MULTIPLY Wordsmiths Challenge #9: The End of the Dream

It all begun about a week ago, but it has been going on night for night and now she was afraid to close her eyes and succumb to sleep, but she was in a hospital bed. Her fight to hang on to the last threads of life was weakening day by day, but she had to live; live for her daughter’s sake.

“Here’s your medicine for the night” said the nurse as she entered the ward. “Don’t forget to take it, you will be able to sleep and that will do you good.”

“Thank you nurse” was the answer “just put it on the bedside table, I will take it later.”

“Ok Mrs. Buckingham, but don’t forget. It will ease your pain.”

The nurse left and Eliza Buckingham looked at the tablets thinking they might ease the pain, but they will not cure me.

The night came slowly and although Eiza did not want her sleep, she had to succumb and she closed her eyes, breathing regular deep breaths.

At the beginning the dream was harmless. She was walking on a wide path lined with poplar trees. She should have known then that the straight trees pointing upwards might have a meaning. The walk was somehow exciting; in her sleep she felt that there would be something good at the end. Some time during the night she awoke, but the walk was etched in her mind. The following night the dream reoccurred. She was still walking along the avenue but could see large wrought iron gates in the distance. Behind the gates there were thick mists. She was almost looking forward to leaving the long path and reaching the gates, being sure that there would be a surprise awaiting her.

Her daughter Sara paid her a visit on the next day. Sara knew that her mother’s days were numbered, medical science had not yet found a cure for her illness which seemed to be eating her mother away from inside.

“How are you keeping mum” she asked noticing her mother’s eyes which seemed to be surrounded by a grayish ring.

“I am ok dear” was the answer.

“Are you sleeping well, you look so tired.”

“Oh, you know when you are lying in bed all the time, sleep just comes and goes. No, no, I am all right. How are you and the boys? Has Jim found work yet?”.

Sara’s husband had lost his job when the company folded down. He was a good worker, but there were few opportunities to find something new at the present time. Eliza knew that her daughter and the family were having problems making ends meet. They had already sold their car and there was talk of selling their house.

“No mum, no job up to now, but we are managing. I have taken on a cleaning job to help a bit.”

Her daughter left and Eliza was thinking.

“If only I can hang on to life” knowing that when she reached the age of seventy, her daughter’s family would have a right to an insurance policy that she had been paying for. It was one of those policies with many clauses to it. It entitled her family, which would be Sara as the only daughter, to a lot of money when Eliza reached the age of seventy. If Eliza died in the meanwhile the money would be put in a trust fund for Sara’s children when they reached the age of twenty. Sara had twin boys, but they were still at school and Sara and her family could use the money now. Eliza’s seventieth birthday was some time soon, but Eliza knew her chances of survival were dwindling.

And the dream continued. Eliza was still on the path and the gates were closer. She saw what was behind the gates. Rows of stones and a large house in the center. Eliza awoke with a shock.

“No, please let is not be” she thought and she lay back in her bed exhausted, but not able to relax or sleep.

In the meanwhile Sara was becoming more concerned with her mother. She knew that she was dying, but she never imagined that she would look so bad. Her eyes were becoming darker and she looked as if she would not survive another night.

“Nurse, can’t we do anything to help my mother?”

“I wish we could, but we have done all possible. It is a miracle that she is still with us. It is as if she is hanging onto life with the little strength that she still has.

The nurse entered Eliza’s ward with her evening medicine once again.

“Nurse, can you tell me what today’s date is?”

“It is the 20^th August Mrs. Buckingham. I believe it is your seventieth birthday tomorrow. I can see the date on your record sheet.”

“Tomorrow nurse. Thank you.”

And the nurse left the ward. Elisa put her tablets under the mattress as always. There was quite a collection there, but she did not want to be put in a false sleep. Perhaps she would not awake any more. “Just hold on until tomorrow” she thought.

That evening the dream was even more realistic. The stones behind the large iron gates were exactly what she was dreading, tombstones. She saw the name of her husband on a stone. She recognised his grave and moved towards it in her sleep. She awoke again with a shock when she saw that the grave was open, seeing the wooden lid of her husbands coffin below.

