Thursday, January 07, 2016

The performance

Thank you Rochelle for this week's photo prompt at Friday Fictioneers

Picture: Melanie Greenwood




They sit in the cramped cabin, safely buckled into their tiny spaces.

Stewardesses impassively perform the emergency ritual, arms flailing like human windmills.

Businessmen read. They’ve seen it all before. Two nuns listen attentively, fiddling with Rosary beads. A child shrieks, attempting a break for freedom. An elderly man fiddles with his hearing aid and shouts 'shes mumbling'.


A loving couple gaze into each other's eyes, totally oblivious.

Performance over, kits stowed, the stewardesses sit.

Some continue reading, others feel around for their safety jackets. The nuns stare ahead, the small child gives up its struggle. A hearing aid whistles. 


The  loving couple gaze into each other's eyes.


18 comments:

  1. Great description of the pre-flight ritual. And people's way of dealing with it. Well done.

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    1. I always have good look around! I try to position myself between 'I've seen it all before' and 'I better appear to be concentrating'!

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  2. Preparing to start another trip Blog which I haven't done in earnest since 2011. Really like the way you have refined Keith's Ramblings!
    Came across this that you may find interesting http://wordwarriors.wayne.edu/list.php

    (doesn't appear to hyperlink for some reason sorry you will need to copy and paste)
    My favourite is 'absquatualte' I am sure there are similar other lists of less used words. Perhaps Rosie could put some to more regular use!
    Have fun, Graham

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    1. Thanks Graham - looking forward to your new trip blog. Thanks for the link - I'm on my way!

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  3. Exactly like this it is... and all the time the hijacker on row 15 caress his hidden weapon....

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  4. Nice writerly observations.
    Randy

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  5. I feel like I'm on the plane too...and I'm secretly hating on that 'loving couple'. It won't last. It most definitely won't last!

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  6. Great piece, I actually felt I was there. Very nicely described.

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  7. A great description of the moment, it feels very alive. The couple nails it.

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    1. I'm glad it worked Ga H . Thanks for commenting.

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  8. Dear Keith,

    Apt description of the pre-flight instructions. This feels very true to life. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Not particularly inventive as a piece of fiction Rochelle, but a bit of fun just the same. Thanks so much once again for hosting Friday Fictioneers.

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  9. ...everyone has their own little rituals

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