FF – Dead but not Forgotten
Here is my contribution to Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Dale Rogerson.
“I say, Carruthers, this is jolly good!”
“It is, Pinkerton! Who would have guessed that reanimated bodies could put on such a show? It’s a theatrical revolution, by Jove!”
“They found the reanimation artefact in an Egyptian tomb?”
“Indeed so, Pinkerton. Undead actors are just the start… look, the final dance number!”
“Oh, I say, that actor’s leg just fell off. Been dead too long?”
“What ho, you’re right! I SAY, POOR SHOW DOWN THERE, JOLLY POOR SHOW!”
Unseen eyes watched Carruthers from backstage. His heckling had crossed a line. And it did look like they’d need a new actor…
Categories: Fiction
flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers
Uh oh! Run, Carruthers, run!
Loved your imaginative take on the photo prompt. 🙂
As Robert nibbled Molly’s earlobes she remembered that tickling sensation, phantom-pains for a lost limb.
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Oh, poo! Sorry I had copied and pasted something from another story to comment on then I went and hit the post button before I noticed.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I’m glad you liked my story, and I can’t wait to read the post with Robert and Molly 🙂
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They’re characters in Bjorn’s story – the quote formed part of my comment to him. 🙂
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Break a leg Carruthers!
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It could snap clean off!
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HAHA! I say, Carruthers better run away while he can! 😀
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I hope he doesn’t accept an offer to “go backstage and meet the cast” after the show 🙂
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You just can’t be taking such chances when dealing with the dead!!
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Carruthers knows no fear!
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And eventually, the whole cast rots in front of your eyes. Now THAT is worth a standing ovation, eh what?
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That would be quite the show!
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Live Zombie Theatre! Definitely a winner, unless too many of the audience don’t make it out alive!
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Great in theory, as long as the cast has been well fed before the performance!
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I’d say the show was dead on its feet
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Ha ha 🙂
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Dear Ali
What ho! Carruthers better run like the wind. It seems he just passed a rather grisly audition.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, it’s unwise to heckle the dead and their masters, especially when there’s clearly an opening in their ranks.
Ali
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There’s a price to everything, said the man in black robes and a scythe … 😉
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Let’s just hope he doesn’t scythe the head off, that’s a real pain to stick back on 🙂
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Yeah, it’s those pesky eyes in the back of the head that give one trouble … 😉
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There is always that place where heckling crosses a line. He picked the wrong place to do it.
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He did, as he’ll soon find out to his cost.
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did they beat howard carter to it? i wonder.
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This was a little out of the way tomb. Hardly worth the esteemed Mr Carter’s time, he thought!
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I keep waiting for them to break out Michael Jackson’s Thiller…
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**Thriller
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That would be so cool, especially with bits falling off all over the place, very realistic 🙂
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Haha this is brilliant! The FF post on a Thursday broke my brain for a second though!
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I’m glad you liked it!
The prompt comes out on a Wednesday. ‘Cos that’s how we Friday Fictioneers roll 🙂
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What a great take! Can’t wait to see Carruthers next time I see a play performed by that lot!
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I hear he’s pretty good, and virtually nothing has fallen off so far!
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Good, some fresh meat for the next play. Being new to it and all, I’m sure his body will be going strong for many, many performances…
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That’s the thing with reanimated actors, turnover is quite high!
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I’ve seen enough theater where the actors just look like zombies. It’s about time they start using the real deal. I hear everyone is just dying to get into this acting troupe…
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Ha ha!
Yes, sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. I hear they keep trying to recruit Buster but he keeps getting “re-souled” by Act 2.
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A fitting warning, Ali. You just can’t totally trust a zombie 😦 — Suzanne
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It’s that whole brain-eating thing that makes you think twice 🙂
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Undead actors have their complications.
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Yes. They literally fall to pieces on stage 🙂
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Another creative take on the picture prompt, Ali 😂
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Haha! I loved the reveal at the end! Run, Carruthers, run!
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I hope in his haste to escape he doesn’t injure himself or he’ll never make lead zombie-actor!
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I think that sooner or later this show will start to stink.
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Ha ha I think you’re probably right!
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Spiffing tale, old chap, jolly good show, what!
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I say old bean, thanks, what!
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Sounds like there might have been some pretty lifeless performances 😉 Well done.
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Thanks! Yes, literally 🙂
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Were they performing the Occupational health and safety act? Sorry for the pun. Great story.
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It was the fun and informative 1972 workplace safety play “Working with Power Tools” 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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Great characterization.
Fun read.
Randy
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked Carruthers and Pinkerton’s theatre trip!
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This is both creepy and fun! Hecklers beware!
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It all went a bit dark at the end! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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It appears there is no shortage of getting replacement actors for the play – “Let’s Live Again Pharaoh”.
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No shortage at all. There’s always a heckler here or there!
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Oh dear. Carruthers had better hope he can outrun a troupe of the undead.
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As a Victorian English gentleman he does not run, though he has perfected a look of perfect indignation 🙂
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Okay, this one wins the prize for just plain creepy 🙂 The idea of dead actors, re-animated, is rather zombie-like. I love the ending. Carruthers may be the next dead-actor sensation!
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He’s always wanted to be famous 🙂
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You know it’s too soon to disrespect the dead when they can still come to get you.
If the dead aren’t going to stay dead, we might as well make them dance to entertain us. Michael Jackson felt the same way.
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Yes, a real trendsetter than Jackson fella. Put them to work!
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What a grand take on this photo prompt!!! Carruthers days do seem to be numbered.
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They do. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Looks like they all came back to life…now I’d better run…MOL😸Pawkisses for a Happy Monday🐾😽💞
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I would. There’s always room in the troupe for a cat… 🙂
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I also find the undead to be poor dancers (what’s with the stiff movements?), but I sure as heck am not gonna heckle! 😉
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Very wise, keep that thought to yourself at least until you’re out of earshot 🙂
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LOL…,love the twist!
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Thanks 🙂 Thought I’d go a bit dark at the end.
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Great ending. You should never mess with the undead.
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You certainly shouldn’t. I’m glad you liked it!
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