The next day arrived and again her daughter paid a visit. This time with her husband and her boys, but when she saw how her mother looked, she told the boys to wait outside.

“They are beautiful flowers you have brought me” said Elisa to her daughter and son-in law.

“Mother today you are seventy years old and you deserve the flowers for everything you have done for us.”

Eliza then spoke to her daughter.

“In my handbag at the side of the bed there is an envelope addressed to you. Please take this and promise it will only be opened when you receive news of my death. It will be soon, I can feel it, and I can at last join your father.”

“No mother, I won’t hear of such things.”

“Sara, take the envelope, it is my last wish and then please leave. I am not such good company for you both. Please do not be sad when I am gone.”

Sarah left with her husband and the boys. Her mother was looking so bad, that she had decided it was no sight for her sons to see.

That evening Eliza had her last dream. This time she wanted to sleep. She had reached her seventieth birthday, she was seventy years old and her daughter would receive the insurance money. She had put the insurance policy in the envelope some time ago. She closed her eyes for the last time and her dream came to an end as she felt herself leaving the last threads of life behind. She was gliding down into her husband’s open grave.

MULTIPLY United Friends Challenge #190: Curing a Cat Allergy

Sanctuaryrose’s Challenge

A black cat follows you wherever you go. Then one night while you are sleeping somehow this black cat sneaks into your house and sits upon your pillow beside you and when you wake up because you feel the weight of the cat and it watching you the cat speaks. "So are you ready to go now?" Feel free to get creative with this.

"But mummy why not, they are so sweet, Jenny now has two. Look at that nice black one watching us from the street corner. Oh please mummy.”

“No Jimmy, I would love to have a kitten as well, but it just will not work. I am allergic. Their fur just tickles my nose all the time, so I am afraid the answer is no.” although Penny Taylor would have liked to have adopted a little kitten for her son. She always had to sneeze and her eyes began to produce tears when she was near a cat. Penny and her son crossed the main road and she saw from the corner of her eye that the black cat followed them across the road.

“Look mum, that black cat is still following us, isn’t it a bit dangerous for him? If he was mine I would not let him roam around in such dangerous places.”

“I must say one thing Jimmy, you really would know how to look after a cat. Busy traffic is certainly not a place for cats.”

They continued on their way, but it seemed to Penny that the cat was still following them, although when she turned her head to look he did not seem to be there. She noticed two pointed ears and a pointed nose suddenly disappearing behind a wall. Eventually they arrived home and Penny unpacked her shopping in the kitchen. In the meanwhile the black cat that was following decided to make himself comfortable in the front garden, his yellow eyes observing the house all the time.

Penny and her son Jimmy lived alone in their house. It was Penny’s parents’ home. Her father died a few years ago and her mother was now living with Penny’s sister. Jimmy had a father, but he sort of disappeared when he was told his girlfriend was going to be a mother. It was a disappointment at the time, but Penny had a lot of support from the family and today she could not imagine her life without Jimmy.

“Mum, you know that cat that was following us?”

“You mean the black one?”

“Yes, that’s the one, well I think he is still there, sitting in the garden.”

“Where Jimmy?” Penny looked out of the window. The cat noticed the curtains moving so he hopped behind a tree. He definitely did not want to be seen yet.

“I can’t see anything Jimmy” Penny answered. If only Penny knew.

Eventually it was Jimmy’s bedtime and Penny also had an early night. The weather was warm and as usual she left the bedroom window open. Seeing his chance at last, the cat climbed the ivy clinging to the wall and soon reached Penny’s bedroom. He made himself comfortable on Penny’s pillow, knowing that she would soon wake, feeling his weight next to her head. Then his mission would almost be accomplished. The first order he had received was to make contact.

Penny turned in her bed, feeling that something was wrong somewhere and opened her eyes to find herself staring into two yellow eyes belonging to the black cat.

