FRIDAY FICTION: Monger On

For hours, they sat there, trying to convince him, but he wouldn’t budge. So, they left, and he drank.

More people came, trying to convince him, but he wouldn’t budge. So, they left, and he drank.

After a while, I arrived. He was sitting there, still drinking, waiting to die.

“Hey there,” I said. The Fictionmonger looked up at me and frowned.

“Why the long face?” I asked, to which he replied, “Why the cliché?”

I laughed. He didn’t. I asked him what was wrong. He told me, “Nobody cares anymore.”

“About what?”

“About fiction.”

“Everyone cares.”

“Not my fiction.”

“Well, why do you say that?”

“Because they stopped reading.”

“I think they stopped reading because you stopped giving them things to read. I guess that’s also partially my fault. I should’ve kept up with Path to Nowhere.”

“Yeah, hey, is that ever coming out?”

“Some day.”

“Well, I’m not coming back, if you’re here to convince me.”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“I know. I could never convince you to come back. Nobody could. The only person who’s ever going to change your mind is you, plain and simple. Now, you may be encouraged by something else, but it’ll be your decision alone that brings back Friday Fiction.”

I stood up to leave. He asked where I was going. I told him, “Home.”

“Working on something?”

“Yeah.”

“What is it?”

“A piece for next week’s Friday Fiction.”

He furrowed his brow at me, confused. I just smiled and started to walked out.

“It’s a bit of a longer one,” I called over my shoulder, “definitely couldn’t make it to print tonight.”

“So, nothing today?”

I grinned, slipped six pages out from under my coat.

“Well…there are nine minutes left until Saturday…”

I looked back and added, “But you quit, so…I guess this is all trash…”

As the papers passed into the can, a hand caught them. I looked over to find him with a twinkle in his eye.

“What is it?”

“Six-page story, sci-fi, comedy.”

“Who’s it by?”

“O.L.”

“How many minutes left?”

“Seven.”

He was out the door before the second syllable was out of my mouth.

And here we are…

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, may I have your attention, please? You’ve been patient. You’ve been diligent. You’ve been loyal. Now, for demonstrating such tremendous qualities, such incredible attributes, such unbelievable resolve, you shall be rewarded! Friends, bloggers, Earthlings, lend me your ears! The time has come, yet again, for you to get your proper dose of excitement, adventure, and intrigue! People of the Net, without further delay, I present to you this week’s FRRRRRRRRRRIDAY FICTION!

Folks…

…it’s good to be back.

Today’s a bit of a quicker one, but you’re sure to enjoy it! It’s from an old buddy of ours, O.L. Percivall, entitled The Incredulous Galaxy Stalker: Part One! CLICK HERE to read!

Sorry this week’s is so rushed, boys and girls. I got down to the studio just in the nick of time. That being said, I’m just glad I was able to share this with you. It may have been a short story, but it’s certainly a good laugh. And, frankly, I’ve been…well, I’m just happy to see you again.

Next week, on Friday Fiction, we’ll have the next part of The Incredulous Galaxy Stalker, along with a new tale by Dylan Alexander. And as for Brandon Scott’s work…

…there is more to come, folks, a lot more.

This is the Fictionmonger letting you all know…

…monger on, everyone, monger on.

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