Flash Fiction / writing prompts

The Jade Camel #15

Chris Hall52 Comments

Previously

Joey, flush with his wad of winnings, tucked into the Philharmonic’s lunch-time special, a steaming bowl of meaty scouse*, congratulating himself on his escape.

He’d only just started on his second glass of stout, when he remembered he was due to sign on; he gulped the smooth liquid down, just as the original antique clock hanging above the bar was beginning to strike two: he was already late.

Gary, the counter supervisor, hadn’t been amused, so much so that Joey had found himself staring back at him across a sticky Formica table in Interview Room One; Joey looked down at his bitten fingernails, ‘sorry, I must’ve left me card at home’ he muttered.

To Joey’s surprise, Gary slid his UB40 across the table, ‘listen Joey, I brought you in here for a warning, but it’s not about being late,’ Gary’s grip on the table edge tightened, ‘it’s about the jade camel, trust me, mate, you’re better off without it.’

Joey held up his hands, ‘if that’s all, I’ll be going.’

Gary, rapidly losing control, flew round the table and grabbed Joey by the lapels, ‘I mean it, mate, it’s like it’s cursed; bad people are coming after you for it.’

next episode

*I’ve an idea one of my characters will be sharing their recipe for this iconic Liverpool delicacy sometime soon…

Written in response to two challenges:

Di of Pensitivity 101’s Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: ORIGIN, BEGIN, START
Denise Farley of Girlie On The Edge’s Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: CONTROL

Many more #SixSentenceStories here – why not bring your own?

Three Things Challenge and Six Sentence Story logos

Photo credit: illustration from a book somewhere on my bookshelves which has mysteriously disappeared🐪

52 thoughts on “The Jade Camel #15”

  2. I was wondering what went through Joey’s mind when Gary grabbed him, Chris… doesn’t seem like Gary at all. It’s the camel. I blame the camel. 🐫

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  8. When Gary grabbed Joey by the lapels I thought he was going to attack him. So now I’m wondering if Gary is really trying to do Joey a favor or if he’s trying to scare him into giving it back…🤔🐪

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  9. Surely, Joey recognizes his “luck” has not been all that since finding the camel? Points to the possibility Joey was specifically chosen by the camel. At least that’s my theory this morning, Chris 😀

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  14. Including, it would appear, the counterman among them!*

    Good installment… the plot thickens, the players gather

    *sorry, should’ve done a better setup, “… it’s like it’s cursed; bad people are coming after you for it.’“

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  19. Such a picture you conjure up of the interview room – I can just feel the atmosphere.
    And the tension mounting…
    I guess nobody’s told Joey about Frodo and the ring!
    Nicely done, Chris.

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  21. Good one, Chris. A glass of stout. Or Guinness, or Murphy’s… mmm, a nice treat when in a pub. Frankie Goes to Hollywood were such an amazing band and helped define that 80s vibe. So glad I was there 😎

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