“Please be calm” said the cat “I have been given orders to organise your journey. So are you ready to go now?”

“Aaaaatishoo” was all that Penny could say at that moment. She reached out for her handkerchief and wiped the moisture from her eyes. A cat! The allergy!

“Did I hear you talking to me, a cat – aaatishoooo. No that cannot be and what are you doing here.”

“Stay cool human, I have been given my orders. Your little boy would like a kitten to adopt him, but it seems that you have told him it is not possible. My master wants to see you, we have exactly the ideal kitten that would like to move in with you and Jimmy and so we have to put things right. Just get ready, I will wait outside the bedroom door.”

“Do what, get ready, but just a minute” and the cat left the room and closed the door behind him by standing on his back legs and pulling the door to close.

“Did I see that correctly” thought Penny rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Cats can push things but not pull. She decided to get herself ready and opened the bedroom door.

“Ok female human, let’s go. Just follow me. We will be entering another dimension, it will not hurt, but might get a bit windy.”

“I must be crazy following a cat, aatishoo” and Penny suddenly felt as if she was being carried by a gust of air, as if she was floating. Her floating journey landed with a gentle thump.

“Master, it is here as you ordered; the human called woman who cannot live with cats.”

“Come closer human woman, you have a problem with the feline species.”

Penny found herself sitting on a large cushion in a room that seemed to be fitted out with cushions all over the floor. Here and there was a raised seat which could be reached by climbing a ladder, although she herself would be too tall and heavy to use them. The general impression was the ideal room for a cat. Sitting on the highest perch in the room was a rather large grey furred cat. He actually looked more the size of a lion than a cat. His eyes were very large, like two saucers glistening yellow in the reflection of the moonlight that seemed to be coming through a window. She looked out of the window she saw there was not just one moon, but four.

“Human speak up, what is your problem with us?”

“Aatishoo” answered Penny.

“Speak no further human woman, I believe you are one of the unlucky that is allergic to the cat.”

“Before I speak anything, I want to know where I am and what is going on.”

“You mean my servant did not introduce himself. Bonzo, where are your manners. When speaking to a subordinate race, the first thing to do is to introduce yourself.”

“But master, I really had no time, the dimension curtain was getting thinner and I really did not want to use the spaceship. You know how those weaker races are when travelling with a transport they do not know.”

“Bonzo you are forgiven, but just bear in mind in future that we do not kidnap other species. We invite them. And now to yourself human woman, I believe you have the name of Penny and kitten, sorry son, is Jimmy. Strange names these humans have.

Allow me to introduce myself. The humans know me as Bast. I discovered your world once on a trip from our planet Koshka and organised a few items for the race known as Egyptians. They seemed to be having a problem with mice infestation in their corn chambers. However, that is now history. Now and again we have to keep an eye on our colonies and it seems that some of the species human are allergic to the feline nation. For this reason our Koshkan scientists have developed a substance against this problem.

Bonzo please bring the liquid for this human to drink.”

“Just a minute, are you joking. A couple of cats are going to give me something to drink to cure my cat allergy. I just don’t believe this.”

“Human” said Bast looking at Penny direct in the eyes “I do not make jokes. Have you asked how you arrived here, have you not wondered how my servant Bonzo and even myself can walk on two legs instead of the usual four, can carry a glass of liquid in our paws and open and close doors with no problem.”

“Come to think of it, I admit you seem to be quite civilised for a ..”

“You wanted to say for a cat. We are Koshkans, descendants of one of the oldest races in the universe; however, now to come to the point. Bonzo bring me our new Earth agent.”

Bonzo left the room and returned carrying a sweet little kitten in his teeth. At least Penny thought he really did look sweet. Long grey fur, bright little blue eyes, and a little pink tongue. In the meanwhile Penny decided to drink the liquid. It tasted quite good, a sort of alcoholic milky taste, but as she was still alive she decided it must be ok.

