Below is this week’s 100-word story for Friday Fictioneers. The photo prompt for this week is courtesy of ©Renee Heath
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A Scientific Solution
Neighbours said David was soft in the head. His teachers thought him a genius. He particularly loved chemistry but his parents were Believers who said science was evil.
When David stopped coming to school, the concerned Headmaster called to the house. David opened the door, brimming with excitement beneath his goggles and white coat.
“I’ve done it,” he said. “I’ve disappeared Mom and Dad. Well, nearly. The bones just went gooey. Do you think this will get me a Nobel Prize?”
Meanwhile in school, Ms Antimony’s inventory was not going well. She was missing an extremely odd combination of chemicals.
©Siobhán McNamara
Ah.. I guess that craziness and geniality live as very close neighbors…
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It seems so …
Thanks for reading 🙂
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Dear Siobhán,
I’ve heard it said there’s a thin line between genius and insanity. I have to wonder how the Headmaster will handle the situation. Dark humor nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
life is full of thin lines, and the poor Headmaster is walking one right now 😉
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Great story, very entertaining.
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Thank you 🙂
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insane/genius…it’s all in the interpretation . Someone has some explaining to do..lol
Great story!
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Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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3rd stanza made me laugh out loud! Really liked this one – specifically the way you set it up.
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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I think you’ve got an evil genius in the making. There seems to be a lot of backstory between him and his parents. Somehow, I don’t think he’ll get the Nobel Prize, although who knows? 🙂
-David
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We seldom hear much about the childhoods of Nobel Prize winners David – maybe they all started out like this!
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I loved this peep into the mind of this young man. Evil or insane… not sure, but you nailed it.
Well done
Dee
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Thank you Dee 🙂
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Siobhan, I doubt his young man will finish his education at his present school. This was an evil genius in the making and no one seemed aware of it.
Your story was dark and humorous both and done well indeed. 🙂
Susan
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Thanks Susan 🙂
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Yuck! Now I have a vision of gooey bones in my head. So well done. You took a delightfully dark turn with your story. Genius and creepiness in a bad combination. Kudos.
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Thank you 🙂
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Gooey bones… delightful stuff. I’m not sure he’s going to get the Nobel prize though.
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I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell him
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Ooh, gooey bones and parents meeting their demise through self-fulfilling prophecy. Great take on the prompt, Siobhan.
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Thank you Gina 🙂
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😀
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Hurrah, Siobhan, a happy story (unless you’re Mom and Dad), but hilarious no matter what. I’m still smiling after laughing aloud.
janet
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I’m happy to have made you laugh
Thanks for reading and enjoying 🙂
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My jaw dropped at the end. Great job!
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Thank you 🙂
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An enjoyable read. What a wicked twist at the end!!!
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Thank you Jan 🙂
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To quote an old American comedy line, “Can you imagine what that stuff does to your stomach?”
Well-done!
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Thank you 🙂
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Reminds me of one of my favorite short stories by Ray Bradbury (published in “The Illustrated Man”) – “The Veldt”. I read it as a child and have never forgotten it! Nice take on the prompt!
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Thank you, I’ll have to look up ‘The Veldt’
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An evil genius at work! Made my bones tingle to read it 🙂
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Thank you, keep those tingling bones away from the evil genius!
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I had to laugh at the absurdity of his excitement over disappearing his mom and dad. I love creepy humor. 🙂
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Thank you Lisa 🙂
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Oh… A menacing story with humorous undertones. Or is that the other way round? Regardless, a good story.
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Thank you 🙂
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mom and dad were right in this case. science is really evil.
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It was true in this case, though Mom and Dad may have contributed somewhat to their own demise …..
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As soft as wax. Great piece of drama. Have a prize.
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Thank you Patrick 🙂
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Sounds like he would make a great villian in a Superhero movie. I can just see Batman or Spiderman battling such a nemisis.
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They would have their work cut out!
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Intriguing story….. well written.
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Thank you 🙂
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Love the combination of humor and creepiness! Is it sick to say I’m rooting for him to win the Nobel?
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I’m rooting for him too!
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Great concoction! Well done.
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Thank you Amy 🙂
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Oh my. Clearly something off with off with David. Well done, Siobhan; I can really see this as it unfolds.
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Thank you 🙂
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I’ve always loved dark comedies and I must say that this is one of my favorites. Short, subtle, yet powerful. Cheers! 🙂
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Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Oooohhhh that was good. Loved it.
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Ooooohh thank you!
🙂
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