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FF – Master and Student

Here is my post for Friday Fictioneers, the 100 word writing challenge hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo comes from Sandra Crook.

A bit of a silly story this week but once I got it in my head I couldn’t think of anything else. It looked to me like one of those elaborate things you set up in that game “Mousetrap”.

To read the other stories, click on the blue froggy.

Copyright Sandra Crook

Copyright Sandra Crook

 

“How does it work, Master?”

“Observe. He approaches. The door opens…”

Clunk

“… loosing the ball bearing to roll down the plank, triggering the mechanism…”

Rumble

“… the cog turns…”

Griiiind

“… releasing the flour above…”

Cough cough

“… thus blocking out the light…”

Huh?

“… our target lights a match…”

Scrape

“… igniting the flour particles…”

Whoomp!

“… blowing him to pieces.”

Aaaarggggh!

“Couldn’t we have just blown his brains out with a sawn-off shotgun, Sensei?”

“Finesse, young Padawan. Beauty, elegance. That is why I am the Master, and you, the student. Now, go upstairs and scrape him off the carpet.”

 

  1. January 4, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    Your stories are always fun.

    Like

  2. January 4, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    ““Finesse, young Padawan. Beauty, elegance.” Love a classy assassin!

    Like

  3. Merbear74
    January 4, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    What a mess, I wouldn’t want to do it. 🙂

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 7:58 am

      Me neither. Guts are so hard to get out. So I’ve heard 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. January 4, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    I’d hate to be the mailman in that neighborhood….

    Like

  5. January 4, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    Ha.. finesse still means the same thing… scraping the carpet. Personally I would have used a poison that would make him wane and disappear

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 7:59 am

      Less messy but not so dramatic either.

      Like

  6. January 4, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Now that’s an assassin Terry Pratchett would have been proud of inventing

    Like

  7. January 4, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Dear Ali,

    Ah..Mousetrap! I loved that game. This was just fun to read. 😀

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 8:00 am

      Dear Rochelle,
      It was always fun to play. I’m glad you enjoyed my story!
      Ali

      Like

  8. January 4, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    You are the Master of finesse! Great story! 🙂

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 8:01 am

      Thanks! I’m glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

  9. Lyn
    January 4, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    LOL this is so you Ali 😀

    Like

  10. January 5, 2017 at 12:25 am

    Ha, a nice take on the prompt, very amusing 🙂

    Like

  11. January 5, 2017 at 2:42 am

    What a hoot. It’s like all those villains who feel obliged to make a long, complex explanation of their motives and plan before killing the hero … thereby giving the hero plenty of time to make a leisurely escape. But you have to admire the ART of the thing. There’s no ART in blowing off someone’s head with a shotgun.

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 8:02 am

      This master assassin knows his stuff. Every job a work of art 🙂

      Like

  12. January 5, 2017 at 2:47 am

    sensei is a real connoisseur. young padawan, better watch out!

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 8:03 am

      He’ll never even see it coming if he ever becomes a target…

      Liked by 1 person

  13. January 5, 2017 at 2:50 am

    Hahahahaha! I loved it! Nice silly story and very entertaining. Way to go, Ali!

    Five out of five flatbreads.

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 8:04 am

      Thanks! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
      Mmm, yummy flatbreads…

      Like

  14. January 5, 2017 at 11:57 am

    You always have something different to offer. Loved this construction.

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      My brain works in mysterious ways…
      I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  15. January 5, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    LOL! Cute story!

    Like

  16. January 5, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    The student gets all the dirty work. Amusing story!

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      Of course – the Master needs someone around to do all the “scut work” 🙂

      Like

  17. michael1148humphris
    January 5, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    When something gets in a writers head it has to out: And this one came out with a bang.

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      I couldn’t imagine another story once I got Mousetrap in my head. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

  18. January 5, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    Finesse is having someone else to scrape the victim off the carpet!
    I loved Mousetrap as a child so I enjoyed this more grown up take on it, right down to the clunks and coughs

    Like

    • January 5, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      And he pulls it off so well! I’m glad you enjoyed my story 🙂

      Like

  19. January 5, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    Death by Martha White’s All-Purpose Enriched Bleached Flour! To what fell purpose it was put to use but at least it wasn’t through their baking skills (or lack thereof!)

