Rutger Galtiarii is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Fox
by Rutger Galtiarii
Biff stood at the table of the fortune teller. “I’ve had dreams of being chased by a fox,” he said.
“A fox? It’s a sly animal,” she replied. “Your dreams may be a warning that your life is in danger.”
Biff thought for a minute. My life in danger? Maybe I was being followed. State Agents were everywhere.
“How much for a reading?” he asked.
“Fifty dollars.”
It sounded kinda steep, but he needed to know about his dream. As he reached into his pocket to get the money, he accidently knocked over the chair behind him.
As it fell, the chair struck a lamp, knocking it over.
The lamp fell against a set of encyclopedias, which were stacked upright on a shelf.
Each volume of the encyclopedia set fell over domino style, with the last book falling against a vase, knocking it off the shelf.
The vase fell against a bird cage, knocking it over, and freeing the budgies inside.
The budgies, amazed they were out of the cage, chirped and flapped all over the room, sending feathers everywhere.
The cat, now awake because of the noise, and seeing his next meal fly around the room, began stalking the budgies. It tried to jump into the air to catch its prey. But it was so overweight it only succeeded in landing in its own water dish, soaking the floor.
The fortune teller sat speechless.
Finally, she said, “Please, I pay you fifty dollars to leave.”
Really loved this one. Made me smile all the way.
Well written, Rutger!
Congratulations, Rutger! This was so funny! It started out with a little intrigue, your usual style, but then quickly took that turn into the comical, where it landed with the cat, with a splash. Fantastic!
Thank you:
Yvonne, Jim and Mary Kay
for your kind comments.
It’s always interesting to see where a story will go.
Cheers.
I snickered–my husband heard it.