“Human, you will take this feline agent with you when you return to Earth. It will be a present for your son Jimmy. You will take great care of this citizen of Koshka. He is to be fed regularly, and when he is older you may let him free to roam in your garden. If he wishes to go out in the evening, then he may do so. It will be to make a report to Bonzo who is one of our best agents on Earth.

Tomorrow when you awake, you will not remember this journey, or anything that has happened. The Koshkan, known as kitten, will already be living in your home and is to be a surprise for human kitten Jimmy. Is that clear.”

Penny nodded, she had no choice, but she noticed with pleasure that her sneezing had stopped and that the presence of so many cats (or should she say Koshkans) did not bother her at all.

“You may go” said Bast “or do you have any further questions?”

Now what does a subordinate race in the universe ask such a superior Master on planet Koshka, but Penny had one question.

“Do you mind if I call the kitten Koshka?”

“It may be done” answered Bast, thinking that these humans were not so stupid after all.

Bonzo returned to earth with Penny.

The next morning Penny was greeted by a very excited Jimmy when he entered the kitchen.

“Oh, mummy, how sweet, I have my kitten after all. What a wonderful surprise.”

“Yes Jimmy, I decided to take a chance and it seems that I am not as allergic as I thought. Up to now I have not sneezed once. It is like a wonder.”

“What shall I call my kitten, mummy?” Jimmy asked

“You may choose a name Jimmy.”

“What about Koshka, it seems to suit him.”

And that was how Penny’s family were adopted by a little grey kitten with blue eyes called Koshka.

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MULTIPLY Creative Challenge #75: Darkness Follows

Darkness follows
After nights of hunting
Finding victim fresh and warm
Fangs pierce, the vampire grunting

Light has no meaning
In the world surrounding a tomb
Sunshine being banned
Forever in the gloom

Once there was life
laughing, happiness
the evening came
The vampire’s caress

Doomed to a world
of eternal thirst
for blood and more
vampire cursed

So beware
On a dark night
Recognise my fangs
My skin so white

Darkness will follow
life becomes undead
Be my companion
Your needs are not unfed

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MULTIPLY The Horror of it All: Charlie

It all started as a surprise for Walter. He was now twelve years old and on that day his wish was to be fulfilled. His mother and father accompanied him to the animal home. He wanted a pet, a nice cuddly dog. As they entered the pens where the dogs were kept it seemed as if the dogs had got together to act as loud and loving as they could, barking at the top of their lungs saying please take me.

“OK son” said Walter’s dad “it is your dog, so make your choice” but Walter was overwhelmed with so many homeless dogs. It was then that he spotted a little grey puppy sitting on its own in a corner. The other dogs seemed to avoid it and when it tried to come a bit nearer, it was pushed back with a howling and growling.

“That is my dog” thought Walter “I will make him a good home and he will be my faithful pal. I want that one” he said pointing to the little grey dog in the corner.”

“Are you sure son” asked his parents. “He doesn’t seem to be as active as the other dogs. He certainly is no thoroughbred, but if that’s the one you want son, that’s your dog” and that was how Walter was given Charlie, which was to be the name of the new arrival in the family.

Walter took him in his arms and the little puppy licked Walter’s hand as if to say thank you. The puppy did seem to like the taste of Walter’s fingers and nipped one of them.

“Ow” said Walter, “you must be hungry”.

“What’s up Walter?” asked his mother

“I think my puppy is hungry, he tried to eat one of my fingers” and Walter laughed and so did his mum and dad.

When they arrived home, there was already a little bed and food waiting for the new arrival. Charlie found his way around quickly, but it seemed he really had a tremendous appetite. He finished his bowl of food and was looking at Walter with his big brown eyes as if to say “is that all?” Obviously you cannot leave a little dog without food in a strange place on the first day, so Charlie got second helpings.

