Everything was immaculate. Even the paving stones were scoured clean.
The throngs slowly filled the street sides like a rising tide. They were subdued, yet an energy unlike anything before filled the air.
The parade was short, the members in it few, but the intensity was too much for some.
Hidden tears. Hidden laughs. Hidden jeers.
Still as a postcard, vibrant as the sun.
We waited.
When it was done, people walked away, quiet.
Would it be different? Would a new world truly dawn?
Those are my memories. That was what I saw the day they hung the last king.
***
Word count = 100
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo © CEAyr. Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.
Great story! I love the sense of uncertainty.
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Thanks!
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Was he a king with orange hair?
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Yes, orange face…
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Very well written with a powerful last line. What comes after often is no better…unfortunately.
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Thanks. No, things usually don’t get a whole lot better…
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I’m not sure hanging the monarchy is the best start, at least in the short term…
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It just seems that that is the first thing they do, as if it would solve any of the problems…
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Ah, the good old days when you could have a festive parade and Hang an errant King or two.
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Yes, whatever happened to those days? Oh well, people still skewer the leaders, but not the same…
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I like the progression of the story Trent. A new world though, what would that mean? A big consideration and won’t come as easy as hanging a king. Good story.
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Thanks. You are right, a “new world” will not come easy just by hanging a king…
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Stunning. simply stunning. Excellently played out. Enjoyed every line.
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Thanks!
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I like the orderly fashion the story progressed just like the order in the memories. Great take on the prompt!
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Thanks. Once the idea was in mind, the story unfolded almost stream of conscious, like a memory.
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Very clear writing. Well-done.
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Thanks.
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Hang one, get a new one… what will really change? Not much for the “little people”, I’m sure…
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Nope, not much difference for the little people.
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A parable for the re-emerging out of the plague too, thats how I read it and i’m probably entirely wrong!. Good stuff Trent
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Hmm, that isn’t what I was thinking, but you are right, it could fit. Thanks.
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A good story none the less which ever way you look at it
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Thanks.
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Great story Trent, I wonder what will really change…
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Thanks. For the average person, unfortunately not a whole lot will change…
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Dear Trent,
It’s interesting the details that will be remembered from an event of such magnitude. Well described and rather frightening.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I think you’re missing a ‘y’ at the end of the in the last sentence. (..the hung the king).
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It is interesting to think what people would remember from something like that… Thanks, I think a little frightening is what I was aiming at. And thanks for pointing out the typo – corrected.
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Long live the Republic!
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Long live the Republic… until the dictator takes over… ;)
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I must admit, Trent, that my mindset is quite George Orwell. A new king will rise to the top and nothing will change for the ordinary people. A great and thought provoking piece.
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Unfortunately, that’s the way of it. The new regime is often just reshuffling the fortunes of the people at the top of the pyramid. Thanks.
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I wonder if things improved, or changed even.
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Most likely not improved too much…
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Kings have been beheaded at least twice in “modern” history, but nothing much has changed, really. Sad.
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Often the kings are the symptom and we can do little to cure the disease… Too little has changed.
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Oh!that’s dark Trent 💜
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For whatever reason, Friday Fictioneers often brings on the dark side…
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It does 😁
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Memories remain.
Interesting to see where the image of the string took you.
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Memories do remain… I’m not sure how in the world I ended up where I did – I drew a blank at first, but then started talking about the clean paving bricks with rope, and….
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It may not be enough to hang the king
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No, I doubt if it would be enough. Perhaps a start, though….
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I think most of us crave a new world at the moment…
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I think so too…
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