Fucking Brilliant Notebook #56

Sad millionaire sues wealthy apologetic media. ©  2025 Mike Purfield #punk #sixwordstory #microfiction

https://mepurfielddotcom.wordpress.com/2026/01/25/fucking-brilliant-notebook-56/

#wss366 - flannel

Sho licked a finger and pressed it by the table collecting the tiny breadcrumbs.

"Did you like it?" Rin asked.

"You have balls ma'am. To buy me lunch. I look like a hobo."

Rin smiled. "I thought you were one" she said looking at the worn flannel shirt he was wearing, the plaid patterns almost gone.

"Touché." Now he was looking at her. She was young and beautiful. He wondered what sins she was trying to wash out with this little act.

"Nice French. How did you end up on the streets?"

His stare became empty for a moment. "I don't remember. The usual suspects I believe..." He stood up. "Listen... I have to go. Lots of things to do. Thanks for the lunch."

Before she could say anything, he was already outside pushing a cart on the cold winter morning. Rin waved her father good bye. He was still wearing the shirt she had gifted him ages ago.

She wiped a tear and left a twenty before leaving an empty table, no breadcrumbs on it.

#MicroFiction

The #MastoPrompt for Sunday 25 January 2026 is:

#hinder

The poem or story can include the prompt word or be about the prompt word.

@ me, if you like, or just include the #MastoPrompt tag (to allow people to follow or filter their feeds), or keep your work to yourself - all the options are good as long as you're writing.

If you're including an image please do include alt-text if you’re able to.

#Writing #SmallPoems #Poetry #Fiction #MicroFiction #SmallStories

142. #MicroRezi zur #Phantastik #Microfiction #Anthologie von @VolkerDornemann
#Naniten3

Wildlife
von #volkerdornemann

In nicht allzu ferner Zukunft wird es nur noch wenige wild lebende Tiere geben, da wir Menschen ihnen die Lebensräume streitig gemacht oder sie vernichtet haben. Noch dazu kommt der irrationale Glaube, das Töten von Tieren wäre ein Sport oder diverse Körperbestandteile dieser Geschöpfe würden [...]

https://noosphaere.de/volker-dornemann-naniten-3-teil-8/#wildlife

#sciencefiction
#microstory

[AI image]

A travelling zoo and circus has arrived in town, and Charlie and I are having a look around.

Entry into the whole thing was pretty reasonable, but you can see where they really make their money - the snack vendors, the side show games, the usual carnival stuff. The zoo side of things is covered by the entry, as is the big top.

We are wandering around the zoo exhibits, when Charlie stops and frowns. Then she drags me back to the start "Toby," she hisses "take a closer look."

So we start over looking at the animals. It does not take me long to spot what is wrong. And the exhibits have noticed that we're noticed. This could get awkward.

One of the security guards comes over to us "Is there a problem?" she asks. Charlie looks her up and down, and whispers "We understand."

This does not reassure the guard, who reaches for Charlie, and then flinches, shaking her hand. My love has ways of making sure no-one ever touches her without permission. The guard, "Sal" according to her badge, looks at her hand, and then back at Charlie. "Shit. Ok, I gotta take you to the Boss."

Charlie smiles like there is nothing better she'd like to do (which is probably true) and we go to one of the smallest caravans in the convoy. Sal knocks, and says "Boss? I've got a couple of special visitors you need to see."

I can't hear the reply, but the door opens and Sal ushers us in. Inside is a very mundane office. A couple of laptops with extra screens, laser printer, and two people working at desks. One of them, a man in his fifties maybe, points to the chairs opposite him.

He barks out "OK, you've scared Sal. Who are ya? What ya want?"

Charlie takes the lead. "Nothing, I just noticed that all the enclosure locks are on the inside. I'm guessing those people get a cut of the entry ticket?"

"Ya know about them folk. Ya gunna cause trouble?"

I speak up "Nah, I work with a dryad, and we have a werewolf over for games every Thursday."

The boss looks at me "A dryad. That's a myth. They don't exist."

"This one does. Her mum made her."

His eyes widen, then narrow "Ya reckon she'd like ta travel?"

"No, sorry, you might say that she'd put down roots."

"Bugga. Well, had ta ask." He looks at Charlie "You a witch?" Charlie nods. "Right then," and he rummages in a draw pulling out a couple of wrist bands, "put these on."

"And what are they?" Charlie's voice is velvet over ice.

"Nothin like that. All area passes. Ya can even go backstage if ya like. Gotta stay friendly with the local authorities."

Charlie takes the bands, inspects them, and then hands one to me.

Her tone softens "Thank-you. We will return them when we leave."

"Hang onto 'em, we'll be back in a cupla years."

And with that we're shown out. Now we get to have the fun of a chat with the performers in the cages after closing. I guess it is a way of making money out of your talents. I wonder which one is Sal's partner.

#SF #SFF #UrbanFantasy #CharlieAndToby #microfiction #microfic #tootfic #IAmWriting

Genna the charm maker was intrigued. A little boy held out a letter and an open hand. The name Solifan was written on the envelope. A name she had heard before, in hero's tales and horror stories, depending on who told them.

"Said you'd gimme a silver!" he grinned.

She dug in her purse and flipped a copper towards the boy, who snapped it up with surprising dexterity.

"Nice try." she took the letter and ruffled his hair, which led to a quick escape with laughter and light cursing.

The neat writing, inviting her to enchant a necklace, ended suddenly in blotches of ink with what looked like a cat's paw and continued afterward with pleas for expedience.

A few hours later, Genna stood before an unassuming door with scratches all along the bottom. She knocked, and chaos ensued on the other side. After the thumps, meows, and curses had subsided, the door opened a tiny bit.

"Quick! Close it!" a voice pleaded.

She squeezed through the door and closed it. The room behind was dusty and untidy. A tall man with long, grey hair wearing a white robe stood in the middle holding a small, wriggling cat, which seemed utterly unamused. As soon as the door had closed, he set her down gently, earning a hiss and scratch in return.

"Solifan the wizard, fighting a cat." she said, grinning. "Not what I expected from the day."

#microfiction #tootfic #smallstories #fantasy #writing