Charlie made himself at home and grew and grew and grew. He also loved to go for walks with Walter. The only problem was that he kept straining on the line to go off on his own. Walking through the forest was easier, as Walter could remove the lead. Unfortunately Charlie would gallop away and usually return with a dead animal in his mouth. At the beginning when Charlie was small, it was just the odd mouse, and perhaps a rat. As Charlie was growing Walter had to search for him in the forest. He usually found him where he was tearing at the remains of a squirrel or perhaps a bird, that had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was then noticed that Charlie was changing, although Walter and his parents thought this normal for a dog. After a year doubts began to grow. The full moon nights were the worst. Charlie would scratch at the door and jump at the window trying to go outside. Just for peace of mind Walter would put him on the lead and go out with him for a few minutes to calm him down. It was once very embarrassing when Mrs. Smith’s cat walked passed. Charlie was off like a streak of lightening and the poor cat eventually managed to save itself from Charlie’s claws and jaws by climbing the nearest tree. Unfortunately it was stranded and the firemen had to be called to retrieve the cat. Mrs. Smith was quite annoyed and told Walter parents that she would not pay the bill; after all it was their canine monster that attacked her cat.

“Son, we have to have a talk” said Walter’s father. “Charlie is becoming a problem.”

“Just because he happened to chase Mrs. Smith’s cat, that’s normal for a dog.”

“No, not quite son; he seems to be changing.”

“Dad, he is just a dog, and is getting bigger. He isn’t a puppy any more.”

“That’s what I mean son. He eats as much meat as we do and to be quite honest I don’t like the look in his eyes now and again.”

If Walter was quite honest, he also had his doubts about Charlie. He had not told his father about the incident that occurred a few days ago when he saw Charlie burying something in the garden. He dug it up and found it to be a human finger. Now Walter was shocked, but he just did not want any problems, so kept quiet about it. If Walter had searched further, he might have found the hand that belonged to it. Walter’s father did read in the newspaper about a body that had been found in the nearby forest, belonging to a tramp, its hand missing, but thought no more of it. Looked like animals had got to the tramp, and that was the end of it. Probably the tramp died from an overdose of alcohol and the animals did the rest.

The last straw was when Charlie’s teeth fell out. Dennis was certainly worried, but the new teeth soon grew; much longer, more pointed than those previous. It was then that Walter’s parents said enough was enough. Charlie must go, he looked like something from a freak show. Walter was sad, he didn’t want to lose his companion. Eventually the arrangement was made that Charlie could stay, but he must now live outside in the garden in a special dog kennel. The funny thing was that it did not seem to bother Charlie at all. He was quite happy living outside.

In the meanwhile a few cats had disappeared from the neighbourhood and Mr. Smith was missing. These things always seemed to happen on moonlit nights. If someone had been watching, they would have noticed that Charlie was not stupid. He was actually very clever. You just had to hypnotise your human to do it. Of course Dennis did not realise this, nor did he remember sleep walking to the garden in the morning when Charlie returned and replacing the lock.

Eventually things came to an end when Charlie made his metamorphosis. Again there was a full moon and Charlie had developed such strength that he stood on his hind legs and howled to be heard by all. Someone in the neighbourhood called the police, but there was no Charlie any more in his dog kennel. The kennel had been reduced to a pile of wood, mixed with the bones of Mr. Smith and a few missing cats; the identity of the bones was later discovered upon their examination.

Charlie was gone. Now and again someone disappeared from the neighbourhood, their remains usually being found in the forest. Charlie’s lair had not yet been discovered, he had been building a nice safe place for some time. Every walk he took with Walter in the forest without his lead, he managed to construct a little bit more in his cave.

So if you decide to buy your son or daughter a dog, then have a good look first. If the other dogs in the pound seem to avoid the dog you want, then you must also avoid it. There could be a reason.

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MULTIPLY Pete's Pick Week 10: The Telescope

Bang! Bang!

"Sounds like our son has arrived home from school“ were Mrs. Williams thoughts as she heard the door slam to Billy’s room.

“In five minutes we eat” she shouted.

The answer came through the door to his room “No problem mum, just have to fix something first.”

Eventually dinner was ready and Billy arrived at the table, although ten minutes after hearing his mum’s voice.

“What took so long Billy, I thought you were ready.”

“I told you I had to do something.”

