Friday Fictioneers – Waterfront

~ neilmacdon
fatima-fakier-deria1
PHOTO PROMPT © Fatima Fakier Deria

The cloud ruffled the top of Table Mountain, tendrils fraying down towards the city.

“They call that effect the tablecloth,” Thandie said.

Sitting under the shade umbrella, I sipped my mojito and gazed across the harbour. We were in her country, her city, but I felt a disconcerting familiarity. Africa should be more alien.

She seemed to read my mind. “You expected mud huts, didn’t you? Lions? Tribal dances?”

All I could do was laugh and reach across the café table to squeeze her hand.  “You’re dark and exotic enough for me. And there’s still your father’s kraal to come.”

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on character, desire, and suspense here

70 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Waterfront”

  8. What an interesting couple… I wonder if he can hear the condescension in his words (probably not) “You’re dark and exotic enough for me”, wow. Like Clare, I also hope their relationship can survive the cultural differences.

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  10. Really interesting to challenge those preconceived ideas – for him and for us the reader! Nicely done with subtlety and a delicate touch

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  21. Try as we might, we can’t get rid of our prejudice and preconceived ideas of people and places. It takes a lot of experience, regard and an open mind to get past that. If he can learn to see when he does it, they have a chance.

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  25. I think the village is his big test. It will either fill him with wonder, or he won’t get it at all. People can have very preset notions about what “culture” means. I wonder what the villagers will make of him. Also, I’m wondering if she ever says to him, “You’re white and hunky enough for me”.

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  27. Nice one Neil. Globalisation or commercialisation men we have to go further into countries now to find the truth of the place. It’s good when the original still exists, so I hope he appreciates the difference in culture and celebrates it.

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  28. He that dreams of romance is blind to what lies before… i feel short shrift coming on, as he won’t be pandered to by her family and I doubt the cultural ignorance will get him far. A love story thwarted by the time it gets to the Kraal. Great descriptive piece and good play on the prompt.

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  29. LOVED the first sentence: ‘ruffled’ and ‘tendrils fraying’. Must confess I had to look up ‘kraal.’ I was unsure about the ‘dark and exotic’ bit – I see where you were coming from but it jarred for me – cliche?

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