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 7:26 am

      I’m sure if they’d wanted to doctor the flour and bake deadly cupcakes they could have pulled it off 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  20. January 5, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Where is this monastery?
    So I know where not to traipse in the woods.
    Randy

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 7:26 am

      It is everywhere and nowhere. It is where you least expect it…

      Like

      • January 6, 2017 at 12:15 pm

        “It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.”

        do-do-do-do
        do-do-do-do

        Like

  21. January 6, 2017 at 1:39 am

    Funny fun. I got a chuckle out of this. And now that you made me think of the mousetrap game, I can’t get it out of my head.

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Get yourself one off Amazon. You know you want to… 🙂
      I’m glad you liked my story!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. January 6, 2017 at 3:27 am

    This is delightful – in a horrific sort of way. So very well done.

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Thanks! “Horrifically delightful” 🙂
      I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  23. Dale
    January 6, 2017 at 5:07 am

    What a fun take! Mousetrap, indeed… a tad messier than I remember it…

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 7:30 am

      Yes, I remember it involving more plastic and less arterial spray 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. January 6, 2017 at 10:33 am

    A wonderfully fun story, Ali. I get the feeling that it’s the more elaborate the better with this assassin!

    Like

    • January 6, 2017 at 11:52 am

      No swift knife to the back for this guy, he’s a true connoisseur! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. jellico84
    January 6, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    oh, that was hilarious! You have done well, Padawan, very well indeed! 🙂

    Like

  26. January 6, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    I love your stories so much!

    Like

  27. January 7, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    Great story, Ali. This time, I didn’t expect it to turn murderous, but there it did. Good on you for surprising me (I think the padawan and sensei terminolgies fooled me into thinking there would be a peaceful or philosophical ending that was bloodless)!
    I also loved the mousetrap game, although I never had it, it was around and in my consciousness. I also loved those wooden planks and squares you could build to send the marbles ’round it. Ah, toys. Who wants to grow up when we have toys, games, and puzzles to enjoy? 🙂
    On another note, aren’t you nice doing all that baking for your family. When are you going to open your own bakery? The baking writer? The writing baker? The baking, writing physicist? I’ll join you for an ice cream and/or muffin/pastry anyday! 🙂 [well, if I ever find myself in Blighty, which I hope to do someday]

    Like

    • January 8, 2017 at 8:15 am

      Imagine, me writing a murderous story 🙂
      I actually never had Mousetrap either, though I did play it at a friend’s house.
      I thought my family deserved a Christmas “treat” 🙂 When you come over here I’ll treat you to a muffin. We have a great shop in town which does muffins. It’s called “Starbucks” 🙂 I am actually thinking of getting some big cases so I can try making choc chip muffins.

      Liked by 1 person

      • January 9, 2017 at 3:17 pm

        Starbucks!? Starbucks!? You traitor! 😉 The best Starbuck will always be the original (BSG)! Although I suspect many dudes will disagree with me there. Anyway, there’s the consolation that you didn’t suggest McDonalds. 🙂 Pleasant week to you, mate!

        Like

  28. January 8, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    What a great little bit of wonderful story telling. More please.

    Like

    • January 8, 2017 at 5:24 pm

      I’m here every Wednesday evening 🙂
      I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  29. January 9, 2017 at 12:50 am

    LOL

    Like

  30. January 10, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    You like your gore, don’t you? Such dark humour (not complaining ;-)).

    Like

  31. January 14, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    Very well penned. 🙂

    Like

  32. pennydanger
    January 14, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    My cat is named Sensei. He’s half Siamese and not as diabolical. Well, not quite as diabolical.

    Like

  33. January 16, 2017 at 8:57 am

    Only you could have come up with this one! It’s great fun, and the last two lines are perfect – despite the gooey bit on the carpet at the end. 🙂

    Like

    • January 16, 2017 at 12:31 pm

      I’m glad you liked it! It was fun to write, with all the “sound effects” 🙂

      Like

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