Home > Fiction > FF – Curse of the Housesitter

FF – Curse of the Housesitter

Here is my little story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by J Hardy Carroll.

After struggling the last few weeks, I had this story written within 15 minutes of seeing the photo. Doesn’t mean it’s any good, though 🙂

To read this week’s other stories, click on the blue froggy.

Copyright J Hardy Carroll

 

“Aagh! My flat! What’ve you done to my lovely home?”

“I’ve converted it.”

“Into what? A war zone? I was only away three days…”

“It’s for my art. It’s ‘Trash Chic’.”

“That isn’t a thing.”

“But it will be! Please, take a seat…”

“Aargh!”

“… not there, and take in your surroundings…”

“My ass, my ass, something stabbed me in the ass!”

“I call that piece ‘needle couch’.”

“My couch, my beautiful couch… what have you done to the bathroom?”

“Ah yes, ‘Druggie’s Toilet’. A masterpiece.”

“Oh yeah?”

Heave. Smash. Aaaargh! Thump.

“Well, I call this piece ‘Murder Window, Splattered Pavement’.”

 

  1. May 24, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Does this mean I should never ask an artist to housesit for me? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  2. May 24, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    Oh my, that turned ugly — er, uglier — very quickly! Great take on the prompt Ali!

    Like

  3. May 24, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    Haha,good fun. Nice to read a humourous take 🙂

    Like

  4. May 24, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    Yes. That’s they way it is when you leave you teenage kid in charge of your REAL house and they think a little party would be fun. Minus the murder, but only because they lock you up for that kind of thing!

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 6:05 am

      Trashing the house when put in charge for the first time is like a rite of passage 🙂

      Like

  5. May 24, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    Going all splatter punk, eh?

    Like

  6. May 24, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    Too funny! One must suffer for one’s art. No doubt Splattered Pavement will fetch millions at the next art auction. 😀

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 6:07 am

      He’d better get down there quick and safeguard it before some mad fool cleans it up 🙂

      Like

  7. May 24, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    I wonder how much that flat would get on the art market?

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 6:08 am

      I’m sure someone would pay stupid money for it. Especially since the “artist” is now deceased…

      Like

  8. May 25, 2017 at 2:08 am

    Moral: Always ask first before you begin an extreme makeover on a friend’s place.

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 6:09 am

      I’m pretty sure in this case he would have said no 🙂

      Like

  9. Lyn
    May 25, 2017 at 2:21 am

    LOL Words fail me 😀

    Like

  10. pennydanger
    May 25, 2017 at 2:44 am

    What about making him pay to have it cleaned first?

    Like

  11. May 25, 2017 at 8:03 am

    Blood spatter as art…. I would be shocked if hasn’t already been done in the art world and sold for millions of dollars. And in this case, the artist certainly suffered for his work….

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:43 pm

      Blood spatter, vomit… all sorts of bodily fluids could be amazing art…

      Like

  12. May 25, 2017 at 9:48 am

    I abhor violence but I kind of sympathise in this case.

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:44 pm

      I’m not sure he deserved defenestration, mind. Maybe just a good kicking.

      Like

  13. May 25, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Dear Ali,

    Methinks the artist crossed the line here. I’m inclined to agree with Splattered Pavement. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm

      Dear Rochelle,
      His “art” was certainly not appreciated by the homeowner. I’m glad you liked it!
      Ali

      Like

  14. Helena Hann-Basquiat
    May 25, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    Um…. the Museum of Modern Art is three blocks the other way, Ali…. ha ha ha….

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm

      Unfortunately, not having read your story first, I too did not realise I was in the wrong place 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. May 25, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Very clever. Wonderful use of ‘trash chic’.

