In Plain Sight
It’s Friday Fictioneers time again, and I hear that it’s Rochelle’s second year anniversary as fearless leader of our little group. Congratulations, Rochelle, and thank you!
For the second week in a row I had trouble thinking of a story and I eventually ended up with this. I hope you enjoy it! The photo this week was contributed by The Reclining Gentleman.
Don’t forget to click on the little blue froggie to see all this week’s other contributions.
Copyright The Reclining Gentleman
Maximillian Zerrissen gazed mournfully across the lake. Behind him were plaques which, when depressed in the correct order, would cause the water to drain away to reveal a huge dish capable of focussing his patented death ray.
When he had started building his secret evil lair all this had been woodland. Due to a combination of recession and labour shortages, it had taken so long to complete that a whole community had sprung up around the site. Somebody would be bound to notice his evil-doing.
The waste of money smarted less than his subsequent demotion within the evil-doers community from “Evil Genius” to “Second Henchman”. Read, “Cannon Fodder“.
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draliman on life 
“Cannon Fodder.” So sad. But all good things must come to an end. Even evil geniuses. 🙂 As usual, an entertaining read, thanks!
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One little mistake and it all comes crashing down 😦
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I am guessing “Cannon Fodder” is the same as forced retirement. Either way, poor guy.
Now, does he go through with it to see his dream fulfilled, or does he go fishing instead?
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“Cannon fodder” is a bit of a “Star Trek red shirt” scenario, poor chap 😦
Maybe he could go fishing while he’s waiting for the inevitable. Or I suppose he could push those plaques and fire off his death ray just the once for old time’s sake!
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So sad when a career track goes awry. And he worked so hard!
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He was a victim of circumstance 😦
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Ali, Poor man. When he applies for unemployment compensation, or the dole as I guess they call it in the UK, I can just see him writing Evil Genius as his former employment. 🙂 — Susan
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That’s funny!
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If you’re not Maximillian… 🙂
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That’ll raise some eyebrows 🙂
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You never cease to entertain me.
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I’m glad you enjoy my stories!
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No-one’s immune to market forces, it seems. And how can he go on in the face such a blow from his community? This is a very entertaining story. Lots of fun.
Marg
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He’ll probably sink into a slump for a while but I’m sure he’ll eventually pull his socks up and get back in the game.
Glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks for the laugh.
janet
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You’re welcome 🙂
Ali
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Ali, Poor man – Great story with its details!
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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Such an imaginative take on the prompt, with an ending that really made me laugh.
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How the mighty have fallen. Glad you enjoyed it!
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Hah! Loved this idea, and writing.
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Thanks, took me a while to think of this story! I knew I wanted to do something with those little plaques…
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Ooh, worthy of George Orwell. It seems to me that the evil-doers community needs to watch out–they might suddenly find themselves short of a few members 😉
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I was thinking Austin Powers 🙂
I doubt Maximillian is going to take this lying down!
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Oh so true. The writing style is very George Orwell though 😉
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Dear Ali,
It’s inevitable. We all get put out to pasture sometime. Humorous and a little tragic at the same time.
Thank you for the Anniversary wishes. Twas a far far better thing I did…
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A bit of dark humour this week. Maybe he’ll be able to work his way back up the ladder.
Ali
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I have always wanted to be a henchman… it sounds more dastardly than the evil genius title!
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I agree, evil geniuses have to plan stuff and stand around looking evil and whatnot. Henchmen get to do all the cool stuff.
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That darned old recession hit everybody pretty hard! Who knew that even the evil-doers would lose out. Lovely little tale.
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No-one was immune 🙂
Thanks!
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Oops.. the slippery slope of decline among the super-villains…
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The further down you go, the closer to the front you get pushed when the bullets start to fly…
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Funny. I would like a secret evil lair.
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That would be so cool 🙂
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Inventive story, Alistair. For having trouble, you came up something very original. Even evil-doers have their day. Cannon fodder! Good one!
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Hopefully he can survive long enough to work his way up again! Glad you liked it.
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Love it. Bet he really sweats over his CV.
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Yes, it’s not going to be easy to make “evil genius” sound positive.
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Another fine story. Like the way you used everything in the picture prompt.
DJ
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Thanks, I really wanted to get those little plaque things into my story.
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Second Henchman – what a wonderful new title for the evil doer. You are such a good story teller! Love your writing! Nan 🙂
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He’s so far down the pecking order now he wouldn’t even get a proper credit in a film. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I wish I could come up with this sort of thing when I struggle with the prompt! It’s hard to feel sorry for an evil genius, but you managed it. Isn’t it always the way that it’s the loss of face that hurts more than the loss of money. Really enjoyed this.
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While writing I was reminded about the henchmen in Austin Powers and how we saw little glimpses into their family lives when they were killed 🙂
It is true that for some people loss of face can affect them more than the money.
I’m glad you liked my story 🙂
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You had me at “secret evil lair”. Brilliant!
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You can’t go wrong with a secret evil lair!
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Dear Draliman,
The perils of being an evil-doer in a recession. “Fire the laser!”
Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
It hit everyone hard! Of course, he does always have that laser to fall back on!
Ali
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Your imagination knows no end!
It’s terrible to be demoted from genius to second anything 😦
Ellespeth
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It was quite a blow to his ego! Thanks for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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You had me at evil secret lair – awesome story!
How depressing would that be? Your evil secret lair being encroached upon by an entire community of onlookers!!
~ Andrea ❤
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Maybe he could conduct tours and claw some of the money back that way!
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