It was a quiet, out of the way place. McCarthy didn’t mind. After everything, he had wanted a place like this, a place where he could be alone.
Grey streaks marked where the paint had worn away, subjected to years of wind and rain, and a soft wind rustled the dying grass.
Then there came the roar of an engine and a black car pulled up. McCarthy tensed as the doors opened and two men in dark suits, almost completely identical, got out.
“Mr. McCarthy,” one said. “Your country needs you.”
McCarthy sighed. It had been nice while it lasted.
Word Count: 100
This is for Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for running the challenge and Jean L. Hays for providing the prompt picture!
Reblogged this on All About Writing.
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Thank you!
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I think that for some, retirement is not an option.
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True. Thanks for commenting!
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Does look like the perfect place to hideaway, but obviously not remote enough for him. I wonder what he does for his country?
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In my head, he was a sort of secret agent. Thanks for commenting!
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Excellent, love a good spy story 🙂
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Very good story, well built.
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Thank you!
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Your story reminded me of the draft days that affected my school friends during the late sixties and early seventies. They didn’t always escape then either. Well done.
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Thank you! The draft was on my mind, though it obviously isn’t the same situation. I’m very glad to live in a generation where the draft isn’t in effect.
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Some just can’t get away. I liked the pace of this
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Thank you!
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Very good build up. Nice story told well.
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Thank you!
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Dear J.A.
I guess for secret agents there’s no such thing as retirement. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you!
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Sounds like he has a mission. Just the sort of thing I like to read
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Thank you!
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I like how this story allows the reader to fill in why he is needed, for me the planet is doomed, and it needs his expertise.
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Thank you! Yes, I wanted to leave some ambiguity.
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I read McCarthy as being Joseph of “McCarthyism” fame. As to whether this story was leading up to his invesigations, or whether this was present day and his “services” were required again, well i left that decision open.
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That wasn’t intentional, but somehow it works.
Thanks for commenting!
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