Friday Fictioneers challenges us to write fewer than 101 words mused up by a photograph supplied by one of us and posted as our prompt by the ever-wonderful Rochelle. Click the prompt photo to see her blog page and get clued-in on all the fun.
Here is today’s picture and my story.
Genre: Crime Fiction
Title: The Payoff
Word count: 100
I was out walking behind the old abandon Morrow Brothers service station, where I had my first job. Hearing voices, I climbed over the mess of old mufflers and tires to see.
I saw Clay Morrow arguing with some guy. Morrow pulled a gun from his toolbox and shot the man.
I saw youthful me—watching.
Then, I watched as Morrow walked over to me, said something, and handed me a paper.
Back home, I called Dr. Kupferberg.
“Doc, I wasn’t dreaming. I remember. I witnessed a murder and told no one. Morrow paid me off. I’m holding the check.”
Look both ways.
You won’t recall repressed memories, until you do.
Mind the gaps in criminal acts, especially if you’re involved.
Our Literary Journey 
Repressed memory is such an interesting thing
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’tis a thing, me thinks. 🙂
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Good one. But then you ended with a pick or RP. One of my favorites, so of course I’m going to like it. 😉
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Thanks, Kathrine. Whatever it takes. 🙂
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Oooh! What is the statute of limitations on witnessing a crime? I’m glad he only paid him off and didn’t do him in… That was fun!
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Ah, a fellow fan of Sons of Anarchy. The kid was naive enough to take a check from Clay, but also savvy enough to know not to try and cash it. Good story, Bill. Clay got what he deserved — and so did Gemma!
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HA! YOU GOT IT, LISA. The psychiatrist is from The Sopranos. I mean, why not?
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🙂 The Sopranos is on my bucket list to watch. Have you seen Ray Donovan? I’m about to start S3 of it and am loving every bit.
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I have not. 🙂
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That was a good one, Bill.
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Thank you, Bear.
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I wonder if he needs more money?
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I wonder.
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Dear Bill,
Looks like the truth is about to come out. Repressed memories. I can relate to that. Thought I was crazy when it happened to me. (So did some of my friends). Good set up and clever way to link to the inLinkz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
The prompt went through several morphing renditions before I finished.
Peace,
Bill
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Wow! Spend the money and run man! Great story.
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Thank you, Mason.
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If he didn’t cash it then, I doubt he will now.
Btw, Ray Donovan is a must!
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Got it, Keith. A must from one I can trust. 🙂
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Now I’m worried I’ll be walking past somewhere and I’ll remember something best left forgotten… 😮
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In my experience, a repressed memory is not something forgotten or amnesia. But yes, it can happen just like that. On the rare occasions that I return to my home town, many places bring memories to mind. 🙂
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I think he is lucky that he got money and not a bullet. Interesting premise and suppressed memory makes it more so.
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Glad you found it interesting. 🙂
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I’ll fix it. 🙂
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hope Ron Perlman isn’t typecasted. He’s probably a really good guy, but he sure LOOKS the part!
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Beauty’s beast? Never. 🙂
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You set up a very interesting situation. You say it was his first job, which implied to me that it was the first of many criminal acts. And yet he’s seeing a psychiatrist as though he wants out. Is the psychiatrist a crook, I wonder.
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I never thought of it that way, but you may be right, Penny. After all, that is the shrink from “The Sopranos.”
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if anything, he survived to tell the truth. others might not be that lucky. 🙂
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So far, yes.
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An intriguing story – the only way to close the gap is to speak up.
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Glad you liked it.
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What a time for the memories to return!
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