Flash Exercise Online Portfolio
THE NEW AND IMPROVED WAY TO MOVE ON
[FlashXer] EXERCISE: FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008
this morning, I was chatting with a friend of mine who is moving
from an apartment back into condo. He said he had not expected
to live there the six years he did. I figured, he said, I'd be dead by
now. This is a very vigorous octogenarian: he runs 3 or four miles a
day,
goes to the gym regularly, runs up six floors to his apartment three or
four times a day. But he feels the grim reaper, as do many of us,
sharpening the scythe. At any rate, see what you can do with this
prompt...
I feel certain yu will find it, if not interesting, macabre.
WHEN CYRUS REACHED 80 YEARS, HE DECIDED HIS TIME WOULD
SOON BE UP, SO HE CONSTRUCTED A HANDSOME, HAND CARVED
COFFIN IN HIS BASEMENT...NO ONE KNEW ABOUT THE SECRETS IT CONTAINED.....
Usual rules. 1000 words. In the subject line, please, the word Coffin,
your name and the story title.
I know this story may be a grim undertaking, but do it anyway
and have fun.
Irv
06/15/08 Janine's Coffin "The New and Improved Way to Move On" 352 words
When Cyrus reached 80 years, he decided his time would soon be up, so he constructed a handsome, hand carved coffin in his basement... No one knew about the secrets it contained.
He included all sorts of things to amuse himself while awaiting his arrival in his new world. He had magnetic cards to play on the sheet of metal he installed inside the lining of the lid. He had his favorite books in Reader's Digest form to save space. He had puzzle books and pencils, so that the ink wouldn't run out mid-puzzle. He even packed snacks in case he got hungry or thirsty.
When Cyrus's time was up, he was convinced that all he would have to do is wait a while in his coffin, then come out again and he would be renewed as a younger man and the world would be a better place to start all over again. He never discussed this with anyone outside of his friend the gofer who was always running around while he worked on the coffin.
He decided one fine day that it was a perfect day to start his rebirth in his handsomely decorated, fully fortified coffin. He would be there for a long time and he couldn't wait to get started on his new life.
Three months later, Cyrus opened up the coffin to a new day. He looked in the mirror and it was just what he expected. He looked like a twenty year old again. He took his death certificate, his will leaving his belongings and fortune to his grandson, who conveniently had the very same name. He had all of his documentation for his new younger age. He sold the house, picked up and found a new place to find love, have children and start on a new career by going back to school.
The gofer was the only one who knew his secret. Perhaps he would have a pet mouse as a confidant in his new life. It might be easier to explain talking to a pet mouse, than to a gofer living in his basement.
06/15/08
Hi Janine,
When you first brought up the gopher, I thought the
gopher would take over the coffin and come out a new
man. Cute story. No crits. -Rita
06/16/08
Hi Janine,
A coffin story with a happy ending - well done! I am just a bit confused about the magic behind his transformation. Does the gopher have magical powers? ; )
Thanks for sharing,
Catherine
website created by Janine Bouyssounouse.
Last updated 06/16/08