“Billy this week everything seems to be later than usual. In the evenings we don’t even see you anymore.”

“No problem, mum, I am working on a project for the school.”

Joyce Williams, Billy’s mother was getting just a little bit suspicious. Billy was a good scholar, but this new enthusiasm with his school work was just a little bit doubtful. She made a decision. As soon as Billy departed for school in the afternoon, she would have a look in his room. Billy left and his mother opened the door to the room. Another strange thing, the room was locked and the key had been removed.

Enough was enough; Billy’s father must have a few words with her son this evening. She knew that boys do have their little secrets as they get older, but this was going too far. A locked bedroom door, something just was not normal.

When Billy arrived home in the evening, the scene was set for a lecture about locking bedroom doors and being secretive. They were just finishing dinner when Billy’s mother spoke to her son.

“Billy, before you disappear into your room, your father has a few words to say to you.”

“Now it comes” thought Billy, “thank goodness I lock my room when I am not here.”

Yes Billy” his dad said “seems it is a bit of a problem with locked bedroom doors. If you have problems with, cough, cough anything, we can talk it over from man to man. “

Mother Joyce was so glad that his father was going to do the parent counselling and so she retired to the living room to leave them to their man to man talk.

Billy looked at his dad as if he was from another world, which was something normal for Billy to do. He always had a feeling that parents were only there as a sort of think and idea police, always examining his life as if something was going on in the background.”

“I really don’t know what you mean dad, I am not doing anything to get worried about; just a special school job.”

“Then why can’t we go to your room?”

“Dad it is my room, and you and mum always said you respect my privacy. If you really want to know, then I will let you in my room, just to show that I am not doing anything I shouldn’t, but I don’t want anyone just coming in and out.”

So Billy opened the door and his father and Billy entered. Half an hour later they came out, Billy’s father with a smile on his face and Billy breathing a sigh of relief.

“So what is it that we mustn’t know” Joyce asked her husband when they were alone.

“Oh, it is really a sort of project that Billy is working on for school. It involved some very expensive material that the school has given him and Billy is just worried that something well break if he leaves it lying around; nothing to worry about Joyce. We should be proud that Billy realises the value of things.”

“So his room is now staying locked.”

“Only until the week-end, he then has to give the tools he got to another member of the class. No reason to worry Joyce.”

He really hoped that Joyce had swallowed that story, although it was the truth in a way. Billy had received a telescope from the school. They were doing a project on the vastness of the night sky and Billy had to record what he saw. It was an exact job and he just did not want to be disturbed. He had shown his father the telescope and his father was also impressed, especially when he was able to focus on the neighbour’s apartment opposite. The magnification was enormous and the neighbour had just entered her bedroom after taking a shower. She was getting ready to go out for the evening. It seems she did not bother with a bath robe at all. Billy’s father at that moment decided it was just a sort of father and son thing and Joyce should accept her son’s reasons. Billy’s father had also made an arrangement with Billy. He was also allowed to look through the telescope from time to time, just for examining the night skies of course. It was so fascinating and he really only had time until the week-end.

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MULTIPLY Wordsmiths Challenge #8 Being with Nature

Swishing skirts of whispering grass
Strolling, feeling stalks tickling the skin
Memories of sun soaked days
Striding through meadows
Crickets chirping their invitations
To stay awhile in this luscious growth
A sanctuary of teaming life
Bare feet avoiding butterfly’s wings
Looking heavenwards seeking
the angels and cherubs watching
On such a glorious day as this
Time take a rest, stop the forwarding steps
Preserve such hours of Summer pleasure
And she walks on, absorbing without knowing
A lover waiting, thinks of him
Delights of the meadow slipping away,
only one thought, to lay in his arms
Being one with nature
In the summer of her youth

MULTIPLY Rita's "Riting" Challenge #43: The Problems of being a Writer

The writer sits at his desk
Words revolving in his head
No order no transparency
He cannot write, brain dead

Where is the food for thought
Looking out the window to search
Seeing nothing, just a void
Hears chirping, a bird on its perch

