Welcome to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Photo prompt has been provided by Ted Strutz.
If you would like to read more 100 word stories, click the blue button at the bottom of the page.
The rain hammered. Car after car rolled onto the ferry, watery tracks staining the deck.
Ted watched, swallowing down nausea. He looked at the worn gate locking mechanism again. How many times had he filed the work request? Twenty? At least!
Another report this morning. “It will fail, sir! We need to replace it!”
His diligence was not appreciated. Shareholders wanted profits.
At the cost of human lives? Apparently. “Just do your job!”
He knew it wouldn’t hold.
The cars kept rolling on board. Men, women, children, babies.
What of his own family? No, he couldn’t just walk away.
-word count: 99
Great story. I worry about what he will do to make them listen, nothing too drastic I hope!
I think it’s too late to make them listen. He’s done all he can and now he’ll just try to save as many as he’s able.
Wonderful story! A somewhat dark departure from your norm. I like it.
Haha! True. I seem to be having dark moments lately. Thanks for stopping by Susan. :o)
Ooh–I like it!
Thanks for stopping by! I always appreciate it. :o)
Hopefully the gate will hold as nothing leans against it…
This was tension-filled, Missy!
Thanks Dale!
A timely story
Greed, right? Thanks for stopping by. :o)
Great build-up! I hope it didn’t take lives for them to replace the broken part.
That’s always the hope but sometimes it takes the loss of life. :o(
I have a sinking feeling about this. Hand me a life jacket.
They probably don’t have enough given their stance on safety. Will Water Wings work? :o)
Great story. A little more on the gritty reality side than I expected, but I really liked it.
I’m more than just a pretty face. I have some grit. It’s usually in all the wrong places but it’s there. :o) Thanks for stopping by, Trent. :o)
Dear Mrs. C.
Great build of tension. Nicely written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks for your kindness, Rochelle. :o)
Your writing is almost like mine. Just slightly different!
I love that he has a care and a conscience!
I’m in good company then. Thanks for stopping by. :o)
A true horror story. Well done.
Thanks, Linda. I’m glad you stopped by. :o)
Great story, it’s good he has the courage to persevere and stand up to the bosses.
Even more that he’s going on that ferry even though he knows it could go down as soon as today. I like his courage. Thanks for stopping by Michael. :o)
I wonder what happened next.
My story – ‘An empty bottle’
The ferry went down, Ted saved every last passenger and all the major Shareholders & CEOs were sent to do hard labor in a Gulag in the furthest reaches of Siberia. :o) Thanks for stopping by Keith. I’ll get to your story tomorrow. I promise.
A delightful take on the prompt! Go, Ted!!! How many whistleblowers have been ignored, I wonder?
Exactly!! Ted is a damned hero! :o) Thanks for stopping by Alicia.
Hurry for someone who has a conscience!
Sometimes it’s nice to write about a genuinely wonderful person. Thanks for stopping by Christine. :o)
such a wonderful story of integrity and courage .Ted’s family would be so proud of him.
I like to think so. Ted is a good man. :o) Thanks for stopping by Moon.
I could feel his frustration. I wonder how many catastrophies could be avoided
if dollars weren’t involved. Interesting take on the photo prompt.
Isadora ?
I know, right?! What a world we live in. :o)
Scary and very topical for UK readers, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which could have been prevented if people in power had acted on concerns that had been raised time and again.
Profit without conscience is an evil thing. The Grenfell Tower is a disaster than should never have happened. I hope they prosecute. Thanks for stopping by JS.
Reminds me of all the reports on what you should have done for that building in London… I hope he will do the right thing… (but Ted is good so it will work out well)
There should be more people like Ted, especially in positions of power. Thanks for stopping by, Bjorn. :o)
This is similar to the disastrous business with the tower block cladding fire in London. People may die and heads will roll, possibly even Ted’s. Let’s hope the lock holds. If it does, Ted better leak the truth and find another job. Good writing, Lori. —- Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne! I agree – leak the truth. :o)