Climbing the steps to her neighbor’s second-floor front porch, Ethel breathed heavily. Thump, thump, thump, she dragged the axe behind her. Her hand shook as she turned the doorknob to Agnes’s flat and crossed the threshold. Ethel finally had her chance. She raised the axe and brought it down over and over. The more she sliced the happier she grew. Through her maniacal laugh, she heard a whimper from behind her. It was Agnes.
“I told you if you didn’t stop pounding on that thing, I’d do something about it!” Ethel shouted.
The piano lay in a pile of splinters.
~~
This story is my contribution to “Friday Fictioneers,” a weekly challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields. With the help of a photo prompt to inspire, we are to write a 100-word story. This week’s photo was contributed by C.E. Ayer.
If you would like to join in with this encouraging group of writers or read their stories from this week, click HERE.
The day the music died!
Nice one, Brenda
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Thanks so much, C.E. Love the photo!
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I’m glad it wasn’t a saxophone.
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Very true! On that “note” I think my own noisy neighbor is sort of karma for me. My son played the saxophone all through high school here in Hong Kong. The walls are thin, the flats are small, and the sound certainly carries. =)
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You deliver a well-calibrated twist in that story. I must say, though, that I hope it was a wood framed piano – most pianos are metal framed, and Ethel’s first blow would have jarred her body something rotten!
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Hmmm…hadn’t thought of that detail for the story. Thanks so much! =)
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I fear for your neighbour! Lovely mis-direction Brenda.
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Haha … I worry about the guy who lives below her, we live above. At least she’s stopped playing after midnight. Thanks so much for your encouraging comments, Iain! =)
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Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well, that’s a lovely comment! Thanks so much. =)
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Am glad I’m not living close by you! For I play … the guitar. Not as loud as a piano – although do you know there is a switch on the piano to change is to low volume? Unless it’s a 50 year old one, lol.
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It’s all about Ethel, not me (haha). I love music actually and play the piano. But, living in Hong Kong, flats upon flats and with the way sound carries, I wear headphones when I play. Love the guitar but never mastered it. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! =)
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Poor Agnes. Though it could have been a lot worse for her without your clever little twist!
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Well, Ethel and Agnes have a very volatile relationship. Don’t worry, Agnes will get her revenge. =)
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Good piece of misdirection.
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Thanks so much, Sandra. I’m happy you enjoyed it! =)
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Dear Brenda,
Agnes must really be a rotten pianist to illicit such a response from Ethel. Or many Ethel’s just a music hater. At any rate, a fun misdirect.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle. I’m glad you found it fun. Ethel loves music. There’s a long standing volatile relationship between the two of them (hehe). Don’t worry, Agnes will get back at her.
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Well done, especially the twist at the end!
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Thanks so much, Ann, for commenting. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. =)
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The 2nd sentence gripped me and didn’t let go til the end. Well written!
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That makes me happy. I’m glad you enjoyed! =)
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This was fun. Who hasn’t had a neighbour they wanted to do bad things too? In mind only of course!
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Of course, in the mind only…🙂
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I imagine the neighbour is even now planning her revenge! Excellent Brenda.
My go at Friday Fictioneers!
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She sure is! Thanks so much, Keith. =)
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Haha nice misdirection, Brenda. There was me thinking something completely different until that last line. Great stuff.
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I’m happy you enjoyed it. Thanks so much, Kelvin! =)
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Nice bit of misdirection. Can I borrow the ax for my neighbor’s violin?
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haha … you sure can! 😉
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i think wearing eaplugs would be more civilized. 🙂
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That’s a good piece of advice!
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Well, I’m relieved that Ethel wasn’t killing Agnes, but what an awful thing to do to that piano!
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Whew! I know, it was dreadful. =)
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A good story and well written, Brenda. Poor Ethel. She needs help. I hope she can afford a new piano as Agnes will probably sue her. This is going to be a nasty court case I’m afraid unless other complaints by neighbors have been made. That might help but I’m not sure. Also, Agnes needs to keep her door locked. A great twist. —- Suzanne
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It’s true, Ethel needs some anger management. =)
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Either Agnes is a bad player of piano or Ethel has no taste for music!
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Hey Abhiji, this comment went to spam for some reason. Thanks for commenting though. Longtime neighbors, they’ll work it out. Agnes is plotting her next move. =)
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Ah! You got me. Good one. Very nicely done.
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Thanks so much. I love a good twist, but not always good at it. =)
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You captured it this time.
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Buahahah!
Excellent redirect!
I loved it.
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I’m very glad you enjoyed, Dale!
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Oh my, I guess size does matter. LOLOL
She needed a smaller axe. Of course, I see by the ending that piano music was irritating her. It’s a shame since with much practice it can be a beautiful instrument to listen to. Great story …. Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much for commenting! =) True, a smaller axe would have made it easier to carry up the stairs. A quieter neighbor would have been good too (haha). It’s true about the beautiful instrument, my mom played classical piano music when I grew up and it was awesome.
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Hehehe, misdirection indeed. Such a great twist, caught me totally unawares.
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I’m glad about that! =) Thanks for the kind comment.
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