
Sometimes, I think the Almighty has a weird sense of humour. Take gateways, for example. Not the entrances to fancy buildings, but the wrinkles where worlds meet. Don’t deny you know what I mean. Everyone has encountered at least one, but we blank them because the altered geometry offends. We look but we unsee them.
I recognised this stairwell as a gateway by the impossible Escher steps with two dimensions folded into one. But did it have to reek so strongly of impatience? Humour, you see. I swung my leg over the railing and picked my way gingerly down.
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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
I wonder; will you find comfort by meeting kindred souls? My take is that opportunity comes in many disguises.
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Thanks so much, James
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The beginning of a long journey. Happy New Year, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Iain
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A staircase has so many possibilities! An interesting story 🙂
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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Who knows where he’s going to find himself?
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He thinks he knows, but he could well be wrong
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Dear Neil,
Of course I immediately envision Escher drawings with winding pen and ink staircases. Intriguing piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Reminds me of something I reposted on FB the other day. A quote from WB Yeats – ‘the world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper’.
Really liked this, Neil. It’s a good way to start the New Year.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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I thought of a portal, but went a different way. I like the Escher geometry of your story.
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Thanks so much, Trent
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Knowing Escher, after heading gingerly down you could find yourself back at the top again!
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Thanks, Keith. But the the top of where?
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I find this thought provoking, as if it too is a portal of sorts.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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Well my word. I saw them as uprights, but now all I can see is stairsteps :). I should have read yours before I wrote mine!
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It is a tricky photograph. Something looks at an odd angle
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Deft wordplay, Neil. It was ripe for it 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome.
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Well done. I am always fascinated by these openings.
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Thanks so much
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It’s been few years since I’ve successfully swung my leg over a railing. I shall fetch a ladder. Gateways await. 🙂
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Caution is advised, yes, with this particular staircase
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Thank you, Neil.
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You keep us thinking!
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I hope that’s a good thing
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M.C. Escher. One of my favs!
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Thanks, Danny
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Oh oh oh….
My little scifi heart loves this concept, Neil. I want more!
Fabulous idea well done.
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And I would have given you more but for the word count. Thanks so much, Laurie
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I’ve never heard pee referred to as impatience before, but it makes a weird kind of sense!
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A nod to Terry Pratchett
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perhaps he should linger at the bottom for a moment and calm himself down.
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Sounds like good advice
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Intriguing description. You reference Esher, but your description, especially “the altered geometry offends,” reminds me of Lovecraft describing R’Lyeh, “He had said that the geometry of the dream-place he saw was abnormal, non-Euclidean, and loathsomely redolent of spheres and dimensions apart from ours.”
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Thanks so much
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an exciting start to a novel perhaps? 🙂
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I’m still finishing the last one
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well at least you have another ready and waiting!
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Well, I have to admit – I had look up Escher steps! So glad I did, and thank you for such a thought-provoking piece.
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Thanks so much, Patricia
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I love the angle you took.
Littered with impatience
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Thanks so much
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It is funny – I went down a staircase like this recently. I was impatient but only because it was a little creepy. Your story made me think and discover Escher!
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Spooky!
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I like your take on the prompt. Your story captures both the sordid and the potential for new experience that are so apparent in the photograph.
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Thanks so much, Penny
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Great story! Who knew the Escher landscape could be so filthy?
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Thanks so much, Liam
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I agree this is a great story and opening.
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Thank so much, Michael
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Now, I want to know what you found down there …
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That would have to be another story
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So many possibilities! Love this!
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Thanks so much
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