Thursday, June 7, 2012

The next day


I'm participating in Week #30 of the Trifecta challenge using the following prompt.

NEW (adjective)

1
: having recently come into existence
2 a (1) : having been seen, used, or known for a short time (2) : unfamiliar 

     b : being other than the former or old
3: having been in a relationship or condition but a short time <new to the job> <a new wife>



I used the challenge to continue the story I had written yesterday regarding The Great Fire of Seattle 1889.

I head down towards the center square along with the restof the distraught citizens. The smell of smoke mixing with the burnt wood smell blows in the gentle breeze.  I notice that the leaves of the trees are dusted by the gray ashes of the remains of lost businesses. Horse and carriages are lined up along the grassy park. Men still wearing soot stained shirts and women holding their petticoats up to keep from getting muddy are milling about. Everyone sharing their own version of yesterday.  Many exhausted, including myself from actually fighting the fire as best we could. It was apparent from the destruction that the attempts were futile. The crowd is gathered sitting on makeshift benches made of wooden planks and a mock podium set up front with Mayor Moran, Acting Fire Chief James Murphy and the Sheriff
“Ladies and Gentleman “ the mayor shouted. “Let’s begin”
“We are here today to speak to you about how the great city of Seattle will rebuild following yesterdays epic fire as well as some details that have come to light. The fire was started at the cabinet making shop of Vincent Clarmont on Front Street. An apprentice by the name of John Back was heating a pot of glue over a gasoline fire. The glue spilt over and quickly ignited the wood shavings that were covering the floor.  I asked Mr Clarmont how could such a disaster happen he stated that Mr Back was new to woodworking. He had apparently just arrived by rail from Portland earlier this week and was penniless and in need of a job. This morning his whereabouts in unknown.” Murmurs vibrated through the crowd as some shook their heads in disbelief.
The Mayor continued. “Due to extraordinary efforts by you fine citizens, no life was spared. The tragedy lies only in the lost businesses and let me assure you we will rebuild immediately. Seattle will continue to be fine proud city she is."
I smiled as the crowd cheered.

10 comments:

  1. wow, really strong prose. I need to go read the rest of this.

    well done

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    1. Thank you Lance! I appreciate that. Thanks for stopping by

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  2. "I notice that the leaves of the trees are dusted by the gray ashes of the remains of lost businesses."

    Very vivid pictures. Nice.

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    1. Thanks! I live in California and been close to some wildfires. It's amazing how details in real life can be used in my fantasy world!

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  3. I like the time you picked for your story. The 19th century fascinates me in all respects.

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    1. Thanks Cathy! I just kinda ran with it and became fascinated as well.

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  4. Thanks for linking up this week. Unlike Cathy, this time doesn't interest me much at all. Which is why I was surprised to enjoy your piece as much as I did. Your font is small, so I put the laptop right up to my face and read with intent. Great job with the prompt.

    One thing: did you mean to write that his whereabouts IS unknown?

    Hope to see you back again soon.

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    1. I'm enjoying the challenges and learning a lot. I have found that I get hung up on keeping it within 333 words that I tend to omit words without realizing the impact. I'll have to work on that... oh - and I'll fix the font!
      Thank you for reading!

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  5. Neat! This is an event that I knew happened but about which I know basically nothing else. I'm going to have to go and read the other piece!

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  6. I like the image of the mayor, and I love that the wreckage is in property alone. But I think you mean "all lives were spared", since the other way would mean everybody died?

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