    Like

  16. May 25, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    Ha, ha. That’s one reason I wouldn’t want to have renters. Good writing, Ali. I loved the needle couch. 😀 — Suzanne

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      You do hear horror stories of these rent-out places. I’m glad you liked the needle couch, but don’t sit on it!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. May 25, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Ha! Evil, evil artists! Made me smile all the way through. Nicely done sir

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      He was determined not to let anything stand in the way of his “art”. I’m glad it made you smile 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Merbear74
    May 25, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    Dark and hilarious as usual!

    Like

  19. May 25, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    ‘Trash Chic’ wold probably be more accurate with the second word removed! This made me smile.

    Like

    • May 25, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      Hah, yes. That’s certainly what the homeowner thought. I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  20. Dale
    May 25, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    If anyone got this “artistic” with my home, I cannot guarantee I would not end up incarcerated… Trash Chic (said quickly sounds “tragic”, dontcha think?)

    Like

    • May 26, 2017 at 6:14 am

      Ha, so it does! I reckon many of us would be sharing that cell with you if there was a sudden rash of artistic house alterations 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover
    May 25, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Once again you made me laugh with this creative take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. May 25, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    Thanks for writing something super fun. Perhaps we all need a needle couch for those unwanted guests. 😉

    Like

    • May 26, 2017 at 6:16 am

      That would be just the thing. “Just sit over there and tell me more about this ‘double glazing’ you’re selling…” 🙂
      I’m glad you liked my story!

      Like

  23. May 26, 2017 at 1:16 am

    I call it “just deserts.”

    Like

  24. May 26, 2017 at 3:03 am

    Hahah – loved this take on the prompt!

    Like

    • May 26, 2017 at 6:16 am

      Thanks, I’m glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

  25. May 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    You managed to include such a lot of imagery in this piece. Uncomfortable imagery, but impressive.

    Like

    • May 26, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      The needle couch was especially uncomfortable 🙂

      Like

  26. May 26, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    Oh dear. A big mistake asking that friend to housesit!

    Like

  27. May 26, 2017 at 7:29 pm

    Hilariously awesome story!

    Like

  28. Sarah Ann
    May 26, 2017 at 7:50 pm

    Hoist by his own, methinks. Although, it might have been better to get the artist to clear up before offing him. Great voices and characterisation.

    Like

    • May 27, 2017 at 7:51 am

      Yes, he’s stuck with the whole thing now. And he only has 10 minutes before the police arrive!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. May 26, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    So sad, why can’t we appreciate the concept of art and creation… brain substance is not chick actually.

    Like

    • May 27, 2017 at 7:51 am

      He should have just taken a moment to enjoy the creations…

      Like

  30. michael1148humphris
    May 26, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    Modern art where will it end. Lovely story telling!

    Like

    • May 27, 2017 at 7:52 am

      It gets weirder and weirder as time moves on. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Like

  31. May 27, 2017 at 5:11 am

    a lot of the stories this week were sad. glad you came up with something different. enjoyed it very much. 🙂

    Like

  32. May 27, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Haha – love this!

    Like

  33. May 28, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    Haha! Great one! Should we be concerned that this is what came to your mind immediately? Clever and fun!

    Like

    • May 29, 2017 at 6:55 am

      You only need to be concerned if I come over and house sit for you… 🙂
      I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  34. May 28, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    I think that would be my first reaction as well.

    Like

    • May 29, 2017 at 6:56 am

      Me too. I’d probably wait to kill him until after he’s tidied up, though.

      Like

  35. May 31, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    Now I know for certain I’ll never use a housesitter. Who needs a “needle couch” when all’s said and done? 🙂

    Like

    • May 31, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      Surplus to requirements, really. And quite painful 🙂

      Like

  36. June 4, 2017 at 4:37 am

    Hahaha. Trash Chic! 😍 Très bien.
    Ellespeth

    Like

    • June 4, 2017 at 5:58 am

      It’s gonna be the next big thing! I’m glad you lied it 🙂

      Like

  37. June 19, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    I think he needs a new housemate! Enjoyed!!

    Like

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