I am the very model of a modern, civic gentleman. Bestriding the world like a colossus, honour and power are mine. I dine with the rich and famous.
These people understand me and I understand them. To coin a phrase, we have an understanding. Between friends, I share state confidences, and they reciprocate with offerings. This is the oil that keeps the wheels of the real world turning. The little folk we serve would never comprehend. So, far better they never know. And I trust you as always, to keep my secrets.
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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
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
The first line gave me an earworm. 😉 The rich and slimy are in office, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s because the first line’s rhythm is modelled on a song from The Pirates of Penzance: “I am the model of a modern major general”
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Yes, responsibility, honesty and empathy are dissolved by the arrogance of status and wealth.
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Quite an interesting character with a secretive nature and hush hush antecedents
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Thanks so much.
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I think a great deal of this well-oiled machine is being divulged to the little people as of late.
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And how the mighty are falling
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Annoyingly truthful. Nicely captured.
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Thanks so much
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Very à propos with what is going on right now. Well done, Neil.
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It was, of course, stimulated by current events
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That was rather clear to me 🙂
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Neil, I’m thinking of three of these slimeballs right now. Excellent and accurate pen here.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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You’re most welcome.
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Such a linguist, you. Loving the alley image all adorned for Winter.
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Thanks for reading
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Love the nod to Gilbert and Sullivan Neil – a great write 🙌
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Thanks so much. I’m pleased you spotted the pastiche
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🙌
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It is such an embarrassing time to be an American.
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My model for this story was, in fact, an embarassing Brit
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Oh.
My.
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Great story. Always great fun to poke at the rich and powerful.
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Thanks so much Will
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Rather cringe, I would say…
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Thanks, that was my intention.
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I could imagine this narrator’s look and attire because his personality comes through as a bi tot powerful, arrogant, self-satisfied, and quietly corrupt.
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Thanks so much, Prior
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Misplaced trust seasoned with pure arrogance and neatly written. Never let it be said that this week a certain ‘gentleman’ comes to mind.
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Perish the thought
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Neil, I had to read this twice. I picked up on the rhythm of the first line, but felt I had missed something important along the way. I found it on the second read-through. “The little folk we serve would never comprehend.” Yes, that describes the incredibly smug attitudes of some lifelong politicians I can think of.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Oooooo timely commentary.
No such thing as a good politician and this dude proves it once again
Damn now that song is stuck in my head.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Which politician could this be? Oh, all of them. Yeah, I can see that.
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Nice one
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The text is far too sophisticated to come from who I first thought the narrator was. But there are enough others left. As we see right now. The little people knew all along, but now we have proof.
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No, not him
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i don’t know but this reminds me of somebody like trump. 🙂
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But perhaps someone better educated
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There are far too many rich and oily people of power in our world who have a different notion of honor than we common folk. Hoping with what’s happening at the moment, a few will fall. Wonderful thought-provoking story as always, Neil.
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Thannks so much, Brenda
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