Drawing from natural springs throughout the world did nothing to halt the deepening of her wrinkles. She wasn’t giving up though.
They’ll be sorry for calling me crazy and for leaving me. I’ll outlive them all!
The advertisement read: The Fountain of Youth Discovered in South Dakota
The road reached toward the horizon as the mountains invited her. This had to be the one.
~~
“Do you think people will come?”
“They better or we’re out of business,” answered the innkeeper.
“Isn’t it cruel to give false hope?”
“No, it gives us hope that we won’t lose the inn.”
~~
“Friday Fictioneers” is a weekly challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields. The challenge is to write a story, using only 100 words, in response to a photo prompt. This week’s photo was provided by Russell Gayer.
It’s a lot of fun to join in with this fantastic and encouraging group of writers! To read other stories, click HERE.
When the gullible meet the cynical, it’s bound to end in tears.
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Unfortunately, that’s often true. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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A shortcut to a new year resolution – unfortunately no such shortcut is real! Happy New Year Brenda 🙂
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Sadly so. 🙂 During the holidays, I enjoyed immensely reading A Justified State. Well done! Happy New Year to you and your family as well!
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Thank you so much Brenda, so pleased you enjoyed it. Do spread the word, would love to see a little review of your thoughts if you have the time. Hoping to have a sequel later in the year, that’s the aim anyway! Happy New Year 🙂
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I’ll certainly spread the word. I’ve never written a review, but I’d love to write my thoughts, what I enjoyed about the book.
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It would be great to hear, even just a few lines of feedback can be very informative and encouraging 🙂
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Ha, the innkeeper has a novel (and slightly self-centred) way of looking at things 🙂
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Extremely self-centered for sure. Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂
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A cynical piece. but it does reflect the business ethic
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I do fall on the cynical side of things, unfortunately. 🙂
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well, one has to make a living.
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I suppose. Thank you for reading! 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
Such a topical subject. I once heard it said that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. And one has to remember the (supposed) words of P.T. Barnum. “There’s a sucker born every minute.” I love where you went with the prompt. That’s what I mean about stepping outside the box. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle. Some weeks I surprise myself where the muse takes me. “How did I get here?” It’s certainly a lot of fun.
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what a bummer. she wasn’t beyond saving anyway.
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Thank you for reading and commenting! 🙂
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correction… what i meant was she WAS beyond saving.
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Well … maybe no one is beyond saving. 🙂It’s possible she’ll realize what’s important and live now instead of wasting her time looking for more time.
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Yes we live on hope. Hope to revive an old face to youthful glory. Hope of keeping an inn alive. Life goes on.
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Very true, we live on hope. Thanks so much for commenting, Abhijit. =)
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I have always believed that the everything, including the people we keep in our lives serve a purpose, and I think the Innkeeper is very honest about believing the same thing. Excellent write..
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Thanks so much for commenting, Violet! =)
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Ya gotta do what you gotta do…
This was most original, Brenda! I really enjoyed it.
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Thanks so much, Dale! =)
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And it serves her right for being so foolish and tying up her self worth in her looks alone. Who wants to live forever, anyway, if you’re alone? Great story Brenda
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I suppose it’s about where we place our self-worth. But, it’s true, why have more time if you are all alone. Thank you so much for commenting, Lynn! =)
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My pleasure 🙂
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Desperation and being gullible. Not the healthiest combination. So much wrong in presenting false information, kinda like what is going on these days from Washington.
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Sadly so…
Thanks so much for commenting! =)
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Alas… the world is filled with people promising and not delivering… would be nice if something works out well in the end.
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You never know what’s around the corner … could work out for them both? =)
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Sometimes people ask to be fooled, she seems to be one of them. Fun story.
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I suppose she’s more desperate than anything else. Thanks so much for commenting! =)
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Well, business is business and you gotta survive!
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I suppose … it’s sad though. Thanks for commenting, Anshu!
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Well, isn’t he just the mercenary then! Nicely done.
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Sandra! =)
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Interesting perspective.
I like how you displayed it.
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Thanks so much, Dawn! =)
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I can gauge from here, this certainly won’t end well. 🙂
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No, there will be sadness, I’m afraid, for one or both parties. Two desperate people willing to do anything, possibly, to gain their goal. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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