Inspiration is lacking
Concentration is no fun
Exhausted from repeating thoughts
Reaches out, in his hand a gun

Raises it and points
The genius seeks his root
He aims with intent to kill
The bird he tries to shoot

Up and away flies the bird
From the writer, had enough
Wants not die for anything
So leaves the writer some fluff

Outside is now silent
No bird sings a sweet refrain
Now to pen a few words
The writer tries again

Alas is something missing
As quiet as the grave
The silence can be heard
Inspiration he needs to save

The light is fading slowly
Sees shapes that make him fear
Then suddenly pieces together
He has a brilliant idea

An ode is penned to the bird
The one he nearly shot
Oh to be a writer
It is a tiring lot.

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MULTIPLY United Friends Challenge #189: Wrong Time, Wrong Place

Skyerider’s Challenge

The statement is “Too bad he chose this time and place.” Tell us the story behind the statement. You can change the gender to she, and the phrase does not have to be included in the story. Oh…and let’s throw in a word limit between 800 and 1500 words…just to stretch you a bit!

It was as if the heavens had known that today someone would be carried to his grave, who had walked a crooked way since he was a boy. It was an overcast day; grey clouds, no not grey but almost black. There was a rumble of thunder in the distance and the few mourners attending were glad that they had their raincoats for protection. Mugsy Schwarz was standing solemnly at the graveside, his coat collar pulled up covering the lower half of his face, the black fedora hat with its wide black satin band covering the top half, as if he did not really want to be recognised. He did not, but had his reasons. All the other spectators, and they were just spectators, were one time prison colleagues of the deceased. Jackie Simple had died at the hands of the state, and the mourners were standing at a new grave in the prison cemetery. Mugsy was not showing any emotion, he very rarely did, but he would miss Jackie. He was the born mug and it had been nice to have him around, but Jackie had now served his purpose and was laid to rest amongst others that he may have even known in his worldly life.

Perhaps Mugsy was reflecting on the events of the past year. It all began when he heard that Twitchy George was telling stories about Mugsy, Describing crimes that Mugsy had committed. Of course Mugsy had brought a few people “around the corner”, but if you happen to be having a quiet drink with your pals you do not start talking about things like that, especially when the police get to hear of it. Luckily Mugsy had a few of the officers on his pay roll and one of them paid a visit and told Mugsy of the lies that Twitchy George had been spreading about Mugsy behind his back.

Mugsy called his gang together and said that something would have to be done. Twitchy George must be silenced forever, but in a nice quiet way that no-one would believe that Mugsy and his boys were involved. It was then that there was a knock at the door of Mugsy’s office. One of his men opened the door and it was Jackie Simple.

“Hello Mr. Schwarz” he said, “I was told to bring this parcel to Mugsy.”

“Not now, Jackie” answered Mugsy’s right-hand man, “the boss is thinking and we have a meeting.”

“Who’s that?” asked Mugsy.

“It’s me, boss, Jackie Simple. Got a parcel and was told to deliver it personally.”

“Who gave it to you?”

“Twitchy George, said you was waiting for it.”

Yes he was waiting for a parcel of drugs from Twitchy. Sometimes Twitchy did have his use. It was then that Mugsy’s brain cells began to work. He was quite clever sometimes, but his brain resembled a one-way street, always thinking on the same track.

“Let him come in boys, I want to have a few words with Jackie. Tell me Jackie, business going well at the moment?”

“Not really Mr. Schwarz, if you have a job for me, I would be only too pleased to oblige.”

“That’s a good boy Jackie, matter of fact I do have something in the pipeline. I hear you are a one of Twitchy’s colleagues. A little bird tells me that he has been talking about me being naughty. Know anything?”

“Who me, Mr. Schwarz? Not really, although after Twitchy has had a few beers, he does start to talk a bit more than he should.”

