#alexwattsesq

[small-tales]

The Thief of Time – A WASTE story for #SmallTales @AlexWattsEsq

Long day? Thought so. But you’re wrong about why. It’s not your mood. It’s not subjective. It’s –

Think about all the days you’ve wasted, all the time you’ve killed, waiting for something to come along. Squandered afternoons when you really should have been getting on with…the housework; that project; calling your mum.

That time has to go somewhere. It’s there for you to fill. And if you don’t then you should know that it will find you.

That Friday that goes on forever and the weekend never comes? Those are all your wasted hours, coming back to waste you.

[small-tales]

Point of View (Hood) #SmallTales @AlexWattsEsq

The spokesman’s face shone under the studio lights.

“This administration is in no way opposed to legitimate protest. In fact the activities of this so-called ‘folk hero’ undermine the worthwhile activities of community leaders”

“And how is that, Sheriff?”

“The Outlaw – and that’s what he is! – has used…essentially branding…to portray himself as an activist working for Sherwood. In reality, Robin is a member of the landed gentry pursuing a regressive campaign to steal the taxes of hard working families for himself.”

The studio doors burst open. An arrow hit the camera.

“Not again” sighed the Sheriff. “GUARDS!”

https://xanderwatts.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/point-of-view-a-hood-story-for-smalltales/

[small-tales]

Ruin #SmallTales @AlexWattsEsq

The derelict hung in space, illuminated by the tired light of its reddening sun.

“What was it for?” asked one of the archaeologists, as the crew descended toward it.

“No idea” replied the expedition leader. “The surface is studded with structures. They could be weapons, sensors. Habitations, even. Personally, I think most of them had a ritual purpose.”

The junior archaeologist shivered it’s tentacles and adjusted it’s suit against a sudden chill.

The wreck unfurled massively below the crew as the lander dropped into its ruined landscape.

“All we know is the inhabitants used to call it ‘Earth'”

[small-tales]

Legacy @AlexWattsEsq #SmallTales

The derelict drifts, between stars. It was distant enough to avoid the consequences when the world was rewritten. It’s a fossil of an old story, hidden in the new.

The explorers dock and boots tread its deck for the first time, again.

“No signs of life Marie. But is that…silly string?”

As they enter the bridge the computers boot. The vast screen blinks a single symbol.

~

In the belly of the ship the cloning tanks churn. Speakers thump into life and for the first time in a long forever ‘Congratulations’ booms out across the decks of the Party Bag.

[small-tales]

Ghost Light #SmallTales @AlexWattsEsq

It’s called a ghost light. An atmospheric name for a practical necessity: a candle left burning on the theatre stage at night, so anyone left in the building after hours doesn’t fall into the orchestra pit.

I’d returned late, after the pubs closed. It was locked up for the night but I’d left a letter in my dressing room.

Theatres are eerie when they’re deserted. Like schools: they’re alive when they have people in them, but when they don’t…

I’d put my nerves to one side, but as I crossed the empty stage, something blew out the ghost light.

https://xanderwatts.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/ghost-light-a-candle-story-smalltales/

[small-tales]

Ready - @AlexWattsEsq #SmallTales

The vessel was ready. All those nights in crypts. Creeping out of the morgue, concealing his harvest under his coat. Dark work, but worth it for this: a body, perfect and inviolate, waiting only for him to bestow the spark of life.

The Elixir was prepared. Electricity thrilled him as he applied it and stood back to watch his creation deliver itself.

The hand twitched. A first breath fluttered out through the mouth.

The eyes opened.

It stood! It walked! It…was hideous!

Victor recoiled as his creation shambled toward him naked and asked piteously ‘Father…am I beach ready?’

[small-tales]

Reliquary @AlexWattsEsq #SmallTales

“I just didn’t expect the Albert Hall would have a secret vault under it”

“Well, it’s only your first day. Let this scanner read your iris, would you?”

The doors were ancient and heavy and they shook dust from the ceiling as they ground open.

“What do you keep in here?”

“It’s like the Da Vinci code: ancient secrets hidden in famous artworks. Like that, but not paintings. The clues are in a song. Colonel Bogey. Um.” He coughed.

I whistled under my breath as we entered the vault.

“Hitler has only got one ball

The other is in – oh”

https://xanderwatts.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/reliquary-a-ball-story-for-smalltales/

[small-tales]

Analysis Paralysis @AlexWattsEsq #SmallTales

I never had much sympathy for people who claimed there’s ‘too much choice’. But one day I woke from uneasy dreams, pulled on my dressing gown and went to the kitchen.

A box of Cornflakes sat next to my Weetabix. I reached for my usual, hesitated, changed my mind, hesitated.

I decided to skip breakfast. I could grab something on the way to the office.

Or wait till lunch.

Or have some fruit.

Or a cigarette.

I decided –

Hesitated –

Changed –

I’ve been in the kitchen for three days now. I’m sure soon my options will shrink to a manageable list.

https://xanderwatts.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/analysis-paralysis-a-plethora-story-for-smalltales/