A life in polystyrene. Small, really. Compact enough to carry. Though, to be fair, it takes me both hands. And it aches me, what with my bad back and all.
So this is Wally now. A box of ashes—the remains of his body; twenty-two assorted notebooks—the remains of his soul; and a mysterious cardboard box. Which of these holds the real Wally?
The ashes I can tip in the garden. Scattering, they call it. For now, I flip through the notebooks. There might be a novel in them. Or passwords for a secret Swiss bank account.
.
I open the box. I shouldn’t have. Wally’s last little joke.
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 cad, Neil!
Very cleverly done.
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Thanks so much, CE
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Hi Neil, I like the idea of a secret Swiss Bank account, it adds the mystery to the background of the real Wally. I am not sure I would scatter his ashes in the garden, they may help the vegetation but I would be forever talking to the grass.
In all you have captured the expectation and mystery we may have when we go through a deceased persons possessions.
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Thanks so much, James
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A delightful cliff-hanger. There are no clues as to what might be in the box, but I’m guessing it’s not a pleasant surprise at all.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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Who knows what that could be? Nice way to leave us hanging…
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I’d tell you, but Rochelle frowns on sequels
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She minds them less when they are good 😉
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Swiss bank account… might be a ploy just to read all those notebooks.
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Hope springs eternal
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You leave us guessing as to what it is. Well done!
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From number nine Penwiper Mews, there is really abominable news. They’ve discoverd a head, in the box for the bread. And nobody seems to know whose
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Great limerick!
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I so want to know what’s in that box.
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Of course you do
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Yet another story hanging by a thread – it ain’t fair!!
We scattered my first husband’s ashes on the hollyhocks -he left specific instructions.
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You know what’s in the box
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Oh! What a rotten trick to play on us, Neil! Well, I guess on Wally’s recipient, too 🙂
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You know what’s in the box. You’ve always known
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Start the creepy music. . . .
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I’m guessing it will not be a pleasant surprise.
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Not a chocolate cake, no
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I can only imagine what’s in the box. But I guarantee it’s not a password to a secret bank account! Good one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dora
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Oh boy, you’ve got my curiosity going. No telling what it might be!
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It’s not a cuddly kitten
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I reckon it’s a red and white hooped sweater.
Entertaining story, Neil.
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Now there’s a possibility I hadn’t considered
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I don’t think I want to know, or think about, what Wally has left in the box…and yet I can’t help but think about it.
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You already know
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It sounds like Wally had the last laugh…wonder what it was.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m starting a book on that question
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gotcha! 🙂
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Exactly
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Excellent. Poor Wally… I knew him well. 😀
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Thanks so much, Susan
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Yep, you’ve got me. OK whats in the box? Delicious ending leaving me wanting more, very clever
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Perhaps the box is room 101
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Wow!!
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Intriguing! I’ll be wondering what’s in the box all day…
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You already know what’s in the box. You’ve always known
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Very clever Neil. Well done. Makes you ponder on what was Wally’s last little joke. We will never know but it is fun to ponder. D
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Thanks so much, Derek
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Wouldn’t it be grand if there was a secret bank account?
Loved this one, Neil. Be Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much, Isadora
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Wally. Whoever he was, he knew that box was going to be opened.
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Oh, yes. He most certainly did
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Oh great last line. Little joke indeed. I want to think the box was a bomb and now he has ended up with Wally in the afterlife!
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I like that interpretation
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Oh, you’re a mean little cuspid this week. Inquiring minds want to know what was in the unmarked box…. mean, you are! Great story! A life summed up in one bin…hmmm, intriquing. A year ago, I did that with my own life. Let’s just say, it’s expanded again… 4 bins worth… mostly fabric.
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Sorry. I won’t do it again
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I doubt you. You’ll do it again, and love doing it. It’s in your nature. LOL! Great story, too.
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Now that’s a an end that leaves us in suspense. Nice one.
The box probably contains tickets to Cayman Islands where Wally is waiting while drinking Pina Coladas.
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That’s a great suggestion
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Fantastic last line.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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I want to know!
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I think you already know.
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Aww! I was afraid so. 😀
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“Four little Soldier boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.” Agatha Christie
I know you want to make me ask. This is me not asking. And thoroughly enjoying the story anyway!
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Thanks, Anne
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Perhaps Wally left his friend with a massive debt to clear.
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That’s a possibility
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Wally, Wally, Wally … SMH … 😉
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Yes, yes, yes
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