“You know what Jackie. I think it might be an idea if you invited Twitchy to a few drinks down at the local pub. You know the one. Just along the river near the docks. I will probably join you as well, just to be sociable. I am sure that Twitchy has been misunderstood, and we could iron our problems out together over a drink. Only of course if you have nothing else to do. It is your choice Jackie.”

Jackie was quite honoured. Mr. Schwarz, would be sitting at the same table as Jackie, inviting him to take part in an important discussion with Twitchy George.

“No Problem, Mr. Schwartz. I was going to have a poker evening with a few mates, but I can put that off.”

“OK, Jackie, I would say this evening around nine, and make sure that you are there with Twitchy. By the way Jackie, as you are so obliging I have a little present for you. Here.”

And Jackie could not believe his eyes. Mugsy Schwarz handed him a gun.

“You are giving me a gun Mr. Schwarz. That is very nice of you, but I just couldn’t accept such gift.”

“Think it over Jackie, I always reward my boys with something, don’t I boys?"

The gang that were listening, all nodded in unison saying “Yes boss”.

“On second thoughts Jackie, put the gun on the table. I will bring it along with me this evening, after you have completed the job.”

“Of course Mr. Schwarz” and Jackie left, feeling so happy. His life had been one big disappointment up to now. He never knew his father, his mother spent more time looking after her whisky bottles than caring for Jackie, and Jackie was just left to himself. He was a very good thief. One of the few jobs you could do without being able to read or write. Jackie did not like school, so avoided it when he could. It was a homely feeling he had around gangsters like Mugsy Schwarz and his colleagues. He could always pick up a reward somewhere and if he did not, then he was a very good pick pocket.

The evening soon arrived and Jackie had carried out his orders and was sitting at a table in the pub feeling quite pleased with himself. Jackie did not need a lot to be pleased. Suddenly the door opened and Mugsy Schwartz walked in with two of his gang. Jackie noticed the nice white cotton gloves he was wearing.There was a flash of metal and a bright light. Bang, bang, two shots were fired and Twitchy George was head down on the table, blood pouring from his bullet wounds. Mugsy then threw the gun at Jackie, whose automatic reaction was to catch it and Mugsy disappeared the way he entered followed by his gang members. The action was so fast, that no-one really saw what happened, except of course for Jackie, but who would believe Jackie Simple, as simple as his name.

Jackie was arrested and put to trial. All the witnesses called swore that Jackie had shot Twitchy George. The proof was plain to see by the finger prints on the gun. Although Jackie said he was not guilty and it was Mugsy Schwartz, no-one believed him, or could believe him. There were so many people that confirmed that Mugsy was nowhere near the docks on that evening. He was participating in a charity dinner for orphans. Yes, if Mugsy Schwartz had a heart, it might have been good, but it wasn’t.

Unfortunately Jackie’s arguments of how he had been framed with the fingerprints on the gun were not credible. At that time the death penalty was still given for such crimes. Mugsy decided the least he could do was to attend the burial, and there he stood at the side of the grave. On prison gravestones there was only the name of the guilty person, their birth and date of death. On the way home from the cemetery Mugsy thought to himself a good inscription on the stone would have been “Too bad he chose that time and place”.

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MULTIPLY: Poetry Posse Week #53: Me, The Television

Looking at me with a longing
please, please switch me on
Let pulses charge through my leads
I want to become part of the fun
Tonight I will carry you
to a far part of the world
watch the actors play their parts
as they sail to another place
Dr. Who will take you
on a journey to the unknown
You will fight a dalek invasion
Until we are all saved
Perhaps it is not your taste
Taste can be savoured as well
Our master chefs are ready
Change to another channel
and watch them cook your delights
Truffels, sweetbreads, scallops,
A quail, or perhaps a pigeon
You will visit the temples of food
and partake in creation of edible wonders
You need some excitement, action
Your football team is playing and winning
Hold on to your seat, shout for the boys
They cannot hear you, but I can
Yes, my work is satisfying
I am content to bring it to your home
No, no, please do not fall asleep
I am still alive, waiting for a touch
You can switch me off
But rest assured I will be with you tomorrow
Your one and only faithfull television

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