“You’re Charcoal Charlie,” he said.
The name’s Fred, but I guessed they gave everyone a name in the ballooning club. Perhaps the moniker was a slur, on account of my skin colour.
“Get under the envelope and flap the edges open,” he said.
“Sure thing, massa.” I hoped he’d understand the irony.
Holding the edges of the balloon and flapping like a rooster, I felt ridiculous, but the bag began to inflate.
Then, a wall of flame jetted past me.
“WTF? You almost burned me to a crisp,” I yelled.
“Why do you think the job’s called Charcoal Charlie?”
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
Neil MacDonald Author 
You covered a burning issue well.
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Thanks, Anthony
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Wow, a great take on this issue with a strong writing style.
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Thanks so much
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Seems like we’re all on sensitive topics this week
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I blame that virus
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This is awesome! The ending is perfect.
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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I love the undercurrents. I hope he has insurance 🙂
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Oh yes, The clubs have to have insurance so they can replace Charcoal Charlies
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Dear Neil,
Sounds like a dangerous job. Would that we could all be color blind, but that’s just not so, is it? Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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A brave topic to tackle Neil, and expertly handled.
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Thanks so much, Iain
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Funny stuff! Looks like you did some research, too.
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Thanks, Joshua. I went to a hot-air ballooning club once so no additional research was necessary.
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I wouldn’t volunteer for that job! Nicely done, Neil
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The job rotates. No volunteering involved
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Ah, I see. Interesting. Thanks Neil
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Like this very much Neil…made me smile…xx Von xx
Sent from my iPad
>
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Thanks so much, Yvonne
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That’s dangerous. Hope he’s well.
Stay safe.
A Whole New World – Anita
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And he still hasn’t figured out whether or not he’s been discriminated against
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A neat path to an unexpected conclusion. Very good, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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Oh! Well, it’s a relief to know the name isn’t a slur, but it still kind of singes the edges 🙂
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But maybe they made him Charcoal Charlie because he was black
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Maybe he was black because of the charcoal 🙂
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Fred is kind. A lesser man would have toasted him. Excellent storytelling, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re most welcome, Neil.
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That sounds like a job that requires some preparation, explicit instructions. Prejudice or not, I think Fred should be wary of his new friends.
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They do seem to be trading on his tolerance
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Great story. Double meanings everywhere.
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Thanks so much and thanks for noticing the subtext
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This one sure turned the heat onto the burning issues of the time!
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Burning, yeah
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If I was Charlie I would push a piece of the balloon’s covering over the flames then duck. Puff goes the balloon.
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But he wanted to join the ballooning club, You need a balloon for that
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Talk about starting at the bottom of the club. I’ll pass.
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Very wise
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🙂
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well thought out and put together a relevant piece for these times
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Thanks so much
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A very relevant and powerful take on the prompt!
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Thanks so much, Gabriella
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I’m glad his nickname is all about potential horrible death and not his skin colour.
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But why was he chosen as charcoal charlie?
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A timely piece given the current goings-on. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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These clubs have their own initiaton rituals – no doubt he turned the tables on the next unfortunate recruit!
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Perhaps. But then again, perhaps not
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simply one of your best. well done.
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Wow! Thanks so much
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Excellent story, Neil. I fear the members of that club were less than punctilious about the pre-flight safety talk.
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Thanks, Penny. I think their ommission may have been deliberate
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Ouch! Well written. That flame sure sounds dangerous
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Your comments suggest that he was chosen as Charcoal Charlie for his skin colour. While I thought it was just a coincidence.
Layers upon layers.
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Well, that’s the thing. He doesn’t know for sure
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When the nickname fits – it fits. I liked how you diverted the reader’s thoughts before we understood the reason for his nickname.
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Thanks so much, James
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Now, we need a Deflating Donald.
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I think you have one
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You address a complex subject very skilfully Neil. Very well written.
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Thanks so much
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Sounds like a hot job for sure.
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They don’t come hotter
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Wow…heck of a way to find out what the job is about. lol
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Thrown in at the deep end
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Fred better get out of the club before he gets burned! His safety doesn’t seem to concern anyone. I like the ambiguity of his nickname. I guess it’s up to us to decide whether he was picked because of his skin colour.
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Yup, up to the reader. Thanks, Magarisa
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