettling.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Tom.
"/
Bravo!! I think this is wonderful and a sign of our times. I hope they get their acts together in Washington SOON.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! You never fail to surprise and thoroughly entertain me. And the tag line was just icing on your very well-voiced cake. Love it!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The Republicans probably cut the funding for the suicide hotline, too.
Sometime over a lot of drinks I'll have to tell you a very true and sad tale much like this one. Fortunately it ended okay for my sister, but it was quite a horrible thing.
ReplyDeleteI loved your social commentary couched in a stream of consciousness story.
Brilliant writing.
You are ummm...
ummm....
ummm...
dang it.
Can't do it.
I'm stuck with my usual word...
BRILLIANT!