Home > Fiction > FF – Brollies of the World, Unite!

FF – Brollies of the World, Unite!

Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Dale Rogerson.

Copyright Dale Rogerson

 

Flapping excitedly, the United Umbrella Revolutionary Army floated into view. Fully unfurled, they hurled themselves at the unsuspecting diners, canopies locked in attack positions.

Their vanguard, a “Big Red”, was accidentally trampled underfoot. Another, caught by a freak gust of wind from an open window, screamed as it blew inside out and fell to the floor, mortally wounded. A third was grabbed by an oblivious customer and dragged outside, the better to shelter from the rain.

Retreat! was the watchword of the day as the battered survivors rose to the rafters.

They had lost the battle. BUT NOT THE WAR.

 

  1. September 19, 2018 at 8:22 pm

    There’s nothing scarier than when inanimate objects organize upon having finally decided they’ve finally been pushed around enough.

    Like

  2. September 19, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    This reminds of a never made Hitchcock movie… it could have been the greatest success since the birds..

    Like

    • September 19, 2018 at 8:33 pm

      Haha, “Hitchcock’s The Brollies”! Maybe that was his initial idea but he changed brollies to birds at the last moment.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. September 19, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    I was attacked by a big green one once. Filthy habit!

    Like

  4. September 19, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    But what are they so angry about? I suppose years of mistreatment in the bad weather!

    Like

  5. September 19, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    The war goes on! I nearly got stabbed in the eye a few times in the city.

    Like

  6. September 19, 2018 at 11:28 pm

    There was great suspense in this story. Great build up & tension.

    Like

  7. September 20, 2018 at 12:03 am

    It’s an unfair battle indeed when the humans have two hands — and the wind on their side. Perhaps the most unequal battle since Culloden. Hmm…Bonnie Prince Brolly? Could have possibilities.

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 6:54 am

      I’m starting writing my new epic as we speak – “The Legend of Clan MacBrolly” 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. September 20, 2018 at 2:20 am

    i hope it doesn’t rain the next time around. otherwise, it’ll be complete chaos. 🙂

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 6:54 am

      The poor brolly army would be in for a bad time, for sure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Abhijit Ray
    September 20, 2018 at 3:45 am

    Attack of the umbrella brigade!

    Like

  10. September 20, 2018 at 3:48 am

    The people were covered by an umbrella agency. The horror.

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 6:55 am

      Reminds me of “Resident Evil” now 🙂

      Like

  11. September 20, 2018 at 11:49 am

    I love your imaginative, ‘thriller’ take on The Brollies Fight Back ! There is something alive about the brolly which you’ve picked up on so well. Like in high winds they fight you back.

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 11:53 am

      I can’t even use a brolly as they seem to have a mind of their own! I’m constantly jabbing people. I’m glad you enjoyed my little story 🙂

      Like

  12. September 20, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    I’ve never trusted brollies, they have minds of their own as your story skilfully demonstrates.

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      Same here. I don’t even use them, horrid uncontrollable things!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. September 20, 2018 at 12:33 pm

    I knew there was a good reason I never used umbrellas, other than the fact that I can never get one to open properly…

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Yeah, brollies are pants. And dangerous, too…

      Like

  14. September 20, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Dear Ali,

    Brolly good story. 😉 Umbrellas taking on a life of their own.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Dear Rochelle,
      Ha 🙂 I’m glad you liked it!
      Ali

      Like

  15. September 20, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    Teehee! That made me chuckle, Ali, especially your final sentence.

    Like

    • September 20, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      That final sentence was meant to have you shivering in your shoes – they’re not done with us yet 🙂
      I’m glad you liked it!

      Like

  16. September 20, 2018 at 4:17 pm

    They really can be nasty little things, can’t they? Refusing to pop up upon pressing of their buttons, sneaking out of their sockets so they can stab you… Let them float up… it’s safer for us down here!

    Like

    • September 21, 2018 at 6:54 am

      Let them all fly away and leave us alone. The only ones that don’t go inside out at the first puff of breeze are golf umbrellas. They just dray you into the path of oncoming traffic.

      Like

  17. September 20, 2018 at 5:24 pm

    I don’t think I’d eat at that diner, an unnecessary risk. They will “licked their wounds” and the battle will be on again. =) A very entertaining story.

    Like

  18. September 20, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    I’m picturing a bored little boy, tired of adult conversation, daydreaming about the umbrellas—-and then waking up to realize it wasn’t a dream, after all!

    Like

    • September 21, 2018 at 6:55 am

      “Mum, I just had the weirdest dream… whaaaaa!” 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. September 21, 2018 at 8:49 am

    Umbrellas can be sneaky. How do we know ours isn’t plotting rebellion this very minute. I have to admit we’re sometimes callused about them and just replace them when they break. We don’t even have them put down as we would a horse. Here I was surprised they are often repaired. 😀 — Suzanne

    Like

    • September 21, 2018 at 11:57 am

      I long ago gave up trying to use an umbrella, so I’m safe 🙂

      Like

  20. September 21, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Brollies of the world only want a little reign.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Jelli
    September 21, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Interesting perspective. Love the writing this week!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. September 22, 2018 at 11:47 am

    Using an umbrella can at times seem like a battle, I see so many left mortally wounded in a bus stop bin.

    Liked by 1 person

    • September 23, 2018 at 6:16 am

      Me too. The bins are full of them after any sort of breeze!

      Liked by 2 people

  23. September 22, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Fierce!
    You had me on the edge of my seat.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Sarah Ann
    September 22, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Wow that was tense, and I was screaming as the poor brolly got turned inside out – painful. Wonderful imagery and energy, as well as a bit eerie – attacking umbrellas are not a nice thought, but a very imaginative one 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • September 23, 2018 at 6:20 am

      You’ve got to feel sorry for the poor things, though they were the aggressors. I’m glad you liked it!

      Liked by 2 people

  25. September 22, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    Cute story. The poor, mistreated umbrellas. They will have their day.

    Liked by 1 person

    • September 23, 2018 at 6:20 am

      They’ve been badly treated, and now our days are numbered!

      Liked by 2 people

  26. September 23, 2018 at 9:13 am

    I’m eyeing my umbrella nervously. How do I tell if it’s a member of the UURA?

    Liked by 1 person

  27. September 23, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Funny! Umbrellas are, after all, in their essence, ridiculous.

    And now that I think about it, with drone technology, there could be an army of umbrells. But what damage they could possibly do, other than irritating humans, i cannot guess.

    Liked by 1 person

    • September 23, 2018 at 5:17 pm

      They certainly didn’t cause the diners much more than an inconvenience 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  28. September 24, 2018 at 8:04 am

    I like the oblivious customer that grabbed an umbrella to use it – that would be me! Great take and really made me think of what unreliable aggressive flapping objects umbrellas are.

    Liked by 1 person

    • September 24, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      It’s a sad day when your major offensive goes unnoticed. I’m glad you liked it!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. September 24, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    If the brolly army is planning to poke every human’s eyes out, it better recruit more brollies to their cause. After all, over 7 billion of us = over 14 billion eyes!

    Liked by 2 people

    • September 25, 2018 at 11:59 am

      I bet if they recruited enough brollies there would be more than enough 😦

      Liked by 1 person

  30. September 25, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    I wish them all the luck they can get. They never did me anything wrong. The people carrying them, on the other hand…

    Liked by 1 person

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