Moving On
Here is my contribution to Friday Fictioneers, the weekly 100-ish word flash fiction challenge hosted by Rochelle. This week’s picture comes from David Stewart.
I’m still in a weird mood but here’s a bit of odd dialogue for you. I had a whole run of comedies and then recently it’s all gone a bit sombre. Hey ho.
For this week’s other stories, click on the little blue froggy. Here he is!
Copyright David Stewart
“The horn player’s out of tune.”
“He is a bit. You’re right.”
“That used to be me, you know. Before my lungs began to fail.”
“I know. You were good.”
“I was. I was good. Not like that fellow.”
“I’m sure he’ll improve with time. You weren’t always good, were you?”
“I suppose not. Will there be a brass band where I’m going?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you know? You’re an angel.”
“‘Facilitator’. I told you. I help you move on. That’s all. Where you go is a mystery to me. But I’m sure you’ll find your brass band.”
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draliman on life 
I really like this one 🙂
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I’m glad 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Funny one! Like it
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Thanks, glad you liked it!
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No harps? Brass? Out of tune brass? A cacophony of heavenly trumpets?
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I’m sure there will be when he gets there. He’ll be in tune, of course.
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This made me laugh! Even “angels” have fancy names for their ‘job’.
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They have to move with the times! He probably works for “HR” (Heavenly Resources).
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Great story. Hope he finds his brass band!! The alternative is probably not so good.
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Very true. I think he’ll go “up the way” and find his band.
Glad you liked it!
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This somehow reminds me of a cartoon I once saw – The devil saying “Welcome to hell. Here’s your accordion” to a man who had passed on. Your piece made me smile.
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I’m glad it made you smile! I wouldn’t fancy spending eternity trying to get grips with an accordion.
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Heaven is doing what you love even after death. I’m going to paint.
Brass bands are great.
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That’s what I’m hoping 🙂
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This reminds me a little bit of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, “A Nice Place to Visit”. Also, “The Music Man” 🙂
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I’ve been watching a lot of “Dead Like Me” on Netflix. I think it influenced me 🙂
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I find your sombre comedic.
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It’s a light-hearted take on a sombre topic.
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That’s all facilitators do! No, No, I’m not the instructor, I’m just the facilitator. Yea, right.
DJ
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Facilitators have a tendency to “forcibly guide” you until something goes wrong, then they can’t intervene because they’re only a facilitator. Grr.
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Where he’ll meet his brass band in the sky…
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Let’s hope so!
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Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have everything we want all the time? Good story! Nan
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That would be cool! Glad you liked it.
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So maybe that hell of a band that’s in Rock and Roll Heaven has a brass section?
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I’m sure they’ll find a place for him and his horn.
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How your mind makes the connection from photo to story is bizarre. Very you.
I hope there is great food, handsome men and a small cabin in the trees. He can keep his brass band.
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Everybody gets their own version of heaven. I’ve been watching “Dead Like Me” on Netflix 🙂
I never really know where my stories come from.
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Dear Draliman,
Not somber at all, but uplifting and heartfelt. I think you nailed it quite solidly, and yes, I agree with you about the brass band.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
I’m glad you found it uplifting! There was definitely an air of hope and a light note to it. I tried to portray the “facilitator” as an ordinary Joe, just doing his job the best way he could.
Ali
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It sounds like the afterlife is run like a government bureau. Funny piece with great dialogue. 😀 — Suzanne
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Well, they have a lot to keep track of. I’m sure there’s a mountain of paperwork!
Glad you liked it.
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Thankfully, when the time comes, even facilitators can be music to one ears.
Randy
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Definitely. Better than being stuck there not knowing what’s happening next.
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Well done Ali! I enjoyed your tale and the dialog is well written! Be well… ^..^
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Thanks, you too!
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I hope he finds a brass band wherever he’s going! Great dialogue – especially the final line: ‘“‘Facilitator’. I told you.’ 🙂
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I hope so too. I think he will!
I’m glad you liked it. It only took a few minutes to write but then ages trying to get the emphasis and so on correct 🙂
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a serious subject matter with a sprinkling of light humor to make it palatable. nice job.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.
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Interesting take on the prompt, D-man. Nicely done 😀
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Thanks! I don’t know what made me think of it, but I’ve been watching a lot of “Dead Like Me” on Netflix so I have reapers on the brain.
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I am in awe of what you can do in 100 words. That was great! 😀
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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Short.. concise…precise… Nicely done.
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Thank you 🙂
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Dear Ali,
There’s something very comforting about this story. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I think it’s quite comforting too. Someone waiting to help us when it’s our time.
I’m glad you liked it.
Ali
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I hate to break it to you, but you’ve be relegated to banjo–third chair. Sorry.
I really loved this story. We all wonder if some of the things we enjoy in this life will be available to us in the next. You nailed it.
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I hope it’s all true! And banjo third chair sounds about my musical level 🙂
I’m glad you liked my story.
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Very interesting …loved how you wove this one.
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Thanks, I like writing dialogue.
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I love the idea of having Facilitators. It sounds so much more interesting than simply ‘angel’.Very clerical … technical too. I do hope he finds his brass band. 🙂
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I’m sure there’s a bunch of paperwork for those guys to do – the angels needed help. I hope he finds his brass band too 🙂
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Oh I hope there is a brass band – it seems like he deserves it.
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I think he does and therefore there will be a brass band waiting for him.
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Very appealing story. Nice interplay between the two characters – I like them both. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his brand new set of lungs and will find a multitude of brass bands to join.
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They are both likeable people I think. I reckon he’ll enjoy what’s to come 🙂
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Great dialogue! I hope I have a good facilitator to guide me into the afrerlife!
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I hope I do too! I’m glad you liked the dialogue, I enjoy writing it.
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Interesting! I wonder what the “life” of a Facilitator is like. I like the character of the person who’s passing.
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It’s probably at times uplifting and at others depressing. Much like life!
The dead guy sounds quite easygoing.
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Great banter. Very funny. I hope he finds his brass band.
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Thanks! I hope he find his band too, he sounds like quite a nice fellow.
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I hope he found what he was hoping for, though I suspect the Facilitator was only trying to appease him so he would hurry up!
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That’s certainly a possibility. So many people to “facilitate”, so little time…
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I enjoyed the dialog, you wrote an excellent story.
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I’m glad you liked it!
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