Is it now, now? No, it was now, then. When am I? Who am I? Is this a dagger I see before me?
Metal shaped with a thin, sharp edge. Could be a dagger, yes. So, imagining the past formation from a hot ingot, I glimpse its future plunge into the body of the old king.
Past and future, I shape both in my swirling now. If I imagine differently, I create different pasts, different futures. I invent the world.
But this is terror. What stops everything collapsing into moosh?
.
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 
Arresting opening two sentences there, Neil. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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“Is it now, now?” Reminds me of a scene from the Mel Brooks’ movie “Spaceballs.”
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Thanks for reading, James
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Dear Neil,
You mean it’s not collapsing into moosh? I wonder. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The collapse is non-mooshy. Thanks so much, Rochelle
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What indeed. An intriguing tale, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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This actually made me a little dizzy 🙂
You’ve taken a simple photo and turned it into a kaleidoscope! Brilliant!
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Thanks so much, Linda
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I am with Rochelle on this one! If it’s not it’s doing a darn good imitation! hehehe
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Thanks,Violet
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I empathise, Neil. Confusion is now pretty much my default state!
Expertly crafted, sir.
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Thanks so much
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Neil I know exactly how your MC feels.
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Thanks. Lisa
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You are welcome.
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i can only imagine his bewilderment. it’s not a good situation to be.
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Comes of thinking too much
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A heavy skill to bear. I think perhaps the world will go to moosh regardless of any choices this character makes.
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You’re right, but he doesn’t know this
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I like this!! Is it now now? Brilliant. Then and now. Before and after. Perfectly captured. And dizzying! Well done, Neil 😊
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Thanks so much Fleur
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When will then be now? Soon! Great write, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Nancy
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Moosh indeed.
Thoughtful piece.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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Oooooo I love it… the paradox
And is that a few hints of Spaceballs and Shakespeare… ahhhh love it
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Sometimes I think that I’m lost in my own universe and you all are figments of my imagination. And that’s bound to end in moosh. Great writing!
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Thanks so much
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Oh gosh, that was intense. I think he needs less cheese before bed next time! At least… I hope it was all a dream.
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He’s a deep thinker
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Very well done, great opening lines. I thought of Macbeth as well, even dug out my copy and skimmed through it. When I went to type, however, a different story came out. Good thing probably, because whatever I would’ve come up with would have surely pared in comparison to this.
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Thanks so much. How interesting that you thought of MacBeth too
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the dagger line had me feeling Shakespeare – and then so did the King part and other wording. Then there was the volatile vibe and heavy feelings with the word moosh ending on a lighter note….
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You’re right. it’s a reference to MacBeth. Thanks so much
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🙂
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You’re welcome; Neil 😊
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